Advertise on podcast: Opportunity on SermonAudio

Believing That Is Becoming 1 Corinthians 2–3 | Jeremiah 32:38–40 This message emphasizes that genuine faith in Jesus is more than believing something about Him; it is a believing that is continually becoming more like Him. Our believing affects our behavior, and our behavior reveals whether we're being led by the Spirit of God or governed by the desires of our flesh. Paul confronted the believers at Corinth because, although they had received the gospel and the wisdom of God, their jealousy, strife, and divisions exposed their spiritual immaturity. They were placing their confidence in gifted servants rather than recognizing that Paul, Apollos, and Peter were merely instruments through whom God was working. The servants planted and watered, but God gave the increase. The message reminds us that God has given us His Word and His Spirit, not merely to increase our knowledge, but to transform our lives. His wisdom teaches us to depend upon Him rather than our own understanding, producing humility, patience, purity, love, and a willingness to serve others without competition or offense. When we're Spirit-led, even life's difficulties and relationships become opportunities for God to accomplish His good purpose in us—conforming us to the image of Jesus. Drawing from Jeremiah 32:38–40, the message reveals God's desire to give His people one heart and one way, placing His fear within them so they will continually walk with Him. This reverence produces a lifestyle of dependence that blesses not only us but also those who come after us. Ultimately, the great evidence of our believing is who and what we're becoming. When we receive God's Word, yield to His Spirit, and trust Je

This sermon examines Jesus' return to Nazareth, where his hometown rejects him despite witnessing his wisdom and miracles. The central theme explores how familiarity with Christ can breed contempt rather than reverence, leading to a hardened heart that refuses to believe. The text argues that unbelief is not merely a lack of evidence but a spiritual condition that blocks God's blessings, as Jesus could do no mighty works there due to their lack of faith. Believers are warned against becoming desensitized to the gospel through routine, while unbelievers are challenged to recognize their own depravity and the need for regeneration. The passage serves as a lesson on the necessity of teaching for understanding, the expectation of rejection in ministry, and the urgent call to repent before the opportunity for faith passes.

Every individual has the opportunity to serve the Lord with their gifts and their resources. Here, as John commends Gaius for his hospitality, his continued emphasis on truth impacts the way in which he expresses joy. There is no greater joy than seeing our children (biological or spiritual) walking in the truth!

This sermon examines the narrative of Judas Iscariot's betrayal in Luke 22, identifying five distinct marks of ultimate betrayal: plotting instead of worship, being filled with Satan rather than the Spirit, seeking to betray rather than proclaim, pursuing profit rather than service, and seeking opportunity for evil. The exposition highlights the severity of this sin, noting that Judas was an apostle who had walked closely with Jesus, yet his actions revealed a hard, unbelieving heart. The message contrasts this with the experience of Peter, who also failed but was restored because his heart retained a genuine love for Christ. The central challenge is for listeners to examine their own spiritual condition, distinguishing between surface-level religiosity and a true, abiding love for Jesus that provides assurance and restoration.

This sermon explores the theological truth that God's grace is sufficient for believers facing physical and emotional struggles, using the apostle Paul's experience with a thorn in the flesh as a primary example. The speaker challenges the congregation to reject discouragement and excuses rooted in personal weakness, arguing instead that such limitations create the necessary space for divine power to be displayed. By citing examples from Jesus, Charles Spurgeon, and Corrie ten Boom, the message emphasizes that the Christian life involves enduring pain with faith rather than seeking a pain-free existence. The central call to action is to choose dependence on God, strengthen faith through earnest prayer and Scripture, and remain active in ministry despite personal limitations. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging listeners to view their weaknesses as opportunities for God's glory rather than reasons to quit.

This sermon draws a parallel between Paul's urgent plea for Timothy to visit him before winter and the gospel invitation for sinners to come to Christ immediately. The central message emphasizes that salvation is simple, requiring only faith and repentance rather than prior moral reform, yet it demands decisive action and the prioritization of God above all other concerns. The preacher uses the imagery of the approaching winter and the fleeting nature of life to highlight the urgency of the hour, warning against the danger of procrastination and the assumption that future opportunities will always be available. By referencing the simplicity of the brazen serpent and the sincerity of Paul's loneliness, the message assures listeners that God's invitation is genuine and sufficient for their salvation. The tone is convicting yet comforting, urging the audience to seize the present moment to receive the peace and rest that Christ offers before the door of opportunity closes.

### Christians in Heaven ≠ Harp, Halo, Wings **Sunday School Lesson — Pastor Ed Decker** This lesson examines what the Bible teaches about heaven, the resurrection, and the future of believers. Through passages from 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17, Matthew 18:3–12, and Mark 12:18, the lesson directs attention away from popular cultural images and toward the testimony of Scripture. First Corinthians 13 contrasts our present, partial understanding with the fuller understanding associated with that which is perfect. First Thessalonians 4 provides the comforting promise of Christ's return, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the gathering of believers to be with the Lord. Matthew 18 addresses humility, conversion, the example of little children, and Christ's warning concerning the little ones. Mark 12:18 introduces the Sadducees, who questioned the resurrection, providing an opportunity to consider the biblical teaching concerning life after death. Together, these passages encourage believers to distinguish what Scripture actually says from assumptions that have developed through tradition, artistic representation, and popular imagination. **Central takeaway:** Our understanding of eternity should be grounded in the Word of God. The Christian hope is not founded on harps, halos, or wings, but on the promises of God and the assurance of being with the Lord. **Key Scripture:** 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV) — "and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

In this 4th installment in the explanation Jesus gives concerning the Seed and the Soils, we get to see a close proximation (though it still misses the mark) of what salvation looks like, and a good example of what True Salvation looks like. There are lots of people attending churches today (on a somewhat regular basis) whose lives are filled with so many worldly-oriented things and so many energy consuming focuses that are not growing their faith or giving them opportunities to minister their faith to their neighbors. They are able to talk a faith that sounds good on the surface. But they are not engaged in things that draw their hearts closer to Jesus and therefore are not helping them to mature in their faith. Their lives are unable to bear good fruit, because they are being choked out by the cares of the world and their love of the world (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4; Matthew 6:24, etc.). John the Baptist said that there is a fruit of repentance that follows the act of faith in God (Mt 3:8). Jesus told His disciples that those He has chosen would bear fruit and that fruit would remain (John 15:16). Paul, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit proclaimed that the fruit of the Spirit is very obvious when compared to the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:22-25), and that it would show up in how they live their daily lives (Colossians 1:10) and would be able to be seen as excellent (Philippians 1:9-11). The key difference is not in the because of some different soil. All four are in the same area where the seed is scattered - it all looks pretty much the same. The key is in the hearer's heart response to the movement and call of the Holy Spirit on their lives (Ro 1:16-32).

The sermon explores the narrative of Paul's shipwreck in Malta, emphasizing that even amidst disaster and apparent misfortune, God remains sovereign and in control. It highlights how God uses unexpected circumstances, such as the viper bite and the healing of Publius's father, to validate the gospel and provide opportunities for Paul to glorify Christ. The preacher encourages believers to view their own trials as divine appointments designed to grow their faith and demonstrate God's power to others. Furthermore, the text calls for a posture of selfless service and kindness, urging Christians to serve others even when they are the ones in need, rather than assuming entitlement to comfort. Ultimately, the message affirms that God's providence guides all events to bring honor to His name and advance the spread of the gospel.

The discussion centers on the upcoming Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting, emphasizing the essential nature of messenger participation in approving the cooperative program budget and electing leadership. Key theological and practical themes include a renewed vision for evangelism and baptism goals, aiming to restore historical highs in reported baptisms through collective effort and prayer. The conversation details significant proposed revisions to the convention's bylaws, including changes to the resolution process, messenger seating based on financial giving rather than church size, and a new protocol for engaging churches that have ceased giving. The tone is pastoral and instructional, encouraging pastors and members to view the convention not merely as a business meeting but as a vital opportunity for fellowship, clarity in communication, and strategic alignment for the future of the state convention.

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu 131

The chapel service centers on the theological principle that God allows believers to face problems specifically to provide a tangible testimony of His sovereignty and provision for future generations. Drawing from Exodus 10, the message emphasizes that recording how God meets unique needs serves as a vital 'life message' for children and grandchildren, convincing them that God is the Lord. Through personal anecdotes regarding financial hardship, job loss, and medical crises, the speaker illustrates how divine intervention often arrives in unexpected ways when one trusts God rather than relying on worldly security. The tone is pastoral and encouraging, urging the audience to view challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities to demonstrate God's reality and control. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a shift in perspective from focusing on the problem to focusing on the problem solver, thereby strengthening faith and providing a robust witness to others.

BJU equips students to impact the world as they live for truth, seize opportunities and embrace life experiences. Standing on the authority of the Bible, BJU shapes heads, hearts and backbones for Christ by equipping students to lead lives of integrity and influence others for God's glory. www.bju.edu 211

Coming Home Luke 15:11–32; Acts 14:21–28; Zechariah 1:1–6 This message explores three distinct reasons for coming home, revealing how God's grace works in us, through us, and continues to call us back to Himself. Through these three scenes, we discover that coming home is much more than returning to a familiar place. It's an opportunity to testify of God's faithfulness, celebrate His transforming work, and examine whether our hearts are truly abiding in Him. First, we come home to tell what God has done in us. In Luke 15, the prodigal son leaves his father's house believing he knows a better way to live. After wasting his inheritance and experiencing the emptiness of life apart from his father, he comes to himself, acknowledges his sin, and returns home. Rather than condemnation, he encounters compassion, forgiveness, and restoration. His homecoming illustrates the transforming grace of God, reminding us that repentance brings us back to the Father and gives us a testimony worth celebrating. Second, we come home to tell what God has done through us. In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas return to their sending fellowship and report everything God accomplished through their missionary journey. Despite opposition, suffering, and rejection, they remained faithful to their calling to reach the lost, reinforce disciples, and refresh the family of God. Their example reveals the heart of kingdom-minded servants: a devotion without limits, diligence undeterred by rejection, duty independent of praise, delight unaffected by inconvenience, determination not dependent upon affirmation, and a gospel declaration unchanged by the times. Their homecoming was an opportunity to glorify God fo