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Historic creeds continue to serve the church by summarizing biblical truth, strengthening unity, helping believers recognize false teaching, and passing sound doctrine to future generations. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Ephesians 4:11–14 and 2 Timothy 2:2 to explain why creeds remain useful today. Their value rests in their faithfulness to Scripture. The Bible alone is our final authority, and every creed, confession, and teaching must be tested by God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Church history helps Christians recognize recurring errors, learn from faithful believers, and trust Christ's faithfulness to His church. Dave Jenkins explains how studying the past cultivates humility and strengthens biblical discernment. Learn four practical ways to benefit from church history while continually submitting every teaching and example to God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Creeds and confessions serve the church by summarizing biblical doctrine, guarding against false teaching, and promoting unity in the truth. Their authority is always subordinate to Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how faithful doctrinal summaries support teaching, discipleship, and discernment. Drawing on 2 Timothy 1:13–14 and Titus 1:9, he encourages Christians to grow in sound doctrine while testing every confession and teaching by God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

This sermon explores the book of Nahum as a sequel to Jonah, highlighting the eventual destruction of Nineveh due to its extreme cruelty, immorality, and rejection of God. The central message emphasizes that God is slow to anger but will ultimately take vengeance on His adversaries to protect His people, contrasting human jealousy with God's righteous and protective nature. The speaker urges the congregation to release personal grudges to God, recognizing that vengeance belongs to Him alone, and to cultivate humility and prayer as essential responses to God's call. Drawing parallels to modern societal issues and historical examples of divine judgment, the sermon calls for a return to God-centered living, warning that national and personal destruction follows when God is removed from public and private life. The tone is pastoral and convicting, encouraging believers to trust in God's timing and to maintain steadfast faith even in the face of persecution or cultural pressure.

This sermon addresses the spiritual dangers of neglecting faith and maintaining a clear conscience, using the apostle Paul's charge to Timothy as a foundational text. The message warns that believers risk spiritual shipwreck if they allow bitterness and resentment to take root in their hearts, particularly in response to hurtful events or the actions of others. It emphasizes that while resentment is a natural human reaction, it is a destructive force that defiles the community and grieves the Holy Spirit. The preacher presents forgiveness not as an emotional state but as a deliberate act of will, enabled by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who provides both the desire and the power to live a godly life. By illustrating the transformative power of releasing bitterness through personal testimony and scriptural instruction, the sermon calls for a decisive commitment to trust in Christ and extend the same complete forgiveness that believers have received.

This sermon explores the nature of genuine love within the context of Christian marriage, distinguishing it from infatuation and cultural misconceptions. It outlines ten specific characteristics of true love, including responsiveness to the whole person, reverence, self-giving, responsibility, joy in companionship, protection, belonging, mutual understanding, and dynamic growth. The speaker emphasizes that a healthy home environment, characterized by balanced parental roles and open communication, is the primary preparation for a successful marriage. By contrasting these biblical principles with societal trends, the message calls believers to view marriage as a sacred covenant that reflects the character of Christ. The sermon concludes with a practical assignment to measure one's own love against the description of Christ in 1 Corinthians 13, encouraging a deeper, more intentional commitment to one's spouse.

El mensaje se centra en el principio bíblico de la siembra y la cosecha, estableciendo que las acciones presentes determinan inevitablemente los resultados futuros. Se enfatiza la necesidad de actuar con propósito y evitar la pasividad, recordando que cada creyente es responsable de sembrar su propia semilla en áreas como la familia, la iglesia y el servicio. Se advierte contra el engaño de creer que las malas acciones no tendrán consecuencias, destacando que la calidad y cantidad de la cosecha son proporcionales a la inversión actual. El tono es pastoral y exhortativo, instando a la fidelidad en el diezmo, la asistencia y el respeto a la autoridad espiritual para detener al devorador y asegurar una herencia espiritual positiva para las próximas generaciones.

Christians are called to contend for the faith with conviction, humility, and love. Drawing from Jude 3 and Ephesians 6:10–18, Dave Jenkins explains why God's revealed truth must be received, proclaimed, and guarded. This episode considers the centrality of the gospel, the importance of Christlike character, and the call to remain faithful to Scripture in the home, workplace, and local church. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

This sermon explores Psalm 2 as a Messianic psalm that reveals the conflict between the nations' rebellion and God's sovereign response. The message identifies the central tension as the world's futile plotting against the Lord and His anointed, contrasted with the Father's laughter and the installation of Christ as the eternal King on Zion. It affirms the doctrine of Christ's eternal sonship, explaining that the Father's declaration of the Son is an unchanging decree that predates creation. The preacher calls the audience to recognize their position in this cosmic drama, urging them to make themselves wise by submitting to Christ's authority. The final appeal is a warning to those who reject the King and a comfort to those who take refuge in Him, emphasizing that salvation is found only in embracing the Son.

Justin Peters examines Jack Graham's congratulatory message to Benny Hinn in light of Scripture's commands concerning false teaching and pastoral responsibility. Reviewing archival investigations, healing claims, and prosperity gospel fundraising appeals, Justin explains why public endorsements matter. From Romans 16:17–18, 2 John 9–11, Titus 1:9, and 1 Timothy 5:22, he calls Christians to test teaching by God's Word and pastors to protect their congregations through sound doctrine. For more from Justin, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/justin-peters-sound-theology/ This video first appeared at Justin's YouTube and is posted here with his permission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K8o0O7hOkk

Artificial intelligence can assist research, editing, and administrative work, but it cannot replace biblical authority, spiritual wisdom, or personal responsibility. Dave Jenkins examines research versus composition, source verification, confidentiality, authorship, and the dangers of dependence. He also explains why pastors must retain the work of studying Scripture, developing sermons, and shepherding their congregations. Learn to use AI thoughtfully and honestly under the authority of God's Word. For more from Equipping You in Grace, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

1. The Report (Neh. 1:1-3) 2. The Response (Neh. 1:4-11) 3. The Resolution (Neh. 2:1-6) Text: Nehemiah 1:1-2:6

In this message I want us to think together about how Elijah went about to do this; how he confronted Ahab with the evil that he was doing. 1st of all – He straightforwardly showed Ahab that he and his fathers were responsible for all of the trouble in Israel. 2nd – He straightforwardly presented the case to Ahab and all the people that Baal was a false god. And 3rd – He straightforwardly proved to the people that only God is God by calling down fire from heaven. Let us see if we can learn from this marvelous demonstration of the power of God, how we might better learn how to confront evil in our society and generation as well.

This sermon examines the narrative of Nabal and Abigail in 1 Samuel 25, contrasting the husband's stubbornness and evil deeds with his wife's wisdom and understanding. The preacher highlights how Nabal's harshness mirrors the stiff-necked behavior of Israel described in Judges, serving as a warning against suppressing known truth and acting in self-righteous vengeance. In response to Nabal's insult, David prepares for retribution, but Abigail intervenes with humility and provision, successfully averting bloodshed and demonstrating the power of wise counsel. The passage concludes with the Lord striking Nabal, illustrating that divine judgment is certain and operates on God's timing rather than human initiative. Ultimately, the sermon points to Christ as the greater David who endured revilement without retaliation, encouraging believers to trust in God's justice and avoid taking vengeance into their own hands.

This sermon explores the theological purpose of God's eternal election as presented in Ephesians 1:3-6, arguing that believers were chosen for holiness, adoption, and the praise of God's glory. The message clarifies that salvation is not merely about forgiveness but involves a transformative process where grace produces obedience, countering both legalism and antinomianism. It emphasizes the familial reality of adoption, urging believers to approach God with the confidence of children rather than the fear of outsiders, while grounding their identity in Christ's work rather than fluctuating emotions. The sermon concludes by directing the ultimate end of election toward the worship of God, warning against pride or speculation and encouraging a humble, awe-filled response to the sovereign grace that chose the elect before the foundation of the world.