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You can have all the right answers for defending Christianity and still be shaken by someone who mocks your faith. Why is ridicule so powerful, even when you know your beliefs are true? In this message, we'll look at how to develop the kind of spiritual confidence that can stand firm even when others make you feel like a fool for following Christ. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson

The sermon centers on the vital practice of testing new teachings against the foundational truths of Christ's words and the broader Scripture, emphasizing that genuine faith requires discernment rooted in Scripture. Drawing from Acts and the example of the Bereans, it highlights that authentic believers diligently examine teachings by asking whether they align with Christ's message and whether they foster godliness and spiritual freedom. The call to 'continue in His word' is presented not as a passive reading habit but as a deliberate, dwelling engagement with Scripture—especially the Gospels—where truth is not merely known but lived. The message underscores that spiritual maturity comes through consistent, reflective engagement with the Word, which deepens one's relationship with God and guards against deception. Ultimately, the sermon urges believers to cultivate a disciplined, Christ-centered approach to Scripture, ensuring that all teaching is measured by divine truth and leads to holiness, not legalism or confusion.

The Dangers of Synods & Sessions, Creeds & Confessions

Don't take the first pastoral call that comes along. Don't wait for a perfect one, either. Somewhere between paralysis and presumption is a faithful way to decide, and most men facing a call have no map for finding it. In part two of our series on the pastoral call, Dr. Paul Ipema explains how an internal desire and an external open door work together, why an inquiry deserves more than a polite "no," whether a pastor should stay three years, five, or twenty-five, and when it's fair to weigh money or family. He also shows how prayer can expose whether fear or ambition is steering the decision. Seminarians, pastors, and search committees will all find something here.

The sermon centers on the transformative goal of consistently doing what pleases God the Father, modeled by Jesus' declaration that He does nothing of Himself but only what the Father has taught Him. Drawing from John 8:28–29, it emphasizes four essential practices: surrendering self-will through daily commitment to God's will, seeking divine instruction through consistent engagement with Scripture, trusting in God's constant presence as a source of strength and comfort, and making decisions rooted in biblical truth rather than worldly wisdom. The message calls believers to pursue a life of intentional obedience, not perfection, but progressive alignment with God's purposes. It is both a pastoral invitation and a spiritual challenge, urging daily reliance on God's Word and Spirit to shape choices and character. Ultimately, the goal is not self-achievement but a life increasingly conformed to the Father's will through faithfulness and dependence.

If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio broadcast. Along the way, I also earned a Master of Sacred Literature and a Doctor of Religious Studies. For more content from D. Richard Ferguson, visit TreasuringGod.com. Follow on social: • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrell.r.ferguson/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.DRichardFerguson