When we are in times of serious trouble, we often pray and look for God's hand to move. In this sermon, Gary Wilkerson examines how this psalm invites us to search for God's face and presence in our troubles rather than for his saving hand. As counterintuitive as this may seem, we will find far greater strength and peace than if we only desire a rescue from our suffering.
In this sermon, Ron Brown emphasizes the importance of seeking personal revelation from God in our daily lives. He defines revelation as the "unveiling and the unfolding of Jesus more and more in our lives."
The Importance of Revelation:
We need to continually seek revelation from God to understand His will and purpose for our lives.
The Bible is a source of revelation, but personal encounters with God are also crucial.
Dwelling in the Holy of Holies:
Brown emphasizes the concept of dwelling in the "Holy of Holies," a metaphor for experiencing God's presence intimately. This requires constant communication with God and living a life aligned with His will.
Benefits of a Culture of Revelation:
• Receiving guidance and direction from God.
• Experiencing joy, peace, and strength in the midst of challenges.
• Living a life that accurately reflects God's character and love to the world.
Brown encourages the audience to develop a "culture of revelation" by:
• Meeting with Jesus: Engaging in daily prayer, reflection, and worship.
• Hearing God's voice: Paying attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
• Living in the Holy of Holies: Continuously seeking God's presence and guidance.
Have you ever refused to join in a sinful situation, so the people who were taking part in it started to make accusations against you? In this sermon, Gary Wilkerson explores Psalm 26 and how our sanctification will convict others and possibly cause them to turn against us. Since none of us is perfect, their accusations can hold an especially painful grain of truth. In those moments, how do we turn to God and find hope for his work in our lives?
Two very different types of shame haunt most people in the world, but the Bible offers us solutions for both kinds of shame. In this sermon, Gary Wilkerson explores how we can distinguish between these types of shame and why learning to address both of them is critical for our spiritual growth. God knew exactly what his children would face in a broken world and how their own guilt would compound their pain. He has given us the tools to address this, if we earnestly seek him and closely examine scripture.
The most important thing a Christian does will be loving God. In this sermon, Joshua West discusses the many areas of our lives that are impacted by loving our Lord, most importantly our ability to love others well. The only people who are able to not hold grudges or expect repayment or be conditional are those who have genuinely experienced God's love and loved him in return. The scripture has a great deal to say about all the ways that love should impact our walk as believers, and Joshua West urges us to consider how these verses should be impacting our daily lives.
The scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, but is there a point where we can rest in our relationship with Christ? In this sermon, Joshua West explores how we can know if someone is not genuinely following God or if they have truly been justified and are on the path of sanctification. The Bible clearly lays out the ways we can evaluate our spiritual growth and the assurances God gives his children.
Jesus told his followers, "Learn from me...and you will find rest for your souls." Many of us are stressed and exhausted, though, so how do we enter into God's rest? In this sermon, John Bailey explains how Christians surrender to the will of God and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Scripture clearly lays out the way to the peaceful and empowered life that we are promised in Christ.
What is your "until", the thing that you are looking forward to with all your heart? In this sermon, Gary Wilkerson talks about how God wants our desires to turn our hearts toward him. However, we should evaluate our desires and dreams to see if they actually align with scripture and God's will for us as an individual. It can also be easier to not desire things because disappointment is so painful, so how do we maintain this hope for God's gifts and plans?
We subtract from the power of the gospel every time we try to add anything to God's Word. In this sermon, Joshua West explains how humanity has historically always struggled with wanting to elaborate on the simple gospel, undercutting its true power, and why people wrestle with this destructive impulse. Our best work as believers will always be to worship and live as God commands rather than trying to elaborate on his commands.
Approaching death brings a kind of clarity to life. When Paul wrote Timothy, he knew he was going to die soon. His commands then to his young protege reflect this clarity; he focuses on the treasure and reward of Christ that all believers receive when we live unapologetically for God. In this sermon, Joshua West explores what this boldness looks like for modern Christians in an antagonistic culture. We are called to live for Christ because we've already surrendered our lives to God's will and purposes.