Sermons

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Steven J. Lawson: “The Broken Heart of a Believing Pastor” (Galatians 4:12-4:20)

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Galatians 4:12-4:20 (NASB)—12 I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you–20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

How the heart of a pastor breaks when he preaches the truth of God’s word, and eventually the people he pastors are drawn away be new teachings–teachings that put the people in opposition to what he has been preaching. Dr. Lawson could have very well given his own testimony of how he was railroaded out of his old church (Dauphin Way Baptist, also known as “Six Flags Over Jesus”) in favor of another, more hip/cool/relevant pastor who didn’t teach such nonsense as sin and repentance (see verses 16-17). In this message, we see how the heart of the apostle Paul was broken by the people of Galatia being enchanted by the Judaizers to return to the Law.

Here is the thirteenth installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “The Glory of Sovereign Love” by Phil Johnson.

Phil Johnson exposits 1 John 4:19 in your sermon of the week, The Glory of Sovereign Love.

“We love, because He first loved us.”

Johnson provides five points from this passage, all of which attest to the doctrines of grace:

1. The perverseness of our fallen state.

2. The priority of God’s electing choice.

3. The Particularity of God’s saving work.

4. The power of God’s loving deliverance.

5. The perfection of God’s redemption plan.

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Sermon of the week: “Four Marks of the Man of God” by John MacArthur

John MacArthur Your sermon of the week is Four Marks of the Man of God by John MacArthur. MacArthur explains that a man of God is identified by the following four attributes:

What he flees from.

What he follows after.

What he fights for.

What he’s faithful to.

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “The Dangers of Legalism” (Galatians 4:8-4:11)

Galatians 4:8-11 (NASB)—8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

How easy it is for us, once we have been saved, to think that if we ever slip up ever again, even once, we will be in danger of Hellfire all over again. And so we cling hard to the commands that we find. Should we obey God’s commands? ABSOLUTELY! But it is not by spotless perfection to the law that we continue to be saved–for that is impossible! But, when we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, and that sin has already been paid for on the cross!

Here is the twelfth installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “The Narrow Path to Heaven (Part 1 and 2)” by Don Green.

don-green.jpg Yet another fantastic sermon by Don Green. This week DefCon presents both parts of his two-part message on the narrow path spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14. This is one of those texts that I never tire of hearing because it is such an essential truth of the Bible so often overlooked and ignored by much of professing Christendom today, but yet so very serious to a man’s soul.

The Narrow Path to Heaven (Part 1)

The Narrow Path to Heaven (Part 2)

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “From Slavery to Sonship” (Galatians 4:1-4:7)

Galatians 4:1-7 (NASB)—1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

We who were once enslaved to our sinful flesh, who did nothing more (and nothing less) than to carry out the wicked desires of our despicable flesh. We who were once outside the family of God, and were indeed His enemies. Now, God sending His Son to redeem us from the curse of the law, to adopt us as sons, that we might call Him “Abba, Father!”

Here is the eleventh installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “Biblical Manhood” by Paul Washer.

image-4-14280 Your sermon of the week is part one and part two of Paul Washer’s message entitled Biblical Manhood. This concludes our four-week series on manhood leading up to Father’s Day.

If you only listen to one message on fatherhood this year, make it this one. I think I’ve certainly saved the best two sermons on fatherhood for last, and I trust that you’ll agree.

Biblical Manhood 1

Biblical Manhood 2

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Sermon of the week: “Biblical Manhood” by Voddie Baucham.

Baucham on Screen We continue with week three of our four-week series on Biblical manhood. This week’s sermon of the week is aptly entitled Biblical Manhood by Voddie Baucham. I trust that you will be blessed, challenged, convicted, and encouraged by both parts one and two.

Biblical Manhood 1

Biblical Manhood 2

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “Full Salvation in Christ” (Galatians 3:26-3:29)

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Galatians 3:26-29—26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Dr. Lawson finishes chapter 3 of Galatians by showing us, from God’s word, that our FULL salvation comes from Christ and Christ alone. Yeah, I know it’s simple. But try hearing a message like that in most of your lukewarm churches (if you hear anything about any kind of gospel at all).

Here is the tenth installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “The Desire To Be A Godly Man” by Paul Washer.

image-4-14280 We continue our series of sermons on manhood (leading up to Father’s Day) with a two-part sermon by Paul Washer entitled The Desire To Be A Godly Man.

The Desire To Be A Godly Man: Part One

The Desire To Be A Godly Man: Part Two

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Sermon of the week: “Men After God’s Own Heart” by Carey Hardy.

carey-hardy For the next few weeks (leading up to Father’s Day) DefCon’s sermon for each week will be directed toward men, husbands, and fathers. We begin with this week’s message by Carey Hardy Men After God’s Own Heart from the 2005 Shepherds’ Conference.

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “What Is the Purpose of the Law? (part 2)” (Galatians 3:21-25)

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Galatians 3:21-25 (NASB)—21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Part 2 of a two part series with Dr. Lawson going verse-by-verse through the section of Galatians where Paul puts into perspective the purpose of the Law given to the Israelites through Moses. These who had been so intent on resting their hope for salvation in their keeping of the Law, are now made to understand that it is not the Law that saves–the Law was simply a foreshadowing of the salvation to come, which would come by faith in Christ Jesus.

Here is the ninth installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship” by John MacArthur.

John MacArthurYour sermon of the week is Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship: Catholic Dogma by John MacArthur. This is a great examination of the unholy worship of a false goddess advanced by the Romish religious system. You can download both parts below.

Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship (Part One)

Exposing the Idolatry of Mary Worship (Part Two)

If you want more information, I recommend listening to anohter of John MacArthur’s sermons on Roman Catholicism found on this post. I also suggest checking out the post It’s All About Mary where I answer the fifteen most commonly heard justifications for the veneration (worship) or Mary.

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “What Is the Purpose of the Law? (part 1)” (Galatians 3:15-20)

15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Part 1 of a two part series with Dr. Lawson going verse-by-verse through the section of Galatians where Paul puts into perspective the purpose of the Law given to the Israelites through Moses. These who had been so intent on resting their hope for salvation in their keeping of the Law, are now made to understand that it is not the Law that saves–the Law was simply a foreshadowing of the salvation to come, which would come by faith in Christ Jesus.

Here is the eighth installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.

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Sermon of the week: “Whoever Controls the Schools Controls the World” by Voddie Baucham.

voddie-bauchamHold onto your hats. Your sermon of the week is a scathing blow to the concept of government education by Voddie Baucham entitled Whoever Controls the Schools Controls the World.

Baucham clearly lays out the argument against Christian parents subjugating their parental responsibilities to the Godless, Marxist behavioral engineering centers known as public schools.

All Christians who have or are expecting to have children need to hear this message. And those who currently have their kids enrolled in government schools may squirm in their seats during Baucham’s message, but this is a message that you simply must hear.

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Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “Justification By Faith Alone” (Galatians 3:6-14)

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6 Even so Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “all the nations will be blessed in you.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the Law, to perform them. 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, the righteous man shall live by faith. 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, he who practices them shall live by them. 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree—14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

If a man is not justified by keeping the rite of circumcision, then how could any of our other works justify us? We could do all the good works we could find to do, we could do all the serving we want, we could be dunked in water every Sunday–and it would do nothing to put us in right standing before God. If Paul says here that we are justified by faith alone–not faith and circumcision–then how do some say that we are justified by faith and baptism? If Abraham was justified before his circumcision, then how do some say that one is not justified before his baptism?

Here is the seventh installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by

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Sermon of the week: “How to Recognize False Teachers” by Don Green.

Your sermon of the week is a fantastic discourse on Jesus’ warning to beware of the wolves among the flock entitled How to Recognize False Teachers. This is a great message from Don Green as he sounds a warning to the flock by alerting us on the recognition of false teachers.

If you think he only deals with the obvious false teachers like Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Jim Jones, and Benny Hinn, think again! Don Green includes the lukewarm pastors who week after week stand behind their pulpit and tell jokes and quaint little stories at the expense of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. A collective “ouch” is heard across America.

This is a must-hear sermon for every Christian who is serious about their faith and concerned about false teachers.

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Sermon of the week: “A Scriptural Critique of Infant Baptism” by John MacArthur.

John MacArthur completely obliterates the erroneous doctrine of infant baptism in this week’s sermon of the week: A Scriptural Critique of Infant Baptism. This can be considered a follow-up to Coram Deo’s original posting (the transcript of this sermon) found here.

If you are curious about the doctrine of infant baptism: why it’s practiced in so many churches (even in Reformed Churches), and why many others don’t practice it at all, then you must listen to this sermon.

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Sermon of the week: “Seeing the Risen Christ” by Jonathan Sims.

jonathan-simsYour sermon of the week is Seeing the Risen Christ by Pastor Jonathan Sims of Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church in Tennessee.

Unlike the unbiblical foolishness masquerading as “Christianity” among the Laodicean landscape this past Resurrection Sunday (e.g. AC/DC Sunday at New Spring) this message by Pastor Sims was all about Christ and Him crucified; true Biblical preaching. This is a message that most of those attending the entertainment-driven churches would turn away from it because it’s too hard (John 6:60-66).