Christ: Our Advocate

Jacob Romkee

The sermon, based on 1 John 2:1, emphasizes the profound role of Jesus Christ as our advocate before God. The speaker begins by reflecting on the gifts that God bestows upon humanity, with a particular focus on the gift of advocacy through Christ. Despite our sinful nature and the inevitability of sin in our lives, Christ stands as our advocate, continuously interceding on our behalf even when we fall back into sin.

The speaker highlights the struggle between our new life in Christ and the remnants of our old sinful ways. Though Christians are called to a life of righteousness, they often find themselves returning to past sins and old habits. However, the key message is that even in these moments of weakness, Christ does not abandon us. He advocates for us, ensuring that our sins are forgiven and our guilt is washed away by His sacrifice.

The sermon paints a vivid picture of the courtroom of God, where Satan, the accuser, presents the sins of believers before God. Yet, when Christ, our advocate, steps forward, He declares that our sins have already been paid for by His blood. This act of advocacy not only dismisses the charges against us but also reaffirms the assurance of our salvation.

The message concludes with a call to action for believers. Just as Christ advocates for us, we are urged to lead others to Him, sharing the gospel and the truth of Christ’s advocacy with those who are lost in sin. The speaker emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to be active in their faith, advocating for others by pointing them to the only advocate who can truly redeem them.

In summary, this sermon serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s unceasing intercession for believers, the transformative power of His sacrifice, and the Christian’s duty to share this truth with the world. It reassures believers of their security in Christ and challenges them to live out their faith by leading others to the Advocate who speaks on their behalf.

Enabled by God

Nate Chambers

The sermon, centered on 1 Timothy 1:12, delivers a powerful message about the centrality of God in every aspect of a believer’s life, especially in ministry and spiritual revival. The speaker begins by sharing a personal testimony, recalling how God impressed this verse upon his heart just before he entered Bible college. At that time, he had little interest in ministry or a deep relationship with God, but this verse became a turning point, emphasizing that everything he would accomplish in life was not by his own strength, but by God’s enabling.

The verse, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,” highlights three key points that the speaker unpacks: it is God who enables, God who counts as faithful, and God who places individuals in ministry. The emphasis is clear: all credit for any good work, success, or spiritual growth belongs to God, not to ourselves.

The speaker reflects on the idea of revival, particularly in the context of “Revive Us Again Sunday.” He challenges the congregation to recognize that revival is not about human efforts or abilities but about allowing God to work through them. Revival, he explains, is about realigning with God’s will, recognizing that God has never moved, and any sense of spiritual dryness or distance is due to our own wandering.

Throughout the message, the speaker stresses the importance of humility and gratitude, acknowledging that every blessing, opportunity, and achievement comes from God. This perspective leads to a powerful conclusion where he envisions standing before God in heaven, receiving crowns for the life he lived on earth. However, instead of boasting in these crowns, he anticipates casting them at the feet of Jesus, recognizing that they belong to Christ alone.

The sermon ends with a call to focus on God in all things, especially in the pursuit of revival. The difference between spiritual complacency and revival, the speaker notes, is just a matter of where we direct our focus—whether we continue to look to ourselves or keep our eyes fixed on God. He concludes with a prayer of gratitude, acknowledging God’s faithfulness and the privilege of serving Him.

In summary, this message is a heartfelt reminder that everything in the Christian life—ministry, revival, and spiritual growth—is not about us, but about God’s power, faithfulness, and grace working through us. It encourages believers to remain humble, focused on God, and ever grateful for His enabling presence in their lives.

A Life for Christ

Devon Ortiz

The sermon, based on John 20:30-31, underscores the importance of living a life fully dedicated to Christ, especially in the context of sharing the gospel with others. The speaker begins by explaining that the Gospel of John was written with a specific purpose: that readers might believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and, through that belief, find life in His name. This foundational truth leads into a broader discussion about the kind of life believers are called to live—a life that reflects the transformative power of Christ and actively engages in His work.

The speaker reflects on the various moments in the Gospel of John where Jesus interacts with people, from Nicodemus in John 3 to His post-resurrection appearance in John 21. These encounters emphasize the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ and the importance of being born again, finding peace in Him, and recognizing His lordship. The speaker particularly focuses on the dialogue between Jesus and Peter in John 21, where Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him more than anything else, ultimately calling him to “feed my sheep.” This exchange illustrates the call to all believers to live a life of purpose and service, driven by love for Christ.

The sermon then transitions to the book of Acts, where the speaker highlights the transformation of the disciples after receiving the Holy Spirit. The story of Peter, who once denied Christ, now boldly preaching at Pentecost and leading 3,000 souls to salvation, serves as a powerful example of what happens when a believer fully yields to God. The speaker emphasizes that this boldness and effectiveness in ministry come not from human strength but from the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

As the message progresses, the speaker discusses the ongoing impact of a life lived for Christ. From the healing of the lame man at the temple gate in Acts 3 to the martyrdom of Stephen in Acts 7, the narrative shows how the early Christians’ commitment to Christ led to the spread of the gospel, even in the face of persecution. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 further illustrates the importance of being obedient to God’s call to share the gospel, no matter the circumstances.

The speaker concludes by challenging the congregation to examine their own lives. Are they living fully for Christ? Do they love Him more than anything else? The sermon calls believers to a life of full-time Christianity, where every aspect of their lives is dedicated to serving Christ and sharing His message with others. The ultimate measure of faithfulness, the speaker notes, is not in personal achievements but in one’s willingness to give the gospel to others, trusting God with the results.

In summary, this sermon is a powerful call to action for believers to live a life centered on Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and committed to the Great Commission. It challenges listeners to move beyond complacency and fully embrace the mission of spreading the gospel, knowing that the success of this mission rests in God’s hands, not ours. The message is a reminder that our purpose as Christians is not just to believe in Christ but to live out that belief by leading others to Him.

‍