Robert Lewis Sermons

Guided Question

Have you lost sight of Jesus’ vision for your life because of busyness, comfort, fear, or distractions—and what would it look like to renew your commitment to making disciples where God has placed you?

Summary

This episode explores the vision that gives spiritual gifts their purpose: Jesus’ call to “go and make disciples of all the nations.” Spiritual gifts are not given simply for activity within the church; they are given so God can equip His people to participate in His mission of transforming lives.

Jesus’ Great Commission is presented as a large, aggressive, specific, and promised vision. His followers are called to go, make disciples, and radically influence the lives of others, with the assurance that Christ remains with them.

Yet the church can easily lose that vision. Relational overload, the frantic pace of life, personal comfort, excessive church programs, and fear of rejection or ridicule can cause believers to become busy without being fruitful. Instead of taking the gospel into the world, Christians can become absorbed in activities that make them comfortable while losing sight of their calling.

The episode then returns to Jesus’ original call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Their response reveals the excitement of discovering a higher purpose, one that answers the deep restlessness of the human soul. But the disciples later returned to fishing, illustrating how easily a God-given vision can fade when its consequences become uncomfortable.

Through the story in Luke 5, Jesus renews that vision before the disciples. The question becomes personal: Will we remain with what is familiar and comfortable, or will we embrace Christ’s call to participate in changing lives? The episode challenges believers to recover the enthusiasm and purpose of following Jesus and to take His vision into their families, workplaces, communities, and world.

Outline

1. The Vision Behind Spiritual Gifts

   • Spiritual gifts are given for ministry and mission.

   • Their purpose becomes clear through Jesus’ vision for His followers.

2. The Great Commission

   • Jesus calls His disciples to go and make disciples.

   • The vision is worldwide, active, specific, and accompanied by His presence.

3. Why the Church Loses Its Vision

   • Relational overload and a hurried pace of life.

   • Comfort and the desire for safety.

   • Church programs that entertain rather than equip.

   • Fear of rejection, ridicule, and isolation.

4. The Birth of the Vision

   • Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to follow Him.

   • “Fishers of men” gives them a higher purpose beyond their occupation.

5. The Death of the Vision

   • The disciples eventually return to fishing.

   • Fear and familiarity can weaken enthusiasm for Christ’s mission.

6. Renewing the Vision

   • Jesus again places the choice before His disciples.

   • Believers are challenged to move beyond comfort and participate in changing lives for Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual Gifts Have a Purpose: God equips believers so they can participate in His work of reaching and transforming people.

• The Vision Is Bigger Than the Church: Jesus calls His followers to take the gospel into the world rather than simply creating comfortable environments within the church.

• Busyness Can Replace Mission: A crowded schedule can leave us active without actually investing deeply in people or making disciples.

• Comfort Can Kill Vision: Following Christ often requires moving beyond what is safe, familiar, and convenient.

• Fear Can Silence Our Calling: Fear of rejection, ridicule, or isolation can cause believers to retreat from the mission Jesus has given them.

• Jesus Offers a Higher Calling: Like the fishermen who left their nets, Christians are invited to find a purpose that goes beyond career, possessions, and worldly success.

• Vision Must Be Renewed: Even those who have enthusiastically followed Christ can lose sight of their calling. Jesus continually calls His followers back to His mission.

• The Mission Is Personal: The call to make disciples applies not only to pastors or church leaders but to every believer—in the family, workplace, community, and wider world.

Scripture References

• Matthew 28:18–20 — Jesus commissions His followers to make disciples of all nations.

• Mark 1:14–20 — Jesus calls the fishermen to follow Him and become fishers of men.

• Luke 5:1–11 — Jesus renews His call to the disciples and redirects them toward His mission.

• 1 Corinthians 12–14 — Spiritual gifts are given for ministry within the body of Christ.

Recorded 11.2.82

Guided Question

Does the way you use your time, talents, and money reflect an eternal perspective, or are you still living as though this life is all there is?

Summary

In this concluding message from 1 Corinthians, Dr. Robert Lewis examines the Corinthian church and finds a striking resemblance to the modern church. The Corinthians were athletic-minded, pleasure-loving, self-focused, biblically immature, and often struggled to bring their faith into everyday life. Their greatest problem was not a lack of teaching but a failure to allow biblical truth to shape how they actually lived.

Turning to 1 Corinthians 16:1–4, Lewis addresses Paul's instructions concerning the collection for struggling believers in Jerusalem. He uses this passage to show that money and faith are intimately connected: how we handle our resources can reveal the practical reality of our faith. The resurrection in chapter 15 provides the foundation. Because this life is not all there is, Christians should invest their time, energy, and resources in things that have eternal significance—especially people.
Lewis identifies five principles of Christian giving. Giving should flow from a conviction about the resurrection, be practiced personally by every Christian, be planned rather than pressured, be proportionate to what God has provided, and be handled with accountability and integrity.
Ultimately, the message challenges believers not to give out of guilt, manipulation, or emotional pressure, but out of a genuine relationship with God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. A living church will cost its people something—time, talents, spiritual gifts, and earthly resources—but those sacrifices become meaningful when they are made with an eternal perspective.

Outline

1. The Corinthian Church: A Mirror for Today
   • Worldly, self-focused, spiritually immature, and disconnected from practical faith.
2. The Jerusalem Church in Need
   • Persecution, loss of property and employment, and famine created severe hardship.
3. The Resurrection and Giving
   • The resurrection changes our perspective on life, possessions, and eternal priorities.
4. Five Principles of Christian Giving
   • Giving flows from the resurrection.
   • Giving is the personal practice of every Christian.
   • Giving should be planned, not pressured.
   • Giving should be proportionate to what God provides.
   • Giving should include accountability and integrity.
5. Faith and Money in the Real World
   • Christian giving should flow from the Holy Spirit rather than guilt, manipulation, or emotional pressure.
6. The Cost of a Living Church
   • A healthy, effective church requires the investment of its people's time, talents, spiritual gifts, and resources.
7. An Invitation to New Life in Christ
   • Salvation begins with receiving what God has given through Jesus Christ, followed by a commitment to grow in faith.

Key Takeaways

• The Corinthian Church Is a Mirror for Today
  Spiritual immaturity can exist even where excellent biblical teaching is available. Faith must move from knowledge into everyday life.
• The Resurrection Changes How We Live
  Because this life is not all there is, believers should invest their resources in what has eternal value rather than living only for present pleasures.
• Giving Is an Expression of Faith
  Our use of money can reveal whether our faith is genuinely influencing our practical lives.
• Giving Is for Every Christian
  Paul says, "each one of you," making giving a personal responsibility rather than something reserved for a particular group.
• Giving Should Be Planned, Not Pressured
  Biblical giving is intended to become a deliberate, consistent practice rather than a response to emotional manipulation or guilt.
• Giving Should Be Proportionate
  Christians are called to give according to how God has provided, with the Holy Spirit guiding their decisions rather than relying merely on an external percentage.
• Giving Requires Accountability
  Paul establishes safeguards for the Jerusalem offering, demonstrating that Christian stewardship should be transparent and above reproach.
• A Living Church Will Cost Something
  If the church is going to be effective in the real world, its people must be willing to invest their time, talents, spiritual gifts, and resources.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 15:32, 58 — The resurrection gives life an eternal perspective.
• 1 Corinthians 16:1–4 — Giving for believers in need should be personal, planned, proportionate, and accountable.
• Acts 2 — The Jerusalem church experienced remarkable growth after Pentecost.
• Hebrews — Persecuted believers were encouraged to remain faithful despite loss and hardship.
• 2 Corinthians 9 — The Corinthians' commitment to help Jerusalem required continued follow-through.
• John 16:13 — The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth.
• Ephesians 1:3 — God has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Recorded 11.28.82

Guided Question

Are you faithfully using the spiritual gifts God has given you to serve others in love, or have you allowed those gifts to remain unused or misunderstood?

Summary

This episode examines the purpose and use of spiritual gifts, with particular attention to the gift of tongues. Dr. Robert Lewis begins by explaining that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to equip every believer for ministry and service. The gifts are not given for personal recognition but to be given away for the benefit of the body of Christ. Because using a gift is an act of self-giving, love must be the motivation behind its use. Without love, spiritual gifts can either be misused or remain dormant.

 

Outline

1. Spiritual Gifts Equip Us for Ministry
God gives every believer spiritual gifts so they can actively serve others. No gift is insignificant, and every gift contributes to the health of the body of Christ.

2. Love Must Motivate Our Gifts
1 Corinthians 13 shows that spiritual gifts must be exercised in love. Without love, gifts can be misused or left unused.

3. Understanding the Gift of Tongues
Lewis turns to 1 Corinthians 14 and addresses the controversy surrounding tongues. Rather than beginning with modern debates, he encourages listeners to examine what Scripture teaches about the gift.

4. Acts as a Book of Spiritual Transition
Lewis emphasizes that Acts records a unique period of spiritual transition as God moved from the Old Testament ministry of the Spirit to the New Testament ministry of the Spirit and established the church. Because of this, the experiences recorded in Acts should not automatically be treated as normative for believers today.

5. The Holy Spirit and the Believer
Lewis argues that the New Testament presents the Holy Spirit as indwelling believers when they place their faith in Christ, rather than as an experience believers must seek at a later time. The unusual experiences recorded in Acts occurred within its unique transitional setting.

6. Tongues at Pentecost
Acts 2 describes tongues as recognizable human languages spoken supernaturally by people who had never learned them. The gift served as a sign that attracted attention and enabled people from different nations to hear the disciples proclaiming the mighty works of God.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual gifts equip believers for ministry. God gives gifts so that believers can function as servants and build up one another.
• Gifts are meant to be given away. A spiritual gift is not primarily for personal benefit or recognition but for serving the body of Christ.
• Love must motivate spiritual gifts. Without love, gifts can be misused or left completely dormant.
• Acts records a unique spiritual transition. The book describes God's transition from the Old Testament ministry of the Spirit to the New Testament ministry of the Spirit and the establishment of the church.
• Acts should not automatically become today's doctrine. The unusual experiences surrounding the apostles must be understood within their transitional context.
• The Holy Spirit indwells believers at faith. Lewis argues that the rest of the New Testament presents receiving the Spirit as part of becoming a believer rather than as a later experience believers must seek.
• Tongues in Acts 2 were human languages. The disciples spoke languages they had never learned, and people from different nations understood them in their own languages.
• Tongues were supernatural. The ability was not learned or practiced beforehand; it was given by the Spirit.
• Spiritual gifts should point people toward God. In Acts 2, tongues helped gather attention so that people could hear the disciples proclaiming God's mighty works.

Scripture References

• 1 Peter 4:10 — Use spiritual gifts to serve one another.
• 1 Corinthians 12 — The Spirit sovereignly gives different gifts, and every gift is important.
• 1 Corinthians 13 — Love provides the motivation for using spiritual gifts.
• 1 Corinthians 14 — Instructions concerning tongues, prophecy, and public worship.
• Acts 1:4–8 — Jesus promises the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 2:1–11 — The Spirit comes at Pentecost, and the disciples speak in other languages.
• Acts 8 — The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit in a unique transitional event.
• Acts 10 — Gentiles receive the Spirit and speak in tongues.
• Acts 19 — Disciples of John receive the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues and prophesy.
• John 14:16–17 — Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will permanently dwell in His followers.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 — All believers are baptized into one body by the Holy Spirit.

Recorded 10.24.82

Guided Question

When it comes to spiritual experiences and gifts, are you allowing Scripture—not personal experience, emotion, or cultural expectations—to determine what you believe and how you practice your faith?

Summary

This episode concludes a series on the ministry of the Holy Spirit by focusing on the controversial gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14. Dr. Robert Lewis begins by acknowledging the strong emotions and differing experiences surrounding tongues, but emphasizes that experience can never be the final authority for the church; Scripture must be the final court of appeal.

He reviews several biblical observations about tongues: the gift is presented as a supernatural ability to speak unknown human languages, it primarily functions publicly as a sign to unbelievers, it is directed toward God, and it is not a gift given to every believer.

Lewis then explains why tongues may have held such prominence among the Corinthians. Their culture had a long history of mystery religions and ecstatic speech, creating a natural association between ecstatic experiences and spiritual depth. Paul therefore had to help the Corinthians separate their cultural understanding of spirituality from the proper biblical use of the gift.

Turning to 1 Corinthians 14, Lewis highlights Paul's emphasis on edification, clarity, interpretation, and order. Prophecy is presented as the greater gift because it communicates clearly to the church and builds up believers. Tongues, when used publicly, require interpretation so that the entire church can understand and be edified. Without interpretation, the speaker should remain silent in the gathered church.

The episode then follows the historical record of tongues from the New Testament through church history and into the Pentecostal and charismatic movements of the twentieth century. Lewis observes that tongues became far less prominent after the apostolic period, while also cautioning that history alone cannot establish theological conclusions. Scripture, rather than historical patterns, must determine whether God can still give the gift.
Finally, Lewis addresses how Fellowship Bible Church should respond to tongues today. He argues that the church should neither automatically reject the gift nor naively accept every claim of tongues as genuine. Because ecstatic speech can be counterfeited or psychologically induced, spiritual experiences must be tested against Scripture. Any public use of tongues should demonstrate the characteristics Scripture requires, including genuine supernatural ability and interpretation.

The episode closes with three priorities for church leadership: remain faithful to God's Word, protect the flock, and promote individual spiritual maturity.

Outline

1. Why Tongues Are Controversial
   • Conflicting experiences and opinions
   • Scripture as the final authority
2. The Biblical Gift of Tongues
   • Supernatural human languages
   • A sign to unbelievers
   • Directed toward God
   • Not given to every believer
3. The Corinthian Context
   • Influence of pagan mystery religions
   • Ecstatic speech and perceived spirituality
   • Paul's correction of cultural assumptions
4. 1 Corinthians 14: Proper Use
   • Prophecy prioritizes edification
   • Clarity over unintelligible speech
   • Interpretation required
   • Order in corporate worship
5. Tongues Through Church History
   • Early New Testament manifestations
   • Decline after the apostolic period
   • Historical outbreaks
   • Pentecostal and charismatic movements
6. Evaluating Tongues Today
   • Scripture does not explicitly say the gift has permanently ceased
   • Ecstatic speech can be counterfeited
   • Gifts must be tested
7. Fellowship Bible Church's Approach
   • Neither forbid nor blindly accept tongues
   • Require biblical testing and interpretation
   • Protect the church and promote maturity

Key Takeaways

• Scripture is the final authority. Spiritual experiences, emotions, and personal testimony must be evaluated by God's Word rather than treated as proof of truth.
• Tongues are not a universal gift. Paul explicitly teaches that not every believer speaks in tongues; the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts according to His purposes.
• Edification should govern spiritual gifts. In the gathered church, gifts should benefit the body rather than become opportunities for personal spiritual display.
• Public tongues require interpretation. Without interpretation, the church cannot understand or be edified, so Paul instructs the speaker to remain silent in the gathering.
• God's gifts must be exercised orderly. Paul's final instruction is to pursue prophecy, not forbid tongues, and ensure that everything is done properly and in an orderly way.
• History informs but does not determine doctrine. The historical absence or resurgence of tongues cannot by itself establish whether the gift has ceased. Scripture must make that determination.
• Spiritual experiences must be tested. Not every experience that feels supernatural is necessarily a work of the Holy Spirit. The church is called to test what it encounters and distinguish the genuine from the counterfeit.
• Church leadership has a responsibility to protect the flock. Testing spiritual gifts helps preserve biblical order while protecting both the congregation and those who believe they possess a particular gift.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 12:30 — Not every believer receives the gift of tongues.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1–5 — Prophecy is emphasized because it builds up the church.
• 1 Corinthians 14:6–19 — Spiritual communication should be understandable and edifying.
• 1 Corinthians 14:20–25 — Gifts should serve God's purposes and lead people toward Him.
• 1 Corinthians 14:26–28 — Tongues in the church require order and interpretation.
• 1 Corinthians 14:36–40 — Spiritual gifts must operate according to God's commands and in an orderly manner.
• Acts 2 — Tongues appear as known languages and serve as a sign that draws attention to the gospel.
• Acts 10 — Tongues accompany the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentile believers.
• Acts 19 — Tongues are again associated with the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 — The episode considers whether this passage teaches that tongues have ceased.
• 1 John 4:1 — Spiritual claims should be tested rather than automatically accepted.

Recorded 9.26.82

Guided Question

How does your understanding of love compare with the kind of "true love" described in Scripture, and what would it look like to live that out in your relationships this week?

Summary

What does the world really need? While our culture constantly talks about love, this message argues that what the world truly lacks is real, biblical love. Beginning with the observation that love is the "energy of life," Dr. Robert Lewis explains that many of the things people call love—conditional affection, emotional attraction, or lust—are merely substitutes that ultimately leave people empty.

Drawing from passages throughout Scripture, he demonstrates that love is central to God's redemptive plan. God's love moved Him to pursue sinful humanity, love fulfills the entire law, love is the goal of Christian instruction, and love is the defining mark of every follower of Christ. The Christian life is not measured simply by knowledge or religious activity, but by a transformed heart that genuinely loves God and others.

Turning to 1 Corinthians 13, Dr. Lewis highlights Paul's practical description of "true love." Love is patient, kind, humble, selfless, forgiving, truthful, enduring, and unwavering. Unlike the world's temporary or self-serving versions of love, biblical love never fails because it reflects God's own character. Followers of Christ are called not merely to admire this love but to pursue it as the defining characteristic of their lives.

Outline

• Why the world desperately needs real love
• False substitutes for biblical love
• Love at the center of God's plan
• Love fulfills God's commands
• Love as the goal of Christian growth
• Love as the evidence of genuine faith
• The transformation of John: from "Son of Thunder" to the Apostle of Love
• The characteristics of true love (1 Corinthians 13)
• True love never fails

Key Takeaways

• Love is the life-giving force that God intends to characterize every believer.
• The world's versions of love are often conditional, emotional, or self-serving, but biblical love is sacrificial and enduring.
• God's love is the foundation of salvation and the motivation behind His pursuit of humanity.
• Love is the fulfillment of God's commands and the proper motivation for Christian obedience.
• Spiritual maturity is measured not by knowledge alone, but by growing in love.
• Genuine love is one of the clearest evidences of knowing Christ.
• The qualities listed in 1 Corinthians 13 provide a practical picture of how believers are called to live.
• True love reflects God's character and never fails.

Scripture References

• John 3:16 — God's love moved Him to send His Son for the world.
• Matthew 22:34–40 — Love for God and neighbor fulfills the entire Law.
• 1 Timothy 1:5–7 — The goal of Christian instruction is love.
• John 13:35 — Love identifies Jesus' disciples.
• 1 John 4:7–8 — Those who know God demonstrate His love.
• Luke 9:51–56 — Jesus corrects James and John, teaching a better way than anger.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 — True love is patient, kind, enduring, and never fails.

Recorded 9.5.82

Guided Question

How has God uniquely gifted you to serve others, and are you actively using those gifts to strengthen Christ's body—or are you content to simply attend church without engaging in His mission?

Summary

In this message, Dr. Robert Lewis walks through 1 Corinthians 12, explaining that the church is not merely an organization that runs programs but a living, supernatural body empowered by the Holy Spirit. Every believer receives spiritual gifts—not natural talents—to serve others, strengthen the church, and advance God's kingdom. These gifts are sovereignly distributed by the Holy Spirit and are meant to be exercised for the benefit of the whole body, not for personal recognition or spiritual status.

Lewis highlights five foundational truths about spiritual gifts: they are given by the Holy Spirit, they vary among believers, they are distributed according to God's will, they provide believers with a unique place of ministry, and they ultimately call Christians to die to self in order to serve others. Discovering and faithfully using one's spiritual gift gives purpose, identity, and balance to the Christian life.

The sermon then addresses the often-debated sign gifts—particularly miracles and healing. While acknowledging common arguments that some miraculous gifts ceased after the apostolic age, Lewis concludes that Scripture does not require that position. Instead, he believes God remains free to grant these gifts if He chooses, though any genuine manifestation must align with the biblical pattern and never contradict Scripture.

Examining the New Testament, Lewis distinguishes miracles from healings and argues that biblical miracles primarily authenticated God's revelation, while biblical healings were instantaneous, complete, undeniable, and publicly verifiable. He expresses skepticism toward many modern healing ministries because they often lack these biblical characteristics, while affirming that God still answers prayer and sovereignly heals according to His will.

Lewis concludes by returning to Paul's central message: the church flourishes only when every believer discovers and faithfully exercises the spiritual gifts God has given them. A Spirit-filled church is marked not by impressive programs or religious ritual, but by ordinary believers serving one another through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Outline

• The supernatural nature of the church
• Five foundational truths about spiritual gifts
• Discovering your God-given identity through ministry
• Spiritual gifts require self-denial and servant-hearted living
• Are the sign gifts still active today?
• Biblical perspectives on miracles and healing
• The difference between God's healing and the gift of healing
• The church's call to use every believer's spiritual gifts

Key Takeaways

• The Church Is a Living Body — The church is a supernatural organism empowered by the Holy Spirit, not merely an institution or organization.
• Every Believer Has a Spiritual Gift — The Holy Spirit sovereignly gives each Christian unique gifts to strengthen the body of Christ.
• Your Gift Gives You Purpose — Discovering and using your spiritual gift provides identity, direction, and meaningful ministry within the church.
• Ministry Requires Dying to Self — Spiritual gifts are never for self-promotion but for serving others in humility and sacrifice.
• God Is Sovereign Over Spiritual Gifts — While Scripture allows for God to work miraculously today, every claimed gift or miracle must be measured against biblical truth.
• God Still Heals — Though Lewis questions many modern healing ministries, he affirms that God continues to answer prayer and heal according to His sovereign will.
• A Healthy Church Is a Serving Church — The church reaches its fullest strength when every believer actively employs their spiritual gifts to serve others.

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 12 — Spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to build up Christ's body.
• 1 Corinthians 14 — Greater emphasis should be placed on gifts that edify the whole church.
• Romans 12:1–8 — Present yourself as a living sacrifice and faithfully use your spiritual gifts.
• Matthew 10:1 — Jesus gives His apostles authority over unclean spirits and disease.
• 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 — God's grace is sufficient, even when He chooses not to remove suffering.
• 1 Peter 4:10 — Every believer should use their gift to serve others faithfully.
• Matthew 16:24–25 — Following Christ requires denying yourself and giving your life away.

Recorded 7.25.82

Guided Question

Are you merely believing the truths of the Christian faith, or are you living daily under the empowering control of the Holy Spirit?

Summary

Many Christians know about the Holy Spirit, yet live with little evidence of His power in their daily lives. Using 1 Corinthians 12:13 as the foundation, this message distinguishes between the baptism of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit's work of bringing every believer into the body of Christ at conversion—and the filling of the Holy Spirit, God's ongoing work of empowering believers to live the Christian life.

Dr. Lewis explains that while every Christian has been baptized by the Spirit into Christ's body, not every Christian lives under the Spirit's control. The Spirit-filled life is marked by surrender rather than self-effort, producing genuine spiritual transformation, victory over sin, fruitful service, joyful worship, and a growing awareness of God's leading.

Rather than settling for outward religious performance or a "lukewarm" Christianity, believers are called to seek God's control through prayer, dependence, and daily surrender. When Christians yield themselves to the Holy Spirit, they experience the abundant life Jesus promised and become part of a church marked by authenticity, love, holiness, and joyful worship.

Outline

• Nicodemus and the missing reality of the Holy Spirit
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit at conversion
• The difference between baptism and filling
• Characteristics of the Spirit-filled life
• The danger of outward religion without inward transformation
• Pursuing the Spirit's control through surrender and prayer
• The impact of Spirit-filled believers on the church

Key Takeaways

• Every believer is baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ at salvation.
• The filling of the Holy Spirit is the ongoing experience of living under God's control.
• True spirituality is measured by Christlike character, not merely religious activity.
• Walking by the Spirit brings victory over the desires of the flesh and produces lasting spiritual fruit.
• Prayer, surrender, and dependence on God position believers to experience the Spirit's power.
• A Spirit-filled church is marked by authenticity, worship, love, service, and transformed lives.

Scripture References

• John 3:1–8 — Jesus teaches Nicodemus about being born of the Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 12:13 — Every believer is baptized by one Spirit into one body.
• Galatians 3:26–28 — Through faith in Christ, believers receive a new identity as God's children.
• Ephesians 5:18 — Believers are commanded to be continually filled with the Spirit.
• Romans 8:14 — God's children are led by the Spirit.
• John 16:13 — The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth.
• Galatians 5:16–23 — Walking by the Spirit produces victory over sin and the fruit of the Spirit.
• Ephesians 2:10 — Believers are created in Christ for good works.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16–19 — Rejoice, give thanks, and do not quench the Spirit.
• Luke 4:1–14 — Jesus begins His ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• Psalm 63:1–2 — Earnestly seeking God leads to experiencing His power.
• Isaiah 40:31 — Those who wait on the Lord receive renewed strength.
• Malachi 3:7 — God promises to draw near to those who return to Him.
• Revelation 3:20 — Christ invites believers into restored fellowship.

Recorded 7/11/82

Guided Question

How are you using the gifts God has given you to serve others—and are you helping fulfill the church's mission of demonstrating Christ's compassion to a hurting world?

Summary

This message explores the purpose and importance of spiritual gifts through the lens of 1 Corinthians 12:14–27, framed by Jesus' example in Matthew 9:35–38. Just as Jesus moved among the people with compassion—teaching, healing, and serving—the church is called to do the same.

Paul compares the church to a human body, emphasizing that every believer has a unique role to play. While some gifts receive more attention, no spiritual gift is insignificant. In fact, the often-overlooked serving gifts—such as mercy, helps, administration, and encouragement—are indispensable to the health and effectiveness of the church. When these gifts are neglected, the entire body suffers.

The message challenges churches to move beyond simply teaching the gospel to actively demonstrating it through tangible acts of compassion. By honoring every gift and creating opportunities for each believer to serve, the church reflects Christ more completely and becomes a more effective witness to the world. The sermon concludes by casting a vision for ministry that equips believers to meet real needs in their communities, demonstrating both the truth and the love of the gospel.

Episode Outline

• Jesus' compassion as the model for the church (Matthew 9)
• Understanding the purpose of spiritual gifts
• Every gift is essential to the body of Christ
• Why serving gifts are often overlooked
• Honoring and developing every spiritual gift
• Demonstrating the gospel through compassionate ministry
• A vision for serving the local community

Key Takeaways

• Jesus Modeled Compassion — Christ's ministry combined proclaiming the gospel with meeting people's physical and emotional needs.
• Spiritual Gifts Have a Purpose — Every believer receives spiritual gifts to serve others and advance God's mission.
• No Gift Is Insignificant — The church functions best when every member faithfully uses the gifts God has given them.
• Serving Gifts Are Essential — Gifts like mercy, helps, hospitality, administration, and encouragement are indispensable, even when they receive little public recognition.
• The Body Works Together — Spiritual gifts are interdependent and become most effective when they complement one another.
• The Gospel Must Be Demonstrated — Compassionate service gives credibility to the message of Christ and opens hearts to the gospel.
• The Church Is Called to Its Community — Healthy churches intentionally look beyond their walls to meet the needs of those around them.

Scripture References

• Matthew 9:35–38 — Jesus demonstrates compassion and calls workers into the harvest.
• 1 Corinthians 12:4–13 — The Holy Spirit gives different gifts for the common good.
• 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 — Every member of the body is necessary and worthy of honor.
• 1 Timothy 5:9–10 — Faithful servants are honored for lives marked by good works and compassion.
• 2 Corinthians 10:10 — True ministry is not measured by outward impressiveness.
• Matthew 20:28 — Jesus came to serve and to give His life for others.

Recorded 6/6/1986

Guided Question

How would you evaluate your spiritual progress today — are you cultivating a deeper desire for God's presence, drawing strength from Him in difficult seasons, and growing in a life marked by trust and obedience?

Summary

This episode explores Psalm 84 and what Dr. Robert Lewis calls the "Signs of a Pilgrim's Progress." He reminds us that life's highest calling is to know God, yet the distractions and demands of everyday life often cause us to lose sight of that purpose.

Using Psalm 84, Dr. Lewis identifies three marks of genuine spiritual growth. First is a yearning heart—a deep desire for God's presence that produces contentment and praise. Second is increasing strength, which comes through continual communion with God and enables believers to pass through life's "Valleys of Baca" without becoming trapped in spiritual dryness. Third is a good life, marked by trust, obedience, and a growing preference for God's presence over the world's rewards.

The psalm concludes with a call to spiritual renewal: confess spiritual disorientation, recommit to pursuing God, bring your burdens and dry places to Him, and trust His promise that He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly.

The movement is clear:

A heart that longs for God.

A life strengthened by God.

A life satisfied in God.

Key Takeaways

The Yearning Heart (Psalm 84:1–4)

A growing believer desires God's presence above all else.

Religious activity cannot replace genuine devotion.

Contentment and praise flow naturally from enjoying God.

Increasing Strength (Psalm 84:5–7)

Strength comes through continual communion with God.

"Highways to Zion" are built through prayer, Scripture, repentance, and obedience.

God can transform life's dry valleys into places of blessing.

Believers go "from strength to strength" as they draw near to Him.

The Good Life (Psalm 84:10–12)

God's presence is better than worldly success or comfort.

Trust and obedience lead to lasting satisfaction.

No good thing is withheld from those who walk uprightly.

Applications

Confess spiritual disorientation.

Recommit to pursuing God's presence.

Bring your "Valley of Baca" to Him.

Rest in God's promises and faithfulness.

Verse Summary

2 – A heart that longs for God

5–7 – Strength through God's presence

10 – God's presence is better

12 – Blessed is the one who trusts Him

Scripture References

Psalm 84 — The signs of spiritual progress and delighting in God's presence

Revelation 2:1–5 — Returning to your first love

Psalm 51:16–17 — God desires a broken and contrite heart

Mark 7:6–7 — Worship that is merely external

Jeremiah 9:23–24 — Boasting in knowing God

Matthew 10:29–31 — God's care for those who belong to Him

Recorded 5.9.82

Guided Question

Where are you in your spiritual journey — still dead in sin, encountering God’s mercy, or living fully as His child — and what does that reveal about your life today?

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Summary

This episode walks through Ephesians 2:1–10, showing the gospel in ten verses. Paul starts with humanity’s spiritual death — driven by appetite, pride, and worldly influence, living under the consequences of sin.

Then comes the turning point: “But God.” Rich in mercy, God intervenes, making us alive in Christ, raising us up with power, and seating us with Him — giving access, purpose, and eternal significance. Salvation is entirely by grace through faith.

Finally, we are God’s workmanship — His poem — created in Christ for good works prepared beforehand. The movement is clear:

You were dead.
But God.
Now we are His.

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Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual Death (2:1–3)

   • Driven by lust and pride; “children of wrath”

   • Emptiness, hollow optimism, increasing corruption

2. God’s Intervention: “But God” (2:4–5)

   • God initiates salvation; rich in mercy and love

   • Grace given before we sought Him

3. Salvation Accomplishes (2:5–6)

   • Made alive: Spirit regenerated

   • Raised up: Power to overcome sin

   • Seated with Him: Access, worship, purpose

4. Saved by Grace (2:8–9)

   • Not earned or deserved

   • Fully by God’s initiative

5. We Are His Workmanship (2:10)

   • God’s “poem,” ongoing expression

   • Created for good works and eternal purpose

Verse Summary: 1 – You were dead | 4 – But God | 10 – We are His

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Scripture References

• Ephesians 2:1–10 — Death to life, grace, and purpose

• Romans 6:4–6 — Raised with Christ to walk in newness of life

• 1 John 2:16 — Lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life

Recorded 3.28.82