Second Street PCA

A sermon by Rev. Richard E. Clayton, Jr

What is at the center of it all? In Revelation 4 - 5, God opens the door to heaven and shows a vision of just what is at the center of it all and what is going on behind the scenes.

Can our prosperity separate us from God?

The church of Philadelphia had "a little strength" but would be a pillar in the temple of God. The church should never judge her affectivenss and strength on worldly standards.

Jesus told the church in Sardis that they were dead. Yet, there was a small remnant which still lived. They were called to wake up! Else Jesus would come in judgment. What were they to do? Strengthen what remained. Is this our condition in this country? How do we strengthen what remains?

The church and thy attire had given in to compromise with its culture. They not only tolerated immorality, but they had a teacher who was promoting it and she was being tolerated. We have to be careful, in our day of "cancel culture", that we stand firm on the rock of Christ Jesus. We cannot compromise with a culture that has compromised with Christ.

The church at Pergamum successfully withstood cultural and governmental persecution, including the execution of Antipas (a local church leader). And yet, inwardly, many members were worshiping the gods of the city and engaging in immoral sexual behavior. God promises to give Himself to those who repent and remain faithful. Is the church today guilty of this?

The church at Smyrna receives only commendation and no condemnations and yet they have tribulation, poverty, and are blasphemed. God promises that their tribulations have purpose, they are actually rich, and that if they are faithful unto death they will receive the crown of life.

A church can be concerned about theological correctness (and this is good) but if it has not love it is a sounding gong. The answer is to repent and remember the live they had at first. Truth without love is harsh and leads to death. Love without truth is idolatrous and also ends in death and Christ will remove the Spirit from that church.

In this section of The Revelation the Spirit reveals to us that Jesus (the Son of Man, So of God Incarnate and Glorified) is in the midst of His churches as their High Priest and King. He is in control of all things and the church is at the center of all that He is doing in the world for His glory.

In the sermon we look at the revelation of God and His triunity. He is Almighty and all rule and dominion belongs to Him

Our introduction to the sermon series on the book of Revelation. Introduction to the various themes and an explanation as to its understandability.

Which things belong to Caesar and which things belong to God? How would you answer that question?

From Galatians 2. We look at the significance of the fact of our being crucified with Christ because the believers are "in Christ". Therefore we are to put to death the deeds of the body, to crucify the flesh. Is Paul says, "the life I now live in the body I live by faith in Jesus Christ."

This sermon looks at Hebrews call for prayer for the church leaders and the prayer (benediction) which the author prays for the church. Which raises the question, do we pray for the same blessings for which our hands are outstretched to receive in the benediction?

This sermon looks at the significance of the fact that Jesus was sacrificed outside the camp. One of the important implications of this is that all of the world now has access to his beneficial sacrifice.

This sermon declares that we are to remember good Christian leaders (those who did not teach their own thoughts but rather the Word of God). What does it mean to imitate their FAITH? Also a call to leaders to live lives worthy of Remembrance, Consideration, and Imitation.

The Love of money is a snare. What is the proper perspective which we should have on money? Hint: where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This sermon looks at the injunction from the Holy Spirit to not be in love with money. 1) Love of money can make you unfruitful for the Kingdom of God, 2) Love if money can keep you from Christ, 3) There is a connection between fear and love of money, 4) Love of money is a snare, 5) Money can be used for good. Money is not evil, the human heart is evil. 6) Wealth can be a blessing or a curse in th...

In this sermon we continue to look at how God calls us to live in response to persecution. Honor marriage. We address two questions; 1) Why does marriage matter to God? 2) Why is the world seeking to destroy it?

This sermon looks at how the author of Hebrews tells the church we are to live in the midst of persecution and trial.

This sermon looks at how we should worship God in reverence and awe as we have escaped His judgement and are welcomed into His presence.

In this text the writer of Hebrews points us to the reality of where we worship and where we live as believers. What the spiritual realities are. We live in the city of the living God. And that gives us permanence, protection, and peace.

The sermon looks at the relationship between the pursuit of holiness in the presence of the grace of God.

What is holiness IS possible for the Christian? If not sinless perfection, then how clos can we get? Is it legalistic to even try? In this sermon we take a closer look at what holiness actually is, why we should pursue it, if it is actually possible to achieve, and if so, how to go about it. Personal righteousness and peace and closely tied together in scripture. Let's take a look.