Brooklyn Tabernacle - Audio Sermons Feed

Satan wants to make us slaves to demonic powers, selfish appetites, sinful habits, darkness, hate, prejudice, lust. But Jesus Christ can break the power of demons, just as he did for a man with an unclean spirit. Oh, thank God that Jesus came to set the captives free! Let’s let Him do that for us today.

Complaining is a big deal. We think it’s minor, but complaining is accusing God of being unkind to us. When Israel did it, God brought judgment on them. Yes, life can be tough. But God has put us where we are. He is working something out! Instead of complaining, let’s believe God, and let’s praise Him. We will see the answer in His perfect timing.

What was it about Jesus that first got people’s attention? It wasn’t a miracle. It was His teaching with authority. A sermon or conversation can be doctrinally correct but can put us to sleep. We need spiritual authority when we speak for the Lord—for witnessing to people, talking to our spouses, trying to turn a relative toward God. May God give us spiritual authority in the name of Jesus.

When we follow Jesus, He doesn’t give us an itinerary. It’s like when He called James and John from their father’s fishing boat: “Follow Me.” No explanation. But those two young men left their father, his boat, and the hired men, and they followed the Lord. When we yield ourselves to His will, even though we don’t know the path ahead, Jesus gives us joy unspeakable and full of glory.

What background in training did the disciples have? They were fishermen. Some Christians today say, “Before we hire this guy, he needs to take this personality test.” Not Jesus. He told Peter and Andrew, “I will make you fishers of men.” It’s not what we have. It’s what God can make of us. All we have to do is follow Jesus. He will use us in ways we can’t imagine.

What’s the number-one thing you need from God today? Jesus taught us to ask Him for it: “Give us today our daily bread.” God did not tell us to frustrate ourselves by asking for things and He wouldn’t listen. No, He said, “Ask, and you shall receive.” What do you want God to do for you? Let’s pray in faith today.

Some churches harp on people, “Repent! You’re a mess!” Other churches teach the opposite: “Just believe. God loves you! You’re going to fulfill your destiny.” But Jesus taught the gospel, which includes both: “Repent and believe the good news!” Let’s be honest and repent of our sin, and then let’s cling to Jesus and trust Him for the abundant life He offers us.

Barren wilderness. Satan attacking. Wild animals. That’s what surrounded Jesus when the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert. But angels ministered to Him. We can be under assault, in the worst circumstance, but if we’ll open our hearts, God will send angels to minister to us—a scripture, comfort from the Holy Spirit, an encouraging friend. The Lord is merciful and compassionate. Let’s look up.

Jesus told us, “Let your light shine before others.” People in our local grocery stores, doctor’s offices, and post offices are longing for answers to life’s problems—and hungry to receive God’s love reflected through our lives in ordinary ways. We don’t need a pulpit, an endorsement, or a degree to tell others about Jesus. We just need to obey.

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove. Even Jesus needed the unction of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and preach sermons. How much more, then, do we need the Spirit in order to obey God and love others and grow in Christ? Let’s be seeking the Holy Spirit more and more.

John baptized people with water. But Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit. This is where the power and change in Christianity are found. Water baptism is about repentance, but it doesn’t empower us to change. But when we’re baptized in the Spirit, Christ within us gives us the power to be steadfast and bold for Christ. What good news.

You know what the hardest thing is when sharing Jesus with others? It’s not figuring out how to dazzle people or be clever. It’s getting out of the way so that Jesus gets all the attention. John the Baptist said, “I’m not even worthy to untie Jesus’ sandals.” He was just an arrow pointing people to Jesus. That’s all any of us can be.

When life is tough, we want solutions. But the apostle Paul prayed that God would give us something else: the power to endure trials with patience. Jesus lived as a suffering servant—and this is the example we are to follow. We don’t have to react to suffering in our typical ways. Jesus within us will give us power to endure with patience.

“Repent! Make things right!” That’s what John the Baptist preached to prepare the way for Jesus. Today the word “Repent” is unusual in the church. But we can’t experience the joy of Jesus until we’ve repented of sin. The good news begins with the bad news that we’re in trouble. But the good news is that Jesus came for people in trouble, like you and me.

You want bad news? Turn on the television. But aren’t you happy that the gospel of Jesus is Christ is good news? When the gospel begins to work in us, our lives are changed—past, present, and future. That’s triple good news! Let’s praise Jesus Christ today for what He came to do for you and me.

Are you weary? Burdened? Trudging along, worn out, carrying a load of misery, guilt, or fear? Jesus is inviting you, “Come to me.” The promise is for “all”—people of every gender, race, or status. Let’s leave our own opinions and goals and self-seeking, and let’s come to Jesus. He will give us rest.

Do you call other believers “brother” and “sister”? That pleases God. But we can’t just call each other “Brother This” and “Sister That.” We need to care about each other. When Jesus returns, we’ll be with our brothers and sisters in Christ forever. Let’s start having fellowship now, looking for ways to encourage each other, pray for each other, rejoice together. God put us in a family. Let’s enjo...

The writer of Hebrews prayed that God would equip us with everything good. Why? To do His will. “No, I want to be on The Voice,” we say. “I want to win the lottery.” But God doesn’t equip us to chase our dreams. He equips us to do His will. Let’s ask the Lord for both the desire and the ability to do what is pleasing to Him. Then we’ll have joy unspeakable

Do you need peace today? Maybe you’re agitated and worried. You’re operating with inner friction and turmoil because someone has let you down, you’re under pressure, your children are into bad things. But God is a God of peace. Let’s ask God to fill us with His Spirit and produce His fruit in us—the fruit of peace.

It’s miserable to have an unclear conscience. When that “umpire” inside us is nagging at us, calling out “Strike!” we can’t enjoy anything. But praise God, the blood of Jesus cleanses us! If we confess our sin, we can have clear consciences. Oh, thank God for His mercy.

The news today is filtered to fit various agendas. But God always tells things exactly like they are. In 1 Peter He gives us news that is cause for rejoicing—we are chosen, we have a living hope, we have an inheritance in heaven! But He tells us the honest truth: the joyous gifts are mixed with suffering. Why? God is strengthening our faith. That’s good news! Let’s keep believing God.

Everybody needs someone praying for them. That’s why the author of Hebrews wrote, “Pray for us.” God uses prayer as a channel to dispense grace, blessings, strength, love, encouragement, guidance, consolation. What would happen if we all started praying for each other? Let’s pray for someone we love today, and let’s ask others to pray for us.

Hebrews describes a healthy local church: the leadership is like Jesus, who washed the disciples’ feet, and the members submit to the leader because they know God put that person there. Is the leader perfect? No. But we respect the authority of a leader who is watching out for our souls, preaching the Word, and declaring Jesus. Let’s serve the Lord together in peace and harmony.

A lot of people don’t like to submit to leaders. Are there bad leaders? Absolutely. But a true shepherd is not after people’s money or bragging about their church. A true shepherd watches over people’s souls. Let’s make sure that we’re worshiping where we can cooperate biblically with those who are over us in the Lord, and then let’s honor our leaders.

Sometimes the secret to answered prayer is just praising God. At times God says, “Don’t ask me for anything. Just stand still and praise me. Watch what I will do.” Let’s not be discouraged or afraid. Let’s stand in faith, praising God like King Jehoshaphat and the army of Israel did. The battle is not ours but God’s! The Lord will give the victory.