Second Street PCA

A sermon by Rev. Richard E. Clayton, Jr.

Sermon on Mark 14:43-52

Maybe we Christians think we are better than other people since we have been enlightened by the gospel of Christ. The Bible teaches that we are not, in and of ourselves, in our own personal behavior, any better. We must beware of thinking that we gain salvation through our behavior because this can lead to legalism, false pride, and the preaching of a false gospel to the world.

What was the advantage of the means of grace in the Old Testament? What is the advantage of the means of grace in the New Testament? First, it exposes the participants to the word of God but without faith these things are not beneficial unto salvation.

Salvation has always and only been a matter of the heart from the fall of Adam to this very day. Circumcision was a sign and seal of actual regeneration. It was a form and shadow of the reality in the Christ to come. New Testament baptism represents the same thing. Salvation has always and only been a matter of the heart obtained by faith through grace in Christ alone.

This is a sermon about Christian introspection. Are you a true believer or hypocrite? The Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, gives us opportunity to examine this to do something about it.

All will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Judgment is based in works, even our consciences stand against us. The law demands perfection. The only perfect person was Jesus. The believer is clothed in His righteousness and has his conscience renewed.

Jesus is our Great Shepherd

God judges by works. The righteous are rewarded with honor, glory, and peace. The unrighteous with wrath. How are the works of a Christian rewarded?

The judgment of God will be revealed in "the Day of Wrath". Paul says that when a person judges another, they can then themselves because they themselves sin. Therefore they are without excuse. There is godly judgment. What does it look like? We must each see ourselves honestly, then we may have right judgment.

The Righteousness of God for man is manifest from faith for all who believe. The Wrath of God upon men who suppress the knowledge of God in their sin is manifest from Heaven.

This sermon explores the power of the gospel and the righteousness of God. The power of the gospel works by the Holy Spirit unto salvation by imputing to us God's righteousness for us.

A sermon about the sovereignty of God, faith, prayer, evangelism, and the church.

In this introduction of Paul's, we learn about who he is and his authority over the church. We learn about what the gospel is and who it's about. We learn about who Jesus Christ is and who we are in Christ. Paul is a called-Apostle and we are called-saints.

The assurance of the coming of Jesus Christ and what He desires for us in the meantime.

We're given another glimpse of what the glorified church will look like. It is invincible, beautiful, fulfilling, and glorious. And may be hard to see the church in this way now, but this is it's true identity.

The sovereignty of God in the institution of the Lord's Supper.

What happens AFTER heaven? And what about now? On the cross, Jesus said "It is finished." In Revelation 21, God says "It is done."

This sermon looks at what the Bible says about God's final judgment on the non-believers and the believers.

This sermon takes a look at what is meant by the binding of Satan and the sealing of the abyss. The mission of the church can be hindered by Satan but not stopped and not destroyed.

One of the final steps of the church's spiritual warfare, which is led by Jesus Christ, is the judgment of the beast and the false prophet.

Incorrect views of who God is abound. It is important for the believer to have an accurate view of who God is as He has revealed Himself in His Word. Here, in Revelation 19, we see Him revealed as a warrior fighting for His church and furiously fighting against evil. In the end, every evil force will be utterly defeated and fully punished. Those in Christ should have no fear. Our God is for us!

Does God care about evil governments? Does he care about or able to do anything about the evil worldly system of economics (all the greed and exploitation)? The answer is, yes! And the Day is coming when not only will evil people be judged but the entire system will be destroyed never to rise again. And heaven rejoices!

The church is called to come out of "Babylon" because it is being judged.  The kings and all merchants of the world mourn at Babylon's destruction.   How about the church? Will we mourn her destruction or will we rejoice with heaven?  Are we so in love with the world that we seek its perpetuation?  Are we like Lot's wife?

Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings. Though all the armies of the world should attack His church and His purposes with a single-minded unified physical and spiritual attack, they are defeated and we are more than conquerors.