Sermons from Calvary Baptist Church
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Sermon?
What in the wide world of sports is a sermon?
“Sermon” is a noun according to Noah Webster (Webster’s Dictionary of American English, 1828). Furthermore, Mr. Webster defines “sermon” as:
“1. A discourse delivered in public by a licensed clergymen for the purpose of religious instruction, and usually grounded on some text or passage of Scripture. Sermons are extemporary addresses or written discourses.” (online source)
Its etymology is the Latin sermō, meaning discourse.
According to another online source (Wikipedia), “Sermons address a scriptural, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. Elements of the sermon often include exposition, exhortation, and practical application. The act of delivering a sermon is known as preaching.” (online source, emphasis in original)
The sermon, as the discourse itself, is not the topic we find in the Bible. Preaching is the term we deal with most often.
Consider Question 72 of Charles Spurgeon’s A Puritan Catechism. It asks, “How is the Word made powerful and effective to salvation?” The answer: “The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, and effectual means of convicting and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith to salvation.” (modern translation and emphasis added by Jon J. Cardwell)
Here are the scripture proofs for this catechism doctrine:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7, ESV).
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6, ESV).
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, ESV).
Consider these scriptures with regard to preaching of the Word, Christ and His gospel:
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).
Think about this verse with regard to the resurrection:
“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
So, consider this thought concerning sermons. Several members of our congregation missed a service. The reason? They were helping another member who had to meet a deadline. We’re so glad they did. It is just as important to be a sermon as it is to hear one.
Finally, many of them listened to the sermon they missed later. Why? So they would know what everyone else heard and studied. We record our sermons for just this purpose. It’s better to hear a sermon as it happens. Certainly, recorded sermons have their place.
Listen to the sermons above. Determine for yourself. Crave Christ-exalted preaching. Yearn after God-glorified teaching. Grow in grace. Be strong in faith. See Christ in the scriptures. Most certainly, know Christ from the scriptures.
