In this week's message, we heard how, as believers, we're to abstain from the passions of the flesh. We're to do this because giving in to them is a danger to both us and others. As Peter points out in 1 Peter 2:11, these passions war against our soul. Giving in to them can lead us into a state of unrepentance. Peter points out that we're also to do this, that we're to do good, because doing so will cause unbelievers to glorify God when he visits them and because we'll silence the talk of ignorant people. It then stands to reason that the opposite is also true. By giving in to them, we validate the world's criticism of us and our message. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryPlayingWithFire

Today, it seems, we live in a culture of cowards. People are often unwilling to do what is right out of fear. They fear what others may think of them; they're afraid of what they might lose; they're afraid of what others may do to them. But, as we see in 1 Peter 2, as believers, we're called to suffer for what is right. We're to follow in the footsteps of Jesus who wanted nothing more than to do the will of the Father. You can hear or download this message at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryHowFarWillYouGo

Scripture tells us that Jacob, rather than his brother Esau, was to receive the blessing of God. However, throughout his early years, Jacob tried to get the advantage, he tried to get God's blessing, by his own effort and cunning. However, he ended up learning that God is the only source of blessing and that, in order to get it, he had to hang onto him and not let go. The same is also true for us. God is the only source of blessing and in order to get it, we must hold onto Jesus. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOnlyJesus

Today, I have our Holy Week and Easter messages. On Maundy Thursday we talked about the Lord's Supper, why it continues to be practiced today, and why it's so meaningful for believers in Jesus. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBrokenForYou

On Good Friday, we talked about the meaning of this day. We saw that it's a day of mourning because we remember Jesus' death and our role in his suffering. But we also saw that it's also a day of rejoicing. Without Good Friday, with the willing sacrifice of Jesus, we wouldn't have the hope we receive on Easter. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGivenForYou

On Easter we reflected on the importance of the resurrection. Many people say that, even if Jesus was just a man, even if he didn't rise from the dead, the Christian faith would remain intact; they say that at the core of our faith is the call to love one another. While this is important, the Christian faith truly hangs on Jesus and his resurrection. Had he not risen from the grave, we would remain in our sin and we'd remain without hope. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheSourceofHope

We concluded the series, "Our Father Abraham", with a message titled "A Man of Legacy." As Abraham got older, he wanted to find a wife for his son, Isaac. However, he didn't want Isaac marrying a woman of Canaan. He didn't want this because the women of that land worshipped other gods and might pull his son away from the Lord. So he sent his servant to his homeland, to his own family, to find him a wife. In this way, Abraham sought to protect his son and to leave a legacy of faith behind him. In the same way, as believers in Jesus, we too should be men and women of legacy; we should desire to leave a legacy of faith behind us when our time in this world comes to an end. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAManofLegacy