The end times is a fascinating subject for so many people. They want to know when Jesus will return and what the end will be like. But as Jesus describes the end in Matthew 24, we see that his concern was for his people. He didn't want them to be led astray by false christs and false prophets who were to come. You can hear or download this message at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWatchOut_3

During our Thanksgiving celebrations, we typically thank God for our material blessings. But, as we see in John 6, our greatest blessing isn't material or worldly; it's Jesus. He is our greatest reason for thanksgiving. This message is shorter than normal, since I encourage our people to share what God's been doing in their lives this past year during our Thanksgiving service. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOurGreatestReasonforThanksgiving

The final judgment is an uncomfortalbe subject for many believers. Even though the subject of the end times intrigues them, the judgment seems like the negative and the scary side of the subject. But, as we see in Isaiah 63:1-6, the judgment is actually a blessing for the faithful. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheBlessingofJudgment

We all realize that we're imperfect people. But so often, we use this as an excuse to justify our sin. However, in this week's message, based on Mark 8:42-50, we see that we're to take our sin very seriously. We're to do everything possible, we're to make any sacrifice necessary, to ensure that we don't lead others to sin or live in wickedness ourselves. This message can be heard or downloaded at: http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNobody_sPerfect

We all know that we're imperfect people and that we sin against others on a daily basis. We also know that all people are sinful, so we expect others to hurt us. But even though we know this, we find forgiveness to be a very difficult thing. We're usually willing to forgive, but only so far. But in this message, based on Matthew 18:23-35, we see that God wants us to forgive others just as he's forgiven us. You can hear it or download it by clicking this link:
http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheLimitofForgiveness

Most people today will not simply take Jesus at his Word. They're filled with doubt; they always think there's more to discover. And because of this doubt, they lack the faith by which we're saved. Believing in Jesus, however, means taking Jesus at his Word. It means that his Word, his promise and word of assurance, is enough for us. We can trust him and look to him with confidence. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTakingJesusatHisWord

Most of us are pretty good at wasting time. And not only do we waste time with our worldly responsibilities, we also waste time when it comes to our life of faith. We waste our time with the works of darkness, with things that hinder our faith, rather than using it to serve and glorify God. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWastingTime

Ministry is a very frustrating thing. It often feels like little, if anything, is being accomplished. So it's easy to throw in the towel and quit. However, no matter how things may seem, we must press on. God has not revoked his calling, nor has he given up on the world. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNeverSayDie

Even though we know we're to place our trust in God, that we're to rely upon him, most of us rely instead upon ourselves or our fellow man. In Jeremiah 17:5-10 God points out that, if we do so, we're under a curse. His blessing can only be received when we trust in him. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryInManWeTrust

Whether we recognize it or not, one of our main desires in life, one of our main pursuits, is our own glory and honor. However, according to Jesus, we're to live a life of humility. Glory and honor cannot be gained us, it's something that's given by God himself. And God exalts not the proud or the arrogant, but the humble. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFortheGloryofMe

Man has always searched for the fountain of youth and the means to live forever. However, despite all of our efforts, despite all of the advances that have been made, everyone still dies. However, there is one who has power over death and who can give eternal life. His power over death assures us of the life he's promised, of the forgiveness of sins, and tells us where this life is to be found. This message can be heard or downlowaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNeverEndingLife

Wisdom and knowledge are highly valued in our society. We can see this by the high priority placed on education. However, we've done everything possible to separate these things from the fear of the Lord. And apart from the fear of the Lord, apart from the knowledge of God, there is no true wisdom, knowledge, or understanding. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheFoundationofWisdom

The Christian life is a continual battle with ourselves. Our sinful nature pulls at us, drawing us to acts of wickedness. How can we live the Christian life with this going on within? In Galatians 5, Paul tells us to walk by the Spirit. We're to follow his leading, setting our minds on the things of the Spirit, and resist the flesh. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWalkingBytheSpirit

We all know the Golden Rule, that we're supposed to treat others how we want to be treated. Jesus says that we're to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, we're always trying to find the limit of this love; we want to know when we can stop loving people. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLovingGod_sWay

Just about everyone knows who I'm talking about when I use the phrase, "I want to be like Mike." Because of his great talent, as well as his championships, money, and fame, many people wanted to be like Michael Jordan at the height of his career. In the same way, we all have role models that we look up to and aspire to be like. However, as we see in Ephesians 5:1-11, instead of imitating the ways of the world or the people of this world, we're to be imitators of God. He's to be our role model and the one we emulate. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLikeMike

If you encounter problems with that link, as I have this week, try this alternate link, http://www.ourmedia.org/ia/details/KentSperryLikeMike

My family and I took one last trip before school starts, so we had a guest speaker at Grace and Redeemer. Dave Jameson, from Freedom Lutheran Church in Ottawa, IL was with us. He spoke about being prepared for action, and how this can remove distractions that hinder our service of God. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/DaveJamesonPreparedforAction

This week at Grace, everyone, including I, was distracted during the sermon. A bat made its way into the sanctuary in the middle of the message, flying back and forth over the heads of the congregation! Hopefully those who didn't catch it all (the sermon, not the bat) will listen again to it.

We heard in Luke 19 how Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. He knew the judgment that was coming on them because they didn't recognize his coming. In the same way, we too should weep for the millions of people in our world who don't know Jesus and are, as a result of their sin, going to hell. And this sorrow should motivate us to obey the calling of God to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.

It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDoYouEvenCare It can also be heard at http://www.ourmedia.org/ia/details/KentSperryDoYouEvenCare

We all lead very busy lives, we have many different goals, and many things that we value. It get's very hard to balance everything because things often conflict with one another. God also gets brushed aside in the process. In today's message, based on Matthew 13:44-46, we see that God's kingdom is so valuable that the one who finds it gladly gives up all else to possess it. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhat_sTrulyImportant It can also be heard at http://www.ourmedia.org/ia/details/KentSperryWhat_sTrulyImportant

This week, we heard our final message in our series on Joshua, "The Making of a Servant." In this message we saw that, even though Moses was a very unique leader, he was not indispensable. God was able to raise up someone else to take his place. The same is also true for us. So the servant of God must not think to highly of himself, or place too great an importance on any one man. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryUniqueButNotIndispensable

In this continuation of our series on the life of Joshua titled, "The Making of a Servant," we see that a servant of God must be willing to go against the flow. Society tried to lead us away from God, and we must be willing to stand against this pressure. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAgainsttheFlow