Salt & Light Christian Church

Hearing God's Voice

Sermon Summary: This sermon from 2 Corinthians 6 challenges believers to not receive God's grace in vain but to actively respond to it. Pastor Luke emphasizes that "now is the day of salvation" and believers should not wait for perfect circumstances to follow Jesus. The central message focuses on the necessity of the Holy Spirit being at the center of Christian life and ministry. Using Paul's resume of suffering and endurance, the pastor illustrates that effective ministry requires the power of the Holy Spirit, not human strength alone. The sermon culminates in a powerful teaching about how Christians are the temple of God, and therefore God desires to speak to them—but the noise of life and competing voices often drown out His voice. Believers must quiet the background noise and create space to hear God speak in His temple. Key Points: -We receive God's grace in vain when we do nothing with it—when we don't give it, rely on it, or thank God for it -Today is the day of salvation; there are no prerequisites or perfect circumstances required to come to Jesus -Obstacles like membership, tithing, dress code, marital status, or income level should never prevent someone from placing faith in Christ -Paul's ministry resume centered on the Holy Spirit, not his credentials or personal strength -Personal change precedes circumstantial change in the Christian life -The Holy Spirit must be in the middle of our lives, marriages, businesses, and churches -A life of godliness without the Holy Spirit is impossible—it's wishful thinking -Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism is different from yielding to the Holy Spirit daily -We are the temple of the living God; we don't go to church, we show up as church -God speaks where He dwells, and He has chosen to dwell in believers -God will never contradict His written Word when speaking to us -The noise of the enemy and competing voices in our lives prevent us from hearing God's voice -God doesn't raise His voice; we must get quiet to hear Him -We cannot treat our temple like an apartment complex with multiple voices—only God's voice belongs there Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 6:1-18 (primary text) -Isaiah 49:8 (quoted in verse 2) -Isaiah 59:19 (about the Spirit raising a standard against the enemy) -Acts 18 (story of Apollos learning about the Holy Spirit) -Psalm 55:1-3 (about the noise of the enemy) -Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20, 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 43 (Old Testament references in closing verses)

Living in the Tent While Waiting for Home | Luke Edgerton | 5/10/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon from 2 Corinthians 5 explores the tension Christians experience living in temporary, earthly bodies while awaiting their eternal dwelling with God. The pastor emphasizes that believers can have confidence and certainty about eternity through the guarantee of the Holy Spirit. The message challenges Christians to shift their focus from the seen realm to the unseen realm, walking by faith rather than sight. Central themes include the fear of the Lord as proper reverence and submission rather than mere respect, the importance of pleasing God as our primary aim, and the transformative power of being "in Christ" as a new creation. The sermon culminates in explaining double imputation—Christ's righteousness credited to believers while their sin was imputed to Him—and emphasizes that salvation must be received by faith, not earned through works. Key Points: -Life in this world is like living in a tent while waiting for a permanent home in eternity -Christians can know with certainty about their eternal future through the Holy Spirit as God's guarantee -We must walk by faith, not by sight, trusting in what we cannot see rather than what we can control -The fear of the Lord is genuine fear and submission to God's authority, not merely respect or honor -Our primary aim should be to please God in everything we do -All people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and be evaluated for what was done in the body -Who we fear is who we aim to please—fearing God leads to worshiping Him, fearing anything else is idolatry -God evaluates the condition of the heart, not outward appearances or achievements -The love of Christ should control us, not fear of man, pursuit of power, or self-preservation -Being "in Christ" makes us new creations—the emphasis is on being IN CHRIST specifically, not any other religious system -Double imputation means Christ's righteousness is credited to our account while our sin was imputed to Him -Salvation must be received by faith, like receiving a gift, not earned through works Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 5:1-21 (primary passage) -2 Corinthians 4:18 -Hebrews (reference to faith pleasing God) -1 Samuel 15-16 (God looking at the heart when choosing David as king)

Jars of Clay | Luke Edgerton | 5/3/2026

This sermon from 2 Corinthians 4 emphasizes the critical importance of proclaiming the gospel message without watering it down or falsifying it. Pastor Luke teaches that Christians are like fragile jars of clay entrusted with the precious treasure of the gospel. While Satan, as the god of this world, blinds unbelievers and seeks footholds in believers' lives through cracked doors of sin, Christians must stand firm in proclaiming Jesus as Lord—not merely as a moral teacher or historical figure, but as the sovereign Lord of all. The sermon calls believers to close every door to the enemy, open their hearts fully to Jesus, and carry the gospel message faithfully despite suffering and affliction. True Christian ministry exists by God's mercy alone, not through human cleverness or diluted messages. Suffering reveals our view of God, and believers must choose to rise to the level of God's power and provision rather than reducing God to the level of their pain. Key Points: -Ministry exists solely by the mercy of God, not human strategy or skill -When the Bible is watered down, it becomes falsified and loses its transformative power -Satan blinds unbelievers by convincing them either that he doesn't exist or that he deserves sympathy and worship -Believers give the enemy footholds by cracking open doors to sin in their lives -Jesus respectfully waits at the door for permission to enter, unlike Satan who enters uninvited through cracks -Jesus must be Lord of all of a Christian's life, not just acknowledged as a moral teacher -Christians are called to serve the Lord, not just believe in Him -We are fragile jars of clay containing the glorious treasure of the gospel -The light of the gospel shines through our broken places and testimonies -Power comes from the Spirit, not from the vessel -Those who believe must also speak about their faith -Suffering reveals whether we view God from our pain or rise to faith in His power -Christians will experience suffering, but they are sustained by the Holy Spirit Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (primary passage) -John 8:44 (Satan as father of lies) -John 12:31 (Satan as ruler of this world) -Ephesians 4:27 (giving the devil a foothold/opportunity) -Revelation 3:20 (Jesus standing at the door and knocking) -1 Corinthians 12 (earnestly desiring spiritual gifts) -Joshua 24:15 (choosing whom to serve) -Psalm 116:10 (I believed and so I spoke)

Living in the Spirit | Luke Edgerton | 4/26/2026

This sermon explores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit versus adherence to the written law alone. Pastor Luke emphasizes that the true gospel of Jesus Christ is under constant threat from false gospels that place other agendas before Christ himself. He contrasts the Old Covenant (God with us) and the New Covenant (God in us through the Holy Spirit), explaining that following God's commands without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit leads to death, but the Spirit brings life and freedom. The message calls believers to live as "letters from Christ" - their lives serving as recommendations of God's character rather than relying on mere words or documentation. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, and encourages believers to open themselves fully to the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Key Points: -The true gospel is the gospel of Christ alone; any word placed before "gospel" creates a false gospel that dilutes Christ's power -The prosperity gospel prioritizes God's provision over God's revelation in Jesus -The social justice gospel prioritizes equity over eternity -Both forms of the gospel - incentivizing (you need a Savior) and liberating (you have a Savior) - must be shared together -Christians must speak "in Christ" from their redeemed identity, not from flesh or negativity -Peddlers of God's Word use it as a commodity to be sold; people of the Word use it as a message to be told -Our lives should be "deliverable letters from Christ" - living recommendations of God's character -The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life; we cannot follow God's commands without the Holy Spirit's help -Understanding Scripture is not a prerequisite for obeying it; obedience often leads to understanding -The Old Covenant was God with His people; the New Covenant is God in His people through the Holy Spirit -Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom; where He is not, there is no freedom -We must not resist the Holy Spirit out of fear or unfamiliarity Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 2:12-13 -2 Corinthians 3:1-18 (primary focus) -Galatians 1:6-9 -Romans 7:6 -1 Samuel 16 (referenced regarding the Spirit departing Saul and rushing upon David)

Breaking Free from Unforgiveness | Luke Edgerton | 4/19/2026

Sermon Summary: This sermon from 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 addresses the critical issue of offense and unforgiveness within the Christian life. The pastor examines Paul's corrective ministry to the Corinthian church, particularly regarding their need to forgive a repentant member who had been in an incestuous relationship. The message emphasizes that unforgiveness is a demonic strategy that keeps believers in bondage and prevents spiritual growth. True spiritual maturity requires both receiving correction without offense and extending forgiveness to those who have caused harm. The sermon challenges the modern concept of "church hurt" as a demonically-influenced identity and calls believers to embrace their identity as victors in Christ rather than victims. The ultimate goal is to live unoffended and without bitterness, following Jesus's example of forgiveness even toward those who crucified Him. Key Points: -Paul changed his travel plans to avoid another painful visit, showing that spiritual leaders are human and experience pain -The real knowledge of God is often painfully imparted through correction -There is a spectrum of offense: from corrective instruction that exposes liabilities to genuine abuse and boundary violations -Offense has become an idol in modern culture, causing people to build walls and isolate themselves -Unhealed hurt people end up hurting more people; unhealed betrayed people betray -The goal of Christian life is to live unoffended and without bitterness -"Church hurt" is a demonically-influenced psychological operation that conflates one person's decisions with all churches -Unforgiveness is Satan's primary strategy and blueprint for keeping Christians in bondage -The scariest verse in Scripture: "If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15) -Forgiveness is a command, not a feeling to achieve; time does not heal all things, it buries them -We are not known by what we think but by what we speak; forgiveness must be spoken aloud -God will never trust a soul with more spiritual power than that soul has withheld forgiveness -The ultimate level of spiritual maturity is not just forgiving enemies but praying blessings over them Scripture Reference: -2 Corinthians 2:1-11 (primary passage) -1 Corinthians 5:5 (the incestuous relationship Paul addressed) -Proverbs 18:19 (a brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city) -Proverbs 18:1 (whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire) -Galatians 5:1 (it is for freedom that Christ set us free) -Colossians 3:15 (let the peace of Christ rule in your heart) -Luke 23:34 (Father, forgive them for they know not what they do) -Matthew 6:15 (if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you) -Luke 6:43-45 (a tree is known by its fruit; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks) -John 13:35 (by this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another) -Matthew 5:44 (love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you)