Emmanuel Baptist Church of Jacksonville - Sermons

The Fruit of the Spirit, Part 9 - The Fruit of the Spirit

We often think of temperance—or temperance as the "fruit of the Spirit"—as a grueling exercise in willpower. We grip our teeth, try harder, and call it "self-control." But true Biblical temperance isn't about self-control at all; it is Spirit-control. It is the beautiful act of completely surrendering your life, your desires, and your choices to God's divine guidance. In this message, we will unpack how temperance is not a life of bondage, but the ultimate freedom to experience life exactly as God intended. The Trap of Over-Indulgence: Pleasure itself is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 3:13), but it becomes a sin when it gains power over us (I Corinthians 6:12) and turns into a weight that slows us down (Hebrews 12:1). Over-indulgence is simply what happens when self-control ceases to control itself. Finding Holy Balance: God desires a life of balance for us (Proverbs 11:1). When we refuse to surrender to Him, we inadvertently choose the bondage of sin (John 8:34-36). Overcoming the Time Thief: Satan loves to whisper the lie that time given to God is time lost. Through Romans 12:1-2 and Galatians 2:20, we will see why laying our schedules at the altar is the smartest thing we can do. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6 Join us this week as we learn to stop fighting in our own strength. Discover the peace that comes when you stop trying to control your life, choose to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), and allow the Holy Spirit to take the wheel. Temperance doesn't empty your life of joy—it protects your joy by placing God at the center. Come discover the freedom that can only be found in total surrender.

Come Unto Me - General Preaching

We live in a world fractured by trouble, noise, and non-stop anxiety. When the weight of life becomes too heavy, we often look to the world for relief—yet human effort and worldly escapes can never provide the true, deep rest our souls actually crave. Only God can. In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus extends a beautiful, deeply personal invitation to all of God’s children: “Come unto me.” This is an unconditional offer where all means all. There are no exclusions, no prerequisites, and no burdens too heavy for Him to bear. He is entirely capable and infinitely strong enough to take on whatever is weighing you down. But why do we hesitate? We tend to get anxious about way too much, clinging to worries we were never meant to carry. Turning our lives completely over to God is a constant, daily challenge. It requires us to focus on the one thing we do have the power to change—ourselves—while boldly surrendering everything else to Him. As we reflect on the comforting truth of Hebrews 4:15 and the poignant question of the classic hymn, "Does Jesus Care?", we are reminded that we serve a Savior who understands us intimately. He walked this earth, experienced our human struggles, and is completely relatable. Faith is not blind. It is the quiet, confident assurance that God always has your best interest in mind and is entirely worthy of your trust. Our inability to see the way forward does not mean God is unable to see. Join us this week as we learn to lay down our anxieties and accept the invitation to experience a supernatural rest—a rest for your soul that goes far deeper than anything this world can offer. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

It's Not In Vain - General Preaching

The core conflict of the Christian life often mirrors the Psalmist’s struggle: "I tried to live right, but the outcome was wrong." We frequently fall into the trap of desiring a good outcome more than we desire to simply do what is right. We have all experienced times when telling the truth or doing the right thing resulted in trouble. When a good deed yields a bad result, the human temptation is to think, "If doing right brings a bad outcome, then I don't want to do right." The Psalmist laments, "I have cleansed my hands in vain," because he looks at the world and sees the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. His ultimate mistake was looking at the world instead of looking to God. We must do what is right simply because it is right, leaving the final outcomes entirely to God. True righteousness is measured by our obedience, not by our immediate results. When we look at scripture, doing the right thing rarely resulted in immediate comfort: Joseph: He chose holiness in Potiphar’s house, and his reward was being falsely accused and thrown into prison. He could have thought, "I might as well have committed adultery," but he remained faithful. Daniel: He continued to pray even after the decree was signed, choosing the lion's den over compromise because his heart was devoted to God. The times we doubt God’s character—His sovereignty and His love—are almost always during our trials. But we must remember that God's plans, thoughts, and ways are infinitely higher than ours. He sees everything we do, and while our rewards are rarely immediate, He has promised to reward obedience. The sermon shifts from the Psalmist's frustration to his ultimate testimony of God's goodness. When we shift our gaze from the worldly present to God's eternal timeline, everything changes. There is coming a day when the first will be last, and the last will be first. The worldly prosperity we envy today will one day be entirely destroyed. As believers, our ultimate outcome is not found in earthly wealth or comfort; our reward is Heaven and eternal fellowship with God. Be encouraged to keep doing what is right, even when it is difficult, thankless, or costly. God sees, God knows, and it is never in vain.

Fathers That Stand Firm - General Preaching

In a world that constantly redefines role models, the Apostle Paul gave the men of the church a timeless, uncompromising challenge. It is easy for a father to focus entirely on physical and financial provisions, but true biblical fatherhood goes much deeper. God is calling for fathers who will stand firm—men who understand that their highest calling is to be the spiritual watchmen of their homes. A sleeping watchman cannot guard a spiritual home. This Father’s Day, we will dive into Paul’s charge to watch, stand fast, endure, and operate in strength and love. We will explore what it means to step up and take responsibility, recognizing that true strength comes from God alone and never needs to be forcefully promoted. True leadership isn't about forcing people to follow; it’s about guiding them through Christlike example. As men, we are responsible to our wives and children, but we are ultimately accountable to God. Join us as we look at how to guard our families with vigilance, lead them with humility, and ensure that every action we take is rooted in unconditional love.

The Good Shepherd, Part 6 - The Good Shepherd

While Psalm 23 covers the entirety of the Shepherd's care, verse 6 serves as the grand climax. David reminds us that God�s faithfulness never changes, tracking the believer's journey from present confidence to eternal completion. 1. The Confidence of the Believer David begins with absolute certainty: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me." This confidence isn't based on a change in circumstances, but on the unchangeable character of the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd's Provision: Just as the Shepherd prepared a table in the wilderness, He meets us exactly where we are in our lives. The Two Companions: We are given two lifelong companions: Goodness: God�s kindness and benevolence that actively communicates happiness to us. It connects deeply with Romans 8:28�knowing God is working all things together for good. Mercy: God�s mildness, tenderness of heart, and withholding of judgment. Mercy is the constant reminder that God has not given us what we truly deserve. 2. The Pursuit of the Believer We often think of following God, but David flips the script: God's goodness and mercy pursue us. An Unavoidable Pursuit: Absolutely nobody can hide from God's goodness and mercy. It is so expansive that even the worst person on Earth breathes God's air and is allowed to wake up every morning. Goodness in the Midst of Trials: No matter what trial you are currently walking through, God remains good in spite of it all. He intentionally uses our deepest trials to shape, mold, and refine us. 3. The Completion of the Believer's Journey The ultimate comfort of Psalm 23 is that it does not end in the cemetery. The believer is promised a future, permanent home. The Eternal Residence: Heaven is not a temporary stop, but a permanent residence characterized by complete rest and perfect peace. In His Presence: One day, we will stand in the literal presence of the Good Shepherd forever. As Revelation 21:4 promises, He will wipe away every tear, and death and sorrow will be no more. The Full Circle of Faith: Psalm 23 beautifully bookends the believer's life. It begins in the present tense with "The Lord is my shepherd," and closes with the eternal promise, "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." From the exact moment of salvation all the way into eternity, God takes care of us.