The Forgotten War | Romans 8:12-13 | Pastor Adam Waller

The Forgotten War | Romans 8:12-13 | Pastor Adam Waller

Romans 8:12–13 presents the Christian life as a continual battle against the flesh. Drawing on biblical imagery of warfare, this message explores the reality that believers are engaged in a conflict not only against the world and the devil, but also against the sinful desires that remain within them. The passage shows that this struggle is uniquely Christian, arising from the work of the Holy Spirit in those who belong to Christ. It explains why believers no longer owe allegiance to the flesh, how the Spirit provides the power needed to resist sin, and why the ongoing fight against sinful desires is evidence of genuine spiritual life. Along the way, the message addresses questions of assurance, discipleship, sanctification, and what it means to live as those who have been set free from sin’s dominion. The call is clear: do not treat sin lightly or assume neutrality in the Christian life. Examine whether there is a real battle against the flesh within you, and by the Spirit put to death the sins that wage war against your soul while there is still time to respond in obedience to Christ.

The Soul-Winning Marriage #4 | 1 Peter 3:7 | Pastor Tom Drion

Marriage is one of the clearest places where Christian hope is put on display before a watching world. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:7, this message focuses on God’s instructions to husbands and what it means to live faithfully in marriage. Using the illustration of powerful machines that can easily cause harm when handled carelessly, the sermon calls men to “read the manual” and take seriously God’s design for marriage. The passage explores a husband’s responsibility to live with his wife according to knowledge, show her honour, treat her with gentleness as the weaker vessel, recognise her as a fellow heir of God’s grace, and live in a way that does not hinder his prayers. Along the way, the message highlights repentance, forgiveness, and the transforming power of the gospel for those who recognise their failures as husbands. Above all, it emphasises that Christian conduct in marriage should point others to Christ and the hope of eternal life.

The Soul-Winning Marriage #3 | 1 Peter 3:7 | Pator Tom Drion

In this message from 1 Peter 3:7, the focus is on how Christian husbands are to live in marriage in a way that displays the hope of the gospel before a watching world. Drawing from Peter’s call to submission throughout the letter, husbands are urged to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial, voluntary self-giving for the good of others. The passage highlights four key responsibilities: practising Christlike self-sacrifice within marriage, remaining faithfully committed to one’s wife even through hardship, living with her according to knowledge by understanding both God’s design and her particular needs, and giving her the honour that is due to her. Throughout, marriage is presented as an opportunity to demonstrate humility, steadfast love, and obedience to God rather than self-interest. The message also makes clear that these instructions are not a means of earning salvation but the fruit of a life transformed by the gospel. Christ laid down His life for His people, and husbands are called to reflect that same self-giving love in the home.

The Soul-Winning Marriage #2 | 1 Peter 3:3-6 | Pastor Tom Drion

This message continues a study in 1 Peter 3, focusing on how Christian wives can bear witness to Christ within marriage. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:1–6, the teaching examines God’s design for a “soul‑winning marriage,” highlighting submission, inner character, and spiritual influence. The emphasis falls on the contrast between external appearance and the “hidden person of the heart.” While outward adornment is not forbidden, it must not become the source of identity or hope. Instead, a gentle and quiet spirit—described as imperishable and precious in God’s sight—is presented as true beauty. This inner character is set alongside the example of Sarah, whose hope in God was expressed through humble, obedient trust. The passage also confronts cultural pressures around appearance and self-focus, calling believers to a different priority shaped by the gospel.

The Soul Winning Marriage #1 | 1 Peter 3:1-2 | Pastor Tom Drion

In this teaching from 1 Peter 3:1–2, the focus turns to marriage as one of the arenas where Christian hope is meant to be seen by a watching world. Set within Peter’s wider call in 1 Peter 2:11–3:15, the message explains how Christian conduct among unbelievers can silence criticism, provoke questions, and point others to the hope found in Christ. The passage addresses Christian wives in particular, teaching that voluntary submission to one’s own husband is not blind obedience, nor a call to remain in danger or sin. Rather, it is a God-fearing, hopeful, and deliberate posture that seeks to win souls through respectful and pure conduct, especially where a husband is not obedient to the word. Series Title: The Soul Winning MarriageText: 1 Peter 3:1-7Intro series:People are fascinated by relationshipsThe world is watching a Christian’s marriageThe broader context here in 1 Peter 2:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=131s]-4:11 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=251s] is that as Christians we are supposed to keep our behaviour kalos (excellent) in front of a watching world in order to: 1. Bring glory to God when he saves (2:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=132s]). 2. Silence the critics (2:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=135s]) 3. Lead people to ask the reason for hope they see in us (3:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=195s]) Big idea of this passage: In 1 Peter 3:1-7 Peter is teaching 1st Century Christians how to behave in marriage in such a noble way that they display their hope and win souls. There are 3 main lessons here for wives in vs. 1-6, and 7 lessons for husbands in v.7.Today: For today we’re just going to focus on first lesson for wives in vs. 1-2Big idea of this sermon: Christian wives voluntarily submit to their husbands in order to win souls.Plan for the sermon: To help us understand and commit ourselves to this strategy (to win souls by submitting) I am: 1. going to break down verses 1 & 2 so that we can see what the text means (exposition) 2. take some time to work through some of the implications. Outline: 1. A Short Exposition of verses 1-2Likewise, wives,be subjectto your own husbands,so that even if some do not obey the word,they may be won without a wordby the conduct of their wives,when they see yourrespectfuland pureconduct. 2. Five Implications A. How we behave really matters!- (And the main action/behaviour being highlighted in this whole section is submission)- Be subject= voluntarily adopting an attitude of self-submission- The context implies we only submit “as people who are free” - The submission (in context) is to be given "as slaves to God”- Which means being willing to disobey human authority in anything God commands, and pay the price if necessary B. Submission here (in context) isn’t unqualified blind obedience cf. 2:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=136s] modifying command in 2:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15u6mCLAE5M&t=133s] and pay the price if necessary C. Submission is how we win - equates to meekness on display in marriage D. The worst circumstances can be the best opportunity to win souls - our hope shines brightest against a dark background E. Submission does mean choosing not to fight for your best life now