Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast: Church at Ellerslie

A lot has been said in recent years about the importance of regaining a Biblical worldview in our society. But this message makes a powerful case for the even greater importance of regaining a "Gospel" worldview at the center of modern Christianity. As election day approaches, this is a great reminder of the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all matters—even matters of nations, laws, and earthly governments.

What would lead a man to gladly leave riches, position, fame, worldly power, and earthly comforts behind? What would cause a man to gladly embrace the disdain, mockery, and revilement of the world for the pleasure of his King? What could possibly motivate a man to gladly suffer, endure hardship, dangers, tortures, and extreme privations for the expansion of his Ruler’s fame and renown? This message supplies 66 amazing reasons why men go to such great lengths for their beloved King Jesus.

This is a message about raising ordinary boys into extraordinary men. It thunders forth a vision more grand than most modern minds have ever considered. It does not shy away from pressing a thumb to the chest of those most responsible to see this impossible "boy building" operation carried out... the fathers. Oh, for a world whereupon William Wallaces roam again!

A cult is a subject that most of us simply don't want to face, but face it we must. For if the saints lose their watchfulness and discernment, the enemy moves into the Church with speed and precision. This particular message is possibly one of the most important messages Eric Ludy has ever given at Ellerslie. It took guts to give it and it will take guts to listen to it. May it be proven true that this message becomes a thorn in the side of every spiritual manipulator in the world.

A cult is a subject that most of us simply don't want to face, but face it we must. For if the saints lose their watchfulness and discernment, the enemy moves into the Church with speed and precision. This particular message is possibly one of the most important messages Eric Ludy has ever given at Ellerslie. It took guts to give it and it will take guts to listen to it. May it be proven true that this message becomes a thorn in the side of every spiritual manipulator in the world.

When we are harmed by others, it is our natural instinct to harm in return. It is not normal human behavior to leap for joy when falsely accused, to turn the other cheek when struck, to carry an unjust load an extra mile, or to be gentle when treated harshly. But the great secret of strength in the kingdom of Heaven is found in this "opposite" behavior. When the Christian gives gentleness and mercy in response to rude, fleshly taunts and scorn, the kingdom advances and the person of Jesus Christ is made evident in this earth.

This is a must-see! Simultaneously hilarious and deeply impacting, this message enunciates the ancient Gospel in a fresh new metaphor, conveying both its amazing goodness and wonderful power to save us from both the penalty and the power of sin.

When the apostle Paul and his traveling companion, Silas, were thrown into a dark prison cell, they did something very strange: they sang songs of praise. When Jesus was upon the Cross—beaten, abused, bleeding, mocked, reviled—He did a strange thing: He loved, He forgave, and He died for His murderers. The world does not know what to do with such behavior. When a man is squeezed, most commonly it is pride, anger, frustration, bitterness, and self-defensiveness that comes streaming out of him. But not the Christian man. Out of the Christian man streams life—the life of Jesus Christ.

The title of this message says it all. If you are needing grace for dealing with people, then this message is built just for you. Jesus Christ, through His Cross work, has supplied everything we need for excellence in our relationships with family members, friends, co-workers, and even those who treat us like dirt beneath their fingernail. So, instead of complaining that people are too difficult and too frustrating to love, let's go to Jesus and get the almighty grace we need to succeed.

This message proved the catalyst to a deeply moving week at Ellerslie. It's a call to rise up and play the part of the patriot - to feel what God feels, and thusly to do what God does. God did not stand by passively and allow sin to have its way in our lives. He actually did something about it. He stood up and played the patriot. Are we willing to do the same in this generation?

This message is a beautiful and awe-inspiring defense of the God-ness, Greatness, and Grandeur of Jesus Christ. Throughout Christian history, the integrity and divinity of Jesus has always been under attack, and even in our modern day, the barrage is fierce against Him. However, the Bible does not stutter on this point. And, likewise, this particular message doesn't stutter in its presentation of Christ's preeminence. Jesus is God and Creator, come to this earth to make for Himself a New Creation. May every knee bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord!

This message packs a powerful Gospel punch, deeply challenging us all to place our confidence in the strength of Israel, Jesus Christ, rather than the strength of this world. Everyone wants to be strong, but few of us are willing to become strong on God's terms—through dependency and faith. But true indomitable strength is found only through embracing the opportunity that weakness affords.

This may not be a message that you want to listen to, but this is a message that you must listen to. Unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment are running roughshod over the Church of Jesus Christ today. These three devouring beasts are crippling our growth and tainting our witness. But there is a power to forgive that the Church must return to. It's a God- imparted impetus and ability to let go of offenses and to forgive as Christ Jesus Himself forgave. And this power is not found in human grit, willpower, resolve, and determination. It's found in Christ and is available to all who would believe.

This message is a beautiful and powerful meditation on the possibilities of faith. There is a time to pray, and pray, and pray. And there is a time to stand your ground in faith knowing that the thing asked for is gained. This message brings clarity to when each of these critical dimensions of faith ought to be employed.

Many of us truly love Jesus Christ, we just don't know how to love Him with our lives. We are defeated, though we esteem victory. We are trying to accomplish something great but with the wrong tools. We are like ready seamen without a boat, eager craftsman without a hammer, or desirous archers without a bow. We mean well, but our lives don't work. And yet, though many of us testify to such a life of impotence, there is a very real and actual solution to this frustrating inability.