Fight of Faith: Recent Episodes
Fight of Faith
What are the benefits of aging according to Christian wisdom? Listen to this short episode and find out.
In this sermon delivered at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, Doug Eaton explores the power of prayer. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, he examines common misconceptions about prayer and highlights its profound impact on our relationship with God.
Throughout the message, Doug provides a verse-by-verse analysis of Matthew 7:7-11. He also identifies five ways prayer can transform our lives, including its power to communicate with God, access blessings, cultivate intimacy, please God, and bring peace and contentment. He encourages listeners to embrace prayer as an essential aspect of their Christian life, emphasizing the need for a consistent and fervent prayer life.
Don't miss this opportunity to explore the profound impact of prayer and discover how it is essential to your spiritual walk.
This sermon, "Pursuing Christian Contentment," is based on 1 Timothy 6:6-10. In this powerful message, Doug Eaton delves into the essence of true contentment as a believer and how it contrasts with the fleeting desires of the world.Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Scripture, Doug explores the heart of Christian contentment, which stems from godliness rather than the pursuit of worldly gain. Through a detailed analysis of the passage and practical insights, he uncovers the keys to cultivating contentment in their lives.Through heartfelt reflections and profound truths, this sermon challenges individuals to reevaluate their priorities and find true satisfaction in God alone. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of Christian contentment and experience the transformative power of trusting in God's provision, even in some of the most difficult circumstances.
Join Doug Eaton as we confront the norms of surface-level faith and challenge the comfort zones of casual Christianity. Drawing from the rich insights of Scripture, we explore the urgent call to discipleship in the face of spiritual lethargy and complacency.Through a thorough examination of 1 Peter 4:1-11, we uncover the radical demands of true discipleship in the context of the brevity of life. From the urgency of prayer and sober-mindedness to the imperative of self-control and sacrificial love, we confront the status quo assumptions that hinder our pursuit of holiness.
What did Jesus mean when he told us to love our enemies, and what should that look like in out life? This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church considers these questions.
This lesson taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, considers Christ's teaching about turning the other cheek.
How does Jesus' teaching on oaths apply to us? This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, looks into that question.
What did Jesus teach about anger, and how does it apply to us? This Lesson, taught by Scott Kesselring at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, answers these questions?
What is Christ's relationship to the law? That is what is covered in this lesson taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church.
This lesson looks at Christ's teaching that we are salt and light. What does that mean, and is it true of our lives? This lesson was taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church.
This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist church covers the final four beatitudes.
This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, covers the following beatitudes:
-Mourning
-Meekness
-Hungering for Righteousness
Welcome to "The Sermon on the Mount," a series of 16 lessons originally taught at Bethel Grace Baptist Church by Doug Eaton. In this first lesson, Doug kicks off the series with an intro to this timeless teaching and dives into the first beatitude. This episode covers Matthew 5:1-4.
When a man's quiet night takes a terrifying turn, it sets off a terrifying chain of events. What sinister presence haunts him after reading an unsettling horror story? Is it all in his mind, or is something truly lurking in the shadows?
In a world where bad news seems to lurk around every corner, how can you maintain an unshakable heart? This short exploration of Psalm 112:7 delves into the Christian's extraordinary ability to remain unafraid of bad news.
I recently had the opportunity to preach a sermon on Joshua chapter 7 called “Keep Yourself from Things Devoted to Destruction. In it, we look closely at the cost of hidden sin. Join me as we delve into a weighty passage of scripture, exploring the story of Achan in Ai. In the biblical text, we will discover how sin and things devoted to destruction impact our lives, emphasizing the crucial understanding of the exceeding sinfulness of sin.
We will uncover the lure of things devoted to destruction and the dire consequences of desiring them. But here is the good news – we will also learn how redemption from this destruction is possible through Jesus Christ.
When the author of Hebrews makes the negative case concerning the blood of Christ, its significance is far-reaching.
The second half of Hebrews 9 is extremely encouraging. Once you get a glimpse of your Savior in the true Holy of Holies, you may never be the same.
This sermon was preached by Doug Eaton at First Artesia CRC in California.
What is the conscience, and, most importantly, how can a guilty conscience be cleansed? We live in a culture of therapy. Guilt and anxiety run rampant, and many people are trying to find relief in ways that will only make things worse.
This sermon, preached at First Artesia CRC, looks at Hebrews 9:1-14. After exposing the insufficient remedies for guilt, it points to the one true fountain, where the conscience can be washed clean.
Psalm 3 tells us that salvation belongs to the Lord. In understanding this truth, we will also find that he is our glory and the lifter of our heads.
This sermon by Doug Eaton what preached at First Artesia CRC
This sermon by Doug Eaton delivered at First Artesia CRC unpacks 2 Timothy 4:1-5 in three heads.
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Why preaching the word is the most important activity of the church.
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What is Preaching?
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Three ways Christians neglect the preaching of the word.
This is the first of 15 lectures I gave at Bethel Grace Baptist Church teaching through Systematic Theology. This first lesson looks at why we need systematic theology in our lives and basic prolegomena.
How are we to respond to suffering according to the Bible? This short sermon looks at a passage of Scripture filled with bright hope in the middle of what is likely, the saddest book of the Bible. This sermon was preached at First Artesia CRC.
As Christians, we all struggle with spiritual drowsiness. Thankfully, Romans 13 addresses this directly and provides us with encouragement and guidance to fight against it. This short sermon preached at First Artesia CRC explores three questions. What does it mean to be asleep spiritually? Why do we need to wake up? How do we wake up?
Here is the Bible passage covered in the sermon:
Rom 13:11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Rom 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Rom 13:13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
After Daniel had been delivered from certain death by a revelation given to him by God, he praised God and said, “He knows what is in the darkness.” Once we understand it, this truth should fill our hearts with joy. This sermon preached at First Artesia CRC looks at the context of Daniel chapter 2 and unpacks this phrase and the immense comfort it should bring to our hearts.
What is “the good life” according to the Bible? I recently introduced this topic with a short article on the blog called, To Love Life and See Good Days, but this weekend, I had the opportunity to expand on it at First Artesia Christian Reformed Church. Too often, we look for the good life in the things of the world when Christ is holding out something much more profound. If you desire to love life and see good days, I pray that you will find this short sermon edifying and encouraging.
This sermon looks at the Great Day of the Lord as prophesied by Zephaniah. It is not a light sermon, but it is a necessary one that will serve the Christian's Spiritual life.
This is a clip from a sermon called, How to Live in the Spirit. You can listed to the full sermon here. https://fightoffaithblog.com/2023/01/01/how-to-live-in-the-spirit/
This sermon, was preached by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church. Since it was New Year’s Day, this sermon gives five encouragements to live in the Holy Spirit while also showing how to live in the Spirit. I pray you will be encouraged.
If you are looking for encouragement, spend some time in revelation chapter 21. This short sermon, preached at Artesia CRC, takes a look at our future glory as Christians.
Revelation chapter 5 is a highly uplifting passage once we understand it. Lifting the heads of discouraged saints is one of the primary reasons the Lord gave John the Revelation and had him write it down. If you are looking for a section of scripture to help you through a difficult time, take a few minutes and listen. This sermon by Doug Eaton preached at First Artesia Christian Reformed Church, is for you. Come and learn about the glorious throne of God and how it relates to your future and your present.
86-year-old pastor, Dave Eaton, tells the story of his salvation, call to preach, and ministry.
Read more here: https://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/07/19/a-pastors-story-i-left-vegas-a-winner/
When Jesus walked among us, he did not take arms against his enemies. He did not hire a political strategist or form a coup. His weapons of war were much different, and as believers, so are ours. Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. Our weapons are spiritual and have divine power to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We have several defenses in our armory but only one offensive weapon. This episode looks at the power of that weapon.
With this truth in my heart, that God hears and answers prayer, I sit down determined to pray. Then, three or four sentences in, I am thinking about my to-do list at work or that I need to buy gasoline for the mower. I assume I am not alone in my struggle to stay on task while praying. With this challenge in mind, here are three ways to mitigate mental drift while praying.
The sexual revolution has so altered the worldview of many that we now often treat fertility as a disease. For women, fertility has ruined careers, holds the glass ceiling in place, and, before the technology was invented to end its tyrannical reign, it even kept women from fulfilling their purpose in life by forcing them to neglect their careers and devote time to nurturing their families. Thankfully, to the secular mind, science has overcome this atrocity, but are we looking for fulfillment in the wrong places?
The King of the Jews rides in on a donkey and it gets him killed, but he will come back riding on a white horse.
https://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/05/10/king-of-the-jews/
If faith without works is dead and we are justified by works and not faith alone, as James suggests, is there a contradiction in scripture? Paul says we are justified by faith apart from works. What is going on with these two passages of scripture? This episode takes a quick look at this issue.
If we are not angry about something today, then it seems we must lack virtue. How could the cultural dialogue surrounding gender, sexuality, abortion, racism, and countless other issues not lead to anger? You would almost have to be dead inside or extremely apathetic not to be triggered by these things.
The problem is that the majority of our anger is not godly.
The Triumphal entry is one of the most fascinating events in the life of Jesus, but it is one of those events that does not give up its treasures to halfhearted readers. However, when you spend time with it, it will reward you. This is why I was honored to preach this Palm Sunday morning. When Jesus rides into Jerusalem, it is the first time he allows the people to praise him as king. However, what the people thought they were doing and what Jesus was actually doing were radically different. This event is full of significance, and once we understand it, when we hear the words of the prophecy, “Behold, your king is coming to you,” it should cause our hearts to sing.
This is the sermon. My prayer is by the end, your heart will be rejoicing.
This episode looks at Herod the tetrarch's fear that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life, and focuses on something many people miss.
Meet Brooklyn, she is living out her last few days of her life, and she has a message for us.
This podcast takes a quick look at five signs articulated by John Owen in his book, The Mortification of Sin. Do any of these five signs apply to you?
This sermon weighed heavy on my heart, but in the end, I pray the Lord uses it to lift you up. It takes a quick look at the first three chapters of Hosea and brings out the fact that the Lord often brings us to the Valley of Achor. The sermon expounds on what the Valley of Achor is, and how it applies to the Christian life.
God often takes us to the valley of suffering, but he does it because he loves us. With Jesus, the valley of trouble is a door of hope.
Many of us have spent years wandering from God, and those years are not without consequence. They may have done damage, but God can restore the years the locust has eaten. This sermon takes a look at Joel chapter 2:25.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/01/24/a-noble-army-of-christian-women/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/01/25/virtue-signaling-our-spirituality/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/01/20/more-than-forgiven/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/01/11/4-items-every-man-should-own/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2022/01/06/logical-arguments-have-neither-gender-nor-race/
How do we redeem the time? The key to understanding how to do that is by understanding what it means when Paul says, "the days are evil." This sermon preached at Bethel Grace Baptist Church in Bellflower, CA, takes a convicting and encouraging look at Eph5:11-21.
This is an older sermon I preached. The first half makes the positive case that we are kept by the power of God and will not be lost. The second half deals with objections people raise against the idea that a true Christian can never be lost.
-Doug Eaton
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/11/29/preparing-our-hearts-for-christmas/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/11/15/self-help-goes-to-church/
Union with Christ is such a glorious reality that it should transform every moment of our day.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/11/02/you-are-united-to-christ/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/10/28/something-in-the-darkness/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/27/desperate-for-nothing/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/22/smartphones-and-fallen-natures/
The episode is probably not what you expect it to be. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/15/trojan-horse-christians/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/12/when-sinners-come-home/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/09/the-broken-church-light-the-old-man/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/07/the-broken-church-light-part-2-the-pastor/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/09/01/7-characteristics-of-good-bible-teachers/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/08/30/knowing-and-enjoying-god/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/08/16/the-broken-church-light/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/08/11/5-truths-about-your-battle-with-sin-you-hate-to-admit/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/07/27/distracting-ourselves-to-death/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/07/20/when-god-contests-his-children/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/07/16/how-to-cast-your-cares-on-jesus/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/07/12/writing-as-a-spiritual-discipline/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/07/06/stuck-in-sodom/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/06/08/if-necessary-you-have-been-grieved/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/04/20/sin-wants-you-to-itself/
Whether Christ returns or calls us home through death, the end of all things is at hand. Death is the great clarifier. When we have a brush with our final enemy, death, it is incredible how many things in our lives become insignificant. The petty concerns seem to melt away. Trivial distractions are exposed as unimportant. Even most entertainment loses its ability to entertain. This is the kind of clarity Peter calls us to when he says, the end of all things is at hand (1 Pet. 4:7).
When the Holy Spirit uses death to purify our perception, one thing will not diminish as unimportant; instead, it will increase in its significance, and that is our need for each other. Above all, we see how much we need to love each other earnestly (1 Pet. 4:8).
I recently had the opportunity to expound these verses at the First Artesia Christian Reformed Church in a sermon called “The End of All Things is at Hand.”
Here are some of the themes we considered as we meditated on the word:
· The importance of knowing the brevity of our days
· The biggest killer of Christian community
· How love covers a multitude of sins
· Why many people do not get anything out of church
· The difference between spiritual love and natural love.
This passage in First Peter is challenging, and when we spend time with it, we should not walk away unaffected. Below you will find the video version of the sermon, and it is also available in an audio format on Spotify.
The sin of pride is one of the most destructive aspects of our lives. For not the non-believer, since they do not honor God and trust in Christ for their salvation, their entire life is controlled by it. However, for the Christian, even though we look to Jesus, pride can still hold sway. It lures us into other sins, it can destroy Christian fellowship, and it can make our lives miserable by stealing our joy, peace, and contentment. To combat this, we must be mindful of the mighty hand of God.
This sermon looks at four aspects of the mighty hand of God.
· The Hand of God is Mighty to Press Down
· The Hand of God is Mighty to Lift Up
· The Hand of God is Mighty to Care for You
· The Hand of God is Mighty to Defend You
My prayer is by meditating on these truths, the Holy Spirit will humble under his mighty hand so we can find the contentment and peace that comes with godliness.
What does Peter mean when he says, "prepare your minds for action," and what keeps so many of us from doing it? In this sermon, preached at 1st Artesia CRC, we answer those questions as we look closely at 1 Peter 1:13-16.
In First Peter, the letter's audience was a group of people who had to flee for their lives from Jerusalem because the persecution they were facing for following Jesus was so intense. They had lost jobs, homes and even some of their closest family members had disowned them. In writing this letter, Peter reminds them of the hope and joy they have in Jesus, and even though they had lost earthly possessions and relationships, they still possess something better. What they were facing was a test of faith, which God was working to his praise and glory and their joy. In this sermon, Doug Eaton unpacks 1 Peter 1:3-9 to ponder its glorious truths and strengthen believers in the faith.
Sermon Outline
The Faith (1 Peter 1:3-5)
The Test (1 Peter 1:6)
The Result (1 Peter 1:7-9)
Discussion Questions
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Was there anything particular in this passage or sermon that ministered to you?
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Has there ever been a time when you felt your faith was being tested? What was it like, and what kind of pressures were you feeling at the time?
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In 1 Peter 1:3, Peter tells us we have been born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? What are some of the implications of that truth?
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In 1 Peter 1:6, it says, “if necessary,” you have been grieved by various trials. What are the theological implications we can draw from those words?
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In 1 Peter 1:6, why do you think Peter thought it was important to add the word “grieved” instead of just saying, you will face various trials? How does it encourage you that he included that word?
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The testing of gold often does two things, it reveals the quality of the metal and improves its preciousness. How is a test of faith similar?
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Read 1 Peter 5:6-11. How does this passage encourage you to live differently in the future?
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/04/14/fortresses-of-falsehood/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2019/04/04/3-reason-palm-sunday-is-significant/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/03/22/salvation-is-only-for-people-who-are-entirely-sinful/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/03/08/platos-wish-fulfilled-in-jesus/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2019/04/11/the-spiritual-meaning-of-the-triumphal-entry-j-r-miller/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/03/02/how-a-sermon-on-hell-lifted-my-soul/
Boredom can impact the Christian life in negative and positive ways. This short devotion explores that idea.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/02/25/boredom-self-denial-and-the-christian-life/
Social media is a new tool, and we must be aware of how it is changing us.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2019/08/20/social-media-is-brain-poison/
A short anecdote of encouragement.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2020/12/08/roosevelt-and-the-lonely-missionary/
There are three distinct temptations that come to us when we are weary.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/01/26/3-temptations-of-weariness/
I am concerned that our increase in virtual activity is affecting us more than we realize. This podcast explores that concern.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2020/11/19/the-theology-of-place-in-a-virtual-world/
This is the story of four visitors. Four visitors who each landed a deadly blow against worldliness.
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/02/10/the-lust-killers/
This episode is also available as a blog post: http://fightoffaithblog.com/2021/02/22/risk-and-learning-or-stagnation/