Fight of FaithMar 07, 2024
Confronting Casual Christianity
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.
Sermon on the Mount 9: Loving Your Enemies
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.
Sermon on the Mount 8: Turning the Other Cheek
This lesson taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, considers Christ's teaching about turning the other cheek.
Sermon on the Mount 7: Oaths and Truthfulness
How does Jesus' teaching on oaths apply to us? This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, looks into that question.
Sermon on the Mount 6: Anger and Lust
Sermon on the Mount 5: Christ and the Law
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.
Sermon on the Mount 4: Salt and Light
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.
Sermon on the Mount 3: Merciful, Pure in Heart, Peacemakers, and Persecuted
This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist church covers the final four beatitudes.
Sermon on the Mount 2: Mourning, Meekness, and Hungering for Righteousness
This lesson, taught by Doug Eaton at Bethel Grace Baptist Church, covers the following beatitudes:
-Mourning
-Meekness
-Hungering for Righteousness
Sermon on the Mount 1: Introduction and Beatitudes
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.
The Horror Story
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?
Not Afraid of Bad News
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.
The Cost of Hidden Sin
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.
Without the Shedding of Blood
When the author of Hebrews makes the negative case concerning the blood of Christ, its significance is far-reaching.
Look to Your Great High Priest
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.
Purifying Your Conscience
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.
Salvation Belongs to the Lord
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
What the World Needs Most from the Church
This sermon by Doug Eaton delivered at First Artesia CRC unpacks 2 Timothy 4:1-5 in three heads.
1. Why preaching the word is the most important activity of the church.
2. What is Preaching?
3. Three ways Christians neglect the preaching of the word.
Why We Need Systematic Theology: Rooted in Truth Lesson 1
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.
Suffering? Now What?
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.
A Spiritual Wake-Up Call
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.
The Lord Knows What is in the Darkness
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.
Living the Good Life
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.
The Great Day of the Lord
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.
Why Some Christians Suffer
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/
How to Live in the Spirit - Romans 8:12-17
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.
Our Future Glory
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.
When Downcast, Look to the Throne
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.
A Pastor's Story: I Left Vegas a Winner
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/
The Weapons of Our Warfare
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.
3 Ways to Stay Focused While Praying
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.
How to Wait Patiently for the Lord's Return
This is a short devotion based on James chapter 5.
Fertility Is Not A Disease
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?
King of the Jews
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/
“Justified by Works” (Understanding James 2:24)
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.
Twitter Anger and the Righteousness of God
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.
Spiritual Resilience
We are more resilient than we think we are. This short episode reminds us why.
Behold, Your King is Coming to Your - Doug Eaton
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.
3 Reasons Palm Sunday is Significant
Something significant was happening in the Triumphal Entry.
Something in the Darkness
This is a short story inspired by the warning passages in the Bible.
The Life of David Brainerd
A quick inspirational overview of the life of David Brainerd taught by Doug Eaton
When the Guilty Stop Running
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.
This Dying Young Woman Has a Message for Us
Meet Brooklyn, she is living out her last few days of her life, and she has a message for us.
5 Signs Sins Has a Powerful Grip on Your Life
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?
The Worldliness Killers
A short story.
The Valley of Achor: A Door of Hope (Doug Eaton)
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.
Christian, Your Suffering is Not in Vain
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.
God Can Restore the Years the Locust has Eaten - Joel 2:25
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.