Jeremy Utley

Jeremy Utley explains that "This Little Light of Mine" refers not to personal testimony or evangelism, but to one's conscience illuminated by the Holy Spirit. The song's true meaning is an invitation to allow the Holy Spirit complete access to examine every area of our lives—to not hide anything from God's searching light. When we refuse to hide our lives "under a bushel" from the Holy Spirit's scrutiny, we become wholly illumined and radiant with God's light.

The speaker argues that true spiritual safety and answered prayer are not found merely in calling upon the name of the Lord, but in actively living out what Jesus teaches. He draws from scripture to suggest that being a true disciple means doing what Jesus says. If our prayers are not met with a corresponding change in our actions and obedience, we must examine our hearts, as the power of the Kingdom of God resides in action, not just words.

Jeremy Utley examines Jacob's faith journey in Genesis 32, particularly his wrestling encounter with God. He emphasizes that when facing fear and trials—like Jacob's terror at Esau's approach—believers must anchor themselves in God's promises rather than their own strength, and paradoxically must cling to God through painful circumstances rather than seeking escape, trusting that He uses all trials for their spiritual benefit.

Jeremy Utley teaches about the danger of rejecting God's appointed authority, using the story of Korah's rebellion as a warning against pride and insubmission. He emphasizes that submission is a precious virtue in God's order—one that Jesus himself exemplifies eternally—and cautions the church against the subtle pride that questions divine authority, just as Korah questioned Moses' leadership.

The central message is that true Christian living, and partaking of God's divine nature, is founded upon God's promises rather than merely adhering to His commands. The speaker shares his personal transformation from a nominal Christian who focused on theology to one who now bases his life and prayers on God's revealed promises. He suggests that examining one's prayers—praying God's promises rather than personal desires—is a key evidence of this foundation.

The sermon centers on Psalm 126:6, emphasizing that true spiritual life requires both a constant spirit of weeping/mourning and diligently carrying God's promises (the bag of seed). The speaker warns that prosperity or complacency can cause believers to neglect either the mourning or the hope in God's promises. The remedy is to keep our eyes fixed on the heights of Christ's life, recognizing that our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

The central message is that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness must be the primary priority in life, as taught in Matthew 6:33. This means that when sin occurs, everything—including worldly activities—must stop, much like pulling an 'andon cord' on an assembly line. Furthermore, seeking Christ's interests first means remaining at rest when the world goes wrong, and not becoming overly concerned with worldly matters even when spiritual things are going well.

The speaker argues that the tendency to make personal resolutions is a persistent trap of the flesh, often leading us away from the New Covenant life. He contrasts this with the biblical call to simply choose to serve the Lord, pointing out that resolutions reveal an inability to rely on God's power. True spiritual life requires dependence on God rather than self-made plans or sheer human effort.

The sermon focuses on Hebrews 12, urging believers not to regard God's discipline lightly nor to faint when reproved. The speaker emphasizes that discipline, which often appears sorrowful, is actually for our good, ultimately leading us to share in God's holiness. Believers must actively guard against both the temptation to dismiss hardship as 'no big deal' and the danger of despair, striving instead to be faithful through difficult times.

The central message is that Christians should not despair when perplexed, as perplexity is a normal part of the Christian life. Instead of focusing on knowing the future, believers should focus on receiving the power of the Holy Spirit to be God's witnesses in every circumstance. God allows perplexing situations so that we learn to lean on Him and walk by faith, not by sight.

The central message is that wisdom is not optional but an essential, immediate necessity for every believer, contrasting with the idea that it can be addressed later. The speaker draws from Ephesians 5:15, urging Christians to be careful how they walk and to be wise in making the most of their time. Ultimately, he redefines wisdom by referencing John 14, concluding that true wisdom is knowing Jesus Christ, as He declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

A personal relationship with God is defined by active, reciprocal interaction, much like a conversation. This requires more than just being alive; it demands hearing and obeying what God speaks. The speaker emphasizes that true relationship involves guarding what we hear, as God's word cannot be hidden, and we must be careful how we listen because what we receive will be given to us.

The central message is that every day should be viewed as the 'day of salvation,' which means recognizing it as an opportunity to be saved from sin through the Holy Spirit's work. The speaker uses the analogy of a sign changing a hike from a 'boring trail' to 'enchanted springs' to illustrate how the title we give our day impacts our attitude. He encourages the audience to view the Lord's patience in returning as an opportunity to experience more of salvation.

The sermon uses the story of Esau selling his birthright for food to illustrate the difference between a 'godless' and a 'god-full' life. A godless person is dominated by bodily desires and immediate gratification, while a god-full person prioritizes reverence for God and the ultimate reality of meeting Christ. The core message is that we must live with our minds renewed, understanding that the only certain event is meeting Jesus, not the pleasures of this life.

The central message is the necessity of discerning whether one's actions, particularly speaking, are motivated by pleasing God or by seeking approval from people. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual life requires perfecting holiness in the fear of God, contrasting this with the danger of living in the fear of man. He warns against spiritual slumber, even when one has a good reputation, urging listeners to examine their motives and return to God.

The sermon emphasizes that the Christian goal is to reflect Jesus Christ both individually through purity and corporately within the local church. The speaker draws parallels from scripture, noting that obedience, exemplified by the descendants of John Adab, demonstrates a deep commitment to God's commands. He concludes by discussing 'sifting,' referencing Peter's experience and Job, to assure the listeners that God controls every trial, even those that cause failure.

True spiritual worship is defined by presenting one's entire body as a living and holy sacrifice to God, which involves more than just singing well. It fundamentally means denying one's own will and saying 'no' to what the flesh desires, while also saying 'yes' to what God appoints or allows. Ultimately, this requires complete surrender, accepting God's will without reservation or condition.

The central message is that Christians must focus on the continuous increase of God's glory, rather than being fixated on what might happen in life's ups and downs. The speaker warns against the temptation to

Drawing from the account of Jesus calming the storm in Luke 8, the speaker emphasizes that 'little faith' is characterized by waiting until the very last moment before crying out for help. He argues that Jesus tests us even in our areas of perceived strength, challenging us to rely on Him rather than our own expertise or checklists. True faith requires dependence on God even when we feel we have the knowledge or ability to handle a situation ourselves.

The speaker uses examples from the Gospel of Luke, particularly the healing of the demon-possessed man, to discuss the proper attitude toward ministry and discipleship. He contrasts instances where Jesus commanded silence with the instance where he told the man to proclaim God's works. The central message is that believers should not be discouraged by lack of appreciation, but rather should be proactive in sharing the testimony of God's power, embracing an offensive witness rather than clinging defensively to a comfortable environment.

The central message is that while people often come to Jesus for temporary needs like healing, provision, or relief from difficulty, the true purpose of coming to Him is discipleship and salvation from sin. The speaker warns against mistaking past blessings or answered prayers for evidence of true discipleship, emphasizing that following Jesus requires a commitment to His kingdom even when it brings hardship.

The central message is that failure does not mean everything is lost, drawing parallels from scripture to encourage perseverance. The speaker uses examples from Joshua (where the most remarkable day followed a failure) and Psalm 73 (where worship followed envy and complaint) to illustrate that God's plan continues even after human failure. He concludes by pointing to Peter, who, after denying Jesus, responded immediately and wholeheartedly when the Lord called him again.

The sermon uses Simeon's devotion in Luke's Gospel as an example of pursuing Christ, emphasizing that true discipleship involves an expectant heart. The speaker outlines three ways new covenant believers must remain on the lookout for Jesus, starting with maintaining a genuine expectation of Christ's return, which should evoke profound joy rather than surprise.

The sermon addresses how Christians should navigate disagreements in conviction within the body of Christ. While the ultimate goal is to reflect Jesus Christ, differences in conscience are inevitable. When one's convictions are stronger than another's, the speaker advises living according to the conviction the Lord has given, even if it means appearing 'weak' in comparison. The core message emphasizes maintaining personal conviction rather than conforming to the perceived strength of others.