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USER COMMENTS BY “ JEFFREY LUDWIG ” |
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| RECENTLY-COMMENTED SERMONS | More | Last Post | Total |
| · Page 1 · Found: 15 user comments posted recently. |
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 6/14/2023 3:40 AM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | New York City | |  |  |
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“ Great Sermon! ”
As a preacher seeking inspiration for a sermon I shall be preaching next Sunday on Colossians 1: 9-18, I turned to Pastor Vandermeulen's sermons at SermonAudio.com. I knew that I wanted to bring out the special glory and purity of the gospel message, and had many notes. But the unity I was seeking was still to be found. This sermon provided that unity, namely that the Law reminds one that he is a sinner, whereas the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he is forgiven. Pastor Vandermeulen announces this simple but profound principle of understanding towards the beginning of this sermon, and then proceeds to add layer upon layer of understanding of this basic point. Christ is the One prophesied for centuries. He and He alone takes away the corruption of sin and frees us for eternal life with Almighty God. Christ Alone, Faith Alone, For the Glory of God Alone are profoundly brought together as the sermon awakens our minds as well as our hearts to the salvific power of the Gospel. And, as I have noted in other reviews of sermons by Pastor Vandermeulen, his preaching now has an intensity and focus that were not present to as great a degree 15 years ago. Although the word "anointing" is overused in some circles, I can only say that I believe this sermon is truly anointed. |
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| 6/25/2022 11:31 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | New York City | | | |
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“ A Penetrating Sermon on Faith ”
Pastor Vandermeulen's sermon is a tour de force of theological reasoning, philosophical analysis, and homely examples. He discusses faith as making truth claims, discusses the reflections of Ursinus, and gives some cogent examples of faith from his earlier life experiences with Evangelism Explosion. He also reflects upon such everyday, homely examples as opening and eating the contents of canned goods as well as sitting on a chair depending on the objective ability of the chair to support us, not merely a "hope" that it will support us. He points out at one point that some Bible deniers at one point said there was no ancient place named Sodom, but later an archaeologist unearthed some ancient list that named Sodom and Gomorrah -- cities that existed in realtime until they were torched by Almighty God. The entire 48 minutes were really engrossing, and were well-timed because I am now reading "Searching Our Hearts In Difficult Times" by John Owen which stresses the importance of faith. For example, I just finished the section entitled "The Use and Advantage of Faith in a Time of Reproaches and Persecutions." So if you are interesting in better understanding faith and in building up your own, this sermon is a must listen. |
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| 5/29/2022 6:08 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | New York | | | |
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“ An Intense Sermon About The Holy Spirit ”
This sermon uniquely considers the Holy Spirit as God. Ptr. Vandermeulen does not fall into the mistaken idea of the Holy Spirit as a mere "force" that sometimes comes into play in our lives or, on the other hand, identifying the Holy Spirit with various ecstasies and unusual phenomena as we sometimes find in charismatic or pentecostal churches. In his desire to reveal the power and richness of the Holy Spirit in the fullness of His Person and Essence, Ptr. Vandermeulen is preaching with an intensity that I have not heard in 15 years of listening to his sermons. His sermons are typically incisive, consistent, warm-hearted, and true to all known canons for Biblical exegesis. But, to repeat myself, this sermon is presented with an intensity that is remarkable which helps the hearers appreciate the significance of the topic, the life changing power of the Holy Spirit, correct knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and the application of that understanding to the world-life experience as a whole as well as application specifically to the born again body of Christ as a whole. He uses the terms "Common" and "Special" both as overarching categories and as subcategories to help us understand and to out-picture how the Holy Spirit operates in the world and in the body of Christ. Thank you. |
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| 5/7/2022 12:11 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | New York | | | |
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“ Being In The Presence Of Christ On The Cross ”
I do not recall hearing another sermon that brought to life the events of Christ's crucifixion like this sermon. In the course of the sermon, Ptr. Vandermeulen recommended a book by A.W. Pink that exposits the seven last words of Christ on the cross. I found that interesting because Pink's book about Elijah inspired me greatly. In that book, the reader (myself) felt as though I were literally present and observing the various events that unfolded in Elijah's life. In this sermon, for the first time, I really felt the same way about being present at Christ's crucifixion. I was not merely present at a recounting or re-summarizing of the events, but as if I were actually there, and thus could identify wholly with the reaction of the centurion. At the end of the sermon, we are asked to reflect, if possible, outside our comfort zones about the last moments that we each can anticipate having. Will we be dissolved in fear or will we be filled with hope and gratitude for the infinite caring and sacrifices of our beloved prophet, priest, and king? Or will be hardened in indifference? The narrative in this sermon was gripping. The final question addressed to the humanity hearing this sermon (in person or online) is as urgent and profound as any that might be asked. |
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| 10/21/12 6:28 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | Brooklyn, NY | | |  | | |
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“ Bold and To The Point ”
This was the third sermon preached or proclaimed by Pastor Adams that I listened to today. I listened to this one because my wife and I had had an argument, and I was looking for help. The help came, and more than help as he emphasized that marriage was more than mere emotions, nor is it mainly based even on something as basic as compatibility. That last point amazed me. Rather, the basis for marriage is as deep as creation itself, and of our individual and social identities. Marriage is not primarily psychological (Adams does not express his thoughts this way, but I am interpreting here) but is spiritual through and through and is foundational. He asks the question, why is it that sex belongs only in marriage. At that point, I stopped the audio and we called our daughter into the room to listen as he gave the explanation. It should be convincing to any young person hearing it, especially if they are already believing in Jesus Christ. Pastor Adams also repudiated the desire to normalize homosexual marriage or unions as being decidedly wrong-headed and leading society astray. It was a wonderful tour do force of Biblical power as the word of God spoke directly from the pulpit into our hearts. Thank you. |
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| 10/21/12 6:21 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | Brooklyn, NY | | | | | |
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“ Direct and Simply Expressed, Yet Profound ”
This sermon ultimately does not reside "in" us, but comes from an almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth,
who can somehow transform the devastation of torture and murderous persecution into tremendous kingdom growth and renewal. We have to get to the point where we can look beyond even the most horrific tales of persecution into the power that is the presence of God, especially as far as evangelism and saving of souls goes. Pastor Adams reveals these truths in a compelling way, and if, like me, you sometimes find yourself more timid than you would like to be regarding your witness, then you will be MOST ENCOURAGED by this sermon. Amen. |
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| 9/30/11 5:34 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | Brooklyn, NY | | | |
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“ Great Sermon! ”
I had just written a list of my overwhelming sorrows in an email to a friend, and said that I was turning to Pastor Doug's sermons to seek a word from the Lord Almighty. Then, when I went to the list of recent sermons what did I find?! This sermon! Talk about God's perfect timing! If you are experiencing some serious heartaches, this sermon will not only encourage you, but restore Godly clarity to your muddled thinking about who you are and God's promise-keeping -- His perfect will and covenantal love. Also, we are reminded repeatedly that we are living in (and are contributors to) this evil age. For me, it is very helpful to hear the word "evil" used, and to know that I am contributing to this evil. Yet, because of Christ's abundant love and mercy, He is intervening and ministering to me, and I can rejoice in the abundance of His love and goodness. Amen. Please take the time to listen to this sermon and allow the Lord God Almighty to give you more than a glimpse of His love. |
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| 7/8/11 7:11 PM |
| Jeffrey Ludwig | | Brooklyn, NY | | | |
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“ A Passionate, Hopeful Sermon for a Sinful World ”
I have been listening to Pastor Doug's sermons for years, and this sermon must rank among the most passionate and profound that I have heard (this in no way should be taken to imply that other sermons are not profound).
You see, I have been anguished about the passage into law in New York State of the legalization of homosexual marriage. In this preaching of Psalm 2, Pastor Doug explains that the Psalm reveals that there are two worldviews: those who love God and embrace His sovereign Lordship and those who reject Him. I couldn't do justice to the sermon by reiterating the many points made that expanded on this theme of two worldviews, but I can say that I have found consolation in this sermon. I am consoled that even though I am a sinner through and through I am walking on a path of blessedness desiring to serve my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whereas, as Doug frequently communicates, the world LOVES THE DARKNESS. This is a deep reality that is under our sovereign God who is both severe and merciful.
If any reader of this comment is undecided about whether to take the time to listen to this sermon, I seriously recommend that you make the time, take notes, and receive the powerful truths that are expressed. |
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