In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the statue he erected, commanding everyone to bow down and worship it. However, three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow down due to their conviction in their God. They were thrown into a fiery furnace, but they were not alone. They saw a fourth person in the furnace, who was like the Son of God. The speaker then transitions to the story of Stephen, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly declared his faith in Jesus. This declaration angered his listeners, and they gnashed their teeth at him. Despite the anger and opposition, Stephen remained steadfast in his faith and ultimately died for his beliefs.

In this sermon, the pastor shares a heartwarming story about a three-year-old girl who asked God for a gift and then unexpectedly played the piano beautifully without any prior training. The pastor emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom, especially in times of trial or persecution. He quotes a verse from Luke where Jesus assures his disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say when they are brought before authorities. The pastor also highlights the significance of having the Spirit of God working in us, rather than just mechanically following religious practices.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of fighting the good fight of faith as outlined in 1 Timothy 6:12, urging believers to focus their struggles against spiritual forces rather than engaging in conflicts with others. He highlights that much of our spiritual energy is wasted when we argue with flesh and blood, and that true believers should strive to keep their thoughts and actions aligned with God's kingdom, which is not of this world. Poonen encourages a firm decision to avoid controversies and to remain heavenly-minded, following the example of Jesus, who refrained from fighting for earthly matters and instead focused on spiritual truths. He warns that distractions from our true enemy, Satan, can lead to unrest and weaken our spiritual warfare. Ultimately, believers are called to maintain their focus on God and resist the temptation to engage in disputes with others.

In this sermon on rulers (arche), the preacher delves into the significance of archē as the commencement of something, emphasizing its use in the New Testament and the Septuagint. Archē is portrayed as the first in relation to time, the origin, and the most common usage in the NT. It is used to describe rulers, principalities, and the beginning of various processes. The preacher explores how archē signifies the first cause, the beginning, and the first in order of importance or power, shedding light on its implications in different contexts.

In this sermon, the preacher delves into the concept of defending oneself, as seen in the Bible through the Greek word 'apologeomai,' which means to speak or plead in defense. The sermon explores various instances in the Bible where individuals had to defend themselves before authorities or assemblies. It emphasizes the importance of having a clear conscience, as illustrated in the story of Pinocchio, and the significance of listening to one's conscience as a guide to making godly decisions. The preacher also highlights the role of conscience as a mirror to our inner lives, showing us our true selves in light of God's righteousness and purity, and the necessity of keeping a conscience void of offense towards God and man.