In this episode, we walk through the sobering reality of what it means to be “in Adam” a biblical identity marked by unrighteousness, condemnation, and separation from God.

From Genesis to Romans, Scripture shows that Adam’s fall didn’t just affect him it defined all of humanity by nature. Through one man, sin entered the world, and death passed upon all. In this message, we unpack three major dimensions of that fallen condition: condemnation, abomination, and alienation.

We trace how Scripture describes humanity as under sin, without perfect righteousness, and even as enemies of God. We look at what it means to be servants of sin, dead to righteousness, and walking according to the course of this world. And we examine the sobering truth of spiritual alienation separated from life, hope, and God, belonging by nature to the kingdom of darkness.

But the story does not end in Adam.

The final movement of this message turns to the hope of the gospel: “But now in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:13). What was once condemnation becomes justification. What was abomination becomes sanctification. What was alienation becomes reconciliation. In Christ, there is a new identity new life, new citizenship, and a new standing before God.

Thanks for listening to the Living Faith St. Louis podcast. This episode is part of our weekly sermon ministry from Pastor Blade Sbisa, with occasional guest speakers and special series.
For more information, visit the LFSTL website.

In this message, the focus is the cost and calling of true discipleship as seen through four areas of the Christian life: worship, the Word of God, the work of ministry, and world missions.

The central emphasis is the mission of God and how it shapes every part of a believer’s life. True discipleship is not partial or compartmentalized—it touches everything.

Drawing from passages like John 3:16–17, Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8, Luke 14, and others, the message highlights four key realities of the mission of Christ:

• It is for WHOEVER—every person, regardless of background.
• It is for WHEREVER—all nations and every place in the world.
• It is for WHENEVER—present in the everyday rhythms of life.
• It is for WHATEVER—pervading every detail of a believer’s activity.

The sermon challenges listeners to evaluate whether they truly follow Christ by loving what He loves and embracing the cost of discipleship. It warns against building personal kingdoms and instead calls believers to participate in God’s global mission: seeing every moment, relationship, and opportunity as part of the work of the gospel.

Thanks for listening to the Living Faith St. Louis podcast. This episode is part of our weekly sermon ministry from Pastor Blade Sbisa, with occasional guest speakers and special series.
For more information, visit the LFSTL website.

This teaching walks through the reality that biblical ministry is not casual or accidental; It requires intentionality, sacrifice, and a clear understanding of what we are being called to accomplish for the Lord. Each movement of the WORK of the ministry comes with a cost that must be counted faithfully as we follow Christ.

1. Equipping ourselves in the word of God for the work

Key Point 1: Biblical ministry will require us to count the cost of preparation as we look ahead to the work before us.

Before any public ministry or visible fruit, there is the hidden work of being rooted in Scripture. Preparation is not optional, it is the foundation that sustains every act of service that follows.

2. Engaging in the work of the ministry

Key Point 2: The work will require us to count the cost of our participation as we look among ourselves for our unique role in the body of Christ.

Ministry becomes real when we step into active participation. Each believer has a role within the body, and engaging that role requires humility, availability, and commitment to serve alongside others.

3. Edifying the body unto perfection

Key Point 3: The work will require us to count the cost of perfection as we look above to Christ Jesus.

Spiritual growth and maturity in the church is directed upward—toward Christ. Edification is not self-improvement alone, but Christ-centered transformation that shapes the entire body toward maturity

4. Extending & exemplifying the word of God to others

Key Point 4: The work will require us to count the cost of our propagation as we look around & across cultural barriers to sow the word of God into the souls of men.

Thanks for listening to the Living Faith St. Louis podcast. This episode is part of our weekly sermon ministry from Pastor Blade Sbisa, with occasional guest speakers and special series.
For more information, visit the LFSTL website.