Building on the Rock: Discernment and True Faith

Some churches this very moment, at this service this morning, they've been deceived. They've fallen prey to a worldview that twists Scripture, claiming we are all God because we're created in God's image. They say since God spoke the world into existence and we're made in His image, we can do the same thing. They use this word over and over again. We can manifest our desires through words and thoughts as if we're many creators. Beloved, that smells like smoke and it comes from the pit of hell. [00:14:35] (43 seconds)  #ProsperityGospelWarning

All of that is to say, be careful. Beware what you're watching online. Test it and prove it always through one filter. The Word of God. The living Word. Do not. Do not trust me. Test my words. And test everyone else's words that come across as a pastor, as a man or a woman of God. Beware. Deceptions often masquerade in appealing forms. Things that we desire. And it may take time.and scrutiny to get down to where the lie is. It's way down underneath. It's not going to be on the surface. [00:16:41] (51 seconds)  #DeceptionInDisguise

Satan is not going to show up to you as a red devil with horns and a big pointy tail and a pitchfork. That's too obvious. He's going to come in a form or fashion that you don't expect. So here's the question. How do we discern truth from error? By what measure do we judge? Words we just heard. Words alone don't work. It's not sufficient. [00:17:31] (29 seconds)  #ActionsWithoutLoveFail

So people can perform the right actions for the wrong motives. So words and how we're perceived, those aren't enough. So what about our actions themselves? It leads us right into our actions. Surely our deeds are going to reveal our heart, right? We say, what? Words, actions speak louder than words. All right, good, you're awake. But Jesus challenges this in our passage, doesn't he? Those who prophesied, they expelled the demons and they even performed miracles. They're called what? Evildoers in the NIV. Evildoers. How? I mean, can you imagine that? You're freeing someone from demonic oppression or performing a miracle. But Jesus deems it wicked without one thing, a relationship with him. [00:19:25] (64 seconds)  #TrueLoveIsSacrifice

True love demands self -sacrifice. It's not kindness. True love is not avoiding conflict because it's uncomfortable. It's setting aside your personal desires for someone else's ultimate good. It prioritizes another person their best interest over mine, over yours. That's true love. [00:21:26] (28 seconds)  #SpiritIlluminatesTruth

Scripture assures us and tells us over and over again that God reveals mysteries to his people that prevents our deception. Scripture prevents us from being deceived. See, Jesus was talking about being approached on Judgment Day. No one stands condemned on Judgment Day by trickery. It's a chosen rejection of truth. [00:26:45] (35 seconds)  #IntimacyWithJesusMatters

Deception follows the rejection of truth. And once truth is excluded, is spurned, is turned away, what remains? Only lies remain. It's like Satan who rebelled and rebelled and turned against God until he was trapped, until he was enslaved by his own falsehoods, his own lies. That's building on sand. [00:29:11] (31 seconds)

We're all builders. Some of us, we're building our lives. Some of us are just starting off on the important part, the foundation. Some of us are, you know, we're doing our finishing touches on our lives. I didn't look at you, Janie. But all those houses, they may look identical on the outside. But when the storms come, just like in the passage, that's when all the facades are washed away, they crumble, and that's when we see the real. That's when the differences come in, hearts are exposed. [00:29:46] (40 seconds)

So the question today, for those of us here, those watching online, is he your friend? Do you have conversation? Do you converse with him? Do you listen to his voice? Heed his voice? Abide in his presence? Spend time with him, not just talking, but listening for him. He is the rock in our story. Build on him. Obey his words in relationship. Everything else is sand, destined to crash down and fall apart. [00:30:43] (40 seconds)