Faith Amidst the Spirit of the Age
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of faith in Jesus Christ and the dangers of being swayed by the spirit of the age. I highlighted how the spirit of the age, whether it be the sexual revolution or religious certainty, falsely promises happiness and satisfaction. I urged the congregation to not be carried away by these fleeting trends, but to instead focus on the signs given by Jesus through his resurrection, the empty tomb, and the word of God. I warned that the spirit of the age will inevitably collapse, and those who follow it will be left adrift, seeking truth and satisfaction apart from God. I encouraged the congregation to recognize that we are in the last days and that Jesus is coming again soon. I called on them to turn away from their sins and look to Jesus in faith for their salvation.
In the second part of my sermon, I discussed the mission of Jesus among the Gentiles, as foreshadowed in the book of Acts. I explained how Jesus first sent his apostles to the Jews, but when they rejected the gospel, the apostles turned to the Gentiles. I also touched on the importance of interpreting the signs of the times and how our culture is constantly questioning even the most basic aspects of life. I reminded the congregation that while the world may not respect the answers the Bible provides, it is crucial to set aside worldly desires and focus on what the Bible gives us. I concluded my sermon with a prayer, asking for Christ's mercy and forgiveness of sins.
Key Takeaways:
- We must not be swayed by the spirit of the age, but instead focus on the signs given by Jesus through his resurrection, the empty tomb, and the word of God. ([36:43])
- We are living in the last days and Jesus is coming again soon. It is crucial to turn away from our sins and look to Jesus in faith for our salvation. ([37:16])
- The mission of Jesus among the Gentiles, as foreshadowed in the book of Acts, is a key aspect of Christian faith. ([29:04])
- It is important to interpret the signs of the times and not be swayed by the questioning nature of our culture. ([30:08])
- We must seek Christ's mercy and forgiveness of sins, looking to him in faith for everlasting life. ([39:06])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 16:1-4 #!!00:37!!#
2. The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel #!!13:04!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What were the Pharisees and Sadducees asking Jesus to show them in Matthew 16:1-4?
2. How did Jesus respond to their request?
3. What was the significance of the sign from heaven in the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when he says "an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign" in Matthew 16:4?
2. How does the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel relate to the Pharisees and Sadducees' request for a sign from heaven?
Application Questions:
1. In what ways have you sought for signs from God in your own life? How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees and Sadducees challenge this?
2. How can you apply Jesus' teaching about the "signs of the times" to your understanding of current events?
3. How can you seek Christ in the signs that he has provided in your life?
4. How can you avoid the trap of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were looking for evidence to disprove Jesus rather than to believe in him?
5. How can you cultivate a heart that seeks verification of Jesus' truth, rather than falsification?
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing the Spirit of the Age
In our current era, we are often swept away by the spirit of the age, which promises false happiness and satisfaction. This spirit can manifest in various forms, such as the sexual revolution or religious certainty. As believers, we must discern whether we will be carried away by these fleeting trends or stand firm in the truth of God's word and the signs He has given us through His resurrection and the empty tomb. [36:43]
Ephesians 4:14 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."
Reflection: How have you seen the 'spirit of the age' manifest in your life and how can you stand firm in God's truth amidst these influences?
Day 2: God Speaks Through His Son
God used to speak to His people through signs, but now He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This communication is not only through the Gospels, where we hear the exact words of Jesus, but also through the Acts of the Apostles and the letters that continue to unfold the mystery of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit verifies the truth of God's word, giving us certainty and joy. [31:23]
Hebrews 1:1-2 - "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."
Reflection: How have you experienced God speaking to you through His word and the Holy Spirit?
Day 3: Turning to Jesus for Salvation
The ultimate sign of God's mercy is Jesus' crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. It is through faith in Him that we receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. We are called to turn away from our sins and look to Jesus for our salvation. [39:06]
Acts 3:19 - "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Reflection: How can you actively turn away from sin and look to Jesus for your salvation today?
Day 4: Discerning the Motives Behind Our Questions
When we ask God for signs, we must examine our motives. Are we seeking verification of our faith or are we trying to falsify God's promises? Our questions should not be used as ammunition against God, but as a means to deepen our understanding and relationship with Him. [13:04]
James 4:3 - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent question you had for God. What was the motive behind it and how can you align your questions with a desire to know Him better?
Day 5: The Authority of God's Word
God's word has a self-attesting authority. The Holy Spirit verifies its truth, giving us confidence and joy. We do not need additional signs to verify it. As we read God's word, the Holy Spirit bears witness that what we are reading is true. [33:09]
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
Reflection: How has the Holy Spirit verified the truth of God's word in your life?
Quotes
1. "Truth was no longer something that was objective and fact-based it became relative and subjective. My truth may be true for me, your truth may be true for you and even if our truths contradict well that doesn't really matter because it's still true for me and what is true for you can be true for you no problem." - 03:05
2. "We live in an age that asks a lot of questions but that does not have the tools to answer them. So what tools does Christianity offer to answer some of these difficult questions? One big idea today is this: seek Christ in the signs that he has provided." - 04:55
3. "Jesus is raising an important question, a question that all of us wrestle with in one way or another: how do we know what we know? Or to maybe put this another way, can we really know anything for sure, anything for certain?" - 01:17
4. "Jesus is still on his throne. If this were a false gospel, God's people would not continue to give their lives to it. They would not at the beginning, those who had seen Jesus Christ raised from the dead, and they would not today as the Holy Spirit gives them confidence to go to their deaths." - 34:23
5. "Will you recognize the time is short? We are in the last days. Jesus is coming again soon. Will you turn away from your sins and look to Jesus in faith for your salvation? Will you repent, relinquish, turn from your own ideas, this culture's demands, in order to give due attention to what Jesus has already given?" - 37:16
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