Smart Faith in a Dumb Age: Embracing Christ's Advocacy
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound role of Jesus Christ as our advocate, drawing from 1 John 2:1. Jesus stands as our defense attorney in the divine court, where God is the judge and the devil is the prosecutor. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are found guiltless, not by our merit but by His righteousness. This understanding should fill us with gratitude and a renewed sense of spiritual vigor.
We also delved into the concept of consciousness, contrasting biblical views with modern philosophical and scientific theories. Genesis 2:7 reveals that God breathed life into man, making him a living soul. This divine breath is the origin of our consciousness, a truth that stands in stark contrast to secular theories like the "stoned ape theory." We emphasized that life begins at conception, a belief supported both biblically and scientifically.
The sermon then transitioned to the story in Mark 9, where a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples failed to heal him. This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the current state of the church and society. We are living in an age where technology is getting smarter, but humans are becoming spiritually and morally dumber. The "dumb spirit" of our age manifests in various ways, from simple-mindedness to outright mockery and foolishness.
We discussed the rise of this "dumb spirit" and its consequences, urging the congregation to practice "smart faith" in this "dumb age." Proverbs 14:12 warns that many think they are on the right path but are heading towards destruction. We examined famous biblical roads like Balaam's road, the road to Damascus, and the road to Emmaus, each offering lessons on the journey of faith.
Finally, we focused on exorcising the "dumb spirit" by staying rooted in faith, seeking God's wisdom, being disciplined in our thinking, and surrounding ourselves with godly influences. We concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to stand firm in their faith and not be silent in the face of evil.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus as Our Advocate: Jesus Christ stands as our advocate before God, defending us against the devil's accusations. His sacrifice makes us guiltless, not by our merit but by His righteousness. This should fill us with gratitude and a renewed sense of spiritual vigor. [26:24]
2. Origin of Consciousness: The Bible teaches that God breathed life into man, making him a living soul. This divine breath is the true origin of our consciousness, contrasting sharply with secular theories like the "stoned ape theory." Life begins at conception, a belief supported both biblically and scientifically. [36:12]
3. The Dumb Spirit of Our Age: We are living in an age where technology is getting smarter, but humans are becoming spiritually and morally dumber. This "dumb spirit" manifests in simple-mindedness, mockery, and foolishness. Proverbs 14:12 warns that many think they are on the right path but are heading towards destruction. [49:04]
4. Biblical Roads and Lessons: The roads of Balaam, Damascus, and Emmaus offer profound lessons on the journey of faith. Whether it's avoiding the path of greed, experiencing a transformative encounter with Christ, or maintaining fellowship and passion, these roads guide us in practicing smart faith. [57:52]
5. Exorcising the Dumb Spirit: To combat the "dumb spirit," we must stay rooted in faith, seek God's wisdom, be disciplined in our thinking, and surround ourselves with godly influences. This involves regular Bible reading, active church participation, and critical thinking to avoid being swayed by worldly trends. [01:05:04]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[26:24] - Jesus as Our Advocate
[27:14] - Prayer and Worship
[34:04] - Worldview Segment Introduction
[35:11] - Origin of Consciousness
[36:12] - Biblical Perspective on Life and Consciousness
[37:01] - Pantheistic and Philosophical Views
[38:00] - St. Augustine on Consciousness
[38:56] - The Stoned Ape Theory
[39:39] - Ecclesiastes 3:11 and Eternity in Our Hearts
[40:44] - Smart Faith in a Dumb Age
[41:34] - The Desperate Father and His Son
[42:19] - Powerless Christianity vs. All-Powerful Christ
[46:12] - Jesus Rebukes the Disciples
[47:35] - Faith and Unbelief
[48:19] - Prayer and Fasting
[49:04] - The Rise of the Dumb Spirit
[50:30] - Simpletons, Mockers, and Fools
[52:24] - Cultural Decline and the Spirit of Dumb
[54:21] - Consequences of the Dumb Spirit
[55:06] - Balaam's Road
[57:52] - The Road to Damascus
[58:52] - The Road to Emmaus
[59:55] - Exorcising the Dumb Spirit
[01:05:04] - Practical Steps for Smart Faith
[01:06:55] - Call to Stand and Confession of Faith
[01:08:37] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[01:10:14] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 2:1
2. Genesis 2:7
3. Mark 9:17-29
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 2:1, what role does Jesus Christ play for believers? How is this role described in the sermon? [26:24]
2. In Genesis 2:7, what significant act did God perform to create human life? How does this relate to the concept of consciousness discussed in the sermon? [36:12]
3. In Mark 9:17-29, what was the condition of the boy brought to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to the situation? [41:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as our advocate (1 John 2:1) impact our view of sin and forgiveness? [26:24]
2. What are the implications of believing that life and consciousness begin at conception, as stated in Genesis 2:7? How does this belief contrast with secular theories mentioned in the sermon? [36:12]
3. What does the story in Mark 9:17-29 teach us about faith and the power of Jesus compared to the disciples' inability to heal the boy? [41:34]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt accused or guilty. How does knowing that Jesus is your advocate change your perspective on that situation? [26:24]
2. How can you incorporate the belief that life begins at conception into conversations with others who may hold different views? What are some respectful ways to share this belief? [36:12]
3. In what ways do you see the "dumb spirit" of our age manifesting in today's society? How can you practice "smart faith" in your daily life to counteract this trend? [49:04]
4. The sermon mentioned the roads of Balaam, Damascus, and Emmaus as lessons on the journey of faith. Which of these roads do you feel most connected to, and why? How can you apply the lessons from that road to your spiritual journey? [57:52]
5. What steps can you take to stay rooted in faith and seek God's wisdom, as suggested in the sermon? Consider practical actions like regular Bible reading, prayer, and surrounding yourself with godly influences. [01:05:04]
6. Think about a situation where you felt powerless or lacked faith. How can you strengthen your faith and reliance on Jesus in similar future situations? [47:35]
7. The sermon emphasized not being silent in the face of evil. Is there an issue or situation where you feel called to speak out or take action? What steps can you take to do so effectively and lovingly? [01:04:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as Our Advocate
Jesus Christ stands as our advocate before God, defending us against the devil's accusations. His sacrifice makes us guiltless, not by our merit but by His righteousness. This should fill us with gratitude and a renewed sense of spiritual vigor. Jesus is like a defense attorney in the divine court, where God is the judge and the devil is the prosecutor. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are found guiltless, not by our merit but by His righteousness. This understanding should fill us with gratitude and a renewed sense of spiritual vigor. [26:24]
1 John 2:1 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt accused or guilty. How can you remind yourself of Jesus' advocacy and righteousness in that moment?
Day 2: Origin of Consciousness
The Bible teaches that God breathed life into man, making him a living soul. This divine breath is the true origin of our consciousness, contrasting sharply with secular theories like the "stoned ape theory." Life begins at conception, a belief supported both biblically and scientifically. Genesis 2:7 reveals that God breathed life into man, making him a living soul. This divine breath is the origin of our consciousness, a truth that stands in stark contrast to secular theories. [36:12]
Genesis 2:7 (ESV): "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."
Reflection: Reflect on the idea that your consciousness is a divine gift. How does this perspective change the way you view your daily thoughts and actions?
Day 3: The Dumb Spirit of Our Age
We are living in an age where technology is getting smarter, but humans are becoming spiritually and morally dumber. This "dumb spirit" manifests in simple-mindedness, mockery, and foolishness. Proverbs 14:12 warns that many think they are on the right path but are heading towards destruction. The narrative in Mark 9, where a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples failed to heal him, serves as a powerful metaphor for the current state of the church and society. [49:04]
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you might be following the "dumb spirit" of the age. What steps can you take today to practice "smart faith" instead?
Day 4: Biblical Roads and Lessons
The roads of Balaam, Damascus, and Emmaus offer profound lessons on the journey of faith. Whether it's avoiding the path of greed, experiencing a transformative encounter with Christ, or maintaining fellowship and passion, these roads guide us in practicing smart faith. Each road offers unique lessons: Balaam's road warns against greed, the road to Damascus speaks of transformation, and the road to Emmaus emphasizes fellowship and passion. [57:52]
Luke 24:32 (ESV): "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'"
Reflection: Think about your current spiritual journey. Which biblical road do you most identify with, and what lesson can you apply to your life today?
Day 5: Exorcising the Dumb Spirit
To combat the "dumb spirit," we must stay rooted in faith, seek God's wisdom, be disciplined in our thinking, and surround ourselves with godly influences. This involves regular Bible reading, active church participation, and critical thinking to avoid being swayed by worldly trends. We must stay rooted in faith, seek God's wisdom, be disciplined in our thinking, and surround ourselves with godly influences. [01:05:04]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to surround yourself with more godly influences? How can you incorporate this into your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe today Christians need to discern the times in which they live and have God's wisdom for two very clear reasons. Number one, you need to be informed to know how to pray, so that number two, you personally can be empowered to act, to do something to make the world a better place." [34:04] (16 seconds)
2. "God has made everything beautiful in its time. God has also, get this, set eternity in the human heart. There is this God-shaped void in all of us. There is this sense of knowing God. Even those in the deepest, darkest, paganistic parts of the planet today, in their conscience, in their heart, their soul, their soul that comes from God. They know there's a creator." [40:44] (28 seconds)
3. "Jesus will never let you down. He is still the same yesterday, today and forever. Hallelujah. Jesus also said to this man, if you'll believe all things are possible. To them that believe, he said, oh, faithless generation, how long must I be with you? But he said to the father, if you'll only believe all things are possible." [46:38] (19 seconds)
4. "Knowing what I know, knowing what you know. We look to those people when we say, don't walk. Run to the foot of the cross and repent of your sin. And Christ will accept you and receive you and forgive you. Time is of the essence, the spirit of dumb." [53:28] (20 seconds)
5. "The hardest enemy to the cross of Christ. The hardest, most callous sinner in the world. Today that hates Jesus and hates Christianity from one day to the next. Christ can change them and they can become one of the greatest advocates for the faith the world has ever known." [57:52] (19 seconds)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So, as times get tougher, sermons can't keep getting weaker. And here at Trinity, we're not just trying to grow a church, but grow the people that are in the church." [34:04] (10 seconds)
2. "So man was a clump of clay until creator created. The creator breathed life into that clump of clay. Adam. The name Adam means Hebrew from the dirt. And he became a living soul. So we believe as Christians, life begins at conception. It's very clear. I can defend it biblically, theologically. And it's also being proven biologically, scientifically. Life begins at conception." [36:12] (29 seconds)
3. "And Augustine believed that that inner self was a place where God communicates with us as individuals, the creator and the created, guiding us towards truth and righteousness. He famously wrote, St. Augustine famously said this, and this is a profound statement. God is closer to me than I am to myself. What a thought. God is closer to you than you are to me. God is closer to you than you are to yourself." [38:00] (28 seconds)
4. "And really this is a story about powerless Christianity, but an all powerful Christ. It's a story about powerless Christians, but an all powerful Christ. Where the church might let you down, where the pastor might let you down, where the priest has let you down, where other Christians might have let you down. Jesus will never let you down." [46:38] (19 seconds)
5. "So how do we exercise the dumb spirit? Number one, stay rooted in the faith. Very practical. Very, very important. Stay rooted in the faith. They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. Psalms tells us the book of Psalms tells us stay rooted in the faith. Read your Bible regularly." [01:05:04] (19 seconds)
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