Hope in God!

Sermon Summary

True joy and peace are not found in circumstances, but in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

In a world overflowing with blessings and conveniences, it’s easy to assume that happiness and contentment should come naturally. Yet, despite living in the most materially prosperous era in history, rates of depression and emotional distress are higher than ever. Modern technology, medicine, and comforts have not solved the deep ache in the human soul. Many find themselves isolated, overstimulated, and underfulfilled, searching for meaning and connection in a world that often offers only shallow substitutes. Even within the church, these struggles are real and present.

Scripture does not shy away from the reality of depression. The Psalms, especially Psalm 42, give voice to the anguish of the soul. David, a man after God’s own heart, experienced deep despair, as did Moses, Elijah, Hannah, and even Jesus Himself in Gethsemane. Depression is not a sin, nor is it a sign of spiritual failure. It is part of the human experience, and the enemy often uses it to isolate and paralyze us, whispering lies that we are alone and beyond hope.

Yet, the Word of God offers a powerful antidote: hope in God. David models for us the discipline of speaking to his own soul, commanding it to hope in the Lord even when every feeling and circumstance says otherwise. This is not a denial of pain, but a refusal to let pain have the final word. The promises of God are not just for the good days; they are anchors for the soul in the darkest nights. God is near to the brokenhearted, and His presence is our consolation.

Repentance and surrender open the door to the Holy Spirit’s power, enabling us to command our souls to hope. Even when healing and restoration take time, as with broken bones, God’s faithfulness remains. We are called not only to receive this hope for ourselves but to become encouragers to others, like Barnabas, lifting up those who are struggling. The victory over despair is found in Christ, who conquered the grave and gives us His Spirit to walk in newness of life.

“The victory over despair is found in Christ, who conquered the grave and gives us His Spirit to walk in newness of life.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:30] - Modern Blessings and Hidden Distress

• [03:21] - Everyday Comforts and Their Limits

• [05:25] - The Rise of Depression in Our Generation

• [07:00] - Causes of Emotional Distress

• [08:17] - Reading Psalm 42: A Soul in Despair

• [10:03] - Biblical Examples of Depression

• [13:33] - The Church and the Reality of Suffering

• [15:18] - The Language and Target of Depression

• [16:57] - Forgetfulness and Feelings of Abandonment

• [18:14] - The Power of Loneliness and Enemy Voices

• [21:17] - The Command to Hope in God

• [23:46] - God’s Promises for the Downcast

• [25:40] - Job and Simeon: Waiting for Consolation

• [28:41] - The Skill of Commanding Your Soul

• [30:06] - Hope Connects Us to God

• [31:23] - Joy in the Midst of Suffering

• [32:15] - Repentance and Receiving God’s Hope

• [36:43] - The Importance of Receptivity to God

• [40:00] - The Gift of Encouragement

• [42:49] - Walking in Resurrection Power and Closing Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. Material blessings cannot fill the void in the human soul. Despite unprecedented access to comfort and technology, many still experience deep emotional pain and loneliness. The ache for meaning and connection is spiritual at its core, and only God can satisfy it. [04:22]

2. Depression is not a sign of spiritual weakness or sin, but a common human experience—even among the faithful. The Bible is honest about the struggles of its heroes, reminding us that we are not alone or abnormal in our suffering. The enemy seeks to isolate us with shame, but God invites us to bring our pain into the light. [10:03]

3. The soul, our innermost being created for connection with God, is the primary target of discouragement and despair. When we forget God’s goodness or feel abandoned, our souls become bowed down and restless. Recognizing this spiritual battle helps us resist the lies that would drive us further from God. [15:56]

4. Hope in God is an act of spiritual leadership over our own souls. Like David, we must sometimes command ourselves to trust in God’s promises, even when our emotions resist. This hope is not wishful thinking, but a supernatural confidence rooted in God’s unchanging character and faithfulness. [22:48]

5. Healing and joy are possible, even in the midst of pain, through repentance, surrender, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to open our hearts to God, receive His comfort, and become encouragers to others. The victory over depression is not the absence of struggle, but the presence of Christ and the assurance of His love. [32:15]

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Bible Reading

• ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ – “my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. “O God my rock,” I cry, “why have you forgotten me? Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?” Their taunts break my bones. They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?” Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 42, what are some of the emotions and experiences David describes as he talks to his own soul?

2. According to the sermon, what are some reasons people today still struggle with depression and loneliness, even with all our modern blessings? [04:22]

3. What does David do in response to his feelings of being cast down and forgotten by God?

4. The sermon mentions other biblical figures who struggled with depression or despair. Who are some of these people? [10:03]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does David command his soul to “hope in God” instead of just waiting for his feelings to change? What does this say about the role of faith in hard times? [22:48]

2. The sermon says depression is not a sin, but can lead to sin if not handled well. How might depression affect someone’s relationship with God or others? [11:59]

3. The pastor mentioned that the enemy tries to isolate us with shame and lies. Why is isolation so dangerous for someone struggling with depression? [18:14]

4. The sermon talks about the promises of God being “anchors for the soul in the darkest nights.” What does it look like to hold onto God’s promises when you don’t feel hopeful? [23:46]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that material blessings and technology can’t fill the void in our souls. Are there any comforts or distractions in your life that you turn to instead of God when you feel down? What would it look like to turn to God first? [04:22]

2. Depression is described as a common human experience, not a sign of spiritual failure. Have you ever felt ashamed or alone in your struggles? How can you bring your pain “into the light” as the sermon encourages? [10:03]

3. David models speaking to his own soul and commanding it to hope in God. Is this something you have ever tried? What would it look like for you to practice this kind of spiritual self-leadership? [22:48]

4. The sermon says that healing and restoration can take time, like a broken bone. If you are in a season of waiting for healing, what helps you keep going? How can the group support you in this? [19:41]

5. The pastor talked about the importance of repentance and surrender to open the door to the Holy Spirit’s power. Is there an area of your life where you need to surrender or repent to experience more of God’s hope? [32:15]

6. The sermon encourages us to be encouragers like Barnabas. Who is someone in your life who might need encouragement right now? What is one practical thing you can do for them this week? [40:00]

7. The enemy tries to use depression to isolate and paralyze us. What are some ways you can stay connected to God and others when you feel down, instead of withdrawing? [18:14]

• Full Transcript

  Let's open up our Bibles to the book of Psalm, Psalms 42. And as I was preparing for this Sunday morning, I was led by the Holy Spirit, I believe, to preach on this topic this morning. I hope it's a blessing to you.
  
  We, how many know, we live in perhaps the richest and most blessed generation of all times. In all human history, you and I have it better than 99% of all those who have lived before us.
  
  In order to put us in the proper frame of mind this morning, I want to share with you some of the blessings that you have that previous generations never had. For example, you can pick up a smartphone and contact anybody in the world in a matter of seconds. That's pretty incredible.
  
  Through WhatsApp, through Facebook Messenger, smartphone, video calls, FaceTime, social media— all of these are incredible tools for connectability. You have access to virtually all human knowledge that mankind has ever produced on the Internet.
  
  We have the blessing of antibiotics, vaccines, and treatments for diseases that used to kill lots of people. The birth rate is far, those who survive beyond the first year of birth is far higher than it used to be even 50, 60 years ago. So the number of children that live beyond the first year used to be very few. That's why people had so many babies.
  
  We have in our world today things like robotic surgeries. We have personalized medicine. We have vast knowledge of mental health and therapy. It's easy to get around the world, comparatively speaking. I know that not everybody's traveling around the world, but compared to the cost of what it was 50 or 100 years ago, you can travel. You can go to nations around the world. It's affordable. It's safe for the most part. Fast.
  
  There's high-speed travel around the world. You know, you have something in your pocket that ensures that you will never get lost. For people like me, I remember a time when if you wanted to know where you were going, you had to open a map made out of paper and unfold it and figure out where you were so that you could figure out where you're going. And then if you're not good at reading a map, you talk to the guy at the gas station who was like the guru of knowing every road in town. No longer.
  
  We all have capabilities to pinpoint ourselves on a map at any moment and know where to go. We have the blessing of air conditioning. How many are addicted to air conditioning? You know, air conditioning has only been around for what? Since the 1950s and 60s? Widespread?
  
  Every human being before that, you know how they cooled off? They sweat or they jumped in the lake. There was no air conditioning. Microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines. I have a robotic vacuum in my house. I named him Tony Shark. It's incredible. You just push the button and the floors are clean. Wow.
  
  You can push a button and have the entire inventory of amazon.com show up at your house in two days for no shipping. That's incredible. Amazon Prime. I wish I got a commission, but online shopping with next-day, sometimes same-day delivery. Have you seen this? Same-day delivery.
  
  You know, you can turn on your faucet and out comes water that you can drink. You know, there's very few people in the world that have ever had that. But you have it. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. Clean water, reliable power, and modern plumbing. You know, I have missionary friends that don't have those things today.
  
  I have missionary friends in Thailand and Cambodia that don't have those things. I have a missionary friend in Nigeria that half of their service they do on a generator because of the rolling blackouts in Lagos, Nigeria. On and on and on it goes. I have a long list of amazing blessings that we have.
  
  But here's what I want to ask you to think about. With all of the modern blessings we have living in 2025, how is it possible that there are more people who are emotionally distressed, downcast, sullen, and depressed?
  
  I have a picture I want to show you. This is a study that was done. We got— oh, praise the Lord.
  
  Trends in depression prevalence in people. This is ages 12 and up. And this is starting in the year 2013. And this is, anybody want to guess what happened right here? COVID. That was COVID. That's right. 2020 COVID. So female total population and male depression from starting in 2020 has just been on the uptick until this study was done in 2023. So it's only gone up from there. The trend, let's just say the trend has continued.
  
  And so when I saw that, here's what I thought. I thought, if this is an average of all human beings in the United States, is it possible there's people in the house of God experiencing that as well?
  
  So 15% of all females report depression and the kind of depression that's not just a sad day, but the kind that keeps people from working, the kind that is debilitating.
  
  And it's amazing to think about with all the blessings that we have. And yet people are still emotionally destroyed.
  
  I think it's for a few reasons. Social media, deep relationships are being lost. Community is being lost. People think that they can replace true community with social networks, and that is not true. I think people are overstimulated, underfulfilled, a loss of purpose and meaning.
  
  Breakdown of family has something to do with it. And I think people are overmedicated. Can I just throw that out there? I think that many people think that they can take a magical pill. And I'm not saying that all medicine is evil, but I'm saying that we can be overmedicated.
  
  And the reason why is because your doctor and drug companies make money when they get you taking your prescription. And so they're motivated that you would be overmedicated. Chemical imbalances.
  
  And connected to that is a rejection of the things that really matter, the spiritual life.
  
  So I want to talk to you this morning about hope in God, because in the scripture we're about to read, we find a man experiencing the depths of depression. You know, the Bible is not silent about this. The Bible does speak to people who find themselves in depressive states.
  
  And I want to encourage you this morning because I believe that we have an answer in the scripture. We have an answer in God. Psalm 42, verses 6 through 11. Let's read them together.
  
  Ever felt like that?
  
  Therefore, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, from the heights of Hermon, from the hill of Mizar. Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls. All your waves and billows have gone over me.
  
  The Lord will command his loving kindness in the daytime. And in the night, his song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
  
  I will say to God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with the breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me while they say to me all day long.
  
  But to—? a long break, moving towards other people will know when they say to me all day long lol. Because you are saying to me, it doesn't matter who Jesus Christ is while you say to me, where is your God?
  
  Verse 11, why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God.
  
  Let's pray.
  
  Lord, we're coming this morning, God, desperately in need of your Spirit to help us. I pray for those who have experienced the darkness of depression, anxiety, and fear. I'm praying, God, this morning that the Holy Spirit would empower us to do what David experienced, to hope in God. And I'm asking you this morning, in Jesus' mighty name, God's people would say, amen.
  
  I want to look at depression's reality, its reasons, and its redemption. And I'm so grateful this morning that the Bible does not sugarcoat this issue, that there are real people who have real problems in the Scripture.
  
  The Bible has example after example of faithful and even righteous people who struggled with and showed signs of depression. David, the Bible describes him as a man after God's own heart. He did many mighty things for the Lord.
  
  We know he is not a perfect man. He also committed sin, great sin, in the eyes of God. He had a relationship with God, though. But in the moment that we find him, we find him in a state of deep and dark depression. He's not the only one.
  
  If you read the Scripture faithfully, you will find many. Moses, Hannah, Solomon, Elijah, the prophet who called down fire from heaven. And the next thing that happens is he runs away in fear from Jezebel, that wicked queen, saying, Lord, take my life. It's too much for me. I'm done. The heights of joy paired with the depths of fear and depression.
  
  John the Baptist, even the Apostle Paul, we see. And so the reason I say that is because this is not something that we should shun or we should separate people and, you know, let them stew for a while. This is us.
  
  I think every one of us, we all have a certain kind of personality. Some people are more prone to depression than others, but I think all of us are going to go through times where we go through dark moments. Even Jesus.
  
  Jesus showed moments of emotional distress when John, his cousin, was beheaded. Jesus heard that, and the Bible says he went by boat to a deserted place by himself. That sounds like he was not feeling well that day.
  
  In the Garden of Gethsemane, as he's preparing to go to the cross, it says that his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground in Luke 22:44. And that is actually something that doctors know about. It's a real state, a condition of people who are in deep emotional distress that the capillaries in your skin can break and produce blood at the surface of your skin.
  
  Depression is a part of the human experience. And I want to say, first of all, this morning, that it's not sin. It can lead to sin, but depression itself is not a sin. It doesn't make you weird. You're not the only one.
  
  The devil always tries to tell you in the moment of depression that you're the weird one, you're the odd one, that no one else feels like you. You're the odd one out, so you might as well quit. That's his goal, right? Give up, quit, disconnect, backslide, turn away from God.
  
  And yet, with that reality that depression and despair can be part of our Christian experience in life, sometimes I believe the Christian community does not do enough to put a highlight on this issue.
  
  We have, you know, Christian radio stations like K-Love. And there has never been a hit on K-Love in a minor key. Everything is positive and encouraging. And there's a reason, right? We want to uplift people, right? We get it.
  
  But listen, Christians seem that they don't sing the blues. And that can be a problem sometimes when you're going through it. We get the idea that we have to candy coat, that we have to put on a face for people, that we have to perform in front of others because the way that I'm feeling is not acceptable.
  
  Jesus said, Matthew 5 verse 4, he said, blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. It's okay to go through the process. It's not okay to get stuck there, but it's okay to go through the process.
  
  In Ecclesiastes, the wise Solomon said this, this has been on my heart in times past. He says, Ecclesiastes 7 verse 2, it's better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting. What does that mean? Better to go to a funeral than to a party.
  
  Well, funerals aren't exactly exciting. Why? Because the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning. The heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
  
  And so what does it do? What does depression do to us? In our scripture, we get an idea. David, speaking to his own soul, he says something like this: Why are you cast down, oh my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?
  
  The language here, when he says my soul is cast down, there is a physical motion connected to those words. It means bowed or crouched down. Picture a person who has arthritis and their spine is curved forward. That's the word picture that David uses about his soul.
  
  My soul is bent over with heavy burdens. I've been carrying this weight too long.
  
  He also uses the word disquieted. In the original language, it means not just noisy, but growling, crying, mourning, clamorous, to be troubled. It's the sound of someone who's in trouble, someone who is broken.
  
  He says, my soul feels like that. The New Living Translation, why am I so discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? Have you ever felt like that?
  
  Depression's target is your soul. What is the soul that David is speaking about? The Hebrew word is the word nefesh. It's the part of you that is supposed to be connected with God. It's the part of you that makes you unique from the animal kingdom, right? Animals have bodies. Animals have a non-physical part of them, like a will, like emotions.
  
  But God created man in the garden. The Bible says he breathed into him the nefesh, the life of God into his nostrils. That was something he did not put into animals. Our soul is a part of us which is supposed to connect with God.
  
  Is it any wonder then why the devil targets your soul with discouragement and depression? Because if he can get us into this state, you know what the next thing happens is? We become disconnected from God if we're not careful.
  
  When depression comes, it puts undue weight and causes a lack of peace in your soul. So why? Why does this occur? There's a few reasons that are identified in Scripture.
  
  Number one, David says in the midst of his depression, he says, my soul is cast down within me, therefore I will remember you. There's an interesting clue right there. Why does he need to remember God? Because he's forgotten something.
  
  So depression often is connected with a forgetfulness of the goodness, the blessing, the power of God. We forget things that we're supposed to remember.
  
  There is also a feeling of abandonment. Look at verse 9. He says, I will say to God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? So we know that God is everywhere present at the same time. Is that right? He is omnipresent, is the big fancy word. He is everywhere at the same time.
  
  And yet David, in this moment, he feels as if that God has forgotten him in his moment of pain. Loneliness is one of the most powerful of human emotions. If the devil can make you feel isolated, then he can do almost anything else to you.
  
  It's when you feel isolated that you end up in great trouble. So it's the feeling. It's not that David has been abandoned. It's just that he feels abandoned. Have you ever been there? Abandoned by people that are supposed to care about you. Abandoned by friends and loved ones. Worse, to feel abandoned by God himself.
  
  David is also in this moment because he is experiencing the reproach of enemies. Listen to what he says in verse 10. He says, as with the breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me while they say to me all day long, where is your God?
  
  And so it's bad enough that he's feeling a certain type of way. But now he's got those that are speaking against him. Enemies who are reproaching him, mocking him, saying, where's your God now, David? Thought you were a man of God. Thought you were on the up and up.
  
  Anybody here ever had a broken bone? You know, something about broken bones is that they can heal, but it does take time. Is that right? You have to set the bone back in its place. That's painful. And then you have to wait. There's no shortcutting the process. It takes time to heal a broken bone.
  
  And this is what David is saying. Just like a broken bone, when my enemies reproach me, it causes a breaking in my soul. Changes my perspective. It changes my activity. And if we're not careful, we can allow it to affect our relationship with God, the enemy that he's speaking about.
  
  There is such a thing as spiritual warfare. And this is not just speaking about people, but the forces behind those people that speak against us as the people of God, speak against your family, speak against your marriage. Hello?
  
  The voice of the enemy that whispers, I don't know about you, but in my experience, some of the hardest battles that I've been through happen right here. With the voice of the enemy whispering things that sound so true, you're not making any difference. You're not a good provider for your home. All of your efforts, they're going to lead to nothing. That's the voice of the enemy.
  
  And if we're not careful, if we listen to that and accept it, things can break. And the whole purpose behind it is to paralyze you, to stop you in your tracks, to make you feel worthless. That's the purpose.
  
  Sticks and stones do hurt. They do break bones. So I want to give you the hope this morning that is in the scripture, because this is true for every one of us: that there will be, maybe you're feeling good today, maybe you're on cloud nine today. Thank God. You can encourage somebody around you, but you take this message and put it in your back pocket because you're going to need it one day.
  
  There is tonight reason. There is reason to hope in God. I want you to say the word hope. Hope is a powerful force. It is supernatural.
  
  Now, we're not just talking about Pollyannish, rose-colored glasses. We're not just talking about popping a pill and feeling a little better. The kind of hope that God has to offer is supernatural in its ability to lift us from the depths of despair. Thank you.
  
  Verse 5 and verse 11, David says the same thing. He says, hope in God. And the way that he uses it is a command to his own soul. He is rebuking himself.
  
  Now, sometimes I want to tell you, you're going to have to have this skill in your life: to rebuke your own soul. You say to your soul, soul, you better hope in God today.
  
  People who say that they're not leaders, they're good followers. I want to say to you this morning, every one of us has some role of leadership in our lives. You might not have a team of people. You're not a coach of athletes. You're not a pastor of a church, but every one of you has at least this role of leadership in your life: you've got to lead your soul.
  
  You've got to be able, like David, to feel all the feels, to experience the emotions. It's okay, but not to stay there. You've got at some point to turn around and look at that soul that's in defeat and say, it is time now to hope.
  
  And not hope in hope itself. It's not hope in the world. It's not hope in religion. It is hope in God.
  
  I mean, no, the world doesn't have much to offer. You can go visit the self-help section of your local Barnes and Noble, and you might get some good hints and tips and tricks and hacks, but what you won't find is hope in God.
  
  Deuteronomy 31 verse 8, the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.
  
  God spoke to Joshua and said, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
  
  The Bible is filled with these kinds of promises. You know why? Because we need them. We need them. When we find ourselves discouraged and in darkness, we need the word of God to speak life into the dead places of our soul.
  
  Psalm 34:18, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Isaiah 41:10, do not fear. I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  
  When you find yourself in this place and it's time for you to speak to your soul, that needs to be your food. Those promises need to be on your lips and on your heart, and you might not believe them when you read them, but you can command your soul: You are going to hope in God.
  
  Jeremiah 29:11, I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
  
  Even in the depths of despair, hope is still possible. I think about Job. Perhaps no greater example of someone who lost it all, right? The kind of experience that you would not wish on your worst enemy.
  
  He loses his family, his children. He loses his business. He loses all of his property. And then the devil comes and takes away his bodily health from him. So he's sitting, the Bible says, sitting on the ground, scraping the boils off of his skin, painful boils.
  
  And then if that wasn't bad enough, his wife comes to him and says, Why don't you curse God and die, you miserable worm? I added that last part. And when it seems like he's got nothing left, but the Bible does call Job a righteous man. God defended Job in the chapter one. Problem was, Job wasn't there to hear it.
  
  And neither are we. We're not there to hear the ways that God is going to help us. But listen to Job as he hangs on to that last thread of hope in Job 13:15. He says, Though he slay me, speaking about God, yet will I trust him. I will defend my ways before him.
  
  I don't feel good. I don't see hope. I don't see the reason to continue. But listen, I know God, and I will trust him even though he slay me.
  
  I love the account of a man named Simeon in Luke chapter 2. The Bible calls him a man who's just and devout, and he was waiting for something. Sometimes to get through depression and fear and anxiety and darkness, sometimes it is a matter of just waiting.
  
  This man, the Bible says, he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Say consolation. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit was upon him, and he was there at the exact moment that Jesus is presented in the temple as a little baby. And this man, Simeon, the Bible says he looks at Jesus in his infantile form and finds hope. Consolation in a time of difficulty.
  
  Can I tell you, that's possible for you and I also. We can find the consolation of Israel. Depression comes to us all, but I want to give you hope. It does not have to consume you.
  
  So whether you've come here this morning in the midst of depression and anxiety or not, it's going to touch your life at some point. And I want to give you the tool that you need in the midst of it.
  
  And that is what David did. He said to his soul, hope in God. And if I could leave one thing with you this morning, you can do that.
  
  The Holy Spirit, we studied the Holy Spirit today in our Sunday school, and the Bible tells us that if we are saved, if we are set free from sin, if we have a right relationship with God, and we are sons and daughters of the Most High, then the gift he gives to us is his Holy Spirit.
  
  And that Holy Spirit is a spirit of power. He empowers you to do what we're talking about today. David didn't know. David lived before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We have an advantage on David that he didn't have.
  
  So certainly, if David can talk himself into hoping in God, you have an advantage on him. You can submit your heart to the Lord. You can ask for forgiveness of sin. You can be sure that you are living right for God, first of all, that you have repented of sin, and you're living for him.
  
  And once you've done that, you can, by the Holy Spirit, you can say to your soul, it's time to hope. It's time to hope in God.
  
  It's okay to experience. It's not okay to stay there. Because God has a plan.
  
  Some of you have allowed feelings of depression to paralyze you, to stop you in your tracks. You believe the lies of the enemy. I want to encourage you this morning. Don't stay there. Time to command your soul in Jesus' name to hope in God.
  
  Hope is a powerful thing. And it might not solve all your problems. In fact, I can guarantee to you it won't. But what it will do is it'll connect you to the one who can.
  
  What better place to be than in the hand of the Almighty God? Lord, I might not be feeling good today, but you are with me. And that's where the source of joy comes from.
  
  I want to tell you, as we close, about joy. Joy is not just eating sugar and getting a high. Okay? Joy is not just Krispy Kreme. True joy... remains, even when you're not feeling it.
  
  It's not an emotional thing. True joy can take a hit in life and say, you know what? I will yet hope in God. Lord, I trust you because I know you. I know who you are, God. And I can still have joy and I can still lift my hands.
  
  And sometimes when I look out during the praise and the worship in our services, sometimes I look out and I see people and I know that they're going through something. And I know that they've lost a loved one or they're about to. And I look at people and I see them with hands lifted, even through tears streaming down their face.
  
  And you know what that is? That's joy. I can still praise in the midst of my storm. That's somebody who has said to their soul, hope in God.
  
  And so if you haven't got there yet, you need to get there. Let's bow our heads and close our eyes. We're going to bring the service to a close.
  
  The Bible promises to followers of the Lord Jesus, a peace that passes understanding, a joy unspeakable that is available to you and me.
  
  And before we close this service today, I want to give you an opportunity to experience the hope in God, the joy in the Holy Spirit that so many people in this world are desperate for.
  
  The first step is to turn from sin and to trust in the Lord. Sometimes the problem is self-inflicted. Sometimes we have opened up the door to hell because of our choices. Sometimes we are not experiencing attacks from the enemies, but we are experiencing judgment from the Lord because we remain in our sin.
  
  And so to deal with that problem, first of all, what we want to pray for is a prayer of repentance. There's people here this morning, you need to repent from sin and trust in Jesus. He can't bless you if you remain in rebellion against him.
  
  He can't give you the hope and the joy of the Holy Spirit if you're still living in unrepentant sin.
  
  And so my first call is simply this: turn from sin and trust in Jesus. If you need that this morning, that first step of turning away from the evil that has separated you from God, David had to do that.
  
  There was a time when he took another man's wife. He murdered that husband and then covered it up, dishonored God and parents and broke every one of the 10 commandments in one shot. And God did not bless that. God had to judge that.
  
  It wasn't until David repented through the instruction of a prophet that put his finger in his chest and said, David, you're the man. Sometimes the Holy Spirit does that to us in a church service. He says, It's you. It's not me, it's you. You have brought this.
  
  And for that, I want to give you hope this morning because the Bible says, you turn from sin and trust in the Lord. You can be saved. There is healing in the name of Jesus. But you've got to call out to him. You've got to turn from sin.
  
  If that's you this morning, I want to pray with you. Someone who's not right with the Lord, but you want to get right before you leave this place. Can I pray with you? Would you lift up your hand right now so I can see it? Being honest with the Lord, without the fear of man, you lift up a hand and say, Please, please pastor, pray for me. I want to get my heart right. I want to turn from sin and trust in Jesus.
  
  Something that has separated me from God and I'm tired. I'm tired of living in sin. Is there anyone at all? Quickly, with an uplifted hand right now.
  
  Sin can destroy a relationship with God. Leads to destruction. Anyone at all? Quickly this morning. Thank God.
  
  Then let me speak to believers. We're going to open this altar for prayer. Right now we have an opportunity. I believe God is dealing with some people who maybe now are in the midst of a season of depression.
  
  We're going to open this altar for prayer. We're going to open this altar for prayer. Maybe you are prone to those seasons. I have known people who are more prone to that. And you know that about yourself. If certain circumstances hit you, that you are prone to those kinds of negative emotions. This is an altar for you this morning.
  
  You come in and begin to ask God for that skill. Lord, I need to figure out how to command my soul, trust in God, trust in God, to rely on the Holy Spirit to restore that relationship. Or maybe you're going to put this message in your back pocket for when the time hits you.
  
  I want to open up this altar for prayer. And if you need the power of the Holy Spirit to set you free, as children of the Most High God, sons and daughters, we can find the joy in the Holy Spirit. We're going to open up this altar for prayer. Can we stand together? You need to pray. Would you come? We're going to pray together right here.
  
  We can come kneel our hearts, kneel our heads before the Lord. And for a few moments, I want to ask you to join us in prayer. We're going to believe God to help us this morning. We're going to pray together.
  
  I want to pray with you this morning, a prayer of victory, of hope in God this morning.
  
  I want to, before we pray, I want to, I want to share one quick thing with you. And that is we have hearts that are open and receptive to God. There's something happening in our world today that people are becoming unreceptive. And you know, one mark of that is people who walk around every moment of their waking lives and they have something in their ear.
  
  Have you noticed that? They got earbuds or the, or younger people having, uh, having the, the headphones on their head all the time. It's a fashion state now, but what does that do? One of the things it does is it says, if I'm listening to something now, so I don't want to talk to you.
  
  If I'm in the gym, everybody in the gym has something in their ear. And what it's communicating is I don't want to talk to you. And we're missing out on all those little encouraging conversations that can happen.
  
  And the problem is not just the thing, the earbuds in our ears. The problem is that when we have that same position toward God, Lord, I'm busy now. I can't hear from you. Lord, I've got too much going on. I can't hear from you. Or worse, I'm afraid, Lord, that if you speak to me, it's going to change the way that I'm living.
  
  And so I want to pray this morning because we need to rebuke that. We need to be open. We need to be ready to receive from the Lord because he is faithful to help us. Let's bow our heads. I want to pray with you this morning and lead you in a prayer. Can we say this together?
  
  Say, God in heaven, thank you that you are a God who speaks. Help me, Lord, to hear from heaven your voice. Lord, the Spirit of God would unlock the ability to receive from you when I'm depressed, when I'm anxious, when I'm fearful, when I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.
  
  I believe you can speak into my depression in Jesus' name. And I receive that spirit. I rebuke my soul and provider. I have no reason to fear. You have blessed me. You have set me apart. Lord, you have adopted me into your family. And now I have surety, the assurance of my salvation.
  
  And that makes me joyful. Even through pain, and I give you glory today in Jesus' name. Amen. Let's give him praise right now. Father, we thank you. Thank you, God. Thank you, Lord.
  
  I want to say one more thing quickly before we close. There are people here that God has given you a gift of encouragement. Sometimes you're a little more buoyant than others for no reason. The Holy Spirit helps you to encourage others. I believe that God can use that.
  
  There was somebody in the book of Acts named Barnabas. You know what his name means? The son of encouragement. Man, that is a good guy to have in your group. That when you are, uh, when you are, uh, the apostle Paul getting kicked out of cities and people throwing stones at you, you got a Barnabas next to you saying, Hey, brother Paul, it's going to be okay. Let's be encouraged in the Lord.
  
  And somebody here, I believe God’s going to speak to you. You've got the gift of encouragement. You need to activate that. Brother, saving, you got a word, please.
  
  Let's give God praise for that word. Thank you.
  
  Oh, man, the devil would have victory if he could keep you depressed. He would win, but he doesn't have to win. We have the victory. He’s conquered the grave. That same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive in you.
  
  Walk in the power of that new life in Christ. Let's close in prayer.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Love Must Be Sincere

Sermon Summary

In a world where morality is often inverted and the church is pressured to either compromise or withdraw, the challenge is to love people as God loves them, while refusing to celebrate or affirm what God calls sin.

Romans 12 marks a pivotal transition in Paul’s letter, moving from the deep doctrines of salvation to the practical outworking of the gospel in our daily lives. The call is clear: in light of God’s mercy, our lives must be transformed, our minds renewed, and our relationships shaped by the love and truth of Christ. The heart of this transformation is captured in the simple but profound command: “Love must be sincere.” This is not a sentimental or superficial love, but the agape love of God—self-sacrificial, honest, and without hypocrisy.

In a world where morality is often inverted and the church is pressured to either compromise or withdraw, the challenge is to love people as God loves them, while refusing to celebrate or affirm what God calls sin. True love does not mean uncritical acceptance of all behaviors; rather, it means valuing every person as made in God’s image, while also being honest about the destructive power of sin. Just as a loving parent draws boundaries for their children, so too must we, as God’s people, draw clear lines between what is good and what is evil.

This sincere love is not passive. It requires us to “hate what is evil” and “cling to what is good.” Hating evil is not about hating people, but about having an intense aversion to the things that destroy lives and dishonor God. Tolerating sin—whether in ourselves, our families, or our church—devalues the sacrifice of Christ and undermines the call to holiness. Yet, if all we do is hate evil, we risk becoming angry and bitter. The balance is to be glued to what is good, to actively pursue and celebrate what is pure, lovely, and true.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He loved notorious sinners, but never affirmed them in their sin. He called them to repentance and new life. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead empowers us to live free from sin and to extend both truth and mercy to others. This is not easy, and it comes at a cost—sometimes even the cost of relationships. But the call remains: to be people of courage, conviction, and compassion, reflecting the heart of God in a broken world. In doing so, we become agents of reconciliation, praying and believing for prodigals to return and for revival among those most lost.

“Tolerating sin—whether in ourselves, our families, or our church—devalues the sacrifice of Christ and undermines the call to holiness.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [00:48] - Surprising Impact of Romans 12:9

• [03:16] - The Pivot from Doctrine to Practice

• [04:51] - Love Must Be Sincere in a Confused World

• [06:23] - Acceptance, Boundaries, and Parental Love

• [11:19] - Valuing People Without Affirming Sin

• [13:12] - Truth That Hurts and Sets Free

• [16:14] - Agape Love vs. Hypocrisy

• [18:38] - God’s Judgment and the Reality of Sin

• [20:08] - The Necessity of Warning and Self-Denial

• [23:33] - Hating Evil: The Church’s Responsibility

• [26:34] - Clinging to What is Good

• [28:12] - Discernment in Speech and Influence

• [31:17] - Jesus’ Model: Mercy and Repentance

• [35:30] - The Power of the Cross to Cleanse

• [38:47] - Courage to Stand for Truth

• [44:22] - Counting the Cost and Pursuing Holiness

• [47:05] - The Call to Be Salt, Light, and Agents of Healing

• [50:11] - Closing Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. Sincere love is honest, not hypocritical. It values every person as made in God’s image, but refuses to affirm or celebrate what God calls sin. This kind of love is willing to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable or costly, because true love seeks the ultimate good of others, not just their approval. [06:23]

2. The call to “hate what is evil” is a call to active moral discernment. Indifference or tolerance toward sin—whether in ourselves or others—undermines the seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice and the holiness God desires for His people. Hating evil means refusing to make peace with anything that destroys lives or dishonors God, even when the culture demands otherwise. [23:33]

3. Clinging to what is good requires intentionality and courage. It is not enough to simply avoid evil; we must be bonded to what is excellent, pure, and true. This means making daily choices to reject corrupting influences, whether in speech, media, or relationships, and to pursue what builds up and honors God. [27:14]

4. Jesus’ example shows that love and truth are inseparable. He welcomed sinners, but always called them to repentance and transformation. To love as Jesus loves is to offer mercy without compromise, to extend acceptance without affirming sin, and to believe in the power of God to change any life. [33:00]

5. Living out this calling will cost us—sometimes in the form of broken relationships, misunderstanding, or even rejection. Yet, the pursuit of holiness begins with ourselves, and our willingness to stand for truth in love can become the very means by which God brings healing, reconciliation, and revival to those around us. [44:22]

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Bible Reading

• Romans 12:9 (NIV) Let love be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Observation Questions

1. In Romans 12:9, Paul gives three short commands. What are they, and how are they connected?

2. According to the sermon, what does “sincere love” mean, and how is it different from the world’s idea of love? [06:23]

3. What examples did the pastor give to show how a loving parent draws boundaries for their children? [06:23]

4. What does the sermon say is the difference between hating evil and hating people? [23:33]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul connect genuine love with hating evil and clinging to good? What does this reveal about the nature of Christian love? [16:14]

2. The sermon says that tolerating sin “devalues the sacrifice of Christ.” What does this mean, and why is it important for believers? [41:27]

3. How does Jesus’ example show that love and truth are inseparable? What does it look like to offer mercy without compromise? [33:00]

4. The pastor mentioned that living out this calling can cost us relationships or bring misunderstanding. Why is this cost worth it, according to the sermon? [44:22]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “True love seeks the ultimate good of others, not just their approval.” Can you think of a time when you had to speak a hard truth to someone you care about? How did it go, and what would you do differently now? [13:12]

2. Are there areas in your life, family, or friendships where you have been tolerating sin or “making peace” with something you know is wrong? What would it look like to draw a clear line, as the sermon suggests? [20:08]

3. The pastor described “clinging to what is good” as being intentional about what we allow into our lives—our speech, media, and relationships. Is there something you need to let go of or something good you need to pursue more actively this week? [27:14]

4. Jesus loved notorious sinners but never affirmed their sin. Is there someone in your life who needs both your love and your honesty? How can you show both this week? [33:00]

5. The sermon challenges us to be people of courage, conviction, and compassion. What is one area where you need more courage to stand for truth in love? What is holding you back? [44:22]

6. The pastor prayed for broken relationships that resulted from standing for truth. Is there a relationship in your life that has been strained because of your convictions? How can you pray for healing and reconciliation, while still holding to what is right? [48:32]

7. The sermon says the pursuit of holiness begins with ourselves. What is one specific step you can take this week to “hate what is evil” in your own life and “cling to what is good”? [41:27]

• Full Transcript

  Romans chapter 12. So I want to show you an image as we start tonight. Oh, you got it over here. There is—I was surprised about a sermon that was preached across our pulpit approximately three years ago. And it was a sermon that was based on this particular scripture, Romans chapter 12, verse 9. And if you want to show that for me.
  
  So this is a list of sermons that we have posted on our church's podcast. And, you know, we put sermons up there without even thinking, not even knowing what, you know, what's going to happen to them or who's going to listen to them. But as you can see, this sermon that was posted about three years ago is more close to double the closest competitor. And only in about two years' time. So that was in 2023 that that was preached. And in two years' time, it has outpaced every other episode in our church history. Somehow it's gotten some traction.
  
  And it was totally surprising to me that this message went anywhere. That it's very rare for any sermon that we post to get more than 100 views or even a couple of hundred. But this is over 10,000 listens on our church's podcast. And so that tells me something. It tells me that there is a hunger in God's people to hear this truth. It tells me that there is a world that wants to know what the church thinks about this particular issue.
  
  And so this is a message, since it happens to coincide with our series in the book of Romans, I came back to this message and I've updated it and added a few things tonight. So I want you to pay attention tonight as we look at the scripture, Romans chapter 12.
  
  Now, as you know, the book of Romans is a letter written to the church in Rome by the apostle Paul. And for the first 11 chapters, Paul has outlaid the incredible doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the good news that God saves sinners. Is that good news tonight? That all throughout we read about the incredible things that God has done to save sinners. And it's mostly a theological book going through chapters 1 through 11.
  
  But in chapter 12, there's a transition in this letter. It begins with the phrase, therefore, brethren, and that therefore marks a pivot point from doctrinal thesis to practical application. In other words, now that we know all these amazing things, what should we do? And we've been looking at these last few verses with that thought in mind—that now, with knowing the incredible truth of the gospel, what are the implications? How should our lives be transformed? How should our minds be renewed? How should our relationships be affected?
  
  And here, beginning with verse 9, Paul is going to give us a series of short, very punchy exhortations—almost like the book of Proverbs—that describe what the love of God and what the Spirit of God should produce in God's people. This is far from abstract ideas, but now these are going to be commands rooted in gospel reality.
  
  And so, we're going to begin with the first one here in verse 9, very short, and I'm reading from the New International Version. And it says like this, Romans 12, verse 9:
  
  **"Love must be sincere."**
  
  Father, I'm asking you to help us tonight. I'm asking you to speak, Lord, according to your word and your truth tonight. Lord, that our hearts would be open, that your truth would speak louder—Lord—than just my words alone, that your Spirit, God, would ring true in the hearts of your people, that we would be equipped to live for you in these last days. And we give you glory for all that you're going to do, in Jesus' mighty name. God's people would say, amen.
  
  Let's begin with that thought: love must be sincere. In the world we live in, Pastor Dave preached on Sunday morning that we are living in crazy times—that we have come to find ourselves in a world that truly, the Bible predicted, has come true—that evil has become good and good has become evil. And while things have been tempered in the last few years, still we are living in a time where morality has been flipped on its head.
  
  And we are living in a time where morality has been flipped on its head—the world that lives in debauchery and in sexual deviancy. So many people not only demand to be accepted as they are, but if you as a believer do not celebrate with them, often it is viewed as rejection or hatred or phobia of some kind.
  
  How many have heard the slander? "The church is just homophobic" or "transphobic" or "we are afraid of a lot of things." Well, I'm here to declare tonight: we are not afraid. We are not afraid. God did not give us a spirit of fear.
  
  And we are here tonight not to make enemies, but to show the true love of God. And I want to encourage you tonight to receive what the word of God says. The first sentence in this scripture is these words: "Love must be sincere." Say the word sincere. That means that love cannot be hypocritical.
  
  Now, love includes acceptance, right? If you don't accept me, then I might link that to maybe you don't love me. Parents accept their newborn child, but there are some things that are unacceptable. Is that right? A good parent is going to mark out and notice and begin training very early on—that, yes, I love and accept this little life in my house, but there are some things that are unacceptable.
  
  Even as soon as a child is brought home, one of the first things we do is start cleansing and washing and changing dirty diapers. You know who doesn't change dirty diapers? Bad parents. If you're a bad parent, you don't care when your kid is doing something unacceptable. But good parents—they care. Because I love you, because I don't want you to have a rash, because I don't want my house to stink to high heaven, I am going to do away with the things that are unacceptable.
  
  Very early on, we start changing diapers right away. And then, not only do we change dirty diapers, but we begin to train—how do you use the potty on your own? So that eventually, when we have to change the dirty diapers, you can make the dirty smells on your own time. That is one of the very first things we begin doing.
  
  In addition to that, we begin training character. This is why, as a parent, you have to learn the word "no." I heard an amen. You have to learn the word "no." The word "no" is a powerful word. It is drawing a line in the sand, and you begin to train your child very early on—what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
  
  And when you use the word "no," you know what the first, the first time you use the word "no," you know what you're going to get? You're going to get tears. You're going to get cries. You're going to get a blow-up. But if you hold the line, if you don't negotiate with the terrorist, if you stay on the "no," then your child will figure it out pretty quick—that if Dad, Mom says "no," they mean "no." That means that is not acceptable.
  
  And that only begins to be refined over time. You know, I would die for my daughters. I love them with all of my heart. That doesn't mean I put up with foul breath—brush your teeth. Right? Worse than that is foul attitudes. Don't have to say "amen." It's okay. We don't accept foul language that stinks up the environment of our home. We don't allow it.
  
  If we put on a show, we have a filter in our house to keep foul mouth speech out of our home. And so, the wicked world around us doesn't get this. The world around us believes that if you don't accept all of my behaviors, then that means you don't accept me as a person. And that is not true tonight.
  
  The truth is that our position should be the same as the Lord's. You know what the Lord's position is? I love you, but I hate what you're doing. And that is the position of the faithful Christian church.
  
  Now, there are many churches, many pastors, many Christians today who don't get that and feel pressured by the world, feel pressured by family members, loved ones, friends, co-workers who are living in sin and making a demand: "If you love me, you have to accept all the things I'm doing." And many Christians, unfortunately, have been swayed by that.
  
  But the truth is, we can love the sinner without loving, embracing, and celebrating their sins.
  
  Spurgeon said it like this: "He who winks at sin, makes light of it, or excuses it under the name of charity, is no friend to the sinner." If you think you're going to change somebody by loving them in their sin, it's not going to help. That is the kind of love that Paul is not talking about.
  
  Paul is talking about a love that must be sincere, a love that must be honest, a love that must not be hypocritical. Love will demand and defend the humanity of every person.
  
  And so tonight, when we look at people who are in their sin, you know who we see? We see our previous selves. We can still value people. We can still love them the way God loves every sinner. And we should. We should give value to people because what? They were made in God's image just like you were.
  
  And we have value even with people who dye their hair and pierce their face and all kinds of crazy things, right? But we can identify because they were made in God's image just like we were.
  
  So every member of the LGBTQ+ community, every member of that spectrum of different people out there, they are made in the image of God. They have value and worth. And I am convinced, beloved, I am convinced that the next revival to go across the land is going to be among that people group.
  
  I am convinced that just like the hippies back in the late 60s and early 70s—just like that was an outcast group of people from most of society—and they began getting saved in droves, millions and millions of people. Some churches couldn't take it. Some churches couldn't accept what God was doing in the hippies. They missed the wave of revival.
  
  Our fellowship, Pastor Mitchell, saw those hippies getting saved and said, "There's potential with their long hair and their long beards and their guitars and their no shoes and their no jobs." And God started saving them. And Pastor Mitchell said, "I can use that."
  
  Now, I'm preaching this message tonight because we can't—**not** wink at the sin, but we must value the sinner.
  
  Shame on anyone who professes to be a Christian but gives the impression through word or action that God doesn't love people who aren't like you. Jesus died for such as these.
  
  So our love must be sincere. It is because I love my children that I tell them the truth, even if it hurts sometimes. And if you are a child of God, you know, sometimes God will say things to you that have a sting to it. The truth will set you free, but it will often hurt.
  
  That's a mark of someone who loves you, who can speak truth into your life—even when it hurts. That if we love a Christian brother who is thinking about divorcing his wife, or a Christian sister thinking about divorcing her husband, that we are called as believers to say, "Excuse me, check the scriptures before you go through with that. Let's really examine this."
  
  If I love my brothers, then I want to see restoration. We don't just tolerate wickedness in our midst.
  
  The word love in our scripture, when it says "love must be sincere," this is no less than the very same kind of love that God demonstrates toward you. It's called agape. It is the self-sacrificial, unending love of God that is willing to go to regions. It is the love of the Father that, when he sees the son returning home, doesn't think about the past but overwhelms him with incredible love.
  
  That's agape. How many have received the agape love of God? Even when you don't deserve it, especially when you don't deserve it.
  
  And so, the love that Paul commands to his church—remember, he's speaking to a church that is centered in the city of Rome, filled with pagan practices, filled with pagan temples, with false gods and prostitution—and he's saying to God's people in that place, your love for them should be the same as God's love for you.
  
  But he says that love... love must be sincere. In the New King James, the translation is "love must be without hypocrisy." And that means that I don't just have an appearance of love. I don't just say the words of love, but I'm willing to demonstrate.
  
  See, we think sometimes of love as what Hollywood portrays—as lovey-dovey or romantic comedies. We think of flowers and rose petals and romance. But that's not what agape is.
  
  Agape is willingness to go to great lengths to help somebody else. Agape is what you feel for those that you would die for. It can't be faked. It has to be genuine.
  
  True love requires honesty. Warren Wiersbe said that "truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy." And so, for the Christian to say, "I love my homosexual brother," that is love without truth. It's insincere.
  
  We can say, "I love my brother," and that is a homosexual, but I do not love his homosexuality. I actually hate it. And that's where we're going next.
  
  Because the truth is, about the world we're living in, that we are called to make a judgment against sin. The church is supposed to be in opposition, an embassy, an outpost for righteousness in this broken and lost world.
  
  Listen to Romans chapter 1, verse 22: Paul says, speaking about this broken world, "Professing to be wise, they became fools. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man."
  
  And verse 24: "Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."
  
  "For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions: for women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men, committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."
  
  "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting."
  
  Now, that whole chapter—that's still in my Bible. I would dare venture to say that that chapter has not been read in many Christian churches in the last 5, 10, 15, 20 years. It's one that some Christians wish they could tear out and hope that it never came back.
  
  Here's my question about that tonight: does God love those people? Did Jesus die for those people? He did. But because God's love is sincere, he cannot endure their sin, and he gives them over to a debased mind.
  
  Think of this for a moment: God will drag no one to heaven kicking and screaming. If people want to live in sin, God is going to let them. And you can't "nice" somebody into righteousness. You can't be nicer than God.
  
  Some Christians think they can. If I'm just nice, if I just placate, if I just show people kindness—and look, I'm all about kindness—that's a gift of the Holy Spirit, right? So we don't go out of our way to be mean or judgmental.
  
  But when it comes to the issues of sin, we must reflect the heart of God, the love of God, which is accepting but not of sin.
  
  Ephesians 5:5: "For you know that no fornicator, unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
  
  Revelation 21:8: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
  
  Now, think for a moment: how can I claim that I love somebody if I don't tell them about that? If I don't warn them? If you continue in your sin, there is judgment ahead. That would be wrong of me if I truly care about somebody—to not tell them the truth.
  
  John Stott says that "the gospel is not a call to self-affirmation but a call to self-denial." We are called to carry a cross, not to construct a pedestal.
  
  This is what many churches intend to do—to make the goal of salvation easier so that more can come in. That's not what God does, and that's not what we should do.
  
  What should we do about evil tonight? This is not foreign. This is not strange—this is Bible. Our scripture says, "Love must be sincere." What does that mean? It means that we should—
  
  The next phrase: "hate what is evil." Say the word hate. Hey, strong word, right? Hate what is evil.
  
  I looked it up in the Greek. You know what it means? It means hate—an intense aversion.
  
  See, the problem is that when we don't hate what is evil, when we endure what is evil, when we are apathetic about evil around us—that's not right. That's what leads to the situation I preached about a couple of weeks ago with the guy Michael Tate from the band Newsboys.
  
  It's because there were Christians around him that did not hate the evil that he himself did not hate—that was happening in his midst. It's what happened in the church in Corinth, in chapter 5, where there was an affair happening between a man and his mother-in-law. And the church didn't think about, "Hey, maybe there's a problem here." They were just happily going along—"Let's go on outreach, let's sing another worship song, let's have a Bible study."
  
  You can't have a Bible study when there's evil in the midst. He says, "You're puffed up. You should have been mourning, and this deed should have been taken away from you."
  
  It's like if you went to a restaurant and you ordered a bowl of soup, and out the waiter came and set it in front of you, and right there, staring back at you from your bowl of soup was a little cockroach—a little cucaracha. Are you going to be okay with that? Are you going to leave a one-star review on Google? You're not going to come back to that place because there is so—that shouldn't be there in your soup.
  
  Can I tell you, when sin is tolerated in the church, it's worse than a cockroach in your soup. It's far worse.
  
  True love demands that we hate evil. Did you hear what I said? True love demands that we must hate. It is the strongest word that the Greek has to offer. It means to detest utterly—not just to merely dislike.
  
  It's a general term for evil tied to moral corruption. Love does not mean indifference. Love does not mean tolerance when it comes to sin. Love means we love what God loves and we hate what God hates.
  
  God does hate a few things. Is that in your theology tonight? Because it's in the word.
  
  1 Corinthians 13:5: "Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, and thinks no evil. It does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth."
  
  True love does not participate in the darkness of this world. Listen: Ephesians 5:8: "For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
  
  "It is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore, he says, 'Awake, you sleep; arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.'"
  
  Now, I've been speaking tonight mostly around the issue of homosexuality and sexual sin, but that's only one category of evil that is tolerated in the house of God. Many times, unfortunately, there's all kinds of sin that have crept in and have not been hated.
  
  There is greed, pride, ego, false religion, false doctrine. There are wolves who parade in sheep's clothing. You know what wolves do? They like to eat the sheep. They like to devour the sheep. But when they dress up like a sheep, it makes it easier for them to find lunch.
  
  And unfortunately, the church has endured many of these. We are not called to endure, but to bring judgment. We hate what is evil.
  
  But finally tonight, we also must cling to what is good. And I would say that these two go together. If all we do is hate evil, you know what we become? We become angry.
  
  But that's not the end of Paul's message. He says, "Hate what is evil, but also cling to what is good." The word in Greek is koleo. Think of collagen. It means to glue, to cleave, to join closely.
  
  It's the same word that Jesus used about marriage in Matthew 19. Cling. Be married to what is good. Be united to the things in this life that are intrinsically good—good in nature and good in effect.
  
  The believer then, we as God's people, are not called to float between good and evil. But to be glued, to be bonded to what is excellent, to what is pure, to what is lovely, to what is true.
  
  True love cannot support and celebrate wickedness. Rather, what we are called to do is hold fast to what is good. And I want to tell you, this is not as easy as it sounds. Because in order to reject evil and cling to what is good, that means we have to make judgments about what is good and what is evil.
  
  You have to make judgments about words that are spoken—words that are good and words that are evil. How many ever had somebody puke all over you one time with their words? Maybe when your kids were tiny. That one too. I remember when Jaylee was born, I had little vomit stains on this shoulder.
  
  But, you know, people do that with their words. Some people come around to you, and all they want to do is backtalk, gossip. All they want to do is talk bad about everybody and their mama. You know, as Christians, yeah, there's probably a time for us to have a listening ear of concern. Let some people vent a little bit.
  
  But you know what? You shouldn't let people puke all over you. Save that for somebody else. I don't need that in my head, please. If you would think of it as vomit, then that would help you. Say, "I don't want to listen to evil speech." Maybe we should pray about it. Let's take it to the Lord.
  
  Let's focus on what's good. You know, somebody at work maybe begins telling dirty jokes or has a television with inappropriate content. Man, I have been in situations—I was at the barbershop one time. I was at the barbershop getting my hair cut.
  
  And up on the screen, they're showing some movie. And right in the middle of this movie is like an all-out perversion sex scene—worse than rated R. I'm looking around this barbershop. There's children here. And I'm sitting there getting my hair cut. You know, I don't want to be the odd guy out, the weird one.
  
  But I'm watching this. I'm trying not to watch this. And there's skin up there on the TV screen. And I'm like, "Hey, does anybody else see this?" And so I tell the guy, "Hey, can you change the channel? Is there another? Can we put on anything else than that right now?"
  
  And at the risk of me being the weird one, being the preacher guy, you know, I've got a testimony to uphold. People there know that I'm a preacher. Is the preacher going to sit there and watch the nude scene and not say anything? God forbid.
  
  We have to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. You don't have to turn it off. Put on the news. Put on the weather. Put on the sports. I don't care. But don't be showing nipples off in the middle of the day. Seriously. What's wrong with you?
  
  Fathers with their sons, mothers with their daughters—running around. The culture wants to pull you off of this. Wants you to put up with evil and not cling to what is good.
  
  A.W. Tozer said that we must learn to measure our comfort not by the world's standards, but by the rewards of heaven. Jesus modeled this, didn't he? Jesus loved sinners. His most faithful followers were the most notorious sinners. They were people like Mary Magdalene—she was a prostitute and filled with demons.
  
  They were Matthew, the tax collector, who became an apostle. Many, many of those who follow Jesus were notorious sinners. But you know what Jesus did not allow? He did not allow them to keep sinning.
  
  If you're going to follow me, it means you're going to change. To the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus showed the most mercy of anybody else, right? The crowd of Pharisees brought her to Jesus and said, "We caught her in the very act of adultery. The law says, kill her. What do you say, Jesus?"
  
  Jesus dissipated the crowd by saying, "The one who is without sin should cast the first stone." Now, who's the only person there that didn't have any sin? It was Jesus. Did Jesus have the right to stone her to death? Would he have been right to do so? According to the law, yes.
  
  But when Jesus comes to that woman, he says, "Where are your accusers?" They all dropped their stones and walked away. And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you."
  
  Now, most of the church world is right there. "I don't condemn you, dear. Come and be accepted with the brethren." Thank God. But Jesus didn't stop, did he? He finished the statement. What was the rest of that? "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
  
  Stop sinning. Stop acting like a fool. Stop inviting God's judgment. If you're going to do what's right, it means you have to stop sinning. The church world, the religious world—too many Christians have become casual about sin.
  
  Tim Keller said, "Jesus loves us too much to leave us in our sin."
  
  Matthew 9:10: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice; for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
  
  The most loving person who ever lived was Jesus, but he never once affirmed people in their sins. He called them to turn from sin, to live new lives, to be born again in Christ. You know why? Because when you're born again, you get a new nature—a new nature that no longer desires sin—a Holy Spirit that gives us resurrection, life, and power to be free from sin.
  
  Thank God. We don't have to live like that anymore.
  
  Sometimes we just need to be reminded of some simple spiritual truths. Love—true love—has to be honest. It hates evil, and it clings to what is good. This is the model that God gave us. And this should reflect our lives in a broken and a lost world.
  
  I'm not saying it's easy, certainly not easy, but it is possible. And it is our call tonight.
  
  Let's bow our heads. We close our eyes for just a moment. As we bring this service to a close, I simply want to reiterate tonight the love—the unending love of God. The love of God is sacrificial. The love of God is what sent Jesus to the cross. It is the love of God that compelled Christ to die for you because without his death, without his sacrifice, we would never be saved. Our sins would never be forgiven.
  
  It is the love of God that leads us to salvation. And maybe you've come here tonight, and you realize that your sin is not something to wink at. Your sin, your rebellion against God, is not something to tolerate, to play with.
  
  Sin is a killer, and it will destroy you if you allow it to continue. I have good news for you tonight: sin can be defeated. It has been defeated. The power of sin was defeated at the cross of Calvary. The blood of Jesus can wash away every stain.
  
  All your brokenness, all of your history—the blood of Jesus. Oh, he is here by his Spirit. Spirit, tonight, he wants to wash and cleanse someone from the stains of their sins. Before you leave this place, you can be a new creation in Christ. Old things can pass away. Everything can become new.
  
  You can have a new nature, as I mentioned, in Christ—a nature that no longer wants to rebel against God, but the kind of nature that wants to live for him, to live clean, to pursue holiness.
  
  And I want to tell you that life is an exciting, abundant, fulfilling life. The life of pursuing sin is empty because it always leaves you needing more. It's like a drug. You know, the drug dealers—they always give the first one for free. Why? Because they know the first one is not going to fulfill. You're going to come back for more.
  
  The devil knows that too. He tempts us into sin because he knows that sin will never fulfill you. Your lust, your pride, your greed, your anger—they will never leave you feeling satisfied. But Jesus, if you will allow him to cleanse you of sin, if you'll believe in your heart and turn from your sin, trusting in Jesus, you'll repent tonight, then the Bible says that we can live a life that is ultimately fulfilling.
  
  You can have eternal life—more than you ever asked for, more than you could ever imagine. If you would simply turn from sin, I'm not saying all of your problems will be solved, but I am saying your sins will be forgiven.
  
  And if you need that before you leave here tonight, I want to pray with you. Would you just lift up a hand—somebody here being honest with the Lord? Love must be sincere. It's because I love you. It's because the Lord loves you that he has to tell you: your sin is destroying you. But you can turn from sin today and trust in Jesus.
  
  And if you do, there is a new life with God waiting for you. Yes, no longer will he condemn us, but we have to stop sinning. Is that someone here tonight? God's dealing with you. The Spirit of God is convicting you. And before you leave this place, you need a new life in Christ.
  
  Let me see a hand quickly. You lift it up—I want to pray with you. Anybody here unsaved or backslidden in your heart—you need Jesus to forgive you. Is that anyone here? Quickly, quickly tonight. Thank you.
  
  Then I want to pray for believers. At this altar, we're going to open up this altar as a place where God's going to deal with us. And I want to pray for some specific things tonight.
  
  There are Christians here that you are cowering in the face of what the world is demanding. Maybe you have friends, loved ones, family members—even, that are living alternate lifestyles, alternate moralities—and they have sway over you. They have forced you. You feel manipulated tonight because they are making demands.
  
  "If you don't accept me how I am, then that means you don't care about me. You don't love me." Or they're threatening, "If you speak bad about my lifestyle, then I'm going to cut you off and I'm not going to have a relationship with you anymore."
  
  It's a high price to pay for righteousness. And so, there are those here tonight, you need courage to hate what is evil and to cling to what is good.
  
  There are those that are tolerating evil, maybe subconsciously, but you've grown comfortable with sin in your life. There are areas of rebellion—you’re saved, but there's an area of your heart where Jesus has not touched yet. And it's time to bring that evil. I'm not going to tolerate it. I'm not going to play with it. I'm not going to continue. Lord, you need to convict me and change me in this area of my life.
  
  If those are you tonight, you say, "Lord, I want to, I want to fulfill that command. I want to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. I need my love for God to be honest and sincere."
  
  If those describe you, if you just need to pray this evening at this altar, I want to open it up.
  
  Let's stand up to our feet. We're going to bring this service to a close, but let's come and ask God to transform our minds and our hearts on this issue.
  
  Lord, I don't want to think the way the world thinks about evil. I want to think, God, according to your word and your way. Amen.
  
  We're going to worship God together, but if you need prayer, would you come? Would you come join us for a few moments as we pray and lift up our hearts to the Lord?
  
  Let's begin to cry out to the living God. Listen, it's good to be nice to people. It's good to be kind, but not at the expense of truth and righteousness.
  
  Oh, church, let's begin to cry out to the Lord for a few moments. Oh, we need courage tonight. We need courage. Oh, we need courage. Oh, we need courage. Oh, we need courage. Oh, we need courage. Thank you.
  
  We need courage and strength. Oh, Lord, help us tonight to speak the truth and speak it in love. Oh, we thank you, Lord, for your Spirit. Let's cry out to the living God. You pray for a few moments here at this altar.
  
  I want to say one last thing tonight, and that is simply this: that righteous living—right living and doing right—there's a cost involved. And yeah, you got to count the cost. We don't enter into this without an expectation that to do right, to live right, to speak right, it is going to have a cost.
  
  You're going to pay a price—first of all, in your flesh. You got to be able to judge evil in you, right? I didn't get any amens—that's called crucifying the flesh. And even Jesus sweat great drops of blood as he considered the price he was about to pay to judge sin.
  
  And listen, when we don't hate evil, what we're doing is we're devaluing the sacrifice of Jesus himself. We're saying it wasn't that important. Why did Jesus have to die? Because sin is evil.
  
  So it begins with looking at me—the pursuit of holiness. Sanctification is our first and primary ministry. Lord, help me judge the evil that I see in the mirror.
  
  But then also, when it comes to living in this broken world, you have family members who love you, and you love them, but they're involved in evil. And you can't tolerate that.
  
  There are family traditions that get passed down. In my family, there was a tradition of divorce—unfortunately—started with my great-grandparents, then grandparents, then parents. And you know, sometimes that gets awkward, right? On Thanksgiving, we've got to visit four different places.
  
  Lord, help us. And we have to make a stand. We have to cling to what is good. And I love you, but I don't agree with what happened. And so I don't want to talk too much tonight. I want to minister in the Holy Spirit. And I believe that there's people here that the one thing you need more than anything else is courage.
  
  God does not want us to be powerless, but to have the strength and the courage of our convictions. Let's pray together. Let's lift up our hands. And I just want to lead you in a prayer tonight. You say these words with me:
  
  "God in heaven, thank you for the blood of Jesus that washes away every stain of sin. And I thank you for making me your child by the blood. I'm adopted into your family. And now, Lord, you've called me to be your ambassador, to be your representative in this broken world.
  
  There are people that care about me, and I care about them, but I've been tolerating some evil. I'm asking you now: give me clarity to speak truth and speak it in love. Let me reflect your heart that loves the sinner but hates the sin. Don't let me get that mixed up. Don't let me blur the lines.
  
  But Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to stand for righteousness. Give me the strength and the courage in the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' mighty name. Amen."
  
  Come on, let's give him praise one more time. God, we need you. Oh, we thank you. We praise you tonight. Oh, God, we need you desperately, God. We need you.
  
  As I was praying, I was thinking about Acts, the book of Acts, in chapters 7 and 8, and that whole account where Stephen is called upon to preach to the Pharisees—that would be pretty tough. He's preaching against their traditions. He said, "You, you, you hard-hearted people, you are the ones who killed the prophets, and the blood of Jesus is on your hands."
  
  No wonder they killed him. There was a price to pay, but he was speaking the truth, and he was speaking it not because he hated them, but because he loved God—and ultimately, he loved them, didn't he? Somebody had to tell them the truth.
  
  And I want to encourage you tonight. Yeah, maybe this is a bit of a heavy message, but really what God wants is freedom. The truth—Jesus said, "The truth will make you free."
  
  And don't you want your family members to be free? Don't you want your coworkers or your classmates? Sometimes you are the only Christian they know. You're the only Bible they read. It could be you're the only person praying for them.
  
  And it is a critical thing that God's people would step into that role of being a speaker of truth. What do we do when we tolerate sin? We just make it last longer. We just make more room for it.
  
  I challenge you and I charge you tonight: let us be people of light, people of salt. Oh, salt—sometimes a little irritating, but it brings healing.
  
  And I am believing God tonight that there are some relationships right now—there are some relationships that need healing in Jesus' name. I feel a witness right now in my spirit. I want to pray specifically for broken relationships.
  
  And I believe there's somebody here that you have stood for truth, and there is a sore area in your life because of that. There is a broken relationship because you did speak, and maybe you didn't do it all correctly. But God wants you to know: He can heal that. He can use it for His kingdom.
  
  I just want to pray for that need quickly tonight.
  
  Lord, I thank you for people of righteousness who are in love with your truth and who have spoken your truth in love to others, but it has led to a broken relationship. There are people here who are estranged from loved ones, Lord, and that brings pain to our hearts.
  
  But Lord, it also brings pain to your heart because you are a God of reconciliation and healing. But that healing must be done correctly—not through toleration of sin, not through winking or excusing behavior that will bring judgment.
  
  But Lord, I pray tonight for supernatural, miraculous reconciliation—reconciliation from family members and friends. That you would bring that to pass, not through the bending of righteousness, but through the softness of heart and humility—that people would come to the knowledge of Christ, turn from sin, trust in you, and come back and make those relationships right again.
  
  That there would be prodigals who return. Oh, that there would be those living in uncleanness and sin, but Lord, we are praying tonight and agreeing together—that they would come to the end of the enjoyment of that sin. They would look into that pigpen and see the mess that has been made, and they would turn back to the Father's heart tonight. They would come running in Jesus' name.
  
  We pray, God, for this generation that is lost in sexual sin, lost in trans ideology, lost in homosexual desires. Lord, we pray for revival—that you open the heart of your church to receive those who are so confused and so bound. Lord, that they would fill our congregation, that they would be saved and transformed, and become new creations in Christ.
  
  And that we would rejoice with them, and that we would receive them the same way that the church in the book of Acts received—the apostle Paul, when he was still Saul, the Christian killer. Oh, God, I pray the Spirit of the living God would give us courage and conviction in Jesus' name. Amen.
  
  Let's give him praise one more time. Lord, we thank you. Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah. Amen. Thank you tonight. We appreciate you being here. Amen.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Keep Calm & Live For God!

Sermon Summary

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Paul warns Timothy that in the last days, perilous times will come—not because of external disasters, but because of the condition of human hearts. The dangers of the end times are not asteroids or earthquakes, but people who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, ungrateful, unholy, and lacking self-control. These are not new problems, but Paul says they will reach unprecedented levels, and the majority will be swept up in them. Even more sobering, many will maintain a form of godliness while denying its true power, deceiving themselves and others into thinking they are righteous while their hearts are far from God.

The tendency to ignore warning signs is not just a physical survival issue, as illustrated by stories of pilots and shipwreck survivors, but a spiritual one. Our instinct is to cling to what is familiar and comfortable, even when alarms are blaring all around us. The church has faced many seasons—times of persecution, compromise, revival, and now, in our age, a Laodicean lukewarmness marked by self-reliance, wealth, and spiritual blindness. The red flags are everywhere, but the question is whether we will recognize them or retreat into complacency.

History and scripture are not just dry manuals to be referenced in emergencies; they are living testimonies meant to shape our hearts. The difference between those who survive spiritually and those who fall away is not just knowledge or preparation, but what is truly in the heart. Like the young woman who survived the Amazon jungle by remembering what she had learned and staying calm, we must internalize God’s word and let it transform us from within. Paul’s confidence in Timothy was not based on Timothy’s intellect or resources, but on his careful following of doctrine, example, and faith. In perilous times, it is those who have hidden God’s word in their hearts, who have been discipled and have seen faith lived out, who will endure.

Now is the time to examine our hearts. Are we ignoring the alarms, focusing on the familiar, or are we alert to the times and determined to endure to the end? The call is to keep calm, live for God, and let His word be more than information—let it be the very life within us.

“The call is to keep calm, live for God, and let His word be more than information—let it be the very life within us.”

— Pastor Dave

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [00:54] - The Danger of Familiarity and Ignoring Warnings

• [03:16] - The Navy Pilot: A Lesson in Panic and Complacency

• [05:37] - Understanding the “Last Days”

• [09:45] - Perilous Times Defined by Human Character

• [11:10] - The Rise of Self-Love and Its Consequences

• [13:22] - A Form of Godliness Without Power

• [16:41] - The Value of Scripture and Church History

• [19:09] - The Seven Churches: Lessons from Church History

• [22:36] - The Laodicean Church and Modern Parallels

• [24:39] - Recognizing Red Flags in Our Time

• [26:42] - Survival Stories: Calm in Crisis

• [28:26] - What’s in Your Heart Matters Most

• [32:11] - Paul’s Confidence in Timothy: The Power of Discipleship

• [33:37] - Responding to the Alarms: A Call to Endurance

• [36:01] - Invitation to Salvation and Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. Perilous times are not defined by external chaos, but by the internal decay of human character
   The greatest dangers to faith are not disasters or persecution, but the subtle and pervasive rise of self-love, pride, and spiritual apathy. Recognizing this shifts our focus from blaming circumstances to examining our own hearts and communities. [09:45]

2. The most alarming sign of the last days is not open rebellion, but a form of godliness that denies its power
   Many will claim to be fighting for righteous causes or even identify as Christians, yet their lives are marked by the very vices Paul warns against. True godliness is not a label or a cause, but a transformed life empowered by the Spirit. [16:08]

3. Church history is not irrelevant or boring; it is a vital map for navigating the present
   Each era of the church, from apostolic zeal to Laodicean complacency, offers lessons and warnings. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat its failures, but those who learn from it can discern the times and avoid spiritual shipwreck. [21:16]

4. Survival in perilous times is not about having the right tools or even the right knowledge, but about what is in the heart.
   The difference between those who endure and those who fall away is often the internalization of God’s word and a calm, steadfast trust in Him. When crisis comes, it is the heart anchored in Christ that prevails. [28:26]

5. Discipleship and living examples of faith are essential for spiritual endurance.
   Paul’s confidence in Timothy was rooted in Timothy’s careful following of doctrine and example, not just intellectual assent. We need living models of faith—people whose lives we can observe and emulate—so that when perilous times come, we are not left to panic, but can endure to the end. [32:11]

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Bible Reading

• 2 Timothy 3:1-9 (ESV)
  But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what are the main characteristics of people during the “last days”?

2. What does Paul mean when he says people will have “a form of godliness but deny its power”?

3. In the sermon, what examples were given to show how people ignore warning signs, both physically and spiritually? [03:16]

4. How does Paul describe the real danger of perilous times—is it external disasters or something else? [09:45]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul focus on the condition of people’s hearts rather than outside events when describing perilous times? [09:45]

2. What does it look like in real life to have “a form of godliness but deny its power”? How might this show up in churches or Christian communities today? [16:08]

3. The sermon talks about the church being in a “Laodicean” age—what does that mean, and how does it relate to spiritual complacency? [22:36]

4. Why is it not enough to just know the Bible or have the right tools? What does the sermon say is the real difference between those who endure and those who fall away? [28:26]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns about ignoring spiritual “red flags” and alarms. Are there any warning signs in your own life or in the church that you have been ignoring? What would it look like to pay attention to them this week? [33:37]

2. Paul says the greatest dangers are not disasters or persecution, but self-love, pride, and spiritual apathy. In what ways do you see these attitudes creeping into your own heart or community? How can you fight against them? [09:45]

3. The message challenges us to examine whether we are just “familiar” with God’s word or if it is truly hidden in our hearts. What is one step you can take this week to internalize Scripture more deeply? [29:15]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of living examples and discipleship. Who is someone you look up to as a model of faith? How can you intentionally learn from their example, or be that example for someone else? [32:11]

5. When crisis or temptation comes, do you tend to panic, freeze, or retreat to what is comfortable? Can you share a recent situation where this happened? What would it look like to “keep calm and live for God” in a similar moment? [03:16]

6. The Laodicean church was marked by self-reliance and spiritual blindness. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of God? How can you shift your trust to Him this week? [22:36]

7. The sermon ends with a call to endure to the end. What practical habits or relationships help you stay spiritually alert and enduring, even when others around you are growing cold? [33:37]

• Full Transcript

  2 Timothy 3, verses 1 through 9. There's a book called Deep Survival. Deep Survival, Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why? It's written by a man named Lawrence Gonzalez. In this book, he explores how accidents happen. He explains they often result from bad habits, but also because our brains naturally rely on past experiences to guide us. It's another reason that accidents happen. When we repeat the same actions over and over again, we can become complacent.
  
  For instance, you might mentally connect an activity with a past success. When I, for example, go fishing and maybe you, you know, wade into the river, right? And so you're standing knee deep in the water and you cast your hook and you always catch fish right here. When you stand right here, cast my line, I always catch fish here. But then you'll overlook warning signs that appear in the moment. There's a thunderstorm coming over top of you. Lightning is striking. And if it strikes the water, you're going to get electrocuted. But you don't notice because I always catch fish right here.
  
  He tells a story in this book of a U.S. Navy pilot. Excuse me. This man is coming in for a landing on an aircraft carrier. The problem is he's approaching the runway of the carrier. But he's going too slow and he's coming in too low. Air traffic control tower, they're yelling at him to speed up. So, in case you don't know, when you're flying an airplane, the faster you go, the longer you can stay in the air, right? So when you start to slow down, you start dropping like a brick out of the sky. And that's what was happening to this man. They're screaming at him to speed up. Warning lights on the ship were flashing at him that he was too low. They've got these little traffic lights, and you know, when it goes too low, it's telling you, the pilot, "Oh, look at that, I'm too low." The ground crew starts screaming into his radio, "Speed up. You're too low. You're going too slow. Speed up." Warning alarms in the cockpit start going off. Beep, beep, beep, beep. "Speed up. Speed up. Too low. Too low." So, despite all that, his jet strikes the back of the ship, and it splits in half. The back half of the jet hits, falls into the water. The front half of the jet skids across the runway. The flight officer in the back seat is crushed by the impact. Somehow, the pilot manages to live.
  
  So, the investigators later said that this pilot had his hand on the throttle the whole time. All he had to do was bump it up just a little—thank you, fraction of an inch—but somehow he hadn't heard any of the warnings, he hadn't seen any of the lights flashing, heard none of it. He became so focused on what he knew was familiar—in this case, the runway—that everything else was blocked out. How is it possible that a smart, young, healthy, highly trained fighter pilot was able to block out all of those warnings?
  
  The author of Deep Survival says ignoring red flags is a form of panic. It's part of our survival instinct that we know as fight or flight. It's an instinct that says, "I just need to get back to the familiar, to what I perceive as safe," based on past experience. Despite all the information around us screaming, "Hey, stop! This is not a good idea," when confronted with a life-threatening situation, 90 percent of people freeze or panic. Yet, if 90 percent do that, that means there is another 10 percent that remain cool, focused, and alive. But how do they do that?
  
  In our text, the Apostle Paul is writing to his disciple, his young disciple named Timothy. In this passage, he's going to lay out a series of red flags, warnings.
  
  2 Timothy 3:1-9 says:
  "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty—lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away."
  
  For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women, loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts. Always learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now, as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth. Men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith. But they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
  
  Would you pray with me this morning? As our heads are about—Father, I’m asking, oh God, for Your help this morning. God, I cannot do this on my own. I am trusting in You. Father, I ask You, God, that You would move on every heart, every ear in this place, that they would be open to what You would speak. I pray that You would give me wisdom to say what You would have me to say. In Jesus’ name, amen.
  
  I want to preach a sermon called Keep Calm and Live for God. I want to look firstly with you at Perilous Times and Perilous Men.
  
  In our text, Paul says that perilous times will come in the last days. So, first, we have to understand—and we and this term last days—means there are some who suggest that the last days just refer to the time from when the church was born in Acts chapter 2 until Jesus comes back. But I would argue that, as Bible scholar Adam Clark says, it's probable that the apostle Paul had some particular age in mind, in which there should appear some very essential corruption in Christianity. In other words, it's not reasonable to say that the last 2,000 years are the last days, since we only have about 6,000 years of recorded human history.
  
  Let me ask you: when you read a book, do you consider the first third of the book the beginning, or just the first few pages? Do you consider the last third of the book the end, or just the last few pages? I’d argue that, just like a book or a movie, you can sense when you're getting close to the end. And if it's a really good book—the best drama, the best plot twist, the best battles—happen in those last few pages.
  
  In our text, Paul tells us what we should be looking for that will indicate we are close to the end. He says perilous times will come. The word perilous was used in classical Greek to describe both dangerous wild animals and raging seas. So, in other words, perilous times are going to feel like we're being tossed around—like the ocean in a hurricane. Some of you have been in the Navy, been through a hurricane, I know my wife has, while you're on a ship. Or it could feel like we're surrounded by hungry grizzly bears. Anybody had that experience? No? Okay.
  
  But that could be a little vague. We've all gone through chaotic times in our lives. Can you say amen? Honestly, those times of chaos that come in our lives—they only last for a certain amount of time. I've heard people say, "This too shall pass." They last a few days, a few weeks, a few months, maybe a few years. But they end. And others around us don't appear to be going through the same things we're going through at the same time.
  
  So, to clarify what he means by perilous, Paul gives us some additional red flags, some warnings. First, he says, men will be lovers of themselves. Now, it should be pointed out that when he says times will be perilous, the very first thing he says is, "for men will be..." But it's not natural disasters that bring about perilous times. It's not an asteroid striking the earth. It's not something from the outside. It's something from the inside. It's mankind. It's us. We bring the perilous times. And it starts with man's love of himself.
  
  Of course, this has been a problem in every generation. Men have always loved themselves. But it is certainly prevalent now. Our culture encourages us to love ourselves. Society tells us to love ourselves unconditionally. There's nothing wrong with you, and that such self-love is the foundation for a healthy human personality.
  
  The Bible scholar Barclay said, "Love of self is the basic human sin from which all others flow." Paul goes on to say that men are going to be lovers of money. We spoke about that in our Sunday school this morning. He says they're going to be boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty—that is, full of pride and arrogance—lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.
  
  Now, none of these things are new, but what Paul is saying is that these things will be at unprecedented levels. The majority of humans will be acting this way. It'll be hard to find a person who is humble, generous, loving, truthful, honest, forgiving. Instead, the vast majority will be entitled brats who hate their parents, whose default position on any matter is dishonesty. When you challenge them on their beliefs, they don't try to engage you with facts and logic. They immediately attack you with slander. They say the worst possible things about you and your family, and on and on. They wish death on you like that. They'll be traitorous, showing no loyalty to God, to family, to church, to their country. They'll have no self-control. They'll be addictive personalities. Their flesh rules their decisions. When their flesh says, "Feed me snacks every 20 minutes," they obey. They'll be brutal. They’ll prefer violence and destruction to debate and reason. They’ll prefer personal pleasure to the will of God. In fact, they will not even consider the will of God.
  
  Yet, somehow, despite all of this—despite spending their time on self-love, their energy on money and the things of this world—Paul says in verse 5 that they have a form of godliness but deny its power. And from such people, turn away. How is it that these people who act in this way have a form of godliness? You ever wonder that? Like, shouldn't it say they have a form of ungodliness? Like, all of that is ungodly. Yet it says they have a form of godliness.
  
  As I’m reading this list, I couldn’t help but get the mental picture of the protests happening across the country—the pro-Palestine protests. And, you know, all across our country, Europe, Australia, these protesters—they're mostly atheists, a lot of homosexual, transgender, and they’re chanting in favor of Hamas and for the death of Israel. Hamas, a Muslim group who would just as quickly toss these people off of a building. The absurdity was just on another level. They vandalized buildings and businesses. They attacked counter-protesters with slander and violence.
  
  Recently, there have been some brave YouTube street preachers who go among these people. It’s very entertaining to watch, sometimes very convicting—like, man, I don’t know if I have the courage for this. They go in and they preach to these people, with a microphone and a speaker right in their face. It’s incredible. Or they’ll talk to them, try to pray for them. And when these protesters aren’t screaming incoherently and trying to break their equipment, what they find is that these protesters are generally ungrateful college kids who hate God, hate Jesus, hate the church. They’re there on their parents’ dime. Many of them, as you look at them, are pictures of a lack of self-control. Yet, in their minds, they’re fighting for a righteous cause.
  
  But then, you find out as these street preachers confront them, many come up and say, "I’m a Christian too." What? And I would never spread hate the way you’re spreading hate. It’s a form of godliness—while denying the power of true godliness. It’s everything Paul warned us about—perilous times, perilous people causing those perilous times.
  
  Are you beginning to see the red flags?
  
  I want to look secondly with you at Fight or Flight. So, we have all the information we need in the scriptures. We could treat the Bible like it’s just an instruction manual or troubleshooting guide: if this happens, do that. Okay, that can be helpful. But if it’s just head knowledge, it’s not enough. We have the history of the church we could examine. Most people would balk at that and say, "History? Oh, why would I want to examine church history? That sounds so boring." But studying history helps you maintain your bearings. You know where you are in history. If you study the past, you can know what they’ve tried before, what your predecessors have gone through, what they’ve tried, what not to do. Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it.
  
  When you consider the seven periods of church history from the time of Jesus until now—those that Jesus spoke about in the book of Revelation—they line up with the seven churches of Revelation. Did you know that? You don’t believe me? So, Jesus listed seven churches: Ephesus was the first one. The word Ephesus actually means desirable. Jesus tells them to remember their first love, or He’ll remove their lampstand. This was the apostolic church—around during the time of Jesus and the apostles. As the first century drew to a close, the original 12 disciples began to die off. Though the church had grown greatly, it then experienced a widespread falling away—people leaving the faith. How many know that when people leave, it can make your love go cold? It hurts. Jesus told them, "Remember your first love." This represents the period from about 30 AD, the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, until about 100 AD.
  
  Next is Smyrna. The word Smyrna means crushed. Jesus finds no fault in them; He only encourages them. This is the persecuted church under Rome. There were ten major periods of trial during this time, roughly from 100 AD until just after 300 AD.
  
  Then comes Pergamos. The word Pergamos means married. Jesus told them to stop what they were doing, or He’d come and fight against them. Try fighting Jesus—try that! This was the worldly, imperial, early Roman church married to the government under Constantine. This period spans from about 313 AD to around 590 AD.
  
  Next is Thyatira. The word Thyatira means continual sacrifice. Jesus said He would give them exactly what they deserve according to their works. That’s a scary thought. This was the pagan or papal church—the medieval Catholic church. Continual sacrifice refers to the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation—believing that when you take communion, you are literally eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood. This period saw increasing false doctrines, sexual immorality, and during this time, Europe was devastated by the Black Plague, wiping out a third of the population. Jesus said, "I will give you according to your works." This spans from about 590 AD through roughly 1517.
  
  Next is Sardis. The name Sardis means remnant. Jesus says, "You have a name that you live, but you are dead." Yet, there is still a remnant—some who are worthy to walk with Him. This is the church of the Reformation. The church had a reputation everyone recognized, but spiritually, it was dead. This corresponds to the time of Martin Luther and others who stood against the corrupt church, translating the Bible into common languages. This lasts until about 1700.
  
  Then comes Philadelphia, meaning brotherly love. Jesus has nothing but encouragement for this church. It’s called the church of the open door—a revival, missionary church. This includes the Great Awakening and lasts until around 1900.
  
  The seventh and final church Jesus mentions is Laodicea. Here are some facts about Laodicea: it was an important, wealthy city with a significant Jewish population. It was a center of worship of Caesar, symbolizing wealth and power, and also idolized Asclepius, the healing god, with a famous medical school attached. After an earthquake devastated the region, Laodicea refused imperial aid, claiming self-reliance. It was a major commercial hub, exporting goods worldwide. Laodicea prided itself on wealth, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. Does that sound familiar? Their water supply was poor—lukewarm from a hot spring six miles away, making them vulnerable to attack. They became accommodating to enemies. This sounds like the modern church—lukewarm, tolerant, liberal, globalist.
  
  The layout of Laodicea from 1900 until now reflects this. The name Laodicea means rights or rule of the people. It’s the church that’s complacent, self-sufficient, and indifferent.
  
  Are you seeing the red flags yet? It’s not as if the church has never experienced this before. False prophets, false doctrines, scandals, persecutions, times of blessing, times of poverty—yet she’s still here because Jesus loves His church. But the question is: when we see these things happening around us at an alarming rate, what will we do with the warnings? Do we simply long for the familiar and shut them out? Do we ignore the screams for help? Do we ignore those dying around us, going to hell? While we focus on just living our lives, just making it through another day, just trying to secure our own place?
  
  If we do that—if we focus on ourselves rather than heed the warnings—aren’t we guilty of the very things Paul warns us about? Being lovers of self, lovers of money, and so forth.
  
  Or can we recognize the times we are in now?
  
  Finally, I want to look at It’s Not What’s in Your Survival Pack. In Deep Survival, the author affirms the importance of keeping your mind, your mental state, in a survival situation. He contrasts two stories of survival at sea: one, an experienced and prepared sailor who was able to think quickly enough to survive after being stranded on the ocean for nearly three months; and another, a crew of disorganized sailors who, over five days, all perished except for two who were rescued.
  
  He also talks about a plane crash—this is incredible. You’ve got to read this story for yourself. It actually happened in Lima, Peru, back in 1970. A plane took off from Lima, was struck by lightning, and began to disintegrate in the air. One passenger, a 17-year-old girl named Julianne Kepke, was still strapped to her seat as her row went through the bottom of the plane and started plummeting to the earth. She fell 10,000 feet into the Amazon rainforest. She survived. She spent 11 days walking through the jungle, against all odds—no food, no shelter, no equipment. She had a broken collarbone, a torn knee ligament, and a fly infestation in one of her wounds. Somehow, she got out alive. Why? How? She remained calm and remembered what she had been taught in survival training by her parents years before.
  
  When search parties went back to look for survivors, they found that at least 14 other better-equipped adults had survived the crash but did not make it out. They sat down and waited for rescue, and they all died.
  
  As the book Deep Survival concludes, after examining these stories and tragedies, the author makes a powerful statement: It’s not what’s in your survival pack that separates the quick from the dead. It’s not even what’s in your mind. Corny as it sounds, it’s what’s in your heart.
  
  We can treat the Word of God like a dry, boring manual—sitting on the shelf, collecting dust, only pulled out in emergencies. But when the red flags are all around us, the alarms are blaring, instead of pulling it out, we focus on the familiar, the safe, and we crash and burn—falling back into sin, dying spiritually.
  
  Or, we can prepare ahead of time. When disaster strikes, we don’t have to panic. We can remain calm, trust God, and rely on what He’s already put in our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says, Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
  
  After Paul warns Timothy about the last days and the perilous men that will bring perilous times, he says in 2 Timothy 3:10:
  "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me."
  
  It’s like he’s saying, "Timothy, here’s how you’ll know the last days are upon us. Perilous men, perilous times—these things will happen. But I’m not worried about you. You’ve carefully followed my doctrine, you’ve listened to my preaching and teaching of the Scriptures. You’ve been attentive. You’ve also followed my manner of life—you’ve watched how I live for God in real time. You saw what happened when I went through persecutions. You saw how I handled those persecutions and afflictions. I was a living example of a man of God."
  
  Can I ask you something? Do you have one of those? A living example of a person of God you can look to? We call that discipleship. Paul says, "Timothy, you’ve been a good student. I know my time on earth is drawing to a close. I know that when the last days come, with all the persecution, with all the perilous times, you will recognize it. You will remain calm and continue to live for God. You won’t be part of the 90 percent who panic."
  
  The Word of God, the love of Christ, the Holy Spirit, discipleship, faith, purpose—these aren’t just words on a page. They’re in your heart. So when the end times come, and the alarms are screaming, I believe you won’t ignore them. You won’t become narrow-focused on yourself and crash and burn. You’ll make it through to the end.
  
  Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, "But he who endures to the end shall be saved." What about you? Have you noticed the acceleration of perilous times and perilous men all around us? Are you convinced that we are indeed living in the last days? Maybe the last of the last days—that we are the church of Laodicea.
  
  I don’t know about you, but I believe the church at large is the church of Laodicea. Wealthy, increased with goods, in need of nothing—yet, Jesus says, "I will spue you out of My mouth." We’re living in that time. Do you recognize it? The red flags, the warnings, the alarms? Are you ignoring them? Instead, focusing on the familiar and the safe—like that Navy pilot, if I just get to the runway—beep, beep, beep—you’re too low, too slow. But if you ignore the alarms, you’re on your way to crashing and burning.
  
  Is the Word of God just dusty old information to you? Or is it written in your heart? That’s what will keep us in the last days, through the perilous times. Do you recognize where you are in history right now?
  
  The times we’re in. If you’re not saved, it’s a good time to get saved. If you are saved and you see these signs, let’s endure to the end. Let’s keep calm and live for God.
  
  Why don’t we bow our heads this morning? As we draw this service to a close, with every head bowed and every eye closed—I pray this sermon was a blessing to you. I pray that you can now hear the alarm bells ringing. We’re living in the end times, folks.
  
  Maybe you’re here this morning and you are not right with God. As we sit here, your heart’s not right with Jesus Christ. He’s not your Lord and Savior. If you’re honest with yourself, you’d look in your heart and say, "You know what? Pastor Dave, my heart is not right with God. Jesus Christ is not my Lord and Savior. If I were to pass into eternity today, wake up and stand before the living God, and He were to judge my life, I cannot say with certainty that I would make heaven my home."
  
  The alarm bells are ringing in your heart right now. Don’t ignore them. If you’re not right with God, would you lift up your hand? If you’re not saved, Jesus Christ is not your Savior, we want to pray with you. Would you lift up your hand in this place? All across this place. We’re not trying to embarrass anyone. We’re not going to put you on a microphone. We’re not asking you to join our church. We want to see you make heaven your home. Anyone else?
  
  Perhaps you’re backslidden in your heart. You once followed Jesus, but you turned away. Today, you’re not right with God. Is that anybody here? Would you lift up your hand? Just lift it up and back down very quickly. We can pray with you. Anyone at all?
  
  Praise God. Church, we’re living in the last days. The alarm bells are going off. The red flags are all around us. Do you recognize them? I want to open the altar for a time of prayer. Maybe you’ve got some things on your heart you need to speak to God about. Maybe something I ministered, maybe something I didn’t, but it’s on your heart right now. These altars are open. I encourage you to come down and pray. Let’s all take some time and pray together at this altar. These altars are open. Let’s pray.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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First Discipline, Then Healing

Sermon Summary

Today, we confronted the sobering reality of sin within the church, using the recent revelations about Michael Tate as a lens to examine the urgent need for church discipline and personal holiness. The tragedy of a “Christian leader” living a double life for decades is not just a story of individual failure, but a warning to the entire body of Christ about the dangers of neglecting correction and accountability.

We looked at Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5, where he commands the church to remove unrepentant sinners from fellowship—not out of cruelty, but out of love for both the individual and the church. Discipline, though painful, is a mark of God’s love and a necessary tool for growth, both for children and for disciples of Christ.

We explored how the lack of discipline in the church leads to spiritual decay, likened to yeast spreading through dough, corrupting the whole. When sin is tolerated or ignored, it not only damages individuals but also compromises the testimony of God’s holiness to the world. The church is called to be a holy nation, set apart, and when we treat sin casually, we become stumbling blocks to others and undermine the very message of the gospel. Jesus and Paul both make it clear: sin must be confronted, not coddled. This is not about perfection, but about striving for holiness and refusing to cover up what God wants to heal.

Yet, the goal of discipline is always restoration. We are not called to be harsh or self-righteous, but to seek the healing and redemption of those who have fallen. Just as the Japanese art of kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, God can take the shattered pieces of our lives and make something more beautiful than before—if we will confess, repent, and submit to His correction. Holiness is not an impossible standard reserved for a few; it is God’s will for every believer, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live it out. The call today is to uncover sin, pursue righteousness, and trust in the hope of the gospel—for ourselves, for the church, and even for those who have fallen far.

“Discipline, though painful, is a mark of God’s love and a necessary tool for growth, both for children and for disciples of Christ.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:18] - The Influence and Fall of Michael Tate

• [02:48] - Allegations and Confession

• [04:12] - The Double Life Exposed

• [06:53] - Responses and the Need for Correction

• [09:09] - The Biblical Case for Church Discipline

• [11:34] - The Necessity of Discipline for Children and Disciples

• [13:58] - God’s Discipline as a Mark of Sonship

• [17:06] - The Consequences of Lacking Discipline

• [18:07] - Sin as Leaven in the Church

• [19:43] - The Modern Church’s Failure to Discipline

• [22:39] - The Danger of Covering Sin

• [25:40] - God’s Faithfulness to Expose Sin

• [28:45] - The Call to Holiness

• [31:56] - The Atmosphere Needed for Spiritual Growth

• [34:01] - The Impact of Scandal on the Faithful

• [35:13] - How to Deal with Sin: Cut it Off

• [37:05] - Higher Standards for Leaders

• [39:27] - Restoration and Hope After Correction

• [44:21] - God’s Power to Mend Broken Lives

• [54:04] - The Possibility and Promise of Holiness

• [55:04] - Closing and Invitation to Pursue Holiness

Key Takeaways

1. Discipline is an Expression of Love, Not Cruelty
   God disciplines those He loves, just as a parent disciplines a child. Avoiding correction is not compassion—it is neglect. True love is willing to confront sin for the sake of the individual’s soul and the health of the church, even when it is uncomfortable or painful. [13:58]

2. Unchecked Sin Corrupts the Whole Body
   Sin, when left unaddressed, spreads like yeast through dough, affecting not just the individual but the entire community. Tolerating or ignoring sin leads to spiritual decay, hypocrisy, and ultimately damages the church’s witness to the world. The call is to deal with sin decisively, not to preserve appearances but to protect the integrity of the body. [18:07]

3. Holiness is Essential for Knowing God and Bearing Witness
   God’s command to “be holy as I am holy” is not optional. When we treat sin casually, we compromise the testimony of God’s holiness and make a mockery of the cross. Pursuing holiness is the only way to truly know God and to show the world the reality of His transforming power. [28:45]

4. Restoration, Not Destruction, is the Goal of Correction
   The purpose of church discipline is not to shame or destroy, but to bring about repentance and restoration. Like the art of kintsugi, God can mend what is broken and make it more beautiful than before. When correction leads to genuine repentance, forgiveness and healing follow, and the scars become testimonies of God’s grace. [44:21]

5. Holiness is Possible Through the Holy Spirit
   God never commands what He does not also empower. Holiness is not reserved for the spiritual elite; it is the calling and possibility for every believer. Through surrender to the Holy Spirit, we can overcome sin, live with a clean conscience, and experience the peace and joy of a life set apart for God. [54:04]

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Bible Reading

• 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 (ESV)
  > It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

• Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV)
  > And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

• 1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
  > But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Corinthians 5, what specific sin was being tolerated in the church, and what was Paul’s instruction to the church about it?

2. According to Hebrews 12, what is the purpose of God’s discipline in the life of a believer?

3. What metaphor does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 5 to describe the effect of unchecked sin in the church?

4. In the sermon, what was the main reason given for why church discipline is necessary, even though it is uncomfortable? [13:58]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul command the church to remove the unrepentant sinner from fellowship? What does he hope will be the result for both the individual and the church? [10:26]

2. How does the metaphor of yeast (leaven) help us understand the impact of sin that is ignored or tolerated in a church community? [18:07]

3. The sermon says, “Discipline is an expression of love, not cruelty.” How does this challenge common ideas about what love looks like in the church? [13:58]

4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between covering up sin and seeking restoration? Why is restoration the goal? [44:21]

Application Questions

1. The sermon described how a lack of discipline in the church can lead to spiritual decay and hypocrisy. Have you ever seen or experienced a situation where sin was ignored in a church or Christian community? What was the result? [19:43]

2. The pastor said, “Avoiding correction is not compassion—it is neglect.” Is there an area in your life where you have avoided correction, either from God or from others? What would it look like to invite correction in that area? [13:58]

3. Paul and Jesus both teach that sin must be confronted, not coddled. How do you personally respond when someone points out sin in your life? Do you tend to get defensive, or do you see it as an opportunity for growth? [35:13]

4. The sermon used the image of kintsugi—broken pottery repaired with gold—to describe how God restores us after failure. Is there a “broken place” in your life that you need to bring to God for healing and restoration? What would it look like to do that this week? [44:21]

5. The call to holiness is for every believer, not just leaders. What is one specific area where you sense God calling you to greater holiness? What step can you take this week to pursue that? [54:04]

6. The pastor asked, “Do you have anyone that can correct you when you’re going off the rails before it turns into disaster?” Who in your life has permission to speak hard truths to you? If you don’t have someone, what could you do to build that kind of relationship? [40:45]

7. The sermon warned that when we treat sin casually, we become stumbling blocks to others and damage the church’s witness. Is there a way your actions or attitudes might be affecting others’ view of Christ? What change could you make to better reflect God’s holiness? [29:55]

• Full Transcript

  A quote by Brennan Manning, and it goes something like this:
  "The greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
  Brennan Manning.
  
  Now, if you were a fan of Christian music in the 90s, you've heard that quote. Because that quote was placed at the beginning of a track on perhaps the most famous Christian music album that has ever come out called Jesus Freak by DC Talk.
  
  And the track that the quote was placed on at the very beginning was the track called What If I Stumble?
  *What if I stumble?*
  *What if I fall?*
  And we can sing the whole thing together. Maybe.
  
  That song was rated by CCM Magazine as the 31st greatest Christian song of all time.
  
  If you are not aware of who DC Talk is, you're either too old or too young. And for people of my age, DC Talk is like the Beatles of Christian music. It opened the door for many other Christian artists.
  
  It was formed by three friends that met at Liberty University right down the road: Toby McKeon, Kevin Max, and Michael Tate.
  
  And when I was a new believer, they were perhaps more influential on me than many other Christian artists at the time. I saw their concert when Jesus Freak was touring.
  
  So, I want to show you a picture of one of the three artists. His name is Michael Tate.
  
  Michael Tate was one of the lead singers of the band. And after—here's picture number one, if you got it back there—there he is.
  
  After they had soaring success with the band, I think the album went double platinum. They sold millions and millions of records.
  
  This guy, Michael Tate, he goes on to join another super Christian band called the Newsboys in 2009.
  
  How many know the Newsboys? Yeah, okay, the Newsboys.
  
  They were a band before their original lead singer left the band, and they were without a singer for a while. Then this guy joins the band as their lead singer.
  
  So, for the last 15 years, he has been the lead singer and front man for the Newsboys.
  
  Some of their biggest hits with him as the lead singer were Born Again, God's Not Dead (which spun off into a whole movie franchise), We Believe.
  
  And just this year, they were set to release their 21st studio album. The name of the album was Worldwide Revival.
  
  They had already made plans to go on tour all around the world. And suddenly, without warning—this guy, Michael Tate—can you show number two for me? Yeah, that's him with the new band.
  
  With tour plans in motion, the first of the year—January 2025—comes around, and suddenly, out of nowhere, Michael Tate quits the band.
  
  Show number three, if you would.
  
  Behind the scenes, and without a whole lot of people knowing, there was an investigation going on.
  
  An investigation of this man, Michael Tate, and allegations that have been bubbling under the surface for a long time.
  
  If this is the first time you're hearing about this, I’m sorry. Because when I heard this, it grieved my heart. And no doubt you're probably grieving as well.
  
  So, for the last two and a half years, this investigation was taking place.
  
  And the title of this article: Former Newsboys frontman Michael Tate accused of sexual assault, grooming, substance abuse, dating back to 2004.
  
  I'm just going to read you a couple of paragraphs so you know where we're going, okay?
  
  "It’s been called Nashville’s worst kept secret. For decades, allegations have circulated that Newsboys frontman Michael Tate, formerly of DC Talk, had groomed and sexually assaulted numerous victims. After a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Roy’s Report, which included interviewing more than 50 sources, we have documented Tate’s alleged predatory pattern, with stories dating back more than two decades.
  
  We’ve also corroborated allegations of Tate’s alcohol and substance abuse with multiple sources.
  
  Three men spoke to TRR, alleging that Tate befriended them on Christian music tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. All of them were 22 years old at the time.
  
  Two men stated they were drinking alcohol with Tate and later woke to him fondling their private parts. One alleged Tate also offered him cocaine while on the tour bus of Newsboys.
  
  The third told TRR that Tate gave him a back massage while skinny dipping and invited him to share his king-sized bed.
  
  I don’t want to go into all the gory details here. I’ll let you read the rest of the article and the allegations. I just want to sum them up by saying they’re serious.
  
  And this is a guy who gets up on stage to sing Born Again, God’s Not Dead, and so on.
  
  When this article came out, when all this came to light, he came out with a confession. This confession was posted on social media one week after the investigation was released.
  
  And here’s the confession you see on the screen now:
  *"Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity, are largely true. For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and at times touched men in an unwanted sexual way. I’m ashamed of my life choices and actions and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what it is—sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself."*
  
  *"While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them."*
  
  For the sake of time, I’ll let you investigate the rest of that confession. But the bottom line is that Michael Tate was living a double life for at least 20 years.
  
  And when I first saw this, it hit me.
  
  My initial reaction was anger. Of course, as you are probably feeling right now—angry.
  
  How could something like this happen?
  
  So I have a group of pastors I text with. And I posted this in there.
  
  And I was, to be honest, surprised by the responses I got back from this group of pastors.
  
  Without naming any names, I’m just going to read a couple of responses.
  
  These are immediate responses after learning of these allegations and him stepping down.
  
  One said, "I applaud his honesty. How beautiful repentance is. Praying for that brother."
  
  Another said, "Yes, had to be tough. I wonder where I’d be without my headship—maybe worse, to be honest."
  
  And another said, "He needs the same grace that is daily extended to us."
  
  Now, I agree with those three. But my contention is, now is not the time for grace.
  
  My contention is, now is the time for correction.
  
  Grace will come if the man is truly repentant. But the church needs to call out crap like this.
  
  This has not been sitting well with me for the last 30 days since I heard about it.
  
  Questions in my mind: How could this continue to happen for so long?
  
  How could it happen in such close proximity? I mean, the guy was in a band with four other guys.
  
  You can’t tell me they were completely unaware—that nobody knew about this.
  
  How is it, if his repentance is genuine, that he waited until the investigation came out to confess?
  
  What about the victims? Is there going to be justice for them?
  
  If it was your son or your daughter, wouldn’t you be concerned? Or would you jump straight to the grace?
  
  Lord, forgive him. Yes, there is a need for forgiveness, but let’s not skip over the correction.
  
  With today’s message, I simply want to address the issue of missing church discipline.
  
  Because I believe Michael Tate’s—one of the problems in the church world today is a lack of discipline.
  
  And perhaps it could have saved his life.
  
  We ought to thank God for church discipline because it could save your life.
  
  Let’s read the scripture. 1 Corinthians chapter 5.
  
  Thank you for your patience while I laid that out. Let’s read it together.
  
  This is Paul writing to a church that is in the midst of sexual sin. Who knew? It was kind of a problem for human beings for the last however long there have been human beings.
  
  Paul dealt with it in his time. We are going to deal with it in our time.
  
  I wish I could skip over some of these sermons, but we’re not.
  
  Let’s read what Paul says about a church that is embroiled in controversy. He says,
  *"I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I’m told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother."*
  
  Weird.
  
  *"You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and in shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship."*
  
  Notice that Paul did not just jump to forgive him and show him grace.
  
  And be gentle with him. No, the first reaction was: remove him.
  
  Verse five:
  *"Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed, and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns."*
  
  Let’s pray.
  
  Lord, I need your grace.
  
  Lord, I need you to help me not to speak out of my emotions today.
  
  I want to speak according to your word, God, and according to your will.
  
  I’m asking, Lord, that you would help us once again to appreciate the system of accountability and discipline that you have given us in your church and among brothers and sisters in Christ.
  
  God, that we would submit ourselves with humility to your will for our lives, and we give you glory this morning.
  
  Let me speak as I ought, God, and I give you glory in Jesus’ mighty name.
  
  God’s people would say, amen.
  
  Discipline is needed.
  
  If you’re a parent, you know that.
  
  There are times when your kids don’t act right.
  
  And when your kids don’t act right—and especially when they’re very young—you better learn to teach them how to act right.
  
  Because if you don’t teach them young, that’s going to continue.
  
  And it’s going to be a lot harder when they get a little bit older.
  
  So discipline is needed. It is required.
  
  Proverbs 13:24:
  *"Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children."*
  
  Did you hear that?
  
  Skipping over discipline means you don’t actually care about your kids.
  
  Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
  
  Proverbs 19:18 says,
  *"Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise, you will ruin their lives."*
  
  Proverbs 23:13:
  *"Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them."*
  
  They won’t die. Okay, this is not an excuse for you to beat your children. I have to throw that in there for people who are overly aggressive.
  
  But loving discipline is not only necessary, it is needed.
  
  Physical discipline may well save them from death.
  
  Proverbs 29:15:
  *"To discipline a child produces wisdom."*
  
  A mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
  
  Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and make your heart glad.
  
  All the children said, amen, pastor.
  
  It’s necessary for children.
  
  The Bible is not silent about that. The Bible is not shy.
  
  The Bible is very clear about this: children need discipline.
  
  Why? Because children are sinners, and they need Jesus.
  
  And the first way we teach them about Jesus is by showing them what they should not do—that there is a line in the sand.
  
  You can go this far, but if you cross that line, there will be correction—that is needed, that is necessary.
  
  That’s true when it comes to raising kids. It’s true for raising disciples also.
  
  Hebrews 12:5-8:
  *"Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, 'My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.'*
  
  *'As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children.'*
  
  So, all the parents said, yes and amen.
  
  When it was about making sure the kids act right.
  
  But we all clam up when it comes to God disciplining us—when we start acting foolish, speaking foolish, doing things out of bounds in the kingdom.
  
  The author of Hebrews says:
  *"No discipline is enjoyable while it’s happening; it’s painful. But afterward, there is a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."*
  
  This is the mark that you belong to the Lord—that you can be disciplined by him, corrected by him, that you can say, "Lord, you’re right," which means, "I’m wrong," and I need to change.
  
  That’s the mark of the Holy Spirit in your life.
  
  It’s okay—I don’t need any amens.
  
  It’s true for children, it’s true for discipleship, and it’s also true for sin in the body of Christ.
  
  Christ Jesus confronted this directly.
  
  Matthew 18:
  *"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens, you have won your brother over."*
  
  *"But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."*
  
  *"If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church."*
  
  *"And if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."*
  
  There, Jesus. I tell you the truth:
  *"Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."*
  
  *"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."*
  
  *"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."*
  
  People misquote that scripture every day. We quote that scripture to make ourselves feel better when there’s not enough people that show up.
  
  "Oh, where two or three are gathered, Jesus is here."
  
  Jesus used that scripture to give the church authority to cast out sinning brothers from the body.
  
  He said, don’t worry about it. If two or three agree, I am with you in that decision.
  
  So, consider what happens when discipline is lacking.
  
  What happens to your child when your discipline on them is lacking?
  
  Well, they become spoiled brats and menaces to society.
  
  What happens to disciples who refuse correction from God?
  
  They become disconnected from God, and many of them were false converts in the first place.
  
  And what happens when sin remains unjudged in the church?
  
  That’s what happens.
  
  Paul said about a brother who was sinning in the church:
  *"You are boasting about this. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads throughout the whole batch of dough?"*
  
  How many have made homemade bread in this place?
  
  One of the things you have to do when you make homemade bread is add Fleischmann’s yeast.
  
  I don’t know how that guy got connected to the yeast packet, but that’s him.
  
  And you add that little yeast, and what does it do?
  
  There’s a chemical process: the yeast feeds off the sugars in the bread and gives off carbon dioxide—that’s what makes the bread rise and those crackly bubbles.
  
  The point is: one little packet of yeast in a whole ball of dough—that yeast will spread throughout the entire dough.
  
  Before long, you let it sit for a few hours, then bake it, and that’s what causes the bread to rise.
  
  In our scripture, Paul uses that example to show us what sin does to the body.
  
  He’s saying: if you take that little packet of Fleischmann’s yeast and sprinkle it on the body of Christ, it won’t be long before it starts to spread.
  
  That’s why it’s so dangerous to allow it.
  
  So he says in verse 7:
  *"Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are."*
  
  The Jews had a particular place for unleavened bread—bread made without yeast.
  
  That was what they used in their Passover celebration.
  
  I want to show another article, number 5, if you could.
  
  From Christian Post.
  
  I just saw this a couple of days ago.
  
  It was a survey from a thousand Protestant pastors.
  
  And the question they asked was:
  *"When was the last time your church formally disciplined a member?"*
  
  And just before we look at the answers, I want you to think:
  
  How often should the church discipline sin among its members?
  
  How often should that happen?
  
  It should be not every day, but from time to time—whenever it’s needed, right?
  
  Let’s see the results.
  
  More than half of these thousand pastors—54%—reported that their churches have not formally disciplined a member during their entire tenure, nor were they aware of any previous instances.
  
  That’s the bottom line: a member has not been formally disciplined since I became a pastor, nor prior, as far as I know.
  
  You know what that tells me?
  
  No discipline in the church.
  
  Does that mean there’s no sin?
  
  No.
  
  So then I thought: Praise the Lord, there’s no sin in our churches.
  
  Thank God, every member is holy, sanctified, angel wings, no discipline needed.
  
  Is that what happened?
  
  That’s not what happened.
  
  What that means is, the church does not endure discipline.
  
  It means pastors are afraid to bring discipline on church members.
  
  They’re more in love with the tithe and offerings coming in than with righteousness.
  
  The church would rather see people leave than confront sin.
  
  But according to the Word of God, you and I—church members and leaders—have a solemn duty, a responsibility, as ambassadors of heaven on earth.
  
  We are supposed to uphold the highest standards of righteousness.
  
  We are supposed to be above reproach.
  
  We are supposed to hold the standards of heaven—nothing less.
  
  So why is this a thing? Why does it matter?
  
  Why does the church need to practice discipline?
  
  Number one: to establish righteousness in the body.
  
  If we just let all sinful behavior continue—turn a blind eye, hope nobody calls it out, hope it stays hidden—what happens?
  
  We become like a rotting corpse, or what Jesus described as a whitewashed tomb.
  
  You walk by a cemetery, see manicured lawns, fresh tombstones—everything looks nice.
  
  But underneath? Dead, rotting corpses.
  
  That’s most churches, unfortunately—clean parking lots, filled tithe buckets, but dead, rotting corpses in the pews.
  
  Lord, let it not be here.
  
  For church members, we are called not to cover our sins but to confess them.
  
  Drunkenness is a sin—I say that plainly.
  
  If you read the report from Michael Tate, one thing you’ll notice is that it wasn’t just him, but all the band members.
  
  They said almost every night after every show, they had alcohol—bottles of wine, cranberry vodka on the tour bus.
  
  And many Christians take those scriptures about Jesus turning water into wine, or Paul telling Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach.
  
  And they say, "Well, I can drink whatever I want."
  
  Don’t judge me, pastor.
  
  Drunkenness is usually a sign of something else underneath.
  
  Let me just say: covering it up, not dealing with it, not approaching it—
  that’s wrong.
  
  Pastor, don’t preach about it, don’t talk about it—just let me have my own conviction.
  
  But we can’t do that.
  
  Pornography—Pastor Campbell has called it the issue of our age.
  
  It frightens me to think how many pastors and disciples come to church week after week, hiding a pornography problem, sleeping around, involved in sexual sin.
  
  This was the problem in Corinth. This is the problem in the U.S.
  
  If we’re aware of sexual sin—listen—I’m not calling for private investigators to follow people around.
  
  You don’t need to do that.
  
  God is faithful to uncover things.
  
  But when sin is uncovered, we have to do something.
  
  We can’t just say nothing.
  
  If I came home from church today and found a pile of doggy doo-doo in my kitchen, I can’t just walk by it and pretend it’s not there.
  
  I have to clean it up.
  
  And that’s what it’s like when members continue in sin—gambling away the Lord’s resources, filled with greed, envy, lust, ego, rage—without repentance.
  
  Husbands disrespecting wives, neglecting children, wives undermining their husbands.
  
  I’m not saying we have to be perfect—perfection is not the standard.
  
  But we are striving for it.
  
  Numbers 32:23:
  *"Be sure your sin will find you out."*
  
  That’s why I don’t have to follow people around.
  
  God will uncover sin.
  
  He’s faithful to do that.
  
  Your sin will find you out.
  
  Jesus said in Luke 12:2:
  *"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known."*
  
  That’s why I’m preaching this today.
  
  I believe, unfortunately, there could be sin in the house of the Lord.
  
  It would be far better for the Holy Spirit to convict you, so you can confess, repent, and be made clean.
  
  That’s far better than Michael Tate living a double life for 20 years—singing Christian songs, acting like a Christian leader, while doing cocaine, drinking alcohol, sexually abusing young people.
  
  It’s better for the Holy Spirit to deal with you first.
  
  1 John 1:9:
  *"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."*
  
  Let me give you some hope this morning:
  
  If you’re living unclean, there’s hope for you.
  
  Jesus died to set us free from our sins.
  
  He who covers his sins—Proverbs 28:13—will not prosper.
  
  But whoever confesses and forsakes—that’s repentance—will find mercy.
  
  Repentance is not just feeling bad, crying in church, then going back to the same life.
  
  That’s false conversion.
  
  The second reason the church must be involved in discipline: to defend the holiness of God.
  
  This is a theological matter.
  
  Those who don’t judge sin are attacking the character of God.
  
  They’re saying, "The holiness of God is not important to me."
  
  Leviticus 11:44:
  *"I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."*
  
  That means: you will never truly know God without pursuing holiness.
  
  You’ll never experience his presence fully.
  
  You won’t take his commandments seriously.
  
  You won’t align with his will.
  
  Because God is holy.
  
  And if we want to know him, we must pursue holiness too.
  
  1 Peter 1:15:
  *"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do."*
  
  Do you take that seriously?
  
  We must be holy in everything.
  
  Just as he who called us is holy.
  
  The scriptures say:
  *"Be holy, because I am holy."*
  
  When individuals or churches treat sin casually, what happens?
  
  We compromise the testimony of God’s holiness in the world.
  
  Can we show that quote again from Brennan Manning?
  
  *"The single greatest cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."*
  
  When you treat sin as casual, as normal, you become a stain on the reputation of the kingdom of God.
  
  Matthew 5:13:
  *"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."*
  
  That’s a warning.
  
  What God wants for us this morning is from 1 Peter 2:9:
  *"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."*
  
  We make a mockery of the cross when we live in unrepentant sin.
  
  We’re saying: Jesus, what you died for isn’t really that important, because I can keep living like this.
  
  And I know if I had a microphone and asked, "Do you want to denigrate the sacrifice of Christ?" you’d say no.
  
  But the way we live, the decisions we make, the words we speak, the way we treat others—sometimes makes the gospel look foolish.
  
  Thirdly, without an atmosphere of holiness, you will never grow in Christ.
  
  Imagine I bought a flower from Lowe’s and put it in a pot.
  
  If I take that flower home and give it the right conditions, it can grow, thrive, multiply—that’s what flowers do.
  
  But if I take that same flower and put it in a rocket to the moon, in the sand—no atmosphere—that flower will die quickly.
  
  That’s what happens when a church lacks holiness.
  
  God is trying to plant seeds of righteousness, but it’s impossible for them to grow in an unholy environment.
  
  Jesus rebuked the church again in Matthew 18:
  *"If anyone causes one of these little ones who trust in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."*
  
  As I follow the story with Michael Tate—just came out this week—the owner of the band, because they treat bands like businesses these days, turned out he gave up his ownership of the band.
  
  They tried to keep it going, brought in another lead singer, but the label dropped them.
  
  Probably a secular label—Capitol Music Group.
  
  They dropped the band from their roster.
  
  How bad is that?
  
  The sinners figured it out before the church did.
  
  And the owner of the band, he wrote a Facebook letter:
  
  *"I want to apologize for what happened with Michael Tate. It turns out members of my own family were victims. They just told me as all this came out."*
  
  The point is: this guy, who owned the band, could not have let Michael Tate be the lead singer for 15 years without knowing something.
  
  Impossible.
  
  He covered for him.
  
  I don’t want to make accusations, but look—the problem is, when we hear news like this, it causes little ones to stumble.
  
  It causes people who trusted him, who saw Michael Tate as an example of Christian living, to stumble.
  
  So how do we treat sin? What should we do?
  
  Don’t massage it. Don’t excuse it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t hope it resolves itself.
  
  The remedy Paul gives is in verse 2:
  *"You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning."*
  
  Say the word mourning.
  
  I’m not talking about when the sun comes up.
  
  Sin should make you mourn.
  
  Sin is a killer.
  
  Sin will destroy you.
  
  Why do people sin?
  
  Because it feels good for a minute, but then it kills.
  
  It destroys.
  
  It’s like poison.
  
  You should be mourning in sorrow and shame, and you should remove this man from your fellowship.
  
  Verse five:
  *"Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."*
  
  Some other places, like verse 11, he says:
  *"Don’t even eat with such people."*
  
  Romans 16:17:
  *"Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them."*
  
  Matthew 18:
  Well, that’s just Paul being mean?
  
  What about Jesus?
  
  He said:
  *"If he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."*
  
  How do we deal with sin?
  
  We don’t pet it. We don’t accept it.
  
  We don’t hope it goes away.
  
  The right thing to do is to cut it off—remove the leaven from the dough.
  
  Get out of here.
  
  Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount:
  *"If your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away."*
  
  It’s better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.
  
  And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off.
  
  It’s better to lose one part than to be cast into hell.
  
  That’s serious.
  
  This is usually where pastors say, "Jesus wasn’t really talking about chopping off body parts."
  
  But I don’t like to soften his words.
  
  He meant it.
  
  Better to have one hand in heaven than two hands in hell.
  
  Cut it off.
  
  We uphold a righteous standard.
  
  Sin is serious—that’s why Jesus had to die for it.
  
  Nothing less than the death of Jesus can resolve the sin problem.
  
  I’ll wrap this up quickly.
  
  Please help me.
  
  Not only in the body, but in leadership, or with platforms—especially those in leadership—should be held to a higher standard.
  
  1 Timothy 5:19:
  *"Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses."*
  
  And those who sin should be rebuked publicly, so that others may fear.
  
  This is why not many should take on the role of leadership.
  
  I pray, God, give us good leaders in the house of God.
  
  But I know it’s not for everybody.
  
  Because it’s a higher standard.
  
  Geesh, pastor, you’re being awful judgy today.
  
  Doesn’t the Bible say, "Judge not, lest you be judged"?
  
  Usually, that’s an excuse people use to protect sinful lifestyles.
  
  Let me quote the scripture exactly:
  
  Jesus did not say, "Never judge."
  
  That’s how the world interprets it.
  
  The world’s favorite scripture: "Don’t judge me."
  
  But that’s not what Jesus was saying.
  
  He’s saying: be careful how you judge.
  
  Because the measure you use will be used against you.
  
  Matthew 7:
  *"Do not judge, or you too will be judged."*
  
  He continues:
  *"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"*
  
  *"How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?"*
  
  *"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."*
  
  So, Jesus is not forbidding judgment.
  
  He’s warning us to judge rightly, with humility, not hypocritically.
  
  The church needs to make some judgments.
  
  A thousand pastors—half of them—say they’ve never made a judgment.
  
  That’s wrong.
  
  The church needs to repent for this.
  
  Let’s close with one last thought: aiming for restoration.
  
  We have failed to preach about sin in our generation, and we are reaping the consequences of false converts—those who have a form of godliness but deny its power.
  
  They can go out on a Friday or Saturday night, sing "God’s Not Dead," and then go snort coke, drink vodka, and touch minors inappropriately.
  
  That’s wrong.
  
  How can a church culture produce that?
  
  No accountability.
  
  I wonder: who is Michael Tate’s pastor? Does he have one? A spiritual mentor?
  
  Yeah, I know a guy who preaches on Sunday.
  
  But do you have someone who can speak into your life when you’re going off the rails?
  
  This is not just about Michael Tate.
  
  This is about you.
  
  Do you have anyone who can correct you before it turns into disaster?
  
  The hope of correction is restoration.
  
  There is a time for healing.
  
  And I do pray for Michael Tate.
  
  I’m not biased. I don’t want to see him suffer.
  
  I want to see him restored—just like anyone else.
  
  But we have to call out the correction first.
  
  Romans 5:8:
  *"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."*
  
  Thank God he didn’t die for us in our perfection or in our striving for holiness.
  
  He died for us when we were lost.
  
  Paul had hope for the wicked man in Corinth.
  
  He said:
  *"Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."*
  
  Paul’s desire: to protect the church, to see the flesh devoured, and to see the man restored.
  
  I want to see that guy in heaven.
  
  I want to see Michael Tate get his heart right.
  
  I want to see the victims restored.
  
  In fact, Paul writes a second letter to the same church.
  
  And in that letter, he says in 2 Corinthians 2:5:
  *"If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much hurt me as he has hurt all of you, to some extent."*
  
  He’s saying: you were in pain because of him.
  
  Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.
  
  Now, it’s time to forgive and restore.
  
  He says:
  *"Reaffirm your love for him."*
  
  I want to show one last picture—of pottery.
  
  In Japan, there’s a tradition called kintsugi, the art of mending broken pottery with gold.
  
  They take a broken vessel, and with a gold mixture, they repair it.
  
  The result is often more beautiful than the original.
  
  It takes a master potter to do that.
  
  And the repaired vessel often fetches more value than the original.
  
  In the same way, when God puts you back together—when he takes the broken parts of your life, forgives you through the blood of Jesus, and mends you by the Holy Spirit—what God can do with Michael Tate is far greater than any song he ever sang.
  
  God’s going to take those broken pieces.
  
  If he truly repents, turns from his sins, and trusts in the Lord, he can be put back together.
  
  So can you.
  
  Isaiah 61 promises: "Beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
  
  2 Corinthians 5:17:
  *"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come."*
  
  That’s not just religion—that’s new life.
  
  In the hands of God, our scars can become testimonies, stories of glory.
  
  I have hope for Michael Tate.
  
  You know what? I also have hope for the church.
  
  There’s only one plan on earth for the kingdom of God: the church.
  
  As broken as she is, as much sin as she’s endured, as much failure in leadership and in the body—there’s hope because I believe God.
  
  I believe God is committed to holiness, to preparing his bride for the day of consummation—that’s us—and he is putting us back together.
  
  So, for all of you, have hope in God.
  
  This is not a day to be discouraged.
  
  It’s a day to uphold the holiness of God, even in our imperfections.
  
  Say, Lord, I’m not perfect yet, but that’s the goal.
  
  And I’m striving for that.
  
  My hope is for this man to be restored, for all victims to find justice, for the fans who are discouraged or worse.
  
  You know what? There’s still hope in the gospel.
  
  And we can trust in that this morning.
  
  Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes.
  
  I appreciate your patience in hearing all of that.
  
  The gospel changes lives.
  
  Jesus is the King, and he is in charge of this kingdom.
  
  Before we close, I want to ask: is there sin at work in your life?
  
  Maybe you’re like Michael Tate—living a double life.
  
  I mentioned earlier—far better to humble yourself before the Lord than to wait for him to humble you.
  
  There are two ways: you can humble yourself in repentance, or wait for God’s power to humble you.
  
  The Bible says:
  *"Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."*
  
  My preference—and God’s—is that you understand the depth of your sin, how wicked it is, how destructive, and that you would say:
  
  "Pastor, I need help praying. My sin is destroying me inside. Nobody else may see it, but God sees it. I want to turn from it."
  
  If you will do that, you will find grace.
  
  He who covers his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses will find mercy.
  
  If you need God’s forgiveness, if you want to be set free today, and you’re willing to deal with your sins at this altar, we want to make that available.
  
  Please don’t miss this opportunity.
  
  Jesus died so sins could be forgiven and washed away.
  
  He was resurrected so we could have power over sin.
  
  We don’t have to remain in hidden sin.
  
  There is hope in the gospel.
  
  If that’s you, please let me pray for you.
  
  Would you lift up a hand?
  
  Is there someone here being honest before the Lord?
  
  I see that hand.
  
  Someone else quickly.
  
  Honest hearts.
  
  Thank you.
  
  Is there someone else?
  
  Quick.
  
  I see that hand.
  
  Thank you.
  
  Someone else—this is serious.
  
  The Lord doesn’t deal with us always or forever.
  
  The Holy Spirit convicts us at times.
  
  Maybe you shouldn’t ignore that prompting now.
  
  Respond.
  
  Is there anyone else—unsaved or backslidden—who knows they’re not living right?
  
  It’s time to get right this morning.
  
  Would you lift up a hand?
  
  Please don’t let sin destroy you from the inside out.
  
  You can cover it, or you can uncover it and prosper.
  
  Is that you?
  
  Quick—one last call.
  
  Someone here needs redemption, healing, the blood of Jesus to wash away sins, the Holy Spirit to empower a new life.
  
  Is that you?
  
  Quick.
  
  With honest hearts, amen.
  
  If you lift your hand, lift it one more time so I can see.
  
  And if your hand is in the air, please come forward.
  
  We’re going to pray at this altar.
  
  I need some people to come and pray with honest hearts.
  
  Why don’t you kneel down?
  
  We’re going to believe God to help us right now.
  
  Right there in the back, would you come forward?
  
  We’re going to pray with you, sister.
  
  God’s going to help you.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  God’s dealing with these hearts.
  
  I want to speak to the church:
  
  There are people here who, in your heart, maybe you’ve made excuses for sin.
  
  Maybe you’ve been angry at church or leadership for bringing correction.
  
  That’s wrong.
  
  Correction is needed and necessary.
  
  Maybe God’s dealing with you.
  
  I want to encourage you: pursue holiness.
  
  I see the importance, Lord.
  
  God is holy, and we won’t know him without holiness.
  
  We want a church that thrives and grows in righteousness.
  
  I want to open this altar for prayer.
  
  If God’s speaking to you, come and join these at the altar.
  
  Let’s stand to our feet as we open this altar.
  
  Let the Lord lead you.
  
  Oh God, we strive for holiness.
  
  Your Spirit is at work in our lives.
  
  We’re praying for redemption and healing by the blood.
  
  Oh, I pray, God, that you would speak to this congregation.
  
  Help us to pursue holiness—holiness, Lord.
  
  Amen.
  
  Let’s take a few moments to pray.
  
  Lift up your voice.
  
  Cry out to the Lord together.
  
  We’re going to believe God to help us right now.
  
  Father, we thank you.
  
  I want to leave you with one last word as we close:
  
  Holiness is not some distant, impossible thing.
  
  It’s for us.
  
  It’s for you.
  
  I remember, as a new convert, reading that scripture: "Be holy, for I am holy," and thinking, "But God, I can’t do that. You know who I am."
  
  I thought that was an unfair expectation.
  
  What I didn’t realize then is that God will never ask you to do something without giving you the tools and strength to do it.
  
  Holiness is possible.
  
  It’s not reserved only for pastors or super-spiritual people.
  
  It’s for the church.
  
  If you’re part of the church, God wants you to be holy.
  
  And he gives you the tools:
  
  The Holy Spirit—the same Spirit that drew you, convicted you, brought you into his presence, and raised Christ from the dead—is alive in us to set us free from sin.
  
  You can live holy.
  
  You don’t have to let your carnal nature control you.
  
  It comes through surrender to the Holy Spirit.
  
  Stop trying to grab the steering wheel.
  
  It will be painful sometimes.
  
  Correction, discipline—sometimes it’s not comfortable, but it’s necessary.
  
  Sometimes it involves the church, the body of Christ, in humility.
  
  But it’s necessary.
  
  Let’s close in prayer.
  
  Lift up your hands.
  
  The longer you live for Jesus, the more you realize you need him—more and more.
  
  None of us have achieved perfection.
  
  Let’s say these words:
  
  "God in heaven, I thank you for the blood of Jesus that washes away every stain of sin.
  
  I am grateful that you’ve called me and set me apart to be part of your kingdom and your body.
  
  Lord, you’ve called us to a standard of holiness.
  
  I ask you today: make it real in my life.
  
  Don’t let me make excuses.
  
  Don’t let me cover my sins.
  
  Don’t let me ignore the sins around me.
  
  But as the church of Jesus, as ambassadors of Christ, as an embassy of heaven, I commit today to pursue holiness.
  
  Even when I fall short, I ask you—give me a hunger and a thirst for righteousness.
  
  I want to do your will, Lord.
  
  And your will is sanctification.
  
  Make me holy as you are holy.
  
  Purify your bride.
  
  Prepare us for eternity.
  
  Thank you, in Jesus’ name.
  
  Amen.
  
  Let’s give him praise one more time.
  
  God, we thank you.
  
  We honor you, Lord.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  Thank you, Father.
  
  I praise you.
  
  I honor you.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  God blesses those who pursue holiness.
  
  Man, the way to say it is like this:
  
  When you do right, you feel right.
  
  There’s nothing like a clear conscience.
  
  You can lay your head on your pillow and sleep like a baby.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  When I don’t hold grudges, when I don’t struggle with lust, I can thank Jesus for another day.
  
  I pray you can do the same.
  
  Let’s close in prayer.
  
  I thank you all.
  
  I know it was a lot to handle this morning—unnecessary, huh?
  
  I appreciate all of you, and we want to invite you back tonight for some Jesus.
  
  Hallelujah.
  
  We’ll see the scriptures come to life again with The Chosen.
  
  We’ll be back here at 6 p.m. to pray, and start at 7 p.m.
  
  Come ready to hear from the Lord and receive from the Spirit of God.
  
  Let’s close with a word of prayer.
  
  Brother Stephen, would you close us in prayer?

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Want These? Do THEse!!

Sermon Summary

In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus draws a clear line between those who merely call Him “Lord” and those who actually do what He says. The difference is not in what they profess, but in the foundation they build their lives upon. Just as a fitness influencer’s results are visible proof of his discipline and methods, so too the fruits of a life built on Christ’s words are evident when storms come. The call is not to a shallow, name-only Christianity, but to a deep, obedient relationship with Jesus—one that stands firm when life’s inevitable storms hit.

Our culture is obsessed with redefining words and seeking outcomes that favor personal comfort, often at the expense of truth and responsibility. The concept of “equity” has shifted from fairness to a subjective sense of deservedness, determined by whoever is most vocal. This same attitude can creep into our spiritual lives, tempting us to treat Jesus as a means to an easy life or material gain. But Jesus never promised a storm-free existence; He promised a foundation that would hold when the storms come.

Both the wise and the foolish builders in Jesus’ parable experience the same storms. The difference is not in the severity of their trials, but in the foundation beneath them. Building on sand—on fleeting pleasures, worldly wisdom, or self-centered desires—may seem easier and more immediately gratifying, but it leads to ruin when tested. Building on the rock—on obedience to Christ’s teachings—requires patience, humility, and foresight, but it alone endures.

Obedience to Jesus is not about earning His love, but about aligning our lives with the truth that sets us free. He calls us to love God with all our heart, to love our neighbors and even our enemies, to forgive, to judge ourselves before judging others, to pray persistently, and to lay up treasures in heaven through serving others. The fruits of such a life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the visible evidence of a solid foundation. When others see us standing firm through trials, it becomes a powerful testimony to the reality of Christ in us.

The invitation is open: if you want the fruits of a life anchored in Christ, do what He says. The storms will come, but your life will not collapse, because it is built on the unshakable rock of Jesus.

“The call is not to a shallow, name-only Christianity, but to a deep, obedient relationship with Jesus—one that stands firm when life’s inevitable storms hit.”

— Pastor Dave

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:10] - The Fitness Analogy: “Want These? Do These”

• [03:41] - Jesus’ Call to Obedience in Luke 6

• [07:12] - Redefining Words in Our Culture

• [08:21] - The New Meaning of “Equity”

• [10:08] - Treating Jesus Like a Genie

• [12:00] - The Parachute Illustration: Why We Need Christ

• [16:44] - The Storms of Life: What’s Your Foundation?

• [19:52] - The Fool: Living Without Foresight

• [22:49] - The Cost of Building on Sand

• [25:45] - Real-Life Cliffside Houses: Ignoring the Foundation

• [27:14] - The Metaphor: Your Life as a House

• [29:51] - Worldly Wisdom vs. God’s Word

• [30:42] - The Wise Builder: Obedience and Its Fruits

• [34:59] - The Fruits of the Spirit and Miraculous Signs

• [36:32] - Miraculous Signs: Context and Application

• [37:43] - Standing Firm as a Testimony

• [39:29] - Invitation to Salvation and Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience Is the True Foundation
   Merely calling Jesus “Lord” is not enough; the real test is whether His words shape our actions and decisions. Obedience is not a burdensome requirement, but the very foundation that enables us to withstand life’s storms. When we build our lives on Christ’s teachings, we are not promised an easier life, but a life that endures. [03:41]

2. Cultural Redefinitions Can Distort Spiritual Truths
   Our generation’s tendency to redefine words like “equity” and “privilege” reflects a deeper spiritual danger: the temptation to reshape God’s truth to fit our desires. When we treat Jesus as a means to personal comfort or material gain, we miss the heart of the gospel. True discipleship means submitting to God’s definitions, not our own. [08:21]

3. Storms Are Inevitable, but Collapse Is Not
   Both the wise and foolish face the same storms—trials, losses, and hardships are part of life for everyone. The difference is not in what we face, but in what we’ve built our lives upon. A foundation of obedience to Christ’s words is the only guarantee that we will stand when everything else is shaken. [16:44]

4. Foolishness Is Living for the Moment, Wisdom Is Living for Eternity
   The fool is not ignorant, but short-sighted—living only for immediate gratification, whether in finances, relationships, or spiritual life. Wisdom is found in delaying gratification, investing in what lasts, and building with eternity in view. The world’s cliches and self-help mantras cannot sustain us; only the words of Jesus can. [22:49]

5. The Fruits of the Spirit Are Evidence of a Solid Foundation
   A life built on Christ’s words will bear visible fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more. These are not self-generated, but the result of abiding in Jesus and doing what He says. When others see us standing firm through adversity, it opens doors for the gospel and points them to the reality of Christ. [34:59]

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Bible Reading

• Luke 6:46-49 NKJV - 46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? 47 "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

Observation Questions

1. In Jesus’ parable, what is the main difference between the two builders and their houses? [03:41]

2. According to the sermon, do both the wise and foolish builders experience storms? What does this tell us about following Jesus? [16:44]

3. What are some examples from the sermon of things people might build their lives on instead of Jesus’ words? [27:14]

4. What visible evidence does the sermon say will show if someone’s life is built on Christ’s foundation? [34:59]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus emphasize doing what He says, not just calling Him “Lord”? What does this reveal about the kind of relationship He wants with us? [03:41]

2. The sermon talks about our culture redefining words like “equity” and “privilege.” How can this attitude affect the way we approach Jesus and His teachings? [08:21]

3. The foolish builder is described as someone who lives for the moment and ignores the future. What are some ways Christians might fall into this trap today? [22:49]

4. The sermon lists the fruits of the Spirit as evidence of a solid foundation. Why do you think these qualities are so important for showing others the reality of Christ in us? [34:59]

Application Questions

1. Jesus says the wise builder “hears my words and does them.” Is there a specific teaching of Jesus you’ve been hearing but not putting into practice? What’s holding you back? [03:41]

2. The sermon warns against treating Jesus like a “genie” for comfort or material gain. Have you ever found yourself approaching God mainly for what He can give you? How can you shift your focus to obedience and relationship? [10:08]

3. Both builders face storms. Think about a recent “storm” in your life. What did you rely on most during that time—your own wisdom, comfort, or Christ’s words? [16:44]

4. The sermon describes foolishness as living for immediate gratification. Are there areas in your life where you’re tempted to take shortcuts or avoid the hard work of building a strong foundation? What’s one step you can take to choose wisdom instead? [22:49]

5. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are described as evidence of a life built on Christ. Which of these do you most want to see grow in your life? What’s a practical way you can pursue it this week? [34:59]

6. The sermon mentions that standing firm through trials can be a powerful testimony to others. Can you think of someone who has noticed your faith during a hard time? How might you use that as an opportunity to share about Jesus? [37:43]

7. The invitation is open: “If you want the fruits of a life anchored in Christ, do what He says.” What is one area where you sense God inviting you to deeper obedience right now? How can your small group support you in this? [39:29]

• Full Transcript

  Luke chapter 6, we're going to look at verses 46 through 49 this morning.
  
  There's a YouTuber by the name of Broly Gaines. He is a fitfluencer, a fitness influencer. And so he has not only a lot of followers, but he has all the muscles to go along with it, being a fitness influencer.
  
  We actually have a picture of this guy, if they could pull it up real quick. If you can. Hopefully you all can see that over there. I don't want to... Every time I go to move this thing, I feel like I'm going to knock it over. But hopefully they'll get the photo up of him real soon.
  
  This guy does mostly calisthenic type of exercises. In other words, he's not a weightlifter. He's not a bodybuilder. He mostly does calisthenic bodyweight exercises. And when he does this, he exhibits these great feats of strength. You know, you're watching him going, oh my goodness. Like, how is he doing that? And so you're looking at him, and it's obvious that whatever this guy is doing, it works.
  
  Whatever he's doing, you can trust this guy, but it's easy to think that as you look at him, with all his muscles sticking out of places where muscles probably shouldn't be sticking out of, I mean, you're going, okay, yeah, but there's no way that I could ever do that. There's no way that only the most gifted athletes could look like this man. Only people with superior genetics who were born with, you know, the exact right genetics could do these things.
  
  But this man, Broly Gaines, stresses that what he's done can be replicated. It's not out of the realm of possibility. You and I... can definitely do what he has done, what he's accomplished. Most of his videos start out by him saying, "You need no gym membership," then he'll like flex a certain muscle group, you know, and then he'll say, "You want to have these," and then he'll point to, you know, his abs or some... "You want six-pack abs, you want a chiseled chest, you want a strong back," you know, whatever muscle group he's pointing to that time, then he'll demonstrate an exercise.
  
  So if it's abs, he'll say, "You want six-pack abs? Do these." Then he'll start doing some exercise, right? And then he'll say, "For 30 seconds to a minute, three to five sets. Make sure you exercise at least four times a week and eat only whole foods. Do these, and it's worked." It may seem like a simple formula, but he's got millions of followers. It might seem like it did.
  
  They've got a picture of him. Yeah, look at it. If that guy tells me to do something fitness related, I'm gonna do it. He's got the muscles. Oh yeah. Yeah. If I move this thing, I probably... if I break this, I'll buy a new one. Can you see that over there? All right. So he said, "You want these? Do these." I believe him.
  
  Now, that might just seem like a catchy phrase, you know, in order to get followers—which that's worked also—but I want to look with you at a similar statement made to us by none other than the Lord Jesus himself. And it's found in Luke chapter 6, verses 46 through 49. I'm reading from the New Living Translation.
  
  He says, "So why do you keep calling me Lord, Lord, when you don't do what I say?" I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, then follows it. It's like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.
  
  But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the flood sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.
  
  Let's pray together this morning.
  
  Father in heaven, God, we're coming before you. God, we're asking that you would open up our hearts to what you would speak into our lives. We're so grateful for everything you've done. We're so grateful for our salvation, for the blood of Jesus, God, for your word, your Spirit, your truth.
  
  This morning, I'm asking you, God, give me the words to speak. I trust not in myself or in my own ability; I trust in you, your Spirit this morning. In Jesus' name, amen.
  
  I've entitled this sermon "Want These?"
  
  I want to look firstly with you at no unequal treatment. So there's something going on in our generation. You can actually take his photo down for now so people aren't just staring at him all that.
  
  There's a—there's a something that's happening in our generation, and it's the redefining of words. Want to ask real quick for you—let's say you, slightly older folks, the boomers, Gen Xers—how many remember you would be talking to a friend and you'd say, like, "Man, I got home and I was just so tired that I just crashed out on the couch." Crashed out meant I went to sleep.
  
  Gen Z, Gen Alpha—what does "crashed out" mean? It means you get full of rage, right? Totally different. One generation, it means go to sleep; the other, it means turn into the Incredible Hulk.
  
  Here's another one. How about older generation? We would say, "Hey, I'm not going to be where I normally am. I'm going to be out of pocket tomorrow." That means usually I'm at my workstation, but tomorrow I'm going to be somewhere else. I'll be out of pocket.
  
  Younger generation—what does "out of pocket" mean? It means I'm going to act inappropriately, right? So this is what has happened. All these different terms have shifted and now mean something else in this generation.
  
  I'll give you a few more examples. How about gender? Forever, it was understood to mean male and female. But now, there's a spectrum of identities, which could even include animals or made-up creatures.
  
  How about privilege? Privilege usually referred to special rights or advantages held by a particular group. But now, it means unearned advantages, usually based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
  
  How about "safe space"? It used to mean a place that you would go to be physically safe from danger. Like if a shooter comes in, you go into a safe space. Now, a safe space means a place that's—
  
  free from ideas and perspectives that I don't like. Usually accompanied by coloring books.
  
  Well, another one. One of these words that has changed in this generation is the word "equity." Equity should mean the state of something being just, something being equal.
  
  In real estate, equity means how much your home is worth minus how much you owe on it. So if your home is worth $200,000 but you still owe $180,000, you've got $20,000 in equity.
  
  But the new definition of equity doesn't have anything to do with equal rights, equal justice, or real estate. In fact, it's not really even formally defined anywhere. Even the White House last year declared that federal agencies need to ensure racial justice and equity in all their policies—whatever that means.
  
  The social justice crowd sees equity more as a beneficial outcome as long as it favors them. There's a racial activist named DeRay McKeeson who said, "The difference between equity and equality is that equality is everyone getting the same thing, and equity is everyone getting the things they deserve."
  
  Well, who defines what things they deserve? Your guess is as good as mine. Probably whoever is complaining at the time is the one that defines the things they deserve.
  
  So if I think that you've got too much wealth, it doesn't matter whether you've worked hard, saved your money, and I didn't. You only got that wealth because you are a—fill in the blank—usually a superficial thing—because you're this race or you're this ethnicity or you're that gender.
  
  Gender being fluid—I don't know what that means. And because I'm not those things, I deserve your wealth. And you deserve not to have that wealth, and, matter of fact, you deserve something worse than that. You might as well just die. Yay for equity.
  
  Now, while that may sound ridiculous to us, you'd be surprised how many people treat Jesus like that. Well, I got Jesus. Whenever I need him, so I'm good.
  
  If you just claim the name of Jesus, life will just be easy. Just like if you cry "inequity," the government should swoop in and make your life easy and make somebody else's life difficult.
  
  Just think about it—what a huge incentive that is. Just claim Jesus' name and get automatic health and wealth. Who wouldn't do that?
  
  It's the same thing as what we now call woke-ism. It's just dressed up with Christian religious wording. At its root, it's just materialism. All that matters is what I can get for myself to make my life more comfortable right now.
  
  Now, let me bring a balance. Is there blessing in living for God? Absolutely there is. But does that mean life becomes easy? Absolutely not.
  
  If that were true, there would be no such thing as Christian persecution. Nor would there be any such thing as evil rich people.
  
  In fact, if it were true, it would follow that every Christian in the world would be wealthy and living an easy life, and every unbeliever would be living in squalid conditions and extreme poverty.
  
  The "Jesus makes your life better" doctrine is a half-truth at best.
  
  There's an evangelist named Ray Comfort. Love this guy. He's from New Zealand. He often gives the illustration about a parachute. He said, "If you were on a plane, and that plane was at some point going to begin to crash, and somebody came to you with a parachute and they handed it to you and said, 'Hey, put this on; it'll make your life better,' you'd say, 'Okay.'"
  
  So you put the parachute on, and it kind of makes you sit forward in your seat, and you're like, "Ah, man, this thing's uncomfortable. Supposed to make my life better," but all the other passengers are looking at you funny. "What is that guy wearing—a parachute?" What a weirdo.
  
  After a while, you take the parachute off because it makes you feel uncomfortable, and you're being laughed at. But if you were to say, "Hey, listen, at some point, this plane's going down, put this parachute on," you're holding on to that parachute for dear life.
  
  Is life better when you live for God, when your sins are forgiven and your conscience is clean, when you're filled with the hope of heaven? Absolutely. But our text makes it clear that God does not automatically give the believer an easy life with no problems.
  
  In fact, he is 100% completely equal. In our text, we have two people: one builds his house on a strong foundation, and the other with no foundation. Both of these people have built houses. They're equal.
  
  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells this same story with slightly different language. Matthew 7:24. He says, "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rains come in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock."
  
  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When it rains and the floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.
  
  So in this version, one builds his house on a rock, the other on sand. It's the same idea: one’s foundation is solid, the other's is non-existent. One builder chooses a good foundation; the other one says, "Foundation? Who needs one of those? This place is as good as any," right here on the edge of this cliff in Malibu overlooking the ocean.
  
  What could go wrong? Surely it'll never slide down this cliff and into the water. And then what happens next? Both of these house builders—whose houses might look exactly the same, maybe they were on the same block in one of those new housing developments where it's like, "How do you tell which one's yours?"—they look the same, maybe they have the same floor plans, the same square footage, the same color scheme. Or maybe they were different. Maybe one of the ones who built his house on the rock just built a little log cabin compared to the one who built his mansion on a beachside resort in the sand. Or vice versa.
  
  Yet at the end of the day, they both face the same natural disasters: the rains, the winds, the floodwaters. They come and they begin to beat upon these houses that they built. What's that mean? The storms of life have come.
  
  We live in a fallen world full of sin. Therefore, Jesus, until he comes back, we are going to see famines, and we are going to see disease, economic crises, natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes. And yes, even personal storms—family drama, accidents, abuse, death.
  
  These are simply realities of living on earth. And just being a good person, or a religious church attender, or even claiming the name of Jesus, doesn't exempt you from hard times any more than building a mansion instead of a shack guarantees that the rain won't hit your head.
  
  You will still experience the storms of life. The question is: what kind of foundation have you built your life upon? Is it the shifting, sinking sands of this world—money, career, human relationships, entertainment, addictions—or is it built on the solid rock of the Word of God, the words of Jesus?
  
  Because the storms are coming. Mark it down. Perhaps you're even going through a storm in your own life right at this very moment. And what are you holding on to? The things that other people have said? The things you've come up with on your own? Or are you holding on to the things that Jesus has said?
  
  What is your foundation when the storms of life come? I remember being a young man, in 1994, we had an earthquake in Southern California—the Northridge earthquake. That's when FEMA was born. I remember it woke us up at like one, two, or three o'clock in the morning. Earthquakes always seem to strike in the middle of the night for some reason. And I mean, it sounded like somebody back to you know, an 18-wheeler up to our house and just fired up the engine. And all of a sudden, our whole world is shaking.
  
  Now, in California, there was an old wives' tale that when the earthquake happened, you need to get into a doorway. It's a myth. It's not true. But the reason for that was the Native Americans had built these adobe brick houses, and the only thing that would stand after the earthquake was the doorways because they made them like an arch. So the arch was very sturdy, but the rest of the house would collapse.
  
  So, "Oh, doorways, they can keep earthquakes away," so get in the doorway. I remember getting out of bed, and my dresser is flying this way, and stuff's flying off my shelves this way, and I'm just trying to get to the doorway. And I finally get there, and it's like, "Ah!" Didn't help at all.
  
  What are you holding on to?
  
  I want to look secondly with you at the fool. In our text, Jesus says that the one who built his house on the sand is a fool. Matthew 7:26. "Everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand."
  
  What is a fool? One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding. One who acts unwisely on a given occasion. That is to say, I was a fool to have quit my job. Or one who has been tricked or made to appear ridiculous—a dupe. They made a fool out of me.
  
  It's someone who lacks foresight. No vision for the future. They have an inability to use wisdom to make good future decisions. Because it's all about the here and the now. What can satisfy my carnal, fleshly desires immediately? That's what a fool is.
  
  If you want to know what someone really thinks about, what they're really into, just look at what they spend their money on. Matthew 6:21. "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also." Your spending habits say it all.
  
  They say, "Why budget and pay for necessities with cash when I can get whatever I want on this credit card?" The latest iPhone, the latest PS5, designer clothes. Oh, wait, my credit card's maxed out? Here, try this one. Oh, that one's maxed out? Try this one. Try this one.
  
  They say, "Why save up money and buy a decent used car when this car dealership says I can get zero down financing? Only 72 months, 20% APR. I don't even know what that means." I can drive away with a new car today.
  
  Okay, but what are the payment terms? What's the APR? What's the length of the loan? I don't know. Who cares? I get a car now. Sure, but the car doesn't belong to you. It still belongs to the bank. And you miss a payment, and what happens? Repo man.
  
  The repo man will have that car back on the same car lot the same day, and they'll be selling it to another fool. Did you know they do this? They sell the same car to like four or five, you know, snot-nosed sailors that just came out of boot camp. That car dealership's getting paid for the same car by five different people. Fools. They're counting on your foolishness.
  
  But see, delaying gratification is inconvenient. It requires time. It requires patience, just like building on a solid foundation. It sometimes takes weeks to just lay the foundation for a new construction—to get the foundation poured, make sure it's completely level, get the rebar in there, and get it formed exactly right. Who wants to wait for all that? I want my new house now.
  
  In February of 2024, down in Southern California, there was a weather event called an atmospheric river. It is what it sounds like—a river of water in the sky. An atmospheric river is a narrow corridor of concentrated water vapor transported into the atmosphere. It's like a river in the sky that can be a thousand miles long.
  
  On average, atmospheric rivers have about twice the regular flow of the Amazon. When atmospheric rivers run up against mountains—which we have some of in Southern California—they are forced to go higher. And when they go higher, they freeze, and all of a sudden, all that water has got to go somewhere.
  
  So it comes down. This happened in Orange County, California, especially in a community called Dana Point. A lot of rich folks in Dana Point picked up an article about this. It said, "In at least three coastline homes in Southern Orange County, California, are at risk of falling into the ocean after the cliffside they built on crumbled in a landslide over the weekend."
  
  According to reports, the collapse of part of the Dana Point cliff followed heavy rains earlier that month, which caused landslides and flooding across the region. We actually have a picture of this. So you could bring that up. It's like it's the Bible in real life. Can you all see that? Who thought this was a good idea? You know where I'm going to build my house, right here?
  
  Can you imagine, like, "Hey, I'm going to run out in the backyard real quick." Ah! What would cause somebody to think that this is a good idea? Well, it probably came from not listening to a wise master builder—someone who would say, "Hey, you know where you don't want to build your house? Right there." The foundation is, well, there isn't one.
  
  But this person says, "I don't care. I want it now. Build it." And it doesn't matter how nice the house looks. The rains, the winds, the floods come. And now they're teetering on the edge of a cliff. One more little storm, and it's gone.
  
  Millions and millions of dollars building that. And it's going to happen. I hate to say it, but it's probably going to happen soon. And then what? You can't just pay your way out of it. Your house is gone. It's slid down the cliff into the Pacific Ocean.
  
  You can't swipe your credit card enough times to keep the storms away. Or after your foundation crumbles, your house gets swept down the cliff—expect the insurance company to take care of it. Because guess what happened during the atmospheric river? The insurance companies saw it coming, and they started canceling policies. They didn't tell the folks that they were doing it. It was like, "Oh, well, we got insurance." Wait a—
  
  What an idiot. What a fool. There's no way they can claim ignorance. Well, I just didn't know that I’d need to build my house on a good foundation. That's like home buying 101.
  
  What kind of foundation does this house have? When we were house shopping years ago, I remember we walked into this place over in the Aragona section of Virginia Beach. It was a—what do they call it? With a crawl space underneath, so the house was elevated just slightly.
  
  And we get in the kitchen, and it's like, "What happened here? The foundation." It's all shifted. So, "Well, we ain't buying this place." And so we understand that the house Jesus is talking about in our text is a metaphor for our lives.
  
  Therefore, if you build your life hearing the things that Jesus says but you refuse to do them, to apply his teachings to your life, to take his words into your heart, to believe and obey them, Jesus says you're a fool. You lack foresight. You only care about the here and now, not about eternity, not about heaven—only about the temporary, the carnal, the flesh, what feels good in the moment, the selfish, the self-centered, no concern for other people, and certainly no concern for God—just what I can get for myself now.
  
  Invoking his name even just to get stuff. James 4:2-3 says, "You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong. You only want what will give you pleasure."
  
  So if you don't build your life on the Word of God, the things that Jesus says, what will you build it on? Worldly wisdom? Cliches? When life gives you lemons—"Haste makes waste," "All's fair in love and war." Are you going to build your life on these sayings, these cliches?
  
  "Every cloud has a silver lining." "Opposites attract." "Time heals all wounds." Really? Will you build on your own conclusions from your own life's experiences?
  
  "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I was going to say, hopefully we got no George W. Bushes in here. "Fool me once, fool me twice, can't get fooled again."
  
  "Get what you pay for." "This too shall pass." When the storms of life come, will the foundation you've built upon be able to keep your house standing? Or will it be like Matthew 7:27? "When the rains and the floods came and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."
  
  This view is based in unbelief. Psalm 53:1. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
  
  I want to finally look with you at the wise one. Matthew 7:24. "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock." Though the rains come in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it's built on bedrock.
  
  Jesus says, "If we listen to what he says, if we listen to what he says and do it, he will consider us wise." But what kinds of things does Jesus teach that we should follow? He says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." In other words, love God completely with everything within you—love him with your will, your emotions, your intellect, and your physical body.
  
  Love your neighbor like yourself. Like the parable of the Good Samaritan—he didn't know the victim personally. As a matter of fact, he'd been taught to hate the victim, but he saw the need, and he stepped up, and he even used his own resources.
  
  "Love your enemies, bless those who spitefully persecute you, those who speak evil of you. Bless and do not curse them." Oh, what a temptation we have right there—right? To curse our enemies.
  
  "Forgive those who sin against you," not just once but an unlimited number of times—"seventy times seven," Jesus said. Don't judge and condemn people. Instead, before pointing out the speck of dust in someone else's eye, consider the two-by-four sticking out of your own eye—that you're clotheslining everybody with every turn.
  
  The same measure we judge people with, God will use to judge us with. He taught us to be humble, meek, merciful. He taught us how to pray, as we looked at in our Sunday school this morning—"to pray without ceasing," to keep asking, seeking, knocking, and to take dominion against the demonic—casting them out, praying, fasting when the situation calls for it, laying hands on the sick to see them recover.
  
  He taught us to lay up treasures in heaven—eternal treasures—instead of temporary treasures here on earth that we can't take with us when we die.
  
  How do we do this? How do we lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven? This is by any work that you've done while serving God—whenever you've served other people, putting their needs ahead of your own, you've got treasure in heaven waiting for you.
  
  There's a song I heard when I was a young Christian—an old Christian song, back when Christian music was Christian music, amen. But here are some of the lyrics:
  
  "Say a friend to a friend one day, there was a man who passed away. St. Peter met him at the gate. Peter said, 'Walk with me, if you will, I'll take you to the house you built.' The man said, 'I can't wait—past a mansion made of stone.' But with each new house he's shown, they get smaller by degrees.
  
  He stepped in front of a two-room shack. Peter said, 'I hope you're happy with that.' The man said, 'How can this be?' And Peter said, 'That's all the lumber—that's all the lumber—that's all the lumber you sent. Looks like the builder—he's got your number.' That's all the lumber you sent."
  
  Jesus said to go into all the world and to preach the gospel and make disciples. Mark chapter 16, verse 15. Do these things, Jesus says, and he will count you as wise.
  
  John 14:15. "If you love me, obey my commandments," and he'll say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your Lord's rest."
  
  In other words, if you want your life to bear the fruits of a relationship with Jesus, do what he says.
  
  What kinds of fruits are we talking about? Galatians 5:22. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such, there is no law."
  
  You want these? Do these.
  
  Mark 16, verse 17. "These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe. They will cast out demons in my name. They will speak in new tongues. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed."
  
  Now, does this mean that you should go out and grab rattlesnakes by the tail and drink bottles of antifreeze? No. We should not tempt God.
  
  David Guzik, the Bible teacher, says this promise is to be understood in the context of the dangers inherent in the worldwide spread of the gospel. As later on, the apostle Paul was bitten by a snake and shook it off into the fire.
  
  Jesus never intended drinking poison or handling snakes to be a specific test or measure of faith.
  
  Let me ask you, though—are there any miraculous signs that accompany you? Do you want them? Do you want miraculous signs? You want these? Do these.
  
  Do what he says, and when the storms of life come—and they will—your life won't fall apart because you've built your house upon the solid rock, upon the firm foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
  
  People will look at you and wonder how you're still standing because what you just went through would have destroyed them, and they know it.
  
  For a long time? Sure. Surely, you've got something in your life that they want to know more about. And you can use that as a perfect opportunity to share the gospel with that person.
  
  Want these? Do these.
  
  Let's bow our heads this morning. I appreciate your patience and your attention this morning.
  
  As every head's bowed and every eye's closed, and no one looking around—for just a few moments—we just want to take an opportunity to make the invitation that you can know Jesus Christ if you don't know Him already.
  
  Maybe you're here, and Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior as we sit here this morning. And if you would just look in your heart and be honest with yourself for a moment—"Is Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior?"
  
  If you're here in this place and you would say, "Hey, Pastor Dave, I'm looking at my own life. I'm looking at the fruits of my life. And I got to say, Jesus is not my Savior."
  
  Well, there's such good news for you this morning. The Bible tells us that if we confess with our mouth, "Lord Jesus," and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved.
  
  In other words, if we believe that Jesus is who He says He is—the Son of the living God—and we speak that out, God will account that to us for faith. And He will say, "Your sins are forgiven."
  
  Jesus came, and He already paid for them on the cross. He bled and died for you, for your sins, for mine. And maybe you're here in this place, and you've never accepted that before. You've never accepted the forgiveness that Jesus offers as He bled and died for our sins on the cross. And you want to do that this morning.
  
  The Bible says it's so easy. He's just one prayer away from salvation. Is that you this morning? You want to be saved? You want to be set free from your sins? Jesus already died for you. He's just waiting on you to make that confession.
  
  Anyone at all? Would you lift up your hand this morning so we can pray with you in this place? We can lead you in a simple prayer if Jesus is not your Lord and Savior.
  
  Maybe in this place, you strayed. You walked away from God. Maybe you had faith a long time ago, and for whatever reason, you walked away. The Bible tells us that God loves the backslider in heart. He is waiting for you to come back. Will you come back this morning?
  
  And He will accept you—like the father to the prodigal son—when he ran out, he fell on the neck of his son, and he said, "My son, who was dead, is alive again." Is that you? Would you lift up your hand if you're backslidden, backslidden in your heart?
  
  Amen. We want to take this opportunity then to open the altar for a time of prayer. Maybe you've got something on your heart that you need to come and speak to God about. We spoke in our Sunday school about just talking to God.
  
  I want to take the opportunity to open up the altar this morning so that we can come and talk to our God. Let's do that right now. These altars are open. I encourage you to come and pray, lay hold of God this morning. Let's talk to Him. Hallelujah.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Don’t Mourn What God Is Trying to Kill

Sermon Summary

The story of King David and his son Absalom in 2 Samuel 18 offers a powerful picture of the struggle between our spiritual calling and the persistent pull of our flesh. David, a man after God’s own heart, found himself mourning over a son who had become a threat not only to his throne but to the very kingdom God entrusted to him. Absalom, with his charm, good looks, and influence, represents the part of us that is attractive and appealing, yet rebellious and destructive. The tragedy is that David’s love for Absalom blinded him to the danger his son posed, just as we often cling to attitudes, habits, or relationships that are slowly undermining our spiritual lives.

The flesh, like Absalom, wars against the Spirit. It is not something to be coddled or treated gently, but something that must be confronted and crucified. Jesus’ words in Mark 9—if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off—remind us that radical action is sometimes necessary. We cannot negotiate with the flesh or hope it will simply fade away. Whatever we tolerate in our lives, whatever we refuse to judge or surrender, will eventually dominate us.

God, in His mercy, sends the Holy Spirit—our Joab—to confront us, to rebuke us, and to help us put to death the deeds of the body. Conviction is not rejection; it is the loving discipline of a Father who wants to see us free and whole. Sometimes, this means letting go of relationships, habits, or even cherished parts of our identity that are incompatible with God’s purpose for us. The stakes are high—not just for our own souls, but for the people God has called us to influence and serve. Our sanctification is not just about us; it is about the kingdom, about our families, and about the testimony we bear to the world.

Victory over the flesh is possible—not by our own strength, but by the power of the Spirit who raised Christ from the dead. We are called to stop mourning over what needs to die, to surrender our Absaloms, and to step into the fullness of life and purpose God has for us.

“Whatever we tolerate in our lives, whatever we refuse to judge or surrender, will eventually dominate us.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:06] - The Lord of the Rings and Smeagol: A Parable of Clinging

• [02:10] - The Ring’s Destruction and Our Attachments

• [03:24] - David’s Mourning and the Danger of Holding On

• [06:23] - Absalom: The Allure and Rebellion of the Flesh

• [13:54] - Jesus’ Radical Call to Crucify the Flesh

• [17:11] - Aaron’s Sons: When God Says No

• [18:54] - Joab’s Rebuke and the Work of the Spirit

• [23:13] - Letting Go of Relationships That Hinder

• [26:02] - The Spirit’s Confrontation and Conviction

• [27:27] - The Loving Discipline of God

• [31:50] - The Bigger Picture: Sanctification for the Kingdom

• [34:22] - Victory Is Possible: The Spirit Empowers Us

• [35:35] - Invitation to Repentance and New Life

• [40:35] - Responding to God’s Call at the Altar

Key Takeaways

1. The things we cling to—habits, attitudes, relationships—can become spiritual liabilities if they are not surrendered to God. Like David with Absalom, our emotional attachments can blind us to the destructive power of what we refuse to let go. True spiritual growth requires honest self-examination and the courage to release what is holding us back. [06:23]

2. The flesh is not a minor inconvenience but a real enemy to our spiritual life. Scripture teaches that the flesh and the Spirit are at war, and anything we tolerate in our flesh will eventually dominate us. Crucifying the flesh is not a one-time event but a daily, sometimes painful, process of surrender and obedience. [13:54]

3. God’s discipline and conviction are signs of His love, not His rejection. When the Holy Spirit confronts us, it is to align us with God’s heart and purpose, not to shame us. Embracing conviction as a gift allows us to experience deeper transformation and freedom. [27:27]

4. Our sanctification is not just about personal holiness but about the greater kingdom purpose God has for our lives. The choices we make, the things we surrender, and the victories we win have ripple effects on our families, our church, and the world around us. A divided heart cannot lead a united kingdom; our obedience unlocks breakthrough for others. [31:50]

5. Victory over the flesh is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not left to fight this battle alone; the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead empowers us to crucify our Absaloms and live in freedom. The call is to stop faltering between two opinions and to decisively choose to serve God with our whole hearts. [34:22]

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Bible Reading

• 2 Samuel 18:5, 14, 18 NKJV - 5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, "[Deal] gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom. ... 14 Then Joab said, "I cannot linger with you." And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom's heart, while he was [still] alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. ... 18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which [is] in the King's Valley. For he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom's Monument.

• Galatians 5:16-25 NKJV - 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those [who are] Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

• Mark 9:43-47 NKJV - 43 "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 44 "where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 45 "And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-- 46 "where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 47 "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire--

Observation Questions

1. In 2 Samuel 18, what specific instructions did David give to his generals regarding Absalom, and how did Joab respond? [03:24]

2. According to Galatians 5, what is the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit? How does Paul describe their interaction? [06:23]

3. What radical action does Jesus command in Mark 9 for dealing with sin, and how does this compare to David’s approach to Absalom? [13:54]

4. In the sermon, what are some examples given of things we might cling to that can become spiritual liabilities? [23:13]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think David’s love for Absalom blinded him to the danger his son posed, both to himself and to the kingdom? What does this reveal about the power of emotional attachments? [03:24]

2. The sermon compares Absalom to the “flesh” in our own lives. In what ways can something attractive or appealing also be destructive to our spiritual health? [06:23]

3. Pastor said, “Whatever you tolerate will eventually dominate.” How does this principle play out in the story of David and Absalom, and how might it apply to our own lives? [13:54]

4. The Holy Spirit is compared to Joab, who confronts and rebukes David. How should we respond when the Holy Spirit convicts us about something we need to surrender? [27:27]

Application Questions

1. Is there an “Absalom” in your life—an attitude, habit, relationship, or desire—that you know is pulling you away from God, but you’re still holding onto it? What makes it hard to let go? [23:13]

2. The sermon says, “Whatever we tolerate in our lives, whatever we refuse to judge or surrender, will eventually dominate us.” Can you think of a time when something you tolerated ended up controlling you? What would it look like to take radical action, as Jesus describes in Mark 9, to deal with it? [13:54]

3. Pastor shared about having to let go of old friendships that were dragging him back into his old life. Are there relationships in your life that are hindering your walk with God? What steps could you take this week to set healthy boundaries or even say goodbye if needed? [23:13]

4. When the Holy Spirit convicts you or says “no” to something in your life, do you tend to see it as rejection or as loving discipline? How can you shift your perspective to embrace conviction as a gift? [27:27]

5. The sermon emphasized that our sanctification isn’t just about us, but about the people God has called us to influence. Who in your life might be affected by your obedience or disobedience? How does this bigger picture motivate you to pursue holiness? [31:50]

6. Pastor said, “Stop mourning over what needs to die.” Is there something you’ve been grieving or reluctant to surrender, even though you know it’s holding you back? What would it look like to bring this to God in prayer and trust Him with it this week? [34:22]

7. Victory over the flesh is possible through the Holy Spirit. What is one practical way you can invite the Holy Spirit to help you “crucify your Absalom” and walk in greater freedom this week? [34:22]

• Full Transcript

  All of you this morning, let's open up our Bibles. This message I'm about to preach was inspired in a prayer meeting as I was reading my daily Bible readings. And I just want to give a shout out to the Word of God. I'm telling you, God is good. He's faithful to speak to us in our times of need.
  
  2 Samuel chapter 18. If you join me there, 2 Samuel chapter 18. We're going to read a story about King David that jumped off of the page—one of those times that the story you've read a hundred times, but for whatever reason connected in a new way.
  
  In 2 Samuel chapter 18, as we're opening that, how many have seen the saga called The Lord of the Rings? Some of you have seen it more than others. But in that great story by J.R. Tolkien, there is a character named Smeagol. And Smeagol is represented on screen and in the book as a horrible creature. He's bug-eyed and sweaty and naked and eats raw fish. He's a deceiver and he is driven by one thing: taking back the ring of power, which he views as his own, his precious. That's right.
  
  But what we don't know about Smeagol until later on is that he was not always that way. Smeagol was once a hobbit, just like Sam and Frodo. Many, many years ago, he was something he was telling us was, so. David Ibuilder. And I said, I didn't get a little bit of a lot of their. He said, I'm not really interested in regards to this. I'm now getting involved in his own—I mean, there's some of some people.
  
  And he was just a normal creature. But once he discovered the ring of power, he murdered his friend in order to capture it. And not only did he get the ring, but according to the story, the ring got him. And over time, it transformed him from a simple creature into something ugly.
  
  And if you know the end of the story, they're trying to get this ring all the way back to Mount Doom to destroy it. And it is, again, that creature, Smeagol, who finally gets the ring back. As he is falling into the lava of Mount Doom, he could not be happier—that his precious was finally returned to his own ownership as it destroyed him.
  
  And I was thinking about this message because, similar to Smeagol, unfortunately, there are things that you and I hold onto, even though we know it's dangerous. The ring of power in the story of The Lord of the Rings is a picture. It's been interpreted many different ways ever since it was written. But one of the ways we could interpret that ring of power is through the lens of spirituality—that there are things that we can hold onto, things that make us powerful, things that make us feel certain feelings, but end up doing greater damage and end up, if we don't let go of them, transforming us into shadows of our former self.
  
  And I want to preach a message about King David. In our scripture we're about to read, we are going to read about David mourning. David mourning. He is mourning over the loss of his son Absalom.
  
  I want to make the case to you today that Absalom needed to be judged. And in the same way that Smeagol held on to that which was destroying him, David also was holding on to a son which was destroying him and his kingdom. And I believe in this story we can all find something that maybe we're holding on to—something we're mourning over that we need to release.
  
  Let's read the scripture. Second Samuel chapter 18, verse 5. I'm going to skip around a little bit because of the length of this story, but stick with me. We're going to look at verses 5, 14, and 18.
  
  The word says:
  "Now the king had commanded Joab and Abishai, these are his mighty men, his generals, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." Absalom is David's son. And all the people heard when the king gave the captains' orders concerning Absalom.
  
  Verse 14:
  "Now remember, the king has just given orders to his general Joab to be gentle with Absalom. But here's Joab in verse 14, and it says: I cannot linger with you." He took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom's heart while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree.
  
  Verse 18:
  "That Absalom, in his lifetime, had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the king's valley—for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He called the pillar after his own name, and to this day it is called Absalom's monument.
  
  Let's pray.
  Father, we come this morning, God, seeking Your will and purpose for our lives. You have called us to be purified, to be sanctified. Lord, the greatest work, the greatest good work that we can be a part of is Your work of sanctifying us, changing us from glory to glory into Your likeness and Your image.
  
  There are people here today, Lord, that You have called to a deeper level of righteousness and holiness. But God, there are things that hold us back—things of this world that we are grasping onto. And I pray, God, that You give us a heart to let go of those things which are destroying us today so that we can know You more fully and experience Your will for our lives.
  
  We give You glory in Jesus' mighty name. God's people would say, Amen.
  
  King David is known as a man after God's own heart. That's not just theologians who give him that description—that is not David himself who gives himself that description, but that is people who write about him. And even God gave him that title: a man after my own heart. And that's a powerful thing.
  
  Even though we know King David was far from perfect—his life was marked by sin, rebellion, murder—he was a war-torn king. And even through all of that, we get a picture of his heart. If you read the book of Psalms, you will see the heart not only of David but the heart of God and how He feels toward people.
  
  But what we read about in our scripture is not only David, but we also read about his son. He has a son named Absalom. I want to give you an introduction to this man Absalom for a few moments and make the case to you why I believe the Bible is showing us through the life of Absalom that there are things in our lives that we need to let go of.
  
  Absalom, I believe, is a spiritual representation of our flesh. You can make a connection between Absalom and the charm of the flesh. What does the Bible say about this son of David? In 2 Samuel chapter 14, verse 25, we receive a description of David's son Absalom:
  "Now in all Israel there was no one praised as much as Absalom for his good looks—from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. There was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head at the end of every year, he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels, according to the king's standard."
  
  People loved this guy. He was attractive. He had the heart of the nation. Not only that, but he had influence. According to 2 Samuel 15, verse 6:
  "Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel." And so, acting in rebellion against his father, the king, the Bible says because he was attractive and because he had the hearts of the people, he began taking the place of the king in front of the people. Instead of taking their cases to the palace, they would go to Absalom. Why? Well, he looks good, he's smart, he's got all this heavy hair on top of his head—obviously, we should go talk to Absalom instead of King David.
  
  But the Bible also tells us that Absalom had a rebellious heart. I want to make a case to you today: there are some Absaloms in our lives as well. We have what the Bible calls the flesh. We have a part of us that does not want to serve God—a part that looks good but is rebellious.
  
  The Bible says in Galatians chapter 5:
  "The flesh wars against the spirit, and the spirit wars against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Romans 8:7 adds:
  "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."
  
  As long as you are alive in this life, there is a part of you like Absalom—that is rebellious against God. That part of you is called the flesh. It’s the part that does not want to serve God. It’s the part of you that didn’t want to be in church this morning. It’s the part that wanted to stay in bed. It’s the part that doesn’t want to be accountable. It’s the part that wants to live in uncleanness.
  
  Or have we all become angels this morning? Am I the only one that still has a flesh? Our flesh is warring against the Spirit of God every day. And I believe that this story is given in the Word of God as a picture of how we are supposed to treat the flesh.
  
  In the story of Absalom, he is building his own kingdom. He is rebelling against his father, King David. He is even doing unspeakable things—taking his king’s concubines and engaging in various sexual escapades. But here’s the problem with the relationship between David and his son Absalom: the Bible says, as is natural, that David loves his son. David doesn’t want to see his son destroyed.
  
  And I believe in that relationship we can get a picture here: David has an emotional attachment to that which is killing him—killing his kingdom, killing his effectiveness. In fact, it gets so bad that Absalom takes the throne for himself and causes David to be cast out as an exile from his own kingdom. To the point where David can no longer sit on the throne of Israel until he deals with Absalom. He cannot be who God made him to be.
  
  I want to make the case to all of us this morning: there are things in your life—attitudes, ideas, actions, decisions—that like Absalom, we love and hold onto. But if we’re not willing to deal with them, we will never achieve or become the people God wants us to be.
  
  As disciples, we have to recognize those parts of us that are carnal and causing us to live as rebels. Here’s the point: David was too gentle with what needed to die.
  
  Now, you feel for David, and I feel for David as I read this story, because Absalom is still his son. He still loves his son. He’s mourning for his son. That’s why, in the scripture, we read he commanded his generals:
  "Deal gently with the boy. Deal gently with him."
  
  But this is a fatal kindness. What if they would have listened to his command? What if they would have followed his orders? Then Absalom would have remained alive, and David would have remained dethroned.
  
  And I want to make a point to us today: whatever we tolerate—whatever carnal ideas and appetites that we fail to judge—will become our masters.
  Whatever you tolerate will eventually dominate.
  Whatever you cannot crucify will become your master.
  
  This is why, when Jesus taught in Mark chapter 9, He said:
  "If your hand causes you to sin, what did He say to do with it?
  Put some lotion on it? Treat it kindly? Massage it?"
  No. "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out."
  Better to enter into glory with one hand and one eye than to spend eternity in hell with both hands and both eyes. Is that real enough for you?
  
  You cannot cast out the flesh; you have to crucify it. We treat our flesh like it’s a demon, but it’s not a demon. The devil knows how to inflame our flesh; he knows how to tempt us. But isn’t it in James where it says that sinful desires are born inside of us—our carnal desires—and the devil simply brings temptation? We must be willing to confront our Absalom.
  
  His dealings with Absalom teach us about ourselves. Our emotional indulgence can become a spiritual distraction. There’s a story in Leviticus chapter 10 I was reminded of while studying here. It’s the story of Aaron. We spoke about Aaron the priest. The Bible says that, as God was establishing His kingdom among the people of Israel, one of the things the priests were supposed to do was offer fire before the Lord—the fire to consume the sacrifice.
  
  The Bible says Aaron had two sons, Nadab and Abihu. They brought a profane fire to the Lord. The Bible does not explain exactly what that means, but we know it was not sanctioned by the Lord. In other words, they were bringing fire in a way that brought disgrace to God, and God did not allow that profane fire in His presence.
  
  Leviticus 10:2 says:
  "Fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."
  Now, what’s interesting about that is not that they died—if we do something foolish, judgment is natural. What’s interesting is what Moses said to Aaron about the situation. Moses said to Aaron, in verse 6:
  "Do not uncover your heads or tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all your people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, be well—the burning which the Lord has kindled."
  
  In other words, don’t mourn your sons. Don’t weep over them. They died because they were being foolish. And you’re not going to spend time weeping over them, Aaron, because God did the right thing—even though that was painful for you.
  
  And can I remind you today: there will be times like that in your life when the Lord points at something in your heart—an attitude, a lie you’ve believed since before you were saved. When the Lord points at a piece of flesh, a ring you’re grasping onto, a habit, a lifestyle, a relationship—there are things we count as precious in our lives that God says, "Get it out of here. It’s killing you."
  
  But we tend to mourn like David did. We tend to be heartbroken, sullen. The Bible says:
  David, treating Absalom gently, with kid gloves. But the Bible also says that David has a man of valor—his mighty men. Men who have followed him in battle, men who have given him good counsel, men who have helped him, strengthened him, encouraged him—men who have been there for him through thick and thin, through the time when Saul was trying to destroy him, through his lowest points, even when he sinned with Bathsheba.
  
  When it comes to the issue of Absalom, they knew the situation well enough to know: this is one commandment we are not going to follow.
  
  The Bible speaks about Joab. In 2 Samuel 19, verse 5, it says:
  "Joab came into the house to the king, and he was about to rebuke King David."
  Watch this:
  "Today, king, you have disgraced your servants who have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and concubines—that you love your enemies and hate your friends."
  That is the issue for many believers: trying to serve God, trying to be disciples, but along the way, we begin to love the things that are actually our enemies—our pride, our ego, our material wealth.
  
  I say it’s time to say goodbye to Absalom today. The Spirit will execute what we are trying to preserve. And so, what we need to do, as we close, is we must die to our flesh and live according to the Spirit. Because the thing that’s at stake here is not just David and the throne; it’s not just Absalom and his fate. What’s truly at stake is the kingdom.
  
  There’s a bigger picture: David cannot fulfill his role as king, nor can his generals, nor can the people continue to thrive in the promises of God until he is willing to win back his role. There’s a bigger picture involved than just you. It’s not just about your personal preferences or sanctification.
  
  Thank God His goal is to sanctify us all into His likeness and image. But why does God sanctify us? Because it’s about others. It’s about your children, your family, who are looking at your testimony. It’s about fellow church members, brothers and sisters in Christ.
  
  I’m so torn about the situation with Michael Tate—I don’t know if any of you are aware of this. Michael Tate, one of the original members of DC Talk, and for the last 15 years, the lead singer of the Newsboys. Recently, he came out and said he’s had a long-term issue with sexual and drug addiction. It’s been under the surface. He posted a statement on social media that he’s gone to rehab. God is dealing with this in his life.
  
  And part of me rejoices—thank God he finally made it public, got it right, is on the track to recovery. Thank God. But the other part of me wonders: what about all those people he’s ministered to at his concerts? What about the millions of dollars he’s made selling Christian albums? What about the stain that he brings on the name of Jesus?
  
  There is grace, there is mercy—thank God. But there’s a bigger picture. The Lord wants to sanctify us because there’s a bigger picture in your life too. Jesus, the reason why Jesus had to be perfect was because that’s the only way His blood would be enough to save you from your sins.
  
  I’m not saying we will take the place of Jesus, but I am saying that your life reflects the name and the glory of God. Pastor Bill Johnson says:
  "Your obedience unlocks someone else’s breakthrough."
  The reason God saves us and sanctifies us is because we are not islands unto ourselves.
  
  David had a role to fulfill. So sanctification is simply preparation. A divided heart cannot lead a united kingdom. James 1:8 says:
  "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
  The reason Joab rebuked David was:
  "Stop weeping over your son, because it’s sending a message to the people. It’s saying to everyone else that they’re not worth it."
  
  Elijah confronted the people of Israel and asked:
  "How long will you falter between two opinions?"
  How long will you say that your struggle is against Elijah? Or that your war between the spirit and the flesh in your life? Listen, it is a war that we are all called to, but I believe you can be victorious. I don’t believe you have to be in defeat. I don’t believe you have to come to church every service with your head hanging low because of all the filth you were involved with last week.
  
  You don’t have to live that life. You can be victorious over sin. You can take control over the flesh. You can crucify the flesh in Jesus’ name by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hey, you got a Joab on your side, and he is invested in your holiness more than you are.
  
  So stop limping, faltering between two opinions. Make up your mind who you’re going to serve today. Don’t mourn over what needs to die.
  
  Jesus made it possible for us to live in victory. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive in you. That’s good news. It means if the Spirit of God can raise a dead body out of the ground, then He can certainly help you to kill your Absalom.
  
  Let’s bow our heads for a few moments. We’re going to open up this altar for prayer. I believe God is dealing with some people. And thank God that He does deal with us. He deals with us as children because He cares about us and wants the best for us.
  
  And before we close this service, I simply want to give a gospel invitation. If you’re here today and you’re honest for a moment, you say, "Pastor, I’m not right with God. I’m not living for God. I don’t have a desire to serve God at this moment because my sin is too powerful. My love of the world, my lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes—it's in control in my life."
  
  And I recognize that my sin is destroying me. I’m grasping onto this world and my desires so tightly that I can see now— I can see it’s destroying me. If you can see it this morning, if you can sense the destruction that comes as a result of following your own desires, and God is opening up your heart right now, He’s helping you understand that sin is not the right way to live.
  
  If we’re going to be free from sin, it means we’re going to have to turn from that sin. It’s called repentance. Trusting in Jesus as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
  
  And if you’re willing to do that today, the Bible says: turn from sin and trust completely in Jesus. Then a miracle can occur in your life. It’s the miracle of salvation. It’s the miracle of being born again—a new life in Christ.
  
  And if He’s awakening your heart right now and opening up your mind in this moment, I want to pray with you. I want to lead you to salvation. The same salvation I experienced as a confused teenager. God transformed my life. I’m not the way I used to be.
  
  And there is hope in the good news of the gospel today. If you’ll turn to Him and turn from sin, if you’re honest this morning and say, "Pastor, I need what you’re talking about. I need a new life in Christ. I want my sins to be forgiven." If that’s you this morning, I want to pray with you. Would you lift up your hand quickly? Honest hearts in this place. You’d say, "Pastor, please pray for me. I don’t want to be judged. God would be right to judge me in my sin. But if You’d have mercy on a sinner like me, I want to respond." If that’s you, quickly slip up your hand right now.
  
  Unsaved, lost, or backslidden in your heart—He’s here to touch you and speak to you and transform you in a moment of time. Is that someone here? Quickly, with an uplifted hand. I’m not talking about getting religious or joining a church. I’m talking about a relationship with the living Savior. If you need that, right now, quickly, just slip up a hand without anybody looking around for a moment.
  
  Thank you. Is there anyone at all, quickly? God’s speaking. Amen.
  
  Let me speak to the church then. David was a man described by God as a man after His own heart. David had a lot of good things going for him. But in this instance, he was mourning over—and he was being gentle on—his son Absalom, who was rebelling, causing great problems and division. He was mourning over what was killing him.
  
  And I, when I read this story, I saw in myself some Absaloms that needed to die—some attitudes, some selfishness, some pride, some ego, some materialism. Maybe this morning you can see the work of Absalom in your life right now. You can see the flesh that remains uncrucified. You can still see that there are things that God is dealing with.
  
  And I want to tell you, He’s sending Joab right now—His best general—the Holy Spirit. He’s armed and dangerous right now, ready to crucify, to help you, to give up and surrender your life, your flesh, your carnal desires. They need to die at the altar.
  
  If you don’t deal with it now, it only gets worse later. And I believe, as God is speaking to us, that there is Holy Spirit conviction. There are people who are clinging onto things that God wants you to get rid of—ideas, attitudes, people, relationships.
  
  Can I make one last call? It’s not just about you and your life. It’s about who God has called you to be. You are supposed to be salt and light in this broken world. You’re supposed to be the hope for someone. And you can’t be that as long as you hold onto that source of carnality.
  
  Let’s stand up to our feet at this altar right now. I want to encourage you to come. If there is an Absalom in your life and the Holy Spirit is pointing at him today, I want to ask you to come and join me here at this altar. Let’s begin to cry out to God. We’re going to worship Him together. It’s a decision that we need to make.
  
  Lord, I see the problems that are being caused by this in my life. I need You to change. I need You to transform. I need You to redeem my life, my mind. If that’s you, quickly, why don’t you come? We’re going to pray together at this altar, or you can kneel down right where you are. Let’s begin to cry out to the Lord for a few moments, please. As God is dealing with people, let’s have an attitude of awe and reverence before the Lord. Let’s pray for a few moments.
  
  Lord, we thank You. Lord, we thank You.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Caterpillars Can’t Migrate

Sermon Summary

Transformation is at the heart of the Christian journey, just as a caterpillar must become a butterfly to fulfill its purpose. The same DNA exists in both, but only through metamorphosis can the caterpillar achieve what it was created for. In the same way, God has callings and purposes for each of us that are impossible to fulfill unless we are transformed by the Holy Spirit. This transformation is not a superficial change or a new set of behaviors, but a deep, supernatural work that changes us from the inside out, enabling us to live out God’s will in ways we never imagined.

The first step in this journey is refusing to be conformed to the world. The world’s morals, entertainment, financial priorities, speech, ambitions, and sense of identity are fundamentally different from those of Christ. To follow Jesus means to stand apart, to resist the pressure to blend in, and to allow God’s standards to shape every area of life. This is not about isolation from the world, but about living in it as salt and light, maintaining a missionary mindset that seeks to influence rather than be influenced.

Transformation happens through the renewing of the mind. Just as the caterpillar’s metamorphosis is a mysterious, internal process, so too is the renewal God works in us. Our thought patterns, attitudes, and perspectives must be changed by God’s truth. This involves recognizing and rejecting old ways of thinking—whether shaped by pain, bitterness, or worldly values—and allowing the Holy Spirit to create new pathways in our minds. As our thinking changes, so do our actions, unlocking new levels of spiritual potential and obedience.

The purpose of this transformation is to know and do the perfect will of God. God’s will is not always spelled out in black and white, but as we are transformed, we become able to discern and walk in the unique calling He has for each of us. This is not a matter of mere duty, but of relationship—knowing God’s heart so intimately that His desires become our own. Ultimately, while we must surrender and respond, it is God who does the transforming work, leading us from glory to glory into the likeness of Christ.

“God has callings and purposes for each of us that are impossible to fulfill unless we are transformed by the Holy Spirit.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [00:45] - The Caterpillar and the Butterfly: A Picture of Transformation

• [02:30] - The Impossibility of Self-Transformation

• [04:10] - Romans 12:2: The Call to Be Transformed

• [06:00] - Do Not Be Conformed: What It Means

• [09:08] - Areas of Temptation: Morals, Entertainment, Finances, Speech

• [12:30] - Living in the World Without Being of the World

• [15:00] - The Tension of Christian Nonconformity

• [16:45] - Metamorphosis: Unlocking New Levels in Christ

• [18:29] - The Reality of Supernatural Change

• [19:05] - Outward Change vs. Inward Transformation

• [22:00] - The Renewal of the Mind: How Transformation Happens

• [26:18] - Thinking Differently About God’s Provision

• [28:59] - The Science of Thought Patterns and Spiritual Renewal

• [31:03] - The Purpose: Proving God’s Perfect Will

• [33:21] - Discerning and Living Out God’s Will

• [35:20] - Surrender and Relationship: The Path to Knowing God’s Will

• [40:34] - The Uniqueness of God’s Will for Each Life

• [41:48] - The Call to Salvation and Transformation

• [45:16] - Altar Call: Responding to God’s Invitation

Key Takeaways

1. Transformation is Essential, Not Optional - Just as a caterpillar cannot fulfill its destiny without becoming a butterfly, we cannot fulfill God’s calling for our lives without a supernatural transformation. Our own efforts, desires, or resolutions are insufficient; only the Holy Spirit can bring about the deep change required to unlock new spiritual capacities and destinies. This transformation is the foundation for everything God wants to do through us. [17:35]

2. Nonconformity to the World is a Mark of True Discipleship - To follow Christ means to resist the pressure to adopt the world’s values, behaviors, and priorities. Whether in morals, entertainment, finances, speech, or ambition, we are called to be distinct, reflecting the character of Jesus rather than the culture around us. This nonconformity is not about withdrawal, but about living as a visible contrast—salt and light—in a world that desperately needs God’s truth. [09:08]

3. The Mind is the Battleground for Transformation - God’s process of change begins with the renewal of our minds. Our thought patterns, shaped by past experiences, pain, or worldly influences, must be reformed by God’s Word and Spirit. As we allow God to change the way we think, new behaviors and possibilities emerge, breaking old cycles and enabling us to live in freedom and obedience. [28:59]

4. Knowing God’s Will Flows from Knowing God’s Heart - Discerning and doing the will of God is not merely about following rules or seeking specific instructions. It is about cultivating a relationship with God so deep that His desires become our own. As we are transformed, we begin to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and naturally walk in the unique purpose He has for us. [33:21]

5. Transformation is God’s Work, But Requires Our Surrender - While we must be willing vessels, the actual work of transformation is accomplished by God. Our role is to surrender, respond, and cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s leading. True change is not self-generated, but the result of God’s grace working in us, moving us from glory to glory into the image of Christ. [40:34]

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Bible Reading

• Romans 12:2 [NKJV]- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 12:2, what are the two commands Paul gives to believers regarding the world and transformation?

2. The sermon compared the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly to the Christian journey. What are some specific differences between a caterpillar and a butterfly that were mentioned, and how do these differences illustrate spiritual transformation? [[16:45]]

3. What are some areas of life the sermon listed where Christians are tempted to conform to the world? [[09:08]]

4. In the sermon, what is described as the “battleground” for transformation, and why is this significant? [[28:59]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that transformation is necessary to “prove” or “discern” the will of God? What does this mean for someone who wants to know God’s purpose for their life? [[31:03]]

2. The sermon says that nonconformity to the world is not about isolation, but about being “salt and light.” What does it look like to live in the world without being of the world? [[12:30]]

3. The pastor mentioned that transformation is not just about outward change, but a deep, supernatural work. Why is it important that transformation happens from the inside out, and not just by changing behaviors? [[19:05]]

4. According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in the process of transformation, and what is our responsibility? [[40:34]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon gave examples of areas where Christians are tempted to conform: morals, entertainment, finances, speech, ambition, and identity. Which of these areas do you find most challenging to resist conforming to the world, and why? What is one practical step you could take this week to stand apart in that area? [[09:08]]

2. The pastor said, “If you are still connected to the old life, if you still have the same desires…that’s a problem.” Are there any “old life” patterns or desires that you feel God is prompting you to surrender? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to transform that area? [[19:05]]

3. The sermon described the renewal of the mind as a process of changing thought patterns, especially those shaped by pain, bitterness, or worldly values. Can you identify a specific thought pattern that needs to be renewed in your life? How might you begin to replace it with God’s truth? [[28:59]]

4. The pastor said, “God is more interested in having a relationship with you than you just performing a bunch of duties for him.” How does this perspective change the way you approach seeking God’s will? Are there ways you have focused more on “doing” than “knowing” God? [[35:20]]

5. The sermon emphasized that transformation is God’s work, but requires our surrender. Is there an area where you have been resisting God’s transforming work? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week? [[40:34]]

6. The pastor challenged the church to “be weird” because “normal is going to hell.” In what ways do you feel pressure to “blend in” with the world, and how can you embrace being different for Christ? [[12:30]]

7. The sermon ended with a call to those who are uncertain about God’s will for their life. If you are in a season of uncertainty, what is one way you can seek to know God’s heart more deeply this week? [[33:21]]

• Full Transcript

  Every monarch butterfly begins as a caterpillar, and a caterpillar is, if you think about the DNA, the same as the butterfly. They all have the same DNA, don't they? It is the same creature. It is the same what? But from caterpillar to butterfly, there is a momentous transformation that takes place. We've all seen that video of how the caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon, and some time goes by, and when it comes out, it is transformed into this amazing creature.
  
  But here's what I want you to understand, and I want you to think about for a moment: if the caterpillar never becomes the butterfly, can it make that journey even if it wanted to? It could not. I mean, it's pretty miraculous to think about these little bugs flying thousands of miles to Mexico, but what is absolutely impossible is for a caterpillar to get to Mexico. That's not going to happen. A caterpillar cannot even make it to the next tree over to munch on the leaves over there. A caterpillar is a glorified worm. It may have a few stubby little legs and some hair poking out, has no eyes, can't see. I mean, this is wonderful food for all the birds out there. These caterpillars, even if they had a dream in their heart—"I want to go to Mexico one day and reproduce"—if that desire is there, it is impossible.
  
  What I’m telling you tonight is that in order to make that migration, in order to make that journey, there must be transformation. There must be a change because a caterpillar cannot get there even if he wants to. And I want to make a point to you from the scripture tonight: I believe the Apostle Paul would agree that there are things that God wants you to do that you are unable to do unless you are transformed. There are callings on your life, there is ministry ahead of you, there are jobs that you are called to do, but if you remain as you are, you will not be able to do that. We must experience transformation by the Holy Spirit so that we can do the thing that God called us to do.
  
  Everybody with me so far? So that's why we're calling this message: Caterpillars can't migrate. Let’s read the scripture: Romans chapter 12, verse 2. Paul says these words: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
  
  Let's pray: Lord, we come by the blood of Jesus. Lord, let our hearts be open to the word of God tonight. I’m praying, Lord, for revelation, for understanding—that you would reveal your heart for your people. I pray, God, that you would show us what you are calling us to, and give us the inspiration, God, to understand that your Holy Spirit has been given to us so that we may be transformed by the renewing of our mind. I pray tonight, God, that you would transform someone in this place, and we give you glory in Jesus’ mighty name. People would say, "Amen."
  
  So, if we are going to experience transformation, step number one in this journey is that we cannot be conformed to this world. Paul’s first statement here in this verse says: "Do not be conformed to this world." Now, remember our context here. What was the very last thing that Paul said before this? He said that our reasonable service is to become living sacrifices for the Lord Jesus, right? To become living stones. God does not want corpses; he wants living sacrifices. And so he is showing us what it means tonight to be a living sacrifice. What does it actually look like?
  
  Well, to be a living sacrifice—someone whose life is laid down for the Lord Jesus—first of all, it means that we cannot be conformed to this world. The Greek word behind that word "conformed" means to fashion oneself according to, to mold into a pattern. The Amplified Bible says it like this: "Do not be conformed to this world—age fashioned after or adapted to its external superficial customs." In the New Living Translation, it says: "Don't copy the behavior and the customs of this world." Finally, the Message translation says it like this: "Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking."
  
  You’ve heard the saying: if it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if it quacks like a duck, if it smells like a duck—then it’s probably a duck, right? And the same thing holds true for people who go to church. If it looks like the world, if it talks like the world, if it acts like the world, if it speaks like the world—then why do we call it a Christian? Because Christians are different from the world. Look at the life of Christ and tell me that he was like the world. Is that true? Jesus was very distinct and a contrast to the rest of the world around him. Both before and since, Jesus stuck out from the world, didn’t he? He made impact, and the world hated him for the life that he lived—a life of perfection.
  
  So we cannot think to ourselves that I can be a believer, a follower, a disciple of Jesus and still fit in with the rest of the world. That doesn’t fit. That does not compute. That’s why Paul says: "Do not be conformed to this world." There are a few areas I want to point out tonight where Christians are tempted, where believers often falter in this commandment.
  
  When it comes to moral standards—how many know that the world has a set of morals? Those morals are quite different than the Christian or biblical morals. If we think that we can live according to the world’s morals, if we think that we can determine right and wrong based on what the world says is right and wrong—that’s exactly what we are not called to do. The world has shifting definitions of who you can sleep with, or even what gender you can be, or what constitutes marriage. The world has a thousand different answers to what God’s word says. But God's word has one answer for those things, and we are called to uphold biblical standards.
  
  We are not called to conform to whatever the latest flavor of the month is in the world of entertainment. We cannot simply give our eyes and ears to everything that the world pukes out on your television screen. Whatever is the latest, most popular Netflix documentary—you listen, you need to have some ability to say, "No, I’m not watching that. I’m not going to." If you’re going through your fridge and find some old produce turning all different colors, you’re not going to say, "Oh, that looks tasty." And yet, this is what many people do when they flip on Netflix. "Oh, what’s the most popular thing today?" I don’t know what it is, but I can tell you it’s probably not biblical.
  
  When it comes to morals and ethics, you’re probably going to consume or watch or listen to something that violates God’s principles. Finances—how many know the world is driven by greed? Debt and dishonesty and materialism are not according to God’s word. We are called to be biblical stewards, having integrity. Even in the Old Testament, God demanded that scales in monetary transactions be honest. Yet so many today think that the rules can be bent—that I don’t have to be honest about how, where, and when I treat people.
  
  Our speech, our language—how many know the world is full of profanity, gossip, slander? A world of iniquity is wrapped up in this little tongue, isn’t it? A spark that can cause a forest fire—that’s normal. That’s what everyday people are talking like. But we are not called to conform to that. We are called to tame this little fire and reflect the character of Christ.
  
  Ambition—do we pursue selfish dreams or status the way the world does? No. Instead, we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. What is his will for my life? Not what do I want to get out of life or out of others. That’s what the world says. The world is transactional: "What can I get out of this relationship?" The biblical way to treat people is much different.
  
  Identity and self-worth—the world is obsessed with image, comparison, pride. There’s a commandment from the Ten: "Do not covet your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s wife, your neighbor’s car." I don’t think that’s in the original, but it’s there. Why are we so drawn to covetousness? Because the world says that I gain identity and value by the things I own. If my neighbor owns something I don’t, or has a better thing than I do, then I don’t have enough value in comparison. But that’s not how the Word of God teaches us. We do not conform to that view of life. We find our identity in Christ, in salvation, in the blood that was shed for us.
  
  That’s why Paul can say: "Let us not be conformed." No, he didn’t say it like that. He said: "Do not be conformed. Don’t let yourself be shaped and molded by the way that the world thinks, by the way that your unsaved family thinks." Don’t let your mind be swayed by what they say on television, podcasts, Fox News, CNN. We are not led by our thoughts, our perceptions, or the way we see ourselves or God. We have to see him through a different lens—biblical.
  
  We are called tonight, as Jesus said, to live in the world without being of the world. And there is an inherent tension that comes with that idea. Jesus prayed, right? He prayed for his disciples in the last supper. In John 17, verse 15, he said: "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one." Can you feel the tension in that prayer? The tension between living in a fallen, broken world, which we all have to do—because you can’t live anywhere else—you can go to heaven, and that tension is gone. But we are called to be in this world, and at the same time, resist the evil one.
  
  John said in 1 John 2:15: "Do not love the world or the things in the world." Well, that’s hard for us, isn’t it? Because we are in the world. As I’ve said before, it’s okay for the ship to be in the ocean; it’s not okay for the ocean to be in the ship. It is good, it is right, and it is necessary for the church to exist in the world. We are not called to be monks or to hide away in monasteries on a mountain, hoping that sinners never come near us. No, we are supposed to be salt and light—only effective when in contact with darkness and corruption. The power is in the contact, the effectiveness, the fruitfulness.
  
  So much of the church has lost influence because we think church is supposed to be a hideaway, that Christianity is supposed to remove us from the filth of the world. No. We have a missionary mentality: going into broken places, into the world. We don’t hide behind four walls. We go out to the sinners. Jesus said: "I do not pray to remove them from the world, but Lord, keep them, protect them." And that means living in this world, there will be tension. You will feel it. You will have a tension between being in this world and resisting what the world says.
  
  We have to be here, but we do not have to conform. That’s why, as Dave preached on Sunday, it’s a spiritual battle every day of your life. AW Tozer said: "The world is not a playground; it is a battleground." And if you don’t win this fight, we’re not even going to talk about being transformed. We have to decide: you know what? I need to be weird. Why? Because normal is going to hell. Normal is broken families, divorce, abuse, selfishness, all ten commandments broken—that’s normal in the world. So I don’t want to be normal. Somebody on YouTube might clip that out, but if normal is going to hell, I don’t want to be normal. I want to be different. Don’t you?
  
  That’s why he commands: "Do not be conformed." So let’s look at being transformed. In Greek, the word is metamorpho—the same root as our English word "metamorphosis." The thought is: this is not just a coat of paint. When Paul says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed," we need transformation. From caterpillar to butterfly, the mark that something has been transformed is that new levels have been unlocked.
  
  Think about when that butterfly pops out of the cocoon. Same creature, right? But the DNA has transformed it into something capable of doing completely new things. All of a sudden, it has wings—the wings are now the prominent feature. It can flap them, it’s colorful, beautiful. It can hop off a branch and fly to the next tree. And not only that, but it can go all the way down to Mexico for a vacation. Praise the Lord! The caterpillar could not do that, even if it wanted to. But the butterfly—new levels have been unlocked.
  
  And I want to tell you, I believe God has new levels to unlock in your life. The Holy Spirit wants to touch areas of your heart and mind to enable new things—new capabilities, new destiny, new future—things you may have never expected to find yourself doing. Have you ever found yourself, maybe on outreach, knocking on a door, thinking: "Oh my gosh, I never thought I’d be doing something like this"? There are a thousand ways God can unlock your potential.
  
  Have you ever had God deal with you, to witness to someone? Not in church, not on outreach—maybe just pumping gas, and God speaks to you. "There’s a guy over there. See him?" And you say, "Yeah." And God says, "Go witness to him." And I’m not prideful enough to say I obeyed every time. No, I haven’t. But there have been times I’ve thought, "God, I’m busy." Oh, too busy to rescue someone from hell? Okay. But God, I don’t have any flyers. Oh, so you can’t communicate the gospel without a flyer, preacher? I’ve had God deal with me. And I don’t want to do it. But God has called me to do it because he has enabled me by his Holy Spirit.
  
  He has created in me a metamorphosis—not just a change of outward appearance, not just a new set of clothes. I am a new person in Christ. He who is in Christ is a new creation. If you are saved, this is necessarily true. But if you are still connected to the old life, if you still have the same desires—I'm not saying we never struggle with sin—but if nothing has changed in your life, that’s a problem. If you’re still a caterpillar trying to act like a butterfly, that’s not going to work very well. If you’re telling yourself, "I want to float to the next tree," you’re still a caterpillar. It’s not going to make it.
  
  This is like the story of the seven sons of Sceva. They were acting like butterflies, but they were only caterpillars. And the demons called them out: "Jesus I know, Paul I know, but who are you?" This is what happens. The New Living Translation says: "Let God transform you into a new person." The Message says: "Fix your attention on God, and you’ll be changed from the inside out." That’s the point of metamorphosis: it’s not something you can do on your own. It’s such a transformation that, even if you wanted to, you couldn’t. It’s supernatural. It requires the Holy Spirit.
  
  Here’s the problem: this metamorphosis can get stuck. We can go only so far with God. Consider the children of Israel. They were delivered out of Egypt, weren’t they? They were freed from bondage. Yet, for 40 years, they still had a bad thought process. They were still stuck in the slave mentality. They still desired the food of Egypt, the leeks and onions. They still complained against Moses. They still worshiped golden calves. They were out of Egypt, but Egypt was still in them. I’ve seen people who go to church, call themselves Christians, sometimes wear suits and ties or dresses on Sunday, looking nice. They’re out of Egypt, but something has not been changed. There’s an old mentality still at work.
  
  That’s why Paul says we still need to be transformed. There’s a problem in the penal system called recidivism. It’s a tragic thing to think about, but it means: when people go to prison, in theory, the reason is to change their lives. They serve their time, they’re reformed, they change, and they can be normal in society. But the statistics tell us otherwise: 70% of released prisoners are rearrested within three years. Why? Because a prison does not reform the heart. It doesn’t change the mind.
  
  What good is our salvation if our mind remains in bondage? If we are not transformed in our actions and words? James said it like this: "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Jesus said in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven." You ever chew on that scripture? It’s frightening, isn’t it? There are people who say, "Lord, Lord," but they will not enter the kingdom.
  
  Leonard Ravenhill said: "We have too many who want to be saved but not sanctified." The point is: Jesus needs to be Savior and Lord—it's a package deal. You can’t have one without the other. You can’t say, "Jesus saved me," but he’s not in charge of your life.
  
  Transformation means Jesus is my Lord. Okay, so how does this transformation happen? If we want to be reformed, if we want to be transformed, what is the process? How do we see that change from caterpillar to butterfly? In the animal world, it’s a cocoon. That cocoon wraps itself up, and some kind of miraculous process takes place—body parts are changed, and it comes out completely transformed.
  
  I want to tell you, there is a cocoon-type process in your life too. How does God transform you? Paul tells us: the Greek word is anakinosis, translated as "the renewal of your mind." The Amplified says: "Be transformed by the entire renewal of your mind—new ideals and a new attitude." The Message says: "Readily recognize what God wants from you, and quickly respond to it." The New Living Translation: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."
  
  When’s the last time God did that in your life? When’s the last time you realized: "I am not thinking correctly, and I need to change the way I think"? Maybe you’ve been thinking out of bitterness, unforgiveness, pain, abuse, anguish. And God wants to change the way you think about money and resources. Many of us have a small view of what God can do with our finances. We think: "Oh, the pie is only so big, so I have to have tiny slices." But I want to tell you: God is the owner of everything. God can enlarge the pie in your life.
  
  I’ve seen God do financial miracles. I’ve seen God heal in our minds, in our bodies. Sometimes we limit God's ability to heal us because we rely on modern medicine. But in third-world countries, they don’t have pills for everything. When they get a headache or sore muscles, they pray, and God heals them. We become so dependent on technology that we forget God. Sometimes we need to think differently, don’t we?
  
  Jesus was trying to get people to think differently. I challenge you: some time ago, God challenged me to memorize the Sermon on the Mount. I want to get there someday—I’m not there yet—but it’s such a powerful message. One thing Jesus was trying to do was to help people think differently about things. You remember the pattern: he would say, "You have heard it said of old..." and then he would say, "But I say to you..." See, the way you’ve been thinking about that was wrong for generations. And I want to help you see what the real intention was.
  
  Jesus did not come to do away with the law but to fulfill it. So he says: "You have heard it said of old, ‘Do not commit adultery,’" but he says, "But I say to you, whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery in his heart." Even if he’s never cheated on his wife, if there’s lust in his mind, that’s adultery.
  
  So you need to think differently. You need to change your pattern of thoughts. People who study the human brain have discovered that thought processes are a series of synapses—electrical currents firing throughout the brain. When you think a thought, those synapses fire, linking one cell to another. That’s how it works physically. The saying "One thing leads to another" is true. Over time, pathways are carved in your mind, so that if I think this, it leads to that, then to that, then to that, and eventually to action.
  
  Some thoughts lead to regret. Some thoughts the enemy fires at you—he knows if he can get that thought in your mind, it can lead to stress, anxiety, perversion, wickedness. What God wants to do is to transform your mind. If he can change how you think, he can change how you act. Isn’t that true?
  
  Dallas Willard said: "The renovation of the heart begins with the transformation of the mind." That’s why Paul said in Philippians: "Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure—meditate on these things." Fill your mind with good, godly things. Why? Because that will produce good, godly behaviors.
  
  Let’s close with the reason why you need to be transformed. There’s a reason your mind needs renewal. There’s a reason we cannot conform to this world: because God needs people to do his will. Let me say it differently: God can do whatever he wants. He’s not limited by your obedience or disobedience. But in his perfect plan, he has chosen to use frail, broken people like you and me. He has chosen to include us in his redemptive plan for the world.
  
  So, if we are going to fulfill that plan, we have to know it and do it. Paul ends this verse: "That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Everybody say: perfect will of God. I want to say tonight: first of all, that there is such a thing as a perfect will.
  
  Now, I don’t think the perfect will of God is that, when you wake up in the morning, God shines through a glorious cloud in your kitchen and says, "Thus saith the Lord, thou shalt eat cornflakes this morning." It’s okay to laugh. The perfect will of God—there are some things he leaves up to our good judgment. But in God's perfect will, there are some things he does call us to.
  
  We are called to know the will of God, but also to prove it—that you may demonstrate what is good, acceptable, and perfect. Again, the New Living Translation: "Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." The Message says: "Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it."
  
  Did you know God has a will for your life? He wants to reveal his will for you. We know that God has a general will—things that are absolutely clear. For example, the Bible says it’s God’s will that you remain sexually pure. That’s black and white. We don’t have to pray about that. Lord, do you want me to remain sexually pure? Or do you want me to go fornicate? No, we don’t have to pray that. We know the will.
  
  But there are some things in life that are not black and white. There are gray areas. I’m not talking about sin versus righteousness. I’m talking about decisions within our walk with God—about your future, your ministry, how you spend your time for Jesus. Not everything is spelled out clearly. We have to learn: God, what is your perfect will for me?
  
  The will of God for Pastor Adam Dragoon is different than for you. Esther is an example. She didn’t understand that God had put her in a specific time, in a specific place, for a purpose. And thank God she had a godly relative, Mordecai, who reminded her: "Listen, Esther, if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do, God can raise up a deliverer from somewhere else." But she was there for a reason. The reason you are where you are, with what you have, is because God has a purpose for it. Use it.
  
  We need to know and prove God’s perfect will for our lives. David prayed in Psalm 143:10: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God." Did you hear that? "Teach me to do your will." That means it’s not automatic. Ephesians 5:17: "Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Colossians 1:9: "Be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
  
  And here’s a little "life hack": some of you are sitting here tonight thinking, "Man, I want to do the will of God. I believe God is transforming me, but I don’t know what that is." For that person, let me give you a hint: I believe that God is more interested in having a relationship with you than just you performing duties. If you want to know God’s will, seek him. Seek his purpose, seek his character. When you become more like him, you’ll start to love what he loves, hate what he hates, hear things the way he hears them, and do things the way he does. Soon, it will become clear what God’s specific, perfect will is for you.
  
  If you’re in a holding pattern—"Lord, I want to do your will, but I don’t know what it is"—my encouragement is: get to know God more. Know his heart, so you can know his will.
  
  Let’s close with this: we’re not alone in this. What we’re talking about—transformation, renewal of the mind—is not just something you decide to do. We have a part to play: "I am a willing vessel. Lord, whatever you got for me, I want a part of that." But the actual work of transformation—like the caterpillar—only God can do that. If he were smart enough, the caterpillar could sit with a notepad and say, "I want to fly to Mexico. I want to flap my wings. I want to eat more than just leaves. I want to see something besides being blind all the time." He could write down all his desires, but he cannot bring about that change on his own.
  
  There have been times in my life when the Holy Spirit has surprised me with transformations. Here’s why: Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He is preparing his bride. He is ridding you of sin. He puts convictions on your heart—whether to do or not to do things. He is the one at the right time, in the right place. Our job is to respond and say, "Yes, Lord, I’ll follow you." But his job is to lead us into transformation.
  
  That’s why the Bible says we are to change from glory to glory into his likeness and his image. He is the one working this transformation. But he will not do it without your surrender.
  
  Pastor Mitchell’s favorite quote—my favorite of his—is: "You’ll never know the will of God until you are surrendered to it." It’s profound.
  
  Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes for just a moment. As we bring the service to a close tonight, and as we think about the perfect, acceptable will of God for you—His will for your life is unique, like a fingerprint. But if we want to experience that will, we cannot get there without transformation. We cannot get there without our minds being renewed.
  
  Tonight, I believe God wants to renew somebody’s mind. Before we open this altar for prayer, I want to ask: has someone come into this service tonight and you say, "Pastor, I don’t even know if I’m right with God. I don’t know if my sins are forgiven." My heart is separated from God, and my sins are before me. I struggle with sin. I give in to sin. Sin seems to have power over me. That’s because, without Christ, sin does have power over you. Sin is a cruel taskmaster. It leads you to places you don’t want to go, causes you to do things you don’t want to do.
  
  But tonight, sin has been defeated. Jesus Christ has made it possible—because of his sacrifice on the cross—that you and I can turn to him in faith, trust in him. When we do that, the Bible says: we turn from our sins, trust in Jesus, and our sins are forgiven. This is the beginning of a new life with Christ. This is called being born again—a new life.
  
  If you have not received that salvation tonight, if you have not been born again, if you don’t have a new nature, a new life in Christ, I want to pray with you. Is there someone here quickly, saying, "Pastor, please pray for me. I need salvation. I want my sins forgiven." Before we do anything else, lift up a hand right now—say, "Pray for me." I need that. Is that you? Quickly, with an uplifted hand, you need a transformation—a new life in Christ. Old things passing away, all things becoming new. Jesus loves you, cares about you, even though we’ve turned away from him so many times. But there is hope.
  
  Tonight, if you want to come back like the prodigal son, who was in the far country, and he made up his mind: "Maybe my father will have mercy on me if I just make my way home." That’s what’s on your heart. You want to make your way back to the Father. He’s waiting for you. Is there someone here? Quickly, lift your hand—I want to pray for you. God’s dealing with you. The Spirit of God is moving on your heart. You need that transformation—a new life in Christ, forgiveness of sins. Anyone at all? Quickly tonight.
  
  Thank you. Thank you tonight.
  
  Now, speaking to the church—speaking to God’s people. If you didn’t raise your hand for salvation, that means you’re claiming to be a follower of Jesus. And to be a follower of Jesus means a few things: number one, it means you are not conformed to this world.
  
  I want to open this altar tonight for three different needs. The first is for those who find themselves conforming to the world. You are a spiritual chameleon—you like to blend in wherever you go. But that is not the will of God. The will of God is that we not be conformed to this world. At this altar, you will find the strength necessary to be different, to be unique, to be called out from the world and called together for his will.
  
  Secondly, tonight, there are people here—you’re saved. Thank God, you’re saved from hell. You’ve got your fire escape, your fire insurance—praise the Lord. You’re on your way to heaven. But there are still things left untransformed. Maybe there’s stubbornness in your heart. Maybe there’s a quenching of the Holy Spirit. Maybe there’s a place where the Lord has tried to change your life, but you’ve put up a hand and said, "No, I need to stay where I am." You’re saved, but you’re stuck—like the children of Israel, delivered from Egypt, but their minds still filled with wickedness. You need a renewed mind tonight.
  
  Third, I want to make a call for those who are uncertain about the will of God. It’s not that you have difficulty being different or need transformation. Maybe tonight, you’re unsure about God’s will for your life. You don’t know it, but you want to know it. I want to open this altar for those who are uncertain—to find certainty in Christ. It’s not a small thing to seek the will of God. I believe God has a perfect, unique will for your life.
  
  We’re going to open this altar for those three groups: those who need strength not to conform, those who need transformation tonight by the renewal of their mind, and those who are uncertain about God’s will. Let’s stand to our feet. We’re going to open this altar for prayer. Come on, church. Begin to cry out to the Lord. If God is dealing with you, if you sense the Holy Spirit drawing you, come. Ask God for transformation.
  
  Lord, would you speak tonight to hearts? Lord, would you speak to minds? There are minds that need to change tonight. Attitudes that need to change. Automatic thoughts that need to be transformed. Oh, Jesus, I pray that you would reform your church, renew her tonight, set the captives free. I pray, Lord, break the chains of bondage right here at this altar.
  
  I want to encourage you: lift up your voice and begin to cry out to the Lord for a few moments as we pray.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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They’re Back: The Daimonia

Sermon Summary

The reality of spiritual warfare is often dismissed or misunderstood, even among those who profess faith in Christ. Yet Scripture is clear: we have a real adversary, the devil, who is not merely a symbol of evil but a personal being with a kingdom of darkness. He is described as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but his tactics are often subtle, convincing many that he and his minions do not exist. This deception is not just prevalent in the world but has infiltrated the church, where a majority now doubt the literal existence of Satan and the demonic realm.

Throughout history, the devil has worked through his minions—what the Old Testament calls the Shedim and the New Testament calls the daimonia, or demons. These spiritual forces have been repackaged across cultures and generations, appearing as false gods like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molech. Their influence is not a relic of the past; they have returned in new forms, shaping the moral and spiritual decay of our society. Baal steals worship from God, Ashtoreth blurs the lines of gender and sexuality, and Molech demands the sacrifice of children. These ancient spirits are at work today, manifesting in the breakdown of the family, the confusion of identity, and the destruction of the next generation.

The problems we face—whether personal struggles or societal crises—are fundamentally spiritual. No political solution, technological advance, or social program can address the root issues because they are driven by unseen spiritual forces. The call is to be sober and vigilant, recognizing the true nature of our enemy and refusing to be distracted by surface-level explanations or solutions.

Yet, there is hope and authority for those who are in Christ. Jesus has given His followers power over all the works of the enemy. The demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus, and every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, can stand in victory. But this authority is not automatic; it flows from a genuine relationship with Christ. The name of Jesus is not a magic word, but the expression of a living faith. The invitation is to examine our hearts, ensure we are right with God, and walk in the authority and freedom that Christ has secured for us.

“The demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus, and every believer, filled with the Holy Spirit, can stand in victory.”

— Pastor Dave

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:00] - The Heartbeat of World Evangelism

• [02:33] - The Story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell

• [06:03] - The Cost of Advancing the Kingdom

• [07:35] - Women Who Supported Jesus’ Ministry

• [09:29] - Gratitude as the Root of Generosity

• [12:47] - Mary Magdalene’s Transformation

• [13:55] - The Value of Forgiveness and Giving

• [14:51] - Zacchaeus: Radical Gratitude in Action

• [24:15] - Earthly Spending vs. Kingdom Investment

• [26:22] - From Spectator to Participant

• [29:07] - Givers Shape Global Impact

• [33:04] - The Widow’s Offering and Jesus’ Commendation

• [35:16] - Legacy: The Ripple Effect of Generosity

• [36:53] - The Call to Respond and Give

• [39:42] - Invitation to Salvation

• [42:24] - Giving and the Blessing of God

• [45:20] - Personal Testimony of Generosity

• [46:22] - Closing and Final Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. The greatest deception of the enemy is convincing people—even many Christians—that he does not exist. This spiritual blindness leaves individuals and the church vulnerable to his schemes, as we cannot resist an enemy we refuse to acknowledge. Recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare is the first step toward victory. [03:44]

2. The demonic realm is not a myth or a relic of ancient superstition; it is active and influential in our world today. The same spirits that masqueraded as false gods in ancient cultures have simply been repackaged for modern times, continuing their work of stealing worship, corrupting identity, and destroying lives. Understanding this continuity helps us discern the true nature of the battles we face. [15:56]

3. Societal and personal problems are fundamentally spiritual in nature. While politics, technology, and social programs have their place, they cannot address the root issues that stem from spiritual forces. True transformation comes only through spiritual means—prayer, repentance, and the authority of Christ. [20:58]

4. Believers are not powerless against the enemy. Jesus has given authority to His followers to trample on all the power of the enemy, and the demonic realm is subject to the name of Jesus. This authority is exercised not through ritual or formula, but through a living relationship with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. [24:28]

5. The authority of Jesus is not a magic formula to be used apart from relationship. Attempting to invoke His name without truly knowing Him leads to defeat and spiritual danger, as seen in the story of the seven sons of Sceva. The call is to genuine faith, repentance, and a personal walk with Christ, which alone grants access to His victory and power. [29:32]

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Bible Reading

• 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

• Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

• Luke 10:19 - "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 5:8, what are believers instructed to do, and why?

2. In Ephesians 6:12, who or what does Paul say our real struggle is against?

3. What authority does Jesus say He gives to His followers in Luke 10:19?

4. The sermon mentions that many Christians today doubt the literal existence of Satan and demons. What statistics or examples did the pastor give to show this trend? [03:44]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter uses the image of a "roaring lion" to describe the devil? What does this suggest about the enemy’s tactics? [05:04]

2. The sermon connects ancient false gods like Baal, Ashtoreth, and Molech to modern cultural issues. How does understanding this spiritual continuity help us see current problems differently? [15:56]

3. If our struggles are not just physical or social but spiritual (Ephesians 6:12), how should that change the way we approach personal or societal problems? [20:58]

4. The pastor said that the authority of Jesus is not a magic formula, but flows from a real relationship with Him. Why is this distinction important? [29:32]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says the devil’s greatest trick is convincing people he doesn’t exist. Have you ever found yourself downplaying or ignoring the reality of spiritual warfare? What effect has that had on your life or faith? [03:44]

2. The pastor described how ancient demonic influences have been “repackaged” in modern culture, especially in areas like family, identity, and the value of children. Where do you see these influences at work in your own environment (work, school, media, etc.)? How do you respond? [15:56]

3. Ephesians 6:12 says our real battle is not against people, but spiritual forces. Think of a current conflict or problem you’re facing. How might seeing it as a spiritual battle change your response? [20:58]

4. The sermon calls us to be “sober and vigilant.” What are some practical ways you can stay alert to spiritual dangers in your daily life? [21:47]

5. Jesus gives authority to His followers over the enemy, but the pastor warned that this authority is only real for those who have a genuine relationship with Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week? [29:32]

6. The story of the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19) was used as a warning against using Jesus’ name without knowing Him. Are there areas in your life where you’ve tried to use “Christian” words or actions without real faith or relationship? What needs to change? [29:32]

7. The pastor invited everyone to examine their hearts and make sure they are right with God. Is there anything you need to repent of or bring before God today to walk in the authority and freedom Jesus offers? [30:11]

• Full Transcript

  Amen. If you have your Bibles, 1 Peter, the book of 1 Peter chapter 5. While I do my gymnastics and get ready over here this morning, 1 Peter chapter 5. Good to see everybody. Great to see you all this morning. Beautiful Sunday morning.
  
  1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8. We're going to look at one verse of Scripture in just a moment. There's a famous quote that shows up in various forms in our culture every few years, every generation or so. The latest version of this I could find was from the movie The Usual Suspects back in 1995. And the quote goes something like this: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." You heard that before, or some variation of that. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
  
  I picked up an article in Columbia Magazine. It's written by somebody styling themselves as La Carmina. This is their pen name. They didn't give their actual name. But they did mention that they are an actual Satanist. They actually wrote a book called The Little Book of Satanism. And in this article in Columbia Magazine... The Little Book of appears, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, Asia Alec, and they said this: "Most Satanists don't actually believe in Satan and don't worship him as either a god or a force of evil. For the most part, Satanists are non-theists and view Satanism as a personal liberation from traditional theistic beliefs. Satan is a metaphor. We believe in the historical idea of Lucifer as a lightbringer, a principled rebel, a rebellious angel willing to stand up against arbitrary rules of authority."
  
  The Satanic Temple is dedicated to activism around issues like reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ causes. Now, before you say, "Okay, that's just incredibly stupid. Satanists don't believe in Satan? They don't believe in the very being that they're named after?" Before you say that, Pastor, listen to this. A recent survey by the Cultural Research Center found that Americans are more confident about the existence of Satan than they are of God. Overall, 56% contend that Satan is an influential spiritual being, yet almost half are not fully confident that God truly exists.
  
  Okay, but that's just—Americans in general. What about the church? In another study by the Barna Group, four out of 10 Christians—that's 40%—strongly agreed that Satan is not a living being, but just a symbol of evil. And about another 20% said they somewhat agree with that. So that means 60% of Christians say the devil isn't real. That is worse, if you're keeping track—that's worse than what the world says.
  
  Church, if a minority of Christians indicated that Satan isn't real, only 8% were not sure what they believe about the existence of Satan. 8% in the church were not sure. If the body of Christ on earth does not think that it has a real enemy, then we're in huge trouble. Can you say amen this morning?
  
  1 Peter 5:8, one verse of Scripture, says: "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
  
  I want to pray with you this morning. Why don't we bow our heads quickly and just ask God's help this morning. Father, I'm asking that you would help me this morning. Father, I'm asking for your anointing. God, I have no confidence in my flesh and myself. I'm asking that your Spirit would have right of way to move on every heart and every life in this place. In Jesus' mighty name. We give you praise. Amen.
  
  This is a sermon I've entitled The Daimonia, and you'll understand why in just a minute. And my brethren from the Kempsville Church, you may have heard me preach something along these lines before. I apologize in advance. I really feel that this is what God would have me to preach today. The Daimonia. I want to look firstly with you at He's real, and so is His kingdom.
  
  The Bible makes it clear that you and I have a real enemy, not just evil itself as an abstract idea—because evil, quote unquote, especially in our time, can be very loosely defined. If you vote differently than someone else, you might get labeled as evil. Instead, the Bible gives him a name. It is Satan in English, Satan in the ancient Hebrew. It means an opponent, the arch enemy of good. The Word of God actually gives him characteristics. In our text, from 1 Peter, he's called the adversary. He is against you.
  
  The first time he's mentioned in Scripture by name, we find him opposing Israel. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, "Now Satan stood up against Israel." And you know what? He's still doing that. Jesus said in John 8:44, "He's a murderer and a liar and always has been from the beginning." So even though he's a spiritual being and cannot physically kill us, Jesus says that he's a murderer. He's been killing somebody. This could mean that he's either killed something else—an innocent being, possibly other angels—or that he's inspired people to murder other people, or both.
  
  Jesus also said he's a thief. John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He's a deceiver, first appearing in the Garden of Eden as the serpent. He deceives Eve. He causes Adam and Eve to sin and plunges the world into darkness. Revelation 12:9 says, "So that great dragon was cast out, the serpent of old, called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world." We also know that he commands an army. Also from Revelation 12:9, "He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
  
  So to think that the devil is not real is to fall for perhaps his greatest deception. As we've already seen, he's already gotten his own followers to fall for it. And he's got the majority of the church to fall for it. Don't you fall for it too.
  
  In our text, Peter compares the devil to a roaring lion. How many of you know male lions are the king of the jungle? Top of the food chain. The roar of a lion can reach 114 decibels. Now, you may say, "Okay, what does that mean?" Ever hear a gas lawnmower? About 85 decibels. The roar of a lion is 114 decibels—25 times as loud as a gas lawnmower. The roar strikes fear into every other animal. But let's be real—you ever seen a male lion go out and do some hunting? You haven't. They don't do much. It says he walks about like a roaring lion. Male lions don't do a lot of hunting. They leave that for the females, the lionesses, their minions. Once the lionesses have secured the kill, they bring it back to the male lion to feast on. That's why it says he walks about like a roaring lion. He's not chasing you down. He leaves that for his minions.
  
  You see, Satan has always operated this way. He makes a lot of noise, but he has his minions do his work for him. And who are his minions? In the Old Testament, his minions were referred to as the shedim—false gods, idols, spirits. In the New Testament, the same Greek word is translated daimonia—demons, the demonic realm. It goes without saying—if you don't believe in the devil, why would you believe in demons? But the Bible tells us that Satan has an entire army of these daimonia. He's like a lion, and he sends them out to do his dirty work. They are sent forth, as Jesus said, to steal, to kill, and to destroy. The devil isn't just an idea or a symbol for evil—he's real, and you better come to grips with it sooner rather than later.
  
  Now, secondly, let's look at all the problems in our world. Do you ever wonder what happened to the ancient gods? Every culture going back to the beginning has had gods they worshipped. Where are Zeus and Poseidon, the Greek pantheon? Where are Jupiter, Mars, Apollo—the Roman gods? Where are Odin and Thor? I know you say he's in Marvel movies now, but where are they? Were they just myths that died out, or did something happen to them? Jesus said in Matthew 12:43, "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first." So shall it be with this wicked generation, Jesus says.
  
  This isn't just something for individuals—this is happening with entire generations. When Jesus comes in, the false gods get kicked out, can you say amen? In generations past, we've had incredible revivals—people repenting of sins, idols being broken. That's what we see in the greatest revivals in history: people bringing things they were bound by to the altar and breaking them—alcohol, drugs, ungodly books, movies, music, maybe even video games. Can anybody say amen? But too often, they bring them to the altar, they break the idol, and that's where it ends. People don't realize—those spirits come back. And when they do, they're coming back harder.
  
  Remember what happened when Moses confronted Pharaoh and said, "Let my people go." Each of the ten plagues directly confronted a different Egyptian god. So what happened to the old gods? They were cast out, but then they regrouped and came back stronger.
  
  How do Satan's minions mess with our lives? The Bible identifies four major demons. The first is Baal. Baal is the supreme male god of the Canaanites and Phoenicians. He's always associated with being the Lord of the Earth, worshipped in high places—mountains, hills. Baal's symbol was the thunderbolt. Baal gets repackaged with every new culture that comes along—showing up as Zeus, Jupiter, Thor. What does Baal do? He takes away worship from God. He turns the hearts of men, steals their hearts.
  
  The Bible also identifies Ashtoreth—the queen of heaven. This is where we get the word star. She is the goddess of sexual pleasure, fertility, and war. She appears repeatedly as Ishtar, Venus, Aphrodite. She's worshipped in prostitute temples. Her symbol is a lioness; sometimes she appears as a horse. She blurs the lines between male and female. Does this sound familiar? She had male priests who dressed as women and danced for children. Some even transitioned themselves. She demanded a special month of worship—her month. The early Christian writer St. Jerome called it Unium, which we now call June.
  
  Then there's Molech, the destroyer—masquerading as a pagan fertility god, also known as Saturn or Kronos. He has the body of a man and the head of a bull, with fire in his belly and outstretched arms. What did he demand? Child sacrifice. Mostly, innocent children. And what did he do? He steals, kills, and destroys—just as Jesus said. Baal steals hearts away from God, kills through sexualization, pornography, divorce, redefining marriage, male and female. Ashtoreth destroys the next generation through idolatry and sexual perversion. Moloch destroys children through abortion.
  
  And church, they're back. Just as Jesus said, they've returned with vengeance. They've come back and found our house spiritually empty. As a society, we've been living on the spiritual victories of our ancestors without much for ourselves. Our house was unguarded. So they gathered more, bigger, and worse demons, and they permeated our culture.
  
  Remember what that Satanist author said—the Satanic Temple is dedicated to activism around reproductive rights (abortion) and LGBTQ+ causes (destroying the family). No longer do you find teachers in schools teaching the Lord's Prayer or our Christian history, flaws and all—including slavery. Instead, there's a focus on anti-Christian, anti-God, pro-demonic propaganda. It began back in the early '60s when the Bible and prayer were taken out of schools. Then came the sexual revolution, birth control, Roe v. Wade, and our culture has been on a demonic death spiral ever since.
  
  When ancient Israel turned from God, they followed the same path—worshipping Baal and Ashtoreth, sacrificing children to Molech. But in our generation, we've slain many more children than Israel ever did. In the 2019 case Box v. Planned Parenthood, Justice Clarence Thomas noted that in some parts of New York City, black children are more likely to be aborted than born alive—up to eight times more likely than white children in the same area. Is that okay with you? Is that okay with me? It's not okay.
  
  But this problem isn't just societal. I'm not talking about politics or who you voted for. That's a distraction. The real issues are spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Money problems, relationship issues, anger, addiction—they're all rooted in spiritual forces. We won't solve them by bowing to the new "gods" of science, technology, or money. We can't depend on medication, social media, or government to save us. These are spiritual problems, coming from demonic forces, and they require a spiritual solution.
  
  Finally, I want to affirm that the devil and daimonia can be defeated. Our main text tells us to be sober and vigilant. That doesn't just mean avoiding drunkenness; it means being calm and alert in spirit. It means watching carefully and paying close attention. Most people today are either anxious—taking medication—or apathetic—they just don't care. But we must be alert, because our enemy has his minions surrounding us, ready to ambush.
  
  At just the right moment, he'll make a lot of noise, scare us, and try to cause us to run into his trap. But if we stay calm and on guard, this won't happen. James 4:7 says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Think of a lion attacking a giraffe. The lion runs at it, trying to latch onto its legs or neck. But if the giraffe remembers it's a giraffe and uses its powerful neck and legs to shake off the lion, it can send the lion running or even kill it. Use the power you already have.
  
  Jesus said in Luke 10:19, "Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Don't rejoice in that authority pridefully—rejoice because your names are written in heaven. The spirits are subject to us because Jesus already gave us that power.
  
  Acts 1:8 says, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me." Every demonic spirit, no matter how powerful, is subject to the Holy Spirit, which God gives us freely. Baal, Ashtoreth, Molech, Satan—they recognize Jesus Christ as the supreme authority of the universe.
  
  I remember Pastor Oscar Gaffor, a missionary in India, told a story about a devout Hindu who came into his church. Hindus have over 330 million gods, constantly making new ones. This man said he had a vision while praying to his gods. He saw all these gods in front of him and asked, "Are you the one and only? Are you the most powerful?" Each god said, "No, I am just a spirit." Finally, he saw a bright light, and Jesus stepped forward. All the other gods fled. The man said, "Who are you?" Jesus replied, "I am Jesus." The man believed.
  
  Philippians 2:9 says, "God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." We don't have to walk around defeated. We are victorious in Jesus' name. If you have money problems, be obedient in tithes and offerings, and pray for God's protection. If you have relationship issues, illnesses, or addictions, remember Matthew 16:18—"I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." You have authority to bind the devil and his minions.
  
  The question is: what about you? The earlier study also showed that many in the church are confused about the Holy Spirit. Over half—52%—say the Holy Spirit is not a living entity but merely a symbol of God's power, presence, or purity. Will you be sober, vigilant, and submissive to God? Will you receive the Holy Spirit and exercise the authority given to you in Jesus' name?
  
  This morning, it's your choice. I ask you to bow your heads with me across this place. The daimonia—the spirits we've discussed—is real, including the authority Jesus gives us to trample on the enemy. But none of this is possible unless you have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It would be foolish to think that just calling on His name in trouble will automatically make all your problems disappear, like a magic word. The men in Acts 19 tried that—seven sons of Sceva—they said, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, come out." The demon replied, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" The demon overpowered them, and they fled battered and naked.
  
  You can't just use Jesus' name as a magic talisman. You need a relationship with Him. John 3:3 says, "Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
  
  What about you? Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior? Do you have a relationship with Him? That's what He went to the cross for—paying for our sins so we can be in God's presence again. Do you have that relationship today? If not, would you lift your hand? If you've never confessed Jesus as the Son of God or asked Him to forgive your sins, would you lift your hand this morning? All across this place.
  
  Jesus is not your Savior if you were to die right now—God forbid. But if you died today, would you wake up in eternity standing before God? Would you make heaven your home? If you cannot honestly say yes, you should lift your hand.
  
  Are you backslidden? Were you serving God once, but you've walked away? Maybe something happened. If you're not right with God right now, would you lift your hand? We want to pray with you. Not to join a church or sign a membership card—nothing crazy like that. Just to get right with God.
  
  If you're unsaved or backslidden, lift your hand now. Praise God.
  
  Church, I want to open the altar this morning. Maybe you have something on your heart you want to bring before God. We always want to end our services with a time of prayer, where you can come to the altar and lay things before Him. Maybe it's something I didn't even mention but is on your mind. The altars are open. I encourage you—come down and pray. Let's all pray together. Let's open the altar now.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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The Gospel Needs Givers

Sermon Summary

In this World Evangelism Sunday message, the focus is on the vital role each believer plays in advancing the gospel to the nations. Drawing from personal experience as a former missionary and from the example of our fellowship’s global reach, the call is clear: the mission of God is not just for a select few, but for every member of the body of Christ. The upcoming trip to Cambodia is a tangible opportunity for our congregation to participate in this mission, whether by going or by sending.

The story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell illustrates that while some are called to preach and pioneer, others are called to empower the mission through their resources. Farwell, though never a preacher, used his business and finances to undergird Moody’s ministry, resulting in a legacy that has touched tens of thousands. This mirrors the biblical account in Luke 8, where women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna—transformed by Jesus—supported His ministry out of their own means. Their gratitude for what Christ had done in their lives overflowed into generosity, making them essential partners in the work of the kingdom.

Gratitude is the spark that ignites true generosity. When we remember what Christ has done—how He found us in our brokenness, forgave our sins, and gave us new life—our natural response is to ask, “What can I do to bless my Savior?” Giving is not a burden, but a privilege and a joy. The kingdom of God advances not primarily through the wealthy, but through ordinary people who give sacrificially out of love for Christ and His mission.

Giving is what sustains the gospel. Even Jesus, the Son of God, relied on the faithful support of others to carry out His earthly ministry. The partnership between goers and senders is essential; both are equally important in God’s eyes. When we give, we move from being spectators to participants, investing in something that will outlast us. Our resources, when given to the kingdom, become spiritual investments with eternal returns.

The impact of generosity is often unseen in this life, but it is never forgotten by God. Every soul reached, every life changed, becomes part of our legacy. Even the smallest gift, given in faith, can have a ripple effect that touches nations. The greatest use of our lives is to spend them for something that will endure forever—the salvation of souls and the glory of God among the nations.

“The impact of generosity is often unseen in this life, but it is never forgotten by God.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:00] - The Heartbeat of World Evangelism

• [02:33] - The Story of D.L. Moody and John Farwell

• [06:03] - The Cost of Advancing the Kingdom

• [07:35] - Women Who Supported Jesus’ Ministry

• [09:29] - Gratitude as the Root of Generosity

• [12:47] - Mary Magdalene’s Transformation

• [13:55] - The Value of Forgiveness and Giving

• [14:51] - Zacchaeus: Radical Gratitude in Action

• [24:15] - Earthly Spending vs. Kingdom Investment

• [26:22] - From Spectator to Participant

• [29:07] - Givers Shape Global Impact

• [33:04] - The Widow’s Offering and Jesus’ Commendation

• [35:16] - Legacy: The Ripple Effect of Generosity

• [36:53] - The Call to Respond and Give

• [39:42] - Invitation to Salvation

• [42:24] - Giving and the Blessing of God

• [45:20] - Personal Testimony of Generosity

• [46:22] - Closing and Final Prayer

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Fuels Generosity: True generosity is born from a heart that remembers what Christ has done. When we reflect on our own salvation and the transformation Jesus has brought, our giving becomes a joyful response rather than an obligation. Gratitude compels us to ask, “How can I bless the One who has blessed me?” [09:29]

2. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact: God often uses those who seem insignificant in the world’s eyes to accomplish His greatest purposes. The women who supported Jesus’ ministry were not famous, but their faith and giving were essential to the advance of the gospel. Never underestimate what God can do through your faithful, even seemingly small, contribution. [13:55]

3. Giving Transforms Spectators into Participants: When we invest our resources in God’s mission, we move from the sidelines into the heart of what God is doing. Our giving ties us to every soul saved, every life changed, and every work established. It is through this partnership that we become co-laborers with Christ in the harvest. [26:22]

4. Faithful Giving Invites God’s Miraculous Provision: God delights in using what we have, no matter how little, to accomplish His purposes. Like the widow who gave her last meal to Elijah or the woman who gave two coins at the temple, God honors sacrificial giving and often responds with supernatural provision. The miracle is not just in the gift, but in the faith that releases it. [33:38]

5. Our Legacy is Measured by Eternal Impact: The true value of our generosity will be revealed in eternity, when we see the lives touched and transformed because we gave. Every act of giving for the sake of the gospel becomes part of a legacy that outlives us. One day, in heaven, we may meet those whose lives were changed because we chose to invest in God’s mission. [35:16]

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Bible Reading

• Luke 8:1-3 NKJV- Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve [were] with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

• Mark 12:41-44 NKJV- Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many [who were] rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."

• 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NKJV- I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, [you are] God's building.

Observation Questions

1. According to Luke 8:1-3, who were some of the people supporting Jesus’ ministry, and how did they do it?

2. In Mark 12:41-44, what did Jesus notice about the widow’s offering compared to the others?

3. In the sermon, what was the connection between gratitude and generosity, especially in the lives of Mary Magdalene and Zacchaeus? ([12:47] / [14:51])

4. What does 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 say about the roles of different people in God’s work?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bible specifically mentions the women who supported Jesus financially? What does this tell us about their role in the kingdom? ([07:35])

2. The widow in Mark 12 gave “all she had to live on.” What does this reveal about the kind of giving that pleases God? How is this different from giving out of abundance? ([33:04])

3. The sermon says, “Gratitude is what sparks generosity.” How does remembering what Christ has done for us change the way we view giving? ([09:29])

4. The pastor shared that both “goers” and “senders” are essential in God’s mission. Why is it important to see both roles as equally valuable? ([26:22])

Application Questions

1. The sermon shared stories of ordinary people—like John Farwell and the women in Luke 8—whose generosity made a huge impact. Do you ever feel like your contribution is too small to matter? How does this message challenge that thinking? ([29:07])

2. The pastor said, “Gratitude is what sparks generosity.” Take a moment to remember a time when God changed your life. How can you let that gratitude overflow into generosity this week? ([09:29])

3. The example of Zacchaeus shows radical gratitude in action. Is there an area in your life where God is prompting you to give or serve out of thankfulness? What might that look like? ([14:51])

4. The sermon mentioned that giving turns us from spectators into participants in God’s mission. In what ways have you been a “spectator” in the past? What is one step you can take to become more of a “participant”? ([26:22])

5. The widow in Mark 12 gave sacrificially, even when it seemed small. Is there something you feel God is asking you to give—time, money, or something else—that feels like a stretch? What fears or hesitations do you have, and how can you trust God with them? ([33:04])

6. The pastor talked about the upcoming Cambodia trip and the need for both goers and senders. How can you personally support missions—whether by going, giving, or praying? ([36:53])

7. The sermon said, “Our legacy is measured by eternal impact.” What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How can your generosity today shape that legacy for the future? ([35:16])

• Full Transcript

  We find ourselves here on the last Sunday of the month, which is our World Evangelism Sunday. We have this because my wife and I, we were missionaries. We served four and a half years in Eastern Europe and the nation of Bulgaria. And that means missions work is near and dear to our hearts.
  
  We also have a fellowship. What you are experiencing here tonight is just a tip of the iceberg. We have 4,000 churches in our organization, and there are 4,000 Sunday night services happening around the world along with us here tonight in different time zones, of course. But it's incredible to think about all that God is doing.
  
  And one of the main focuses of our fellowship is sending pioneers and workers into nations, into cities, and believing God to raise up indigenous workers in those nations. And so there's one thing from the calendar that I did not tell you about tonight, and that is an upcoming trip that we will be taking to the nation of Cambodia. The plan is to make that trip in the month of August. We've had a sign-up sheet out here for about six months and haven't had any brave takers to be a part of that trip.
  
  But what we want to do tonight is I want to encourage you. We need finances for this upcoming trip. Now, I know I've been asking for finances. We ask for finances in every single service. But I want to encourage you tonight because this is a separate and a very special gift that we want to give specifically for this one need for the trip to Cambodia.
  
  We have a couple that is there, Pastor Gilbert and Judy Ong. They've been sent out from the Chandler Church, the same mother church. They've been there for about two years. And the reason that we are going to them, the reason that we want to go and minister in that church, the city is Phnom Penh, and the nation is Cambodia. It's in southeastern Asia.
  
  And the reason we want to help them is because they are members, they're pastoring, leading that church. That church has been there for about five or six years. They've been there for about two years. And in the two years that they've been there, they have had zero Americans come and visit them. And so we want to be a help to them.
  
  And what's amazing is that from this church, from the Potter's House in Virginia Beach, you can be a blessing to them. And I want to encourage you tonight. We're gonna take up an offering. I want to encourage you in that way. So I want to open up our Bibles to Luke chapter 8. If you join me there. Luke chapter 8. And we're gonna take that offering as soon as we finish this message.
  
  So how many here have heard the name Dwight Moody? Anybody here? Dwight Moody, founder of the Moody Institute. And he was a great 19th-century evangelist who preached to millions across the United States and the United Kingdom. The reason that his name is well known is because he was a man of passion, power, and great purpose. His voice across many cities around the world. His sermons stirred many souls, and his legacy moves on. Lives on through churches that he planted and the famous Moody Bible Institute, which continues to train ministers, pastors, and missionaries to this day.
  
  He's the kind of guy that when you think about somebody who changes the world, he is that kind of guy. Through his ministry, God used him powerfully. But there's a name that very few people know that is responsible for much of what Moody experienced, and that name is John Farwell. Anybody heard the name John Farwell? I didn't before I found this information.
  
  And John Farwell, the interesting story is that he was no preacher. He never held revival meetings. He never stepped behind a pulpit. He never crossed an ocean on a missions trip. He had a desk, a business, and he had a conviction. And his conviction was, I can use my finances that God has given me to empower the gospel. And in that way, he became just as much part of the mission as the one who was behind the pulpit.
  
  Whenever Moody needed a place to preach, this man John Farwell rented the hall. When Moody dreamed of training a school for young missionaries, Farwell donated the land. When Moody planned crusades all around Chicago, Farwell rallied other businessmen to back him financially. Eventually, because of the growing ministry, Farwell became the president of the board of trustees at the Moody Bible Institute.
  
  To this day, that institution has trained over 50,000 ministers and missionaries who have gone on to reach every corner of the globe. We cannot overstate the impact of this man's generosity, the willingness to be used by God in different ways for different purposes. And we recognize that the body of Christ has different members, just like your body has different members. You have hands, you have feet. They look the same, but they do different things. Your body has eyes and ears, different functions for different purposes. And so it is in the kingdom of God.
  
  There are those like D.L. Moody who preach the gospel and are powerfully used by God in direct ministry to hearts. There's also people like John Farwell, never gaining a spotlight, never even wanting a spotlight, but using the gift that God gave him to enable the kingdom to thrive. And so D.L. Moody shook the world, but it was Farwell who paid the bills.
  
  And we have to recognize tonight that for the kingdom to go forward, for the gospel to be advanced, there are bills to pay. And when it comes to paying those bills, God calls unique and everyday people like you and me. And I want to read this scripture from Luke chapter 8, where we find that there is also in the scripture a record of those who provided financially for the ministry of Jesus.
  
  Now, we know Jesus, in the gospels, did many amazing things. He prayed for the sick and they were healed, opened blind eyes and deaf ears. He preached incredible sermons that have never been matched in all of history. He was even raised from the dead. But you know what? I want you to just understand for a second that for three years, Jesus ran a ministry on earth, and that ministry had bills to pay.
  
  And what's amazing about the Bible record here is that it tells us who paid the bills. And you might never have heard these names before, but here they are recorded for all eternity. Let's read together. Luke chapter 8, verse 1.
  
  Now it came to pass afterward that he went through every city and village, preaching and bringing glad tidings of the kingdom of God. The 12 disciples, apostles, were with him. And here we go—certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons; and Joanna, the wife of Chusa, Herod's steward; and a third woman, Susanna; and many others who provided for him from their substance.
  
  Let me pray for a moment. Lord, we are grateful for the opportunity to gather in your house. Lord, we recognize the work that you are doing, the great mission that you have put us on. And I pray on this World Evangelism Sunday that you would touch the hearts of people so that we can provide for the needs of your kingdom. We thank you, Lord, for all that you're going to do. In Jesus' mighty name, God's people would say, amen.
  
  First, I want to share with you this truth tonight: gratitude is what sparks generosity. When you are grateful—we spoke about gratitude this morning—we spoke about communion, how Jesus said, "Remember me" through this sacrament, through this holy action that we are called to do on a regular basis. As we take the bread, we remember the broken body of Jesus. We drink the cup, the blood, which is the new covenant in Jesus Christ. We thank God for all of the imagery and the meaning, the impact of that act.
  
  But why do we do that? It's a very compelling picture, isn't it? Of what Christ did for us. And what it should produce in you whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup—hopefully, if your heart is anywhere close to being sensitive to God—it should produce gratitude.
  
  You know what, Lord? You didn't have to do that. I will do this together. I... you didn't have to go to the cross. You didn't have to shed your blood. You didn't even have to come down from heaven. You didn't have to be publicly mocked and shamed and whipped. You didn't have to wear the crown of thorns. You didn't have to receive the spikes in your hands and feet. You didn't have to do any of that. You owed that to nobody, but Lord, you were willing to do that for me.
  
  What does that do to you? I don't know about you, but that makes me feel grateful. And when we are grateful, the next logical thing to happen is: what can I do to be a blessing? Is there anything, Lord, that I could possibly do to show and express my profound gratitude for what you have done in my life?
  
  I remember where Jesus found me. I was broken, lost, confused, angry. A young man, a child of divorced parents. I was about 16 years old. My two grandfathers had died in the previous six months. I was dealing with the reality of the shortness of life for the first time. One of my grandfathers was a righteous man, a Christian, and I know he went to heaven. I was there in the hospital room when he breathed his last, and Jesus was on his lips to the very end. I know where he went, and I know where he is.
  
  My other grandfather was not a believer. He mocked Christianity. I loved him dearly, but I am very sorry to say that I don't think he's in heaven. He never confessed Christ as his Savior. That reality, as a 16-year-old boy, seeing two of my grandfathers pass into eternity, had an impact on me. In my confusion, in my brokenness, I cried out to God. I said, "God, are you even there?" I didn't know if you are or not.
  
  And I want to tell you, God answered my prayer. As a confused 16-year-old boy, God spoke to me. God showed me that I was worth something to Him—that He was not going to throw me away. And I will never forget what Christ did for me. He changed my life. And when this life gets hard, when ministry gets hard, when pastoring gets hard, when dealing with difficult people gets hard—you know what? I'm still grateful for how He changed me.
  
  So, Lord, I'm willing. If you are willing to do that for me, then I'm willing to do a few things for You.
  
  Look at these women in our scripture. The Bible says, first of all, about Mary Magdalene, that she had been delivered from seven demons. Mary Magdalene was what you would call a woman of the street. She had a history. She had a reputation. If you ask the men of that city, "Do you know Mary Magdalene?" they would all say, "Yes, we know her. We've met her." She was demon-possessed.
  
  And when Jesus found her, He changed her in a radical way. He changed her so profoundly that even the people who knew her from before said, "She's different." And she began to follow Jesus. And, you know, when you come out of a life like that—I didn't come out from a life like that. I know some people who did come out of addiction, pornography, hatred, sexual addiction. I want to tell you, I bet Mary Magdalene was more than willing to share whatever resources God had put in her life.
  
  There were others like her who had been healed of diseases, lifted out of shame, and welcomed into the circle of Jesus. These women, as specified in this scripture, remembered what Jesus did for them. They remembered how He had changed their lives. What price can you put on that? Like, when your sins are forgiven, when your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, when you have a place in eternity reserved for you—what is that worth? Can you put a price tag on what Christ did for you?
  
  And so, that's why—when we have a heart of gratitude—we want to be a blessing to our Savior. We want to help Him. We want to follow Him. We want to do His will.
  
  We see it in Zacchaeus. You know the story of the chief tax collector. As He's passing through, Zacchaeus is a short little guy, and he wants to get a view of Jesus. So he climbs up on a sycamore tree, crawls out on a branch, and he's looking. He's like, "Is this the guy everyone's been talking about?" Jesus sees him hanging from a branch like a monkey, and He calls him by name. "Zacchaeus, come down, for today I must stay at your house." And can you imagine? Out of that whole crowd of people, Zacchaeus is counted as one worthy to receive the Savior into his home.
  
  Jesus could have gone to anyone's house, but He chose Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, who had ripped people off, who had a bad reputation, who had turned from his Jewish roots and culture—man, it was a bad position to be in. But with all that reputation, Jesus shows up at his house. Zacchaeus stands up to Jesus and says, "Listen, Jesus, here's what I'm willing to do." In Luke 19, he says, "I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will return fourfold."
  
  What is so interesting to me about that story is that when Jesus hears the heart of this man, He doesn't say, "Oh, Zacchaeus, I appreciate your offer, but you don't really have to do that. That's above and beyond." No. Jesus didn't say that. In fact, Jesus was encouraged. He said, "Look at this man. Look at his true faith. Behold, a true son of Israel." Jesus encouraged his genuine gratitude, his giving.
  
  Do you recognize all that Christ has done for you? If you recognize His salvation, His blessing, His calling, then you know—giving is not a burden. It's not a bummer. It's not something we have to do. It's something we get to do for the kingdom. Can you say amen?
  
  Can I tell you tonight that radical givers are not often rich? You might be here thinking, "Pastor, I appreciate you trying to raise funds for world evangelism, but I've got nothing. I have very little." And what I would say to you tonight is, God very rarely asks large riches from the wealthy. For the most part, the kingdom resources come from average, everyday people like you and me—that's the reality of the kingdom.
  
  I would take one Mary Magdalene over a dozen tight-fisted Pharisees. I would take one of these women—choose her—and her, instead of a hundred who came out of the temple, full of devils, now full of faith. That is what revival looks like. When it hits your heart, it hits your bank account—not the other way around. If salvation has touched you, it should also touch your wallet.
  
  It was Amy Carmichael who said, "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." Isn't it true? Anything you love in this life, you're more than willing to give toward. If you love your wife, you love to bless her. You love your children. You want to put food in their mouths. You want to give them a good, stable home. It is not a burden; it is a blessing to be able to give to what you love.
  
  Some of you love video games, sports, hobbies. When you have extra funds, supporting those things isn't a burden—it's a joy. And if we love the kingdom, if we love what God is doing in faraway places, then this is not a burden. This is a privilege. We get to do this, not have to do this.
  
  The gospel is spread through gratitude that sparks generosity. Secondly tonight, giving is what sustains the gospel. Now, you would think, "Jesus is king of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus, who walks on water, turns water into wine, produces a coin in a fish's mouth—" you know, all these miracles. But when it comes to supporting His ministry, He doesn't automatically produce a pot of gold. He doesn't go "poof" and supply all needs.
  
  How does He supply? How does He partner with ordinary people to meet those needs? He has them giving. Luke 8, verse 3, says that these women helped support Jesus out of their own means. Yes, even Jesus needed financial support. Did you realize that? Mary Magdalene, and these three women—Chusa's wife, Joanna, and Susanna—probably never have their names on a flyer, never be highlighted. But I wonder, in 2,000 years, how many sermons have been preached about them? Probably very few compared to all the sermons about Jesus and His ministry.
  
  And yet, His ministry could not go forward without their support. Romans 10 asks, "How can they hear unless someone preaches? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" We find this throughout the gospel: there are goers and there are senders. Both are essential.
  
  I'm willing to be a goer—like, not everybody can do that. You, this congregation, have enabled me to go and preach in different places around the world. Last year, I was in Hyderabad, India; before that, Bangalore. I’ve been to Mozambique, South Africa. Thank you for giving me that opportunity to share the gospel in these nations.
  
  And we don't take it lightly. So now, as we face this opportunity in Cambodia, I want you to realize—love—you have a goer. That's me. And if some of you want to be a goer, the opportunity is open. I'd love to take someone with me. Got a passport? Let's go. We need goers and we need senders. Both are critically important. Just because I go doesn't mean I’m more important than you. I could not go without your support.
  
  So, how can they hear unless someone preaches? And how can they preach unless they are sent? William Carey, the father of modern missions, said to his supporting church, "I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope." That’s what we’re talking about tonight. We want the gospel to keep going forward. We want to be part of every soul saved on the field.
  
  Just realize: when you give tonight, when we raise this offering, you are part of that. You are invested in that. Every soul saved, every visitor who hears the gospel—you're part of that as a giver, as a sender.
  
  Hudson Taylor said, "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply." What's amazing is that when we give our hard-earned money—yes, I know how tough it is in this economy—it turns us from spectators into participants. It aligns our hearts with what heaven is doing, not just what earth is doing.
  
  Your finances can take on a spiritual dimension. When you go to Walmart and spend $200 on groceries, that’s easy. It’s used up, gone. When you buy a Chick-fil-A sandwich, it’s gone in a moment. But when you invest in a missions trip, a building fund, or a kingdom purpose—those funds are not wasted. We use them for God's work. And God keeps good books. Jesus said, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."
  
  Investing in the kingdom, in souls—that’s an eternal investment. And there is a future return. It’s not like a 401(k) or stock market; it’s a spiritual return. You won’t see it until we all arrive in eternity.
  
  Charles Spurgeon said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter." That’s a strong statement. I’ll let that sink in. You might not be the one preaching or going, but every one of us is called to a mission. I’m not getting many amens tonight, Mr. Stephen. But I want to tell you: if Jesus needed support, so do our missionaries. Angels aren’t paying for airfare—I wish they would. I wish they’d sprinkle gold dust on our services tonight. But the reality is, God asks His people to supply His needs.
  
  I’ve been in the third world. Some of you have been on these missions trips. I’ve seen the faces and smiles of people whose lives are touched and transformed forever. I remember Nigeria—there was a church three hours outside of town, with a tin roof, no windows, dirt floor, outhouse in the back. Right, Amanda? You became very familiar with that outhouse. I want to tell you, in that service, God moved. It was rainy season, and outside the church was a huge pothole—like a swimming pool. The only way in was wading through muddy water, with no idea what was in that water.
  
  But those people, in their Sunday best, were smiling. They hiked up their dresses, took off their shoes, and went through that muddy water to hear the gospel. That’s real sacrifice. And it’s worth it.
  
  I want to close with this last thought: Givers can shape global impact. In Luke chapter 8, it mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. Did you catch that? Many others who provided for Him out of their substance. Only heaven knows their names. We don’t. We have no books with their names. We have Peter, James, John—those we know. But behind the scenes, there were many others working, giving out of their means so that the gospel could go forward.
  
  I always think of the widow in 1 Kings 17. Elijah was passing through, and God said, "I will provide for you." Elijah was thankful, and he expected a miracle. But God took him to a poor widow’s house. She had only one meal left. She said, "I have one meal left. After I eat this, my son and I will die." And God told Elijah, "Go and stay with her." She gave her last meal in faith. She didn’t go into debt. She didn’t give on a credit card. She simply gave what she had, and God supplied. Her jar of oil and her flour never ran out. Every time she opened it, there was more. That’s divine provision.
  
  Maybe you feel like that widow today—nothing left, just a little bit of faith. And you think, "Lord, it’s kind of rude for you to ask for my last." But I want to tell you: if God asks, it’s because He’s about to do a miracle. Be sensitive to the Spirit. Ask, "Lord, what would you have me give?"
  
  In Mark 12, there’s the story of the widow who gave two mites. Jesus watched her drop her offering. He said, "She gave more than all the others." Because she gave everything she had—100%. And Jesus honored that small gift. Others gave large amounts, but she gave all she had in faith.
  
  Every gift counts. Don’t underestimate what God can do with ordinary people who have extraordinary faith. Every soul we reach is part of your legacy. In 1 Corinthians 3, it says, "One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase." Your giving is tied to every baptism, every life transformed.
  
  And one day, when we enter heaven, I believe there will be people who come up and say, "Thank you. Because you gave, I am here." I saw a post on WhatsApp from Mary Hungandu, our missionary in Nigeria. She posted a picture of a young man preaching on the street with a bullhorn. The caption said he was saved 12 years ago when Pastor Dragoon and the team from Virginia Beach visited their church. Now, he’s preaching the gospel in the streets. His life was radically changed.
  
  Your giving—your support—has a ripple effect. It’s part of that miracle. Who knows the eternal impact of your generosity?
  
  As we close, remember: the greatest use of your life is to spend it on something that outlasts you. That’s why we’re raising this offering tonight. We’re going to bow our heads in a moment. I thank you for your attention and your willingness to hear this.
  
  We have an upcoming trip to Cambodia. I plan to go myself, and I’d love to take someone with me. If you have a desire to set aside funds or seek sponsorship, we’d love to have a team. The cost is about $2,000 per person—tickets, lodging, food. It’s a worthy expense.
  
  Before we take the offering, I want to share the gospel with you. It would be a crime to travel around the world and preach the good news and not give you that same opportunity tonight. Maybe you’re here, and your life is broken because of sin. You’re separated from God. The good news is, Jesus came, died, and rose again. You can experience His life-changing power tonight.
  
  If you’re here and you want that change, I invite you to respond. With courage, lift a hand and say, "Pastor, pray for me. I’m not saved, but I want to be." Is there anyone? Quickly, just lift your hand. I see your hand. Thank you.
  
  Maybe you’re backslidden, wandering, lost. He’s calling you home tonight. If you turn from sin and trust in Jesus, He will save you. Anyone else? Just lift your hand. Thank you, my brother. God is going to help you.
  
  Today, could we all stand? If you raised your hand or want to come forward, do so now. We’re going to pray together. Greg, we’re going to pray with you. Thank you. Let’s support him as he turns his life to Jesus.
  
  Pray with me: "God in heaven, thank you for the blood of Jesus. Save me from my sins. Make me a new creation in Christ. I know I’ve done things that hurt you, others, and myself. I confess them now. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. I believe Jesus is your Son, that He died and rose again. I receive salvation by faith. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me strength to live a changed life. In Jesus’ name, amen."
  
  Let’s give Him praise tonight. Thank you, Lord. Hallelujah. We thank You in this place. We give You honor. Amen.
  
  Greg, were you sincere when you prayed that? If you died today, where would you go? That’s called faith. That man has just expressed his faith in Jesus Christ. And that’s powerful. This is what God can do in your family, your neighborhood, your workplace—if you’re faithful to preach this gospel.
  
  This message has been the church’s mission for 2,000 years. It’s simple, yet profound. It can transform lives.
  
  Thank you for the opportunity to pray with you tonight. We appreciate you all. We’re going to be seated again, and I’ll ask the ushers to come forward. I’ve said a lot about this offering already, so I won’t take more time. If you want to participate, but don’t have funds now, we’re doing a two-week pledge. Between now and June 8th, decide an amount God puts on your heart. Whether it’s $10, $50, $100, or more—respond in obedience.
  
  You can write your pledge on an envelope, or respond to the church’s text message. We’ll keep track. And I believe God will supply seed to the sower. Let’s pray over this. Exercise your faith. Giving is faith in action.
  
  I’ve seen the blessing of God follow generous gifts. When my wife and I prepared to go to the mission field, we sold our house at the top of the market in 2008, and gave a large portion. I remember dropping a $10,000 check into the offering—one of the most exciting days of my life. That blessing followed that gift.
  
  So, whether your gift is small or large, it counts. Let’s give generously tonight. Brother Carlos, would you bless the offering? Amen.
  
  As we pass the baskets, if you want to make a pledge, write it down or respond to the text. We’ll keep it on record. Amen. Glory to God. We thank you all tonight. What a blessing. God is going to help us. Amen.
  
  I have to go run to the airport—my wife is on her way. So let’s stand together. We’re grateful for all of you. We look forward to our big picnic tomorrow. Let’s close with a word of prayer that God would supply all our needs. Amen.
  
  Brother Stephen, would you close us in prayer? Amen. Thank God.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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Where Are The Blacksmiths?

Sermon Summary

In 1 Samuel 13, we see a sobering moment in Israel’s history: the Philistines, Israel’s perennial enemy, had so thoroughly suppressed God’s people that there were no blacksmiths left in the land. Without blacksmiths, Israel had no swords or spears—no means to defend themselves or advance God’s purposes.

The Philistines’ strategy was simple but devastating: if you can keep your enemy from forging weapons, you don’t have to fight them at all. This is not just a story about ancient warfare; it’s a warning for the church today. The miracle of the USS Wisconsin wasn’t just that the ship survived decades of battle, but that the knowledge of how to run it was passed from one generation to the next. In the same way, the church’s survival depends on passing on spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and discipline to the next generation.

We are called to be blacksmiths—disciple makers—who forge and sharpen the next generation for spiritual battle. Too often, the church has become a place of entertainment or passive observation, rather than a forge where lives are shaped, challenged, and equipped. When we neglect discipleship, we end up spiritually stunted, lacking the tools and maturity to face the battles ahead. Worse, we may find ourselves relying on the world’s wisdom, just as Israel had to go to the Philistines to sharpen their tools—paying their enemies for what should have been their own inheritance.

Mentorship and discipleship are not optional extras; they are essential for the church’s survival and fruitfulness. Paul’s instruction to Timothy was clear: receive the truth, teach it to others, and ensure they can pass it on as well. This is a call for every believer, not just pastors or leaders. Whether as parents, spiritual fathers and mothers, or simply as seasoned saints, we are all called to invest in others, to get our hands dirty, to be present and accountable, and to forge disciples who can stand in the day of battle. The church is not a cruise ship; it’s a boot camp. If we are not discipling, we are disobeying. Let us pick up the hammer, invest our lives, and become the blacksmiths God is seeking.

“Mentorship and discipleship are not optional extras; they are essential for the church’s survival and fruitfulness.”

— Pastor Adam

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Watch/Listen

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Message Study Guide

Youtube chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome

• [01:00] - USS Wisconsin: A Lesson in Passing Down Knowledge

• [03:25] - The Old Salts Return: Training the Next Generation

• [05:26] - The Miracle of Transferred Wisdom

• [06:28] - The Church’s Ancient Technology

• [08:00] - The Strategy of Suppression: No Blacksmiths in Israel

• [11:21] - The Church as a Forge, Not a Museum

• [13:30] - Substituting the Relying on the Enemy

• [17:54] - The Shortage of Mentors and the Call to Discipleship

• [22:29] - The Cost of Failing to Train the Next Generation

• [25:00] - Paul’s Pattern: Four Generations of Discipleship

• [28:46] - The Church as Boot Camp: Multiplying Disciples

• [32:41] - The Power of Spiritual Fathers and Teachers

• [36:19] - Where Are the Blacksmiths? The Call to Invest

• [37:11] - The Dirty Work of Discipleship

• [38:10] - The Call to Salvation and Spiritual Influence

• [41:43] - Praying for Blacksmiths: A Church That Shapes Lives

Key Takeaways

1. The Enemy’s Strategy is Suppression, Not Just Confrontation: The Philistines didn’t need to defeat Israel in open battle; they simply removed the blacksmiths, cutting off the means to make weapons. In our spiritual lives, the enemy often works not by direct attack, but by subtly removing the sources of strength, wisdom, and spiritual formation. If we neglect the disciplines and relationships that sharpen us, we become easy prey, powerless to advance or defend the faith. [06:28]

2. The Church is a Forge, Not a Museum: The church is not meant to be a place where we merely remember past victories or admire spiritual artifacts. It is a living forge, where lives are shaped, challenged, and equipped for the battles of today and tomorrow. If we treat the church as a place of passive consumption, we forfeit the very process that prepares us and the next generation for spiritual warfare. [11:21]

3. Relying on the World’s Tools Weakens the Church: When Israel had to go to the Philistines to sharpen their tools, they were not only dependent on their enemies, but were funding them. In the same way, when believers look to secular sources for spiritual nourishment or formation, we sacrifice our distinctiveness and power. True spiritual sharpening happens in accountable, Christ-centered relationships, not through distant influencers or worldly wisdom. [17:54]

4. The Absence of Mentors Leads to Spiritual Infantilism: When seasoned believers are too busy or disengaged to mentor others, the next generation remains untrained and unprepared. The result is a church full of spiritual infants—grown men in diapers, as it was said—unable to handle offense or responsibility. The call is for every believer to both receive and give discipleship, ensuring a living chain of spiritual maturity and multiplication. [22:29]

5. Discipleship Requires Contact, Accountability, and Sacrifice: Iron sharpens iron only through friction, heat, and contact. Discipleship is not a clean or easy process; it requires getting our hands dirty, being present, and allowing others to speak into our lives. The most lasting spiritual impact comes from those willing to invest deeply, correct lovingly, and model faithfulness—whether in the home, the church, or everyday life. [37:11]

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Bible Reading

• 1 Samuel 13:19-20, 22- “Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, ‘Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.’ But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle... So on the day of the battle there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people with Saul and Jonathan; but Saul and Jonathan his son had them.”

• 2 Timothy 2:1-2- “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

• Titus 2:1-5 (Paul instructs Titus to teach older men and women to live godly lives and to train the younger generation.)

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Samuel 13, what specific strategy did the Philistines use to keep Israel weak? 06:28

2. In the sermon, what was the significance of the USS Wisconsin story, and how did it relate to the church? 05:26

3. What does Paul instruct Timothy to do in 2 Timothy 2:1-2, and how many generations of discipleship does he mention? 25:00

4. In Titus 2, what are older men and women specifically told to do for the next generation? 17:54

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Philistines chose to remove blacksmiths instead of fighting Israel directly? What does this reveal about the enemy’s tactics in our spiritual lives? 06:28

2. The sermon says, “The church is not a cruise ship; it’s a boot camp.” What does this mean for our perspective on the church and our role within it? 28:46

3. What are the dangers of relying on “the world’s tools” or secular sources for spiritual growth, as described in the sermon? 13:30

4. How does the absence of mentors and disciple-makers affect the spiritual maturity of the church? 22:29

Application Questions

1. The Philistines’ strategy was to quietly remove the blacksmiths, not to fight openly. Are there “blacksmiths” (sources of spiritual strength, discipline, or wisdom) in your life that you’ve neglected or lost? What would it look like to restore them? 06:28

2. The USS Wisconsin survived because knowledge was passed down. Who has passed spiritual knowledge to you, and who are you passing it on to? Is there someone you could intentionally invest in this month? 05:26

3. The sermon warns against treating the church as a place of entertainment or passive observation. In what ways have you been a “spectator” rather than a “blacksmith”? What is one step you can take to become more active in discipling others? 11:21

4. When Israel had to go to the Philistines to sharpen their tools, they became dependent on their enemies. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you are relying on “the world’s tools” instead of Christ-centered relationships? What needs to change? 13:30

5. Paul’s pattern in 2 Timothy 2:2 is to teach others who can teach others. Are you currently being discipled by someone, and are you discipling anyone else? If not, what is holding you back? 25:00

6. The sermon says, “If you’re not discipling, you’re disobeying.” Does this challenge your current approach to church and faith? What practical changes could you make this week to start investing in someone else’s spiritual growth? 28:46

7. Discipleship is described as “dirty work” that requires contact, accountability, and sacrifice. What is one uncomfortable or sacrificial step you could take to help someone else grow in their faith? 37:11

• Full Transcript

  First Samuel chapter 13. If you join us there tonight again, a message born out of my daily Bible reading. I want to encourage you, as always, to read your Bible. There is wisdom enough to occupy your mind, your heart, your curiosity for the rest of eternity.
  
  So we're gonna look tonight in First Samuel chapter 13. There is a retired battleship that is parked down there in the Norfolk downtown area. It's called the USS Wisconsin. Anybody here ever taken a tour of the USS Wisconsin?
  
  Whenever we have visiting pastors coming in to preach for us, I like to take them a few places around town, show them the area, give them a little tour. That's one of my favorite places to take people because it's history.
  
  Today, that battleship is just a museum, but there is some rich history within that hull. To me, the greatest treasure is not just the metal, the fabrication, or the design of the ship. One of the greatest treasures is the people I meet when I go on that ship—battle-torn sailors who served on that ship in years past. Having some incredible conversations with them.
  
  The last time I was on this ship for a tour, I got to talking with one of the guides. He's a volunteer, and they basically give people information about the ship as you take a tour. He told me a story I had not heard before about the USS Wisconsin, and it’s been in the back of my mind for a long time.
  
  This ship was built in 1940, commissioned for World War II—that's a long time ago. It served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and then in the 70s, it was decommissioned, then recommissioned, and decommissioned again.
  
  By the time the 1980s came around, President Reagan was trying to strengthen our forces. The US Navy made a surprising decision at that time—this is in the mid-80s, when global tensions were rising, conflicts emerging, and the Cold War was at its peak. They decided to recommission the USS Wisconsin again in the 1980s. We're talking about 45 years after it had been built.
  
  It had been battle-proven, very useful in combat, but there was a problem with recommissioning this ship at that time. You know what the problem was?
  
  They didn't know how to run it! All of the sailors at that time had been trained on newer ships, with newer technology. When they recommissioned the USS Wisconsin, you know what they had to do? They had to bring in the old dogs—the salts, as they call them.
  
  They brought in retired sailors who knew how to operate the equipment that the younger sailors had no idea how to handle. Things like analog fire control systems, steam-powered propulsion systems. You know what that means? There are fired engines—fuel being put into steam engines that spin turbines to turn the propellers. They had no idea how to do this.
  
  Massive 16-inch guns of the USS Wisconsin—this ship was a beast from another era, like a dinosaur. So they brought these veteran Navy men, who had served on battleships back in Korea and Vietnam. Many of them had white hair, weathered hands, beer bellies. They climbed aboard one more time—not for battle, but for training—to show these young sailors how to do what they needed to do to make the ship go and win another battle.
  
  They remembered how it worked, and they mentored these young men—how to load powder bags, calibrate ancient radar systems, fire weapons that hadn't been used in decades.
  
  Because of those old salts, this ship not only became combat-ready but went on to play a key role in Operation Desert Storm. I have a few photos to show you of the ship back in action.
  
  Here you see the barrage—releasing hell on Saddam Hussein. And this is the USS Wisconsin, commissioned in 1940, firing weapons in 1991. Fifty years past its original creation date.
  
  Next photo. There she is, leading in battle—another ship, a carrier, I forgot which one that was, but it's traveling through the Persian Gulf. And another? That's it? I only thought I had more. That's okay.
  
  The miracle of this story is not that the ship survived. The miracle is that the knowledge was passed from an older generation to a newer generation. That’s the real miracle.
  
  And I want to tell you, the church is not much different. How many know we have some ancient technology? We have some 2,000-year-old stories that need to be told. We have information that needs to be passed from one generation to the next.
  
  Just like the Navy had to bring back some old warriors to prepare the next generation to operate that ship, I believe the church also needs to raise up spiritual trainers, disciple makers, who will equip, train, and prepare the next generation for battle.
  
  This message I’ve titled: "Where are the blacksmiths?" In our scripture, we’re going to read about the time of Israel under King Saul. They are doing battle with the Philistines as usual. There is a verse that brings great discouragement to my heart—that it could be possible in our day, too.
  
  Let's read together First Samuel chapter 13. I’ll read verses 19 and 20, and then verse 22.
  
  It says: "There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel those days. The Philistines would not allow them, for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews."
  
  It goes on to tell the prices they paid to sharpen their tools. Then verse 22: "So on the day of the battle, none of the people of Israel had a sword or a spear except for Saul and Jonathan."
  
  It’s a failure to pass on the next generation.
  
  Let's pray for a moment.
  
  Lord, come by the precious blood of Jesus. I’m asking You tonight, give us a vision that there are seasoned saints in this place who have the knowledge, the experience, the ability to be blacksmiths—to shape and form the weapons of the next generation.
  
  I pray, God, that You’d give us a vision for winning souls, making disciples, and planting churches. It starts with a willingness, Lord, with a necessity of having those people who would be blacksmiths in the church. We desperately need You today. In Jesus’ mighty name, those who agree, say Amen.
  
  Where are the blacksmiths?
  
  Let’s first look at the strategy of suppression. Our scripture says tonight that there is a group—an enemy—the Philistines, the perennial enemy of Israel—that would continue to battle against them time after time.
  
  You know that the Philistines are the ones who produced the giant named Goliath. It was Goliath who challenged the people of Israel to a duel, to a battle. David, thankfully, rose up. But you know what David did not have? He didn't have a sword.
  
  There was a reason why he was so well trained with the sling and the five smooth stones. Well, because in his day, the Philistines had technological control over blacksmithing, over the ability to create weapons. They had the advantage in that arena.
  
  They exercised control, and they had the materials that the Israelites did not have. They had the knowledge that the Israelites did not have.
  
  And whenever you have an edge over your enemy in warfare, this is what gives you the advantage in battle. The reason any war is won is because our weapons are better than theirs. This is what the Philistines understood.
  
  If Israel is allowed to have the same kind of weapons, they won't remain our slaves forever. So what did they do? The Bible says they suppressed the people of Israel.
  
  It says in our scripture that the Philistines would not allow blacksmiths in the land of Israel, for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews.
  
  It's a lot easier to stop the blacksmiths than to defeat them in battle. That’s what they figured out. The Philistines found an advantage—if they could just stop the Israelites from having weapons, they wouldn’t even have to fight.
  
  If they hold all the swords, all the spears, then the people of Israel wouldn’t even try, wouldn’t even attempt to rise up. That was their strategy.
  
  And can I tell you, we have an enemy too. Ever wonder why it’s so hard for you to read the Bible? To make time for prayer? Why every distraction seems to fall on you?
  
  You got a thousand apps on your phone, but the one app you don’t have time for is the Bible app. Why is that?
  
  Because there’s an enemy trying to suppress you. There’s an enemy trying to suppress the church. There’s an enemy seeking to remove the influence of the weapons of the Word of God.
  
  John Piper said, "How shall we leave ourselves well-armed if the Philistines have taken all of our blacksmiths?"
  
  In our world, the Philistines are like demonic strongholds—strategies against us. Satan is doing the same to you and to the church of Jesus Christ. He is removing the influence of blacksmiths—those who teach, disciple, and pass on spiritual weapons.
  
  He would rather have nobody teaching anybody. He replaces blacksmiths with online influencers, pastors with Instagram, disciple makers with YouTube preachers. No wonder we end up powerless in true spiritual warfare.
  
  Pastor Mitchell said, "Unless we leave behind workers who understand and are pursuing what God is doing, then we are gone. They’ll just be writing books about us."
  
  There is a powerful dynamic in passing on the next generation. Listen, this is not a museum. The church is not a place to talk about all the great things that once happened. The church is supposed to be a forge.
  
  We saw that movie called "The Forge"—a powerful depiction of disciple making. This needs to be active in every believer. Every one of us has a dimension of forging the next generation.
  
  If you are a parent, you are a disciple maker. See those little noses you’re wiping, those little hands you’re holding? The Bible says they are arrows in the Lord’s hand—future weapons against the enemy.
  
  If you treat them as burdens instead of blessings, if you just can’t wait for them to get out of your house, you’re giving your weapons away to the enemy.
  
  Parents, we need to see ourselves as blacksmiths—training and forging weapons for the Lord. This is true in our homes, and it’s true in our church.
  
  Unfortunately, the church has become a shopping mall in many places. It’s become a center for entertainment. But that was not God’s design.
  
  We are supposed to be training one another how to do battle against hell. If you don’t smell smoke or feel heat, something’s wrong. The church is supposed to be a forge.
  
  What we’ve done instead is substitute the source. Verse 20 says that whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, their picks, their axes—farming equipment—they had to go to a Philistine blacksmith.
  
  They had to go to the enemy, begging and pleading, "Please sharpen my tools." They paid their enemies to stay alive.
  
  Not only that, they were supplying resources to the very people they would face in battle. They were giving money to their enemies.
  
  That’s not a good strategy. And yet, the church often does the same when we rely on secular sources for spiritual nourishment.
  
  When we prefer to go outside the church—Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, influencers online—good information, yes, but they have nothing to do with your life. They cannot correct you, disciple you, or help you.
  
  They are not your blacksmith.
  
  The Israelites had to rely on the Philistine blacksmiths for their weapons. If they needed to sharpen their tools, they had to go to the enemy for strength.
  
  They were sacrificing their own power, their ability to fight. The church is looking for a TED Talk, but what we really need is a pastor, a disciple maker, iron sharpening iron.
  
  We need spiritual accountability. Instead, we get pop psychology and leadership books.
  
  God help us. We don’t disciple men by massaging their shoulders.
  
  You who are in the military—did you get better by everyone affirming you? No. We get better when we’re challenged.
  
  They’re paying the price now for complacency.
  
  The scripture goes on to tell us the prices they paid for sharpening each piece of equipment. And what they’re really doing is—they’re unable to move forward in the will of God for their lives.
  
  God has already given them a mission—to expand the kingdom, to defeat the enemies of God. But instead, they are stuck. Their power has been removed, their weapons are nonexistent.
  
  They are spiritually stunted. And I see the church often in the same place.
  
  Lacking forward motion, lacking advancement. They reach a plateau, get comfortable with God, and then just coast—drink some lemonade, take it easy.
  
  That’s not what God has called us to.
  
  Here they are paying silver to sharpen their tools—that’s what it costs when we refuse to train men to fight. Later, we pay through compromise and cowardice.
  
  Let’s look at the shortage of blacksmiths—mentors, coaches, disciple makers.
  
  The Bible calls it making disciples for the next generation.
  
  Titus chapter 2. Listen carefully.
  
  "As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith, be filled with love and patience."
  
  Similarly, Paul says to Titus, "Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach what is good."
  
  "These older women must train—did you see that? Train—the younger women to love their husbands and children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the Word of God."
  
  This is not just about men. It’s about the church at large. Men and women both need discipleship.
  
  Can you say Amen?
  
  You need to receive discipleship and give discipleship. You need to be in the process of being trained and mentoring others.
  
  Then taking someone else under your wing to train and mentor them as well. Men and women alike.
  
  The church suffers when seasoned believers don’t have time. When those who’ve been through things can’t come back on the ship to train the new guys.
  
  When you’re so busy that you don’t have time for people.
  
  You don’t have time to train new converts, to show them how to pray.
  
  You can’t teach someone to pray if you don’t pray.
  
  You can’t teach the Word if you don’t know the Word.
  
  You can’t bring someone to church if you’re not in church.
  
  That’s why example-ship is so key. You can’t teach what you’re not doing.
  
  That got heavy all of a sudden. What happened?
  
  I’m not sure. We need blacksmiths. We need disciple makers to equip believers for spiritual battles.
  
  When the older generation stops mentoring, the younger stops maturing. The church becomes a spiritual nursery—grown men in diapers, crying over every offense.
  
  Pastor Mitchell said in his book "Passing the Baton": "The goal is not religious activity. Our goal is transferring God's purpose to the next generation."
  
  This is not optional. It’s not just a good idea. It’s the church’s survival.
  
  I know churches that have died. Maybe you do too.
  
  Say, "But, Pastor, the church of Jesus Christ goes on forever." Yes, you’re right.
  
  The global church will continue until Jesus comes back to receive His bride. But we’re talking about a local body of believers.
  
  Did you know that during COVID, when churches shut down—when we did what all the enemies of Christ could not do—because of a virus, many churches never reopened?
  
  Thirty percent of churches that shut down never came back. What does that tell you?
  
  It shows they were already on the brink.
  
  When churches stop reaching the next generation, they die.
  
  Pretty soon, all the young people are gone, and the church is full of gray heads.
  
  Thank God that’s not the case here. I’m not saying it’s bad to have old people. I’m saying it’s a failure to pass on the next generation if there are zero young people.
  
  You pass by some church buildings on a Sunday morning—built for 250, only 20 people inside.
  
  That’s what happened in times past—revivals where young people failed to receive the discipleship they needed.
  
  This is not optional. It’s survival.
  
  If the church of Virginia Beach, the Potter’s House, is going to continue for another 20 years, it’s only because somebody rises up—the next generation of disciples and believers.
  
  Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you."
  
  The priests refused to know God, and their children suffered.
  
  God laments that His people are being destroyed due to lack of knowledge. They don’t know who God is.
  
  Whose failure is that? That’s the failure of the priests—they didn’t teach the next generation.
  
  Imagine stepping onto a battlefield with a powerful weapon you don’t know how to use.
  
  You’d run the opposite way, retreat.
  
  God is trying to save another generation.
  
  I have hope. Sometimes, older preachers and pastors beat up on the younger generation—say they’re lazy, different from us.
  
  But I have hope. Because it’s all we’ve got. We better invest in them.
  
  Remind them they’re the future of the church.
  
  They’ll be pastors, teachers—if not them, then who?
  
  That’s why we need to train, teach, and set an example.
  
  You can’t win spiritual warfare with fog machines.
  
  This is not entertainment.
  
  We’re talking about the Word of God being passed from one generation to the next.
  
  Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1, "Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
  
  He said, "What you have heard from me, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
  
  Four generations of teaching—did you catch that?
  
  Paul taught Timothy, Timothy teaches others, and they teach others.
  
  Some of us need to receive that tonight.
  
  I need to be reminded—I am still a disciple. I am still learning.
  
  I am still accountable.
  
  I have a pastor I call, I talk to, I inform him of what’s happening.
  
  I have trusted men I can bounce ideas off.
  
  Do you have someone like that? Or are you totally unaccountable?
  
  That’s dangerous.
  
  Paul said to Timothy, "Listen, I need you to hear me so you can teach others."
  
  That’s what we need—a multiplication of disciples.
  
  God help us if we become like Saul and Jonathan—only two with swords in the whole nation.
  
  That’s a recipe for losing.
  
  God does help them win, but it takes a supernatural miracle.
  
  We need blacksmiths to equip others for spiritual battles.
  
  The church is not a cruise ship; it’s a boot camp.
  
  We train, we duplicate, we multiply.
  
  Discipleship is not a side ministry; it’s part of Jesus’ mandate.
  
  Pastor Mitchell said, "Unless you leave behind people who can carry the torch, it’s over when you’re gone."
  
  I thank God for Pastor Mitchell. He’s not Jesus, but God used him powerfully.
  
  Our fellowship is still multiplying—over 4,000 churches as of January, with more planted since.
  
  Disciples are being raised up.
  
  Thank God for a legacy of disciple making.
  
  Tonight, I call on the sharpeners—make disciples who can make disciples.
  
  How are you helping in that process?
  
  It’s easy to be on the sideline, just watching.
  
  But every believer is called to be a disciple maker.
  
  God needs to equip us so we can equip others.
  
  There’s a scripture—"As iron sharpens iron."
  
  When we say that, we often think of coffee shops, casual conversations.
  
  But sharpening iron is a grinding process—friction, metal shavings, a tough process.
  
  Discipleship is not easy. It’s the hardest thing we’re called to do.
  
  But it’s also the most important.
  
  When we say "iron sharpens iron," it means I need you to hold me accountable, and I need permission to do the same for you.
  
  We must be in contact—iron must touch iron.
  
  You can’t just wander through the daisy fields hoping to reach Jesus someday.
  
  Jesus gave us the church to be the place where we are sharpened.
  
  He does the hard work of saving us from sin—thank God.
  
  But when we come into the kingdom, we have dull edges that need sharpening.
  
  We need blacksmiths—those who heat the fire and pound some sense into us.
  
  It requires a culture—mentorship, coaching, discipline.
  
  How many had a good teacher in elementary school?
  
  Someone who poured into your life?
  
  Thank God for good teachers.
  
  I had a seventh-grade English teacher who changed my life—taught me a love for stories.
  
  Another teacher in high school, a government teacher, gave me a love for civics and history.
  
  And an English teacher who introduced me to music and poetry.
  
  Their influence echoes into my life 30 years later.
  
  Can I tell you? I also have a pastor.
  
  Jesus saved me, and I recognize Him as my Savior.
  
  But just like Paul said to Timothy, I have a spiritual father—my pastor.
  
  He taught me things I still carry today.
  
  I needed Pastor Campbell.
  
  And I needed Pastor Hector Ortiz—who kicked my butt a few times, told me to write things down, to be on time.
  
  Thank God someone was looking out for me, holding me accountable.
  
  And I have other disciples—young men I still have relationships with.
  
  As we close, think about this:
  
  Israel without blacksmiths was a nation without weapons—unable to fight the battles they were called to.
  
  And in the same way, a church without discipleship is ill-equipped to fight the battles God has for us.
  
  Without discipleship, we just make noise—no fire, no real spiritual fight.
  
  The bottom line: if you’re not discipling, you’re disobeying.
  
  Where do we find blacksmiths?
  
  Waking up their children on time, investing in their lives.
  
  I’m so discouraged right now. I’m working with some young teenagers, and their parents are absent.
  
  I have a young man I’ve been working with—won’t say his name—but his parents leave for work before he wakes up for school.
  
  He’s called me three times in the last couple of weeks for a ride because he woke up late.
  
  He called me first, not his parents.
  
  I’ve known him a month. Why is he calling me?
  
  Because his parents are absent.
  
  I know they’re busy. I don’t know their situation.
  
  But I know this: I’m getting a call, not them.
  
  Why? Because they don’t value it.
  
  Where are the blacksmiths?
  
  They’re not on conference stages.
  
  They’re in prayer closets.
  
  They’re bringing new converts with them.
  
  They’re in living rooms, prayer meetings—shaping lives.
  
  Can you get a vision tonight to be a blacksmith?
  
  You can’t be a blacksmith without fire.
  
  You’ve got to heat things up.
  
  No blacksmith stays clean—it's a dirty job.
  
  But I tell you, there are few things in the kingdom more useful than getting your hands dirty—washing feet like Jesus, making time for prayer.
  
  Remember: women teaching women, men teaching men.
  
  I want to challenge you—forge a disciple.
  
  Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes for just a moment.
  
  If you’re here and you think, "Thank God, God has given me influence in somebody’s life," that’s amazing.
  
  But you’re not finished.
  
  As long as we have breath and opportunity, we are called to make disciples.
  
  Jesus said, "I will build My church, but you go make disciples."
  
  We need to pick up the hammer.
  
  We need to invest our lives.
  
  Amen.
  
  Before we close tonight’s service, you’ve come in here and heard about the life-changing power of Jesus Christ—how He is our Savior.
  
  He is here tonight by His Spirit to rescue someone who’s lost.
  
  If you’re here, and you find yourself wandering, broken in sin, bound in unbelief—there is a Savior who cares about you.
  
  He proved it when He went to the cross.
  
  Jesus died so that your sins could be forgiven.
  
  Before we do anything else, this is the most important issue in your life: Are you saved? Are your sins forgiven? Are you right with God?
  
  If not, you have an opportunity right now to turn from sin and trust in the Savior—the one who shed His blood for you.
  
  Before we do anything else, I want to give you an opportunity.
  
  Say, "Pastor, I’m here tonight. God has led me to this moment. And if I’m honest, I’m not right with God. I’m not on my way to heaven. I need a Savior."
  
  If that’s you, I want to pray with you. I want to believe God that He’s brought you here because He cares.
  
  He loves you so much that He wants to speak to you again—to draw you by His Spirit.
  
  If that’s you tonight, can I see your hand?
  
  Somebody here, say, "Pastor, please pray for me. I’m not right with God."
  
  Would you just lift your hand so I can see it?
  
  I want to pray with you this evening.
  
  God’s dealing with your heart. Is that you?
  
  Quickly, raise your hand.
  
  You’ve been wandering in sin, listening to the lies of hell.
  
  Tonight, it’s time to come home.
  
  Is that you?
  
  Quickly, someone here.
  
  God’s speaking to you.
  
  Lift up a humble, necessary hand.
  
  I am in need tonight, and I need Jesus to set me free.
  
  That’s you—please don’t miss this opportunity.
  
  You don’t have forever.
  
  Respond tonight. Is that you?
  
  Quickly, with an uplifted hand.
  
  Thank God.
  
  Church, I want to open this altar for prayer.
  
  It’s a specific call tonight.
  
  We don’t often see ourselves this way, but God has called us to make disciples.
  
  The church has become a place of casual observation—just watching the show, getting a blessing, then leaving.
  
  But that’s not what we’re called to do.
  
  We’re called to be involved—either as parents training the next generation, or as spiritual fathers and mothers raising up blacksmiths.
  
  God would raise up a generation of those who shape, mold, and encourage.
  
  If your heart is, "Lord, I want to see Your kingdom come. I want Your will to be done," that should be your prayer tonight.
  
  "Lord, I want to be an influence—good influence—on someone coming behind me."
  
  Tonight, we’re going to open the altar.
  
  We’re going to pray together.
  
  We’re going to hear from God.
  
  We’re going to receive His instruction.
  
  And we’re going to believe Him to help us.
  
  Let’s pray tonight, church.
  
  This altar is open.
  
  Begin to cry out to the Lord.
  
  Say, "Lord, I want to be a blacksmith. I want to do my part. I can’t do everything, but I want to do something."
  
  Pray, "God, give me somebody I can invest my life in."

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Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for Daily Devotionals based on this message over the next five days.

Written with Love by Pastor Adam Dragoon

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