Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a wonderful day to come together in the house of the Lord, to bask in His presence, to feel the warmth of His love and to seek His wisdom? His Word is our guide, our comfort, our hope, and our strength. It's a joy to be here with you, to share in this divine fellowship, to learn and grow together in faith and love.

As we gather here today, I am reminded of the powerful words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, 'Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.' Indeed, the Bible is our living guide, our spiritual home, the source from which we draw our strength, our wisdom, and our hope. It is in the Bible that God speaks to us, guides us, and reveals His plan for us.

Today, we turn to the book of Jude, verses 17-19. Let us read together: 'But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.'

This passage speaks to us in our current times, as we live in a world where worldly leadership often goes against the teachings of our Lord. It warns us of the dangers of secular influence in sacred spaces and calls us to foster spirit-filled stewards for service.

But how do we navigate these challenging times? How do we remain steadfast in our faith amidst the distractions and temptations of the world? How do we ensure that our churches remain sanctuaries of God's love and truth, untouched by worldly influence?

These are the questions we will seek to answer today, guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Bible.

Forewarning Fulfilled in Worldly Leadership

The apostles told us that in the last times, there would be scoffers who would follow their own ungodly desires. Today we see leaders in various spheres of life, not just in politics, but also in business, entertainment, and even in some religious circles, who seem to be driven by their own desires rather than the principles of righteousness and justice.

These leaders, who are supposed to be role models, are often seen promoting and indulging in behavior that goes against God's teachings. They seem to be more concerned about their own personal gains, their own power and popularity, rather than the welfare of the people they are supposed to serve. This is a clear fulfillment of the apostles' forewarning.

The apostles had also warned us that these scoffers would be the ones who divide us. We see this happening too. Instead of promoting unity and harmony, these leaders often use divisive tactics for their own advantage. They create divisions among people based on race, religion, class, and other differences. They exploit these divisions to consolidate their own power and control.

We were also warned that these scoffers would follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. This is evident in the way these leaders conduct themselves. They seem to be guided by their natural instincts of greed, lust for power, and selfishness, rather than the Spirit of God. They lack the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

However, we are not to be disheartened or discouraged by this. Instead, we are to be vigilant and discerning. We are to test every spirit to see whether they are from God. We are to hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form of evil. We are to be the salt and light in the world, to show the way of love, righteousness, and justice.

Moreover, we are to pray for these leaders. We are to pray that God would touch their hearts, that they would turn from their ungodly ways and seek His wisdom and guidance. We are to pray for their conversion, for as the Bible tells us, God does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Lastly, we are to remember that our ultimate leader is Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us in paths of righteousness. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, who rules with justice and love. In Him, we find our peace and joy. In Him, we find our purpose and fulfillment.

Fallacy of Secular Influence in Sacred Spaces

The apostles' forewarning about ungodly leaders is being fulfilled in our times ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO