This sermon emphasizes the importance of discernment, biblical understanding, and submission to God's will in the face of false teachings and self-direction.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters. It is always a joy to gather together in the Lord's house, to lift our voices in praise, to bow our heads in prayer, and to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of His Word. Today, we stand on the precipice of a powerful message, a message that will challenge us, inspire us, and guide us as we navigate the tumultuous seas of our modern world.
Our focus today is the book of Jude, verses 17 to 19. This passage is a beacon of light in the darkness, a guiding star in the night sky, a compass in the wilderness of our times. It speaks to us about the dangers of self-direction, the importance of biblical understanding in the face of false prophets, and the necessity of belief in God's Word and submission to His will.
The scripture today warns us about the dangers of following our own desires, our own instincts, and our own understanding. This is a critical message for us in today's world, where we are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage us to "follow our hearts," "trust our gut," and "do what feels right." But the truth is, our hearts can be deceitful, our gut can be wrong, and what feels right can often lead us down a path of destruction. We need to be cautious about the paths we choose to follow.
The first aspect we need to consider is the nature of self-direction. Self-direction is not inherently bad. In fact, it is a necessary part of our growth and development as individuals. We need to learn to make decisions for ourselves, to take responsibility for our actions, and to navigate the challenges of life. But when self-direction becomes self-centeredness, when it leads us away from God's will and towards our own desires, it becomes a dangerous path to follow.
Next, consider the influence of the world around us. We live in a world that celebrates individualism, that encourages us to pursue our own dreams, and that values personal freedom above all else. But the scripture warns us that in the last times, there will be those who follow their own ungodly desires. We need to be aware of the influence of the world around us, and we need to guard against the temptation to conform to its values and standards.
Thirdly is the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our direction. The scripture tells us that those who follow their own instincts do not have the Spirit. This is a stark reminder of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is our guide, our comforter, and our teacher. He leads us in the way of truth, convicts us of our sins, and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God. Without the Holy Spirit, we are like a ship without a rudder, tossed to and fro by the waves of life.
Finally is the consequences of self-direction. The scripture warns us that those who follow their own desires are the ones who cause divisions. This is a sobering thought. Our actions and decisions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us as well. When we choose to follow our own desires, we risk causing divisions and strife, and we risk leading others astray.
As we turn our attention to the words of Jude, we are confronted with a stark warning about those who would lead us astray ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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