Weekly Sermon Recap - 8.24.25
Love, Truth, and Discernment: Walking in God's Spirit
In a world filled with conflicting voices and influences, how can we discern what is truly from God? This question lies at the heart of our spiritual journey, challenging us to develop a keen sense of discernment and a deep understanding of God's love.
The apostle John offers us profound guidance in 1 John 4:1, urging us to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." This sage advice reminds us that not everything we hear or experience aligns with God's truth, even if it appears spiritual or beneficial on the surface.
So how do we test these spirits? The first and most crucial test is whether they acknowledge Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. This foundational truth of Christianity separates genuine spiritual influence from deception. However, discernment goes beyond mere verbal acknowledgment; it delves into the heart of the matter – love.
Jesus himself gave us a new commandment, one that encapsulates the essence of Christian living: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). This love isn't just a feeling or a nice idea; it's a transformative power that should radically change how we interact with the world around us.
Consider the story of the farmer in the movie "Faith Like Potatoes." Against all odds and conventional wisdom, he planted potatoes during a severe drought because he felt God leading him to do so. His neighbors scoffed, expecting failure. Yet when harvest time came, his fields yielded an abundant crop. This tale illustrates a profound truth: when we act in obedience to God's leading, even when it defies worldly logic, we can experience supernatural provision and blessing.
However, walking in God's will doesn't always guarantee an easy path. Sometimes, following God's direction may lead to challenges or opposition from others. The key is to remain rooted in God's love and truth, trusting that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
This brings us to a critical point: as believers, we are not trying to overcome the world – Jesus has already done that through His death and resurrection. Our role is to walk in the victory He has already secured, asking, "Lord, what's my next step?" This perspective shift frees us from striving and allows us to rest in God's finished work.
At the core of this walk of faith is a profound understanding of God's love for us. Many believers struggle to fully grasp the depth of God's love, often feeling that He must be disappointed or angry with them. Yet the truth is radically different: God's love for us is unconditional, unwavering, and all-encompassing.
Imagine for a moment: what would your life look like if you truly believed that God loves you so much that He holds absolutely nothing against you? This isn't just a comforting thought; it's the reality of God's grace. He has already forgiven us through Christ's sacrifice. Our repentance isn't about earning forgiveness but about aligning our lives with His will out of gratitude for His love.
This realization of God's love should transform how we interact with others. When we truly understand how much God loves us, we can extend that love to those around us – even those who annoy or oppose us. It's not about mustering up feelings of affection but about allowing God's love to flow through us.
In practical terms, this means choosing to love others before they even give us a reason to. It means deciding each day to love everyone we encounter, regardless of their actions or attitudes. This kind of love is a powerful testimony to the world, showing that we are truly disciples of Christ (John 13:35).
As we grow in our understanding of God's love, we develop a keener sense of discernment. We begin to recognize more easily what aligns with God's character and what doesn't. This discernment isn't about judgment or superiority; it's about staying connected to the source of all truth and love.
The apostle John beautifully summarizes this connection between love and knowing God: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). Our ability to love others is directly tied to our knowledge of God. The more we know Him, the more we can love as He loves.
This brings us full circle to our initial question about discerning spirits. When we are rooted in God's love and truth, distinguishing between godly and ungodly influences becomes clearer. We develop an intuitive sense of what resonates with God's character and what doesn't.
As we navigate life's complexities, let's remember that love is the key. It's not just about feeling warm and fuzzy; it's about aligning our hearts with God's heart. When we do this, we find ourselves naturally walking in step with His Spirit, making decisions that honor Him and bless others.
In conclusion, let's challenge ourselves to dive deeper into God's love. Let's ask Him to reveal more of His heart to us each day. As we do, we'll find ourselves growing in discernment, walking in truth, and spreading the transformative power of divine love to a world desperately in need of it.
May we all embrace this journey of love and discernment, knowing that as we draw closer to God, He faithfully draws near to us, guiding us into all truth and empowering us to live as beacons of His love in this world.
In a world filled with conflicting voices and influences, how can we discern what is truly from God? This question lies at the heart of our spiritual journey, challenging us to develop a keen sense of discernment and a deep understanding of God's love.
The apostle John offers us profound guidance in 1 John 4:1, urging us to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." This sage advice reminds us that not everything we hear or experience aligns with God's truth, even if it appears spiritual or beneficial on the surface.
So how do we test these spirits? The first and most crucial test is whether they acknowledge Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh. This foundational truth of Christianity separates genuine spiritual influence from deception. However, discernment goes beyond mere verbal acknowledgment; it delves into the heart of the matter – love.
Jesus himself gave us a new commandment, one that encapsulates the essence of Christian living: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). This love isn't just a feeling or a nice idea; it's a transformative power that should radically change how we interact with the world around us.
Consider the story of the farmer in the movie "Faith Like Potatoes." Against all odds and conventional wisdom, he planted potatoes during a severe drought because he felt God leading him to do so. His neighbors scoffed, expecting failure. Yet when harvest time came, his fields yielded an abundant crop. This tale illustrates a profound truth: when we act in obedience to God's leading, even when it defies worldly logic, we can experience supernatural provision and blessing.
However, walking in God's will doesn't always guarantee an easy path. Sometimes, following God's direction may lead to challenges or opposition from others. The key is to remain rooted in God's love and truth, trusting that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
This brings us to a critical point: as believers, we are not trying to overcome the world – Jesus has already done that through His death and resurrection. Our role is to walk in the victory He has already secured, asking, "Lord, what's my next step?" This perspective shift frees us from striving and allows us to rest in God's finished work.
At the core of this walk of faith is a profound understanding of God's love for us. Many believers struggle to fully grasp the depth of God's love, often feeling that He must be disappointed or angry with them. Yet the truth is radically different: God's love for us is unconditional, unwavering, and all-encompassing.
Imagine for a moment: what would your life look like if you truly believed that God loves you so much that He holds absolutely nothing against you? This isn't just a comforting thought; it's the reality of God's grace. He has already forgiven us through Christ's sacrifice. Our repentance isn't about earning forgiveness but about aligning our lives with His will out of gratitude for His love.
This realization of God's love should transform how we interact with others. When we truly understand how much God loves us, we can extend that love to those around us – even those who annoy or oppose us. It's not about mustering up feelings of affection but about allowing God's love to flow through us.
In practical terms, this means choosing to love others before they even give us a reason to. It means deciding each day to love everyone we encounter, regardless of their actions or attitudes. This kind of love is a powerful testimony to the world, showing that we are truly disciples of Christ (John 13:35).
As we grow in our understanding of God's love, we develop a keener sense of discernment. We begin to recognize more easily what aligns with God's character and what doesn't. This discernment isn't about judgment or superiority; it's about staying connected to the source of all truth and love.
The apostle John beautifully summarizes this connection between love and knowing God: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). Our ability to love others is directly tied to our knowledge of God. The more we know Him, the more we can love as He loves.
This brings us full circle to our initial question about discerning spirits. When we are rooted in God's love and truth, distinguishing between godly and ungodly influences becomes clearer. We develop an intuitive sense of what resonates with God's character and what doesn't.
As we navigate life's complexities, let's remember that love is the key. It's not just about feeling warm and fuzzy; it's about aligning our hearts with God's heart. When we do this, we find ourselves naturally walking in step with His Spirit, making decisions that honor Him and bless others.
In conclusion, let's challenge ourselves to dive deeper into God's love. Let's ask Him to reveal more of His heart to us each day. As we do, we'll find ourselves growing in discernment, walking in truth, and spreading the transformative power of divine love to a world desperately in need of it.
May we all embrace this journey of love and discernment, knowing that as we draw closer to God, He faithfully draws near to us, guiding us into all truth and empowering us to live as beacons of His love in this world.
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