Messages & Messengers

  • Pastor Josh Smith

In a world filled with conflicting messages and deceptive spirits, how can we discern the truth about Jesus and live in the peace He offers? This sermon explores the importance of testing the spirits and being led by the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and empowers us to live with love, joy, and peace. Discover how to anchor your life in the truth of Christ amidst the chaos of the world.

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Messages & Messengers

Message Summary

In a world filled with conflicting messages and deceptive spirits, how can we discern the truth about Jesus and live in the peace He offers? This sermon explores the importance of testing the spirits and being led by the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and empowers us to live with love, joy, and peace. Discover how to anchor your life in the truth of Christ amidst the chaos of the world.

Key Scripture
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
1 John 4:1-6
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Discussion Questions

What does it mean to test the messages we hear daily against the truth of Jesus?  
  • Pastor shared how John wrote about testing the spirits to see if they come from God; he emphasized the importance of discerning truth from false messages.
  • Can you think of a time when you had to choose between two different opinions or beliefs? How did you determine which one aligned with your faith?
Pastor mentioned the ‘spirit of the Antichrist’ and how it can confuse us. What are some examples of messages in our world that might be deceptive?  
  • He talked about how there are many messages in today’s society that attack the truth of Jesus and how we need to be aware of them.
  • How can you make sure that you stay focused on truth rather than being swayed by popular opinions or cultural messages?
In 1 John 4:4, it says, ‘the spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.’ How does this give you confidence in facing daily challenges?  
  • Pastor emphasized that we belong to God and have His spirit within us, which is more powerful than anything we face in the world.
  • Think about a recent challenge you faced. How might remembering the power of God’s spirit within you change the way you approach similar situations?
How can we practically invite the Holy Spirit into our daily lives to lead us away from chaos and confusion?  
  • The sermon highlighted the importance of seeking the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us in truth rather than getting caught up in distractions.
  • What specific actions can you take this week to ensure that you’re intentionally seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your decision-making?
What do you think it looks like to live a life led by the Holy Spirit instead of by the messages of the world?   
  • Pastor discussed the difference between living with the Spirit’s fruit, such as love and peace, versus chaos and confusion that the world offers.
  • How can you measure whether your actions and attitudes are reflecting the fruits of the Spirit in your life?

Prayer

  • Ask for prayer requests within the group.
  • Pray for discernment to recognize the voices that lead us toward truth.
  • Ask God to help us cultivate a deeper relationship with Him leading to greater obedience.
  • Pray for the peace of the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and minds throughout the week.

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