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[1542.64 --> 1543.86] Who are you listening to?
[1544.06 --> 1545.08] What are you watching?
[1545.36 --> 1547.16] What podcasts are you listening to?
[1547.22 --> 1551.80] And I'm not saying you can't listen to anything that isn't Christian per se.
[1552.08 --> 1554.26] But you better be watching with your eyes wide open.
[1554.34 --> 1555.84] You better be careful how you follow.
[1556.40 --> 1557.56] Here's some helpful questions.
[1558.32 --> 1561.66] What is their, this leader, their life telling you?
[1562.86 --> 1564.92] Do they follow Jesus or their own desires?
[1564.92 --> 1570.38] And by following them, do they help you follow Jesus better?
[1571.70 --> 1572.78] That's a good indicator.
[1573.92 --> 1578.28] Do they call themselves Christians but their life is full of contrary evidence?
[1580.28 --> 1580.42] Right?
[1580.42 --> 1584.96] And again, I'm not saying you need to follow leaders who are completely sinless.
[1585.06 --> 1585.46] Yes, you do.
[1585.52 --> 1586.00] That's Jesus.
[1586.26 --> 1588.82] But the rest of us are struggling with sin sometimes too.
[1589.02 --> 1591.22] And we need repentance and we need grace too.
[1591.50 --> 1596.16] So yes, follow leaders who are confessing that they're broken people too.
[1596.16 --> 1598.92] Another question.
[1599.34 --> 1604.48] Do they actually follow Jesus or do they try to get Jesus to fit into their cultural understanding?
[1604.88 --> 1605.96] I see lots of that.
[1607.24 --> 1608.50] We'll just make Jesus fit.
[1610.00 --> 1610.44] Right?
[1610.62 --> 1611.18] He'll fit.
[1611.56 --> 1612.40] Oh, he said this.
[1612.50 --> 1614.24] But what he actually means is this.
[1615.44 --> 1617.60] And we just mess around with it.
[1617.60 --> 1622.32] Do they actively follow Jesus or do they try to get Jesus, as I say, to fit into the culture?
[1622.80 --> 1623.78] And then Jude said this way.
[1623.82 --> 1624.86] Are they perverting the gospel?
[1625.54 --> 1629.78] To live out the life they desire or do they surrender their will for God's?
[1630.76 --> 1631.56] Are they fruitful?
[1631.84 --> 1634.56] Are they displaying the fruit of the Spirit?
[1634.62 --> 1635.66] What's the fruit of the Spirit again?
[1635.88 --> 1636.82] Well, out of Galatians, right?
[1637.44 --> 1642.86] Are they displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, gentleness, faithfulness?
[1642.86 --> 1646.74] Do they help me follow Jesus no matter what's happening around me?
[1649.70 --> 1652.86] And again, Jesus says it this way.
[1653.82 --> 1656.90] That thief, that's what he is.
[1657.32 --> 1658.36] He's coming for something.
[1658.90 --> 1664.24] That thief comes for only to steal and to destroy and to make a mess of things.
[1664.76 --> 1670.62] And Jesus said, and I have come to bring you life, life in all its fullness.
[1670.62 --> 1674.22] Jesus, who will you follow?
[1676.52 --> 1677.12] Let's pray.
[1681.28 --> 1685.92] Father God, we come before you and we thank you that you are a God worth following.
[1687.28 --> 1691.32] Lord, a lot of us are getting pulled in all kinds of directions sometimes.
[1693.38 --> 1694.98] There's a lot of voices out there.
[1695.52 --> 1697.92] Some of those voices sound pretty compelling sometimes.
[1697.92 --> 1702.40] But Lord, help us to listen for your voice.
[1703.36 --> 1706.06] And help us to look at the lives of people who call us to follow them.
[1706.28 --> 1710.72] And look at their lives carefully and see whether those lives are reflecting who you are.
[1711.42 --> 1714.36] And help us to follow those who help us follow you.
[1715.76 --> 1716.82] Oh Lord, give us wisdom.
[1717.56 --> 1718.42] Give us courage.
[1718.82 --> 1721.58] Help us to know your words so we can be armed with truth.
[1721.58 --> 1726.94] Help us to contend for the faith that matters so much.
[1727.28 --> 1728.52] In Jesus' name, amen.
[1728.52 --> 1728.62] Amen.
• Emphasis on humility as a calling for disciples of Christ
• Review of the book of Jude series and its focus on false teachings and brokenness
• Use of animal herd imagery to illustrate the importance of standing strong in faith together
• Discussion of the dangers of false teaching and conforming to the world's ways
• Key takeaways from previous sermons: doctrine (right teaching) and character (living out faith)
• Analysis of false teachers' failures in both doctrine and character, leading to a denial of Jesus' lordship
• Comparison of modern culture's emphasis on "doing you" and the concept of freedom vs. biblical teachings
• Life choices are in one's own hands and control their destiny.
• The culture preaches a false teaching that faith can be reduced to individual items or acts, rather than a whole-life commitment.
• Following Jesus Christ as Lord requires intentional discipleship, not just passive adherence to doctrine or tokenistic practices.
• The enemy seeks to deceive Christians into thinking they are fine and don't need to intentionally follow Jesus.
• Cheap grace is a message that says being Christian means doing whatever one wants without living in obedience to God's will.
• Antinomian doctrine: doing whatever you want because you're saved
• Extreme legalism: burdening people with guilt and rules
• Wrong character and heart: arrogance and thinking you have it all figured out
• Jesus' message of love and healing for the broken and humble
• Importance of building up one another in faith through community, fellowship, and accountability
• Foundation of Christianity is based on apostles' and prophets' doctrine with Christ as the chief cornerstone
• Importance of building oneself up in Jesus Christ to become a holy temple in the Lord
• Significance of prayer, emphasized by Jude as the key spiritual practice for believers
• The act of prayer forces individuals to humble themselves before God and others, acknowledging their need for help
• Personal anecdotes about prayer in times of conflict or tension, highlighting its role in bringing people to a place of humility
• The importance of prayer as a spiritual practice
• The contrast between the world's emphasis on human wisdom and strength versus relying on God through prayer
• The call to live out of eternal hope in Jesus Christ
• The significance of Advent as a season of holy waiting and reflection
• The role of leaders in the church, including elders, deacons, and ministry leaders, to lead by example and guide others in their faith journey.
• Leadership and protection as forms of love
• Christ-like leaders prioritize the vulnerable and weak
• Love is characterized by patience, kindness, humility, and truth
• Leaders must be aware of their own vulnerabilities to temptation and sin
• Showing mercy with caution and hating evil is essential for effective leadership
• The enemy attacks leaders, including pastors and ministry leaders
• Leaders are not exempt from attacks by the enemy
• Praying for leaders is crucial due to their vulnerability to attack
• A story from a Korean drama illustrates the importance of having someone to lean on as a leader
• Leaders need support from others just like everyone else
• God calls people together as a family to provide mutual support and care for each other
• The importance of building one another up in faith and community
• Trusting in God's leading and guidance
• Seeking to be a blessing for others and reflecting the kingdom of God through love