Truth Over Feelings Accountability and Spiritual Discernment

 

Key Points - (More detailed sections follow this one)

• Discussion addressed the viral Drewski skit about megachurches, with Pastor Jose clarifying that while not all megachurches are corrupted, some pastors in the 21st century have turned ministry into business rather than focusing on spiritual growth.
• Pastor Jose emphasized that the biggest threat to churches comes from wolves in the pews rather than pulpits, as these individuals spread confusion and division among believers while remaining unnoticed.
• Compromise was identified as the primary way churches become corrupted, particularly when leadership becomes afraid to address controversial issues like homosexuality due to fear of losing members, money, and influence.
• Teaching from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 outlined specific behaviors that prevent inheritance of God's kingdom, including fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, covetousness, and drunkenness.
• Pastor Jose stressed the importance of holding all church leaders, including pastors, to high standards of accountability, stating that public figures must accept scrutiny and cannot live double lives.
• Apostasy was defined as the abandonment of fundamental Christian practices, with examples including dismissing prayer, Bible reading, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines that keep believers rooted in faith.
• Warning was given about false teachers who appear spiritual but are described as "clouds without water" and "trees without fruit," emphasizing the need to examine consistency and actual spiritual fruit in leaders.
• Churches registered as nonprofits must be transparent about financial matters, and congregation members have the right to question where their donations are being used.
• Pastor Jose shared personal examples of contending for the faith, including confronting his own mother about her criticisms of the church and challenging his neighbor's belief that regular church attendance is unnecessary.
• Cultural decline was highlighted through examples of increased violence and moral degradation, with emphasis on how sin has increased and threatens to sweep away even God's elect if they're not careful.
• Modern corruption of biblical truth was condemned, specifically mentioning the existence of a "gay apostles" Bible that twists scripture to support homosexual relationships among the disciples.
• Building oneself in "most holy faith" through prayer in the Holy Spirit was presented as the solution, requiring believers to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove anything displeasing to God.
• Believers must monitor their spiritual walk with the same diligence they use to monitor finances and relationships, asking God for guidance in major decisions before making them rather than after problems arise.

Summary

Book of Jude Study Introduction

• Pastor introduces the book of Jude as the second to last book in the Bible with only one chapter but considers it one of the most important books for understanding church expectations and threats
• Jude verses 3-5 are read aloud focusing on contending earnestly for the faith and warning about ungodly men who have crept into the church unnoticed
• The passage describes how these men turn God's grace into lewdness and deny Jesus Christ while referencing how God destroyed those who did not believe after saving them from Egypt

Church Compromise and Megachurch Discussion

• Pastor references a viral Drewski skit about megachurches and clarifies that not all megachurches are corrupted since the first Jerusalem church was a megachurch
• Many 21st century churches have become more business-focused than ministry-focused with pastors viewing people as investments rather than souls to serve
• The biggest threat facing churches today is identified as compromise where believers start questioning fundamental biblical truths
• Churches often become afraid to address controversial topics like homosexuality to avoid losing members and financial support

Biblical Standards on Homosexuality

• Pastor states that while the church welcomes homosexuals, it stands against the sin itself as an abomination to God and will not tolerate justification of sinful behavior
• Churches today are criticized for seeking more understanding and being less judgmental rather than standing on biblical truth
• Leadership positions and influence within the church should not be given to those practicing lifestyles contrary to biblical teaching
• The pastor emphasizes that facts must take precedence over feelings and that God does not make mistakes in how He creates people

First Corinthians 6 Teaching on Kingdom Inheritance

• The congregation reads 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 which lists categories of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God including fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners
• Pastor explains that unrighteous people are those who do not practice righteousness and emphasizes that believers should not be deceived about these standards
• Various forms of each sin category are discussed including how pastors who have affairs are fornicators and how idolatry can take many forms beyond worshiping physical idols
• The passage concludes that regardless of how holy someone thinks they are, practicing these behaviors prevents kingdom inheritance

Church Accountability and Leadership Standards

• Pastor discusses how public figures including pastors should be held to higher standards and be subject to accountability from their congregations
• Members of nonprofit churches have the right to question where their financial contributions are being used and should expect transparency from leadership
• Real pastors should be willing to preach truth even to small congregations rather than compromise messages to maintain large memberships and financial support
• The distinction is made between genuine ministers who sacrifice for the gospel versus those who are simply crooks taking advantage of people

False Teachers and Spiritual Discernment

• Jude chapter 1 verse 12 is read describing false teachers as clouds without water and autumn trees without fruit that are twice dead and pulled up by the roots
• Many people are impressed by charisma and articulation skills rather than examining the actual spiritual fruit in someone's life
• These false teachers are described as con artists and hustlers who can convince people to give money they don't have based on false prophecies and promises
• Believers must learn to check for consistency and genuine fruit in spiritual leaders rather than being deceived by smooth talking and impressive presentations

Contending for the Faith

• The book of Jude focuses on the importance of contending for the faith which means defending, striving, and confronting false teachers and teachings
• Pastor shares examples of how he confronts family members and neighbors who make excuses about not attending church or claim to have personal relationships with God outside of church attendance
• Believers cannot become comfortable with current culture that promotes violence and normalizes sinful behavior that previous generations would not have tolerated
• The increase of sin in society requires Christians to remain vigilant and not be swept away by cultural compromise

Building Holy Faith Through the Holy Spirit

• Jude chapter 1 verse 20 emphasizes the responsibility of believers to build themselves up in their most holy faith while praying in the Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God and can reveal areas in believers' lives that need correction or purification
• Many Christians are afraid to ask God to reveal their sins because they have become comfortable with their sinful patterns and behaviors
• Believers should actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in major life decisions including relationships, jobs, purchases, and even church attendance rather than making decisions independently and asking God for help only after problems arise

Next Steps

• The church will continue deeper study of the book of Jude to understand God's expectations for the church and identify threats against it
• Members are encouraged to build themselves up in holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit and seek divine guidance in life decisions
• The congregation should remain vigilant against false teachings and compromise while contending earnestly for biblical truth in their personal lives and church community