Don't Drift Preach Christ | Pastor Shane Idleman

Don't drift, preach Christ. Don't drift, preach Christ. And we are going through the book of Acts. This is number 43 in the Acts series. And I usually say that so people listening on the radio later can go and find it fairly easily. Acts 10, but the series number is Acts 43, probably gonna be going to 100. So are you in for the long haul? And if you've been coming, you know that I just finished up on the anointing, the series on the anointing. And the feedback has been pretty overwhelming on people going deep with the Lord. And what it means to be anointed by God is a four-part series stuck in Acts 10. And Luke was actually able to put that into a playlist. So on YouTube, we'll have that playlist, all four messages right there as well. You can find it. And it's such an important topic because, and we were going off of Acts 10, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. They go together. You're never gonna be anointed with the Holy Spirit to go home and watch Netflix. That anointing of God upon your life means you're gonna be filled with the Spirit. You're gonna do what God wants you to do.

And often it's not what the flesh wants, amen? It's often the opposite. And so because of this, he went around healing people who were oppressed by the devil and God was with him. So that's where we left off. And now we're in Acts 10, verse 39. So Acts 10, verse 39. What's good if you wanna copy and paste or highlight anything that really stands out. And it's good to get in the habit of bringing our Bibles to church. And as we go verse by verse, things that really, you know, I've got journal notes from 1999 that are still important to me. And what God really spoke to you that day and begin to bring that as the living word and don't count on what I'm saying, go back and check it out. Maybe a Post-it note. So like, I don't know, I'm gonna look into that. And that's the time to go back and do your theological studies and to discern and to, you always wanna check the message. Anybody that doesn't want you to check their message, guess what? The message is probably not inspired by the biblical text. We encourage that. I encourage, yes, please look at it.

We might disagree on some little things, but overall, look at what the Bible's saying because you come out stronger. You come out better as a Christian, as a believer. You don't wanna just believe what people are feeding you. AI is getting crazy, isn't it? I mean, now I don't even know it's true or not. You watch them, oh man, that's crazy. Is that true though? And then you gotta go look at the comments and see if it's AI. It's just, there's so much deception. The only way you can stay grounded more so than ever before is staying in the Word of God. So Acts 10.39. So let me set this up a little bit. The church has grown from just a few people in an upper room, 120 or so, to now multitudes. We're talking thousands of people. And in Acts 10, we talk about Cornelius was an unbeliever. Peter went to him, delivered the gospel. And that's kind of where we're at. And next week, I'm excited as well, where we'll be. And Peter's clarifying that we are witnesses. Peter, the disciples, are witnesses of all these things that Jesus spoke about, everything he did in the land.

And they killed him by hanging him on a tree. But God has raised him up on the third day and he has shown him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God. Even to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. So, Peter is reminding them that there are witnesses. There are witnesses. And so that's one of the things we encourage people, agnostics or even atheists who question the Bible, is you can go and you can look at the different witnesses that Jesus revealed himself to. Now, people say, oh, the Bible's written by men, they made up stories. Those kind of people, they really need to have their eyes opened by God. Because if you are truly teachable, and you're truly sincere, God will show you. God will reveal these things. They're not against science. They actually line up with science. Witnesses, studying history. For example, the biggest thing for me when I was younger, I did a podcast you can watch with Sean McDowell, and I told him that his dad, Josh McDowell, really helped me back in 1999 reading evidence. that demands a verdict.

Talk about plowing through the soil. If you have doubts, just go grab it. I also was reading at that time Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. Thank you. Those two good books I would recommend highly. People always ask, what do I recommend? And I usually say anything by A.W. Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill, Ian Bounds on prayer, and those are also two good ones. I'll keep you busy for a while because they're thick. So, my point on that was that I was reading it, it's so obvious because even Jewish historians, secular historians, I mean, it's pretty clear now, I don't know when you were growing up, maybe Jesus was a fable or fiction, but it's clear that no, he was a historical figure. I mean, not that Joe Rogan's authority, right? He'll interview people and have people on there and they recognize, okay, he was an historical figure, for sure, there's no doubt about that. And many miracles are attributed to him, no doubt about that. And in addition to that, he was killed, he was crucified by Rome. Even Jews, non-believing Jews, I would say like Ben Shapiro, possibly Dennis Prager, people that you know, would still kind of hold to the belief that his body was actually stolen on the third day. I guess Roman soldiers, you know,

it'd be like our Navy SEALs today were just too scared and they fell asleep, it's impossible. They're probably sleeping up against a stone, it's impossible. But that's what they have to say, that the body was taken. And here's where it gets interesting, is you read Fox's Book of Martyrs, you read other accounts, and you see that these early followers of Jesus were tortured, they were killed. Like they would imprison them and kill them. And nobody I know is gonna be killed for what they know is a lie. He's up on Mount, he's over by Galilee, let me show you. Let me show you where his body is. That's not gonna happen. They're dying because they met the risen Savior. And there's no way, what can man do to me? And so you're like, wow, that's incredible. That's incredible. And we know, I mean, even the story in the Bible, the Roman soldiers are not gonna go back and say, oh, we all fell asleep, because they would die, it would cost them their life. So obviously the only thing that could happen, you're not gonna move a stone like that either. And we get into the engineering with how they'd have to get below it and be moving it. And you just see that it's impossible.

It's absolutely impossible. And then you come with a teachable heart. God, show me if these things be. Obviously, there's something and someone out there. So my point is, it took me five minutes, but if you come with a teachable spirit, a humble spirit, God will show you. He will begin to open the eyes of your understanding. Also, God, did you know God gives us witnesses? God gives us witnesses from creation. I'd say this is a witness, looking around, wouldn't you? Who's gonna drive up to this facility and think all this just happened? It's a witness to the engineer, the architect. It's a witness that concrete trucks were up here, pouring lots of concrete, lots of trusses, lots of beams. I would love to see when they hung those things with a big crane. It's a witness to those things that happen. It's a witness that a big truck dropped off lots of chairs. We have a witness. Hello, we have a witness. It's clear you will not put living people on Mars. It's not compatible. Somebody tell Elon Musk that. Romans 1.20 is also a witness. Did you know his invisible attributes are a witness? The Holy Spirit is actually a witness. He convicts. He convicts people.

That's why there's so much hatred, hatred over the truth of God's word. Does it ever amaze you why Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, media, they're not attacking Muslims. They don't say anything about radical Islam. I should clarify, I have Muslim friends, but radicalized where it's actually, they have to kill you. That's what they believe, guys. It's insane. It's insane that people don't understand this, honestly. And so they are only upset, the world is upset. at when we begin to proclaim the truth because the Holy Spirit is convicting them. Ah! Ah! You know, you're talking to people and everything's fine, maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas, but somehow you weave Jesus in there. It's like their face changed. Conviction. That's what it is. It's convicting you, convicting you, so you are without excuse. Romans 1.20, For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. In other words, we understand that somebody made this, even His eternal power and His Godhead, so that they are without excuse. They're without excuse.

And actually, this passage is very clear. You know, the big thing right now, of course, it's going to be for a while, it's pushing, pushing, pushing, pushing, pushing LGBTQ gay marriage. The Bible says that they suppressed the truth and they embraced a lie, so God basically gave them over to a depraved and corrupted mind and they start to exchange natural sexual inclinations that God has given us with those passions that are against God. And they begin to burn with lust. That's why that group is so hateful. That's who actually murdered Charlie Kirk, guys. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Why did that happen? Because of the hatred. The truth that comes out. Romans 8.15-16, for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. That's a very endearing term. Abba, it's not just Father, it's my Father. The pursuit of Him, the passion for Him. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. What a witness, what a witness.

You guys know if you're truly a child of God, there's something in you, man can't talk you out of it. No matter what happens to me, I might be fearful. I might be fearful, especially living in L.A. County. It's tough, isn't it? We start to worry. I mean, I don't want my daughters or my wife going to Walmart after 10 p.m. or 9 p.m. Like, I'll do it, I don't mind. You can come approach me in the parking lot, I welcome the challenge. But men are different than women, right? Don't worry, I'm not getting cocky, I'm just showing the difference. I don't welcome it, by the way, it's just a slip up, okay? But you know what I'm saying, there's a difference in how God has designed us and wired us. And so there is the internal witness of the Spirit crying, Abba, you know that's why you have to worship. You have to pursue Him, you have to read the Word. And what the enemy wants to do then is quench and grieve that Spirit, that witness. Through sin, besetting sin. That's why sin fascinates before it assassinates. He wants to, if he can't get that witness out of you, get that passion out of you, you're dead, you're a dead man walking, spiritually speaking. I believe you're going to heaven, but you're going to heaven miserable. How many of you do not want to go to heaven miserable?

Or being on your death bed going, boy, if I could have did a lot more for God. Man, I don't know why He took me out decades ago. I just got stuck in this mode of guilt, shame, and failure. You need to just, you need to repent and come out of that. So I love this, the Holy Spirit bears witness in our hearts. And be careful of counterfeits. Be careful of counterfeits. I have talked to people at my front door. And I say, how do you know? And they say, we had a burning in our bosom. A burning in your bosom? I had a fire in my heart, but never a burning in my bosom. Can the enemy give you a burning in your bosom? He can touch people, he afflict people. When you open yourself to deception, be careful. Be very careful. That's not, I'm not talking about a burning in the bosom. Why? Because there's no passion for the true and living God and His word that follows that. It's an experience. Ah, there must be. this because I have a burning in my bosom but I have no relationship with the true and living God I have a book that I read above the Bible I deny and that's let me just that's what I'm talking about Mormonism right now and again I have to I have to I can't just I don't want to touch that group I don't want to touch this group I don't want to touch this group I don't want to touch it because it's clear the Bible is clear you have to make sure you're on the right road narrow is the road narrow is that road and they do put the the Book

of Mormon above the Bible that's what they go to and they leave me in a very interesting dilemma is either Joseph Smith is right or Jesus Christ is right you read there you can't have both guys this road is narrow this truth is narrow you can't have multiple truths you can't you you're you have to study the Word of God for yourself no matter what religion you you embrace Christianity is not a religion I'm tired of people saying that the definition of religion is man doing these things to reach God relationship is Christ coming down and meeting man that's a relationship it's not a religion so don't drift preach Christ but also live for Christ that's how you don't drift guys if you're worried about drifting from from God you don't have to be you don't have to be go back to him follow Christ pursue Christ you don't have to drift pursuit anchored in him that's how you stay anchored to God as well and acts 1042 he continues he said where many people witnessed Jesus's death burial and resurrection in his appearance and so when he appeared to us now I get this this I've been passionate about this topic I'm going to talk to you about right now for years many years it says Jesus remember you're following along acts 10 you can catch up verse 42 and Jesus commanded us to preach wait a minute I supposed to just love people yeah please do but you're also called to preach preach preach to the people and to testify that it is he who was ordained by God and guess what he's going to be the judge of the living and the dead that's why Jesus said I didn't come to condemn I didn't come to get rid of man and judge man I've come to save the world okay that role is now over so now he's returning to judge that's that's how he's returning those eyes of fire he's returning to judge and that's why I love what AW Tozer said I love him because he's my Savior and I fear him because he's my judge I remember the day I read that probably year 2000 I highlight put did I put the book down just Wow oh my goodness so true and so he's saying Jesus commanded to preach to the people and to testify that he is who that God has ordained and to him to Jesus all the prophets witnessed that through his name whoever believes in him will receive the remission of sin that guys if you could

if you could condense the gospel you just had a minute you'd say without Jesus we are dead in our sins and trespasses we have the condemnation and wrath of God upon us Jesus came to absorb that wrath or to absorb the penalty and we have to believe in him and repent of our sin that's it and you need to be understand something this word isn't it can mean to preach to what I'm doing but it's not I know how many of you are getting out of it right now well I'm not called to be a preacher well in this context you're all called if you are believer you are called to use this word in context and I'm going to explain it in just a minute so he says preach and testify and I want to encourage some of you this morning a testimony is just as powerful as a theological argument a testimony what God has done for you many times I've never sat down or talked with somebody ran into them I remember how many different situations I never said well you know regarding soteriology it's the nuances of well if you bring in pneumatology and add in I mean eschatology plays a little bit of role in my hermeneutics and my homo- and my type of, you know, propitiation, and when you go into the hypostatic union of Christ, and okay, all great terms, right? I love the topics. But you can also say, here's what Jesus has done for me. Let me tell you what He's done for me. Because that's the testimony, right? We can, I love the truth, but when I read the book of Acts, and the testimony, I see testimony, and that's what led me back to the Lord, listening to testimonies on TV, and how if God did that for them, could He do that for me? Don't drift, preach Christ.

But I love this part as well, that it says, Jesus was ordained by God. Ordained means it's a position. So chosen, a person's chosen, but they're also ordained for a certain position. Does that make sense? I can be chosen by God, I'm a believer, but I've ordained Shane to preach. They go together. It says, God has ordained Jesus to be the judge of the living and the dead. There is a healthy tension, okay, when it talks about ordained by God. There's a healthy tension when it comes to some truths of the Bible, and this will help some of you. We don't, I don't know, have you figured this out yet? We don't have answers for everything. I sure want them, don't you? Why does God do this? Why does God do that? And when it comes to God ordaining, or God calling, or God electing certain people, or the sovereignty of God, there's always a healthy tension in this. For example, the sovereignty of God. Thank God He's sovereign. But does the Bible also teach that man has a choice in some things? I mean, I could sit here on Scriptures for 30 minutes

about making no provision for the flesh, crucifying the flesh, fleeing sexual, I mean, yeah, of course. But we also know that God is sovereign. Right, God called John the Baptist. He called people, but He also calls men to repentance. So, there's a tension. Don't try to pull it and figure it out. It's a healthy tension. A very healthy tension that keeps you secure, I believe. I'm just getting construction background. Women, you can check out just for a minute. But guys, you know, I mean, I used to load up heavy equipment onto the truck, and you get a big chains at all four corners of the backhoe, excavator, whatever it is, and big, what are they called, come alongs? Binder, there we go. That's exactly what I was thinking of. I even kept one just for my old, and you get some slack out of the chain, you get some slack out of the chain, and you put the binder on it, not too loose, not too tight, just enough where you can, ah, sometimes a needle helps. I'll go get a cheater par. It's about this long, a big pipe, and you, don't let that go, because it'll kill you. So I held down this side, I held down that side,

I held down, now I can go drive. There's that healthy tension, and it keeps you secure. So don't try to overthink this topic of sovereignty, free will. The Bible teaches both. What about this incredible concept of speaking the truth in love? Speak the truth, yet we're supposed to have grace, and be quiet sometimes, and just love people. Well, I don't know, I like the truth side. I'm a truth teller, how many truth tellers? But I'm a grace guy, okay, get over here. I don't wanna tell anybody anything, I don't wanna offend them, I'm a grace guy, I'm just gonna show them grace, hopefully God will convict them. What's the Bible? Healthy tension, speak the truth in love, and yes, show grace. Well, how do I know? The more filled out you are with the Spirit, the more you'll be able to gauge what the right thing is to do. If you're not, then what's gonna come out? Anger, and frustration, and mean text messages, and quoting scripture at people who just need to love. Anger and reacting is of the flesh. But you're not off the hook either this side. Did you know cowardliness is also of the flesh? Saying nothing when you should be saying something.

There are many cowardly pastors and pulpits in America right now. Right now. And there's also a lot of arrogant ones as well. Find that healthy tension. Find that healthy tension. What about the tension between living holy and embracing grace? There's a healthy tension there because we're supposed to live holy and walk out our faith, but at the same time, if you get too much into that, it turns into legalism. That's why you have to have grace and love I thank God for that healthy tension. I used to be bothered by it. I just need to know. I need to know, God. Well, you're not going to know on this side of heaven. But I love this part too. All the prophets witnessed. That's why the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the religious leaders, the lawyers did not have an excuse. Or the people. Because even the prophets in the Old Testament, prophesied of Jesus. Isaiah talked about the virgin birth. He also said,

for unto us a child is born. We talked about that Wednesday. A son is given. Micah predicted the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. Jeremiah spoke of a new covenant. Daniel prophesied about the coming of the anointed one. Zechariah mentioned the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem. Tons of witnesses. So, if He commanded us to preach, what are we to preach? It would be kind of good to know that, wouldn't it? 1 Corinthians. And again, if you go back and listen to this message, you'll be able to maybe see the slides and write down some of these verses. But 1 Corinthians 2 from Paul said, I determined, and guys, you need to get to this point. You really do. I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Once you make up your mind to do that, now that doesn't mean you don't read books, you don't try to learn other things, but that's the foundation. That's my daily pursuit. That's my anchor to not drifting off course. I don't want to know anything else above knowing who Jesus Christ is.

This is so important. You have to make up your mind. That's faith. A step of faith saying, Lord, I'm going to trust Your Word regardless of my agnostic neighbor who likes to poke fun. Regardless of my family members. How can you believe something like that? How can you believe all this came from nothing? That seems more stupid. Way more stupid. Ridiculous. I'm going to offend right there, aren't I? Yep. But let's begin. Isn't that? I almost start laughing. It's like, okay, so this concept of God creating is ridiculous, fairy tale, but the size of the universe, just, yeah, no big deal. And then human life formed, and then, guys, what? And then I follow some of these doctors I like in health and fitness and nutrition. Many of you guys do as well. They're very popular. And they'll talk about fasting or fitness,

and they'll say, well, we can see this from an evolutionary standpoint. From millions of years ago, your body decided to create autophagy on its own and stem cell reproduction and gluconeogenesis. It just happened to do all that? Guys, everything makes sense in the light of a creator. A creator. Then you know how to, then you don't get caught up in all this weird debates. All of you, many of you are going to be so confused from January 1st. Do I just eat meat? Carnivore. Do I just eat plants? Do I wear this ring and track my sleep? Do I get a red light therapy thing for $6,000 and a cold plunger? 10,000 steps? Now it's 12,000 steps. Now it's going to 15,000 steps. What do I do? How often do I eat before? Is breakfast good? Is breakfast bad? How many calories? How many calories is bad?

It's a diet. That's why you don't succeed. It's simple. It's simple. Very simple. Look at creation. Yes, get lots of steps in. Eat whatever you want, as long as it's God-given, in moderation, primarily living plants. Hello. Why have great benefit? Good, stick with whatever. I'm just telling you from a creation standpoint. And I can go into a lot more detail when? Wednesday, January 7th. it down put it down that's why we get so paralyzed because I run to people I'm trying Shane and I'm trying not to eat carbs I'm trying to eat carbs well you know your venti frappe and matcha matcha cup of whatever has tons of carbs what do you mean you're trying to avoid carbs eat a yam get rid of that 120 grams of sugar out of that drink I wake up this is a rocket science sugar is not bad in this right forms how God designed it did you know that did you know that God's design January 7th I hope to see you all here so here's what we are to preach I don't want to know anything except Christ and him crucified you have to make that decision I went through this in 99 1999 2001 is coming back to Lord I'd say you know what this is the word this is God's Word I have to live it I've shared this before but maybe you weren't here amazing thing happened how many of you well if you heard but this is before it don't raise your hand if you've heard this before but have you heard heard of the

name Chuck or Charles Templeton did you know he was actually a better preacher than Billy Graham he was destined to do what Billy Graham does but then he got into something we call liberal theology mmm did Paul really say that I don't I don't know I don't know about some of those miracles how about you I don't I mean and here's what happens we have to be careful I see all the time this this of higher education and smart and PhD really doesn't mean you're smart it can actually mean you're more stupid than most people if you don't believe the Bible it's pathetic it's pathetic and so but he was led astray by this other books guys I've I just won't go into details but recently I had a conversation with somebody drifting from the who's reading other books guys plant your nose in the book okay so he started to read this this liberal theology and guess who he started to pull away from the faith yes Billy Graham it's common knowledge and what did Billy Graham say he said I was wrestling through it I didn't want to preach anymore I lost the authority of and my message is and I was getting confused and I would and so he drove where did he drive right up in those mountains I think Big Bear Arrowhead in between there laid his Bible out on a tree stump and made a decision this is the Word of God and never turned back never turned back guys this is important you need to get to a point I determined I determined to know nothing except Christ and him crucified this is the authoritative Word of God I will go to my grave if I need to I will die for my faith if I need to because that's faith that will sustain you you have to preach and determined not to know anything except Jesus Christ and him crucified but I love how it says don't you must know Jesus Christ and him crucified because many people say they know Jesus Christ he's a good teacher man that guy's a good teacher yeah yeah follow Jesus did you know Jesus is part of Islam they view him as a prophet but when you add and crucified that means risen again that means the Son of God the deity that the remission of our sin you've got to have both make it your life's goal to know Jesus more intimately and the closer you get to realize the more you don't know him and that desperation guys it it fuels a pursuit don't let that

discourage you let that encourage you to keep pursuing Paul says I was with you in weakness again quoting 1st Corinthians I was with you in weakness I love this about Paul he told the church in Corinth I was with you in weakness I wasn't strong in certain areas I was I was fearful Paul struggled Paul hello and I was in much trembling in my speech and my preaching we're not very persuasive of words of human wisdom. I've heard it before. When I listen to pastors, when they start to get into words of human wisdom, I'm just like, man, I just have to tune it off. It drives me crazy. And he says I wasn't very persuasive. My speech was, another translation I believe says contemptible. But, here's what made the difference. In the demonstration of the Spirit's power. That's what made the difference. So, praise God if you don't think you're a good speaker. And you're a little fearful. You're not very persuasive when it comes to human arguments. And I didn't really study Greek philosophy. I don't know how to really debate. Good for you! You don't have to. The Spirit's power comes upon you. And I know I say this a lot, but sometimes I look at myself up here, I'm like, this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. Like, I don't know how many times I called in sick

when I didn't have to speak in the classroom. Right, Shane, would you come up and solve the problem? No, I don't know math. And I'm too scared to ask my teacher. Is that for homeschooling? I was very dumb in school. I didn't understand it. Honestly, geometry? Can we just stick with easy math? What is all this stuff? And I sat there just completely bewildered. But the Spirit's power. Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. You guys, everything flows from your pursuit of Christ. I determined, I don't want to know anything except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That's where everything is going to flow. Your passion, your pursuit, the priority, the preeminence of Christ, all flows from that. And that's how Paul changed the world, did he not? So be encouraged, the Spirit's power often rests on the least likely. How many of you have heard of names like Dio Moody? Billy Graham. Least likely. You can trace it, Moody, Billy Sunday. Anybody heard that name? Baseball player, famous.

And then he led Mordecai Ham to the Lord. Then Mordecai Ham led Billy Graham to the Lord. He uses the least likely often. It's not that others can't be used, but often they trust in their degree. And God says, trust in me. And the least likely, God just, don't you watch people, like what's his, Nick with no arms and legs? What? Or you hear of what people came out of and you're like, what? Because God likes to show off. What can you say when that person should not be up there? Least likely, because it's all but God. It's all God. There's no other way. And then it also gives the person a sense of deep humility. Because they know they're not all that. They know if you could see the real self and the real life they led and what the brokenness they went through, that's all anointing is. God is anointing the broken. Many times you guys love our worship, right? Oh, if you knew the pain that that came from. I have yet to see a powerful worship service at this church in 15 years from an arrogant worship leader. I've had people, oh, I've cut an album,

it's on iTunes, I got a hundred thousand this, and I used to lead for this church, and I'm the man. I'm visiting California if you'd like me to come. God help us. God uses the broken and the humble. The least likely. And I need to say this, religions do not preach. Leaders of religions do not preach. They talk, but they are dead spiritually and they are dead to the things of God and their voice is barren because it lacks the authority of the Word and the power of the Spirit. I've thrown this out there before, and again, please understand my heart. God knows, so that's all I care about really. Because this stuff I don't want to say. Hey, I just want to be Joelstein today. Boy, that guy, he just never makes me convicted. He's just always, always, always a cheerleader. Did you know in addition to a cheerleader, you're also a coach and a watchman as a pastor? Hello! I'd love to watch it. Show me a very powerful God-inspired convicting message from a Mormon bishop. Well, don't pick on them. Okay, record a Jehovah Witness leader

bringing it. Send it. Please. Think about this. Millions. Send me, go and film a Roman Catholic priest bringing the power of the Word of God. I'd love to watch it, and I will publicly apologize. Am I not? Send me one of an imam, or whatever they call it. They're saying hatred to America and kill the unbelievers. Do you know there's a verse that says they will kill you and think that they're doing God a favor? Guys, wake up! Many Americans just sitting around, they have no clue of what the end time scenario is. You've got to wake up to that conviction of the Spirit. They are dead and barren because there's no authority. Again, send me. I'd love to watch it. I'd love to watch those in cults that are filled with the Spirit of God. You won't see it. False prophets, false teachers, you won't see it. Why? Because it lacks the authority of the Word and the power of the Spirit. That's just the bottom line. If you could hear me void of the Spirit of God, it probably would just be motivational. It would just be, guys, did you have a hard week? It's okay.

There's power in your thoughts. Just think positively this week. And what to be mean to your spouse? Don't just let it go. You don't have to get the last word in. You've got ahead not to tell. I can't keep going. I'm not against motivation, but it can't be void of the Spirit of God. Think about that. All you who follow, listening later maybe, all you who follow a false religion, where is the power of the Spirit in the preaching and in the worship and in how they interact? Where is the power of the Spirit to change lives and convert people? Where is it at? Because without the authority of the Word of God and the power of the Spirit, you have nothing. You have a social club. You have a gathering of people holding their hands on the way to hell. That's what you have. If I'm not being truthful, let me know. Shane, that's not very compassionate. Oh, but it's very convicting and it's truth. The Bible doesn't say you have to be nice, gracious, but tell the truth,

love, but also speak the truth. Nice actually means I'm not going to offend you. I'm not going to say what upsets you. I'm just going to be nice. That's cowardly. That is absolutely cowardly. If you think I'm excited about speaking like this, you are gravely mistaken. The flesh isn't excited, but the Spirit sure is. That's the difference. Gene Easley said, I have been in churches to which no one had to invite me to return. The presence of God was so real that I longed to go back to that sanctuary and worship. The worship was real. The preaching was anointed. The presence of God was strong and there was no doubt whose house you were in. So another reminder, don't drift from the power of the Gospel. Preach Christ. Preach Christ. Charles Spurgeon said if a man can preach without mentioning Christ, that ought to be his last sermon. Go try to apply that to some of the most popular preachers today. So here's some facts about preaching that will help you since we're talking about it. He commanded us to preach. I should probably tell you first, the actual definition is it's like a herald, like a messenger, like remember a newspaper boy

who would go and deliver the papers or at the beginning of America, they would all meet at certain intersections of the city. and they would herald, they would proclaim, they would give a message. So preaching isn't always tied to the scriptures. The secular work could just mean delivering a message. But for us, it means deliver a message, not necessarily from a pulpit, because this is only one fraction of what needs to go out. Can you imagine if all of you through both services, or at least 80% of you would preach, would tell people the truth about God at the right time, please? So here's some facts. As he commanded us to preach, it's to proclaim and to announce it's a message that lines up with the messenger. Also, number two, it's a priority. It's a priority. Preaching, telling people the truth, it should be a priority, shouldn't it? And guys, I have a lot of grace here, because I struggle sometimes. But there's a priority, there's an urgency. But again, love and humility are the key. That's the foundation. When you're loved and you're humble, then when you tell people you truly love them, that's biblical.

And so it has to be a priority, though, and it has to be somewhat urgent. Never will you see in the Bible the word procrastination next to preaching, or to telling people the truth. And here's a good test. If you want to tell somebody something, is it reacting because you're upset? Or is it a response that you feel God has put on your heart? So many times, I just have to tuck it in, put it in the pocket for a little while, and then if that desire doesn't leave, and I really don't like when God does this, but He does it. I'll say, Lord, if you want me to say something, let me run into them. What happens? Right? Trader Joe's is like, oh my goodness, ah, man! I haven't seen them for a year. Right? Lord, let me run into them. Let me run into them. And you're somewhere, and there they are. Confirmation, confirmation. Maybe don't do it right then. Also, number four, when you speak about God's truth, it's accompanied by authority. Jesus' words with authority, and it upset clean spirits,

but it healed the broken and the hurting. That's the thing about when you preach God's Word, it's living. The words you say about Jesus and resurrection and repentance, it's living spiritually, and so there's an authority there, which means you don't have to backpedal and defend. Oh, I know, it's a little harsh, and you're right. No, it's authoritative. This is what it says. This is what God believes, and this is what He teaches. Push back, push back. Hey, it's authoritative. Take up your issue with Him. It's not your opinion. That's the difference. I'm tired of hearing about opinions. I wanna hear the truth. By the way, bad news. You guys ready? Well, you say yeah, but I don't know if you are. It's often not popular. Most of the time, people don't say, well, thank you so much for sharing that. What do they do? Well, a lot of different things, but it's usually not that. But here's what happens. They leave, upset, and now God. Spurgeon actually called the Holy Spirit

the hound of heaven. Ruff, ruff, ruff. Ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff, ruff. What kind of dog is that? I don't know, but it follows them. The hound, it's convicting, it's convicting. That's why you hear sometimes, I couldn't sleep last night. I thought about what you said. Remember what you said last week. Remember what you said last month. It's not popular. Oh, by the way, truth is not new revelations. If God is speaking something to you that doesn't line up with Scripture and doesn't line up with most Christians, be careful. That could be the wrong spirit. Again, not popular. Jesus said this, "'Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.'" In other words, the people love the false prophets. You know, there's no difference today. I won't point them out, but there's a lot of false prophets in America. And people just love it. Oh, I just love that person. But woe to you when all men speak well of you. Now, you need to have a good reputation, good character. The Bible's clear on that. But they're not going to like what you have to say.

Galatians 1.10, for if I still pleased men, this is Paul, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Because here's what happens, when I have to please men, okay, I've got to please my, I mean, you fill in the blank, family members, coworkers. I've got to please them. I've got to please my, I've got to please. I can't follow Christ if I'm trying to. Really, what we're saying is, I honor and respect their opinions over God's opinion. And you can't please Christ. You cannot please Christ. And also try to please men. That's why Jesus said, how many of you did not know this? Jesus actually said, I came to bring division. I am so confused, Shane. He's a king of peace. Well, peace with God, but He brings division with men. He actually said in a family, five will be divided against three. Father against son, father. And Jesus doesn't want that, but His message brings that. That's the difference. That message of the gospel, it cuts.

Gene Easley said again, if John the Baptist were preaching in many of today's churches, he would not be invited back. That I guarantee you. His type of preaching would bring us to our knees and back to an experience that is real. And he continues, many modern-day pulpits shun speaking a word that would be considered religiously incorrect or offensive. But most of these preachers are seeking acceptance and recognition. They shun the truth, lest it pierce the hearts of men and women and bring them to a place of decision and repentance. They are afraid that the crowds will not continue to come if they preach the message with the fire and the truth of John the Baptist or Jeremiah. And that's just true. If a pastor is quenching and grieving the Spirit, his preaching will be affected at a very deep level and it will infect the listeners. It's not about building your portfolio, your name, or your financial situation or followers. Actually, it's just the opposite, is it not? Preaching Christ does not bring a large crowd. No, it can. I thank God for a lot of the churches and social media influencers that are preaching Christ

and God is blessing their ministry. But that's because He's doing it. That shouldn't be the person's focus. And I have to remind you of this. Let's go back to what the Scripture said. Preach to the people and testify that Jesus was ordained by God and He's going to be the judge of the living and the dead. So as much as we want to skirt around the issue of hell, judgment, things like that, we're actually supposed to tell people the full truth. Now, of course, you use wisdom. I don't know if the best approach is, well, fine, you're just going to burn in hell. Probably not the right approach. But it should include some type of judgment, some type of urgency. And you'll hear people that are worried about this because they don't want to offend people. I don't want to offend people, of course. But they'll say, man, have you thought about just turning your life over to Jesus? It's great. He'll take care of you. Well, no, I don't need that, I'm good. Well, okay, well, think about it. That's not the Gospel. Now, again, in your own way of doing things and what you feel is near and dear to your heart, maybe not at first.

Maybe you build a relationship and you eventually, but your choices of rejecting God, there is a final destination. There is a final destination of that. And many of you have probably heard too, Kirk Cameron was in the news lately or on his definition, on his position of hell. I actually texted him the next day, so I'm praying for him and it was actually good. He appreciates that. Tried to better understand where he's coming from. He put out another video that said, you know, he explained, I'll explain it a little better. It's been a position that many Christians have had over the years, and it's annihilation. And it's not like you die and you're annihilated and gone forever. They teach that you die, there is a hell, there is torment, there is judgment, but it's not for eternity. Because when you're 1,000 years into it, you're no closer to the end than you are at the beginning. So you have a 15-year-old kid who rejects Christ, and he's eternally separated from God. And that's what he was pondering. And I understand what people are saying, that God's mercy, it just doesn't...

But like I said, when I put out something, you can't tell people that. I mean, the wording is kind of clear. There's eternal. The lake of fire where the worm is not quenched and the flame does not die. And so, let God worry about that. I often tell people, I don't want to find out. Well, at least you're tormented for 100 years and then you're annihilated. Well, how's that good? There's no good side to that. There's no positive side. Again, our church, our position as elders has always been that we just read that or see that people are eternal beings. Maybe from creation, the Spirit, there's eternally. So they would be separated from God eternally. Physical flames is... Who wants to find out? It's not going to be good. Basically, you have to be in the holy presence of God because of what Jesus did. Absent of that, that's why it says there's outer darkness. Cast into outer darkness. Because God doesn't throw you there. You choose to reject His offer of salvation. So you're actually... I get passionate about this. How could God...

No, they're rejecting Him. And because you reject Him, you can't be with Him. So you have to go to a place of, obviously, there's no light there. Obviously, it's pretty painful. Why? Why mess with God? Why play games? You don't want to live your life with a question mark here. And here's the key to convey to people. The Gospel actually imprisons you. The message of the Gospel imprisons you before it releases you. Because you tell people they are imprisoned by darkness. I don't know how you tell them. The way I preach to you, I don't talk to people individually like this. Usually, but this is like to the masses, let God sort it out. And preaching should also feed the soul. Talking about even preachers like to do what I do, it should feed the soul. My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. It cries out for the living God. And I've written about this before, and I've talked about the sin of the silent pulpit. Did you know pastors are to be voices of truth, not echoes of what the world says? Watchmen, not cowards. And we're to sound a trumpet, not a wind chime.

There's one instrument a little quieter than a wind chime, and I can't pronounce it very well. It's a trumpet, a voice. Now how you do that's different. Of course, there's different ways that God has designed us. I don't see a Max Lucado giving this kind of message. Right? There's different ways that God has wired us. But you should be a voice for the truth, a watchman on the wall, and a trumpet. And in the Bible, a watchman is a divinely appointed spiritual guard who stands on the city's walls or the spiritual towers, and they warn people of impending danger, of sin, of judgment, of spiritual threats. And they call the people to repentance, and they urge them in vigilance and prayer. That's the definition of a pastor or a preacher. And then I'll close with 1 Corinthians 2.5. It says, Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men. And then Colossians, it warns us, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. So he's saying they can pull you away from God by philosophy and empty deceit. Have you ever talked to people, and for five minutes, you think you're tracking? You believe in God? I believe in God.

Yeah, I love believing in God. He's really helped me. Me too. Man, this is incredible. When did you... come to know God. Oh, I've always known God, even as a child. God is everywhere. He's in the trees. My inner self, I usually get my yoga pose. Whatever. Be careful this year, don't do yoga, do Christian stretching, call it something different. Don't pose to God's do something different. Okay. But at the end, they're like, Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, that's not the God I'm talking about. That's not the God I'm talking about. And they begin to deceive people through philosophy and empty, empty deceit. And this is interesting, according to the to the tradition of men, be careful, watch out for tradition. Tradition is good. Thank God for tradition. But when you start to tell people, this is the only way this is how you have to do it to be close to Jesus, to know Jesus, and tradition comes in. We all have traditions. But Jesus actually said that they were led away. You told the religious leaders, you're leading them away by your tradition. What's the one tradition, we're not going to give to our parents who need it, we're going to give our money to God. Oh, we're so spiritual. Jesus said, you make the Word of God of no effect, of void, because of your tradition. Don't give to the church, help your parents. Tradition is deadly. Be careful of tradition. We love tradition. We want to we honor certain things. But when that tradition becomes the gauge of now it's your truth, and it actually will be many traditions will pull you away from Jesus. Have you noticed that before? You start to focus too much on the traditions. Guys, I've already said it with other

things, but this is one of the dangerous things. Again, I have to speak the truth. And again, you look into it, okay? Don't you? But the dangerous thing with Roman Catholicism is, you know, the big danger is the traditions that the papacy's brought in 1000 AD, 1100 AD, 1200 AD, 30, 13, you can just read it. Mary is co-matrix, they backpedal recently. The tradition of, right, the Eucharist becomes the actual body and blood of Jesus. Okay, we don't find that anywhere in Scripture. What about other traditions, purgatory? When was purgatory added? They built St. Peter's Cathedral by you putting money into the, when I hear the coin in the coffer, sing, a soul from purgatory will spring. Yeah, you can pay to get, guys, this is, this is deadly. This is damning. Did Jesus pay it all or not? I got to go somewhere for five years because I'm still a little struggler? See, these traditions are brought in. 1200, 1300, we just talked about Christmas, perpetual virginity of Mary. She was always a virgin. Why? How? Why? Because they want to elevate her. Immaculate conception. She was immaculately conceived. She was sinless. What? Where do you get this tradition? You're drifting from God. Well, she has to be that because she gave birth to Jesus. No man helped. The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and overshadow you and somehow plant the seed. See, there's no seed. The seed of the woman will strike the serpent, right, in Genesis. There's no seed in a woman. So the seed had to come from the Holy Spirit. That's why he was spotless, blameless, sinless. She wasn't. He put her, thank you, womb, Mary. He's going to grow. Let me, let me hook up the umbilical cord. You can feed, you can neuter, you can, coming of a virgin, but he's, she's, she comes from Jesus, the Holy Spirit coming upon her, placing this baby,

creating this life in her womb. She's not without sin. And so you see, you bring in all these traditions, traditions. Why do I have to go confess to somebody and they'll bring my request to God? That's not in the Bible. That's actually the opposite of the Bible. We're being led away by tradition. You can look at why the priest has to be celibate to be close. to Christ. Okay, well that's nice, but the Bible says, not me, the leaders in the church need to be married and the husband of one wife. The Bible, not me! So you get upset at me, get upset at God! These are all clear things taught in Scripture. And do you know where the papacy comes from? It's called apostolic succession. Remember, I was an altar boy, so this is where I'm getting all this information. So Peter, Peter, on this rock, I will build my church and get into Petra, Petros, the forms of this verb. On this rock, I will build my church. So Jesus, they say, is building his church on Peter. So from the line of Peter, here comes the next top apostle. From the line of him, here comes the next one. And here comes the next one. Apostolic succession. And these then become the papacy, the popes. But Jesus is not building a church on Peter! I hope not! Right before that, Peter said, you are the Christ, the son of the living God. And Jesus said, that is the foundation of the church. That's the foundation of the church. Tradition. Tradition. Let's just say, okay, hypothetically speaking, just to have fun. Let's say Jesus is starting the church with Peter. Okay? That doesn't mean everybody in his lineage is now a pope. It would never mean that. It's always back to the authority of scripture. That's the final gauge of truth. And they also say, tradition. I don't know when this was added. You can research it. There is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic church. They decreed it. Papal decree. Guys, this is just truth. If I'm offending, upsetting, why? Why? I shouldn't say that? I shouldn't say that when they're blaspheming the Word of God? When they're living in deception? When they're leading countless people? I need to be quiet as I should not offend. What would Jesus say to me? Is Jesus going to say as I'm leaving the service, Shane, why did you do that? That was so offensive. Probably not. Thank you for speaking the truth and love and what I put on your heart to share because it lines up with scripture and it's the truth of God's Word. Again, investigate. Please. But look at the Bible. Bible, not the writings of men.

Don't drift from Christ, guys. I'll end with this scripture. Galatians. Now the works of the flesh are evident. And there's a whole list here. I don't think you need me to list what the works of the flesh are, do you? I can if you want to get real convicting here. Anybody out there committing adultery? Oh, not me, pastor. Let me see your search history on your phone. Having too much to drink? Too much to eat? Any bitterness? I mean, you can just wrath, clamor, anger, evil speaking. I mean, it's just a huge list. And he said, I tell you, as I told you before, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. They have drifted from the knowledge they had. Again, I don't believe they were saved because they are practicing. Practicing means I like this sin. I enjoy this sin. And I'm going to shut you up because I love this sin. I'm practicing it. I was born this way. Anybody say that? Hear that before? I was born this way. There's nothing I can do. It runs in my family. They are practicing sin and they will not inherit the kingdom of God. Wait a minute. I thought works don't save us. They don't. They reflect. They reflect what's going on. Because you know, if you're a true believer, how long can you keep practicing sin? I'm not talking about falling into it and being, it's like, I'd rather die. I got to get out of this mess. Lord, help me. I repent. I repent. I repent. God, help me. I want to walk in the fullness of life. But don't drift from Christ. I love the song we sing this time of year. All hell, the power of Jesus name. Let angels prostrate, fall, bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all. Guys, you need to make a decision this morning. Maybe some of you or some of you listening, he is the light of the world. Is he the light in your soul? Because if you don't have that light in your soul, you're gravitating towards darkness, you feel the darkness. The Bible says you must repent and believe He's the light of the world. I did something this week that was, I just couldn't get enough of it. I studied light, NASA's definition, my goodness. Talk about it, getting a headache, particles, right, and they have no mass so they can travel 186,000 miles per second, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. This is AI, I got to research that. 186,000 miles in a second?

That's like going around the earth seven, eight times, what? And then it explained how it reflects and it's like, man, this is, oh, I could preach on that for like an hour, but I won't. It was just amazing to read all of that on light and how Jesus is the parallel and how that works. And I said, oh, I've got to read up, what is darkness? It's so funny, it just said the absence of light. That's it. Oh, that's the definition of darkness? The absence of light. So many are living with the absence of light in their heart. They need to repent and return to God. Do that today. And for a Christian, when you drift from prayer, you also drift from Christ. When you drift from prayer, you also drift from Christ. Prayer is that rope I talked about that pulls you back. Come on, guys, you know when the boat is ever drifting, you had your anchors secure, what do you do? You pull that rope back. That's what prayer does. That's why we go into prayer now after the service. Maybe you've been rejecting the Bible and kind of toying with other things. You need to just fully surrender that this morning and say, God, I need you.