We Need One Another | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Maranatha Shabiba Conference 2022)

Good morning. How are you surviving?

Amen. Hardly my voice is hardly

surviving and so I asked to be patient with me.

I might not be as dynamic as I would like to be gonna hope that

entrusted. The holy spirit will use this

weakness for his glory. Let's pray one more time.

I'd rather pray, the let's pray, one more time and ask and invoke

the holy spirit's help though. We thank you this morning that

you have sustained us in our sleep and Lord that you have

awoken us for another day, a day to experience your mercies.

And then we thank you for the mercies that are known in the

truth being provided to us. Thank you.

That at our disposal, we have the fullness of your Revelation.

All that we You know, concerning you and what you desire from us,

is right before us Lord. We borrow the words of the

Apostle. Paul.

And boasting in our weakness. We can do so because in our

weakness is your power made known and Perfection and so let

that power be known in the delivery of this message in the

reception of this message. Lord continue to guide us

through this series on Deception that we may be at people of

Truth. People confident that we are in

the light. This is our request Lord in

Jesus name. Amen.

We live in a cruel world, Jesus prophesied that it's only going

to get more cruel. I can't think of anything more

cruel than being deceived and being told something with the

preface that it is true with the veneer that it is legitimate

only for it to be false and not just false with a neutral

consequence. But false, with the intention of

destroying you and me. And I hope you feel the gravity

of the warnings in the New Testament about the dangers of

deception because it is multifaceted.

In other words, deception is all around us and it is so near that

it is in US. In other words, if you consider

where Deception comes from, is should in a holy way, frighten

us. Because scripture says that the

very thing that is in your heart is incredibly deceptive.

In other words, never mind. Deceiving, people never mind

Satan, right? Who is in Revelation known as

The Deceiver of the nation's if you were left to yourself on an

island with no one else, you would still be susceptible to

deception consider that If you were just left on your own, you

can still fall prey to deception.

And so if my heart can deceive me and there are ambassadors of

Satan who want to deceive me and if there is Satan himself, who

wants to deceive me? Where's my hope?

I can't look in. I can't look out and even if I

want to look at a different realm, there is a whole realm

invisible realm, that hates me because I'm creating the image

of God. The only hope is God himself.

The only hope is to look up and to see how we can be protected

from those around us and even from ourselves.

And so I draw your attention to one verse one, verse in

Galatians 6, verse 3, as we continue our series on The

Galatians 6:3

Bible's warnings to Christians about how they can be deceived.

Galatians 6, verse, 31 verse and I want to show you by reading

this verse how important it is to consider the context so that

we can know the full meaning of a text.

Or any statement found in the Bible, one of the greatest

dangers that you and I can do in our relationship with the word

is take a single verse and created Doctrine out of it.

That's how Cults are started, right?

Galatians 6, 3 reads for if anyone Thinks he is something.

When he is nothing, he deceives himself.

If anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing,

he deceives himself. Now I'm sure you can imagine

that. If you pluck this verse up and

hold it in the air without considering its roots, it can

mean a thousand things. And that is why you and I have

to understand the context to see exactly what this means and when

you just read the verses before you will have a laser precise

Clarity of what this statement is trying to teach us about

deception in a particular way. So, look at verse 1, Paul writes

to this church Brothers. If anyone is caught in any

transgression, you who are spiritual, should restore him in

a spirit of gentleness, keep watch on yourself.

Less you to be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and

so fulfill the law of Christ for if anyone thinks he is

something, when he is nothing he deceives himself.

This snapshot of the Bible gives us some kind of preparation of

what we're going to hear tonight.

Because what we're going to hear tonight is how you and I can

discern between true spirituality and empty religion.

That's an important thing to get clarity on and I wonder how

surprised some will be. When we see the standard that

God has the emphases that God has on what true spirituality

looks like you might be shocked because because it's actually

much more simple and achievable than what our own imaginations

have conjured up. Like if I say spiritual

Christian, what comes to mind, right?

Well, what does that person look like?

What how does that person live? Is he a Hermit?

Does he wear certain things easy sound in a certain way?

Maybe to an extent. But when you see what the Lord

demands of us, in our pursuit of spiritual health, Holiness and

godliness, you will actually be more encouraged and discouraged.

And we get a glimpse of that, we get a little peek into what true

spirituality looks like. And it will be a sigh of relief

because it's not in your ability to or eight.

The scriptures is not your ability to win thousands of

souls or pack out stadiums. It's right here in verse 1.

Going to be any more clear Brothers.

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are

spiritual So he's calling out the spiritual, it's possible to

be a spiritual Christian. It's possible to be a carnal

Christian and Paul says, I'm addressing the spiritual in the

churches of galatia, you who are spiritual, what is a spiritual

person? Do they feel the call and then

necessity? To participate in the ministry

of restoration. That's what a true spiritual man

does. That's what a Godly woman.

Does they feel and act upon the need to look at a brother or

sister who has fallen into sin and then to make whatever effort

is necessary to pick them back up.

Is that what you think? A true spiritual person is.

I don't think Paul is speaking about being gentle and

tolerating about those who are deliberately stubborn and

persist in Disobedience. Jesus tells us what we do with a

person who claims to be a Christian and does Isis treat

him like a gentile treat him like a tax collector.

They want to persist in their sin and don't repent.

Then there is a different measure but the word that Paul

uses here is caught, is it not if anyone is caught and the idea

there is somebody who Has suddenly fallen into

transgression. Somebody who was captivated by

specific sin, in a way that they did not think would happen to

them. It wasn't some premeditated

thing. It was something that almost

caught them by surprise and what the holy spirit is saying is

those who are spiritual. Look at somebody like that who

has a heart for God, who is soft towards the Lord, but something

happened, something sway them away.

And all for a sudden, they got into something that they know,

Grieves, the holy Spirit. And they know ruins their

testimony and the spiritual. Listen to this compassionately

deals with them. And sees it as a great priority

to bring them back to a true and sincere walk with the Lord.

That's amazing here, because when he says, you who are

spiritual, should restore that word restore is precious, it's

the very same word that is used. And when Jesus walked on the

shores of Galilee, and he saw these two brothers James, and

John, they were what we're told and Mark, they were mending.

The fishing nets. And when Jesus saw them in the

holy spirit says, they were mending their Nets.

He says follow me. The same word for Mend to repair

is the same word as restore here in Galatians.

And I Think Jesus saw something in those brothers that he longed

to develop in a spiritual way, the wisdom, and the patience,

and the care that is required to fix something in the physical,

is what the Lord wants to develop in his disciples.

As we are each call to handle people's hearts.

So, he's not just looking for because you and I think.

Oh, yeah. Spiritual person is someone who

fishes for Souls true. But don't forget that he

highlights. The fact that a spiritual person

is someone also men's them. And nurtures them and cares for

them and through their words and their counsel and love puts a

bomb on their wound and brings him back to a place of strength.

In the Lord says you who are spiritual if you really want to

determine somebody spirituality, more importantly, if you really

want to evaluate your own spirituality, ask and answer

this question this morning. What am I compelled to do?

When I learn of a Christian that I know who has failed?

What's my reaction? What do I feel in my soul?

Shun them. Shunned them, reject them.

Or how about may be participating in an apparent?

Restoration when you just really want juicy details about the

situation. how about spreading it to some people because for

some reason of some exhilaration and being the person who has the

latest in the newest about somebody else, The spiritual.

Their hearts are moved to say. What can I do?

Man to pick you up. Yeah, I heard about it.

I saw it. What do you need for me to help

you? I'm here for you.

That's a spiritual person. And we see that Paul is

addressing this people. and then he expands his instruction and

verse to, look what he says in verse to Bear one another's

burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ Remember the Stone

Connection, the verse 1. What does this true spiritual

Christian look like? Well, they bear burdens so there

are better able to identify the things that are weighing other

Christians down, and that could be anything from a Temptation

that was not lying at them. That can't be easily shaken off

to a trial as we heard yesterday.

That seems to just drain them from any encouragement.

And then, once you identify that you and your heart through your

fellowship, through your, your counsel, whatever it is to say,

how can I make this lighter? How can I make this lighter?

You see how simple spirituality is, you see how wonderfully

achievable it is? Do you see what the Lord looks

for for his people to be able to see burdens practical burdens

spiritual burdens and say, how can I make this a little

lighter? How can I be able to infuse in

you, some strength, to be able to continue to carry this cross?

With this background in mind, we have a clear vision of what Paul

means in verse 3. If anyone Thinks he is

something. When he is nothing.

He deceives himself, pay attention, Shake It Off. he says

here, if anyone thinks he is something meaning, if anyone

thinks he is spiritual When he is nothing. meaning, when he

does not see the importance of lovingly, restoring, a fallen

brother or consistently being around and for believers to help

them carry their burdens, you're deceived, That's what he say.

You think you're something in your spirituality but you're

actually nothing because you don't see the you don't see the

need to care for a fallen brother or help their burdens be

a little lighter. Then in reality, you're deceived

about your own spirituality. Now, that that's not going to

mean much to the person who was not even saved.

I'm not speaking to those who are not say this morning, but to

those who have a desire for Holiness, keep in mind, the

direction of the Lord is pointing us into.

And our lord. Jesus provides a perfect example

of one of his teachings. When he brings up what a false

righteousness. Looks like when he teaches about

the Pharisee and the tax collector, who go into the

temple to pray and he says, you don't have to turn there but he

says this and preparation to teach on that.

He says in Luke 18:9, if you're taking notes for references, he

Luke 18:9

also told this Parable to some who trusted in themselves that

they were righteous who trusted that they were.

Reaches, but listen and treated others with contempt.

Here's how you know that your righteousness is illegitimate.

I'm not talking about your positional righteousness because

of what Jesus has done. I'm talking about your

practical, righteousness, in the name of Jesus, is your

righteousness. If it is coexisting with

contempt, for others is futile. It's flawed, it's empty.

Especially if your contempt is for those who are supposedly

weaker spiritually, like a tax collector in this context.

Could not even look to heaven but beat his own chest and says

I'm not worthy have mercy on me. I think that's frightening.

I think it's training that you can actually and I can actually

believe I am something. When in fact, I am nothing and

one of the ways that you and I know that we are, nothing is how

our righteousness our spirituality translates

impractical service to other people. and how we view other

people, especially those who might not be on the same caliber

of your theology or your Your practice.

I see the opposite and one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ.

I see the complete opposite attitude in a very subtle way.

With one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ, you remember, John

the Beloved, who wrote that prize gospel, the Gospel of John

most Christians are familiar with how John addresses himself,

how he in, humility veils, his identity in a very in a, very

special way throughout the gospel.

What does he say about? Ourself the disciple?

What? Whom?

Jesus loved. I love that.

People joke. Oh, look how John is speaking

about us. I'm not a John, had this

confidence in the Heart of Jesus.

There's a love for me. Imagine living like that.

The reason why your soul fluctuating in your love for the

Lord is because you're focusing on your love for the Lord.

If you just if you just focus on his love for you, you'll have a

glorious motivation to continue to serve him the disciple, whom

Jesus, loved the disciple, whom Jesus loved it.

And I loved that because in humility, he doesn't want to

bring his identity to the spotlight especially with

associations of his success. I mean, as simple as him beating

Peter to the tomb The guy beat him.

I'm not going to say to me though.

The disciple right whom Jesus loved.

Even go as far to say the other disciple the other disciple.

You'll never see John referring to himself by name.

He wants to put Christ there in the Forefront of the readers

mind. He wants to exalt Christ and so

he just tries to hide in the background.

He wants to be accurate. He wants to say that he was a

witness, but he fails his identity.

He fails his good works. He fails the fact that he was

the only one that stood before the cross.

When all the others scattered and went home.

And yet, at the same time, I argue that there is one place

where I believe John tries to make his identity a little bit

more clear. There is one place in the entire

Book of John. We gives a strong indication.

He gives a greater clue that it is really him.

And it's in, it's in a place that you wouldn't suspect.

It's in a place that you wouldn't think.

It's it wouldn't be in a place that you would put.

A greater emphasis on your identity.

Would you like to know where it is?

Go to John 21. The last chapter and it's not

just because it's the last chapter.

It's because of what that last chapter teaches John 21 verse 1.

John 21:1

After this, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples

by the Sea of tiberias and he revealed himself in this way.

Simon Peter Thomas called the twin Nathanael of Cana in

Galilee the sons Of Zebedee. And two other disciples were

together. Who are the sons of Zebedee?

James n John. And no other place in the Gospel

of John, will you see a reference to the sons of

Zebedee? The only place where you'll see

the sons of Zebedee mentioned in John is here.

Right here. And he says the sons of Zebedee

with the knowledge that those who read would have known who

the sons of Zebedee were You can have a wider speculation with

the disciple whom Jesus loved, but if you knew whose ebony was,

you knew who his sons were. And what I find so hard stirring

is that John and the Holy Spirit.

Obviously, let him and back this up John chooses to make the

strongest reference to himself at the lowest point in his walk

with the Lord, because in John 21 when Peter with his natural

leadership, abilities says, I'm going fishing are has a you're

going, we're going, okay? Peter is going, we're going to

go, he just had that magnetic pull and so they go back to do

what Jesus called them from. They went back fishing.

Now, fishing might not be a sin, in your eyes, but in their eyes.

This is what Jesus called them from to turn away from so that

they can pursue fishing of men. And yet, at this low Point, not

knowing where to go next not knowing how to handle Of this

whole Resurrection thing, Peter says, you know, I'm just gonna

go back and some of the disciples follow including who

the sons of Zebedee. What do you learn from this?

What do you take from this? Here's what I take from it.

Humility is not boasting in your failures.

I'm a sinner. I'm this.

I'm a ratchet. And that's just an empty way of

really boasting about your Righteousness, and some sense.

But spirituality humility is being conscious of our

weaknesses. And being mindful of how we are

equally capable of falling into sin, just like anybody else.

So this the disciple whom Jesus loved.

In a more obvious way, wants to show.

Yeah, even me the same disciple who put his head on the bosom of

Jesus came to a place where I went back to what Jesus called

me from. And that's exactly what Paul is.

Communicating back in Galatians when he says you who are

spiritual restore him, who has been caught up in transgression,

caught up in sent just keep watching your on yourself less

you to be tempted. In other words every time you

face a brother or sister is fall into sin right there in that

moment is a lesson for you that you are able to fall in the very

same sin that this brother is being disciplined for So it's a

call to humility. It's a call to reality of what

we are capable of. And when you walk with that,

Revelation, that that is what opens up.

Your arms to be more loving and more accepting and more patient

with those who actually fall. Even if they fall before you.

And I want to say this, that if you feel like you're in that

place, and I'm not saying this is about everybody, but this is

a particular mindset. There are some people who in

their spirituality cannot find themselves to relate to those

who are weaker than them, kind of find themselves,

fellowshipping with those who might not have an astute or

accurate. Understanding of systematic

theology, or who may not seem to be interested in the things of

God with greater depth, like you, whatever the case may be,

you have people pulled themselves away from common

Folk. Christian's.

So to speak. Not talking about carnal

Christians and about Christians who don't grow as fast as you

might have grown. And here's my question, what's

the point of your strength? If that's you in this place?

Let me ask you this question. What's the point of the

spiritual muscles that you've developed over the years and

maybe quicker than other people in your life?

Like my dad used to say to me and my brothers whenever we

would help him with some physical work, whether at his

work right at home, you'd always jokingly say.

All right, let's see what your gym time.

Has brought you, come on. You can't lift it.

You're tired already. He's like you don't have to go

pay for the membership just come here.

You can do it for free. I won't charge you.

And that's the same for Spiritual strength.

What's the point of your spiritual strength?

What's the point of reading? All those books?

What's the point of listening to all those sermons?

What's the point of memorizing? What's the point with

evangelizing on the streets when nobody else?

Evangelized what's the point? What's the point?

Here's what Paul says, in Romans 15 one we I love that was Paul

proud. No he but he says we who are

strong. We including me.

It's not, it's not an arrogant thing to be aware of your

spiritual strength. We who are strong have an

obligation to bear with the failings of the week.

And not please ourselves. So if you feel like you have

this unusual, Insight unusual connection with the Lord.

If you distance yourself from a local church because they don't

seem to be as strong as you. Even if you think that you have

more insight than the pastor who preaches every single week, if

you feel like you have more depth in the scriptures and you

remove yourself from the local church, you're no different than

the Pharisee. Paul says, if you're truly

strong, you're drawn to those who are weak and you want to

Bear their weaknesses, you want to lift them up, you want to

inspire them, you want to be in their presence.

You want to encourage them, don't walk in there, arrogantly.

Hey, Paul said we are a strong I'm strong.

I'm here to help don't do that, please.

What come with humility come with like John like attitude

aware of your own weaknesses despite how how much your head

is filled. And bear the failings of the

week. Paul is saying here and this

message is going to be too too long.

What Paul is saying here in Galatians goes beyond what we

just heard and we're going to elaborate more on what true

spirituality is tonight. There is another dimension to

the deception and verse 3 that is more subtle than what I just

said. And this is where I think more

of you can relate. If we're honest listen, we can

be deceived about being in the will of God.

Now only by refusing to extend Grace, your presence, your help

to a fallen brother or two people around you.

But by also refusing to receive. The help.

By those that God has called to minister to you.

By failing to receive. When do I get that?

Thought from back in verse to Bear one another's burdens.

In other words, every single one of us have burdens, no

exception, we all have them and some days are lighter than

others, but each of us have challenges each of us.

Faced persecution in different ways.

Each of us have our own private Wars as Saints.

Paul says, you're not called to carry those alone, you're not

called to walk this thing alone. So you see the deception is to

part one the refusal because of a sense of superiority.

To come to other people because of self-importance.

I'm, I'm too busy. I'm too concerned, I have too

much going on in my life, to meddle in your Affairs.

Paul says, you think you're something when you're actually

nothing and you're deceived. But secondly, the deception can

also be known. In self-reliance, not

self-importance. And so you distance yourself

because you believe that you yourself walking solo on the

narrow path is possible without consequences.

So here's who I'm addressing this, this message to listen

very carefully because I know the people who are part of

Maranatha Bible Church who are here And there are a lot of new

faces. I don't know you.

I don't know where you're from. I don't know where you're coming

from. I know that you're here.

So I want to say to those who constantly feel and fall into

the temptation of isolating yourself from other believers

and who walk long stretches of time without meaningful

intentional and accountable interaction with serious

Disciples of Jesus Christ. This is for you.

So, I'm speaking to those who are not committed members of a

local church. Who have not communicated a

covenant with a local assembly to say, I'm here to be

accountable and I am here to offer accountability with this

pocket of God's people, in his Grand Kingdom across the globe,

as speaking of those people. I'm also speaking to those who

might have, who might have quieted their conscience by

becoming a member, but your membership is not seen in

practicality, so you, Come to the service.

Barely barely but there is no sense of your presence in an

intentional Fellowship, that is provided either by the church or

with Saints outside of the walls.

I'm speaking to those who when they do feel an overwhelming

burden, they don't, they don't stay with the Saints.

They remove themselves from the Saints because of one either

shame or two because of this weird notion, I don't want to

put my burden on people who already have battles to face

themselves. Let me, let me tell you this, if

you are there that kind of train of thought is laced with

self-deception laced with it. Now I'm not speaking to those

who are having difficulty finding a local church because

they want to obey the scriptures and they want to find

God-fearing elders and God-fearing people.

I know that that is that is something I've heard from across

America with emails and messages, where can I find if

I'm not speaking to you? I'm speaking to those who are

actually Comfortable. With at best in your mind doing

Church online. This is what Paul would say to

you. You ready?

If he knew this this what he would say to you, you think

you're something when you're actually nothing.

And you're deceived. You disappear?

If you wholeheartedly believe in, this is even for people who

have who might have some association with our local

church by name only, but it's not real. what I mean is, if you

wholeheartedly believe that you are perfectly fine, Without

having a community of godly people that you engage with.

The know that you are in danger, my prayer is not for you to do

anything more than leave this place with a personal plan, like

what changes do I need to make? What do I need to do to ensure

myself that I can escape this deception?

That does not show the severe consequences immediately?

How can I make myself by the will of God convinced that I

need? I need godly people in my life.

Deception is like sin and I'll tell you how deception is not

satisfied with keeping you at one level of deception sin is

not like you can't be like I'm going to sin and I'm going to

stay right here. I'm just going to keep to this

sin and I'm going to manage the consequence in never works

deception. Just like sin will always seek

to pull you deeper. And just like sin that opens

ways for nuisance deception. When you believe one false thing

leads you to believe sequential false things.

And so Satan is extremely clever.

Because before he can get you to be deceived about this thing, he

gets you to be deceived about this thing.

He's very, very clever that people who, like, talk down to

Satan, that's actually anti-biblical.

That's anti-biblical. Michael.

The Archangel himself would not, even dare rebuke Satan.

Directly. He said the Lord rebuke you all

these people that run around and on platforms and they speak down

to Satan, even even Michael would not do that, it's very

dangerous attitude, there is a level.

Let me say this and I hope you understand what I'm saying.

A level of respect that we need to have.

Even for evil spirits, not respect like I venerate, you

respect of the potential harm that they can bring about.

Right. You've heard the term.

Respect the ocean. My mom used to always say that

respect the ocean, don't just walk.

Walk in there and play, you can be pulled in at any moment.

So there should be that level of awareness and that's how Satan

Works before he can get you to be deceived about ABCDEF,

whatever he brings you to the first point and then he lets

that deception do the work. It's almost like a leech that

just latches on to you and just give it a little time and I'll

suck the life out of you. And here's how he does it with

what I'm presenting to you today, because Satan is aware of

the effectiveness of what I'm trying to tell you, more than

most Believers are. So, let me present, you just one

thing which will be emphasized more on tomorrow when we're

going to learn about. Maybe five, six ways of being

deceived proof. Look at Hebrews chapter 3, in

Hebrews 3 · chapter mention

one verse in verse 13, very famous Passage.

Hebrews 3:13. Here's what the author says, but

Hebrews 3:13

exhort one another every day. As long as it is called today,

that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Deception is everywhere. In the New Testament, see here

to see if you see there. Here's what he's saying, be

careful. Sin can deceive you.

And this will be discussed in further detail, but the spirit

of God through this verse shows us something.

So insightful. And that is this, that a

particular protection against this heart from becoming

crystallized and numb, and deadened to my involvement with

sin. Cannot be separated.

From abiding in an environment where I am experiencing

external, exhortation continually.

He could have said exalt yourself every day.

That's what people think that this is means.

Exhort yourself every day. He's not saying that exhort one

another every day because your heart and mine was designed to

be in need for others, to continually in regularly, speak

to it. In order for it to remain soft

and sensitive. if you don't believe that, you did what

Galatians 6 3 that when you think, you think your something

when in fact you're nothing and you're deceived If you don't

think this is a real thing, you'd be amazed to know how many

Facebook and Instagram evangelist and Prophets out

there have who are not connected and submitted to a local church.

This is not being limited to having somebody.

Correct this every once in awhile, it's beyond that.

It's being in the presence of people.

Who have holy speech? It's being with those who sing

praises to God and you hear that over you, as you join them in

song, it's about conversations, you have with people about

Jesus. It's about having that cup of

coffee with a brother or sister Crossing that table, and you're

hearing the testimonies of what's happening in their

workplace. What's happening in their

marriage, what's happening with their children?

And here, you are being encouraged and excited to remain

on that faithful path of service because the same God, who is

doing it in their lives, can do it in mind.

It's having your heart exposed to Christ exalting exhortation

whether that's directly given to you one-on-one or being in an

environment of people who cannot help out of the abundance of

their hearts to give glory to God.

Satan knows the power of this. He knows him.

And every time I read this verse or I quote, this verse I cannot

help but bring up to myself and to others of the inside of how

quickly our hearts can become deceived by sin.

Exhort one another, how often? Is that hyperbolic is that

poetic is that exaggeration? Or is that an Insight that tells

you and me, that all the takes is 24 hours for your heart to

become hardened by sin? Like all it takes is after this

weekend for you to get home and Monday night, be deceived by

sin. No matter what kind of

preaching, no matter what kind of invitation, no matter what

kind of insight. We are in need of continual

consistent, fellowship with people.

And some would say, well, I am exhausted every single day.

My favorite preachers are on YouTube and it's working just

fine for me. Preaching is good, preaching is

important. But you know what's amazing?

This is for you, spiritual people, okay?

Here's what's amazing. Paul says that each one of us in

1st Corinthians, 12:7 have been given a measure of the spirit

for what for the common good that each of us has been given a

manifestation of the spirit for the common good.

So here's what that saying God has not given you individually

all that you can know about the spirit.

Got again, has designed it in such a way that if you want to

know the manifold manifestation of the Holy Spirit, spiritual

people, listen up, you love the Holy Spirit, right?

You love the manifestations of the spirit, right?

You want to know more of the spirit, right?

Then you are dependent upon the spirit.

Who is deposited, unique manifestations in each believer.

what that means is, every time I step into the local assembly,

every time I step in to a fellowship of Believers, what I

can expect is that the Holy Spirit Will manifest in Sister,

Jenny and manifest through brother, Joe and manifests

through Sally and manifest through Doug And in that

environment, can I No Greater Heights of the experience of the

spirit and God in his wisdom, made it in such a way that you

could not know those manifestations if you do this

thing, so low. So are you get preaching on

YouTube? That's one manifestation of the

spirit through the gift of speaking.

And even in that, you are limited through that screen

because Paul himself knew that I can only impart the fullness of

my gift when I come to you Romans.

I don't want to just write to you.

I want to come to you because in this how many of you have known?

I've heard this Brothers. We're blessed by the messages

online but there's difference when we're in person.

Well, yeah, that's biblical. And so Satan knows the full

power of this. So what does he do?

Well, he deceives you from point A you're good, you're something.

You can do this without others. You can make your commitment of

peppered thing. It can be stretched out.

It does not have to be constant. It does not have to be

committed. It does not have to be life on

life. You are something.

Oh yeah. Or how can you show up, you keep

failing, you keep messing up. You're an embarrassment, you're

in shambles. You're going to be a burden the

pastor's already busy with so much.

What you think is going to help you.

You've already talked to so many Christians about the issue.

You think they want to hear the issue again.

It's been eight months, man. Just keep to yourself.

Get better. And then go back.

Okay. Yeah, that's true.

And Satan is they're salivating at his mouth because he knows I

got him here just a little bit more time, until the

deceitfulness of sin will harden their hearts.

And I got him where I want him. You see how clever he is?

Satan knows that we are social creatures.

Does he not? You know, that you're a social

creature. So if he can't convince you to

do solo, you know what he'll convince people to do, he'll

convince you to believe that. Any company is good company.

First Corinthians 15:33, do not be deceived Bad Company

1 Corinthians 15:33

corrupts. Good morals.

I wonder if I were to ask 10 people in this room, what Bad

Company looks like, what answers we would get.

I think the general consensus unfortunate would be.

Yeah, Bad Company. Are those drug using gang

affiliating club dancing people? And that is part of it, but

you'd be surprised to know what the Apostle Paul had in mind in

the category of Bad Company. And the only way you can know

just like with our first verses when you see the context, what's

First Corinthians 15, all about? All you have to do is get an

idea in verse 32, the verse right before, what do I gain if

humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus.

He's not talking about literal animals, he's talking about what

people are capable of when they have no conscience.

When you dead in your conscience, you can become like

an animal. And he says here, if I fought

with the beat the beasts at Ephesus, if the dead are not

raised, if the dead are not raised.

In Believers are not resurrected, then why let us eat

and drink for tomorrow? We die the whole chapter of

First Corinthians 15 is Paul teaching about the bodily

resurrection of the believer. For some reason, these

Corinthians got duped into believing that as Believers in

Jesus Christ, we do not have this Resurrection thing.

It kind of stops at a certain point and Paul sought to correct

that. And he gives the list of

implications of not believing in that.

And how did the Corinthians come to this point?

Well, at some point, they begin to entertain the presence of

those who taught, otherwise, Of people who came in and

propagated the idea through philosophy through human wisdom.

That it doesn't make sense for us to have bodily resurrection

and for us to no life beyond this life.

And here's the thing theology, whether it's good or bad cannot

be divorced and how it influences your behavior.

That's why we get a straight in ourselves to the word of God,

because something as as Grand, as eventful as the resurrection

of our bodies. Can have direct influence on the

way you live day to day. Paul says it, if we don't

believe this. Let's party.

What is this all about? Let's just eat.

Let's just drink. Let's just do vacations all the

time. Let's just make our lives about

the food that we explore. Let's just do all of this stuff

and forget about it. Zero investment in the kingdom

of God. No.

Resurrection, no future reward. No future Kingdom.

Let's just enjoy this life. And all of that stems from a

group of people that influence the Corinthians to say, there is

no Resurrection. And that is the context in which

Paul says Bad Company corrupts good behavior.

Here's how you can worded do not be deceived.

You ready for this? This might shock you if you

regularly entertain the company of those who live without a

concrete belief in the resurrection, it could ruin you.

I don't think the danger for the modern.

Christian is being allured by those who teach otherwise about

the resurrection. I don't think that's the threat.

I think the greater threat for the common believer today is to

associate with those who don't practically live out as though,

the resurrection was real, huge difference?

No. Have you heard the term

practical atheism? That in theory and confession.

You believe there's a God but I'm practically you live as

though. He doesn't exist.

You can do that with the resurrection.

You can in theory in your statement of faith believe in

the resurrection. But practically you don't

believe with with view of the Revelation and view that there

is a future time coming where there is a life more real than

this life. And to listen to this, this is

the, this is the definition of Bad Company, not the drug using

Club going gang, affiliating heroin shooting casino going

person. No, no, no Bad Company.

Can be simply those who do not live with an eternal mindset.

That frames their living. So here's what I think happens,

here's Bad Company, the list, they just filled up, didn't it?

I just filled up, didn't it? I didn't say the Bible said it.

And so, what's the threat here? That your Christian Life can be

deducted can be reduced to doing exactly what Paul warned about.

If we live with the thought, that there is no Resurrection,

your listen, your life is just about eating Your life is just

about living from one event to the next, and that's the height.

That's the ceiling of your excitement.

And there is absolutely no inclusion, no thought, no plan,

no investment into the Eternal kingdom of God.

And all it takes for you to get. There is just to be with that

group of people, long enough who might even attend meetings like

this, but outside of this world, movable Always abounding in the

work of the Lord. Knowing that in the Lord, your

labor is not in vain. So, knowing believing that my

labor is not in vain. Why?

Because there is a resurrection, there is a time that I will meet

a resurrected Lord, he will look at me with piercing eyes and

unless I have a renewed mind and a new renewed heart, I would be

like the prophets of old and barely stand.

Unless the spirit of God picks me up every time that's what's

coming knowing that your labor is not in vain owing because you

have a future reward in mind. This is what it will do to you

today. Steadfast, you know what that

means? You're not swayed by Oceans like

a bad breakup will not cause you to give up on Jesus.

That's a very practical way of looking at it.

The report of sickness afflicting, your family member

will not cause you to press the eject button.

You're still steadfast, why? Because the resurrection in

view. Steadfast immovable and movable

just that you're just there. You're like Concrete in the will

of God. Like you're, you're like you

look on the word. You like, there's literally

nothing that this world can offer me.

And how can I make my life about just eating and drinking and

doing in this? And that when there's a

resurrection ahead of me? Immovable.

And here it is. Always abounding like richly

invested in the will of God richly invested in the work of

God. Like your life orbits around

serving the lord. Like that's your priority, not

out of Duty out of great joy and even more joy knowing that there

is a resurrection that will evaluate and Beyond me just

being saved on to get this rewarded for the service that

God empowers me to do not fascinating.

I always use the example of the father, who was lifting a couch,

and a little boy, his little son because his daddy, can I help

you move? He is like four years old.

Is he gonna do? You know?

Okay, I'll you will help me and I'll reward you.

If you can help me I will reward you.

And here's this some putting his little hands on the couch doing

absolutely nothing. And the father's, lifting it

with all his strength and afterwards, just because the sun

had the tenderness to volunteer, the father rewards, and that's a

picture of you and me serving Jesus Christ.

We want to serve the Lord you and I do not have the strength

to be able to do it with any fruitfulness.

So God, empowers us, he strengthens us, he gives us, he

anoints us and then he rewards us.

Do not abandon the work of the Lord.

Knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain.

If anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing.

He is deceived. And this is two ways of thinking

falsely that you are something one that you're Superior to

others. So you distance yourself, or

you, you're there, but you There's a arrogance.

Or you are somebody who thinks that there is no value in the

body of Jesus Christ. That you have no need for

Ministries to be active apart from you, but towards you. if

that is you, and I'm speaking more about the latter may exalt

you in these final messages, this final words, Pray

desperately for a healthy. Holy local church.

You'd be amazed to know how God can open your eyes to things

that are very close to where you are today.

And God is extremely patient with the process of being able

to identify that body. You'd be amazed to know how God

will move Heaven and Earth for you to be in the right place

with the right people. But when you do look and when

you do pray yes, although the company of people should be as

Paul described because of the Resurrection but also know that

not everybody is on the same level and so do not look for a

church filled with Apostle Paul's I think some people are

so critical of the local church that even if the church was

filled with a pulse of positive, still find something to

criticize. Like I don't like the color of

the walls, it's distracting me during worship something like

that. The carpet is just it's rough on

my shoes. Because even if you are somebody

who thinks it is strong, don't think the church is about you,

receiving something though. That is something we need to

believe, but believe that as a strong person, there are weak

people who God calls you to help with their feelings.

Here's my college, very simple. Don't be a Christian who lives

on conferences. Don't.

Like, if this is the only experience and expression of

fellowship with other like-minded believers, you're

doing it wrong. It's not going to help, you're

stifling your spirituality and you're actually hindering the,

the fullness of what your ministry can offer, the members

of Jesus's body be serious about the local church.

I remember. When I first got saved, my

attitude was not the same as I'm presenting to you today II.

Just didn't see the value of the local church to me.

It was like you have a sea of people who are dying and going

to hell and you want to hear two sermons a week.

Like get out like half a sermon at most.

Let's go. Until the Lord taught me in a

very, very practical way by putting me in the position of

being in a local church. Did I see the incalculable value

and riches that are found in imperfect people who love a

perfect savior that come together continually And I

praise God that he opened my eyes early.

And sometimes the only way you can know it is when you just

dive into it with faith, all that we do is in faith,

including what I'm presenting to you.

Today, some of you here, do not go to church because you have a

bad taste in your mouth about church, especially those who

come from a middle eastern background, I get it, I

understand the frustration is real.

I say that as a middle eastern person, But don't let Satan

deceive. You don't let him trick you.

Don't let him have you. Swimming in this ocean by

yourself, get on the boat with other believers.

That is your safety. That is your provision from

Heaven. That is God's way of getting you

to know total maturity in his will.

And so know, this God will bring you somewhere.

If you desire it that's his will for your life.

And you be amazed to know how do I'm not saying he will do this,

but he could do this. He might give you a job in

another state. And it's not because of the job.

A preacher said and I landed here he said don't look for the

church that is closest to your house.

Look for a church that is closest to the Bible.

And I wonderful. My rant is complete.

I'm done. I hope your heart is stirred

with the limited Insight that we had today though, even one

inside from the word of God is plenty for our soul.

Let's pray and ask God to help us with these truths.

Louis, thank you that we do have a conference like this.

But this conference is not an end in itself.

Thank you for the local church. where we are to be dedicated and

committed to And so what happens here, only fuel our devotion?

to the people that you've called us to be devoted to Lord for

those who are tempted to think that they are something either

in their self importance or their self-reliance.

Me that deception be broken today.

It may we see that there is a call for us to offer something

to others and there's even a call for us to be humble enough

to receive from others. Look for those who are

struggling to find a local church.

Would you make a way where there seems to be?

No way? Hello.

Would you help them in the meantime?

Still be committed to a body of believers do maybe few. to love

and worship you to know the softening work of external

exhortations that our hearts are desperately in need of

continually Do we pray for pastors to be raised up in this

time? Faithful Men of God.

Faithful Men of God, who will just do what the Bible says, who

will structure their churches? The way the Bible says, we ask

Lord that you raise up Elders, we ask Lord that you would raise

up leaders, who be able to provide true, local

congregations that people can feed off of that people can

settle down in and raise their families with Lord we don't we

don't have a strategy apart from you supplying these things to

us. And so we look to you.

You are the great Shepherd lead us to the right under Shepherds

and Lord, we just ask that you would help us be patient.

You would help us be truly spiritual.

And not removing ourselves because of the failings of those

around us. But the opposite drawing closer

to those who fall for this is the law of Christ.

But we love you. It is fellowship.

Be true. And sincere would you bless our

food as we eat together and continue to be in our midst?

As you have been up to this point in Jesus name, we pray.

Amen. Standing sing to the Lord.