Keep It Up And Watch Out!

A lot of little details go into my Sunday sermons. I need my notes, my phone, my bulletins, my TV, my preaching plant… but the one thing I can’t go without is my Bible. That is the whole point.

Following Jesus, being a Christian, is similar: if we aren’t living as Jesus lived and taught, we’ve missed the whole point. Becoming like Jesus is the single goal. The church is like a mother whose purpose is to raise faithful children (2 John 1-3). That means forming believers who follow Jesus’s example, give generously, serve others, and continually seek God. The smaller details, such as music, decorations, and even the temperature of the room, come second. Fulfilling this purpose is the greatest joy we can experience (2 John 4-6). Church size, attendance, and online reach don’t matter nearly as much as seeing people learn to live like Jesus and continue doing so for the rest of their lives.

The way we train people matters too. Technology is a powerful tool for sharing the gospel, but face-to-face relationships remain the gold standard (2 John 12). This isn’t a matter of preference—it reflects God’s own example. Jesus didn’t send a text message; He came to Earth and spoke to us in person. If we want to be like Him, we should meet together whenever we can.

We also need to be wary of misplaced priorities. Even someone who believes in Jesus can become like an antichrist if their main goal is something other than living as He did (2 John 7-9). In Revelation, John saw the suffering that comes from losing sight of the truth. So take his warning seriously, and keep your focus on walking in the light.

Watch the full sermon here.