Jeremy Utley - My Biggest Problem As A Christian

Jeremy UtleyAugust 10, 202030mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionJeremy Utley130 messages

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: My Biggest Problem As A Christian Date: August 9, 2020 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The speaker uses the biblical example of Kiriath Arba, which was renamed Hebron after a great victory by Caleb, to warn that spiritual victories are not permanent without vigilance. He argues that if believers become complacent, the enemy (the 'giants') can reclaim areas of life that God has already given victory in. The central message is a call to remain watchful, diligent, and obedient to keep the path of righteousness growing brighter.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Learning from the Old Testament examplesThe speaker shares how studying genealogies and lists in the Old Testament, such as in Nehemiah, can bring fresh spiritual instruction when we seek the heart of God.

How Hebron became Kiriath Arba againCaleb conquered the land of the giant Arba by faith and renamed it Hebron as a monument of God's faithfulness, but generations later the land was once again called by the giant's name in Nehemiah.

The risk of giants moving back into our livesJust as the land lost its identity, areas of victory in our own lives can be reclaimed by the enemy over time if we are not diligent and watchful.

What is your greatest need?When we struggle to obey, we often mistakenly think our greatest need is simply to gain victory or obey better, getting the order of Jesus' command backward.John 14:15

A deficiency of devotionFailing to keep God's commands is evidence of a love problem, and our true need when we stumble is to realize we do not love the Lord as we should.

Why does God allow us to sin?As a last resort, God allows us to stumble so we can have a sober estimate of ourselves, much like He allowed Peter to fail so he could see his own pride and lack of true devotion.

The chasm between knowledge and devotionIt is easy to accumulate doctrine and knowledge while remaining content with a low level of actual love and fervency for Jesus.

Drawing near to God in our unworthinessWhen we recognize our lack of devotion, the first step is to draw near to God through Christ, refusing to let feelings of unworthiness keep us in hiding.Hebrews 7:25

Absolute hopelessness in ourselves and absolute hope in HimTrue faith requires being completely empty of resources in ourselves while remaining fully confident in the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Waiting for our helplessnessGod often waits for us to completely exhaust our own strength and hope before He steps in to help us.

Asking the Father for the Holy SpiritWhen we see our deficiency in love, we should ask the Father for the Holy Spirit primarily to make Jesus precious to us and stimulate a genuine devotion.John 14:13

Growing strong in faith like AbrahamLike Abraham, who looked at his own dead body yet did not waver in unbelief, we must look away from our dead devotion and trust God's promise.

Keep coming and keep drinkingJesus promises that rivers of living water will flow from those who continually come to Him and drink, no matter how unworthy they feel.

Thanking God for exposing our lack of loveInstead of growing weary or hiding, we can thank God for revealing our true spiritual condition now so that He can transform us before it is too late.

Related messages

Back to the catalog

NCCF Church

Jeremy Utley - My Biggest Problem As A Christian

Jeremy Utley · August 10, 2020 · 30m

Following Jesus Spiritual warfare