Canaan Fellowship

Spring 2024 Retreat –Discernment: Spirit and Truth

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Canaan Fellowship
Canaan Fellowship
Spring 2024 Retreat –Discernment: Spirit and Truth
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Nathan Hepworth delivers a sermon on the critical importance of discernment in the Christian life, emphasizing its role in distinguishing truth from falsehood in spiritual teachings. He connects discernment to the theme of “spirit and truth,” highlighting the need to test spiritual messages against Scripture. The sermon outlines practical steps for cultivating discernment, warns against false teachers, and encourages reliance on the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

Bullet points with key content:

  • [00:00] Introduces discernment as the intersection of “spirit and truth,” noting not all spirits are from God (e.g., lying spirits).
  • [01:01] Defines discernment as both a universal responsibility for believers and a special gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
  • [02:12] Stresses humility as foundational for discernment, quoting Proverbs 3:5-6 (“lean not on your own understanding”).
  • [03:19] Warns against false teachers (Matthew 7:15, 24:11), noting their deceptive appeal and popularity (e.g., Joel Osteen’s lack of gospel focus).
  • [09:09] Explains Satan’s tactics: false teachings from within the church and worldly distractions (Matthew 12:30).
  • [15:55] Lists practical steps for discernment:
    1. Commit to truth above comfort (John 8:31-32).
    2. Recognize human fallibility (Jeremiah 10:23).
    3. Study Scripture daily (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
    4. Pray for wisdom (James 1:5).
    5. Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).
    6. Practice analyzing false teachings (Hebrews 5:14).
    7. Test all teachings (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
    8. Heed warnings from those with discernment gifts (Ephesians 4:11-14).
  • [36:05] Identifies red flags: adding to salvation, Scripture out of context, authoritarian claims, or replacing the Great Commission (e.g., dominionism, Calvinism).

Scripture References

  • Proverbs 3:5-6
  • 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
  • Matthew 7:15, 12:30, 24:11
  • John 4:24, 8:31-32, 15:7, 16:13, 17:17
  • Acts 17:11
  • Ephesians 4:11-14, 6:10-17
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:21
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Hebrews 5:14
  • James 1:5
  • 1 John 4:1-6

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