Northside Baptist Church Podcast

What is the "crowning sin" of modern Christianity? In this challenging sermon based on Jeremiah 8:5-12, we explore the dangerous trend of "holding fast to deceit" and rejecting the Word of the Lord in favor of personal opinion, government laws, or "expert" advice.When a preacher stops preaching the Word, they are merely preaching their own opinions. But what authority does human opinion have over morality? As we see in the book of Judges, the downfall of a nation begins when "every man does that which is right in his own eyes." From the Garden of Eden to today, man has attempted to call evil good and good evil.In this video, we discuss:Why human sincerity is not a substitute for God's Truth.The danger of the "Decline" (Psalm 1:1): Walking, standing, and finally sitting in ungodly counsel.Why we cannot rely on the government, the heart, or "experts" to define morality.The reality of hardened hearts and the refusal to blush at sin.A call to return to the Bible as our only absolute standard.If you have been justifying "little white lies" or following the "counsel of the ungodly" through media and culture, this message is a wake-up call to stop rushing into battle like a horse into the fray and instead return to the Lord.

The Foundation of GrowthThe sermon likens the Christian life to human physical development, noting that spiritual life begins with regeneration (spiritual birth). Growth following this birth is known as Sanctification, which has two aspects:Positional Sanctification: An instantaneous declaration by God at the moment of faith that the believer is holy and justified.Practical Sanctification: A lifelong, ongoing process of becoming more like Christ in daily behavior.Three Stages of MaturityJohn the Apostle identifies three distinct groups within the church, representing different levels of spiritual development:1. Little Children (The Common Start)Universal Title: John uses this term to address all believers, as every Christian starts their journey through the forgiveness of sins.Relationship: Just as a baby recognizes its parents' voices, a "little child" in the faith knows God as their Father.Correction: The text clarifies that while all believers are God's children, the unsaved are described as "children of wrath" or "children of the devil".2. Young Men (Adolescence & Strength)Strength: This stage is characterized by a dependence on Christ’s strength rather than self. Struggles and trials are viewed as necessary for developing spiritual "muscle".Soundness: Maturing believers seek doctrinal clarity and a deeper understanding of the Word of God to avoid being deceived by false teachings.Standing: They have learned to "overcome the wicked one" by using the Word of God as a weapon against Satan's traps.3. Fathers (Maturity & Mentorship)Deep Relationship: Spiritual "fathers" possess an ongoing, experiential knowledge of God that goes beyond mere facts.Mission: A mature believer acts as a mentor who warns others of danger, wins souls to produce new spiritual children, and provides a godly example for others to follow.ConclusionThe sermon concludes by noting that many Christians are content to stagnate, but spiritual growth is a biblical command. Regardless of one's current stage, there is always room to mature further in Christ.