Anointing That’s Real, Not Counterfeit

·46 min·4 clips

A pastor's son rejects God, forcing him to confront whether his beloved child will suffer eternal damnation.

The episode opens with worship and prayer, setting a devotional tone before addressing the challenge of biblical teachings that conflict with personal feelings or worldly views. The pastor explains that this tension often leads people to seek alternative doctrines that explain away uncomfortable truths, a trap he observes in churches globally. He cites 2 Timothy 4:3-4 about people gathering teachers to suit their desires. A personal anecdote involves a church member grieving her brother's suicide and struggling with the concept of hell, paralleled by an elder in the church who taught annihilationism, leading to his resignation. The pastor discusses Rob Bell's book 'Love Wins', which argues for universal salvation, labeling it heretical. He then shares his own crisis when his son rejected faith due to belief in evolution, making hell a heartbreaking reality rather than an abstract idea. Another example involves his nephew's gender dysphoria and transition, where his sister received a video by Matthew Vines that reinterprets the Bible to affirm homosexual relationships, causing confusion. The pastor, with his theological training, identifies flaws in Vines' hermeneutics but acknowledges its convincing nature to untrained listeners. He lists other false teachings like the prosperity gospel, New Apostolic Reformation, and oneness Pentecostalism, noting how they appeal to desires for wealth or new revelations. The sermon then addresses the difficulty of discernment, critiquing online watchdogs who accuse figures like Rick Warren or David Jeremiah of heresy over misunderstandings like kenosis theology. To navigate this, the pastor turns to 1 John 2:18-28, reading the passage about Antichrists and anointing. He explains that 'the last hour' refers to the entire church age from Christ's resurrection onward, emphasizing imminence rather than a literal timeline. John's advice includes three weapons: the anointing of the Holy Spirit for subjective discernment, holding to the gospel truth heard from the beginning for objective grounding, and abiding in Christ through prayer and study. The pastor concludes with a practical tip to use the website GotQuestions for research and a prayer for divine truth and preservation.

As heard by us

A sermon on the Spirit's anointing, genuine faith, and staying rooted in truth.

Anointing That's Real, Not Counterfeit focuses on the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and the need to stay grounded in God's word.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when you want John's "last hour" question and a sober check on genuine faith.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from East Gate Alliance Church