Pastor Steve Stewart feels a spiritual shift greater than COVID and says the church must lead or fall behind.
Pastor Steve Stewart begins by announcing a detour from the regular series, describing a significant spiritual shift he senses, comparing it to the COVID pandemic's impact. He reads 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, emphasizing that believers have mighty spiritual weapons and should not be passive. Stewart discusses the tension between flesh and spirit, noting the world appeals to flesh, and criticizes modern culture where behaviors dictate beliefs instead of beliefs dictating behaviors. He references Mark 16:17 and the transformation from Simon (unstable) to Peter (rock), explaining the church's original role as a governing gathering. Stewart shares a personal anecdote about financial faith, where he gave away all church money and received a $100,000 donation the next day. He argues the church has cowered to societal pressures, losing its voice, and contrasts Charlie Kirk's bold stands on Christian principles with Joel Osteen's failures. Stewart mentions a large church embracing homosexuality and a Pentecostal pastor implicated in same-sex affiliations. He uses Matthew 7:24 to warn against building on sand (behaviors) instead of rock (truth). Stewart calls for action, not arms, to be a city on a hill, and shares a story about his daughter's friend questioning a baby's gender, highlighting cultural absurdity. He states evil is often excused as mental illness rather than a lack of Jesus. Stewart believes the shift indicates the end is near and the bride must be ready. He cites Luke 9:23 on self-denial and lists common sins in the congregation, like addiction and emotional affairs. The episode concludes with an altar call for repentance, urging people to lay down their 'junk' and become stable like Peter.
