Contending for the Word

Worship is central to the Christian life, but it must be according to God's Word. In this episode, Dave explores John 4:24, Hebrews 12:28–29, and Colossians 3:16, showing that true worship is in spirit and truth, reverent and awe-filled, and saturated with God's Word. He also warns against counterfeit worship—idolatry, syncretism, and man-centeredness—that dishonors God and harms His people. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins examines the growing popularity of the Enneagram in Christian spiritual formation. Though many promote it as a tool for discipleship and self-discovery, its roots are steeped in occult and mystical practices. Dave contrasts the counterfeit promises of the Enneagram with the sufficiency of Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit. True worship is Christ-centered, Word-driven, and Spirit-empowered—not personality-based or man-centered. Listeners will be equipped to discern the dangers of the Enneagram, understand why it appeals to Christians, and be reminded that our identity, growth, and worship must be anchored in Christ alone. 📖 Key Scriptures: • 1 John 4:1 • Luke 9:23 • 2 Corinthians 5:17 • 2 Timothy 3:16–17 • John 17:17 • John 4:23

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins is joined by Dr. Matthew Everhard to discuss the growing trend of "worshiptainment," where the stage and performance overshadow the Savior. Together, they consider what Scripture requires for true worship, the dangers of performance-driven services, and the importance of the ordinary means of grace. They also explore Jonathan Edwards's Religious Affections and how believers can discern between emotional hype and Spirit-wrought devotion. Listeners will be equipped to: Understand the biblical foundation for worship. Recognize the dangers of entertainment-driven approaches. Embrace reverent, Christ-centered worship shaped by God's Word. Guest: Dr. Matthew Everhard is a Reformed pastor, author, and scholar of Jonathan Edwards. For more from Contending for the Word check out: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Worship in our age is often packaged like a product to be consumed—engineered lights, fog, and emotional music meant to deliver an "experience." But Scripture defines true worship not by a vibe, but by spirit and truth (John 4:24). In this Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins examines how the experience economy produces shallow faith, addiction to hype, celebrity culture, and neglect of God's Word. Then he lays out a path to Word-shaped worship: Scripture read (1 Tim 4:13), prayed, sung (Col 3:16), and preached—leading to reverence and awe before our consuming God (Heb 12:28–29). True worship is not a product we consume; it is our grateful response to God in Christ (Rom 12:1), the ordinary means that nourishes God's people (Acts 2:42). For more from contending for the Word and the Weekly Watch check out: https://servantsofgrace.org/weekly-watch/ https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/

On this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins is joined by Marcia Montenegro (Christian Answers for the New Age) to examine the teachings of Ruth Haley Barton and the growing influence of contemplative mysticism in the church. Together, they discuss why Barton's teachings on silence and solitude distort Scripture, how Catholic mysticism and Buddhist practices undermine the sufficiency of God's Word, and what it means to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24). 📖 Topics Covered: • The danger of Ruth Haley Barton's mysticism • Why mysticism undermines Scripture's sufficiency • The influence of Thomas Merton, Catholic mystics, and Buddhist mentors • The nature of true biblical worship 🔗 Resources Mentioned: Christian Answers for the New Age: https://www.christiananswersnewage.com/?s=ruth+haley+barton Contending for the Word: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

All throughout August, we've been in the series Discerning the Times – Answering Today's Most Urgent Questions. We've looked at progressive Christianity, deconstruction, shallow worship, mystical psychology, and the spiritual confusion of our age. In this closing episode, Dave Jenkins unpacks how to cultivate biblical discernment in a deceptive age. Discernment isn't optional for Christians—it's essential for walking faithfully with Christ in a world of lies. You'll Learn: Why discernment matters (Hebrews 5:14; Ephesians 4:14). What biblical discernment is (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22). A practical roadmap for cultivating discernment: Scripture, the local church, prayer, humility, testing everything, and Christ-centered living. Encouragement to walk in truth with confidence in Jesus. 📖 Key Scriptures: Hebrews 5:14, Ephesians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, James 1:5, Colossians 2:6–7, John 17:17. For more from the Weekly Watch please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/weekly-watch/

In this capstone episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins addresses the root problem behind today's spiritual confusion: the rejection of the sufficiency and clarity of Scripture. Drawing from Colossians 2:8, 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Acts 20:28–31, Jude 3, and other key passages, Dave shows how counterfeit movements—whether in worship, counseling, or cultural compromise—all minimize or reject God's Word. He explains why ignoring Scripture leads to confusion and compromise, why clarity from God's Word is essential for the church today, and issues a pastoral charge to anchor ourselves deeply in God's Word, plant ourselves in faithful local churches, and contend for the faith with love and fidelity to Christ. Listen and be encouraged to stand firm on the sufficiency of Scripture and to keep contending for the truth in a world full of confusion. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/

In this episode of The Weekly Watch – Discerning the Times, Dave Jenkins warns against four fast-growing spiritual fads Christians should avoid in 2025: AI "Prophecy" & Digital Divination Mystical Revivalism Without Repentance Progressive Reinterpretations of Scripture Influencer-Driven Christianity Each of these trends may appear spiritual, but they pull God's people away from the sufficiency and authority of His Word. With Scripture as our guide, we'll see how to test all things, stay grounded in the local church, and daily feed on sound teaching. For more please visit Contending for the Word: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/

Therapeutic Christianity takes biblical words like grace and peace but empties them of gospel meaning—replacing God-centered truth with self-centered affirmation. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins defines what Therapeutic Christianity is, traces its historical development, explains why it's spreading, warns about its dangers, and equips Christians with a biblical response rooted in the sufficiency of Scripture. For more from Contending for the Word check out: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins addresses the growing influence of mystical psychology in the Church—a deceptive blend of secular psychology, therapy culture, and mystical spirituality cloaked in Christian language. Dave defines mystical psychology biblically, exposes where it's creeping into Christian resources and discipleship, contrasts it with the biblical doctrines of sanctification and identity in Christ, and equips listeners with practical tools to guard their homes and churches from this dangerous trend. Key Scriptures: Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Colossians 2:9–10 For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/