In this week's Weekly Watch on Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins begins Reformation Month by showing how the Five Solas are not relics of the past, but living truth for the Church today. Dave identifies five common counterfeits: 1. New revelation over Scripture 2. Performance-based acceptance 3. Grace reduced to assistance 4. Many sincere paths to God 5. Platform-driven ministry Each of these is answered with the timeless truths of the Reformation: • Sola Scriptura — Scripture Alone • Sola Fide — Faith Alone • Sola Gratia — Grace Alone • Solus Christus — Christ Alone • Soli Deo Gloria — Glory to God Alone 📖 Key Texts: 2 Timothy 3:16–17, Jude 3, Romans 3:24–26, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8–9, Titus 3:5, Acts 4:12, John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 11:36 The Solas steady the Church by fixing our eyes on Christ and His Word. 🔔 For more, visit https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

True Worship in an Age of Counterfeits (Wrap-Up with Dave Jenkins) In this closing episode of our September series, Dave Jenkins takes us through the big picture of biblical worship. We've seen how mystical drift, theological liberalism, psychological counterfeits, and performance culture distort the church's worship. Today, we return to God's Word to see what true worship looks like, why it matters, and how we can guard against the counterfeits in our day. Scriptures: Genesis 4; Exodus 32; Isaiah 6; John 4; Hebrews 12; Revelation 4–5.

Welcome to Contending for the Word and this week's Weekly Watch. I'm Dave Jenkins. Today we're continuing our September series, True Worship in an Age of Counterfeits. For more from Contending for the Word visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-wordpage/ This episode, From Stage to Superstar: Why Worship Isn't a Performance, addresses the modern drift in many churches where worship shifts from reverence to performance. We'll define the problem, look to Scripture, consider dangers, reflect on church history, and apply biblical truth to our worship today. 📖 Key Scriptures: John 4:23–24; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 115:1 📝 Theme: Worship isn't entertainment or performance—it is the response of God's people to the greatness of God revealed in His Word and centered on Christ's finished work. For more from Contending for the Word, subscribe on YouTube, SermonAudio, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

When worship downplays sin, avoids confession, and chases a feel-good "experience," God calls it noise—not worship. In this message, Dave Jenkins shows from Scripture why biblical worship requires repentance, truth, and formation—and why counterfeit positivity and false unity deform souls and distort the gospel. Key Texts: Isaiah 1:11–17; Amos 5:21–24; Leviticus 10; Jeremiah 6:14; Revelation 3:17; John 4:23–24; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 12:28–29; Psalm 51:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16; Galatians 1:6–9 Outline 1. Worship without repentance is rebellion 2. "Unity" that ignores truth isn't unity at all 3. Songs and liturgy form belief (Col 3:16) 4. What God seeks: worship in spirit and truth 5. Pastoral applications for pastors, leaders, and members Series: Contending for the Word — True Worship in an Age of Counterfeits For more from Contending for the Word visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Streaming is a providential gift for the sick, shut-ins, and travelers. But it must remain a supplement, not a substitute for the embodied gathering. Dave contrasts the blessing of livestreams with the danger of passive, consumer-style "spectator worship," calling believers back to in-person fellowship, the ordinances, and mutual edification. Texts: Heb 10:24–25; Acts 2:42–47; 1 Cor 12; 1 Cor 14; Eph 4:16 For more from The Weekly Watch visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/weekly-watch/

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/