First Sermon of 2026

Scripture references:

Hebrews 7:25 (NLT)

1 John 2:1-4 (NLT)

Cognitive Dissonance: The mental stress or discomfort felt when holding two conflicting beliefs; when your actions contradict your beliefs.

Cognitive Dissonance drives a person to one of three outcomes:

1. Change your beliefs.
2. Change your actions to align with your beliefs.
3. Justify your actions to rationalize the discomfort away.

Cognitive Dissonance impacts our spiritual lives because it breeds instability (James 1:5-8, NKJV)

Cognitive Dissonance causes spiritual impotence (unable to produce fruit)

Fruit: the provable evidence that you know God

1 John 2:3-4 (NLT)

Luke 13:6-8 (NLT)

Exodus 32:7-10 (NLT)

Intercession of the Advocate:

1. forces God to recognize we're still His people
2. always asks for Pardon
3. reminds God of His promises