The sermon centers on the pervasive danger of idolatry in the modern Christian life, not merely in the form of physical idols but in the heart's covetousness and rebellion against God's provision. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 6 and other New Testament passages, it emphasizes that true spiritual warfare involves resisting the temptation to bypass God's will in pursuit of personal desires—whether for peace, health, prosperity, or comfort—by turning to occult practices, worldly systems, or self-reliance. The preacher illustrates this through cultural examples from Papua New Guinea, showing how animistic beliefs and spiritual deception persist, yet are rooted in a deeper human tendency to seek fulfillment outside of God's ordained means. Scripture reveals that covetousness is idolatry, rebellion is akin to witchcraft, and any attempt to obtain what God has withheld through unauthorized means constitutes spiritual unfaithfulness. The call is clear: believers must separate from all forms of spiritual compromise, embrace God's timing and provision, and live in faithful obedience, trusting that He alone is the source of true peace, joy, and victory.

Wicca and witchcraft are increasingly presented as harmless, empowering, and even healing—especially through social media, pop culture, and so-called "self-care" spirituality. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains how occult practices disguise spiritual rebellion as freedom, enlightenment, and empowerment. You'll learn: • How Wicca and witchcraft are normalized and marketed today. • Why these practices appeal to the vulnerable and wounded. • The danger of blending biblical language with occult ideas. • Scripture's warning about deception disguised as light (2 Corinthians 11:14). • Why believers must remain rooted in Christ and grounded in God's Word. This is a sober, pastoral warning, especially for parents calling Christians to discernment, biblical clarity, and faithfulness to Christ alone. Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 11:14 For more biblical resources, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Omaha Reformed Church believes that proclaiming the Gospel of Christ is our singular task. We believe the Holy Spirit works faith in the hearts and lives of God's people by the preaching of the Holy Gospel. SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Samuel 13:1-22 SERMON: SAUL'S SIN OF NOT LISTENING TO GOD Points I. Saul Offends the Philistines and b/cs Odious to Them II. The Philistines Raise a Great Army III. Saul Decides to Offer an Unlawful Sacrifice This chapter taken together with I Samuel 15 emphasize that God much prefers obedience and devotion over sacrifices excuses... he even likens it to witchcraf or divination. Because of his disobedience, Saul is rejected from being king.

Cuando la iglesia empieza a mover en el Espíritu, tomando nuevos territorios, debemos de esperar la oposición del los enemigos del Evangelio.

A — About: This passage is about Saul's disobedience to God's clear command and how partial obedience, excuses, and pride led to his rejection as king. B — Best Verse: 1 Samuel 15:22–23 — "To obey is better than sacrifice… For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." C — Called to Do: We are called to fully obey God's Word without excuse, without pride, and without shifting blame, trusting in Christ as our perfect King.

The clip presents a theological framework centered on the universal presence of authority structures in every sphere of life—family, church, government, and community—and emphasizes that spiritual warfare operates through a dual strategy: undermining leaders to weaken their integrity and authority, while simultaneously inciting rebellion among followers to dismantle the protective order these structures provide. It underscores that rebellion against legitimate authority is equated with spiritual disobedience, likened to witchcraft, because it opens individuals to demonic influence by rejecting God-ordained order. The message calls for submission, humility, and trust in God's design for leadership, warning that breaking away from established authority leads to vulnerability and spiritual destruction. The tone is both pastoral and urgent, aiming to restore a biblical understanding of authority as a divine safeguard rather than a human imposition. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to recognize the spiritual dimensions of leadership and to resist the enemy's tactics by honoring God-ordained structures with faith and obedience.

Theme: James counsels us with regard to patience. I. Call to Patience A. "Be patient" (v. 7)—a command [makrothumia] B. "Be ye also patient" (v. 8)—firm and constant II. Examples of Patience A. Farmers B. Prophets/Martyrs 1. The catacombs 2. Bloody Mary's reign [1553-1558] 3. Today: Nigeria; Eritrea; India; China; Pakistan C. Job III. Motivation for Patience A. The coming of the Lord [v. 7] 1. Temporal judgment—particularly, AD 70 2. The parousia B. The blessedness of those who endure [v. 11a] 1. The world is miserable in their happiness 2. Christians are happy in their misery 3. We count them happy which endure C. The Lord's love 1. Pitiful—He sees us in our miseries 2. Merciful—in tender mercy, He pardons us Application A. Don't bear a grudge against the brethren (v. 9) B. Avoid impatience—which is a form of witchcraft C. Don't get impatient with yourself D. Keep your eyes on Christ

In this in-depth Bible study through Deuteronomy chapter 18, we examine Moses' instruction to Israel on the Plains of Moab as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This chapter addresses two major themes: God's provision for the Levites and priests, and God's strict prohibition against pagan spiritual practices, contrasted with His promise to raise up a Prophet like Moses. We begin by setting the historical context—Israel's wilderness journey, their position east of the Jordan River, and the structure of the Levitical cities. From there, the study walks verse-by-verse through Deuteronomy 18, explaining: • Why the tribe of Levi received no land inheritance • How God provided for priests and Levites through offerings • The purpose of scattering Levites among the tribes • God's condemnation of divination, witchcraft, necromancy, and false spiritual guidance • Why these practices were an "abomination" to the Lord • The contrast between pagan attempts at spiritual knowledge and God's ordained revelation The study then focuses closely on Deuteronomy 18:15–19, where Moses foretells that God will raise up a Prophet like unto himself. Using Scripture to interpret Scripture, this lesson traces that prophecy through: John 1 John 7 Acts 3 showing clearly how the New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this promise—the perfect Mediator between God and man, whom all are commanded to hear. This is a doctrinal, historical, and Christ-centered Bible study designed to help believers understand: God's holiness in worship The danger of unauthorized spiritual practices The authority of Christ as God's final and sufficient revelation

The sermon delivers a forceful critique of contemporary religious practices, particularly the charismatic emphasis on speaking in tongues, prophesying, and spiritual manifestations, arguing that such phenomena often lack biblical foundation and instead reflect deception, pride, and a departure from clear, rational faith. It emphasizes that true spiritual maturity is marked by knowledge, understanding, and the ability to articulate faith in ways that edify the church, not confuse it, citing Paul's teaching that prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease when the perfect comes—the completed, accessible Word of God in Scripture. The preacher condemns the misuse of spiritual authority, the elevation of personal revelation over Scripture, and the commercialization of faith, warning that such practices are forms of witchcraft and divination that distort God's truth. He calls for a return to biblical counsel, the authority of Scripture, and a faith grounded in discernment, not emotionalism or unverifiable claims, urging believers to reject spiritual deception and embrace the clarity and sufficiency of God's revealed Word.