Distracted by Deceivers

Hillcrest Baptist Church

Distracted by Deceivers

December 29, 2024 • Pastor Joe Dickinson • 2 John 7–13

In this sermon, it warns Christians to be vigilant against false teachers, likening them to distractions while driving that can lead us off course. Drawing from 2 John 7-13, the sermon stresses that false teaching is often subtle, shifting focus away from core Christian truths rather than outright denying them. Deceivers may deny Christ’s true nature, downplay His sufficiency for salvation, and ignore His commands about love and service. To protect themselves, believers must stay grounded in the basics of the Christian faith—reliance on Christ for salvation and love for others as outlined in 1 John 3:23. Vigilance is key, as false teachers can lead believers astray, ruining their spiritual rewards and causing harm to the church and their homes.

The sermon also warns Christians not to support or encourage false teachers, even in the name of charity or hospitality. Assisting those who promote error, whether by inviting them into our homes or offering encouragement, can make us complicit in their harmful deeds. True Christian love involves not tolerating or accepting wrong teachings, but confronting them with truth. To avoid being misled, believers are called to stay focused on the fundamentals: trusting in Christ alone for salvation and loving others selflessly. By doing so, they will remain on the "road" of faithful Christianity and avoid falling prey to deceptive teachings.

A Recommitment to Christian Love

December 15, 2024 • Pastor Joe Dickinson • 2 John 1–7

In the sermon based on 2 John 1-7, the main theme is the need for Christians to recommit to acts of daily love and service to one another. This love, as described in the Bible, is not just a feeling but an active, sacrificial commitment to meet the needs of others, particularly fellow believers. The message encourages Christians to continually return to this foundational commandment, rather than seeking something new or trendy in their faith. Loving one another is not optional; it is a command from Christ, emphasized throughout Scripture, and is integral to living out the truth of the gospel. This love should be a lifestyle, not limited to occasional gestures but practiced consistently in all areas of life. The sermon also stresses that loving one another is a way to demonstrate love for God, as obedience to His commandments is a direct expression of our devotion to Him. This includes serving within the church, supporting one another in times of need, and fostering a community where believers are actively engaged in loving service. The message challenges believers to examine their priorities and remove any distractions or idols that prevent them from living out the command to love. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a renewed commitment to showing love in both the church and home, reflecting the truth of the gospel in practical ways and aligning one's life with God's commandments.

Four Experiences to Strengthen Assurance

December 8, 2024 • Pastor Joe Dickinson • 1 John 5:14–17

In this sermon, the focus is on how believers can strengthen their assurance of salvation by experiencing four key realities that are common to the Christian life. These include experiencing answered prayers, which confirms that God hears and responds to His children; developing a heightened sensitivity to sin, which reflects the new nature believers receive through the Holy Spirit; and recognizing a clear distinction between the believer and the world, showing that Christians live differently due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. These experiences should be evident in a believer's life, demonstrating that they are truly children of God. The sermon emphasizes that living out the Christian life praying, repenting of sin, being holy, and studying the Bible provides strong evidence of eternal life and deepens one’s assurance. While assurance ultimately rests in God’s promises, these subjective experiences serve as signs of the believer’s authentic relationship with Christ. The sermon concludes with an exhortation for believers to examine their lives for these traits and engage in spiritual practices that will strengthen their faith and assurance of salvation.

The Thievery of Covetousness

December 1, 2024 • Pastor Joe Dickinson • Luke 12:13–21

This sermon warns against the dangers of covetousness, the desire to accumulate wealth for oneself at all costs. Jesus teaches that life is not about gaining as much as we can, but about giving all that we can for God's purposes. The parable of the rich fool illustrates how covetousness leads to a life focused solely on personal gain, ignoring relationships, the needs of others, and, ultimately, the reality of death. The rich man’s plans to hoard his wealth are foolish because he forgets that he cannot take his possessions with him when he dies, and that wealth in this life is fleeting. The sermon challenges Christians to consider how they use their resources—time, treasure, and talents. While having wealth is not sinful, covetousness blinds us to eternal priorities, leading us to invest only in things that are temporary and not in the things of God. True fulfillment comes not from acquiring more, but from giving for God’s kingdom. Jesus calls us to live with a mindset of generosity and eternal investment, warning that living for earthly gain will leave us spiritually bankrupt when we face eternity. The sermon concludes by urging believers to examine how much of their lives are dedicated to heavenly treasures, rather than the fleeting desires of this world.