1 John 4:1-6. "Why Should I Trust a Pastor?"

There are skepticism that people encounter when browsing social media platforms and even when using AI technologies like ChatGPT. Tim also addresses skepticism people have towards various authorities, including the government, media, and even religious institutions, and contrasts this with the often uncritical acceptance of online content.

This episode discusses the writings of John, one of Jesus' apostles, who personally knew Jesus and whose writings help confirm Jesus' life and teachings. John's emphasis on love and his warnings against deceivers underscore the importance of discernment in whom to trust.

In discussing the criteria for trusting religious leaders today, the message advises that trustworthy pastors should demonstrate a commitment to the teachings of the Bible, acknowledge their own imperfections, focus on Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and continually direct their congregants to Jesus as the ultimate source of truth and forgiveness.

The sermon ultimately encourages testing the authenticity and integrity of those who claim to represent spiritual truth, using the life and teachings of Jesus as the benchmark for trustworthiness. The message closes by reiterating the importance of a pastor who points people back to Jesus, emphasizing his role as our trustworthy redeemer.

This Sunday sermon, based on 1 John 4 verses 1-6 , was preached at Grace of God Lutheran Church on April 21, 2024. This sermon is preached by Pastor Timothy J. Walsh, a member of WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). Scripture selections come from the New International Version.
Our services are at 9:30am every Sunday morning, at our campus in Dix Hills on Long Island. Visit our website for more information, at www.graceofgod.church
Intro Music "On the Way" by Vlad Gluschenko https://soundcloud.com/vgl9
Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0
Outro Music "Divenire" by Ludovico Einaudi
copyright (℗) by: Ludovico Einaudi (in 2006)

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Intro music is “On The Way” by Vlad Gluschenko, at soundcloud.com/vgl9.