OUTLINE:

Mt 17:17
And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”

Warning
We are under unprecedented attack in our church. If you don't see it, you're either passively ignoring it or actively part of the problem. Wake up.

Beware
ANY person who's trying to take you away from the love of God is an ENEMY of God!

“proving to be examples”
If your pastor is righteously indignant about the things he is seeing in his congregation, maybe, just maybe those in his congregation ought to ponder his “example”.

Eph 4:11-12
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.

“Be of sober spirit”
Do not live carelessly. Your enemies are looking for you to let your guard down. A perfect example is with physical intoxication (aka “dissipation” - Eph 5:18), but that’s hardly the extent of it!

"devour"
The Greek “katapino”; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively)

Listen Up!
Do not make the mistake of thinking that the call to good conduct/behavior is some form of religion/legalism. The Bible speaks volumes of such things - take heed! (Eph 2:10)

Take It Personally
If it’s coming from this pulpit, and your ears are hearing it, it was meant for YOU (as opposed to all those other people you’ve been pointing your finger at)!

God Is Impartial
If God is impartial, then we ought to be, if we indeed fear Him. This means no partiality towards family, friends, loved ones. This means NOT becoming intoxicated with/because of such people.

1 Cor 4:9 NIV
For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

For Godly Action
Keep sober in spirit, so you can be diligent in taking action for the Lord, while there's still time.

2Co 10:5 [Amplified]
We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.

Are You A Master Justifier...
...focusing your time on how to get away with things... justifying why it's OK to do certain things... even using scripture out of context to do so?

You Have Limited Time/Energy
Are you a Master Justifier?? Or will you be a Master Follower, a Master Giver, and a Master Lover?? Use your time and faith wisely!! The Lord's coming soon!!

1Pe 4:7
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Our goal is undistracted devotion to the Lord. Our attitude is one of commitment.

What the Apostles Lacked
- Understanding (e.g.,Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
- Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
- Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
- Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
- Power (e.g. Mt 17: 16-17; Jn 20:22-23; Ac 1:8)

Faith Is Power
The reason the apostles didn’t have the power to cure the man’s son was they lacked faith. Jesus had already given them the ability to cast out demons (Mt 10:8) a year prior.

Faith Is Power
Some of us lack the power to overcome much smaller obstacles in our lives (e.g. casting out demons); and it’s not because God’s power is insufficient somehow (He is omnipotent). The reason is simple: we lack faith the same way the Apostles did.

Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Faith Is Power
It's the only way we can please the Lord, opening up the floodgates of His grace towards us, which is also POWER. Heb 11:6, Luk 1:52b

What Do We Lack?
Faith, in general, but also in the power of the Word of God.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

What Do We Lack?
Faith, in general, but also in the power of the Word of God.