Pastor Allen began by acknowledging the chaotic world we live in, highlighting that the house of the Lord is where we find answers, help, and hope. He expressed his gratitude for the community gathered and shared that the evening was dedicated to allowing the Holy Spirit to minister through the Word and the gifts of the Spirit. As part of the ‘afterglow’ service, he described how they would engage with the Scriptures, focusing on 2 Samuel chapter 7 verses 1-5 and Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 16.

Pastor Allen reflected on the noise and distractions around us that often drowned out the voice of God. He recounted a personal experience from a men’s conference where he struggled to hear God’s voice amidst life’s busyness. He reminded the congregation that while many voices compete for our attention, it is crucial to listen for what the Spirit is actually saying to each of us. He emphasized the importance of not getting swept up in false teachings and prophecies, urging everyone to pause and seek God before making decisions or sharing messages.

He shared insights from 2 Samuel regarding Nathan the prophet, illustrating that even well-intentioned advice can miss the mark if it’s not submitted to God’s will. He used examples from Jeremiah, where false prophets misled people by sharing their own dreams rather than God’s messages. Pastor Allen stressed the significance of discerning the source of the messages we encounter, whether they come from well-meaning friends or misleading sources, and made it clear that understanding Scripture is key to testing any prophetic claims.

Pastor Allen encouraged the congregation to ‘pause and pray’ before speaking or taking action. He explored what this looked like in practical terms—whether considering posting on social media, making purchases, or engaging in relationships. His call to prayer was coupled with scriptural references that reminded everyone to meditate on what is pure and beneficial. He underscored that when the Holy Spirit speaks, we must listen and validate it against Scripture, confirming our understanding through God’s Word and wise counsel from fellow believers.

As he concluded, Pastor Allen invited the congregation to participate in the afterglow service by sharing what the Lord placed on their hearts. He encouraged everyone to approach this time with a spirit of prayer and discernment, assuring them of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance. By creating a proper environment for the gifts of the Spirit to function, the service became a space for mutual encouragement and spiritual growth. He reminded them of the importance of working together as the body of Christ to uplift one another and share in God’s good work.

Verses Used In Sermon (in order): 2 Samuel 7:1-5, Jeremiah 23:16, Deuteronomy 18:22, 1 John 4:1, Acts 13:1-3, Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33.

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#HolySpirit #FalseProphets #DiscerningGodsVoice #PauseAndPray #AfterglowService #ChristianCommunity

Chaos, Distractions, FalseTeachings, Listening to God, Testing the Spirits, Community Support

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WP Keywords: Christian Walk, Christian World View, Evangelism, God’s Grace, The Holy Spirit, Worship