Locations & Times

What if the biggest threat to the church isn’t what’s happening around us, but what’s happening inside us?

In this message, Jim Burgen continues our spiritual warfare series by unpacking the unseen spiritual battle behind what we see happening in our world. But the challenge eventually turns back on us: before we point at everything wrong with the world, followers of Jesus have to ask whether we’re actually living, praying, and loving differently.

If you’re frustrated by politics, culture, or the direction of the world around you, watch this message before deciding who the enemy is. Jesus calls His followers to something much harder than winning an argument: loving people, even our enemies, the way He loved us.

In this message you’ll discover:
— What the Bible means by children of God, the Son of God, and sons of God
— How the Bible describes the spiritual forces working against God and His people
— Why judgment begins with the household of God before we point at the world
— What repentance, prayer, and loving our enemies look like for followers of Jesus today
— Why our allegiance to Jesus has to come before our politics, opinions, and agendas

Jim Burgen

October 4^th, 2026

// Bible References: 1 John 4:2-3, John 1:9-14, John 3:16, James 4:4, Psalm 82:1, Psalm 82:6-7, Ephesians 6, John 14:6, 1 Peter 4:12-17, 2 Chronicles 7:14, John 13:34-35, Matthew 5:43-47, Romans 8, Psalm 83

// Community Question: When you see division happening around you, what’s your natural response: engage, avoid it, try to fix it, or something else?

// Discussion Questions

1. Jim describes two spiritual forces at work in the world, one that leads toward life and one that leads toward destruction. How do you personally discern which spiritual force is influencing something you encounter in your daily life?

2. Jim talked about three different categories in the Bible: 'children of God,' the 'Son of God,' and the 'sons of God.' Why do you think it matters that we understand the differences between these three groups, and how does knowing about them change the way you see spiritual warfare?

3. Jim pointed to 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, 'If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.' He argued that the church's biggest problem isn't Islam or politics; it's that God's own people aren't living differently from the world. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

4. Is there a specific area of your own life where you realize you've been living more like the world than like a follower of Jesus? What would it look like to take a practical step toward repentance in that area this week?

5. Jesus gave a 'new commandment' in John 13:34-35: 'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.' Jim said that loving like Jesus, even loving enemies, is the most important witness the church has. How hard is that in real life, and what gets in the way?

// Challenge: Jim raised the idea that God may be bringing people from different nations and backgrounds into proximity with the church so they can encounter the love of Jesus. This week, let that challenge how you see the people around you. Intentionally connect with someone from a different culture, background, or belief. Ask Jesus to help you move past fear, politics, or discomfort and simply love the person in front of you the way He would.