The Spirit of the Antichrist is alive, well, and stronger in influence than it has ever been before. Soon that spirit will consolidate in a central political figure that will rouse the masses globally and spellbind Israel into a trap of epic proportions. Until that comes to full fruition, its influence now rests in ideology, behavior, and false teaching, all of which leads to error and a hardened devotion to that error. As John warns about, and Pastor Troy Billow explains in this message, the spirit of the antichrist denies Christ, is against the Gospel, and is against Christians. John confronted false teachers of his day with his personal experience with Jesus Christ, not just on a spiritual level, but on a physical one that served as a front row seat to His truth. And while we may not have experienced Him on a physical plane as of yet, we can draw closer to Him and have a front row seat to his truth, so that, by Holy Spirit led discernment, we can distinguish between the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error.

What does it mean to live in Christ? When you live in Christ, your spirit will be more in sync with the Holy Spirit, and as a result, you will discipline yourself to service, to time set aside for Him, and you will have the capacity to radiate love to others. Pastor Troy explains in this message how God gives incentives to obeying His commands and maintaining a healthy relationship with Him.

Are you a PROFESSING believer, or a POSSESSING believer? How we answer that can be answered in another question. When Christ appears, will you have confidence in meeting Him, or will that confidence be obstructed by shame, guilt, and regret? In this portion of John chapter 3, John speaks of what is required to have confidence, whether Christ returns today, or you pass from here to eternity today. What is required to gain the sort of confidence needed when you meet Him face to face? Pastor Troy explains what Christ is looking for, and it's not as difficult as you think, so long as you are genuine in these requirements, because it is there that the true nature of the heart will surface.

Many American Christians have no idea what real Christianity looks like. Faith can't just be talk. It must be walked and acted on. God gave himself away, humbled himself as a servant to help people, including you and me. If we accept that, Christ commands us to pay it forward by taking the time to help people who have a need that they cannot meet themselves, or are hurting. Pastor Troy Billow expounds on what John is exhorting in his letter stressing the need for love.

Full title: Don't Be Surprised If The World Hates You (1 John 3:11-15)

People will hate you for no good reason, as people hated Jesus for no good reason. Jesus, the picture perfect example of love, service, and sacrifice acknowledged this and warned people who follow him, "if they persecuted me, they'll persecute you (John 15:20)." The root cause of this is found deep within the heart. As John notes, some people have the heart of Cain (speaking of the real-life Cain as recorded in the historical book of Genesis), where the sight of love, faithfulness, and devotion acted on by his brother Abel moved Cain to murder him. This revealed a reaction to an even deeper truth in that true love is SHOWN (like Abel demonstrated), not just SAID (like Cain demonstrated). What is in your heart will be revealed in how you treat people, and your attitude towards people. If you're doing what God commands, and you are patient, reasonable, and help people, others will take issue with that, as Pastor Troy lays out in this message, and why.

In his letter to the churches, John makes a very provocative statement. He says, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin..." Does that mean that Christians are supposed to be perfect and sinless if they truly trust Christ? No, they are not. So then what does such a loaded statement like this mean? Pastor Troy Billow breaks down the meaning of this controversial passage that has generated countless debates, arguments, and taken in the wrong context, crippled people's faith. Taken in its proper context (and looking at sin through the lens of ongoing routine and habit), matters will start to make sense, resonate, and strengthen your faith, giving the Holy Spirit room to show you where work in your heart may be needed.

Full title: The Son Of God Appeared To Destroy The Devil's Work (1 John 3:4-8)

This message centers around the Devil's work and us as human beings. After all, the Devil has been a sinner and a murderer since the beginning, and he wants us to be self centered, apply his lies, experience gratification or power in that, and as a result, become agents of our own destruction Jesus came to free us from the power of Satan, claim us as His, and be in a relationship with us. Pastor Troy explains this compelling dynamic and what that means for us.

If believers were truly motivated by Christ, things would be different. Church would be different, the culture would be different, and people would be different. Today those differences exist in pockets, but are not widespread. The truth of the return of Christ, at His appearing, is driven home once again to motivate us to think, live, and behave right. All of the apostles knew the difficulty of this at times in their own personal struggles, but they were motivated and empowered to prioritize this factor, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to be that distinct example of hope, empowerment, and model for people to emulate that continues to do a powerful work today. Of course applying this is most effective when you abide in Christ and take Paul's advice documented in Titus 2:11-14.

When Jesus returns, many believers will be found ashamed, shrunken in confidence, self-defeated, and deflated. In other words, they let the world get to them and when you live your life gravitating towards the world, separate from abiding in Christ, and staying connected with believers, then the "wolves" come out, and come after you. Christ did everything He could for you to inherit the Kingdom of God, including walking with you as you live in this life. But if you take your eyes off of that, and invest everything in this world, in the here and now, and lose connection, regret will be the only thing that can be felt when He does appear and its too late to go back. If you keep abiding in Christ, you will actually look forward to His appearing, be ready, and be motivated. This message challenges you to examine which side you fall under. When He appears, will you be ashamed and angry, or will you be relieved and motivated? The sand in the hour glass is running out, and the gravity of this dynamic will play out sooner than you think. The question is; where are you at in light of this dynamic?

John is hitting hard against the false teachers and false doctrine that was permeating the church, making new believers in Christ confused, deceived, deflated, discouraged, and depressed. And so the same continues today. John (who knew Jesus and later experienced the power of the Holy Spirit) sets the record straight by driving home the point that your life, as a believer in Jesus Christ is about becoming new, not staying "old". You have an anointing. Don't deny Him. Remain in truth. Stay engaged with Him, abide with Him, because when you do, He will equip you, enable you, and encourage you to not only keep going, but to keep going STRONG. Obedience is key. Sure, our flesh nature will get in the way, but keeping strong is made possible by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Pastor Troy Billow explains and expounds on this dynamic and more.