Hustle – Part 1

Introduction

Reviewing This Year’s Theme Passage

Ephesians 4:11–16 (ESV): ¹¹ And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³ until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The Sign of Spiritual Immaturity

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

It’s possible to be a biological adult while you are still a spiritual child.

When you are influenced by everything you hear, you are spiritually immature.

Paul calls the things we’re hearing in the culture doctrines:

A Digital World Not Our Own

For every good use of technology there is an evil use of technology.

The Power of The Matrix

The Movie Has Become Real Life

We’re Brand New

Trickery on Steroids

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

The Pace of Deception

The Deception of Progress

The Allure and Danger of the Hustle

The Truth Serum

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): ¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

• Receiving and acting on the truth is a sign of growth.
• Telling the truth is a sign of maturity.

The Power of Taste

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV): ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

• Sound teaching must be endured.
• Sound teaching does not help us on our terms.

Job 34:3 (ESV): ³ for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.

Psalm 34:8 (ESV): ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2024