By Pastor Steve Goode | Northside Baptist Church
Scripture Focus: Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:16–17
I want to say something that might surprise you coming from a pastor.
Don't believe something just because I said it.
Now, before you start wondering whether Pastor Steve has lost his mind, hear me out.
I have spent years studying the Bible, preparing sermons, counseling people, and doing my best to faithfully communicate God's Word. I take that responsibility seriously. But there is one thing I understand very clearly: I am not infallible.
I can misunderstand something. I can make mistakes. I can overlook important context. And if that happens, the last thing I want is a congregation that accepts an incorrect teaching simply because it came from my mouth.
Your confidence should never rest in the preacher. It should rest in the Word of God.
The Bereans Had It Right
In Acts 17, the Apostle Paul traveled to Berea, where he began preaching the gospel. What happened next is something every Christian ought to remember.
The Bereans welcomed Paul's teaching, but they also examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether what they were hearing was true.
Think about that.
They were listening to the Apostle Paul! If anyone might have deserved unquestioning attention, surely it would have been someone personally commissioned by Jesus Christ.
But the Bible actually commends these believers for examining what Paul taught.
They didn't reject the message because they were suspicious. They investigated it because they wanted to know the truth.
That's the kind of congregation I want at Northside Baptist Church.
The Problem With Celebrity Christianity
We live in an age when a preacher can become famous almost overnight.
A compelling personality, a few viral videos, and a polished presentation can attract thousands or even millions of followers.
But popularity doesn't establish truth.
A person can be an extraordinary communicator and a terrible interpreter of Scripture.
They can make you laugh, cry, and feel inspired without ever accurately explaining a biblical passage.
And sometimes the most dangerous teaching isn't something obviously ridiculous. It's something that sounds almost biblical.
That's why John tells believers in 1 John 4:1 to test the spirits rather than believing every spiritual claim.
Notice that John doesn't tell us to stop listening to spiritual teachers. He tells us to examine what they're teaching.
There's a difference.
The Bible Is Our Final Authority
Second Timothy 3:16–17 teaches that Scripture is God-breathed and equips believers for faithful living.
That's why the Bible must be the final authority in matters of Christian faith and practice.
Not our traditions.
Not our feelings.
Not denominational popularity.
And certainly not the latest religious personality on social media.
Now, that doesn't mean every Christian must become a seminary professor. But it does mean we should be students of God's Word.
Read the surrounding verses. Ask who wrote the passage and why. Compare what you're hearing with the rest of Scripture.
And don't be afraid to ask questions.
A faithful pastor should welcome sincere biblical questions, not demand unquestioning loyalty.
A Challenge for This Week
The next time you hear a sermon, Christian podcast, or inspirational message, do something different.
Open your Bible.
Follow along.
Ask yourself, "Does this actually reflect what Scripture teaches?"
If you don't understand something, investigate it. Study it. Ask about it.
Christian maturity isn't measured by how many sermons you've heard. It's reflected in how faithfully you're learning, believing, and obeying God's Word.
I don't want people following Pastor Steve.
I want people following Jesus Christ.
And the best way I know to help you do that is to keep pointing you back to the Bible.
Because the preacher is not the authority. God's Word is.
It's a joy to be your pastor!
Pastor Steve
Northside Baptist Church
northsidegreensboro.com
