Remaining Close: Living as God's Children Now

This sermon emphasizes the importance of remaining close to Jesus and living as God's children in the present, not just in eternity. The pastor uses the analogy of parents telling children to "stay close" for safety to illustrate how proximity to Christ breeds spiritual safety and transformation. He challenges the congregation to move beyond denominational divisions and self-righteousness, remembering that righteousness comes from Christ alone, not personal merit. The message stresses that believers should be different from the world, not through judgment but through Christ-like love, and that God's promises are for now, not just heaven. The sermon calls Christians to live authentically as part of God's family, developing His mannerisms through abiding in Him, and to focus on building God's kingdom rather than individual church castles.