Testing the Spirits- 1 John 4:1-6
A Biblical Review of Robb Brunansky’s Sermon on Testing the Spirits.
Introduction
Purpose: This analysis evaluates Robb Brunansky’s sermon with a Berean mindset (Acts 17:11), focusing on scriptural accuracy, logical coherence, and theological integrity rooted in the Tanakh and New Testament, from a Biblical perspective—seeing Yeshua as the Messiah fulfilling God’s covenant promises to Israel and the nations.
Details: Delivered prior to March 9, 2025 (assumed Palm Sunday context), by Robb Brunansky at Desert Hills Bible Church, an evangelical assembly. Length: approximately 1 hour, 38 minutes. Format: worship, announcements, scripture reading, and expository teaching.
Theme: The sermon calls believers to discern true teachers from false ones by testing their confession of Yeshua, their resistance to worldly lies, and their submission to God’s Word.
1. Sermon Agenda
Goals: Worship God, teach discernment from 1 John 4:1-6, foster fellowship, support student ministries via a fundraiser, and prepare for Good Friday/Easter services.
Biblical Alignment: Yeshua’s centrality (01:13:35) reflects His Messianic role (Isaiah 9:6-7), but limited Torah ties weaken the Jewish context of God’s promises (Isaiah 49:6).
Summary: Focuses on discernment to honor Yeshua, with practical church applications.
2. Scriptural Usage and Contextual Analysis
Key Verses:
1 John 4:1-6 (00:35:08) – Test spirits for truth.
Context: Combats heresies; echoes Deuteronomy 13:1-5.
Accuracy: “Confess” (homologeō) aligns with Isaiah 7:14; “spirits” (ruach) ties to Genesis 2:7.
Depth: Meat—mature theology of Yeshua’s identity.
John 8:31-51 (00:18:30) – True disciples abide in truth.
Context: Sukkot setting; links to Exodus 6:6.
Accuracy: “Free” (eleutheroō) reflects Leviticus 25:10, fulfilled in Isaiah 53:5.
Depth: Milk—basic faith call, lacks Torah depth.
Matthew 7:13-14 (00:56:00) – Narrow vs. broad way.
Context: Torah ethics (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Accuracy: Remnant theme (Isaiah 10:22).
Depth: Meat—covenant challenge.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (01:01:30) – False apostles deceive.
Context: Deuteronomy 13 test.
Accuracy: “Disguise” (metaschēmatizō) matches Genesis 3:1.
Depth: Meat—discernment theology.
Conclusion: Scripturally sound, Yeshua-focused, but Gentile-leaning. Meat in theology, milk in application.
3. Logical Soundness and Fallacies
Argument: Test teachers (01:46:30) due to false prophets (00:55:00), using Yeshua’s confession (01:11:30), world resistance (01:17:30), and scripture conformity (01:26:30).
Fallacies: Strawman (01:50:00)—cynics as heresy hunters; assumption (01:19:42)—popularity always false.
Summary: Coherent, minor flaws; suits biblically literate listeners.
4. Scriptural Corrections
John 8:31-51 (00:19:41): Implies Jewish rejection.
Correction: Jeremiah 31:35-37; Romans 11:1-2—Yeshua fulfills, not replaces.
Fix: Add Deuteronomy 6:4-5 context.
Limited Tanakh (throughout): Weakens Yeshua’s roots.
Correction: Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 ground atonement.
Fix: Root discernment in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
5. Psychological Methods for Encouraging Giving
Tactics: Breakfast fundraiser (00:06:46)—fellowship; “spend more” (00:07:00)—gentle nudge.
Analysis: Joyful, per Deuteronomy 16:17.
Conclusion: Positive, non-manipulative.
6. Calls to Action for Giving
Appeal 1 (00:06:46): “Support student ministries.”
Tone: Communal, cheerful (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Appeal 2 (00:07:00): “Spend a little more.”
Tone: Playful, voluntary.
Summary: Biblical, uncoerced giving.
7. Contradictions
Popularity vs. Truth (01:20:30): Conflicts with David’s favor (2 Samuel 5:12).
Resolution: Numbers 23:19—truth, not crowds, matters.
Conclusion: Minor; needs nuance.
8. Denominational Biases and Corrections
Bias 1: Evangelical—“church” (00:05:00) over kahal.
Correction: Ekklesia as kahal (Exodus 19:6).
Bias 2: Reformed—Imputed Righteousness (01:16:30).
Correction: Leviticus 18:5; Romans 6:16—obedience enabled by Yeshua (Titus 2:12).
Bias 3: Reformed—Predestination Hint (00:55:00).
Correction: Deuteronomy 30:19; John 3:16—all choose.
Bias 4: Reformed—Perseverance Hint (01:17:30).
Correction: Hebrews 3:14; Revelation 2:10—endure by faith.
Summary: Reformed biases distort Torah’s call; correct with scripture.
9. Alignment with Easy Belief or Denominational Structure
Easy Belief: Rejects shallow faith (01:15:30), stresses obedience (01:28:30).
Structure: Evangelical, pastor-led; lacks kahal traits.
Conclusion: Avoids easy belief, limits Jewish roots.
10. Pastoral Responsibility and Authority
Shepherd: Guides to Yeshua/scripture (01:36:00), not self.
Scrutiny: Welcomes it (00:47:30).
Conclusion: Accountable, low risk of misleading.
11. Practical Application and Ethical Fruit
Equipping: Discernment (01:46:30) for Micah 6:8 living.
Tone: Integrity (Titus 2:7-8), God-focused (01:37:00).
Conclusion: Equips kahal biblically.
12. Anti-Semitic Language
Issue (00:19:41): “Did not truly love Jesus”—risks replacement tone.
Correction: Romans 11:17-24—Israel’s root endures.
Conclusion: Unintentional; needs covenant clarity.
13. Warnings to a New Believer
Risk 1: Weak Jewish roots hide Yeshua’s fullness.
Scripture: John 1:29; Leviticus 16.
Risk 2: Reformed ideas (e.g., predestination) twist truth.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19; James 2:17.
Summary: Seek scripture over systems.
Final Assessment
Recap: Yeshua-centric, scripture-based, logical with flaws, ethical giving, minor contradictions, Evangelical/Reformed biases, strong shepherding, practical, subtle anti-Semitic risk, new-believer warnings.
Strengths: Exalts Yeshua, urges discernment, scripture-driven.
Weaknesses: Limited Tanakh, Reformed distortions (imputation, predestination, perseverance), replacement hints.
Fixes: Add Torah (Deuteronomy 18), affirm Israel (Romans 11), correct Reformed theology:
Imputation: Obedience-enabled (Leviticus 18:5).
Predestination: Choice-based (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Perseverance: Faith-endured (Hebrews 3:14).
Depth: Meat in theology (01:13:30, 01:28:30), milk in application.
Shepherd Accountability: Scrutiny-friendly (00:47:30), Word-focused (James 3:1).
Reject Human Traditions: Reformed Theology (01:16:30) and Evangelicalism stray from Torah. Shed TULIP, Five Solas for scripture alone.
Back to Scriptural Roots: Genesis to Revelation—Torah reveals Yeshua (Luke 24:27). Test against Tanakh, not pastors.
Use: Valuable with corrections.
Summary for New Believers
What the Sermon Says:
Hi, new believer! Pastor Robb Brunansky’s sermon is about making sure we follow people who really speak for God. He uses a Bible passage, 1 John 4:1-6, to say we should “test the spirits”—like checking if a teacher’s words match God’s truth. He gives three big tests: (1) Do they say Yeshua (Jesus) is God’s Son who came as a real human to save us from sin? That’s huge—John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh,” and Isaiah 53:5 says He was “pierced for our sins.” (2) Do they stand against the world’s lies, like popularity or selfish ideas, because God’s Spirit in us is stronger (1 John 4:4)? (3) Do they stick to the Bible, God’s Word, instead of making up their own stuff? Robb says false teachers are sneaky, like the devil pretending to be good (2 Corinthians 11:14), so we’ve got to be smart and check everything.
Key Takeaways: Here’s what you can hold onto: First, Yeshua is the real deal—He’s the Messiah, God’s Son, who died for you and rose again. That’s your hope, straight from the Bible (Romans 5:8). Second, you’ve got to test what you hear—don’t just believe everyone. Acts 17:11 says the Bereans checked the scriptures daily, and you can too! God gave you His Word—Torah (like Genesis and Deuteronomy), the Prophets (like Isaiah), and the New Testament—to know Him. It’s like a treasure map to Yeshua.
Encouragement: You’re on an awesome path! Believing in Yeshua means you’re part of God’s family—He chose to love you (John 3:16). The Bible says in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet”—it’ll guide you every day. Keep reading it, praying, and asking God to show you truth. You don’t need to be perfect; Yeshua’s got you covered (Hebrews 4:16). And don’t be shy—ask questions! God loves when you seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Warnings: Watch out, though! This sermon’s good but has some tricky spots. It doesn’t talk much about the Torah, God’s first teachings to Israel, where Yeshua’s story starts—like the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 pointing to Him (John 1:29). Without that, you might miss how Jewish Yeshua is—He’s Israel’s King! Also, Robb uses some ideas from “Reformed Theology” (like Calvinism) that can confuse you:
Warning 1: He says righteousness is just “credited” to you (01:16:30), like a gift you don’t work for. But Leviticus 18:5 says obeying God matters, and Yeshua helps you do it (Titus 2:12). Don’t think faith means doing nothing—James 2:17 says faith shows in actions!
Warning 2: He talks about “many” false teachers and “few” saved (00:55:00), like some are picked and others aren’t. That’s not right—Deuteronomy 30:19 says you choose life, and Yeshua invites everyone (John 3:16). God’s not playing favorites!
Warning 3: He hints you’ll automatically win against evil (01:17:30). Nope—Hebrews 3:14 says hold on tight to Yeshua till the end. You’ve got to stay close to Him (John 15:4).
Big Warning: Man-made ideas like Reformed Theology, Catholic rules, or other systems add stuff to the Bible. Deuteronomy 4:2 says don’t do that! Stick to scripture—Torah, Prophets, Yeshua’s words—not pastors’ big words.
What to Do: Start simple—read John 1 (Yeshua’s coming) with Isaiah 53 (why He came). Then try Deuteronomy 6:4-5—love God with all you’ve got. That’s Yeshua’s way (Matthew 22:37). Test everything you hear against the Bible, not what sounds fancy. You’re new, but God’s Spirit will help you grow (John 16:13). You’ve got this—keep seeking Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah who loves you!
The Gospel
God’s Love, Yeshua’s Sacrifice, and Your Free Choice: Here’s the best news—the gospel! God loves all of His creation so much that He didn’t abandon it when sin broke everything. Genesis 1:31 says, “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” He made you, the world, everything—and He still loves it all, even after we messed it up (Romans 5:8—“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us”). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2—“Your iniquities have made a separation”), but He didn’t want that to be the end. So, God sent Yeshua, His Son, to die for you—to redeem you and bring you back to Him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s everyone—you, me, all people! Yeshua’s death on the cross paid the price for your sins (1 Peter 2:24—“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree”), and His resurrection proves He beat death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22—“Messiah has been raised… so in Messiah shall all be made alive”). God loves you that much—He died to save you!
Now, here’s the key: you get to choose. God doesn’t force you—He invites you. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s your free will at work! Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I have set before you life and death… choose life.” God’s love is there, Yeshua’s sacrifice is done, but you decide—will you trust Him? Logic backs this up: if God loves you (John 3:16), He won’t override you—love doesn’t force. If Yeshua died for you (Romans 5:8), the offer’s real, not fake. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.” He’s knocking—your choice to open the door matters. Say yes to Yeshua today—He’s the way back to God’s love (John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life”)!
