Beauty of Discernment

Beloved in Christ, we gather this morning beneath the luminous canopy of grace, and I find myself contemplating a truth so profound, yet so often overlooked in our contemporary discourse, that it bears the weight of sacred utterance: we possess the extraordinary privilege—nay, the divine prerogative—to choose where we worship. This is not a matter of mere preference or convenience, dear friends. Rather, it stands as a cornerstone of our Christian liberty, a testament to the God who created us not as automatons, but as beings endowed with conscience, discernment, and the capacity to seek truth.

Gift of Discernment

In this age of spiritual marketplace abundance, where countless voices clamor for our attention and allegiance, the faculty of discernment becomes not merely advantageous, but essential. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians, exhorts us: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This is the invitation to discernment. It is the call to examine, to question, to seek alignment between our deepest convictions and the communities in which we place our spiritual trust. Discernment is not skepticism masquerading as wisdom; rather, it is the loving exercise of our God-given intellect in service of our souls’ wellbeing.

Freedom to Choose

Consider the revolutionary nature of Christian freedom. We are not bound by geographical proximity, by familial tradition, or by social expectation. The Spirit of God does not dwell exclusively in marble cathedrals or in the most eloquent pulpits. Rather, the Spirit moves where it will, and our responsibility—our sacred obligation—is to follow that movement with open hearts and attentive ears.

When we choose our place of worship with intentionality and prayer, we participate in a deeply spiritual act. We are saying: “I have examined my conscience. I have sought the counsel of the Holy Spirit. I have considered where my soul is nourished, where truth is proclaimed with fidelity, where the Gospel is lived authentically.” This is not rebellion against the Church; it is faithfulness to the Church’s highest calling.

Beauty in Diversity

And here lies the paradox that should fill us with wonder: our freedom to choose creates not fragmentation, but a glorious tapestry of worship. When each believer exercises discernment, when each congregation strives to embody the Gospel with integrity, we witness the Church at its most vibrant. We see communities of faith that are not sustained by obligation or inertia, but by genuine conviction and authentic encounter with the divine.

The beauty of this arrangement is that it calls every church—including our beloved Prism Church—to excellence. We cannot rest upon laurels or assume loyalty. Instead, we are compelled to ask ourselves continually: Are we preaching the Gospel faithfully? Are we serving the poor and marginalized? Are we creating space for genuine spiritual transformation? Are we welcoming the stranger and the seeker with open arms?

Call to Responsibility

Yet with this freedom comes profound responsibility. Discernment is not the same as consumerism. We are not shopping for a church that merely tickles our ears or affirms our existing prejudices. True discernment asks: Where is Christ being lifted up? Where is the Word of God being handled with reverence and honesty? Where is the community being shaped into the image of Christ—more loving, more just, more merciful?

This is the high calling of Christian choice. It demands of us maturity, humility, and a willingness to be challenged and transformed.

My friends, as you navigate your spiritual journey, know this: your choice of where to worship is not a trivial matter. It is an act of worship in itself. It is a declaration of what you believe, what you value, and where you sense the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in power and truth.

And should you find yourself here, at Prism Church, we receive you not as consumers, but as fellow pilgrims. We invite you to examine us, to test our proclamation against Scripture, to discern whether this community is a place where your soul can flourish and your faith can deepen.

This is the beauty of being Christian in a free society: we choose. And in choosing wisely, with prayer and discernment, we honor both the God who created us and the Church that sustains us.

May we all choose well.

In Christ’s name, Amen.