Key Concepts Explained (hover with your mouse or click on to reveal the Key Concept Explained text):
2026-06-14 Self-Centeredness
2026-06-14 Discipleship
2026-06-14 Spiritual Power
2026-06-14 Personal Revelation
2026-06-14 Obedience
2026-06-14 Transformation
2026-06-14 Trust

Sermon Notes Below the Service Video

Clickable Time Stamps
09:00 Hymns of Preparation – Larry and Joy Cain
19:33 Children’s Moment – Christina Neill
23:22 Welcome and Call to Worship – Elder David Webster (John 15:5)
36:16 Scripture Reading – Elder Scott Stayton (Alma 17:69-70)
37:30 Special Music – “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” – Emma McLean
40:54 Sermon “Who Are We Following?” – Elder Scott Stayton

Summary

Elder Scott Stayton’s sermon titled “Who Are We Following?” powerfully challenges believers to deeply reflect on the true object of their faith and guidance. Starting with the scriptural foundation from Alma 17:69-70, the sermon invites us to focus our thoughts, actions, and hearts entirely on God. Scott reveals how naturally self-centered humans are by birth, viewing life primarily through their own needs and desires. This self-centeredness limits true spiritual growth and clouds the question of who we follow.

The sermon critiques modern influences such as self-determination, superficial charisma, false promises of prosperity, and blind trust in flawed human leaders, urging an intentional and prayerful pursuit of Jesus Christ and His gospel. The power to live a transformed, holy life comes from diligent scripture study, prayer, fasting, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, as demonstrated by the sons of Mosiah. Ultimately, the sermon inspires believers to surrender self, center their lives in Christ, seek divine guidance moment by moment, and live with the spiritual power necessary to fulfill God’s purposes.

Highlights

1. Humanity’s inherent self-centered nature means we instinctively view life through the lens of personal gain and pain.
2. True spiritual power comes not from self-effort but from following Jesus Christ and living His commandments.
3. Blindly following human leaders or popular movements can lead to spiritual peril without Christ at the center.
4. Miracles and charisma alone are insufficient; genuine faith requires obedience and transformation.
5. God reveals Himself uniquely to each person, inviting sincere seekers to discover and follow Him.
6. The experience of divine power accompanies true discipleship and commitment to Christ’s teachings.
7. We are called to trust and unite as God’s children, relying on each other through the Spirit’s power, not human perfection.

Key Insights

1. Self-Centeredness as the Default Condition: Scott emphasizes that from birth, humans see the world primarily from their own perspective—“I was born that way.” This insight explains why selfishness and personal bias are natural barriers to spiritual growth. Overcoming self-centeredness requires divine transformation, not mere human effort.
2. The Fallacy of Self-Sufficiency: Societal emphasis on “self-determination” and “doing it my way” is alluring but spiritually empty. Achievements and comforts cannot cleanse the heart or justify the soul before God. True power and renewal come from surrendering to God, not self.
3. Danger of Following Mere Men or Movements: The sermon recounts the pitfalls of blindly trusting even well-meaning human leaders, citing historical movements where authority was abused. Spiritual authority must be rooted in Christ, not human charisma or control.
4. Miracles Do Not Equate to True Faith: Many are drawn to miraculous signs or promises of prosperity, but Jesus warned that following for these reasons alone is insufficient. Discipleship demands obedience and willingness to embrace the hard teachings, even when many turn away.
5. Personal Revelation is Essential: Each believer has a unique journey in coming to know God. Genuine seeking, sincere prayer, and openness to the Spirit lead to personal witnessing of Christ’s reality and calling. This personal revelation is the anchor of deep faith.
6. Power Comes Through Prayer, Fasting, and Scripture: The example of the sons of Mosiah teaches that diligent study, prayer, and fasting produce the spirit of prophecy and authority needed to live and minister with divine power. This power is accessible to all believers who faithfully seek God.
7. Living as a New Creation in Christ: Transformation is ongoing as God works within us through His Spirit. By consistently aligning our thoughts, actions, and affections with the Lord, we become fit to fulfill His will, join the community of believers in trust, and ultimately be lifted up at the last day.

Outline

• Introduction
  • Sermon theme: “Who Are We Following?” and the monthly focus “Be like Him.”
  • Initial reflection on human self-centeredness and its implications.
• Human Nature and Self-Centeredness
  • Definition and explanation of self-centeredness as a natural condition from birth.
  • Story illustrating this inherent self-focus and its lifelong persistence.
  • The challenge this presents for true spiritual growth.
• Who Do We Follow in a Complex World?
  • Various worldly influences: self-reliance, individualism, charismatic leaders, miracle seekers, prosperity promises, scholars without faith, and controlling shepherding movements.
  • Risks and shortcomings of following human beings or empty philosophies.
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ as the True Path
  • How God reveals Himself to individuals through diverse experiences and personal revelation.
  • The necessity of sincere inquiry and willing obedience for genuine faith.
  • Testimonies of divine power brought through prayer, fasting, and scripture study, exemplified by the sons of Mosiah.
• The Call to Transformation and Trust
  • God’s desire for us to be made new in Christ and live empowered lives.
  • The importance of communal trust among believers as children of God.
  • Final exhortation to center all thoughts, affections, and actions on the Lord continually.
• Closing Scripture and Invitation
  • Reflection on Alma 17:69-70: dedicating all doings to the Lord for guidance and ultimate lifting up.
  • Encouragement to faithfully pursue this path regardless of life’s challenges.