God "Character Profiles" a False Teacher

"Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.  For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting." (Romans 16:17-18)

Have you noticed that when doctrinal disputes take place among the leaders within the realm of Christianity, their doctrinal points are sometimes hard to follow?  Sometimes the rank and file among Christians just get so lost that they make their decisions not on the truths or errors being discussed but on the basis of where they “wish” to go… or what they “want” to do. Normally that means taking the easy route, or just following the crowd.

Part of the reason for all of this is that the offer made by the false teacher is normally “easier” than the narrow road. How many times have you been told as a Christian that, “You need to just loosen up?”  Today, there is a drive to relax God’s teaching on a variety of things ranging from the way the church is run to throwing out His morality laws in a variety of areas … particularly Marriage.

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned."  (II Peter 2:1-2)

The Day Our Church Fired Jesus!

Could Jesus preach for “your” church?

Is “your” church, “His” church?

Today’s article will be intended to fill in an oversight in my preaching and teaching.  Over the last few years I have found myself reacting to some of the ever changing attitudes of the society in which I live.  

I have come to believe that the “feel good” religion now sweeping our churches in the name of Christianity is to the church what drug addiction is to society at large.  Once these churches are infected, they rapidly become addicted.  I.E.  filled with a very shallow people wanting ever more dramatic events to make us “feel” fulfilled.  Once addicted, hype replaces substance. Sounds like somewhat of a reversed substance abuse? Churches abuse their members  from a lack of substance.  Drug addicts abuse their bodies by the invasion of harmful substance.  These churches are always looking for the innovative method of church growth.  “Children’s church” replaces training your children to worship and respect their creator.  As the youth move into teenage, entertainment replaces serious Bible study and effective spiritual growth. In other words, the original call of the gospel is often replaced with an offer of entertainment or treats.

Most of the religious leaders involved in these changes know that what they are presenting is different than what Jesus presented.  Their justification (once called on the issue) will remind you of all the “medical”marijuana arguments raging in the secular world.  The bottom line is really the same. 

Sermons Recorded in Matthew

Sermon on the mount 5:1 - 7:29  He sent them home with….

22.  "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

 23.  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

 (Note this was followed by the parable of the wise and foolish man to drive it home).The 12 commissioned 10:1-42  He sent them home with….

33.  "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

 34.  "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

 35.  "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;

 36.  and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.

 37.  "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.