Who is the ANTICHRIST? 18-23
ALREADY in the world 2:18.
fits with an early dating
NOT CONTINUING in the Apostles Doctrine. 2:19; Act 2:42.
see 3John 9
TRUTH denier (liar). 2:22-23.
Hate Jesus… John 15:23;
Jesus did not come IN THE FLESH. 2:22; 1John 4:1-3;
Here’s a link to all the published studies from 1 John.
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning.
What is the GOSPEL?
Are there other GOSPELS? Yes and No.
There is only ONE gospel that saves.
There are MANY SOCIAL GOSPELS that do not save, that serve to please men, and are NOT pleasing to God.
Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
THE SOCIAL GOSPELS.
The Goal of the SOCIAL gospel is to make this life less miserable for people.
The Goal of THE GOSPEL is to show this miserable life is escapable through obedience to Christ.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
Good News about man’s bad news: Sin. Rom 3:23; 1Cor 15:1-4
Obedience to the Gospel is the solution. Christ. Php 2:8; 2Thess 1:8; Romans 10:16.
Sowed in hearts by hearing the word. Mark 4:14-20.
Preached by men. Mat 28:19; 2Cor 4:1-7; 1Thess 2:13; Romans 10:13-17
Every Nation needs it. Mar 16:15; Acts 10:34-35;
Love & Living the Gospel. 1Pet 3:1-4; John 3:16; Romans 5:8-10; 1Cor 13
Join us for one of our services at the Franklin & Juniper St. church of Christ. Click here for times and location.
Can we know too much Bible? 1/4
We need to know enough to be able to speak the SAME things.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the SAME thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the SAME mind and in the SAME judgment. (1Cor1:10)
Can you know too much about SALVATION? Are all churches teaching the SAME thing as The Bible? Are we teaching the SAME thing as Jesus.
What did Jesus say about SALVATION?
Matthew 7:24 KJV
Therefore whosoever HEARS these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
John 8:24 KJV
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye BELIEVE not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Luke 13:3,5 KJV
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish. [5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye REPENT, ye shall all likewise perish.
Matthew 10:32-33 KJV
Whosoever therefore shall CONFESS me before men, him will I CONFESS also before my Father which is in heaven. [33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Mark 16:16 KJV
He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
It’s water baptism. Notice what the first Christian evangelists taught.
Acts 8:35-36 KJV
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him JESUS. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain WATER: and the eunuch said, See, here is WATER; what doth hinder me to be BAPTIZED?
Baptism is a burial in water.
Colossians 2:12 KJV
BURIED with him in BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Matthew 28:20 KJV
Teaching them to OBSERVE ALL THINGS whatsoever I have COMMANDED you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Does your church teach the SAME as Jesus about how to be saved? Does it teach the SAME purpose?
Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, water Baptism, & Faithfulness.
Which can you add, change, or remove and still be speaking the SAME thing as Jesus, Peter, Philip, Paul & the rest of the NT?
Agapa,
Spencer
Take a look at these self-directed bible studies. Let us know what you think.
The Parable of the TARES.
“24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matt 13:24-30).
Jesus spoke in parables. Some were very plain, some a bit more difficult, and still others He gives the meaning as He does in this parable (36-40).
Let us understand and apply the parable of the TARES.
TARES appear to look like wheat, but are really a kind of undesirable grass, a weed. It is TOXIC to man and to most herbivore animals. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” In the explanation, Jesus said, “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;” (38). All men look the same on the outside. We will only know them by their fruits. Jesus said in another parable, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matt 7:15-18).
False teachers are TOXIC to sound doctrine. It is a poison that can destroy the soul of the righteous if we’re not careful. This is the world we live in.
They are sown and intermixed AMONG the wheat. Therefore, they grow up together and their proximity to the wheat makes it very difficult to remove without also harming the good plants. “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.”
We live in a dangerous world full of false teachers that appear and live among us. Peter wrote, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2Pet 1:1). We need to heed the warning lest we fall. “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
Our gut reaction is to ROOT them up now and get RID of them so the wheat doesn’t suffer, or get choked out (cf. Matt 13:7). We want them out now! “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.” Why does the Lord allow this to go on? I don’t know all the reasons of the Lord, but here we’re given a clue. It’s to spare the good plant. The fact that He allows them to remain is evidence that it is wise to do so. Allowing something to exist is not approval.
The Tares are the ENEMIES teachings of the wicked one who is the Devil. This can be compared to the seed, in the parable of the Sower in an earlier parable (vs 13:18), which is the word of God. The seed in that parable produces Saints. It stands to reason that the tares are the teachings of the Devil that produces false teachers. “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” (38-39).
Jesus warned of false teachers Matt 7:15-20. Paul warned of false teachers (Rom 16:17-18). Peter warned of false teachers (2Peter 2). John warned of false teachers (2John 9). Jude warns of them also. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). Perhaps there’s something to this?
The Lord’s response implies that we are to Keep SUPPORTING the good plants. “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”
In the harvest, which is the end of the world, God will take care of the GOOD and the BAD. “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt 13:39-42).
The lesson of the TARES is plain. Beware of the TOXIC Teaching of false teachers. They live AMONG us, and appear to look like us. We will know them by their fruit. REMAIN faithful till the end when the Lord’s REAPERS will take care of the problem once and for all. The ENEMY can’t hurt us while we remain faithful (cf. Jas 4:7-8). Continue to SPEAK the things which are proper for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1).
With the Lord’s help, His word, and our prayers, we can endure this. We’re all in this together. “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (43).
–Agape,
Spencer
At the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ, we do not claim to be perfect people, but we strive to be a local church of Christ sound in its teaching, sound in its actions, and united in the bond of peace.
Here we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Thus, we insist upon Bible authority for everything that we teach and practice (Col 3:17).
We teach what people in the first century were taught, believe what they were taught to believe, and do what they were taught to do.
We want you to feel welcomed. We will not ask you to believe anything unless we can give you Bible authority for it.
“The churches of Christ salute you!” [Rom 16:16]
Today’s reading is so good that I had to share it with you.
Proverbs 19:27 KJV
“Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.”
It reminded me of a story in 2Kings 4:38-41.
“And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.”
I use this story to make the point about eating a drinking from secular pots in our studies. Far too many times we drink from secular pots and wonder why we have division. Paul warned of this problem of listening to unsound doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:3 KJV
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
“Man of God, there is death in the pot!”
I’ve noticed gospel preachers consuming books by well known false teachers. Francis Chan, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Jakes, and the like.
“Man of God, there is death in the pot!”
Let us return to the old paths. The scriptures shall make us wise unto salvation. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Jesus is the bread of Life. “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
Man of God, there is LIFE in that pot!
Agape,
Spencer
3 things SIN will always do.
Sin SEPARATES us from God. Is 59:1-2.
Sin Takes us farther than we wanted to go.
JUDAS went from disciple, to thief, to the betrayer.
Jesus knew Judas was a betrayer. John 6:70
Jesus knew Judas was an Underhanded thief. John 12:6
Judas Delivered Jesus to Die. John 18:2-3
Judas betrayed Jesus with A Kiss. Luke 22:47
Judas was already Satan’s minister. John 13:27;
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” [Jas 1:15].
2Tim 3:13 Wax worse & worse.
It IMPRISONS us. John 8:34
It Keeps us longer than we INTENDED to stay.
JUDAS plotted for 30pcs of silver. Mat 26:14-16; But couldn’t undo what He had done. Matt 27:3-10.
2Pet 2:19. in bondage. Rom 6:16.
Luke 15:11-17. Swine Feeder
we have NOTHING to repay. Rom 6:23
Sin will cost us more than we wanted to pay.
JUDAS Hangs himself. Giving back the money didn’t fix his sin. He sought his own solution, not God’s. Mt 27:5; Ac 1:18.
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Matt 16:26.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Luke 7:42, Nothing to repay
This sermon was preached Sunday morning at the Franklin and Juniper st church of Christ on July 16, 2023 by spencer blackwelder
Click here to read an article about why we’re different.
What is the TRUTH? Cf. John 18:38.
Transparent. simple. John 8:32.
Reviewable. Acts 17:11.
Universal. Mar 16:15; Mat 28:19; Acts 10:34.
Testable & Temperate. 1Thess 5:21; Gal 4:16.
Heavenly. James 3:17; John 17:17.
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for the next few weeks.
Click here for the Overview Chart and links to other study outlines in this series.
How to know what God wants. Pt1
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
God has not at any time authorized gratuitous service be rendered to Him. This means that God requires worship toward Him to be in accordance with His instructions.
From the very beginning we see this principle. In Genesis four, Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice by faith, and Cain did not. “By Faith” is first speaking about divine instruction, followed by our trust in His acceptance when we follow those instructions. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17).
One cannot be walking by faith in Christ while offering strange worship God commanded us not. How do we know what God wants? We can answer that question if we will learn how God communicates. He gives DIRECT commands & statements, He gives EXAMPLES, and He IMPLIES things from which we may infer. He also expects us to respect when He is SILENT on a matter.
I) God communicates through Direct commands & statements.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gives a direct command to his disciples in the Great Commission. He says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). These are clear instructions from God on how his followers are to spread the message of salvation.
The Direct commands of God come in 2 forms:
1) SPECIFIC. God tells us exactly what He wants. We cannot add to, nor take away from the specific command. A specific command eliminates all other possibilities.
2) GENERIC. God gives a command but doesn’t tell us how. He leaves those details for us to implement.
The how of a generic command is called an expedient. We need to find the most efficient & effective means to fulfill the command. We cannot bind an expedient on others as being the only way. We have liberty.
II) God communicates using Approved Examples. There are many examples in the bible, but not every one of them is binding, nor authorized. Some examples are incidental like meeting in an upper room (Acts 1:13).
What makes an example an APPROVED EXAMPLE? When the example is in compliance with a Direct command of God. Jesus said “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16). In the Acts one we see exactly that. They preached the Gospel to everyone on Pentecost and baptized for remission of sins.
Another example is found in Acts 8. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:35-38). Here we see Philip Going, Preaching, and Baptizing as was commanded by Jesus in the great commission. Philip is one of many APPROVED EXAMPLES.
Without a command an example is just an example. It is not to be bound on others. Examples are only APPROVED (or Apostolic) when there is a command from God. How can we sift the binding from non-binding examples? Here are 4 questions to ask.
People are constantly attempting to worship God according to their own desires (Col 2:23). They have introduced Mechanical Music, plays, interpretive dance, and in one place Roller Skating Praise.
Here are 4 types of False worship.
These should serve as warnings about doing what God FORBIDS, OMISSION of what God commands, or adding EXTRA to the commands of God that He has not commanded.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you”
(Deut 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6; Ec 12:13; Re 22:18-19).
Agape,
Spencer
You can read pt 2 of How to know What God wants here.
“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” (1Sam 13:14)
After King Saul’s first mistake, the tearing of the kingdom away from him had begun.
We need to learn the lessons from Saul’s mistakes so that we will avoid having the kingdom of Christ torn from us.
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen”
(Rev 1:6; cf. 1Pet 2:9).
While Saul started out strong, the 4 mistakes in this article describe why the kingdom was torn from him so dramatically. Saul made other errors after these, but these are the reasons given by Samuel for the kingdom being given to David.
SACRIFICING without AUTHORITY: “And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him” (1Sam 13:8-10).
One of the key mistakes of King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 13, was his impatience and failure to wait for the prophet Samuel before offering a burnt sacrifice. Saul allowed fear and pressure from his army to push him into taking matters into his own hands, disregarding the authority of God’s chosen servant. This act revealed Saul’s lack of trust in God’s timing and his failure to follow divine instructions.
ARROGANCE and PRESUMPTION: “And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed” (1Sam 15:13-15).
In 1 Samuel 15, we witness another critical mistake of Saul: his arrogance and presumption in disobeying God’s explicit command. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them. However, Saul decided to spare King Agag and some of the best livestock. Saul’s presumptuous act displayed his prideful attitude, thinking that his own judgment and desires were superior to God’s commandments.
UNWILLINGNESS to Accept Responsibility: “And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever” (1Sam 13:11-13).
Saul’s inability to take responsibility for his actions was evident in his response when confronted by Samuel. Instead of acknowledging his mistake and seeking repentance, Saul shifted blame onto others, making excuses for his disobedience. He attempted to justify his actions rather than humbly admitting his wrongdoing. This lack of accountability demonstrated a failure in Saul’s character as a leader.
LACK OF OBEDIENCE and Submission: “And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1Sam 15:20-23).
Overall, Saul’s mistakes can be summarized by his consistent failure to obey and submit to God’s authority. Whether it was sacrificing without Samuel’s presence, sparing King Agag, or not fully carrying out God’s command, Saul demonstrated a pattern of rebellion and disobedience. His lack of reverence for God’s instructions ultimately led to his downfall and the loss of his kingship.
In summary, Saul’s mistakes were:
These lessons from Saul’s life serve as a reminder for us to humbly follow God’s commands, trust in His timing, and accept responsibility for our actions as we strive to be obedient servants.
Agape,
Spencer
“And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.” (Mark 7:6-7)
The Old Testament has many lessons for us today. In Judges 17, we see five mistakes of the man MICAH. Last week we looked at 3 of them that are repeated by many today.
I encourage you to review the previous article.
Today’s article will look at the last two mistakes of MICAH.
The 5 mistakes of MICAH (Judges 17)repeated today. Pt2
The fourth mistake of Micah was that he ASSIGNED to himself a priest from the Levites to be his personal priest.
“And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in. [11] And the Levite was content to dwell with the man; and the young man was unto him as one of his sons. [12] And Micah consecrated the Levite; and the young man became his priest, and was in the house of Micah. [13] Then said Micah, Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my priest” (Judges 17:10-13.
Today people will talk about their favorite preacher, pastor, televangelist, author and so on. Paul dealt with this issue with the church at Corinth. “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul” (1Cor 1:11-13)?
How do we correct this mistake? When we establish dividing lines based on popular preachers, or public figures we are carnal. That’s what Paul called it. “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men” (1Cor 3:3)?
What can we do? Follow Jesus. Read about Him. Study Him. Walk like He walked. People living godly lives can serve as examples for us, but only as far as they imitate Christ (1Cor 11:1). We are not to elevate them above others and especially not to cause division. “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1Cor 4:6; cf 2Cor 12:6).
The last mistake we’ll consider is that Micah had a HOUSE of gods.
“And the man Micah had a HOUSE of gods, and made an ephod and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (Judges 17:5).
Besides the idolatry, this mistake is saying that all religions and denominations are equal. Paul saw this error in Athens. “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23).
We see this same mistake being made today. Religious people have become ECUMENICAL (aimed at achieving universal Christian unity and church union through international interdenominational organizations that cooperate on matters of mutual concern). In other words, religious folks are focusing on unity (Jews, Muslims, & Christians) despite clear scriptural and doctrinal differences. They see all religions as different ships going to the same destination. This sounds good on the surface, but misses the biblical definition of unity.
How do we correct this mistake? Paul warned; “For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER Jesus whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER spirit which ye have not received, or ANOTHER gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Corinthians 11:4; cf. Gal 1:6-9). We are warned repeatedly to beware of false teachers. They are described as wolves in sheep’s clothing, deceivers, dogs, and “hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved forever” (Jude 1:12-13).
The main takeaway is that it’s possible for people to be following a different Jesus and not the Jesus of scripture (cf Phil 3:19). While many claim to follow Jesus, they may not be following the Jesus of the New Testament.
What can we do? Check out what your pastor teaches, what your church practices, & what sins they accept through the lens of the word of God. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with al lreadiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). The folks in Berea were called more noble as they were checking out the teaching of the Apostle Paul!!
Be careful how you hear, and what you hear. There is only one truth and only one way to have unity and fellowship with God. “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
Spencer is the evangelist for the church of Christ in Borger on Franklin & Juniper.
Read part one, “the 5 mistakes of MICAH” here.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 