Beware of False Teachers 

◄ Matthew 24:24 ►

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.


CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH BROADCAST

Come, be my guest at Immanuel Outreach Church Ministries!

Pastor Joe N. White Jr., and Lady Donna White

400 Rose Lane, N.L.R., AR 72117

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Evg. Subrina White 501-612-0271 

for complete notes: missbooklady41@yahoo.com


INTRODUCTION


Deception has been a reality in this world since the beginning. In Genesis 3:1 we learn that “the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made....” God told Adam and Eve to eat of any tree in the Garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But because of the deception of the serpent they broke this commandment (Genesis 3:4, 14). The trickery of “that old serpent, called the Devil” (Revelations 12:9) continues even unto this very hour.


The Bible warns us sternly that there will be those who “lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). 


Deception is a very real danger. Romans 5:12, James 1:14-15. Satan wants you and me, our children, and all of those whom we love to lose our souls at his hand. He and his ministers have launched an all-out assault upon the foundation of our faith with but one goal – our spiritual demise. This is why it is of utmost importance for us to “try the spirits” (1 John. 4:1). Through Scripture we must familiarize ourselves with our enemy so that we are able to see through the deceptive lies he uses to seduce us. As the apostle Paul wrote, “We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).


In 1 Kings 13 we learn about the old prophet who deceived the man of God. God had commanded His servant to “eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest” (1 Kings 13:9). 


We must be ever mindful of those who would seek to deceive us into doing wrong. Satan is active in our world today and he will stop at nothing to see that your soul is lost. The danger of deception is very real and you and I need to be constantly searching the scriptures to see if the things we are taught are true (Acts 17:11).


Apostasy in the Letter to the Hebrews


There are at least four distinct images in Scripture of the concept of apostasy. These images are: Rebellion; Turning Away; Falling Away; Adultery.


Rebellion

used to denote a coup or defection this word to portray a rebellion against God (Joshua 22:22; 2 Chronicles 29:19).


Turning away

"Apostasy is also pictured as the heart turning away from God (Jeremiah 17:5–6) and righteousness (Ezekiel 3:20). In the OT it centers on Israel's breaking covenant relationship with God through disobedience to the law (Jeremiah 2:19), especially following other gods (Judges 2:19) and practicing their immorality (Daniel 9:9–11). Following the Lord or journeying with him is one of the chief images of faithfulness in the Scriptures. 


Falling away

"The image of falling, with the sense of going to eternal destruction, is particularly evident in the New Testament. In Christ’s parable of the foolish builder (Matthew 7:24–27)


Adultery

One of the most common images for apostasy in the Old Testament is adultery."Apostasy is symbolized as Israel the faithless spouse turning away from Yahweh her marriage partner to pursue the advances of other gods (Jeremiah 2:1–3; Ezekiel 16) (Jeremiah 5:7). Adultery is used most often to graphically name the horror of the betrayal and covenant breaking involved in idolatry. Like literal adultery it does include the idea of someone blinded by infatuation, in this case for an idol: 'How I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts . . . which have lusted after their idols' (Ezekiel 6:9)."


1. Peter's warning against "false teachers" of their

a. destructiveness of false teachers -2 Peter 2:1-3

b. doom of false teachers -2 Peter 2:4-9

c. depravity of false teachers -2 Peter 2:10-17


1. The very real possibility of apostasy and losing one's salvation helps us to understand the grave concern expressed by Peter in his epistle

a. The Bible teaches Christians can "fall from your own steadfastness"

b. The Bible teaches Christians can be "led away with the error of the wicked"


2. For these reasons he takes so much time describing the "false teachers" who are losing their salvation and trying to take others with them!


3. But if we can remember what Peter says about 

a. The destructiveness of false teachers

b. The doom of false teachers

c. The depravity of false teachers

d. The deceptions of false teachers then we are not likely to be swayed by such individuals.


Beware of "false teachers" we must be careful not to be deterred in our spiritual pilgrimage. 


You have been listening to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH BROADCAST this has been you host Evg. Subrina White