Understanding False Religions Week 8

Jesus name for his sake. Amen. All right, we are uh on page 21 of your notes. Uh we're talking about false religions and and how they come about, how to understand them. Let let me I think I told you a story um in this study, but I had a friend that worked for a bank uh years ago, and when she started working for the bank, they were going to do counterfeit training with her. And when they told her to come in for counterfeit training, she thought, "Oh, they're going to show me all these counterfeit bills and how to tell when they're counterfeit and all the rest of it and have a class on on all these things."

And and when she went in for the class, basically what they did is they put her in a room and they had they did go through a little bit about counterfeit, but then they spent the rest of the time just having her count real money. uh just going through and counting real money and uh counting into piles different different bills and different uh denominations. And she did that for hours and uh and at the end of the class they slipped some counterfeits in there and she knew them immediately from just the feel and the look and everything from them. She knew the real things so well she could tell immediately what was false.

And and and and the same thing is true when you're looking at false religions. We do need to understand something about them and and how they come about and all the rest of it. But the best way to identify a false religion is if they speak not accordance because there's no truth in them. If you know the truth, you're going to be able to see the falsehood right away. Um and so we want to make sure we understand that. Now, we're looking at here the attitudes of false religions towards the substitutionary death. Look at second Peter chapter 2 and verse number one. Second Peter 2:1. But there were false prophets among them, among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

One of the things we want to look at is is is how uh what they teach about the substitutionary death of Christ. What they teach about Jesus. What they teach about being God. What they teach about being man and uh and 100% of both. And the what we call the hypothatic union where he's not half God, half man, but he's he's he's 100% God, 100% man. We want to know exactly what they teach about Jesus Christ. That's where you can see the difference. And um and and and so do they teach salvation by faith alone? Ephesians 2:8:9, for by grace are you saved through faith, then not of yourselves is a gift of God, not of works, lest a man should boast.

And then uh Galatians chapter 1 and verses 6-9. Galatians chapter 1 and verses 6-9. The Bible says, "I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto them, than that which you have we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." As we said before, so say now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you that we you have not received, it'll be a cursed. I want to make this very very clear.

Paul said, listen, if they're not preaching Jesus, it's not true. And when they add works or they add baptism or they add uh whatever else it might be, uh the some tradition or whatever it might be, when they when they do that, then they are not uh they're not a true religion. And that's where you can see a lot of the false religions. They'll talk about and this thing is you got to be careful of they'll they'll use the same name Jesus Christ. They'll use some of the same scriptures. They'll use some of the same words united, but they have different definitions and different interpretations of that.

And we have to make sure we understand that. And then go over to first Peter chapter 1 and verses 18 and 19. And the other thing I want to know is what they what they teach about the redemption through his blood. uh 1 Peter chapter 1:es 18 and 19. For as much as you know that you're not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. And and do they teach the shed blood of Christ? Uh when you when they don't talk about the blood, then they're not talking about the Jesus you and I know his blood was shed.

His body was broken. that needs to be clear in in their teachings. Um, some other scriptures just take a look at real quick is Matthew chapter 26 and verse number 28. Matthew 26:28. For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Uh, Acts chap 20 and verse number 28. Acts chapter 20 and verse number 28. Acts 20:28. When they heard these sayings, uh, no, that's 19. Let me get to 20 here. Acts 20:28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers to feed the churches of God which he purchased with his own blood.

And as you continue through all these passages, the same thing, the blood of Christ, the blood of Christ. When they take that out, uh, then then we have a false religion. And that's one of the things they're going to be wrong on. Okay. So how do they deceive? Go to first Kings chapter 12. First Kings chapter 12. In in in the Jewish nation during this time uh there was a lot of false teaching, false prophets. You can see uh how they went about doing that. Here in first kings chapter 12 and verses 25-33 uh it talks about Jeroboam uh built Sheckchum in mount Ephraim and dwelt there and went out from then built penal and Jeroboam sent his heart how shall the king return to the house of David.

remember the nation is split split into two Judah and Israel and he was trying to get the people he figured if they go over and and sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem that they're going to follow that king and not me. Um so verse number 27 this people go up to do sacrifice the house of the Lord Jerusalem. Then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rayoboam, the king of Judah, and they shall kill him me, and go again to Rayoboam, king of Judah, where unto whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, it is too much for you to go up Jerusalem.

Behold the gods of Israel, uh, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Israel, uh, Egypt, and set the one in Bethl, and the other putting in Dan. And this thing became a sin for the people. Uh went to worship before the one even unto Dan. And then um he made a house of high places, made priest to the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. And Jeroboam ador ordained a feast in the eighth month on the 15th day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah. And he offered unto the altar upon the altar. So did he in Bethl sacrificed unto the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethl the priest the high places which he had made.

So he offered upon the altar which made Bethl the 15th of the day of the eth month even the month which he had devised of his own heart and ordained a feast under the children of Israel and he offered upon the altar and burning incense. What he did is he took the traditions of God and just corrupted them a little bit and and and made it number one more convenient. Oh, you don't have to go all the way to Jerusalem. You can go much closer to home. We'll make this easier on you. And when when some religion and ome group says, "Well, we're going to make things easier." You want to be careful of that.

Now, we don't have to make things hard to worship the Lord. Uh but making things easier. Well, you don't need to go to church as much, and you don't need this, and you don't need that. And and that's one of the signs of a false religion is trying to make things easier. And and a lot of things they do will have an element of truth, and they'll be based upon the traditions of God, but there'll be enough corruption in there to take it away from that. And um and so they they this is what Jerobo that what Jeroboam did and that's what you're going to see a lot of times happening. Go over to Mark chapter 13.

Mark chapter 13 and look at verses 22 and 23. Mark chapter 13 and verses 22 and 23. For false Christ and false prophets shall rise and shall so show signs and wonders to seduce seduce. it is even possible even the elect uh but take ye heed behold I have foretold you all things uh there's going to be signs and when and they're going to do things that look really good on the outside you watch uh some of these uh TV evangelists and and different groups on TV or other places and man it's exciting and it looks really good and uh we have to be careful of that that doesn't make it of the Lord and we've got to watch out for that and so they'll they'll deceive number one letter A there strong personalities.

Uh they'll they'll bring in their own personalities, their own leadership and and um and we see a lot of that today. It's it's all about personalities and about the big crowds and and all the rest of that. Um we've looked at First Kings. Let's uh let's look at First Kings chapter 11 and verse number 28 real quick. First Kings chapter 11 and verse number 28. First Kings 11:28 the Bible says uh and the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. Sometimes we look at somebody says well they're such a talented person or such a famous person that we're going to put him up here in the platform and and yet we don't look at their testimony for the Lord and sometimes we do them hurt by putting them up there before they're mature and ready for that.

Uh you see this with celebrities all over the place. I I remember uh Justin Bieber for a while. There was churches that were had him up on the platform and stuff and and not a godly man. I mean, maybe he is saved. I I I'm not sure on that. Uh he talks about Jesus and a lot of a lot of what's going on with the whole Charlie Kirk thing. Um I I think it's been good and I'm really glad for it. But a lot of those people are speaking at the Charlie Kirk rallies, they're not saved. They're Catholics or other beliefs. uh they're not all believing in Jesus the way we believe in Jesus the way Bible teaches and we have to be careful of that.

We don't get into that personality cult and we don't get this idea because they're famous or because they're talented or because they're rich uh all of a sudden that makes them right and and that's one of the dangers you see with that. Look at u 2 Corinthians chap 11. 2 Corinthians chapter 11 and verses 13- 15. Second Peter or 2 Corinthians chap 11 13-15. For such are false prophets apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves, the apostles of Christ. No marvel, for Satan himself is transformed to the angel of light. Therefore, it's no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be accorded their works.

And so, again, they can look good on the outside and look like, wow, this is really amazing. But we got to look deeper than that. And then also look at second Peter chapter 2 and verses 1-3. Second Peter chapter 2:es 1-3. But there were false prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privately shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that brought bought them and bring upon themselves with destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. and through covetousness shall they be with vain words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingerth not and their damnation slumberth not.

So again, doesn't matter how great speaker they are, how rich, how famous, how, you know, talented they are. Uh many times you'll see strong personalities and the Lord uses the weak things of the world. The Lord uses the base things of the world. And it doesn't mean that somebody that's talented can't serve God and somebody that's rich can't be used of the Lord and somebody that's famous can't be used the Lord. Uh but we have to be careful of that. You have to watch out for that. Um God uses the weak things of this world. 1 Corinthians chapter 1. And um and he also humbles them. Paul had that thorn in the flesh.

Paul was a very talented man. Um he was very intelligent uh very talented. He was well known uh before he got saved and God used him. But in order for God to use him, he had to humble him. And and and I tell you what, if you got somebody that's famous and and upfront and they're serving the Lord and and God and they've never been humbled, then you make that that makes me step back and say, "Wait a minute." Um it doesn't mean that God's punishing them like that. But Paul just had to remember it's not me, it's God. When you're talented or you're famous or you're rich or whatever else, you begin thinking it's me doing this instead of God doing this.

And and and so God will humble those who are leaders. And if God doesn't do that, that makes me wonder uh how God can use him because he uses the weak or he humbles those that are uh that he does use. And um they could start out right. I mean, a lot of cases they have good intentions. Um I'm not saying Jeroboam had bad intentions to begin with, uh but yet he went about it all the wrong way. And uh so often they start out with such good intentions. Uh look at Acts chapter 20. And um in verses n 29-30, Acts chapter 20 and verses 29 through30 it says, "For I know this that after my departed shall grievous wolves enter among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own self shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them, even among themselves." You know, there are some that came up. people that started out with good intentions, started out with the right reasons, the right purpose, but got off path for whatever reason. Um, also look at second Peter chapter 2 and verses 20- 22. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome come the latter overcome the latter end is worse with them the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they have known it turned from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

But it happened unto them according to the true proverb. The dog has turned to his own vomit again a sow that was washed to a walling the mireer. Uh there are those that start out wrong. There are those that start out with good intentions and and and really seem to be right but they really never really truly saved and and and so they got off in the wrong path. And there are even some that are saved that end up turning away from the Lord. And so, uh, a lot of them do start out with at least good intentions and start out with good a good basis, but then they get off for whatever reason. And, um, they end up placing themselves in God'sstead.

They they say, "Listen, I I've got to do this because God can't do it." And and so that's what happened in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Uh you also see this in 1 Timothy chapter 2 and verse number five. 1 Timothy chapter 2 and verse number five. For there's one God and one mediator between God and man, the man man Christ Jesus. And so often it was as they begin to have this attitude, you've got to get to God through me. You need me to to to can make that connection with God. Uh and and there are some that can be sincere but to be sincerely wrong. Uh in in Matthew chapter 16, remember how Jesus said, "Who do people say that I am?"

And Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God." And Jesus is pats him on the back and said, "Peter, you got this right. Upon this statement, I will build my church." And I I mean, he Peter at that point is the the the star of the class. And and you got everything right. And just a couple verses later, Jesus said, "I have to die." And Peter grabbed and said, "No, Lord, you can't die." Now, was Peter sincere with all of his heart? He loved Jesus. He said, "Jesus, you can't die." But what did Jesus say to him? Get thee behind me, Satan. He was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong.

And there are those even that are sincerely truly saved and sincere about wanting to serve the Lord, but they've gotten off and they're sincerely wrong. And and that's one of the things that's always hard to, you know, to deal with because I I believe there's some people that are teaching false doctrine that are sincere. I believe they're saved and they love God, but they're they they've gotten off for whatever reason to a false doctrine. Uh look at Galatians chapter 2 and verses 11-4. Galatians chapter 2:es 11-4. But when Peter was come to Antioch, its stood him to the face because he was to be blamed.

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles. But when they were come, he withdrew and separate himself, fearing them which are the circumcision. And the other drew drew Jews disassembled likewise with him in so much that Barnabas also was carried away with the dis simulation. And then it goes on to say um but when he when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel I said unto Peter uh before them all if thou bring a Jew being a Jew livest at the manner of Gentiles and not as do the Jews why compelst thou the Gentiles live as do the Jews. Peter again here was sincere but he had gotten you know he'd gotten let the pressure of the crowd get to him.

And so what happened is is he, you know, he wasn't getting together with the gentile Christians. He would kind of say, "Well, I'm Jew and well with the Jews over here, not with the Gentiles." Where God had clearly, remember, Acts said, "What I've called clean, don't you call unclean." And yet he had this separation. And Paul had to rebuke him, say, "Wait a minute. These are our brothers in Christ. What are you doing here?" And and sometimes this is what happens is people could be sincere but be sincerely wrong. And and that's what we have to understand there. Um but so you have to look at that their personality and then selfish purposes.

Um you know 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Jeroboam wanted to move them closer so he could keep control over the people and um so very selfish purposes. in second Peter chapter 2 and uh verse number uh 10- 20. Uh second Peter chapter 2 beginning verse 10. Uh it talks about chiefly them that walk after the flesh and the lust of uncleanness and despise governments. Presumptious are they self-willed. They're not afraid to speak evil dignitaries. Whereas angels which are greater in power and might and might bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these as natural bub beasts. It goes on this whole passage just talks about that that they in verse 19 they promised liberty.

They themselves are servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome. Um you've got people that that have pretty much kind of compromised. Why? Because they they they've got their own agenda. They've got their own purpose. And and sometimes this can happen because they're trying to build a kind of a cult of personality. But even among our good churches, it could happen. And uh I've seen pastors, you know, do this and stuff. We got to be careful of that that we don't allow that to happen. And then um so the compromise what's called the era of Balum, the error of Balum. Look at Jude and verse number 11.

The book of Jude and verse number 11. Woe unto them for they have gone in the way of Cain and ran gerily after the error of Balum for reward and perished in the gain saint of court. Um the way of Cain is Cain's heart was not right before God. He brought his own sacrifice to God. You have the the way of Balam who led Israel into sin by kind of a deception. And then you have the way of Core who would rebelled against the authority of Moses and uh and the leadership that God had set. And and this is a lot of times what will happen uh in second Peter chapter 2 and verse number 15. Second Peter chapter 2 and verse number 15.

Which have forsaken the right way and gone astray following the way of Balam the son of Bozar who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Just that that compromise. That's the way of Balum. But just let's just compromise here. Let's not let's not be sticks in the mud. Let's not hold fastly. Let's compromise. And that's the way of Balum. And then you see that uh also uh in Revelation chapter 2 and verse number 14. Revelation chapter 2 and verse number 14. But of I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balum who taught Bailo to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed on idols and commit fornication.

Uh you know, we just got to get along with the world. We just got to, you know, we don't have to be so strict. That's the doctrine of Balum. And oftentimes that comes out in that false religion. And you see that in Numbers chapter 22 through 24. And then not only compromise but covetousness. Look at second Peter chapter 2 and verse number three. Second Peter chapter 2 and verse number three. And through covetousness shall they with vain words make merchandise of you whose judgment now of a long time lingerth not. And their damnation slubberth not. And verse 14 having eyes full of adultery they cannot cease from sin.

beguil and unstable souls and heart that they have exercised with covetous practice cursed children. And so a lot of times what'll happen is compromise comes because sometimes just covenant for power or coveting for money. But even among good circles, you know, a lot of times a pastor can say, you know what, the church needs to be bigger so we can pay for things and stuff. So we're going to have to make some compromises here so we get a bigger crowd in. and uh and and and sometimes it's not just for the financial aspect. It be for the you know this this group over here's got a big crowd and I want a big crowd too.

So I'm going to do more of what they do and and so those compromises come because of that and because they're coveting maybe power or money or numbers or whatever else it might be. And then uh similar principles uh again Isaiah chapter 8 verse 20 if they speak not accord because there's no truth in them. And and so what uh Jeroboam did is he said I'm going to teach things that are close but just enough wrong to be counterfeit. And um in second Timothy chapter 3 and verse number five. Turn over there. Second Timothy chapter 3 and verse number five. having a form of godliness but denying the power there from such turn away.

Uh the word form here is like a facade on the front it looks good but you get a little deep you get a little behind it there and all of a sudden you ee there's no depth to it and and that'll happen a lot of times you get onto something on the internet and it looks good. My wife was talking about she uh will sometimes turn on the Christian radio program. she like there's certain uh you know speakers preachers that she likes to listen to and she said this this one guy he sounds just like another one but he's not and every once and I'll realize halfway through listening to oh this isn't him because of what he said you know he's teaching false truth and uh it's got the facade of looking and sounding good and you have to be careful whether it's on the radio or the TV or on the internet now uh that looks good on the outside but there's no depth to it and uh same words different meanings.

Matthew chapter 5 and verse number 18. They'll talk about Jesus. They'll talk about salvation. They'll talk about grace. They'll use all the same words but a different meaning to it. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tit one tit shall no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. And and so we we got to realize that uh we got to we got to define words. That's one of the things today is you really got to ask what does what do you mean by that word and uh and and and and by that statement they can have a doctrinal statement sounds identical to ours but it means something very very differently.

Uh and so we have to define our words. Um and they have the same Bible but a different Lord. Uh in John chapter one in the beginning was the word. And you know this we see this clearly with the Jehovah's Witness. They'll they'll go to John chapter 1. They'll talk about Jesus being a god instead of the god. And and and so they take the the word of God, but they corrupt it. And uh we ought to be careful of that. Uh they add to the word of God in Revelation 22 and verse number 18. Revelation 22 verse 18. For I testify to every man that heareth the words of the people the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

Um, they add to the word of God. And you know, this is what the Bible says, but and and sometimes they'll do it by just literally adding to. You got the Book of Mormon, for example, and they'll have a whole whole set of the things they add to it, but sometimes they'll add their interpretation to it. And that's what you have to be careful to as well. And uh and and they'll question God's word. Does God really say that? Genesis chapter 3. Did he really say don't don't you know and they'll question God's word? And um and then they'll add to God's word. Um you know, God didn't say that she couldn't touch it.

Uh by the way, that was still a good thing. If you're not supposed to eat it, it's a good idea not to touch it. Uh in Proverbs, it talks about don't look upon the wine when it move itself upright in the glass. Uh that's a good way not to drink. If you don't look at it, you're not going to get drinking it. And and so um they add to the word of God and then they take the word of God out of context in Matthew chapter 4 and verse number six. Matthew chapter 4 and verse number six. And he saith them, if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, he shall give angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Satan quoted scripture. Good quote, bad, out of context. It's not what God was talking about there. And and so he took it out of context. And then they challenged the word of God. U Matthew chap 16 and verses 21- 23. Matthew chapter 16 and verses 21- 23. From that time forth began Jesus showing disciples how that he must go in Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him began to rebuke him saying Be it far from thee Lord. This shall not be unto thee. And he turned and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan.

Thou are an offense unto me, for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but th those that be of men." He challenged the word of God. This is what Jesus said. He said, "No, Lord, it can't be." And a lot of times we do the same thing. Now again most of us if we walked into a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses we immediately identify all this. If you walked in a meeting of Mormons you'd be able to see all this. But where where we miss it is the subtleties. And especially again today on the internet is the biggest danger. And we've really got to take a look at what are they saying and and where are they coming from and look at the interpret the words they're using and the interpretation.

You got to you got to have a discernment because there's so much out there that is false. There's some great stuff on the internet and I praise God for that. But there's also so much out there is so false, but it sounds good. And that's what we got to be careful of. Um they take away from the word of God in Revelation chapter 22. Not only do not add to it, but they were to take away from it. um they reject or change inspired revelation. In Acts chapter 10 and verse number 15, Acts chapter 10 and verse number 15, it says, "And the voice spake unto him again the second time, what God had cleansed that call not thou comment."

You know, Peter is trying to say, "Oh, I can't do that." And wait a minute, this is what I'm telling you. and and again they'll take away they'll they reject or change inspired revelation and and they don't want to accept that. And then the overemphasis on parts of the word to neglect the rest. Look at Lukeap 11 and verse 42. One of the things I I I look at is what is their hobby horse? Everybody's got their hobby horses. There's there's statements I'll make over and over again. There's certain verses that anybody's been in the church for a while know I'm going to quote that probably sometime the next two or three weeks.

Uh there's certain things I'm going to talk about uh you know many times and and that's okay because that the Bible is about repetition line upon line and precept upon precept but but watch for those hobby horses especially things that that become the priority even over salvation over the word of God over the foundations of of the doctrines of God and they become that hobby horse. Even good things um can become hobby horses. in Luke 11 and verse number 42. But woe unto you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and the rue and all manner of herbs and Passover judgment and love of God. These ought you have done not to leave the other undone.

They had they had gotten a hobby horse. You got to tithe. Man, tithe. I believe is a big deal in the Bible. I believe it's important and I believe that's one of the basises where God's going to bless you and it's one of the ways you show God that you love him. I I think tithing is very very important issue but not to the neglect of love and grace and those things and and so we have to be careful when you when you see some preacher or some group and and they got this one hobby horse a couple hobby horses that's a danger you got to watch out for and uh and and seeing that. Okay. And then in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 when Jer Jeroboam he he had sinful people as well.

Uh and and you want to look for that 2 Timothy chapter 4 years ago and you may still recognize his name. There was a guy named Oral Roberts Oral Roberts University. He was a well-known uh TV preacher and an evangelist. and he got caught with a woman, you know, going going out and finding women on the street and stuff like that. He got caught really big scandal and and yet didn't stop him. And and you know, you know, God can forgive sin, but at the same time, you know, when somebody's sinful, that's not the person I should be listening to. You know, again, you got the example David in the Bible, and David was, man, he messed up really bad.

and and and and and God forgave him and God even called him friend after God's own heart. And I'm not saying oral Roberts and these other guys could not get right with God. But God David paid the consequences and and David was not God said you can't build the temple. You can't he limited what David could do. And when you got people up there that are they're sinful that says something in 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verses 1-4. It says, "I charge it before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead is appear in his kingdom. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering doctrine.

For the time will come when they now endure sound doctrine, but after their own lush shall they heap themselves teacher having itching ears, and they shall turn away from the truth and shall be turned onto fables." They're following people that are just clearly not following God. And and that that's what amazes me so often is is how people seem to be so gullible and and and you I'll be able to look at their lives and say this isn't, you know, and it could go both ways. I see some of these famous evangelists, they got the the $10 million mansions and they're driving Corvettes and they've got their own private planes.

Folks, I'm sorry. That's not of God. That's not of God. I don't think preachers have to be the poorest guy in town. And there's nothing wrong with having a nice house. We've got a nice house that God's blessed us with and we praise God for that. But, you know, when they're when they're in that when you see that, you got to say there's something wrong here. There's something not right here. And and it's like the same with our politicians. When you got politicians that after they go into politics, now they're worth $4 million, you know, or $40 million, you know, there's something wrong here and it should be waving a red flag.

But what do they do? Get voted back in every year. And people follow these guys and and we see that um there's a lack of spiritual exercise in 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verses 7 and 8 Paul tells Timothy uh a godly man by all you know he was a man had a great testimony a godly man but refused profane no wise fables and exercise thyself rather than godliness for bodily excise profit little but godliness and profit on all things having promised the life that now is that which is to come. a lack of spiritual exercise. They they don't continue studying. Man, I've still got a lot to learn and I can't stop studying and I can't stop learning.

I got to put into practice my own life. And and you you going to see that uh cults appeal to emotions like pride, laziness, and greed, but not reason and logic. Come now, let us reason together, sayeth the Lord. And when they but when they're appealing more to your emotions or your pride or your greed, you know, send me in $1,000 and and God will bless you with 10,000, you know, uh when they appeal to that, you you know there's something wrong there. And and basically they want to become like gods. In Genesis chapter 3, that's what the devil told Eve. You become like God. And uh you see this over and over again.

Look at Isaiah chapter 14. Isaiah chapter 14 and verse number 14. Isaiah 14 and verse 14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the most high. And then you also see this in in um I lost my place here. Let me get back where I'm at. Ezekiel chapter 28. Ezekiel chapter 28 and verse number two. So son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, thus sayith the Lord God, because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God in the midst of the seas, yet thou are a man and not god, though thou sit thine heart set thine heart as the heart of God. This is exactly what Satan did.

This is what you see in in false uh religions and and sorted priests. Priests that are corrupted and and really have just followed the world. Um see this begin back with Jeroboam. You see this in first Timothy chapter 3 where Paul uh talks about this uh they compromise standards for leadership. You know we we want leaders so we're not willing to set standards for that. And I'll tell you folks, that is a battle today in many ways. It's one of the battles we battle in every church is getting leaders who will have standards, who will uh live a godly life and uh and and that's hard to maintain. It's a hard battle uh to to fight.

Um and and changing God's plan for today. Um 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse number 15. 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 15. But if I tar long that thou mayest know how thou aest behave thyself in the house of God, which is a church of the living God and a pillar in the ground, the truth. Folks, God's plan today is the local church. And when you get anybody saying the local church is not pertinent today and it's no longer necessary, you got something that's false. It's always going to be come back to the local church. doesn't mean there's not a place for what we call paraurch organizations or uh these churches that either outside the church but work with the churches understand the the primacy of

the local church and and the authority of the local church and when they start saying you got to do it differently it's not going to work uh God's way then there's a problem there with that and then sacrificial pollution and substitute policies again you don't have to give your life as a living sacrifice. You don't have to separate from the world. You don't have to have standards. That's the teaching of false doctrine of false religions. Uh and and they they talk about this idea and then we're going to do it. We don't have to do it God's way. We can do it differently. And and so there's sacrifice without obedience.

Um 1 Samuel chapter 15, Samuel uh Saul was waiting for Samuel. And Samuel was a probably a Baptist because he was late and uh he didn't get there in time. And Saul was afraid the people were going to leave. He was getting ready to go into battle. He wanted to have a sacrifice to the Lord before he went to battle. And uh instead of waiting for Samuel, Saul made the sacrifice, which was not his place to do. And and because of that, God had to judge him for that. He sacrificed and and that verse he says, you know, is is is sacrifice more important than obedience? And when we we forget that um you know we've got to obey as well as the sacrifice and we got to do it God's way.

And then they substitute another gospel. We saw that in Galatians chapter 1 when they start preaching this this corrupted gospel either a social gospel a work salvation um a gospel that just talks about believe in Jesus and there's no substitutionary death. Those are corrupted gospels. And then number G is spiritual prophets and policies. Um in 1 Corinthians chapter third first Kings chapter 13, let's turn back over there. First Kings chapter 13 and verse number one. Behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethl. And Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

You know, he was doing what was not his job to do, just like Saul had. and uh and he was he was the wrong person to do the wrong thing. Look at 1 Corinthians, 1 Kings, I'm sorry again, 1 Kings chapter 18 and verses 17 and 18. First Kings 18 and verses 17 and 18. And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah that Ahab said unto him, art thou he that troubled Israel? And answered, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou has followed Balum. So again, they were follow you. you know, you you want to have spiritual prophets and and these are these were not and and policies that they're they're not willing to accept that they didn't I don't like this guy because he always says evil against me.

They didn't like what the word said. Um so we got to watch for ourselves. Look at look at second John and verse number eight. The book of second John and verse number eight. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought but that we receive a full reward. And and I really want to challenge you. I've seen a lot of good godly people who later in life turned away from the Lord. And some just turned completely just stopped going to church altogether and stop serving the Lord. And others who begin to compromise just little by little. and and you've got to constantly be checking yourself in your beliefs, in your standards, in your in your life.

Watch for yourselves and and to take a stand, to be willing to take that stand. Look at look at second Timothy chapter 4. 2 Timothy chapter 4 and verses 14- 18. Uh Alexander the copper coppermith did me much evil. The Lord reward him accord his works. Of whom be thou where also for heth greatly withtood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me that by me the preaching might be fully known that all the Gentiles might hear and was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

The Lord should deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. To whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. There's times you got to be willing to stand up and say, "You know what? This isn't right." And that and that's not easy to do. And I don't think we have to go around spend our whole life and ministry uh putting down other groups. Uh but there's a time you got to say what this guy is teaching is wrong. What this group is teaching is wrong. What they're doing is wrong. And take a stand against that. Um look at 1 Timothy chapter 1 and verses 18- 20. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies with before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck, of whom is Himenius and Alexander, whom delivered out of Satan, that they may learn not to blasphe.

There's times to name names. Alexander the Coffermith, Himenius, uh, and and so on. There's times that you got to name names. There's times you got to say, "This is wrong." and and and you got to take a stand against what's wrong. Um, and you got to be an example also. In 1 Peter chapter 5, verses 1-3 says, "The elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also partaker of the glory that shall be revealed, feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucer, but of ready mind.

These are being lords over God's heritage, but being examples of the flock." And we just need to set the right kind of example. One of my desires as a pastor is to set an example for the people in the church. They can they can look and say, "Okay, this is what living for God is about." Not perfection, willing to admit, "Here's my weaknesses. Here's my failures. Here's where I've struggled, but you but also taking that that stand for the Lord." In Romans chapter 15, we then are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. And and we got to be willing. If we're not going to take the stand, who is? And we got to be willing to do that. We're going to stop there and we'll finish this off probably next week. And then the week after that, we're going to begin a study on esquetology, things to come. What about the future? And so we'll begin that study. So, appreciate you being out tonight. And let's again, please be praying about the November