The following is an outline of the message available on Youtube.
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Introduction
Matthew 24:3 - As He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus gives a response
Matthew 24:4-5 - Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
First thing Jesus does is cautions them and says to beware of deception. There would come many who are out to deceive.
“Many shall come in my name” - Not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, or claiming to be His followers, but in the name of Christ, or claiming to be Christ – “I am Christ” – “I am the Messiah” – “I am the anointed Saviour”
Examples
Sun Myung Moon (Korea) – Moonies – Unification Church – claimed to be the Messiah and the Second Coming of Christ
Jim Jones - claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus
Matthew 24:11- And many false prophets will rise and will deceive many.
There are deceptions in other areas of life (social justices, political agendas, cultural ideas) – some sounds good, but understand there are agendas behind it.
Deception and Signs/Wonders and Manifestations
Matthew 24:24 - For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Signs and Wonders May Confirm Truth
but
Signs and Wonders Do Not Determine Truth
Two Questions to ask when looking at Manifestations (Signs and Wonders)
Q1 - Is of the Holy Spirit—or from some other source?
3 Sources – Holy Spirit (God), demonic/evil, fleshly
Satan can produce lying signs to attest his lies - 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 - Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His presence, even him, whose coming is in accordance with the working of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders…
Q2 - Is it in agreement with Scripture?
The Holy Spirit never does anything that contradicts God’s Word
2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
John 16:13-14 - But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and will declare it to you.
Four Thoughts (Ways) of Protection from Deception
1 - Humble Ourselves
1 Peter 5:5-6 - Likewise you younger ones, submit yourselves to the elders. Yes, all of you be submissive one to another and clothe yourselves with humility, because “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
We must be willing to submit (elders) and walk in humility - God says – Humble yourselves under the mighty hands of God
Psalm 25:8-9 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He will teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek He will teach His way.
A characteristic of being meek is being humble/teachable.
2 - Receive The Love Of The Truth (Word)
2 Thessalonians 2:10 – (Satan would deceive with signs and wonders) and with all deception of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love for the truth that they might be saved.
Do we have a love of receiving the truth – (result: might be saved)
Alternative: not receiving the truth – (result: deception)
Only God’s Word determines truth
2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
God’s Word is profitable for teaching, reproof (rebuke, discipline), correction (adjusting, improvement) and instruction
John 17:17 - Sanctify (set apart, read and obey) them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Notice Jesus did not say, it contains truth, but that the Word of God is truth.
Psalm 119:89 - Forever, O Lord, Your word is established in heaven. It does not change.
Our only safety is to know the truth of God’s Word - John 8:32 - You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
By God’s Word we must test all things - 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good.
Test everything against the Word of God
Test things from the Internet, TV, Social Media
3 - Cultivate The Fear Of The Lord
Scriptural promises about Fearing the Lord
-It is clean, enduring forever - Psalm 19:9 - the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
-wisdom, knowledge – Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
-strong confidence—fountain of life—escape snares of death - Proverbs 14:26–27 - In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
-leads to life—abide in satisfaction – Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord tends to life, and he who has it will abide satisfied; he will not be visited with evil.
4 - Keep The Cross Central
The Pattern of Paul—1 Corinthians 2:1–5 - Brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Attention on the cross excludes pride and worldliness - Galatians 6:14 - God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
Christ is the Saviour, not us, we don’t accomplish it ourselves.
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