I'll Be Honest

What do we have in common with those who deny what the Scriptures teach about Jesus? We have nothing in common with them. It is right that doctrine divides us from those who "do not abide in the teaching of Christ," because they "do not have God." (2 John 1:9-10)

Our relationship with God is called fellowship because He shares with us His love, peace and joy. What glorious realities these are for a sinner to be brought into the perfect peace of the Father and the Son.

Jesus Christ went to the Cross to open the door for us to share in the peace He had when facing the Cross. The world has forms of peace; financial peace, peace treaties, but Christ offers a peace that He earned for us and that is beyond any form of peace this world offers, it is to have peace with God.

You will either be offended by the Lord Jesus and the way He does things or you will trust Him entirely even though there are many times God does things that we don't understand. There are only two possible responses to Jesus Christ, to stumble over Him or believe in Him. Luke 7:23 says - And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.

This sermon, and the following two in the series, are especially helpful for Christians wondering about a particular teacher, whether he falls into this category of "false prophet." May the Lord help you to identify false teachers so that you may avoid and, when necessary, expose them.

False teachers often quote the Bible but they twist and misapply the real meaning of the Word of God in order to promote their own agenda.

False teachers will tend either to legalism, adding works to be saved or majoring on the minors; or lawlessness, living a sinful life while saying you are "forgiven and OK". Also, as is so common, they will simply be greedy and in the ministry for money. May we "beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." - Matthew 7:15

How is your fellowship with God? Can you boldly say, "Yes, my life is one of fellowship with the Father and with His Son--that is normative and descriptive of my life! No, it's not where I want it to be, I want more, but overall I know what it is like to be walking with God."

Is your Christianity a reflection of the God who is light in whom there is no darkness at all? The fundamental difference between the true Christian and false Christian is that the true Christian is reflecting God's character.

Some passages in the Bible are very hard to understand. However Hebrews 13:17 is not hard to understand, rather it's hard to hear. In our culture when people hear, "Obey your leaders and submit to them", they tend to cringe; whether it's because of abusive leaders or because of how individualistic a person may be. No matter what the reason, in this message Ryan Fullerton pleads with the Christian to seek to hear what the passage is saying and obey it because it is for your advantage.