In today's message, we'll be reminded that FALSE TEACHING...is a present danger. Pastor Terry will reference the twenty-third chapter of the book of Jeremiah. He'll use that portion of Scripture to exhort us to NOT listen to the words of a false prophet. You see, false prophecy is destructive. But often times, people cannot TELL the difference between true and false prophets. They are cunning. They weave LIES in among the truth. So in order to steer clear of deception, we must cling to what we KNOW to be truth. And that's the Word of God.

False teachers are popular. They attract large crowds. Itching ears.

Sometimes use the lure of potential prosperity “health and wealth”

In the book of Second Timothy we read: 'For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.' It's passages like this that fully illustrate the relationship between false teachers and their audience. You see, the false teachers have a FALSE message to teach. But first, they need a captive audience. One that is not willing to endure SOUND doctrine.

We've all heard the saying: 'Practice what you preach.' Well, that saying isn't exactly found in the Scriptures. However, the principle is still there. As believers, we should be people of our word. We're to do what we say...and say what we do. We're NOT to be hypocrites. However, as we'll learn today, most false prophets ARE hypocrites. They don't even practice the LIES that they PREACH! Many of them are out for personal notoriety and financial gain. And it's those who aren't founded on the truth of God's Word...being lead by His Spirit, who become deceived.

There are many signs to watch for...when you're looking to spot a false teacher. First and foremost, what they teach...will NOT line up with the truth of God's Word. Secondly, as Pastor Terry will explain today, they are out for monetary gain. They desire wealth and prosperity. They prey on those who aren't founded in the truth. They convince them to give and give. They EXPLOIT people! They merchandise them! Their motivation isn't to see lost souls SAVED. THEIR goal is power and personal gain. They are motivated by greed.

The Bible is clear. We are saved by grace through faith, not of works. If it were possible for us to be justified by our WORKS, then there would be no need for a Savior. In the Scriptures we learn that OUR works are as filthy rags. There's no WAY they can help us attain righteousness! You see, it's not by what WE do (or have done). It's by the finished work of JESUS that we can be saved. Salvation is a FREE gift! One that cannot be earned! So as recipients of salvation, we're given God's grace so that we can be made ABLE to do the works He has prepared for us.

We are all human. We were birthed by our mothers...and we will ALL eventually die. But the question is: Are you READY? You see, death most often times, comes as a surprise. We never know when we will breathe our last. And so we must be sure that we're ready...NOW. And HOW can we be READY? Well, we MUST be born-again. And as a born-again believer...we should be in a continuously growing relationship with the Father. We need to make sure our HEARTS are right before Him. No one wants to be caught...not ready.

Pastor Terry will give an exhortation today. An exhortation to REMEMBER all the many blessings God has given you. You see, we often get bogged down with the trials of life. Relationship issues, failing careers, and even financial troubles can distract us. They keep us from remembering ALL that God has ALREADY done for us. And it's those things that He's already DONE...that should serve as a reminder of His FAITHFULNESS towards us. Remember that God works all things together for good, for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.

Do you call yourself a Christian? Are you a believer in the God of the Bible? Well if you are...then Pastor Terry has an exhortation for YOU. He'll share with us today...the IMPORTANCE of spending TIME with GOD. We can't SAY we love and follow Him, if we're not interested in spending time with you. We can't say we have a relationship with Him...if it's not our desire to KNOW Him. Understand this: God WANTS to spend time with YOU! He loves you! He wants to be your EVERYTHING! We can't make it through this life on our own. We NEED Him.

In today's message, Pastor Terry will remind us that our bodies...our earthly TENTS will not last forever. One day, they will return to the dust from which they came. Now that doesn't give us clearance to TRASH our bodies and to do whatever we'd like to them. On the contrary, we're to be good stewards of what God has given us. And that INCLUDES our earthly tents. However, some people go OVERboard. They place TOO much emphasis on their physical bodies. As BELIEVERS, we're to be focused MORE on the things which are eternal.

In the book of Second Timothy we'll read: '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 complete, thoroughly equipped for EVERY good work.' Pastor Terry will use this portion of Scripture today to share with us the IMPORTANCE of the Word of God. We'll be reminded that ALL Scripture is God-breathed. The Bible isn't just a historical book...it's our Father's loving instructions for life.