Understanding the Craftly Ways of Deception

Notes
Transcript
Deception Defined: an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true; A falsehood.
Hebrews 3:13 ESV
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Proverbs 14:15 ESV
The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Colossians 2:8 ESV
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Preaching Only that God is Love

Neglect crucial aspects of the Gospel proclamation
When we shy away from God’s attributes of justice, and wrath because we want to be nice, Jesus’ death means virtually nothing and the individual never humbles themselves in faith and repentance.
Hell makes no sense, Jesus redemptive work makes no sense, the person never humble self!
2. Falsity of saying God loves unconditionally.
2nd Pet 3 and 9 “The Lord is not slack..”
Obtaining the Gift is CONDITIONAL
2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 ESV
since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
3. This is an imbalanced portrayal of Jesus.
Many preachers present Jesus as this soft, feminized, needy, always meek, boyfriend that simply doles out helpful advice.
He’s just pining for you, longing for you, he wants friendship and relationship with you, he needs you, you’re breaking his heart. NO! he’s going to break you.
John 15:14 ESV
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
John 14:15 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1 John 2:3–4 ESV
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

Salvation is by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone

Many do not preach repentance (especially with the “you’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone preaching).
You continue to engage in the very things the Christ died for and you suffer the reproach of your sin
Repentance is a primary part of the Gospel message
John the Baptist
Jesus - One of the first things he talked about was repentance
Woman at the Well, Jn 4th chap
Woman caught in adutery, Jn 8th chap
Nicodemus John 3rd chap
Matthew 21:32 ESV
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
Luke 13:3 ESV
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Luke 13:5 ESV
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Luke 5:32 ESV
I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
The Apostles
Acts 2:38 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 2:4 ESV
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
Ephesians 5:8 ESV
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Follow Christ for a Better Life

We preach a Gospel that tells people to follow Jesus for a better life. And this better life always equates to money.
Steve Harvey – why are you imagining you want to be rich one day – That’s God talking to you.
They by into this, they work hard to get rich – it does not happen and then they blame God for letting them down so they deconstruct.
Some see Jesus only value as being the world’s cheapest fire insurance. Partly true. Coming to Jesus and love because he lovingly saved us from hell and the wrath of God
Matthew 19:21 ESV
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
CONCLUSION
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Galatians 3:13 ESV
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
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