Sermon Tone Analysis

*A STUDY ON SPIRITISM*

by Ralph Sorter

 

 

I.

INTRODUCTION

A.    Spiritism is the oldest and deadliest of the cults.

B.    1975 - 700,000 followers in U.S.; 2,000,000 followers in the world.

C.    Definition: Spiritualism is the masquerade of demonic forces, who pretend to be departed spirits with the intent of deceiving through the power of Satan those foolish enough to believe the testimony of demons in preference to the authority of the Word of God Himself.

D.    It has an appeal because it confirms for its followers life after death and reunion with their loved ones.

E.     Many great men of high learning and scientific background have put spiritualism to the most grueling tests of scientific methods and confirmed its reality beyond doubt.

F.     Spiritism received its greatest rebirth in 1848 by Kate and Margaret Fox.

Their communications with the dead as mediums became known as “The Rochester Rapping’s.”

G.

Those who became interested in the psychic phenomena are:  James Fenimore Cooper, Daniel Webster, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and many others.

H.    Scientists have proved that spiritism is forces at work which cannot be explained by any known physical law.

I.       Spiritism has made its strongest appeal to those who have suffered great loss, and after each great war.

Spiritism always seems to be on the upgrade following the death of a beloved husband, brother, or son.

J.

There are many Christians who suffer from the illusion that all spiritism, or spiritistic evidence, is fraudulent, and prefer to rest comfortably in the belief that spiritism is not an indication of demonic power in our age.

K.   As long as a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, they can never be possessed by demonic forces.

Christians are shielded and protected by the power of the indwelling Spirit.

There is no demonic force that can withstand the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

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II.

TEACHINGS OF SPIRITISM

A.    Spiritism followers must deny the following doctrines in order to hold their beliefs and practices:

1.     Inspiration and final authority of God’s word.

2.     The holy trinity.

3.     The deity of Christ.

4.     The virgin birth.

5.     The atonement of Christ.

6.

The bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave.

7.     The doctrine of salvation, through faith in Christ.

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III.

SPIRITUALIST ACTIVITIES BROUGH DIVINE CONDEMNATION AND SAUL’S DEATH  - 1 Sam.

28 \\ \\

IV.

IV.  BIBLICAL RECORDS OF THE ACTIVITY OF SPIRITISM

A.    Ex.

7:11,22;  8:16-19

B.    2 Ki. 21:1-6

C.    Isa.

8:19

D.    Dan.

1:20;  2:2,27;  4:7

E.     Acts 13:1-12 \\ \\

V.    WARNINGS AND LAWS AGAINST SPIRITISM

A.    Gen.

40:8

B.    Ex.

22:18

C.    Lev.

19:31;  20:6,27

D.    Deut.

18:9-14

E.     1 Sam.

15:23

F.     Isa.

47:9

G.    Micah 5:12

H.    Nahum 3:1-4 \\ \\

VI.

COMMANDMENTS TO CHRISTIANS

A.    Jn.

8:42-44

B.    1 Cor.

6:19-20

C.    1 Thess.

5:21-22

D.    1 Jn. 4:1-6 \\ \\

VII.

CONCLUDING SCRIPTURE \\ Jn. 1:29