Beware
Acts: How to Act Like the Church? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Intro/Review
Intro/Review
John MacArthur “False teachers don’t usually come with a warning label. They come quoting Scripture.”
It has been a while since we have been in Acts, but if you remember we left off talking about Stephen, who ended up being murdered.
As we see here though it did not stop the Gospel for going forward, it only assisted in it going forward
As the Gospel goes forward it will continue to face opposition
As opposition continues it is good to know what to look for. Saul was obviously a persecutor of the church, but Simon who we will look at today was not as obvious
Today we face many more Simons than we do Sauls
This morning I believe it will become apparent that, Not all opposition to the gospel is hostile—some of it is counterfeit.
Simon the Magician and His Legacy
Simon the Magician and His Legacy
Simon had made a great name for himself by his magic (supernatural means), but he was prime example of what subtle internal corruption can look like.
Dark magic is real
Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.
It did not say an illusion, but actual serpents
You may be thinking well if it is dark should not people be afraid and run, not necessarily. Simon had made a great name for himself by his deeds
Dark magic can often appear as something good
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
One lesson we then learn from Simon is just because someone is accompanied by what seems great supernatural power does not mean they are necessarily a servant of God, their power may be from a inferior supernatural force
A way the devil can cause great destruction is making people confuse all supernatural with godliness
If he can make people believe a false teacher by empowering them to do a little good in amazing ways, what an effective weapon he can unfortunately be
During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
The devil can stir emotions in ways. In a since he can whisper influence into our ears
Just because the preachers, influencers, music you listen to have the right outward marks does not mean they are of God
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
How do we know?
Just like a counterfeit dollar bill has its tells so does a counterfeit believer
Handle the real enough, the fake will be evident even when you are not sure why
As we saw in 2 Corinthians the end sometimes will reveal
Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
One advantage to listening/reading pastors who have gone on, rather or not they have finished well is revealed
Do not let teachers have influence over you that had their life's constantly marked by scandal and misteps
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints,
Listen to the spiritual leaders in your life that have been gifted with discernment
A pastor has been called to guard the sheep, this has been gifted to an extent with discernment
Peter and John called out Simon
“Simon did not deny Christ—he tried to use Christ. That pattern has never left the church.”
Who are some teachers you need to watch out for today?
As we go through some of these examples, remember they are examples, I am not teaching you just how to memorize and avoid a list, I want you to learn biblically how to discern
Churches/ministries that are built around a personality
A prime example of this is Mark Driscol and the church of Mars Hill (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast)
Churches/ministries that have a message void of wrath and judgment and repentance
Joel Osteen teachers such a message, a message of living your best life now, without true concern for all's best life for eternity
He himself has admitted his aim in preaching is to make people feel good
Churches/ministries that readily teach things contrary to scripture
Bethel in Redding, California is a prime example
Leadership talks of a story where a student awakens an angel that brings revival
Grave sucking
Prophetic uno
They own a music label, that many listen to their artist, be on guard
The book of Enoch is not scripture
We have the defined canon of God right here, there are to be no less and no more than what is right here
Old testament was already established by the time of Jesus, if the book of Enoch and other apocrypha writings needed to be made equal to scripture he would have done so
New Testament is established under the criteria of: apostle origins, how did the early church recognize it, and content of the book (in relations to the apostles teaching and other scripture)
I will tell you though why it is so popular, it takes much blame off of humans and places it upon fallen angels
Some of you may also be going well bro Austin Jude quotes the book of Enoch
Paul quotes pagan poets in Acts and Titus, are we gonna argue they are scripture
All it shows is that even truth can be found in uninspired sources.
So if someone puts a focus on Enoch, that is a red flag
Do not confuse Christian nationalism with Christianity
Refer to chart
I cannot emphasis enough be on guard against false teachers, be vigilant they are everywhere
They are very successful, success does not equal anointing
Wide acceptance as Acts shows is not the typical response
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Listen and Listen close, you will never be the mainstream, you will never be the majority
Encouragment
Encouragment
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Do not be discouraged you cannot point out false teachers, it will come with maturity
Outro
Outro
1. Anchor Yourself in the Word
Discernment does not come from suspicion but from saturation in Scripture.
Handle the real long enough, and the counterfeit will reveal itself.
2. Evaluate Fruit, Not Just Gifts
Ask: Does this teaching lead to repentance, holiness, and submission to Christ—or to fascination and self-exaltation?
Gifts impress; fruit proves.
3. Choose Faithfulness Over Popularity
The church has never been called to be mainstream.
If acceptance by the world is the goal, the cross must be softened—and Scripture must be trimmed.
4. Submit to Godly Oversight
God has given shepherds to guard, warn, and protect.
Discernment is both a personal responsibility and a communal gift.
5. Remember the End Will Reveal the Truth
Some deception is only exposed over time.
God is not in a hurry, but He is never fooled.
