Don't Be Led Astray

DON’T BE LED ASTRAY Cornerstone C&MA Church May 17, 2020 10:00AM Matthew 24:4–14 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) — Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” I. BEWARE OF FALSE SAVIORS! A. 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. B. __________________________________________________________________________. C. Savior: (financial, moral, political, spiritual). D. __________________________________________________________________________. E. Many false messianic figures arose in the first century (and subsequently); they often attracted large and devoted followings. Although Josephus, writing for Gentile readers, describes them as “false prophets” rather than as messiahs, their political aspirations are usually apparent in his descriptions.1 II. BE DISCERNING A. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. B. __________________________________________________________________________. C. __________________________________________________________________________. III. 1 BE PREPARED Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Mt 24:4–5). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. A. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. B. _________________________________________________________________________. C. Matthew 24:36 (ESV) — “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. D. ________________________________________________________________________. IV. THE END WILL COME A. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. B. Universal persecution, apostasy and worldwide missions revival mark the final era. These events began to characterize Christianity in the first century, although not yet on a worldwide scale.2 C. __________________________________________________________________________. D. Beware, Be discerning, Be prepared. 2 Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Mt 24:9–14). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.