The Six Enemies of God's Truth - Part 4

Part 4 Sunday, March 28, 2021 Six Enemies of God’s Truth [SLIDE] Colossians 2: 6-10 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Page | 1 GM GP . . . Today we’re facing the finish line to a marathon series on God’s Truth – The Answer to Every Test and Trial in 2021. The last mile of this series will cover the final two threats to God’s Truth entitled The Six Enemies of God’s Truth. In this sub-series, our teaching has centered around 6 Enemies of the revealed Truth of God. Keep in mind, an enemy of the Truth is defined as: [SLIDE] By definition, an Enemy of God’s Truth is defined as anyone or anything that opposes, resists, hates, rejects, copies, counterfeits or disbelieves God’s Revealed Truth. And, for the record, for those joining us for the first time, God’s Truth is defined as [SLIDE] God’s Truth is Comprehensively Defined as the Word of God, The Bible, which is God-breathed, infallible, living, breathing, divinely supernatural, and life-giving to all who believe it unto eternal life. Page | 2 As a parting reminder bonus, here’s a take-away definition on: [SLIDE] God’s Biblical Truth: Right for ALL People, in All Places, All the Time. If the “truth” you’re hearing doesn’t fit this context, then, it’s not God’s Biblical Truth. Now, let’s resume identifying the 6 Enemies. So far, we have identified four of the Truth’s Enemies: [SLIDE] They are: The First Enemy of God’s Truth is: Satan the Devil The Second Enemy of God’s Truth is . . . Small “t” truth vs. Capital “T” Truth The Third Enemy of God’s Truth is: Church Traditions, Church Doctrine and Church Culture The Fourth Enemy of God’s Truth is the Trio of: Pride, Flesh and Delusion Now for the Fifth and Sixth Enemy of the God’s Truth . . . Page | 3 [SLIDE] The Fifth Enemy of God’s Truth is: The Power of “Almost” This enemy’s name sounds a bit unusual, but it is appropriate as it stands as one of the most powerful deceivers against God’s Truth in modern times. [SLIDE] How is the The Power of “Almost” an enemy? It is so, because as the word “Almost” signifies by definition, it means: Not quite; very nearly. Almost means "nearly," "roughly," or "not quite." If you're almost as tall as your brother, it means he's still just a bit taller than you are. The word “Almost” has been called: One of the most dangerous words known to man regarding his or her ability to finish, start or complete a task or goal Amazingly, since 1990, the use and application of the word “Almost” is making a roaring comeback. In other words, it is being used more often in people’s explanation of life’s occurrences. With regard to God’s Truth, the Power of Almost is wreaking havoc on keeping would-be and could-be Believers from every completing their response to the call of Christ to be delivered from their sins. Page | 4 More tragically, the Power of Almost is deceiving people into believing they are acceptable and approved by God, when, in fact, God doesn’t even know them. There are people, who because of the Power of Almost, are preaching, teaching, performing miracle, signs and wonders, and serving noble causes in God ‘s name who will call you a hater for not approving their lifestyle, or their religious traditions over God’s Truth. All of this can be understood in one of my favorite stories as told by Billy Graham. The story goes like this . . . Upon traveling to foreign countries where infectious diseases abound, Bill Graham says before he could travel, he had to first be inoculated against the disease that was prevalent in that nation. Cholera Story To protect him from plagues and pestilences, he said he would have his doctor inject into his body virus that he was about to encounter. The doctor would inject just enough of the actual virus into his system to where he never experienced the full blown disease that was brought on by the killer diseases. Figuratively spoken, Billy Graham said as he interacted with the people in cultures that were experiencing the disease, but the disease was never able to overtake him because it recognized that he already had the disease due to the inoculation. . . . Morale: He had just enough of the disease never to get the real thing. So many people today have just enough religion or a religious experience until they never experience the real thing, or the real Jesus or the real power of the truth of God. The Top Three Problems With “ALMOST” (relative to God’s Truth) Page | 5 • “Almost” always comes short of God’s glorious command or requirement to complete something. • “Almost” always gives off a false sense of security and satisfaction, i.e., I almost finished or completed something; • “Almost” always appeal to and caters to the flesh and human pride. Such were the following 3 cases: [SLIDE] Matthew 7: 21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 21 [SLIDE] Acts 26:27-29 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Page | 6 Perhaps the most deceptive tactic of the Enemy of “Almost” is found in John Chapter 8 – verses 12-59. We can’t do a thorough teaching from this passage, but I can pin point the “Almost Enemy” in a few select verses. In this passage, Jesus has declared Himself the Light of the World which is to say to the Jews – I Am the Messiah and the Son of God – your Savior. Long story short, many of the Jews led by the Pharisees (religious legalists who believed strongly in the traditions of religion) rejected Him and challenged His Truth. The bigger argument started at John 8:31where Jesus said: [SLIDE] John 8:31-36 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 31 The Enemy of Almost that is at work here in the passage has to do with the analogy of the slave and the son. As custom would have it, often the slave and the son of the master would dwell in same house. Page | 7 In a good household, a slave could be treated near equal to a son (or family member). In a sense, the slave was almost a family member, almost a son. But by virtue of the slave having total access to the resources of the house, even the run of the house – including access to blessings, rights and privileges. These things, however, did not make the slave a son. The slave considered themselves privileged, safe, and whole by virtue of mastering the traditions and customs of the house – but they never reach perfection or wholeness as a son. [SLIDE] In John 8: 33-36, the Pharisees bragged to Jesus that they were decedents of Abraham: They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 33 In today’s terms, what this is saying is that there are people in and around the church who consider themselves sons – because they have perfected the practices of church traditions, customs, manners, and learned behaviors -- but in reality, they are still slaves -- only almost sons. Like the Pharisees and the stubborn hearted Jews, many people in and around the church have convinced themselves that they belong to God Page | 8 because they know and have mastered church-ology , that they are an extension of the faith of their fathers. Not So! [SLIDE] Hebrews 6: 1-3 says . . . 6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. Colossians 2 (the entire chapter) addresses how we are complete in Christ. There is nothing that can be added or taken away – like observing the Sabbath, or eating certain foods, or observing certain tradition, or following denominational doctrines. Our total completion is in believing only in the Jesus the Christ for our salvation. The faith of Father Abraham went far beyond physical lineage – it extended to a great faith and obedience to the full Truth of God. [SLIDE] John 8: 39-42 says . . . They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” 39 Page | 9 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 42 The Enemy of Almost is well and alive in the church today more than ever – especially the American Church. Special groups are promoting and propagating their agendas from pulpits everywhere – including delusional evangelicals, racists centrists, racial supremacists groups, homosexuals, dogmatic religious zealots, and the like. Page | 10 The Sixth Enemy of God’s Truth is: Apathy – Isaiah 14:12-17; Luke 10:18; Rev 12:8-10 The enemy of “APATHY” is probably the deadliest Truth enemy, not for sinners or unbelievers, but for BELIEVERS! This may sound ironic, but of the six enemies, “apathy” is the one that most threatens to tragically overthrow those who are made free by the truth. One of the worst things that could happen to a believer whom the Lord has set free from bondage is for that person to lose heart and to feel unmotivated in their Christian walk. That is a sign of apathy. [SLIDE] APATHY is defined as lack of feeling or emotion toward something or someone; Apathy is an expression of a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. [SLIDE] What makes “apathy” a dangerous enemy of God’s truth against Believers? • Apathy leads to isolation which leads to a disconnection from the truth which ultimately leads to sin. Proverbs 18:1 18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all [a]wise judgment. • Apathy conjures up inward anger which leads to violence and abuse. Matthew 24:45-51 Page | 11 Matthew 24:48-51 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [i]in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 45 [SLIDE] • Apathy leads to ungodly attitudes and behavior (2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Page | 12 [SLIDE] • Apathy leads to blindness, callousness and doubting of God’s Truth. (Genesis 19; Two sons of Lot) [SLIDE] Where does apathy begin and how does it creep in and become a stronghold? • It begins when we lean to our own understanding which is usually driven by deception. The same kind of deception experienced by Eve in the Garden when Satan caused her to believe in herself, doubt God’s Truth and believe his lie. Any time we rely on our own understanding it is a definite sign that we have not stopped to acknowledged God or sought His path. • Drawn away by our own lusts James 1:12-18. ; also, this is likened to the multitudes who followed Jesus because he was feeding them. When Jesus gave them the command to eat His flesh and drink His blood – many of them turned from following Him. Then Jesus said to the 12: “Will you go also? But they declared, “No, for we realize that You have the words of eternal life. • Isolation Proverbs 18:1 Feeling sorry for self and feeling abandoned. Page | 13 [SLIDE] What’s the answer to protecting God’s Truth from the Enemy of Apathy? • First, ensure that you belong to Christ. • • • • • 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. ….The Lord knows those that are His Ask God for wisdom James 1:5 Avoid being “Bewitched” Galatians 3:1 Forsake not the assembling of yourself – avoid isolation Hebrews 10:25,26 Build yourself up on your most holy faith HOW = Add to your faith virtue . . . Jude 20 Walk worthy of the vocation Ephesians 1 & 2 Amos 8:10-12 New King James Version 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, And all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, And baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an only son, And its end like a bitter day. 11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. Page | 14 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%END%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Wrap Up The First Enemy of God’s Truth is: Satan the Devil The Second Enemy of God’s Truth is . . . Small “t” truth vs. Capital “T” Truth The Third Enemy of God’s Truth is: Church Traditions, Church Doctrine and Church Culture The Fourth Enemy of God’s Truth is the Trio: Flesh, Pride and Delusion The Fifth Enemy of God’s Truth is: The Power of “Almost” The Sixth Enemy of God’s Truth is: Apathy – Isaiah 14:12-17; Luke 10:18; Rev 12:8-10 Page | 15