In very strong terms, Jude outlines the result of doctrinal error as well as the true reason for doctrinal error.
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Winston-Salem, North Carolina
In very strong terms, Jude outlines the result of doctrinal error as well as the true reason for doctrinal error.
Jude "profiles" the false teachers who had invaded some of the churches of his day. In contrast to those bogus Christians, true believers must seek to display the gospel's power in their daily living.
To effectively stay on guard against false teaching, and to be successfully discerning of truth and error, we need God's divine grace.
Before concluding his letter, Paul issues an urgent warning to vigilance against false teaching.
The account of the "widow's mite" is not a lesson on giving. Instead, it is a strong warning against the danger of corrupt religion. Even so, in the conclusion of this message Pastor Hardy gives insights on giving that are found elsewhere in Scripture.
False prophets and deceiving teachers were not just a problem for the 1st century church. It is as vital for us to be discerning believers in this modern age and have the ability to identify truth from error.
Paul writes to Timothy, his spiritual son, warning him of apostasy due to false teachings by false teachers. He instructs Timothy on how to lead a godly life and reminds him of God's goodness as the basis for perseverance.
In a one-sentence warning, John concludes his epistle by expressing concern over the greatest obstacle to a Christian's spiritual growth: idolatry, expressed in wrong views of God.
True Christians are those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation. But what is that faith based upon? John submits that our faith is the response to the threefold testimony of God -- a testimony that has both an external aspect and an internal aspect.
In a very firm and clear manner, Paul warns Christians about those who dilute or distort the gospel. In addition, he provides two very important criteria for evaluating whether someone is a true believer.
We can discern false teachers by testing not only the content of their teaching, but also by examining the character of the audience they attract.
There are many groups and many teachers who propagate error. John gives us a challenge, and the method, to increasing our discernment so that we are not gullible and naive. It is our obligation to test everything we hear.
The Apostle John warns his readers that "antichrists" have arisen among them. He also informs them why these false teachers have left their assembly: because they weren’t truly saved. This passage points out the fact that true believers persevere in their walk with Christ, and in their fellowship with other Christians in the local church.
In his closing words of his journal, Solomon the Preacher gives a final warning against pagan counsel and an exhortation of true worship.
We see another aspect of the false teaching in Colossia, that of mysticism. Mysticism is not the same thing as the recognition that certain aspects of our faith, or about God, are mysterious. We get a glimpse into it, and its forms in early church history.
Paul knew that the mixing in of legalistic, Mosaic Law-based practices with the message of the gospel was a terrible danger, that Christians would end up in bondage instead of enjoying their liberty in Christ. He gives a stern warning that Christians must guard their freedom, and two keys to successfully doing so.
The Colossian church was being endangered by Gnosticism. It, just like all forms of false teaching, deludes people into following an empty, sham religion. Whether it's Mormonism or Darwin Fish, the language is subtly deceitful, the system of reason logically compelling, and enticingly moral -- these are the hallmarks of the great cults today, and Paul gives three explanations as to why these types of philosophies are empty and deceitful.
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