God’s Revealing Truths, Uncovering Satan’s Lies Part 3c of 3 Roger Stillwell – December 29, 2007

· The need for “discerning” and “skillful” laborers

§ [Open Bibles to] - 2 Timothy 4: 1-5

(v. 1) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (v. 2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (v. 3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (v. 4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (v. 5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

· Opening Word of Prayer

· 5 More of Satan’s Most Lies and Deceptions that are most typically directed toward the church and the believer in Christ

§ Once saved, always saved… § Judge ye not… § The Old Testament has passed away… § Big churches are better churches… § My accountability lies only between God and me…

Today, we are going to conclude this series of teachings by combining the last three topics. In doing so, I’m going to try and answer the following questions:

§ Has the Old Testament passed away? § Are big churches, better churches or does growth indicate a better church? § Am I supposed to hold myself accountable to others in the church and are they supposed to be holding themselves accountable to me?

· Has the Old Testament Passed Away?

Before addressing this question, we need to understand that we are living in the “end times.” [Open Bibles] – Luke 21: 1-36

Key Verses

Luke 21: 1-4 (v. 1) And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. (v. 2) And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. (v. 3) And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (v. 4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. Note:

· The widow gave all to God · We are instructed to spiritually do the same in verse #36 · In verse 36, we are commanded to study prophecy

Luke 21: 36 (v. 36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

[Open Bibles] – Isaiah 46: 8-11

§ God proves Himself thru prophecy § God assures us that all the prophecies will be fulfilled

Matthew 11: 7-15 (v. 07) And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? (v. 08) But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. (v. 09) But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. (v. 10) For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. (v. 11) Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (v. 12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (v. 13) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. (v. 14) And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. (v. 15) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Note:

The Cup of Elijah (poured during the Passover Seder) “A special cup filled with wine is placed prominently on the table. In popular legend the Prophet Elijah (herald of redemption) visits every Jewish home at some time during the Seder. Therefore, one cup of wine is set aside for him. After the meal, one of the participants, usually a young child, opens the door for Elijah. This is a moment filled with hope and anticipation.”

It would be heresy and an act of abomination for a Gentile believer in Christ or even a Jewish Messianic believer to participate in or teach the cup of Elijah during the Passover Seder. In doing so, we plainly state in both action and ritual that Jesus (Yeshua) isn’t the Messiah and that John the Baptist wasn’t Elijah. Essentially, we are calling Jesus a liar when He stated "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 11: 13-15) Moreover, who did John the Baptist declare Jesus to be just prior to the baptismal of Jesus?

In Luke 21: 36, Jesus commands us to always be watchful and in order to be fully watchful; we must first study the prophecies found in scripture.

[Open Bibles] – Luke 16: 14-31

Key Verses

Luke 16: 16, 17 (v. 16) The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (v. 17) And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Question

If heaven and earth have not passed, has the law failed? If the law hasn’t failed; is the Old Testament any less valid today then it was back then?

Luke 16: 27-31

(v. 27) Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: (v. 28) For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (v. 29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (v. 30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (v. 31) And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. The Prophet Elijah came, but who is listening?

Matthew 5: 17-20 (v. 17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (v. 18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (v. 19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (v. 20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Question

§ If heaven and earth have not passed away and we haven’t as of yet seen Judgment-Day and Christ hasn’t yet reigned for a thousand years from Jerusalem; have all of the prophecies been fulfilled?

§ If all of the prophecies have not been fulfilled; then according to Matthew 5: 16 and 17, has any “jot or tittle” passes from the law?

§ If not one “jot or tittle” has passed from the law; wouldn’t it mean that the Old Testament is just as important today as it was during the time before Christ?

· Are Big Churches Better Churches; What about Growth?

[Open Bibles] – 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-15

Key Verses

2 Thessalonians 2: 3-5 (v. 3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (v. 4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (v. 5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Note:

§ Since we are presently living in the “end-times” and yet, the antichrist has not been revealed; according to verse 3, the falling away of the church is already here. § We also learn from verse 5 that even the early churches were warned of this.

2 Thessalonians 2: 11, 12 (v. 11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (v. 12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Note:

§ God sends the strong delusion § That they all might be damned

2 Thessalonians 2: 13-15 (v. 13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (v. 14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v. 15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Note:

§ God chose the believer unto salvation § Verse 15 teaches us to stand fast and to hold ourselves to the traditions and teachings of the early church.

The concluding verses of 2 Timothy, chapter 3, and the opening verses of chapter 4 should all be read together. Their themes are transitional and interconnecting in their implication.

2 Timothy 3: 12-17 and continuing with 2 Timothy 4: 1-5 (v. 3: 12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (v. 3: 13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (v. 3: 14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (v. 3: 15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (v. 3: 16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (v. 3: 17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (v. 4: 01) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (v. 4: 02) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (v. 4: 03) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (v. 4: 04) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (v. 4: 05) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Question

§ Who is deceiving and who is being deceived (v. 3: 13 and v. 4: 3, 4)? § What is the believer instructed to do (v. 3: 14, v. 4: 2 and v. 4: 5)? § What about all of scripture (v. 3: 16)?

Other Scripture to call into question

§ Colossians 1: 25-29

Are the ministers of large churches preaching sound doctrine, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that they may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus?

§ Titus 1: 7-16

Our present body of believers has seen no less than three local Messianic Congregations suffer, break apart and/or dissolve because “Jewish traditions” and Rabbinical teachings where allowed to supersede the teachings of Holy Scripture and the lack of leadership addressing sin within the body of believers. Specifically speaking of Titus 1: 10-14; our body of believers have sadly witnessed "whole houses subverted" within the body of Messianic Believers.

Titus 1: 10-14 (v. 10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: (v. 11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (v. 12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (v. 13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; (v. 14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

§ 1 Timothy 2: 5-14

Are the large churches of today allowing women to preach from the pulpit? Satan was a seducing spirit in the garden… 1 Timothy 4: 1-7

§ Matthew 18: 15-17

Are those in the leadership positions of today’s large churches addressing sin within their congregations and is there equal accountability for all and unto all?

· What about accountability?

[Open Bibles] – James 5: 1-20

Key Verses

James 5: 7-20 – Let’s read it again…

· Some parting “food for thought”

§ Today, we have learned that the New Testament is every bit as important as the Old Testament. § We’ve also learned that big churches aren’t necessarily better churches, especially if everyone isn’t being held to sound doctrine and the following of all of scripture. § We learn in James, chapter five, that we need to hold each other accountable to the following of God’s Word. § Looking back at this entire series of teachings; it should be very evident that we are living in the “end-times.” § I would encourage everyone to read the letters written unto the seven churches in the book of Revelation, chapters two and three.

· Closing Word of Prayer