“BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS” (Mt 7:15)

Dec 3^rd, 2003

1. FALSE TEACHERS ARE SELF CALLED.

A. THEY PRESUME UPON THIS SACRED POSITION.

1. They have no authority from God. (Zech. 13:4) "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:"

2. (Jere. 27:15) "For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you."

3. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says: "They appeared in Israel during the days of the writing prophets spoken of in (1 Pet 1:19-21).

B. THE BIBLE HAS MUCH TO SAY ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS..

1. FALSE PROPHETS are mentioned seven times in seven verses:

2. (Jer 5:31) "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?"

3. (Jer 23:8-18) "But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. {9} Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness. {10} For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. {11} For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. {12} Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. {13} And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. {14} I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. {15} Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. {16} Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. {17} They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. {18} For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?"

4. . Similarly false teachers appear from the midst of the church.

1. Former F. B. I. agent said: “They don’t study counterfeit money; they study the real thing and then they can spot the counterfeit.”

2. "False Teachers" = This phrase is found only one time

3. The Apostle John describes them:

a. (2 John 1:9) "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son."

4. (2 Tim. 2:18) "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

5. (Luke 20:27) "Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,"

6. Some of them laugh at the truth..

a. (2 Pet 3:3) "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,"

b. Liberal preachers and T. V. Comedians.

7. An example of "False teaching" is found in several place in the Bible.

a. (Acts 15:5) "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

8. False Teachers usually have itching ears..

a. .(2 Tim 4:3) "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;"

B. FALSE TEACHERS ARE USUALLY VERY UNDERHANDED.

1. (Luke 16:8) "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

2. The Greek for "Privily" means to: " “bring in alongside”

a. (Gal. 2:4) "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

3. (Jude 1:4) "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

4. John Trapp says on that word “Privily" Or fraudulently foist in false doctrines under the title of truth, and pretext of piety..

a. Trapp further says: “Such will give some truth as gold, silver and ivory, but they have stores of apes and peacocks, as Solomon's ships had."

5. These false teachers joined in the “LOVE FEASTS” of God’s people.

a. (Jude 1:12) "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"

b. Of Pelagius, Augustine testifies that he "’always maintained a character of fair and decent morals,’ and that, until late in life, when he began to teach his fatal errors, "his reputation for serious piety had been great in the churches," through which he had extensively traveled.”

6. It was a false prophet, Zedekiah the son of Chen/sa/anah, who flattered Ahab and lured him to his death.

7. The following are among the rules of the Jesuits: "In order to induce rich widows to be liberal to the Society, they must be provided with confessors, who may urge their remaining unmarried, by assuring them that they will thereby secure their own salvation, and, effectually escape the pains of purgatory. That the widow may dispose of her property to the Society, she must be told of those who have devoted themselves to the service of God, and be led to expect canonization from the court of Rome. The preceptors must not chastise or keep in subjection young men of good genius, agreeable persons and noble families, like their other pupils. They must be won by presents and other privileges peculiar to their age; but on other occasions, especially in exhortations, they must be terrified with threats of eternal punishment, unless they obey the heavenly invitation of joining the Society."

C. THE BIBLE CALLS THEM HERITICS. (VR. 1)

1. The word "Heresies" is found three times in Bible.

2. The word "heresy" is found one time.

a. (1 Cor 11:19) "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

3. (Gal 5:20) "Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,"

4. (Acts 24:14) "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:"

5. The Apostle John called them "Antichrists":

1. (1 John 2:18) "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."

1. Such men handle the Word of God "deceitfully."

a. (2 Cor 4:2) "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

2. (Titus 3:10) "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;"

3. Simon Magus desired to buy the power of the Holy Spirit for selfish purposes.

a. (Acts 8:18-19) "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, {19} Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."

5. (Acts 20:29-30) "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

D. NOTICE THE FRUITS OF FALSE PROPHETS...(They deny the Lord)

1. (2 Pet 2:1) "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

1. "Denying" = Gray & Adams: "may refer either to a formal rejection of Christ as the Son of God, or to the practical denial of base and ungodly lives."

2. That “bought” them. (Vr. 1)

3. “Bought"= Trapp says: "Or freed them from their former idolatries.....or that bought them as they charitably imagined; but it proved otherwise, as appeared by their apostasy."

E. CONSIDER SEVERAL GROUPS THAT WERE HERITICS.

1. Pharisaism was heresy. (Teaching Salvation by the works of the law)

2. Sadducesism was heresy.(Denying the resurrection and angels)

3. Judaism was heresy. (Rejecting the Messiah when he came) They said that no one could perform a miracle, but God. Then when Christ performed miracles; they said he did by the power of Beelzebub/

4. Gnosticism was heresy.(This consisted of two major errors)

a. (Col 2:8) "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

b. (Col 2:21-23) "(Touch not; taste not; handle not; {22} Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? {23} Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

5. False teachers love to make dupes of unstable, ill/informed females.

a. (2 Tim 3:6) "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,"

C. CONTRAST THE FALSE PROPHET AND THE TRUE PROPHET.

1. The former rises up of his own accord as Theudas and Judas.

a. (Acts 5:36) "For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought."

b. (Luke 22:47) "And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him."

2. (Mt 23:15) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves..”

III. FALSE TEACHERS ARE DECEITFUL WORKERS.

A. SUCH DECEIVE THE PEOPLE AND PROMOTE ERROR.

1. (2 Cor 11:13) "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

B. TRUE CHURCHES MUST SAY NO TO COMPROMISE.

1. G. C. Morgan said the following: “There is a toleration which is treachery

2. “There is a peace, which issues in paralysis.

3. “There are hours when the Church must say No to those who should ask communion with her, in the doing of her work, upon the basis of compromise.

1. “Such standing aloof may produce ostracism and persecution; but it will maintain power and influence.

5. “If the Church of God in the cities of today were aloof from the maxims of the age separated from the materialistic philosophies of the schools, bearing her witness alone to the all-sufficiency of Christ, and the perfection of His salvation, even though persecuted and ostracized and bruised, it would be to her that men would look in the hour of their heartbreak and sorrow and national need.

6. The reason why men do not look to the Church today is that she has destroyed her own influence by compromise.

IV. FALSE PROPHETS ARE MOTIVATED BY FALSE MOTIVES.

A. THEY ARE MOTIVATED BY SELF GAIN.

1. They are seeking either gain or honor or both.

2. (2 Pet 2:3) "And through covetousness shall they with feigned (artificial or sugar coated) words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

3. (2 Pet 3:14-16) "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. {15} And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; {16} As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

. 4. (1 Tim. 6:5) "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."

5. (2 Cor. 12:14) "Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children."

6. (Micah 3:5) "Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him."

B. SOME EXAMPLES OF FALSE PROPHETS WITH FALSE MOTIVES.

1. (Acts 20:30) "Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."

2. “Two recent television programs of CNN dealt with Benny Hinn, the outlandish charismatic evangelist who delights in 'slaying' people in the spirit.

3. “They revealed that Hinn, with monetary hoards, is far removed from the humble Saviour, Jesus Christ, who had no place to lay His head, or the apostles Peter and John who acknowledged that 'silver and gold had (they) none.'

4. “Hinn seems to be managing quite nicely thank you in a house worth $650.000 US, which he claims was not paid for with ministry funds.

5. It was also revealed that when traveling he stays in Presidential suites at as much as $2000 per night.

6. “A trip of several days to Europe by Benny Hinn and his entourage (flying on the Concorde and staying in luxury hotels) cost $9000 return for each of them.

7. “His ministry took in $35 million in 1995 and $50 million in 1996. On his television programs he appeals for donations of $10.000, $50.000 or $100.000. For donations of #100 and $500 respectively, Hinn offers his viewers personally autographed Bibles and Benny Hinn books. He also offers Benny Hinn coffee mugs.

9 “Paid no doubt, by the mugs that support his outlandish ministry.

10. “HINN'S HERESY---Benny Hinn made the following statement during an appearance on CNN's 'Larry King Live' program. 'God did not have to send His Son, but He did because He uses men'.

11. “It is Hinn's contention that Christians are 'little Messiah's' and 'little gods'. He has even gone so far as to state, in reference to himself, 'I face devils as the Son of God.'

12. “Hinn claims that people are healed at his meetings: ---Just sitting there, ---Just by entering the building,---As they drive into the car lot.

13. “At Hinn's meetings he 'saves' people by waving his hand at them and saying 'whoosh' in a loud voice. On the Larry King program a clip was shown on him 'slaying' several people at once.

14. “Hinn 'healed' every sick person watching King's program! He instructed those who want to be healed to reach out toward their television screens as he raised his hands and prayed for them 'by rebuking' their illnesses in Jesus name.’

15. “He even claimed that once when he had a headache he turned on his own program and was healed by himself in the same manner!

16. “Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name! And in thy name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you." (Mt. 7:22,23).

C. CONSIDER A MORE CONSERVATIVE THEOLOGIAN:

1. “The writings of British theologian and Scottish preacher William Barclay reveal him to be a universalist who denied historic Christianity.

2. “The Jan. 1994 Catholicism Today says: "Barclay denies the deity of Christ, the inspiration of the Scriptures, the miracles of Jesus, and His substitutionary atonement. He believes in the eventual salvation of all mankind. Yet his books are sold in the majority of Christian bookstores. He is widely quoted by prominent evangelical leaders."

3. Jerry Falwell's March 1984 Fundamentalist Journal had an ad promoting a Barclay book. Instead of exposing false teachers, new-evangelicals tolerate them and promote their writings. --- (Calvary Contender, Feb. 1, 1994)

D. Schuller A Universalist, New Ager? As one of 16 writers who respond.ed to Pope John Paul's Crossing the Threshold of Hope" book, in a new book "A Reader's Companion to Crossing the Threshold of Hope," Robert Schuller said: "God has promised salvation to all of us. But only when we realize that we have been saved and we accept God's love do we open ourselves to Jesus Christ." He speaks of experiencing "the Christ within" us, and "innermost potential." He said "meaning" lies in a God who is committed to our happiness, and that belief in God helps us become possibility thinkers. Schuller said: "When we know we have been redeemed and we know we are part of God's family, we are ready to dream that great divine dream of building the kingdom of God in the world."----P. B. C. May 1997

1. (2 Cor 11:13-15) "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. {14} And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. {15} Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

2. William Plummer said: “ I have never seen more seeming warmth in religious worship than among some who deny the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Holy Ghost.”

3. (2 Pet 2:18) "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error."

4. Such give sinners a false hope...Example: The Homosexuals are left to simply make a profession of faith and continue living in sin.

E. Robert Tilton and his “Trash DumP” experience. “A postal worker in Houston found hundreds of envelopes in the “trash-bin” behind the main Post Office in Houston, Texas, where Tilton had emptied them of all the money and didn’t bother to save the letters from the poor widows, and old people who had sacrificed to send him their hard earned dollars in exchange for a word of encouragement or prayer.

F. Jerry Falwell who has endorced

a. The “living bible”...with its absolutely vulgar, gutter language.

b. The Rappers on his T. V. program regularly.

c. Has Ecumenical preachers in regularly...

Example: E. V. Hill & other Charismatics...

Example: Jerry recently had Rick Warren who along with Schuller entertained over 80 Homosexuals in a meeting in California

d. Jerry was cozy with Sun-Yung Moon in D. C. in 1994 (who is a known false prophet)

e. Jerry Invited “Promise Keepers” to Liberty in 1995 (This organization is of Catholic origin and is ecumenical to the core and embraces all kinds of heresy.

f. Referred to Truman Dollar as one of America’s greatest preachers.

(1) Truman was dismissed from two church for making obscene phone calls to the women and then committed suicide later.

g. He agreed to teach the “theory” of Evolution in order to get “accreditation” for his school, while Bob Jones University flatly refused to even consider such a proposal.

CONCLUSION: These men sugar coat their poison pills before peddling them.

1. (Eph 4:14) "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

2. (1 John 4:1) "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

“A PREACHER ON THE FENCE”

"From out of the millions on the earth

God often calls a man

To preach His Word, and for the truth

To take a loyal stand,

'Tis sad to see him shun the cross,

Nor stand in its defense

Between the fields of right and wrong--

A Preacher on the fence.

Before him are the souls of men,

Destined for Heaven or Hell,

An open Bible in his hand,

And yet he dare not tell

Them all the truth as written there;

He fears the consequences--

The shame of Heaven, the joy of Hell--

A preacher on the fence.

Most surely God has called that man

To battle for the right,

'Tis his to ferret out the wrong

And turn on us the light.

He standeth not for right or wrong,

He feareth an offence,

Great God, deliver us from him--

That preacher on the fence.

If he should stand up for the wrong,

The right he'd not befriend,

If he should boldly stand for the right,

The wrong he would offend.

His mouth is closed, he dare not speak

For freedom or against.

The most disgusting thing on earth--

A preacher on the fence.

His better judgment, common sense

They pull him to the right;

Behold him grip that topmost rail,

And hold with all his might;

His love of praise, it holds him fast,

Keeps him from going hence,

Poor man! how fearful will be his plight

A preacher on the fence."