11-01-2020 – Those Who Stay and Those Who Go
Nov. 1, 2020 - 1John 2:18-27,
Those Who Stay and Those Who Go…
Last week we studied a certain type of love that God hates (cf. 1John 2:15-17); that being, to love any ideology that rejects God’s Son or any behavior that offends Him.
A major characteristic of those who do not belong to God, is that, not only do they not believe in God’s One and Only Son, but they try to deceive others into denying Him as well..
Read 1John 2:18-19…
"18 Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us."
John addresses us as “dear children,” and tells us that the Antichrist is coming. John is speaking of a future time when Satan will raise up the final world ruler who will seek to oppose and replace Christ (during the Tribulation Period).
John warns that there are already many antichrists present in the world; these are false teachers who promote doctrine that is hostile toward God’s Son and contradictory to God’s Word.
John says these false teachers come from within the so-called church, but they never belonged to God, and have departed from fellowship with the true church and now attempt to lead people out of Christianity into false religious belief systems and apostate doctrine.
Most cults and world religions teach something about a person named Jesus; but their teachings deny that He is the One True God and that He alone provides forgiveness for sins and eternal life to everyone who will repent, believe in, and follow Him.
False teachers promote a false Jesus, a false Christ, for they are antiChrists [anti = opposed to, or against] the true Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Lord and Savior: Crucified, Resurrected, and Coming Again!
Brief look at false teachers over the past 40 years:
Listen to an overview of some of the most infamous false teachers and antichrist’s in the past 40 Years…
In 1978, Jim Jones convinced his followers of the People’s Temple in Jonestown, Guyana, to drink Kool-aid laced with cyanide that killed over 900 men, women, and children. Jones, who claimed he was the re-incarnated Christ, was found dead, a gunshot wound to the head.
In 1981, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: came to the US, after being run out of India, establishing a commune on a 64,000 acre property (purchased for $5.75 million), known as the Big Muddy Ranch, near Antelope, Oregon. Here he promoted sex to be the first step toward achieving “super consciousness,” and "dynamic meditation," as the path to experience divinity. The village of Rajneeshpuram (as it was named) grew to 3,000 followers (called Rajneeshees), and eventually, using drastic measures that included wiretapping, voter fraud, arson, salmonella poisoning, and even murder, took over the town of Antelope, renaming it the “City of Rajneeshand.” Eventually a criminal investigation was opened, and in 1985 Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was deported, the city of Antelope reclaimed its name, and the property containing the commune reverted back to the state of Oregon because of past due taxes.
In 1993, in Waco, Texas, David Koresh (who said he was the Christ, the Son of God, the Anointed One to Whom the Seven Seals in the Book of Revelation was given) led 85 people, including 20 children and two miscarried babies, to their death (after a 51-day siege, by FBI and ATF, that was ended by fatal gunshots, a raging fire and collapsing buildings). Koresh died of a gunshot wound to the front of the head.
In 1997, Marshall Applewhite, a self-proclaimed descendant of Jesus Christ, led 39 members of his Heaven's Gate cult to commit suicide, believing their souls would be transported to a spaceship that was trailing the Hale-Bopp comet.
In 1954, Sun Myung Moon a Korean industrialist and religious leader founded the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, which became known as the Unification Church. His Disciples, called “Moonies,” believed him to be the Messiah. His movement came to the US in the 1970’s, with mass weddings and times of blessings for hundreds and even thousands. Moon and his wife were respectively addressed as “Father” and “Mother” by followers, for they epitomized God’s ideal family. In 2008 Moon appointed his son Hyung Jin Moon to be leader, and in 2012 Sun Myung Moon died at the age of 92.
In 1994 Harold Camping (the President of Family Radio Station since 1958) predicted the world would end on September 6, it didn’t; he then predicted it would happen May 21, 2011, it didn’t; afterward Camping said God stopped saving people after May 21, 2011 and would end the world on October 21, 2011, Many of his followers gave away their properties and had their pets euthanized, since the world was ending and they were going to heaven. In 2012 Camping died, after a stroke, prolonged health issues, and a bad fall.
There is no lack of those who claim to be Christ and teach false doctrines, or are followers of these anti-christ’s and anti-biblical teachings. Just as John warns us in today’s text, Paul warns us in 1Timothy 6:3-5, and Peter in 2Peter 2:1-3.
1Timothy 6:3-5,
"3 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain."
2Peter 2:1-3.
"But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
Paul doesn’t just warn about them, he names them (cf. 1Timothy 1:18-20; 2Timothy 2:15-19), Hymenaeus, Alexander, Philetus, “men who strayed from the truth, jeopardizing the faith of some [people].”
1Timothy 1:18-20;
"18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme."
2Timothy 2:15-19
"15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.”"
You know, I feel obliged to name a few infamous false teachers myself, like: Robert Schuller, Oral Roberts, Paul & Jan Crouch, Jim & Tammy Bakker, Kenneth Hagin, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Joel Osteen, Sarah Young, Fred Price, Paula White, T.D. Jakes, Beth Moore, etc.
Those genuinely born again through belief in Jesus Christ will remain true to God’s Word. Biblical integrity and spiritual endurance are the ultimate test and mark of all those who eternally belong to God.
Read 1John 2:20-21…
"20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth."
The “anointing” we have received is the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13-14; John 1:12-13; 3:5-8).
Ephesians 1:13-14;
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
John 1:12-13;
"12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God."
John 3:5-8.
"5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”"
The Holy Spirit not only indwells us, but He guides, protects, and provides for all God’s people through God’s Word (see John 14:16-17, 25-29).
John 14:16-17,
"16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you."
John 14:25-29.
"25 “These things I have spoken to you while remaining with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. 28 You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe."
Those who fail to remain in the truth, falling away, believing Satan’s lies, rejecting Christ, they never belonged to God in the first place. Salvation is eternal! Romans 11:29 says it is irrevocable, meaning that it cannot be lost, taken away, or given back.
Romans 11:29
"29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
Read 1John 2:22-23…
"22 Who is the liar except the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."
Antichrists (false teachers and deceivers), deny the One True Faith by rejecting what Scripture teaches about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that He was fully God and fully man. Those who reject what God’s Word says set themselves against God (see John 3:16-18; 5:31-38; 6:28-29, 40; 8:18-19).
John 3:16-18;
"16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
John 5:31-38;
"31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. 33 You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified about Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 Also you do not have His word remaining in you, because you do not believe Him whom He sent."
John 6:28-29,
"28 Therefore they said to Him, “What are we to do, so that we may accomplish the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”"
John 6:40;
"40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”"
John 8:18-19
"18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”"
False religions deny that Jesus is God, and that He alone has fulfilled God’s sovereign requirements in order to provide, once and for all, forgiveness for sins and eternal life to all who call upon Him.
What do cults and false religions say about Jesus?
Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is not God; but instead, he is Michael the archangel, the very first creation of God.
Christian Science teaches that Jesus is the human man and Christ is the divine idea, and that Jesus is not eternal, sovereign, or one with the Father.
Mormonism teaches that Jesus was a spirit-child of Elohim (the God of planet earth), and through obedience and devotion Jesus was able to attain Godhood. They believe there are many God’s, all of whom were once mortals like us, until they attained Godhood, like Jesus.
Judaism believes in One God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, but it rejects Jesus Christ as God’s Son and is still waiting for the Messiah to come.
Islam rejects the idea of redemption, for Muslims believe and teach that salvation depends solely upon man’s actions and attitudes, not on the work of God.
Hinduism seeks escape from the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth through many incarnations (reincarnations) to final salvation. The path to salvation depends upon and is expedited by acquired spiritual knowledge through meditation, or sacrificial works.
Buddhism declares that ignorance, rather than sin, is the roadblock to salvation, the highest state of being, and the end to the continual rebirth-death rebirth (reincarnations), which is obtained through heightened levels of meditation that allow one to lose self, and to become spiritually enlightened, reaching Nirvana the highest state of being, which is the cessation of suffering, and the ultimate state of “salvation”.
Read 1John 2:24-25…
"24 As for you, see that what you heard from the beginning remains in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life."
The gospel is God’s eternal truth and only those who remain faithful to it will experience a personal, intimate and growing relationship with God, through Christ, on earth, culminating in a personal and eternal relationship in heaven with God, and with all those who genuinely believe in Him.
Read 1John 2:26-27…
"26 These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you remain in Him."
Antichrists are attempting to deceive God’s children, but we have been given the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth: the anointing we received from God at the moment of genuine belief), and we are therefore able to discern truth from falsehood, good from evil.
John is not saying here that we don’t need gifted men of God to teach and lead us; but instead, he is affirming that we are not dependent upon human wisdom or the philosophies of godless men -- but on the very Word of God that has been once for all delivered to us by God Himself in the 66 Books of Old and New Testaments (see 2Timothy 3:16-17; 2Peter 1:20-22; Jude 1-4).
2Timothy 3:16-17;
"16 All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work."
2Peter 1:20-22
"20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
Jude 1-4
"1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into indecent behavior and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."
God’s Spirit guides and guards all true believers into the truth of God so that we will be able to endure and persevere in sound doctrine as we live out our lives for Christ, just as He gave up His life for us.
If you genuinely belong to God through Christ, God’s Spirit will testify to that fact in your heart and through your life as you remain true to God’s Word, continually and obediently serving Him on earth individually, but yet not separate from the Body of Christ, the Church, of which you are a member.
And all God’s people said, Amen!
Pastor Mike
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