Colossians 1: Beware of False Teachers and False Teaching

Class Outline:

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Context is clarity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/If you’re in the resident congregation turn off your electronic devices and put them away. Let this be a place where you aren’t distracted by the world.\

 

/Welcome To

BARAH MINISTRIES

 

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher\

 

Good Morning!

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…an intimate, local Christian Church with a worldwide impact.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  Thanks for listening to this Bible lesson! 

 

/Who Is Jesus Christ? \ 

 

At Barah Ministries we know this truth…JESUS CHRIST IS GOD.  We worship the one and ONLY true God…the Sovereign God of the universe.  Colossians, Chapter 2, Verses 9 and 10 affirm it…

 

/COLOSSIANS 2:9

For in Jesus…the Christ…all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form (Jesus has the same essence that is in every member of the Godhead) …\

 

/COLOSSIANS 2:10

…and in union with Him, you believers in Christ have been made completely full by God the Father…Jesus is the head over every principality and every authority…\

 

Spiritual maturity is ours as God the Holy Spirit keeps on nourishing our fullness… our completeness…from being in union with Christ.

 

/Why Does Barah Ministries Exist? \

 

At Barah Ministries, we introduce people to the Lord.  We make a difference by teaching the Word of God verse-by-verse from the Lord’s perspective and not from man’s perspective.  Barah Ministries is provided by God for the benefit of both unbelievers and believers.  Unbelievers get the gospel message…the good news concerning Jesus Christ’s salvation offer.  Believers get the Word of God, the Bible, the inerrant Canon of Scripture so those who study can have a deep, intimate, and personal relationship with the Lord. 

 

/Why Do Christians Study the Word of God? \

 

We get to know the Lord Jesus Christ by studying the Bible which is His EXACT thinking revealed.  As we develop our relationship with the Lord, we get to know His mind.  Knowing the truth of the Word of God is the only way to spot false teachers and their false teachings.  Second Timothy, Chapter 3, Verses 16 and 17 say this…

 

/SECOND TIMOTHY 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed (into the writers of Scripture) … and it is profitable for teaching…for reproof…for correction…and for training in righteousness…\

 

/SECOND TIMOTHY 3:17

…so that the man of God may be mature…totally equipped for every good

work.\

 

The Bible and its truths are from the source of God and not from the source of man…and they edify us to handle the challenges of living in the world.

 

/Who Is God’s Enemy? \

 

God’s enemy is a very real being we call Satan, among his titles…whom God made ‘the ruler of this world.’  In John, Chapter 14, Verse 30, the Lord says…

 

/JOHN 14:30

“I will not speak much more with you (apostles)…for the ruler of the world is coming…even though he has no hold over Me…” \

 

Satan only wants a part of us believers in Christ…he wants our will.  He wants us to willingly allow him to deceive us.  That’s when his insidious methods of destruction, designed to pervert our spiritual lives, are most powerful…when we allow him a foothold in our lives.  The Lord commands us in Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verse 27…

 

 

/EPHESIANS 4:27

…do not give the devil an opportunity.\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Beware of False Teachers and False Teaching\

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

 

As we begin our study of a biblical letter written for the believers in first-century Colossae, we start with an overview of the letter…with four chapters and ninety-five verses of power-packed information about our peerless Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Colossians refutes the lies of false teachers.  In this lesson, we’ll answer the questions you would do well to consider any time you study any biblical letter.

 

OPENING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

Prayer is a critical part of the spiritual life.  Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers as quickly as we think he ought.  Danny Gokey offers perspective in his beautiful song HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET.

 

/MUSIC

OPENING SONG

Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises

 

HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET

Danny Gokey\ 

 

/OPENING PRAYER

 

Let us pray...\

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Thank you for the warning of today's lesson…the recommendation of picking our teachers carefully…thank you for putting us on guard against false doctrines designed to lead us away from the victorious life Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ crafted for us by His work on the Cross…thank you for giving us a sanctuary where we can learn the truth.  Protect us as we study…let Your Word flush our minds of the garbage of the world, replacing it with Your inerrant Word…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Beware of False Teachers and False Teaching\

 

You probably remember the story from your childhood of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

 

The legend describes the story of a flute player (a flutist), dressed in multicolored clothing, who used his music to enchant rats.  He played his music and rats would follow him.

 

He was hired by a town to lure their rats away with his magic pipe, which he did successfully. When the citizens refused to pay for his services as promised, he retaliates by using his instrument’s magical powers on their children, leading them away as he had the rats.  He led the children into a cave and they were never seen nor heard from again.

 

The same thing happens every day to Christians. 

 

Satan, the enemy of God, is the Pied Piper of this world.  He is the most beautiful, most brilliant genius ever to come from the hand of God.  He has a melodic voice and irresistible messages.  In Ezekiel, Chapter 28, Verses 12 to 15, the Lord speaks of the spiritual power behind the King of Tyre…of course, He's talking about the real Pied Piper…Satan…

 

/EZEKIEL 28:12

“…thus says the Lord God…you had the seal of perfection…you were full of wisdom…and you were perfect in beauty.\”

 

/EZEKIEL 28:13a

“You were in Eden, the garden of God…every precious stone was your covering…

the ruby, the topaz and the diamond…the beryl, the onyx and the jasper…the lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald…\

 

 

/EZEKIEL 28:13b

…and the gold…the workmanship of your settings and sockets was in you.  On the day that you were created, they were prepared." \

 

/EZEKIEL 28:14

“You were the anointed cherub who covers…and I (the Lord…God the Son placed you there.  You were on the holy mountain of God…you walked amid the stones of fire." \

 

/EZEKIEL 28:15

“You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you...” \

 

Satan is the sponsor of false teachers and false teaching, and Paul’s letter to the Colossians is about the pressure Satan uses to lead believers away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

 

As we begin the study, my recommendation is for you to read the entire letter to the Colossians once a week for the next four weeks.  This is great practice, to get you in the habit of making the Bible your friend, and making God’s Word your rudder.  At Barah Ministries we use the New American Standard Version of the Bible (1995).  If you don’t have that translation, we are happy to provide it for you.

 

Here are several questions as we begin the study.  These are questions you would do well to answer as you begin studying any letter in the Bible.  The answers to these questions provide you with context as you study.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

 

1

Who wrote the letter we are about to study?

 

2

Who is the letter directed to?

 

3

Where do the people live who are receiving the letter? \

 

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

 

4

What do we know about the author of the letter?

 

5

When did the author write the letter?

 

6

Where was the author when he wrote the letter?\

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

 

7

What was God’s purpose in getting the author to write the letter?

 

8

What does God want the author to communicate to the intended audience of the letter? \

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

 

9

What is the main message of the letter?

 

10

What relevance does the letter have to our lives today?

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

Who wrote the letter we are about to study? \

 

We find out immediately in Colossians, Chapter 1, Verse 1…

 

/COLOSSIANS 1:1

(A letter from) Paul…an apostle of Jesus Christ…by the will of God the Father…and from Timothy our brother (who is with me as co-worker and co-author) …\

 

Paul is the hand-picked choice of the Lord Jesus Christ to write the mystery doctrine of the current divine age…the Church Age.  Paul wrote more than half of the New Testament…thirteen letters…and if not half in volume, certainly more than half in importance.  Three of the letters Paul wrote are to Pastors…First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Titus.  The remaining letters are to Church Age believers…us Gentiles…the set of believers The Lord called together after His death on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead.  The letters are Romans, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians, Second Thessalonians, and Philemon. 

 

Each of Paul’s letters dealt with a specific problem going on in the church at the time.  We have the EXACT SAME PROBLEMS today.  So when you study the Bible, don’t think of the things you learn only as problems of a church in the first century.  Know these letters are speaking even more to us today.  We have the EXACT SAME problems.

 

Timothy is Paul’s protégé.  He was from the city of Lystra, a city in Asia Minor

(present-day Turkey).  He was born of a Jewish mother who was a believer in Christ, and a Greek father (a Gentile). The apostle Paul met Timothy during his second missionary journey and Timothy became Paul’s companion and missionary partner.  Here’s how Paul describes Timothy at the beginning of First Timothy, Chapter 1, Verse 2 and Second Timothy, Chapter 1, Verse 2…

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 1:2

To Timothy, my true child in the faith…\

 

/SECOND TIMOTHY 1:2

To Timothy, my beloved son…\

 

Like many young Pastors, Timothy was timid…he suffered from physical ailments…and he let others take advantage of him without asserting his authority as a Pastor.  He was easily discouraged and often depressed.  Despite these challenges Timothy was faithful to the Lord and had a deep concern for the Lord's people.  He took on tough assignments like Pastoring the church at Ephesus. 

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

Who is the letter directed to? \

 

We find out in Colossians, Chapter 1, Verse 2…

/COLOSSIANS 1:2

…(a letter) to the saints (God’s holy people who are believers in Christ)…(a letter)

 to the faithful brethren in union with Christ who are at Colossae…grace to you

and peace to you from God our Father.\

 

The letter is directed to a group of first-century believers in Christ who live in a small town in modern-day Turkey called Colossae.  The church was started as a home-based church by a believer in Christ named Epaphras.

 

Why would the apostle Paul write such a profound letter to such a small group of people in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere…to a group of people he would never meet and would never visit?  Reflecting on this, it’s easy to see the Lord’s concern for everyone no matter where they are on the planet.

 

Colossae is like modern-day Detroit.  At one time Detroit was a booming metropolis that was the cradle of the industrial revolution.  All major American car manufacturers were based there, and it was the place to be if you wanted to make money.  Today, Detroit is struggling to come back to its former glory, but it is more of a carcass with the life plucked from it by the vultures of Satan’s world system.

 

So it was at Colossae.  Once on a road that was a major trade route…when the trade route was changed the city began to die.  It became a small town in the middle of nowhere.  A home-based Christian church was started there by Epaphras…and as soon as the new church started to grow, false teachers and false teaching sprang up like a root, infiltrating the church and threatening its existence.

 

Epaphras…who had learned from the apostle during Paul’s three years in Ephesus, went to Rome to visit Paul to get help with the problems in the home-based churches he started…not only at Colossae but also at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 

 

Laodicea was a place with really wealthy people.  Their material wealth blinded the Laodiceans to their spiritual poverty.  Hierapolis was known as a healing city because it had hot springs that people used as a spa.  Many people chose to retire there.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

Where do the people live who are receiving the letter? \

 

Colossae is about one hundred miles inland from Ephesus, a place the

apostle Paul spent three years.  The letter was for the Colossian believers as well as for believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

What do we know about the author of the letter? \

 

Charles Dickens began his epic work Tale of Two Cities with these words… “It was the best of times…it was the worst of times.”  So it was with the apostle Paul, the author of this letter.

 

THE WORST OF TIMES

 

It’s a bit ironic that the Lord would pick a “hater” like Paul to do his work.  Several things made Paul perfect for the job in God’s eyes…Paul knew the Jewish culture and the Jewish language, Hebrew.  He also knew and spoke Greek. He was raised in Tarsus, so he was well acquainted with Greek culture and its philosophies.  He had all the privileges afforded to a Roman citizen.  He was trained in Jewish theology, and he was capable in a secular trade, tentmaking, so he was able to support himself.  God gave him relentless zeal (the Greek word dioko)…and a set of leadership qualities along with brilliant theological insight.

 

Christianity was spreading like wildfire, and Paul intended to stamp it out.  Anyone or anything that threatened Jewish culture and the Mosaic Law was Paul’s target.  Paul was a relentless persecutor...a murderer of Christians.  He is the worst person of all time.  Here’s how he described himself in First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 9 and 10…

 

/FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:9

For I (Paul) am the least of the apostles…and I am not fit to be called an apostle… because I persecuted the church of God.\

 

He was not being modest…he was a monster.

 

THE BEST OF TIMES

 

By the grace of God, Paul was made an apostle by the Lord.  An apostle is someone who has seen the resurrected Lord.  Paul describes himself in Romans, Chapter 1, Verse 1…

/ROMANS 1:1

This letter is written by me, Paul, a bond-servant and voluntary slave of Christ Jesus…by calling an apostle…and set apart by God the Father for the dissemination of the gospel message of God the Father…as a minister…\

 

Through the grace of God, Paul became the greatest believer of all time.  First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 10…

 

/FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:10

…by the grace of God, I am what I am…and His grace toward me did not prove vain…but I labored to the point of exhaustion, even more than all of the other apostles…yet not I (doing the labor), but the grace of God with me (did the work).\

 

Hater…persecutor…apostle…minister.  This is what we know about Paul, the author of this beautiful letter.  When we return from the break, we’ll answer a few more questions to consider before studying a Biblical letter.

 

/FIVE-MINUTE BREAK

NOBODY

Casting Crowns\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Beware of False Teachers and False Teaching\

 

OFFERING INTRODUCTION

 

One of the great pleasures of life is giving my time, talent, and treasure to those who want to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ free of charge.  True ministry involves giving, not receiving.  Yet it’s an equal pleasure being given to in return.  In Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 17, the apostle Paul says…

 

/PHILIPPIANS 4:17

Not that I seek the gift (for myself…even though I appreciate it) … but I seek for the profit which increases to your account (from God when you give).\

 

You’re invited to join in giving…to make giving to Barah Ministries part of your weekly routine.  God blesses your giving and makes it have impact in places all over the world with people you know nothing about.  Simultaneously, God gives abundant credit back to your account. 

If you listen to Barah Ministries, we appreciate it when you contribute to Barah Ministries.  No amount is too small.  Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with one of his always inspiring offering messages.

 

/THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall\

 

/OFFERING VERSE

 

ACTS 20:35

"In everything, I (Paul) showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" \

 

/OFFERING SONG

THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU

Instrumental Version\

 

/TODAY’S BIBLE LESSON

Beware of False Teachers and False Teaching\

 

Welcome back…

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

          When did the author write the letter? \

 

The letter was written in 62AD, after the letter to the Romans and after First Corinthians.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

          Where was the author when he wrote the letter? \

 

Paul was in prison in Rome.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

          What was God’s purpose in getting the author to write the letter? \

 

There were four problems plaguing the Colossian church, sponsored by false

teachers and their false teaching…men who were enticing them with the four

 thieves of the spiritual life…

 

/THE FOUR THIEVES OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

 

Worldly Philosophy      Mysticism

          Asceticism                     Legalism\

 

Paul warns the believers at Collosae in Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 8…

 

/COLOSSIANS 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception…according to the traditions of men…according to the elementary principles of the world…rather than according to (the thoughts of) Christ.\

 

Whenever a new church is budding, the ruler of this world, Satan, sends his ambassadors into the church to ruin it.  God wanted Paul to help Epaphras and the believers at Colossae to address the problem of Satanic infiltration of the church.  How many times have we seen the exact same problem arise in Barah Ministries, perpetrated by believers in Christ who allowed themselves to be influenced by Satan?

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

What does God want the author to communicate to the intended audience of the letter?\

 

Paul writes to counteract the influence of false teachers and false teaching and to affirm the accuracy of the gospel message.  In so doing he communicates the total sufficiency of a relationship with our peerless Lord…Jesus…the Christ.  In Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 18, Paul writes…

 

/COLOSSIANS 2:18

Let no one keep on defrauding you of your prize (the freedom of the resurrection life) by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind…\

 

So often we are enticed by Satan’s deceptive temptations, often with catastrophic results. 

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

What is the main message of the letter? \

 

The area around Colossae was full of religious hucksters.  “New” ideas about what constitutes spirituality abounded.  The false teachers were selling religious practices:  mysticism, legalism, asceticism, and philosophy.  Paul recommended in Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 6…

 

/COLOSSIANS 2:6

Therefore, just as you believers in Christ have received Christ Jesus the Lord (His simplicity and purity) … so walk in union with Him…\

 

We’re encouraged to live the Christian lifestyle and to shed the counterfeit lifestyles proposed by false teachers and their false teaching.

 

What is mysticism?

 

/MYSTICISM

The claims that we can attain insight into mysteries transcending ordinary human knowledge through direct communication with the divine or through immediate intuition in a state of spiritual ecstasy.\

 

What is legalism?

 

/LEGALISM

Adding to the perfection that is Christianity with an overfocus on the rules… turning Christianity into a perversion of self-righteous superiority and into a series of steps we could never follow successfully.\

 

What is asceticism?

 

/ASCETICISM

The practice of strict self-denial as a measure of a greater spiritual reality… rigorous abstention from self-indulgence.\

 

What is philosophy?

 

/PHILOSOPHY

The love of wisdom.  Generally, philosophy is what people consult as they seek to

understand themselves, the world they live in, their relationship to the world, and their relationship with each other.\

 

There is nothing wrong with philosophy except that it becomes an obsession, substituting worldly wisdom for the insight from God.

 

/QUESTIONS TO BEGIN THE STUDY OF A BIBLICAL LETTER

What relevance does the letter have to our lives today? \

 

The Colossians had the same challenges we do.  They wanted to know about the Christian Way of Living so they could walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 

Yet the church at Colossae was under attack from false teachers who sought to infiltrate the church with their false teaching.  In our lives today, the same thing is going on.  Demonic forces seek to destroy our churches from within… quite often through other Christians.  Wolves in sheep's clothing seeking to destroy what God is building.  Yet our God is still on duty, keeping a watchful eye on us, and not allowing things that are not good for us to prosper.

 

False teachers inculcate their false teaching deeply into our psyches so that their lies become our operating system.  Confusion becomes the norm in our lives, so we forfeit the magnificent spiritual life God provides us.  When the problems of this life perplex us…when we wonder why anyone would want to hurt us…the Bible provides meaningful answers. 

 

Our study of Paul’s letter to the Colossians will reveal the gifts God has given us…the gift of Himself, so we can have a relationship with Him…the gift of His Word so that we know the truth and so we know His mind…and the gift of enemies who edify us through their wickedness so that we learn perseverance, proven character, and hope from the God who does not disappoint.

 

What answers is the study of this letter going to provide for our spiritual lives?

 

Only God knows.  But if the overview is any indication, we’ll learn who our Lord is through Chapter 1…in Chapter 2 we’ll learn the problem in the Colossian church which is the same problem we have in churches today…the infiltration of evil… and we’ll be reminded of the keys to the Christian Way of Living in Chapters 3 and 4.

 

The letter to the Colossians addresses the problem of REAL versus

COUNTERFEIT.  I’m looking forward to sharing its insights with you.

 

/THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Good News of Jesus Christ’s Salvation Offer to the Human Race\

 

The closing moments of today’s lesson are dedicated to anyone, anywhere, who is undecided about having a relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We want you to know that…

 

/GOD WANTS YOU!

He Wants You Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life\

 

There is a Person at the core of Christianity…the Creator of Christianity…who cares about YOU.  His name is Jesus Christ.  He is the Sovereign of the Universe… He is the truth…He is God…and He wants a relationship with YOU!  This is your chance to choose to have a personal relationship with Him. 

 

Your problem is that you were born a sinner in God’s eyes.  Sinners need a Savior.  The Savior of the whole world is Jesus Christ and He wants you to be saved…First Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 3 and 4 say…

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:3

This is what is good and acceptable in the sight of the God who is our Savior…the Lord Jesus Christ…\

 

/FIRST TIMOTHY 2:4

…who desires for all men to be saved and who wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth.\

 

You will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire at physical death if you choose not to believe in Him.

 

There is only ONE WAY to get to heaven…by placing your faith in Jesus Christ to save you…by trusting what He has done at the Cross on your behalf.  If you’re going to place your confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, you probably should get to know Him.  While there are many things to know about Him, here are the critical few things. 

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is YOUR CREATOR…John, Chapter 1, Verse 3…

/JOHN 1:3

All things came into being through the Lord (God the Son) … and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ loves you UNconditionally…First John, Chapter 4, Verse 8…

 

/FIRST JOHN 4:8

The one who does not love unconditionally does not know the Lord…for the Lord IS unconditional love (it’s His Person and His identity).\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven ALL of your sins…past… present…and future…Isaiah, Chapter 43, Verse 25…

 

/ISAIAH 43:25

“I, even I (the Lord), am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake…and I will NOT remember your sins.” \

 

The Lord doesn’t want you to work to please Him…Romans, Chapter 11, Verse 6 says…

 

/ROMANS 11:6

But if salvation is by grace, and of course it is, it is no longer on the basis of your works…otherwise grace is no longer grace.\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t want you to go to the Lake of Fire…Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9…

 

/SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of…instead, He is patient toward unbelievers…not wishing for any of you to perish (in the Lake of Fire) but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).\

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Perfect Person to lead you to salvation.

 

God’s graciousness offers you a plan to be saved as a free gift.  Ephesians, Chapter 2, Verses 8 and 9…

 

/EPHESIANS 2:8

For by God’s grace you have been saved through faith in Christ for salvation…and that grace and that faith and that salvation are not from the source of yourselves… it is the gift of God the Father…\

 

/EPHESIANS 2:9

…so being saved is not as a result of your works (deeds you have done in self-righteousness) … so that no one may boast (about saving himself).\

 

So how can you get to heaven?  This loving, forgiving, patient God who wants you to be saved is willing to save you right this minute.  John, Chapter 14, Verse 6…

 

/JOHN 14:6

Jesus said to the doubting apostle, Thomas, “I am the way (to salvation), and I am the truth (through the Word of God), and I am the resurrection life (eternal life) … and no one comes to God the Father (in heaven) but through believing in Me.” \

 

Right where you sit, RIGHT NOW, you can tell God the Father that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

/ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.” \

 

So, heed the warning in John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…

 

/JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life right at that moment… but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.” \

 

Who is this God who saves you?  The apostle Paul describes the Lord Jesus

Christ in First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 3 and 4…

 

/FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:3

For I (Paul) delivered to you as of primary importance the gospel message I also

 received from God…that it was Jesus Christ who died for our sins according to

the Old Testament Scriptures…\

/FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:4

…and that He was buried…and He was raised from the dead on the third day…according to the Old Testament Scriptures…\

 

When you get to know Jesus Christ, you’ll have no problem placing your confidence in Him, both for your salvation and for everything else.  Why?  Because the Sovereign God of the Universe wants a relationship with you, He loves you unconditionally, and He died for you.  So, take advantage of His grace and you’ll be saved RIGHT NOW!

 

What happens if you reject a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?  Matthew, Chapter 25, Verse 41…

 

/MATTHEW 25:41

“Then Jesus will say to those on His left (unbelievers)…‘Depart from Me accursed ones into the eternal fire (The Lake of Fire) which has been prepared for the devil and his angels…”\

 

Those are neither words you want to hear, nor words you have to hear.  John, Chapter 3, Verse 18…

 

/JOHN 3:18

He who believes in Jesus Christ…placing his trust in Him for salvation…is not judged…he who does not believe in Jesus Christ has been judged already, because he is in a state of unbelief about the Person of the uniquely born Son of God.\

 

Take the easy road to salvation…believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

 

CLOSING SONG INTRODUCTION

 

When false teachers lead you astray, the Lord will find you.  Here’s June Murphy to sing about that sentiment in her song YOU RAN AFTER ME.

 

/MUSIC

CLOSING SONG

Let’s Sing the Lord’s Praises

 

YOU RAN AFTER ME

June Murphy\

 

/DOXOLOGY

Words of Praise to Our Lord\

 

Let us offer words of praise to our Lord…

 

/EPHESIANS 1:3

Worthy of praise is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us believers in Christ in eternity past with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (a place of permanence) … through our union with Christ…\

 

God wants us to enjoy His gracious provisions…

 

/EPHESIANS 1:7-8

In Jesus…we have redemption (deliverance from slavery to sin) through His blood…the forgiveness of our trespasses…according to the glorious wealth provided by His grace…which He lavished on us…including as a gift, wisdom and insight…\

 

/EPHESIANS 3:20

Now to God the Father…who can do far more abundantly beyond all that we could ask or imagine (more than is humanly possible) …according to the divine power (omnipotence) that works within us…\

 

/EPHESIANS 3:21

…to Him be the glory…through the Church Age believers in union with Christ Jesus…and to all generations forever and ever. Amen.\

 

/CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...\

 

Almighty God and Father…thank you for providing God the Holy Spirit…the Person of discernment in our lives who leads us into all the truth, simultaneously moving us away from lies…encourage us to listen to Him…make His voice loud enough so that we can hear Him as we go back into the world to tackle the problems you are using for our edification…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s name...Amen.

/GOT BIBLICAL QUESTIONS?

 

Ask the Pastor

pastor@barahministries.com\

 

/KEEP ON STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD!

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

 

www.barahministries.com\