Will you die like a Fool?

Topic
The Church
  1. Introduction:
    1. Abner died as a fool. (2 Samuel 3:33)
    2. We must seek wisdom to avoid a death similar to Abner's death. (Proverbs 4:7)
    3. We all remember someone in High school who was romantically played for a fool.
    4. A fool, in this sense, is some one who doesn't see the visible signs of deceit. They underestimate the enemy.
    5. Today, Satan wants to play you for a fool, and he is using false teachers to do it.
    6. False Prophets/teachers are a very real threat.
      1. 2 Peter 2:1-3
      2. Jeremiah 14:13-16
        1. Galatians 2:4,5
      3. Satan has always used deceit.
        1. Eve was deceived. (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:14)
        2. Do you know how many animals of each kind Noah took on the ark? Most people think two, but in Genesis 7:1-3 is says [seven/two]
      4. Deceit is rampant because of the lack of discernment among christians.
        1. Hebrews 5:14
      5. Examples of False teachers/doctrines:
        1. Jim & Tammy Baker/ Robert Tilton
        2. "Stay tuned for information on how to get an autographed picture of Jesus."
      6. You have heard some of Satan's lies this week.
  2. Everyone Can't Be Right.
    1. There are misunderstandings/miscommunications.
      1. For example the church's teaching that there is `one church', yet
    2. There are also religious lies, falsehoods, & deceptions.
      1. Satan loves to appear deceptively as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
      2. Some things are either right or wrong.
        1. Once saved always saved; Homosexuality; Baptism for salvation.
  3. Some Reasons That The Truth Should Be Important To You:
    1. Without it you may say "Lord, Lord..." (Matthew 7:21-23)
    2. Your worship may be useless. (Matthew 15:7-9)
    3. God requires your truthful worship (Joshua 24:14)
    4. False teachers will go to hell. (2 Peter 2:1)
    5. Followers will receive the same as the false teacher (1 Kings 13:1-31; Matthew 15:14)
    6. You will also go to hell. (2 Peter 2:2,3)
    7. Will you find the narrow way? (Matthew 7:13,14)
  4. How To Know The Truth. (Acts 17:11)
    1. Open your mind, Be sincere
      1. Don't study like a Pharisee. (John 5:39)
      2. Search with your whole heart. (Matthew 22:37,38)
    2. Open your Bible Study, check teaching out.
      1. An open mind is like an open window. It needs a screen on it to keep the bugs out.
      2. Test the teachings [spirits] (1 John 4:1-6)
        1. Confess means more than verbal agreement.
          1. Devils believe James 2:19
          2. Demons confess Matthew 8:28,29
        2. Do their teachings agree with God's word?
          1. 1 John 4:5,6
      3. Test the results [fruits] (Matthew 7:15-20)
  5. Closing:
    1. Your soul is the most important thing in the world.
      1. Matthew 16:26
      2. Proverbs 4:7
    2. If you don't love the truth, God will send you a strong delusion so you'll believe a lie and be damned!

"because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12