New Life Christian Church Hayward
If you put 3 counterfeit $20 dollar bills next to each other next to one authentic bill and examined them from about 20 feet, it would be hard to tell them apart. But as you get closer and are able to examine them up front then you would realize that not all of the bills are real except for one. You can only figure this out when you are able to see all of them up close and next to the real bill.
The same is true of our walk in Jesus Christ and knowing the truth. We can only identify imitation gospels when we know the true Gospel and compare them to it up close. For the next few weeks we are going to be doing just that. We will be examining the true Gospel compared to other imitation Gospels of our day.
Key Scripture – Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Key Exercise Application
In our opening each of the 4 $20 dollar bills looked like they could be a real bill from a distance. But as you get closer and are able to examine them up front then you realize that not all of the bills are real except for one. You can only figure this out when you are able to see all of them up close and next to the real bill.
The same is true of our walk in Jesus Christ and knowing the truth. We can only identify imitation gospels when we know the true Gospel and compare them to it up close. For the next few weeks we are going to be doing just that. We will be examining the true Gospel compared to other imitation Gospels of our day.
An imitation is designed to look as close to the original as possible. However it can never replace the true original. But if enough people believe in it and follow it, then others will also be inclined to follow another gospel.
No Longer Deceived – Ephesians 4:11-14
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Another Gospel
According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system", but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect.
There is Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, Confucianism, Mysticism, Scientology, New Age and the truth of Christianity. In looking at these major belief systems and their views of God, we find tremendous diversity:
•Hindus acknowledge multitudes of gods and goddesses.
•Buddhists say there is no deity.
•New Age followers believe they are Gods.
•Muslims believe in a powerful but unknowable God.
•Christians believe in a God who is loving and approachable.
Men Who Understood The Times – I Chronicles 12:32
32 men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;
Make The Most Of Every Opportunity – Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Some Will Abandon The Faith – I Timothy 4:1-2
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Salt
a. Salt – Causes people to thirst – We should cause people to thirst for Jesus
b. Salt – Preserves – We are to preserve the truth like a time capsule
c. Salt – Improves Flavor – Your life should improve those around you
Light
a. Light – Shows people the way to go
b. Light – Gives people hope when it is dark
c. Light – Shows people Jesus in our lives
When the church no longer has its saltiness and is no longer a light to show the world what is true then we are no longer following the
Jesus The Light In Us – II Corinthians 4:3-6
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.