Christian Life Church
July 21, 2024 at 8:30am & 10:00am
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
THE SUSPENSION OF DISBELIEF JULY 21, 2024
SCRIPTURE
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, His disciples pointed out to Him the various Temple buildings. But He responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the age?” Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone deceive you, for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. …these signs indicate that the end is near. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24 (portions)
The suspension of disbelief is when an audience lays aside reason to embrace fiction.
In Matthew 24, Jesus answers three questions: When will these things happen? What will be the sign of Your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age?
Deception Christian Persecution Lawlessness
False Christs Offenses and Hatred Love Grows Cold
Wars and Rumors of Wars False Prophets Gospel Spreads
Famines and Earthquakes Deception of Many Deception of Most
As deception increases, discernment often decreases. This is a compounding problem.
THE TRAJECTORY OF DECEPTION
1/ Doctrine
2/ Diluted Doctrine
3/ Deception of Self
4/ Deceit of Masses
5/ Delusion
6/ Demonic Demonstrations
THE ORIGINS OF DECEPTION
1/ Deception can come from the enemy.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
2/ Deception can come from oneself.
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things… Jeremiah 17:9
3/ Deception can come from within the church.
…impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13
4/ Deception can come from outside the church.
Like birthing pains, deception will become more regular and more intense.
WHY DECEPTION COMES
1/ Deception comes because people do not love the truth.
2/ Deception comes because people do love unrighteousness.
MODERN ARENAS OF DECEPTION
1/ Political Parties and Ideologies
2/ Racism
3/ Science
4/ Sexuality
5/ Conspiracy Theories
When darkness mixes with light, it’s hard to see what’s real.
COMBATING DECEPTION
1/ I need to love the truth.
2/ I need to sit in arenas of truth.
theremnantnews.org
3/ I need to leave arenas of lies.
4/ I need to be ready for the Lord’s return.
I need to become a Christian.
I need to become an active Christian.
5/ I need to rise to this unique hour.
SCRIPTURE
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, His disciples pointed out to Him the various Temple buildings. But He responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the age?” Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone deceive you, for many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. …these signs indicate that the end is near. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24 (portions)
The suspension of disbelief is when an audience lays aside reason to embrace fiction.
In Matthew 24, Jesus answers three questions: When will these things happen? What will be the sign of Your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the age?
Deception Christian Persecution Lawlessness
False Christs Offenses and Hatred Love Grows Cold
Wars and Rumors of Wars False Prophets Gospel Spreads
Famines and Earthquakes Deception of Many Deception of Most
As deception increases, discernment often decreases. This is a compounding problem.
THE TRAJECTORY OF DECEPTION
1/ Doctrine
2/ Diluted Doctrine
3/ Deception of Self
4/ Deceit of Masses
5/ Delusion
6/ Demonic Demonstrations
THE ORIGINS OF DECEPTION
1/ Deception can come from the enemy.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 1 Timothy 4:1
2/ Deception can come from oneself.
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things… Jeremiah 17:9
3/ Deception can come from within the church.
…impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13
4/ Deception can come from outside the church.
Like birthing pains, deception will become more regular and more intense.
WHY DECEPTION COMES
1/ Deception comes because people do not love the truth.
2/ Deception comes because people do love unrighteousness.
MODERN ARENAS OF DECEPTION
1/ Political Parties and Ideologies
2/ Racism
3/ Science
4/ Sexuality
5/ Conspiracy Theories
When darkness mixes with light, it’s hard to see what’s real.
COMBATING DECEPTION
1/ I need to love the truth.
2/ I need to sit in arenas of truth.
theremnantnews.org
3/ I need to leave arenas of lies.
4/ I need to be ready for the Lord’s return.
I need to become a Christian.
I need to become an active Christian.
5/ I need to rise to this unique hour.