STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

SERMON MENU SELECTIONS

9/19/2010 ~ Fake Christians


Who is a spiritual counterfeit?
The Bible teaches us through example and declaration.

↓ COUNTERFEIT JEWS ↓

"... I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not,
but are a synagogue of Satan." ~ Revelation 2:9

... who say they are Jews and are not, but lie ... ~ Revelation 3:9

... For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, ... ~ Romans 9:6

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, ... ~ Romans 2:28-29

"... do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' ..."
~ Matthew 3:7-9

~ Jesus offended them by calling them counterfeit.

... "Abraham is our father." ... ~ John 8:37-48

They were convinced they were not counterfeit.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! ..." ~ Matthew 23:29-35

They were lost.

COUNTERFEIT JEWS = LOST

They needed to be freed.

"... have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say,
'You will be made free'?" ~ John 8:31-33

... Were from the devil, not God.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. ..." ~ John 8:44-47

The stifling old age was ending ... axe is at the root of the tree.

... every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down
and thrown into the fire. ~ Matthew 3:7-10

False doctrine polluting souls ... “twice as much sons of hell as yourselves”.

... you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
Woe to you, blind guides, ... ~ Matthew 23:13–24

WHY WERE THEY COUNTERFEIT?

... seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted
to the righteousness of God. ... ~ Romans 9:30–10:3

● They were more attached to the Law than they were to God.     
● They were more attached to themselves than they were to God.

COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS

Fake Christians ~ does not mean they were always fake or always will
be fake, but they are not genuine followers of Jesus.

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue
but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ~ James 1:26

... worthless religion

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ~ Matthew 7:15

... "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father ... ~ Matthew 7:21-23

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?"
~ Luke 6:46

... And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, ...
~ 1st Corinthians 5:1-2

... with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous,
or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, ... ~ 1st Corinthians 5:9-11

... his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness,
whose end will be according to their works. ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15

... whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame
- who set their mind on earthly things. ~ Philippians 3:17-19

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. ~ Titus 1:16

... untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction,
as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. ~ 2nd Peter 3:15-16

... They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been
of us, they would have continued with us; ... ~ 1st John 2:18-19

FAKE CHRISTIANS ARE LOST

COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS = LOST

... an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him
his portion with the hypocrites. ... ~ Matthew 24:45-51

... a different destination than the true faithful.

"... 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' "
~ Matthew 7:21-23

However shocked, they will have to depart.

... many walk, of whom I have told you often, ... that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, ... ~ Philippians 3:17-19

Enemies of Christ / End is destruction

... beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away
with the error of the wicked, ... ~ 2nd Peter 3:17-18

TWO TYPES OF FAKE CHRISTIANS

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived. ~ 2nd Timothy 3:13

● Those who know they are fake.            

... to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such
are false apostles, deceitful workers, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 11:12-15

● Those who don’t realize they are fake.

"... 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in
Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' ..." ~ Matthew 7:21-23
↓
THE HARSH REALITY
  • Some who think they are saved, are lost
  • Some who think they love God, hate Him
  • Some who think they are following Jesus are following Satan

    • → It is very hard to convince someone of who they really are.

    CONVINCED BUT DECEIVED

    They claim to be right.

    They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
    disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. ~ Titus 1:16

    They expect to be saved

    "... Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not ..."
    ~ Matthew 7:21-23

    Just like the Jews who were fully convinced,
    these individuals really think they are right with God.

    WHAT MAKES A PERSON A FAKE CHRISTIAN ?

    Bottom line – they are not actually following Jesus.
    Their beliefs are wrong.

    ... idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge - by
    professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:20-21

    For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess
    Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver ... ~ 2nd John 1:7

    And their message will spread like cancer. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:17-18

    Their life is wrong.

    "... you who practice lawlessness!' " ~ Matthew 7:21-23

    ... or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner
    - not even to eat with such a person. ~ 1st Corinthians 5:11

    They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable,
    disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. ~ Titus 1:16

    If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue
    but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. ~ James 1:26

    They are more attached to ________ than they are to Jesus.

    THE IMPORTANCE OF SPOTTING THE COUNTERFEITS

    Realization we have limitations

    ... bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal
    the counsels of the hearts. ~ 1st Corinthians 4:5

    Some men's sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment,
    but those of some men follow later. ~ 1st Timothy 5:24

    1. We need to be aware of their evil influence.

    ... some have strayed concerning the faith. ... ~ 1st Timothy 6:20-21

    2. They need our help
    3. We might be one of them!

    ... be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, ...
    ~ 2nd Peter 1:10

    Counterfeits are a reality and a problem.
    Jesus worked to show the Jews that they were counterfeits.
    We must recognize that there are counterfeit Christians as well:
                                  └─> Watch out for them.
                       └─> Help them.
                                                        └─> Make certain you are not one of them.

    TWO TYPES OF FAKE CHRISTIANS
    ● Those who know they are fake.            
    ● Those who don’t realize they are fake.

    Only diligent self study of God’s own word can expose a true heart.

    ... "We ought to obey God rather than men. ..." ~ Acts 5:29

    Obey God rather than man.



     

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