Posts Tagged ‘false teachers’
Unity Among Brethren
by Sewell Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2014 Jesus prayed, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:21). This prayer was not for unity among denominations, nor even for goodwill among congregations. It was…
Read MoreWhy Israel Fell
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-Israel-Fell.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Isaiah 9:1-7 I. The prophet Isaiah told the people that the Messiah was coming. A. He would bring righteousness to all the nations and remove the burdens of sin B. He would establish a new government, one that would last forever C. The people of Israel foolishly thought that the…
Read MoreLiving with the Consequences of Bad Decisions
by Zeke Flores How terrible it is to live with the consequences of terrible decisions. Israel was having to do just that. Though God warned them about their idolatry, they didn’t listen. Though God told them that their exploitation of the poor and needy was evil, they didn’t listen. Though God said to them that…
Read MoreGrooming Hearts
by Bryant Bailles For whatever it may be worth: On the matter of grooming attitudes, unfairly generalizing brethren, and creating an imaginary group to despise… “And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a case to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would…
Read MoreMistakes in Religion
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mistakes-in-Religion.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:13-29 I. How do you find the truth? A. People use numerous ways, but usually they revolve around avoiding effort II. Following the Majority – Matthew 7:13-14 A. You see this in many areas of life. 1. If most people say something, then it is assumed to be true B. Religion…
Read MoreCults
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Cults.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Timothy 3:1-9 I. Cults periodically make the news. A. It is unfortunate that gullible people exist, willing to believe anything that will bring them contentment within themselves. Some people are willing to suspend all reason to have some hope. 1. John 8:44 – Satan leads many away with…
Read MoreYou Make This People Trust in a Lie
by Terry Wane Benton Text: Jeremiah 28:15 Jeremiah confronted some popular teachers of his time and rebuked them for getting people to trust in lies. It has happened since the Garden of Eden that people trust in lies. There are plenty of preachers willing to give false assurances. Religious leaders can be bought, or they…
Read MoreWould God Deny a Person Heaven?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Would-God-Deny-a-Person-Heaven.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreDo You Swallow Anything?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Do-You-Swallow-Anything.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 14:10-16 I. Sharks are notorious for swallowing just about anything. A. People have found books, bottles, tablecloths, and nails inside sharks B. Clearly sharks have large appetites and indiscriminate tastes C. There is a small fish known as the Sea Hedgehog or Urchin Fish. 1. This small fish has spikes all around…
Read MoreMethods of Divisive Teachers
by Doy Moyer Deceit is nothing new. Those who subversively gain followings, start new movements, and cause divisions are masters at it. Scripture warns us of this problem, so we should consider some common elements in the methods of divisive teachers. Every element listed may not be in every divisive teacher, but these are characteristics…
Read MoreHiding Behind the Truth
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Hiding-Behind-the-Truth.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 4:1-6 I. One basic principle of logic is that if you start with a false idea, you can prove anything A. False doctrine could be justified if you started with a false idea as evidence 1. Premise: Presidents of the United States must be younger than 35 2. Premise: Joe…
Read MoreHave You Been Bewitched? – Galatians 3:1-5
by Thomas Thornhill In these verses, Paul calls the Galatians “foolish” and “bewitched” for being deceived by Judaizing false teachers. He doesn’t believe in such superstition but uses it as sarcasm to make them think. How did they receive the Spirit that brought justification and salvation? Paul is deeply distressed that the Galatians were so…
Read MoreChrist, Our Shepherd
Text: John 10 We live in a fearful time. Most other people in most other times would think it strange that Americans today are as afraid as they are. After all, we live in the heart of the territory controlled by the greatest military power of all time. There has not been a war here…
Read MoreThe Work of the False Teacher
by Matthew W. Bassford In an epistle that contains a number of negative descriptions, Romans 16:17-18 is the last. Here, though, Paul is not concerned with degenerate Gentiles or hard-hearted Jews. Instead, he focuses on troublemakers within the Christian community. They have the following four characteristics: They Create Division Disciples of Christ are supposed to…
Read MoreDifficult Times and Difficult People
by Doy Moyer Predators prey on gullible people when they think they spot an opportunity. This is one of the points of II Timothy 3:1-9. The difficult times in this context, though spoken of as future, included the time in which Paul was writing (note the present tense in II Timothy 3:6). These difficult times…
Read MoreProve What Is Acceptable
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Prove-What-Is-Acceptable.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Thessalonians 5:16-24 I. I doubt it has escaped your notice, but there are people around us who don’t always do what is right A. How do you know who to trust? B. People claim to be Christians, but we know people can and do lie C. For that matter, how do…
Read MoreMy parents have become heretics. Should I cut them out of my life?
Question: My mother and father have latched onto what I consider to be a heretical theology with fervor. My father, who is the reason I am a Bible-believing Christian today, has become a Full Preterist. He is radical, aggressive, and has tried to convert everyone he knows. Both my parents believe that Satan, Hell, and…
Read MoreFalse Teaching and Fellowship
by Frank Jamerson Sentry Magazine, December 2000 The issue of false teaching and fellowship is not a new one. The following is approximately two pages from an eleven-page article, published in January 1975, that I commend for your consideration. “All of us must accept the fact that we have fellowship (live and work and worship with)…
Read MoreWhat do you think of Pat Robertson now?
Question: So what do you think of Pat Robertson’s 2007 predictions now with all this violence going on in the U.S. and the world? He may have missed the year but he didn’t miss the action! You are not to be followed! Answer: “But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which…
Read MoreDid the woman win a soul to Christ by getting a commitment in exchange for sex?
Question: A guy proposed love to a lady and the lady accepted but she said no sex unless the guy became a Christian. The guy also said if only the lady allowed him sex he will give his life to Christ. The lady gave him a chance to have his way with her from that…
Read MoreRhetoric in the Propaganda Wars
by Terry Wane Benton It is interesting how the rhetoric used in truth vs. propaganda often turns to prejudicial phrases. Elijah was called a “troubler” in Israel, by the wicked king (I Kings 18:17). Who really was the troubler? Was it not those who grew to accept immorality and idolatry? But Ahab used the word…
Read MoreCan false teachers do miracles?
Question: Greeting, Recently I read about this topic from “Summarizing the Book of Acts – Miracles Confirm God’s Word” by Roy H. Lanier, Jr and want to ask your opinion about the material. “Many “Spirit-filled” claimers today contradict plain Bible teachings. Some of their doctrines violate the clear teachings of the Lord. God would not…
Read MoreIs Felix Manalo the last messenger of God?
Question: Good day, I am a member of the Lord’s church here in the Philippines, I have a question regarding Isaiah 46:11 and Isaiah 43:5-7. A religious group called Iglesia ni Cristo claims that their “Sugo” or messenger, Felix Manalo, from the islands mentioned in Isaiah 24:15; 59:19 and Psalms 113:1-3, which they claim the…
Read MoreAttendance is not commanded!
Question: Hello, I am a minister and teacher of Christ Jesus. A Christian brother brought to my attention your teaching about attending church and Bible study, so I could comment on it. It is on your page titled “Are you telling me I won’t make it to heaven because I have to work?” I also reviewed…
Read MoreThe Boy Who Didn’t Come Back from Heaven
by Wayne Greeson The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven came out in 2010 and sold more than 1 million copies and spent months on the New York Times’ bestseller list. Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son Alex were driving home from church in Huntsville, Ohio, on a Sunday morning in November 2004, when they…
Read MoreWhat is my calling?
Question: Dear sir, l study cybersecurity and information technology. l had a job but l quit it thinking the salary was not enough. l have since continued to applied for jobs but nothing has happened. l get jobs interviews, but l will not be called in for work. I thought it was because l didn’t…
Read MoreWhat do you think about listening to Joel Osteen for his motivation, even though you know his teaching is wrong?
Question: Hi, I am a member of the church of Christ. Before morning service this past Sunday the TV happened to be on the station with Joel Osteen. I have never really watched him speak before. I must say it was a good message, as far as being motivational. I feel it wasn’t anything that…
Read MoreI refused to drink some “mystic” water and now the office thinks I may be a witch
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I need guidance. We had prayer and fasting at work, during which our boss asked for a bag of sachet water which he anointed with an oil that he said was given to him by God. He then said that whoever has an ailment of any kind should come and drink it…
Read MoreDoing Much Harm
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/DoingMuchHarm.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 11:1-20 I. An article by Michael Kruger, written back in February 2018, got me thinking about how some people leave the church A. The article focuses on Jen Hatmaker, a Texas author and has a TV show. She has taken public stances contrary to the Southern Baptist denomination…
Read MoreIs a Christian who teaches error still a brother in Christ?
Question: A big fire started after our morning services this morning! One of our members here adamantly disagreed with me when I mentioned that when a brother sins by teaching doctrinal error, he must repent, and if he refuses to repent he is “a brother in error.” Until he does repent, we are no longer…
Read MoreThe Passing of Billy Graham
by Dan Gatlin Billy Graham passed away today. Some may not be familiar with what he taught. He said, “I believe baptism is important, and I have been baptized. But I think we violate the Scriptures when we make baptism the prime requirement for salvation … Paul’s central theme was Christ and His saving power.…
Read MoreCan giving a warning about a false teacher be gossip?
Question: I was reading an article written by someone on your website about the subject of gossip. Gossip was condemned by the person who wrote the article. But, what about if you’re exposing a false teacher, whether they’re well known by others or not? I believe that we should raise awareness of a wolf in sheep’s…
Read MoreDoes a lack of unity and integrity affect the preaching of the gospel?
Question: Does the lack of unity and integrity in the ministry affect the people to whom we are reaching out? Is this a problem only due to egos or is there some other reason for this? Answer: “For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” (I Corinthians 14:8). In…
Read MoreWhat should I do about a person who is trying to push Calvinism in our congregation?
Question: There is a young man that I go to church with who tries to teach me that Calvinism is true and that you can’t lose your salvation. I used to believe what he teaches, but I stopped believing it. He even laughs when talking about people being prepared for destruction or God’s wrath being…
Read MoreShould I leave this church where the pastor drives a luxury car?
Question: Hello. Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my question. I’ve struggled with the decision of whether to leave my church. The congregation is very loving and over the past two years, I have developed several good friendships. My dilemma is with the pastor. She is a very gifted speaker and…
Read MoreMisquoting the Scriptures
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MisquotingTheScriptures.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Timothy 2:14-19 I. Atheists will often use short quotes from the Bible to make it appear that the Bible is contradictory or teaches something that people would find repulsive A. But then, when you lift words from their context, you can make almost any point you want B. To be…
Read MoreHow do I treat false teachers, like the Mormons?
Question: God teaches us so much through His Word, but I have a question that cannot be easily answered. Throughout the New Testament, God instructs His children (born-again Christians ) to love unconditionally; yet, I’m not sure how to act or respond to Mormons. Loving others is a commandment of God but somehow I’m not…
Read MoreThey Caused the People to Trust in a Lie
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TheyCausedThePeopleToTrustInALie.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreI couldn’t make my pledge this month and the pastor wants God to afflict me. What do I do?
Question: I am a young lady of 26 years. I attend a church and during a fundraising, the pastor asked me to pay 2000 in our currency. I got 500 to pay him and promised to pay the rest later. He mentioned we should not cross the end of the month without paying our balance.…
Read MoreShould we not worry about false teachers because at least Christ is being preached?
Question: Does Philippians 1:12-18 mean that whatever way the gospel is preached it is not too important? What will then be the reward of a person or people involved in preaching the gospel out of envy and strife? There are some congregations here that have decided to do monthly joint evangelism, but the problem with…
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