Test Yourself Today
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
I Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV
There are so many “spirits ” that are purposely set out to deceive. Putting stumbling blocks right at our very feet, into our ear, and making it all look and seem all is well. Fun and games!
Compromise has set in. It has dug its claws deep into the Hearts of many people. Even brothers and sisters in Christ!
Paul writes to Timothy to train him, to show him, to warn him. To give Words of Wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
It has been almost two thousand years since the Apostle Paul penned this to Timothy.
We have been on the watch for Satan all this time.
Satan wasn’t in a hurry.
But now his time is short, no holds barred!
He has methodically taken the Church and deceived even the most faithful.
We as the Bride of Christ can have all the knowledge and truth that this world offers.
We can know every single Word of the Bible.
It all means nothing if we don’t have the faith behind it.
Some will depart from the faith!
That’s a scary position to even think of, but it has happened.
Departing from the faith doesn’t mean losing the ability to believe at all.
It is far worse than that.
It is losing the very substance of what Christians should believe and follow.
Departing from the faith is the loss of the essential teachings of the Christian faith and the Glory of Jesus Christ!
This might sound strange to many but,
Doctrine matters!
Doctrine simply means the teachings or instructions.
What does the Bible teach?
What does Jesus teach?
Why do I believe it!
Paul warns Timothy that in the latter times, in the end times, many will depart from the faith!
Then Paul says something;
‘giving heed to deceiving spirits’.
This means to give special and careful attention to.
That leads to the leaving of The Faith!
What has happened is these doctrines of demons have found their way into the Church. The Church has compromised Truth for the doctrine of lies!
We have taken God’s Words of wisdom and warning and made them into a 5 point system to a better life!
Father, have mercy on us!
There is a picking and choosing for ourselves the nice sayings of the Word of God, because we all want to feel good about ourselves.
Nevermind the Holiness of God, who needs to hear about that!
Challenge yourself, are you still in the faith! Or have you departed, even just a little?
What about the whole counsel of God?
We love His grace and mercy!
We live for His joy and peace!
The free gift of Salvation is amazing!
But what about His Righteousness?
What about His Wrath and anger to those that have broken His Commandments!
Don’t those still matter today?
When we don’t know what we believe and why we believe it so easy for another doctrine to influence us.
That influence, not of God, deceives!
Deceiving Spirits have mingled into the hearts and minds of many. Many are forgetting their first love.
How do I know this?
The Word of God says it.
We are witness to it with our very eyes
September 1 was the Burning of Zozobra.
For 99 years this has taken place.
An estimated 65,000 people from all around came to watch the sacrifice of ” Old man gloom “.
It was said that the crowds gathered early. Earnestly waiting to get in to make sure they had a good spot. For some this was the first. For others this has been a lifelong tradition.
All the ” glooms” packed inside the puppet to be burned. In hopes of a new start.
The sun goes down.
The dancing growls from the speakers. The music the chants
” burn him” sore from the crowds!
Sparks fly and Old man Gloom faces his fiery demise!
The crowds put their faith into something that will be back next year to wipe away every burden and hardship. All in hopes of a new beginning.
Did you get that?
Or did you miss it?
We miss it!
Does it not sound like something similar to what we believe!
A new beginning! A new hope.
The taking away of burdens and hardships.
The anticipation of getting into the gate to finally find a remedy for what has been ailing!
Doctrines of demons!
Subtle!
It is so easy to get caught up into the happenings of the world.
Sometimes we think it’s out of fun. It’s harmless, it means nothing. But deep inside you know you should not listen, watch or participate.
The doctrines of demons get mixed in with the Doctrines of Christ.
Then confusion sets in.
It is so important to know Jesus for what He has done for all of humanity.
The Great Exchange. The new life. Saving sinners from the Wrath of God!
But do you know just what He has done or do you also know who He is?
I have been talked to many times about my passion for the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Both privately and publicly I have been approached. I’ve been told that I was too legalistic in my thinking.
I have been told that being a theologian and actually studying God’s Word was harming the Church.
I’ve been told that my sermons need to be shorter. But there is no waste of time standing in the heat for hours to watch a puppet burn.
It’s amazing the things that come out of people’s hearts!
A famous preacher said this;
I don’t write the mail, I just deliver it!
If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
I Timothy 4:6-7 NKJV
Why am I passionate about doctrine?
It is my desire to see none perish.
To instruct those in the Ways and to the Way of the Lord!
To see the weak in faith turn to Jesus as Lord and Savior. So see at least one soul be plucked out the fires of hell!
Because if I know the Truth and I’m not speaking it then I’m leading you astray.
This is all of our responsibility as Followers of Christ!
We are called to be set apart and be Holy people to be in service to the Lord and His Kingdom!
How can I or anyone else be a good minister of Jesus Christ if we don’t allow the nourishing of the Holy Spirit to penetrate our hearts. To show us the Heart of the Father. To give us a Passion for Christ to be apart of the Mission He has called us all to!
Ask to be nourished in the Word of Faith!
Learn why you believe in the Doctrine of the Gospels.
Understand what Jesus did and follow every Word He says! Even if you don’t agree with it, follow!
He will never lead you astray or leave you alone. He will guide you if we leave all those foolish wives tales and fables and believe the Gospels.
Pursue and exercise yourself toward godliness!
Believe and understand this!
Jesus Christ is the Way, The Truth and The Life! It is only through Him that we can come to the Father and by no other!
He is God in the flesh. That He was born of a Virgin. That He suffered as a criminal.
He was bruised and beaten for our sins. His Hands and feet pierced so that there would be no escape from the cruel death He endured. He was Crucified on a borrowed Cross. He died. His Precious side was pierced. Every last drop of water and Blood was poured out to cleanse the wicked sinner. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. And on the 3rd day He rose from the dead. There were many eyewitnesses to His Resurrection as proof to all that what He said was true. When He was about to ascend back to Heaven He gave us the Helper, the Holy Spirit. One day soon, He will come back to judge the living and the dead. And that there is no end to His Mighty and powerful Kingdom!
All of this for the sinner that puts all their faith in this! It is by faith!
Not just believing in all of this!
This is the very essence of what we believe!
Ask yourself can the Burning of Zozobra do all that! Is there anyone or anything that comes close to this?
There’s power in the Doctrine of Jesus Christ!
Test yourself today to see if you are still in the faith!
Pastor Ed