Warning: Danger Ahead!

"Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ."  -Colossians 2:8

We all carry insurance because we know the dangers in the world both physically and financially, but do we ever stop to think about spiritual dangers?  Do we ever stop to think about how damaging incorrect teaching can be to us, the body of Christ, and to a lost and watching world.  In the above passage, Paul is warning the church about the dangers of spiritual deceit.  Let me ask you this question, is it possible for true followers of Jesus Christ to believe or follow a false doctrine?  YES!  The above verse drives us to ask at least four question:

1.  What does it mean to be taken captive?

This is the only place in the New Testament where Paul uses this Greek word which translate "takes captive". It means the unlawful taking of goods, property, and people! While passages like 1 John 4:1-4 seem to indicate that God's people cannot be taken captive by these spiritual slave traders, this warning in Colossians seems to indicate the we can.  How do we make sense of this?  I think it boils down to the fact that believers can be taken captive by false teaching in a temporary sense, but not in a final sense. Just remember that the consequences for Christians being carried away could have temporal and eternal consequences, such as people leaving the church or division within the body.

2.  What kind of person takes others captive?

How can we know who is a false teacher and who is a teacher of truth?  Do they look a certain way?  Are all teachers of false doctrine beautiful people?  Should we only listen to the ugly teacher and preachers?  NO!  It is not based on outward appearance or social status.  We should be warned that it is not their education or relational closeness that gives them away either.  We may have highly educated friends and family who believe in all sorts of false preaching and teaching.  They are captive to it.  Also note that they may not know they are under false teaching.  Look at this verse:

"Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving  and being deceived"  -2 Timothy 3:13

3.  By what means will they take others captive?

Paul helps us understand that the means they use is "through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition".  The philosophy described is that of the world.  The world loves messages about the goodness of man, positive thinking, and self-help.  The message of the world and the message of the gospel are completely opposed to one another.  The word of God calls us to repentance over our sin, and that we are dead in our sins.  Here are two quick tests to determine if you are hearing false teaching:

·         If you take the bible and all biblical references away from the speaker, do they still have a message?

·         Does the message glorify God or man?

4.  What is my responsibility in the matter?

The verse instructs us to have an ongoing alertness to false teaching.  Our reasonability is to identify the false teaching and refuse it.  Remember, Satan is crafty, he doesn't come at us with horns and a tail.  He know our weaknesses. He will give us a false teaching that appeals to our inward sinful struggle.  We are creates of emotion and desire. The false teaching and preaching tends to follow the sinful desires of the heart.   

What Does a Mature Believer Look Like?

This past Sunday Night I preached on
Colossians 1:28 which says,

     "We Proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

This raises the question what does a mature believer look like?  Ultimately a mature Christian looks like Jesus.  We are all being continually conformed into the image of Christ though the power of the Holy Spirit.  But here are 12 characteristics that show Christian maturity, understanding that Christian maturity is a journey, not a destination until we are in a glorified state.



1.  There is an intangible yet obvious inner strength, peace and confidence through union with Christ that is nourished only by deep, sincere, joyful faith, and manifests itself in gentleness and firsthand knowledge of what it means to rest in the LORD.  (Philippians 4:4-7)

2. There is a long-standing track record of endurance, stability, and consistency of trusting in Christ through all conditions of life- in good times and in times of suffering.  (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

3.  Not prone to rejection, does not fall out of fellowship or withdraw from people for extended periods of time.  Can maintain long-standing friendships.  (Genesis 1:27; 2 Timothy 4:10)

4.  An active member of a local church body, faithful to service- displays the heart of a servant. (Mark 10:45)

5.  An example of one with deep ever growing biblical convictions that are reflected by life responses and actions, ethics and character.  These qualities are displayed in their marriage, family, financial generosity, time commitments, and in all avenues of life. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

6.  An example of one who has allowed perfect love to cast out fear of man. (1 John 4:18)  As a result, their life displays love, acceptance and tolerance for broken, dysfunctional people.  They are without prejudice-only wanting others to receive healing and freedom in Christ.  (Proverbs 29:25)

7.  Not self-promoting, does not build relationships for self-gain or personal status.  Not trying to work their way to the head of the table-  able to freely love people without expecting anything in return.  (Luke 14:12)

8.  No stranger to confession, repentance and a loving approach to confrontation.  Does not practice denial of a sinful heart.  (Matthew 18:15-35)

9.  Understands the character and nature of God and his story of redemption, can easily communicate the gospel to others. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8)

10.  Displays a strong belief  in the power of prayer, and praying for others is a natural response of that belief- sensitive to the compassion of Jesus and able to respond with that compassion. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

11.  Able to discern good from, evil.  (Galatians 5:19-21)

12.  A life that outwardly displays the values of worship, community, and mission:

• Devotion to the Word
• Devotion to Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines
• The gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-10) & fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) of the Spirit
• The reproduction of their faith (evangelism) and reproduction of their ministry
• A love for Christ's church, the universal and local community of believers.

I recently read a book that suggested it takes 10,000 hours of doing one task to master it.  How many hours do you suppose it would take one to master all of these charatics?

The Sanctity of Human Life

 "So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female." -Genesis 1:27

In the above passage, we see an account about creation.  What is very interesting to me is that God says, man is made in His own image.  This type of language is not used for angels, who are much more intelligent, stronger, and faster  than humans.  He does not use this language to describe the beasts of the field, the fish of the waters, nor the birds of the air.  It was man that God selected to be his image bearers, and that is what makes all human life valuable.  We must be a voice to the voiceless, and speak for those who are speechless!  It doesn't matter if it is a developing baby in the womb or an elderly lady who has lost everyone she loves.  ALL LIFE IS VALUABE!  I recommend the video 180 by Ray Comfort  here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI.  I must give you two warnings, one is that these are lost people on the video, so expect goats to act like goats.  Second, the video has some scenes from World War Two, so please be warned.  In this video Ray Comfort interviews people who have a pro-choice position, and moves them into a pro-life position.  This video is of great benefit to anyone who needs to better understand how to reason with the arguments that are presented as truth today. 

One other note I would like to point out, that we live in a fallen world where people make mistakes and sin.  If you are someone who has had an abortion and you have repented of that sin there is grace and mercy for you.  It is not God's will for any of His children, that is those who have repented of their sins and have placed full trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to live a life of guilt.  I would give the following recommendation to help with this. 

1.  Understand that abortion is sin, and repent to God.

                

              Psalms 149:4-9  "Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord.  You                     have encircled me; You have placed Your have placed Your hand on me."  

              

              Acts 3:11 "Therefore repent and turn back, so back, so that your sins may be wiped                   out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." 

2.  Understand God's great love and sacrifice for you! 

  1 John 4:10 "Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and            sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

3.  Accept God's forgiveness for your sins.

                Romans 8:34 "Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but                   even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for                       us."

4.  Name the child or children who were aborted and acknowledge the loss.

                1 Samuel 7:12 "Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright between Mizpah                       and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, “The Lord has helped us to this point.”" 

                

                The Bible is full of examples like this where God's people mark special events or                         times in their lives, yours is no different.  Name the child and never forget them, I                       believe they are with the Lord! (2 Samuel 12:23)

5.  Surround yourself with brothers and sisters in Christ who can help you walk down this difficult road.

Romans 12:9-12 "Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.  Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer."

One Year Bible Reading Plans

I pray that everyone is having a good new year.  I have had several questions on which Bible reading plan to use in 2014.  Let me encourage you that it is not to late to join in, and even if you are reading this later in the year start today! You can always come back around and pick up what you have not read this one, note please click "this one" to get to the printable plan.  The plan is laid out in such a way that it only takes about 15 minutes a day, one could read half in the morning and half in the evening.  This is a seven day a week plan.  I like this plan because it is a balanced plan with an Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and a Proverb (s) is included.  It is a hearty diet, because trying to march through the Old Testament can become tough, especially when you get to Leviticus.  It is good to have a healthy respect for the Old Testament, it is one of the twin pillars that uphold the revelation of who God is.  The Psalms are kind of like tranquilizers, they are good to settle the upset or anxious soul.  And Proverbs is kind of like antibiotics or multivitamins,the proverbs have lots of truth/wisdom contained in small amounts.  You need antibiotics to save your life at times, but it would not be good to have meal after meal on just antibiotics or multivitamins.  In many ways the Proverbs are like this, it is excellent to have and reflect on at least one Proverb a day.  As I like to say, "A proverb a day, keeps foolishness away."

Other possible Bible Reading Plans:

• Chronological Reading Plan-  This plan seeks to let you read the bible in order Chronologically.
• Straight Though Plan-  Just put your head down and plow through it, you'll get there buddie!