Discernment and Action: Guarding Faith Against False Teachings
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker focused on the importance of discernment in the Christian faith, the dangers of false teachings, and the necessity of living out the gospel through action and service. The speaker began by discussing his approach to preaching the gospel without financial burden to the congregation, emphasizing his reliance on support from others and his commitment to not burden the church in Corinth. He warned against false apostles and deceitful workers, likening them to Satan who masquerades as an angel of light, and stressed that their end will be according to their deeds.
The speaker shared a personal anecdote about an argument with his son, drawing wisdom from Proverbs on the importance of discerning when to engage in arguments. This was related to the apostle Paul's situation in 2 Corinthians, where Paul needed to discern the purpose of arguments, aiming for understanding rather than pointless dispute.
The sermon highlighted the importance of being doers of the word, not merely listeners. The speaker shared personal experiences of opposition and steadfast faith, as well as testimonies of miracles and individuals seeking salvation. The congregation was encouraged to actively participate in their faith and embody the teachings of the Bible.
The presence of false teachers in the church was a significant concern, with the speaker aiming to help the church distinguish between true godly ministry and deceptive practices that appear godly but are satanic in nature. The importance of spiritual discernment was underscored, with a call to be wise and gentle, guided by the Holy Spirit.
The speaker also touched on the need to be open to the new things God is doing, using the story of the Shunamite woman as an example of making room for the Holy Spirit. The physical and spiritual nature of Jesus Christ was discussed, with a warning against a theology that separates the two and leads to a lack of practical application.
The importance of fellowship and discipleship within the church community was emphasized, with a call for commitment to help fill gaps in the church's ministry. The speaker shared a story of a woman who bore fruit for the kingdom, urging the congregation to get involved and be present.
Key Takeaways:
- Discernment is crucial in distinguishing between true and false teachings within the church. The speaker highlighted the need for wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to avoid being led astray by false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. This discernment is not only for personal protection but also for maintaining the purity of the church's devotion to Christ. [01:02:27]
- Engaging in arguments requires wisdom to know when they are constructive for understanding and when they are futile. The speaker's personal story with his son and the wisdom from Proverbs serve as a reminder that our responses should be measured and purposeful, avoiding the trap of foolish disputes that lead nowhere. [01:04:09]
- Being a doer of the word is essential for a living faith. The speaker's message emphasized that hearing the word without action is like forgetting one's own reflection. True blessings come from applying the word in prayer, love, acceptance, and growth in faith, as evidenced by the speaker's own experiences and the testimonies shared. [45:57]
- The church must be vigilant against the subtle infiltration of false teachings. The speaker warned that even a small amount of false doctrine could lead believers astray, highlighting the need for the Holy Spirit's discernment to test the spirits and cling to the true gospel of Christ. [01:27:20]
- Active participation in the church community is vital for both personal growth and the advancement of the kingdom. The speaker encouraged the congregation to reflect on their evangelism efforts and to be equipped for ministry and discipleship, sharing a personal story of transformation and growth as an example of the impact one can have. [49:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
2. James 1:22-25
3. Proverbs 26:4-5
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he is "jealous for you with a godly jealousy" in 2 Corinthians 11:2?
2. How does Paul describe the false apostles and their actions in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15?
3. According to James 1:22-25, what is the difference between being a hearer of the word and a doer of the word?
4. In Proverbs 26:4-5, what wisdom is given about engaging in arguments, and how does this relate to Paul's situation in 2 Corinthians? [01:04:09]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is discernment important in distinguishing between true and false teachings within the church, according to the sermon? [01:02:27]
2. How can engaging in arguments wisely, as advised in Proverbs, help in maintaining unity and understanding within the church community? [01:04:09]
3. What does it mean to be a doer of the word, and how does this concept apply to the speaker's encouragement for active participation in faith? [45:57]
4. How can the church be vigilant against the subtle infiltration of false teachings, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this vigilance? [01:27:20]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed off. How did you discern whether it was true or false? What steps can you take to improve your spiritual discernment? [01:02:27]
2. Think about a recent argument or disagreement you had. Did it lead to understanding or was it futile? How can you apply the wisdom from Proverbs 26:4-5 to future disagreements? [01:04:09]
3. In what ways can you move from being a hearer of the word to a doer of the word in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to live out your faith more actively. [45:57]
4. How can you contribute to maintaining the purity of the church's devotion to Christ? What practical steps can you take to support your church in being vigilant against false teachings? [01:27:20]
5. The speaker shared a story of a woman who bore fruit for the kingdom. Reflect on your own life and identify one area where you can get more involved in your church community. What steps will you take to make this happen? [49:00]
6. How can you make room for the Holy Spirit in your life, as illustrated by the story of the Shunamite woman? What specific changes can you make to be more open to the new things God is doing? [52:19]
7. Consider the importance of fellowship and discipleship within the church community. How can you commit to helping fill gaps in your church's ministry? What specific role or task can you take on to support this effort? [49:00]
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of discernment, active faith, and vigilance against false teachings, as discussed in the sermon. Use the questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Discernment in the Midst of Deception
Discernment is a shield against the wiles of false teachings that threaten to infiltrate the church. Believers must seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to navigate through the masquerades of deceit and uphold the truth of the gospel. This wisdom is not just for personal edification but also for the collective integrity of the church's witness. [01:02:27]
1 John 4:1 - "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a practice of testing teachings and prophecies against the Word of God in your daily life?
Day 2: Wisdom in Argumentation
Knowing when to engage in discussions is a skill that requires wisdom and discernment. It is important to recognize when conversations are constructive and when they are merely distractions from the path of understanding. This wisdom helps avoid fruitless debates that do not edify or lead to greater insight. [01:04:09]
Proverbs 26:4-5 - "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent argument that was unproductive? How might you handle similar situations differently in the future?
Day 3: Active Faith Through Deeds
Hearing the word of God is only the beginning; it must be followed by action. True faith is demonstrated through deeds of love, service, and obedience to God's commands. This active faith is what sets apart the doers of the word, who are blessed in their deeds and become a living testimony to others. [45:57]
James 1:22-25 - "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can put your faith into action this week in your community or workplace?
Day 4: Guarding Against False Doctrine
The church must remain vigilant and discerning to prevent the subtle encroachment of false teachings. A small deviation from the truth can lead believers astray, so it is imperative to rely on the Holy Spirit to discern and hold fast to the authentic gospel of Christ. [01:27:20]
Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of biblical doctrine to better identify and resist false teachings?
Day 5: Commitment to Community and Ministry
Engagement in the life of the church is not optional but essential for growth and the spread of the gospel. Each member has a role to play in discipleship and evangelism, and through active participation, the body of Christ is strengthened and the kingdom is advanced. [49:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: What is one area in your church or community where you can increase your involvement to support the growth of the kingdom?
Quotes
"We have people coming to us asking, 'How do I receive Jesus? Pray with me.' This is happening; we have a girl who testified to a life-changing encounter with the divine that turned her away from drugs." [48:15] (Download)
"It teaches you how to love and accept and forgive broken people. We're dealing with really broken people and it grows your faith; it truly grows your faith. You get courageous, you have this ability to stand firm." [46:48] (Download)
"Make us spiritually discerning, Holy Spirit, I pray; would you make this a spiritually discerning church." [49:33] (Download)
"It is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; their end will be according to their work." [01:03:09] (Download)
"The real wisdom and discernment is knowing when people are in an argument for the sake of an argument and when people are in an argument for the sake of actually gaining understanding." [01:05:14] (Download)
"One of the reasons we stand before you today is to equip the Saints for the work of ministry, to carry the burden of evangelism and discipleship, and to create a hunger in you for sharing your faith and witnessing the power of the Lord in healing and transforming lives." [51:38] (Download)
"The Lord condemns an adulterated gospel; you're going to have 98% of it right and you just want to sprinkle 2% of your own thing in, and it just wrecks the whole bunch. It leads people away from Christ under a demonic deception." [01:27:58] (Download)
"If you truly belong to God, you have the Holy Spirit within you, and He can discern all things. He is the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit will listen to the Word of God because the Holy Spirit wrote the Word of God." [01:28:38] (Download)
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." [01:29:15] (Download)
"Satan does a really good job at looking like an angel but he's false, he's deceitful, but he will dress himself up in a way that you would imagine that it's Godly." [01:07:10] (Download)
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