Identifying the True Jesus Amidst False Christs
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the critical issue of false Christs and the importance of recognizing and following the true Jesus of the Bible. We began by acknowledging the modern threat of identity theft and drew a parallel to spiritual identity theft, where false representations of Jesus can lead believers astray. Jesus Himself warned about this in Matthew 24, cautioning His followers to be vigilant against deception.
We examined several prevalent false Christs in our world today. The first is the Jesus of popular misconception, who is seen merely as a great moral teacher and historical figure but not as the Son of God. This version of Jesus makes no demands on our lives and is easy to follow, but He is not the Jesus of the Bible.
Next, we discussed the Jesus of liberal scholarship, a product of misguided academic efforts to strip away the divine and miraculous elements of Jesus' life. This false Christ is reduced to a mere historical figure, devoid of divinity and power, which contradicts the well-attested biblical accounts.
We also looked at the Jesus of fundamentalist legalism, a harsh and judgmental figure used to enforce a rigid, legalistic interpretation of Christianity. This false Christ drives people away from the faith by focusing on condemnation rather than grace and forgiveness.
Perhaps the most dangerous false Christ is the one who looks just like us, sharing our opinions, biases, and cultural traditions. This Jesus is a projection of our own desires and beliefs, rather than the transformative figure of the Bible.
In conclusion, we are called to follow the real Jesus, the Son of God who died for our sins and rose for our justification. This Jesus invites us into a relationship with Him, offering us a path to become what we were created to be. We must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that we are not deceived by false representations of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Danger of False Christs: Jesus warned us about the presence of false Christs who would deceive many. These deceptions are not limited to the end times but can occur at any time. We must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that we follow the true Jesus of the Bible, not a counterfeit version. [02:56]
2. The Jesus of Popular Misconception: This false Christ is seen as a great moral teacher and historical figure but not as the Son of God. He makes no demands on our lives and is easy to follow, but this version of Jesus is a deception. The real Jesus calls for discipleship and transformation. [06:16]
3. The Jesus of Liberal Scholarship: This false Christ is a product of academic efforts to strip away the divine and miraculous elements of Jesus' life. Reduced to a mere historical figure, this Jesus lacks the power and divinity that the Bible attests to. Such a view undermines the true nature of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior. [10:45]
4. The Jesus of Fundamentalist Legalism: This false Christ is used to enforce a rigid, legalistic interpretation of Christianity, focusing on condemnation rather than grace. This version of Jesus drives people away from the faith by emphasizing judgment over forgiveness and love. [15:54]
5. The Jesus Who Looks Just Like Us: Perhaps the most dangerous false Christ is the one who mirrors our own opinions, biases, and cultural traditions. This Jesus is a projection of our desires and beliefs, rather than the transformative figure of the Bible. We must ensure that we are being transformed into His image, not the other way around. [17:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Introduction: Identity Theft
[02:04] - Reading from Matthew 24
[03:42] - Jesus' Warning About False Christs
[05:25] - False Christs in Our World Today
[06:16] - The Jesus of Popular Misconception
[08:19] - Classic Rebuttal to Popular Misconception
[09:48] - The Jesus of Liberal Scholarship
[12:15] - The Jesus Seminar
[15:03] - The Jesus of Fundamentalist Legalism
[17:54] - The Jesus Who Looks Just Like Us
[20:00] - Self-Deception and False Christs
[21:12] - Story of the Paste Pearls
[23:32] - Finding the Real Jesus
[24:40] - The Authentic Jesus of the Bible
[25:21] - Prayer and Conclusion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:1-6, 23-27 (NIV)
> Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [...] At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
#### Observation Questions
1. What warning does Jesus give about false Christs in Matthew 24:4-5? ([02:56])
2. According to the sermon, what are some characteristics of the Jesus of popular misconception? ([06:16])
3. How does the Jesus of liberal scholarship differ from the Jesus of the Bible, as discussed in the sermon? ([10:45])
4. What is the most dangerous false Christ mentioned in the sermon, and why is it considered the most dangerous? ([17:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need to be vigilant against deception in Matthew 24:4-5? How does this apply to us today? ([02:56])
2. How does the Jesus of popular misconception make it easy for people to follow Him without making any real changes in their lives? ([06:16])
3. What are the implications of following the Jesus of liberal scholarship, who is stripped of His divinity and miraculous elements? ([10:45])
4. How can the Jesus who looks just like us lead to self-deception, and what are the dangers of this form of false Christ? ([17:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own understanding of Jesus. Are there any aspects of your belief that align with the Jesus of popular misconception? How can you ensure you are following the true Jesus of the Bible? ([06:16])
2. Have you ever encountered teachings or beliefs that align with the Jesus of liberal scholarship? How did you respond, and what steps can you take to strengthen your understanding of the biblical Jesus? ([10:45])
3. Think about times when you might have been judgmental or legalistic in your faith. How can you shift your focus to grace and forgiveness, following the true Jesus of the Bible? ([15:54])
4. In what ways might you have projected your own opinions and biases onto Jesus? How can you work towards being transformed into His image rather than reshaping Him into yours? ([17:54])
5. Jesus warns us to be vigilant against deception. What practical steps can you take to deepen your discernment and ensure you are not led astray by false representations of Christ? ([02:56])
6. How can you help others in your community recognize and follow the true Jesus of the Bible, especially those who might be influenced by false Christs? ([25:21])
7. Reflect on the story of the paste pearls shared in the sermon. Are there any "paste pearls" in your life that you are investing in instead of the real Jesus? How can you redirect your focus and efforts towards following the authentic Jesus? ([23:32])
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of False Christs
In Matthew 24, Jesus warned His followers about the presence of false Christs who would deceive many. These deceptions are not limited to the end times but can occur at any time. False representations of Jesus can lead believers astray, making it crucial for us to be vigilant and discerning. The true Jesus of the Bible calls us to a life of discipleship and transformation, not to follow a counterfeit version that aligns with our own desires or misconceptions. We must ensure that our understanding of Jesus is rooted in Scripture and not influenced by cultural or personal biases. [02:56]
Matthew 24:24-25 (ESV): "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand."
Reflection: In what ways can you be more vigilant in discerning the true Jesus of the Bible from false representations? How can you ensure that your understanding of Jesus is rooted in Scripture?
Day 2: The Jesus of Popular Misconception
The Jesus of popular misconception is often seen as a great moral teacher and historical figure but not as the Son of God. This version of Jesus makes no demands on our lives and is easy to follow, but it is a deception. The real Jesus calls for discipleship and transformation, inviting us into a relationship that challenges and changes us. Following the true Jesus means acknowledging His divinity and allowing His teachings to shape our lives. We must reject the watered-down version of Jesus that the world presents and embrace the transformative power of the true Christ. [06:16]
John 14:6 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: How does your understanding of Jesus challenge you to live differently? Are there areas in your life where you have settled for a watered-down version of Jesus?
Day 3: The Jesus of Liberal Scholarship
The Jesus of liberal scholarship is a product of academic efforts to strip away the divine and miraculous elements of Jesus' life. Reduced to a mere historical figure, this Jesus lacks the power and divinity that the Bible attests to. Such a view undermines the true nature of Jesus as the Son of God and Savior. The Bible presents a well-attested account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, affirming His divinity and miraculous works. We must hold firmly to the biblical portrayal of Jesus, recognizing Him as the powerful and divine Savior who transforms lives. [10:45]
Colossians 2:9 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."
Reflection: How can you defend the divinity and miraculous works of Jesus in conversations with others? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the biblical portrayal of Jesus?
Day 4: The Jesus of Fundamentalist Legalism
The Jesus of fundamentalist legalism is used to enforce a rigid, legalistic interpretation of Christianity, focusing on condemnation rather than grace. This version of Jesus drives people away from the faith by emphasizing judgment over forgiveness and love. The true Jesus of the Bible offers grace, forgiveness, and a path to transformation. He calls us to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy, not to impose harsh legalistic standards on ourselves or others. We must embrace the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers and extend it to those around us. [15:54]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have been overly legalistic? How can you embrace and extend the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers?
Day 5: The Jesus Who Looks Just Like Us
Perhaps the most dangerous false Christ is the one who mirrors our own opinions, biases, and cultural traditions. This Jesus is a projection of our desires and beliefs, rather than the transformative figure of the Bible. We must ensure that we are being transformed into His image, not the other way around. The true Jesus challenges us to grow and change, aligning our lives with His teachings and example. We must be willing to let go of our own biases and allow Jesus to transform us into His likeness. [17:54]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: In what ways have you projected your own opinions and biases onto Jesus? How can you allow Jesus to transform you into His likeness today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The real Jesus is the Jesus of the Bible, the Son of God who died for your sins, who was raised for your justification, who loves you more than you could ever imagine, who wants relationship with you, who wants to lead you onward and upward to something better than you could ever imagine, what you were created to be." [23:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This is the authentic Jesus, the real Jesus who sacrificed himself so that you could be forgiven and have a relationship with God again. And I invite you this morning on this Lord's Day to join me as I endeavor to follow the real Jesus." [24:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Are you wasting your life following a false Christ? As counterfeit as imitation pearls? If so, wouldn't you like to find the real Jesus?" [23:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He is indeed Lord. Don't be deceived by the Jesus of popular misconception. Though He has many followers, He is a false Christ." [09:48](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This Jesus has driven more people away from God and the church than the Jesus of liberal scholarship ever has. Let me say that again. This Jesus has driven more people away from God and from the church than the Jesus of liberal scholarship ever has or ever will." [17:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "But there are a great many people today who follow a Jesus that I don't recognize from my study of the Scripture, my knowledge of Christ. They distort the historical Jesus of the Bible, they make Him over in the image they want Him to bear, the way they want Him to be, to the point that He becomes a false Christ." [05:25](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "This isn't the biblical Jesus who brings the good news of grace and freedom and forgiveness and salvation for sin. But instead, this is a Jesus of condemnation and judgment and exclusion. This is an angry Jesus, if you will. He is the Jesus as interpreted by Pharisaic legalists who are alive and well in the 21st century, I might add." [15:54](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The most dangerous false Christ of them all is the Jesus who looks just like you. This is the Jesus who thinks just the way you think. He agrees with everything you say. He shares your opinions, your cultural traditions. This Jesus belongs to your political party of course. He interprets the Scripture exactly the way you do." [17:54](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And yet the Bible testifies and history confirms that the followers of the real Jesus were willing to suffer death itself on behalf of their Lord. And many did, and many still do around the globe because they follow the real Christ." [14:21](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Are you following one of these false Christs? Or perhaps another of a different sort. This is not an exhaustive list. This is just representative of some of the false Christs that I've encountered in our current day and time. If you're following one of them then you're wasting your time following the wrong Jesus. And in the end it's going to cost you and cost you dearly." [20:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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