Standing Strong Against Cults: Embracing True Christianity

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The devil has been active since the inception of the Christian church, attempting to confuse believers and discredit God's work. We must recognize the devil's tactics, which manifest in various forms, including heresies, apostasy, and false divisions within the church. The rise of cults is a significant concern, especially during times of crisis, as they exploit the church's failures to offer life, power, and certainty that people seek.

Cults often criticize the church, highlighting its shortcomings. If the church were functioning as it should, cults would have no opportunity to thrive. People turn to cults when they find the church lacking in delivering the gospel's true power and life. A dead orthodoxy or a liberal modernistic representation of the gospel fails to satisfy spiritual hunger, leading people to seek fulfillment elsewhere. The solution lies in a vibrant, powerful, and true New Testament Christianity.

Testing the claims of cults is crucial. The mere fact that something does good is not enough to deem it Christian. Many non-Christian entities can do good and make people feel better, but that does not make them Christian. The ultimate test is our relationship with God, not just how we feel. The Pharisee in Jesus' parable felt good about himself, yet he was not justified before God. True Christianity is about our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not just personal satisfaction or societal good.

Cults often offer simplistic solutions and immediate blessings, which are not rooted in the New Testament's teachings. They rely on formulas and personal testimonies rather than the exposition of scripture. Christianity, however, emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of God, and the hope of glory. The blessings offered by cults are self-centered, focusing on immediate needs, whereas the gospel starts with the knowledge of God and leads to holiness and eternal life.

The centrality of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross is non-negotiable. Any teaching that offers blessings apart from Christ's death and resurrection is a denial of Christianity. True Christianity acknowledges that all blessings come through Christ, and any movement that bypasses this truth is a manifestation of the devil's schemes. We must return to the foundational truths of the gospel, relying on Christ's all-sufficiency to meet every need.

Key Takeaways:

- The devil's schemes are evident in the rise of heresies, apostasy, and cults, which exploit the church's failures. A vibrant, true New Testament Christianity is the antidote to these challenges. [00:59]

- The mere fact that something does good is not enough to deem it Christian. True Christianity is about our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not just personal satisfaction or societal good. [09:59]

- Cults offer simplistic solutions and immediate blessings, which are not rooted in the New Testament's teachings. True Christianity emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of God, and the hope of glory. [22:12]

- The centrality of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross is non-negotiable. Any teaching that offers blessings apart from Christ's death and resurrection is a denial of Christianity. [38:00]

- We must return to the foundational truths of the gospel, relying on Christ's all-sufficiency to meet every need. The old, ever-true story of the gospel is sufficient for all our needs. [45:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Be Strong in the Lord
- [00:27] - The Devil's Schemes
- [00:59] - The Devil's Activities
- [01:49] - Heresies and Apostasy
- [02:33] - Criticism of the Church
- [03:33] - The Church's Failure
- [04:31] - Dead Orthodoxy
- [05:29] - The Rise of Cults
- [06:18] - Testing the Claims
- [09:59] - Relationship with God
- [12:23] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
- [22:12] - The Simplicity of Cults
- [38:00] - Centrality of Christ
- [45:59] - Return to the Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God"? How does this relate to standing against the devil's schemes? [00:09]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the devil's tactics that have been used to confuse believers and discredit God's work? [00:59]

3. How do cults exploit the failures of the church, and why do they tend to rise during times of crisis? [02:33]

4. What is the significance of testing the claims of cults, and why is doing good not enough to deem something Christian? [06:47]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between a vibrant New Testament Christianity and the rise of cults? What does this imply about the church's role in society? [03:06]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a "dead orthodoxy" or "liberal modernistic representation" of the gospel fails to satisfy spiritual hunger? [04:31]

3. How does the sermon differentiate between the blessings offered by cults and those offered by true Christianity? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this distinction? [22:12]

4. Why is the centrality of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross described as non-negotiable in the sermon? How does this relate to the concept of true Christianity? [38:00]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you ever been tempted by simplistic solutions or immediate blessings that were not rooted in the New Testament's teachings? How did you respond? [22:12]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. How can you deepen this relationship in your daily life? [09:59]

3. Consider the ways in which you might be relying on formulas or personal testimonies rather than the exposition of scripture. How can you shift your focus to a more scripture-based faith? [13:28]

4. How can you ensure that your understanding of Christianity remains centered on the work of Jesus Christ and His resurrection? What steps can you take to avoid being swayed by teachings that bypass this truth? [38:00]

5. The sermon calls for a return to the foundational truths of the gospel. What practical steps can you take to immerse yourself in these truths and rely on Christ's all-sufficiency? [45:59]

6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually hungry or unsatisfied. How did you address this need, and what role did the church play in your search for fulfillment? [04:31]

7. How can you actively contribute to a vibrant, powerful, and true New Testament Christianity within your church community? What specific actions can you take to support this vision? [03:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing the Devil's Schemes
The devil has been active since the beginning of the Christian church, using tactics like heresies, apostasy, and false divisions to confuse believers and discredit God's work. These schemes are particularly evident in the rise of cults, which exploit the church's failures to offer the life, power, and certainty that people seek. A vibrant, true New Testament Christianity is the antidote to these challenges. By being strong in the Lord and putting on the full armor of God, believers can stand firm against these schemes and remain steadfast in their faith. [00:59]

Ephesians 6:11-12 (ESV): "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can strengthen your spiritual armor to stand against the devil's schemes in your life today?


Day 2: True Christianity and Our Relationship with God
True Christianity is not merely about doing good or feeling good about oneself; it is fundamentally about our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Many non-Christian entities can do good and make people feel better, but that does not make them Christian. The ultimate test of our faith is our relationship with God, not just personal satisfaction or societal good. The Pharisee in Jesus' parable felt good about himself, yet he was not justified before God. We must focus on nurturing our relationship with God, ensuring it is rooted in the truth of the gospel. [09:59]

Luke 18:11-14 (ESV): "The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other."

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God today, focusing on His grace rather than your own accomplishments?


Day 3: The Simplicity of Cults vs. the Depth of Christianity
Cults often offer simplistic solutions and immediate blessings, which are not rooted in the New Testament's teachings. They rely on formulas and personal testimonies rather than the exposition of scripture. In contrast, true Christianity emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of God, and the hope of glory. The blessings offered by cults are self-centered, focusing on immediate needs, whereas the gospel starts with the knowledge of God and leads to holiness and eternal life. We must be discerning and seek the depth and richness of the gospel rather than the shallow promises of cults. [22:12]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek a deeper understanding of God's will and avoid the allure of simplistic solutions to spiritual challenges?


Day 4: The Centrality of Christ's Work on the Cross
The centrality of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross is non-negotiable in Christianity. Any teaching that offers blessings apart from Christ's death and resurrection is a denial of Christianity. True Christianity acknowledges that all blessings come through Christ, and any movement that bypasses this truth is a manifestation of the devil's schemes. We must hold fast to the foundational truths of the gospel, recognizing Christ's all-sufficiency to meet every need. [38:00]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How can you ensure that the work of Christ on the cross remains central in your daily life and spiritual practices?


Day 5: Returning to the Foundational Truths of the Gospel
We must return to the foundational truths of the gospel, relying on Christ's all-sufficiency to meet every need. The old, ever-true story of the gospel is sufficient for all our needs. In times of spiritual confusion and the rise of false teachings, it is crucial to anchor ourselves in the gospel's truth, which offers life, power, and certainty. By doing so, we can resist the devil's schemes and live out a vibrant, powerful, and true New Testament Christianity. [45:59]

2 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV): "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to immerse yourself more deeply in the foundational truths of the gospel and rely on Christ's sufficiency?

Quotes


The Apostle teaches here that from the very commencement and origin of the Christian church the devil has been busy and active with all his power and subtlety and Wess in an Endeavor and an attempt to confuse Christian people and thereby to bring God's work in Christ into disrepute. [00:54:57]

It is quite clear that if the Christian Church were functioning as she should be the Cults would never have an opportunity at all so the appearance of Cults is a condemnation of the Christian church because of her failure. Now people in other words are looking for Life, they're looking for power, they're looking for certainty. [02:55:84]

The mere test of doing good is not enough. Now that's an argument that's often used. They say but surely you can't be opposed to this, look at the good it's doing. You've often met that argument. The argument is that anything that does good must be of God and Christianity should welcome it. [06:45:12]

What matters finally and supremely is not how you and I feel but our relationship to God. You see the Pharisee in our Lord's parable of the Pharisee and the Publican that went up into the temple to pray, the Pharisee had no problems at all. He had no complaint. [10:01:64]

The blessing offered never is based upon exposition of the New Testament. What do I mean by that? Well, I mean this, that you will find that you are told that the blessing will come to you if you accept a given formula or if you take the proferred idea that is put before you. [13:10:39]

Christianity is essentially this: that the Holy Spirit is given to us and yet he is within us, whether we are conscious of him or not, and he's never stimulated us working in US pointing us to the teaching enabling us to put it into practice and to understand it and so on always. [22:20:96]

The New Testament says look here, you're in a very difficult world. It's a sinful world, it's an evil world, it is a world that is dominated by the devil and these cohorts, these principalities and Powers. Look here says the Bible, it'll take you all that you've got to stand on your feet at all. [28:50:19]

Any movement or teaching that doesn't make the Lord Jesus Christ and his death upon the cross and his glorious Resurrection an absolute necessity and absolutely Central is not Christian and is therefore a manifestation of the Ws of the devil because it persuades people that it is Christian. [38:00:00]

There is no access to God except through the Lord Jesus Christ. Any man or any teaching who tells you that he can find God and have access to God except he goes in and through the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified is a denial of New Testament Christianity, however much good it may do. [39:35:80]

Every blessing that comes to us comes in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how Paul put it in Colossians 2 which we read at the beginning in verse three that their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all Riches of the full Assurance of understanding. [42:49:60]

Everything they offer is given in Christ. They have no right to exist. They're an insult to him, they're very arising is an insult to him. There is nothing he cannot give. What is he? He is the Alpha and the Omega, he's the beginning and the end, he's the first and the last. [42:58:20]

Go back for the old old story which is ever new and ever true. Come back to the Fountain, the source of Every Blessing, come back to the Everlasting God and his son our glorious savior the Lord Jesus Christ and the spirit will enter you and your every need will be supplied but only in that way. [45:59:40]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 31, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?