Standing Strong Against Deception: The Armor of God
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. From the inception of the Christian Church, the devil has been actively working to confuse believers and discredit God's work. The devil's tactics can be categorized into general and personal activities. Among the general activities are heresies, apostasy, schisms, and the rise of cults. These cults often emerge during times of crisis, offering a critique of the Christian Church's failures. If the Church were functioning as it should, cults would have no opportunity to thrive.
Cults often appeal to people by offering simple solutions to complex problems, promising immediate blessings without the need for a deep relationship with God. They focus on personal testimonies and formulas rather than the exposition of Scripture. This approach is contrary to the New Testament, which emphasizes a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The cults' teachings lack the depth and grandeur of biblical doctrine, focusing instead on immediate personal benefits.
The true test of any teaching is its relationship to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Any movement that does not make Christ central is not Christian. The Bible teaches that there is no access to God apart from Jesus Christ. The cults' denial of this central truth is a manifestation of the devil's deception. True Christianity is about knowing God through Christ, understanding His plan, and living a life of holiness and hope in the glory to come. The cults' focus on immediate personal gain is a denial of the faith and an insult to Christ's sufficiency.
Key Takeaways:
- The devil's schemes are evident in the rise of heresies, apostasy, and cults, which critique the Church's failures. If the Church were truly alive and powerful, these movements would have no ground to stand on. The Church must return to a vibrant, New Testament Christianity to counter these threats. [01:49]
- Cults offer simple solutions and immediate blessings, focusing on personal testimonies and formulas rather than Scripture. This approach is contrary to the New Testament, which emphasizes a deep relationship with God through Christ. True Christianity is about knowing God and living a life of holiness and hope. [12:34]
- The true test of any teaching is its relationship to Jesus Christ. Any movement that does not make Christ central is not Christian. The Bible teaches that there is no access to God apart from Jesus Christ, and any teaching that denies this is a manifestation of the devil's deception. [37:25]
- True Christianity is about knowing God through Christ, understanding His plan, and living a life of holiness and hope in the glory to come. The cults' focus on immediate personal gain is a denial of the faith and an insult to Christ's sufficiency. [34:22]
- The Bible emphasizes the importance of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not just personal benefits. The cults' denial of this central truth is a manifestation of the devil's deception. True Christianity is about knowing God and living a life of holiness and hope. [39:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Be Strong in the Lord
[00:27] - The Devil's Schemes
[00:59] - General Activities of the Devil
[01:49] - Critique of the Church
[02:33] - The Rise of Cults
[03:22] - The Church's Failure
[04:00] - Dead Orthodoxy
[05:23] - The Need for True Christianity
[06:30] - Testing the Claims of Cults
[07:57] - The Danger of Good Works
[09:36] - Objective Tests
[10:09] - Relationship with God
[11:34] - The Origin of Cults
[12:34] - The Method of Cults
[19:02] - The Difference in Teaching
[27:37] - The Nature of the Blessing
[37:25] - The Centrality of Christ
[39:06] - Access to God Through Christ
[42:14] - The All-Sufficiency of Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 6:10-13
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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 general activities of the devil that have been present since the inception of the Christian Church? [00:59]
3. How do cults critique the Christian Church, and why do they often emerge during times of crisis? [02:33]
4. What is the significance of the phrase "the true test of any teaching is its relationship to Jesus Christ" as mentioned in the sermon? [37:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the rise of cults and the failures of the Christian Church? What implications does this have for the Church today? [03:06]
2. In what ways do cults offer simple solutions to complex problems, and why is this approach contrary to New Testament teachings? [12:34]
3. The sermon emphasizes the centrality of Christ in true Christianity. How does this centrality challenge the teachings of cults? [37:25]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the focus on immediate personal gain by cults is a denial of the faith and an insult to Christ's sufficiency? [34:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you might be seeking simple solutions rather than deepening your relationship with God through Christ? How can you address this? [12:34]
2. The sermon suggests that the Church must return to a vibrant, New Testament Christianity to counter the threats of cults. What steps can you take personally to contribute to a more vibrant church community? [01:49]
3. Consider the ways in which you might be tempted by teachings that promise immediate blessings. How can you ensure that your faith remains rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ? [34:22]
4. How can you discern whether a teaching or movement is truly centered on Christ? What practical steps can you take to test the teachings you encounter? [37:25]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of knowing God through Christ and living a life of holiness and hope. What specific actions can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and live out these principles? [39:06]
6. Reflect on a time when you were drawn to a teaching or movement that promised quick fixes. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [29:57]
7. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with the allure of cults or false teachings? What role can you play in guiding them back to the centrality of Christ? [38:30]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Call to Vibrancy
The devil's schemes are evident in the rise of heresies, apostasy, and cults, which critique the Church's failures. If the Church were truly alive and powerful, these movements would have no ground to stand on. The Church must return to a vibrant, New Testament Christianity to counter these threats. The devil's tactics are not new; they have been present since the inception of the Christian Church. These tactics include creating confusion among believers and discrediting God's work. The Church's failures provide fertile ground for cults to thrive, especially during times of crisis. These cults often offer critiques of the Church's shortcomings, presenting themselves as alternatives. However, the true solution lies in the Church returning to its roots, embracing a vibrant and powerful expression of faith as depicted in the New Testament. [01:49]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to making your local church a more vibrant and powerful expression of New Testament Christianity today?
Day 2: The Danger of Simplistic Solutions
Cults offer simple solutions and immediate blessings, focusing on personal testimonies and formulas rather than Scripture. This approach is contrary to the New Testament, which emphasizes a deep relationship with God through Christ. True Christianity is about knowing God and living a life of holiness and hope. Cults often attract individuals by promising quick fixes to life's complex problems, bypassing the need for a genuine relationship with God. They emphasize personal experiences and formulas that seem to guarantee success or blessings. However, this approach is shallow and lacks the depth of biblical doctrine. The New Testament calls believers to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ, one that is not based on immediate gratification but on a lifelong journey of faith and holiness. [12:34]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are seeking quick fixes instead of deepening your relationship with God? How can you shift your focus today?
Day 3: Christ-Centered Teaching as the True Test
The true test of any teaching is its relationship to Jesus Christ. Any movement that does not make Christ central is not Christian. The Bible teaches that there is no access to God apart from Jesus Christ, and any teaching that denies this is a manifestation of the devil's deception. The centrality of Christ is the cornerstone of true Christian teaching. Any doctrine or movement that shifts the focus away from Jesus is not aligned with biblical Christianity. The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only way to God, and any teaching that suggests otherwise is deceptive. Believers are called to discern teachings by examining their relationship to Christ, ensuring that He remains the focal point of their faith and practice. [37:25]
1 John 4:1-2 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
Reflection: How can you ensure that Christ remains central in your daily life and in the teachings you follow? What steps can you take today to test the teachings you encounter?
Day 4: The All-Sufficiency of Christ
True Christianity is about knowing God through Christ, understanding His plan, and living a life of holiness and hope in the glory to come. The cults' focus on immediate personal gain is a denial of the faith and an insult to Christ's sufficiency. The essence of Christianity is found in a deep, abiding relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship is not about immediate personal gain but about understanding God's eternal plan and living a life that reflects His holiness and hope. Cults that emphasize personal benefits over the sufficiency of Christ miss the true essence of the faith. Believers are called to live in the light of Christ's all-sufficiency, trusting in His provision and promises for the future. [34:22]
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek personal gain over trusting in Christ's sufficiency? How can you realign your focus today to reflect His all-sufficiency?
Day 5: The Importance of a Relationship with God
The Bible emphasizes the importance of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, not just personal benefits. The cults' denial of this central truth is a manifestation of the devil's deception. True Christianity is about knowing God and living a life of holiness and hope. The heart of Christianity is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relationship is not about what we can gain but about who we become in Christ. Cults that deny this truth are deceiving believers, leading them away from the core of the faith. The Bible calls believers to focus on knowing God, understanding His will, and living a life that reflects His holiness and hope for the future. [39:06]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God today, focusing on knowing Him rather than seeking personal benefits? What practical steps can you take to grow in holiness and hope?
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 viness in an Endeavor and an attempt to confuse Christian people and thereby to bring God's work in Christ into disrepute. [00:55:28]
It is quite clear that if the Christian Church were functioning as she should be the Cults would never never have an opportunity at all so the appearance of Cults is a condemnation of the Christian church because of her failure. [02:54:12]
A dead Orthodoxy is equally useless and valueless if they confront people who are perfectly Orthodox but always miserable always moaning always complaining about their sins and their failures and do look wretched and unhappy well it's not a bit surprising that they turn to the Cults. [04:39:12]
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. [06:43:08]
According to the whole teaching of the Bible 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. [09:59:36]
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 if you accept a given formula or if you take the proferred idea that is put before you. [13:17:12]
The Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthians says we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord I know that there are some good Evangelical Christians who are imitating the Cults today but thereby they're doing a great disservice to the Christian CA we are to preach Christ Jesus as Lord. [18:14:00]
The New Testament never starts with a practical how often have I said that I wonder from this Pulpit look at this great ephes epistle to the Ephesians take that first verse in chapter 4 I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that he walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he are called. [20:29:12]
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. [28:11:04]
The whole object of Christianity is to bring us to a knowledge of God as God and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ this is life eternal what is it that I no longer worry or that I've got rid of that thing that got me down no no that they might know the the only true God. [34:51:24]
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 absolute Ely Central is not Christian and is therefore a manifestation of the Ws of the devil because it persuades people that it is Christian. [37:49:04]
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. [39:32:56]
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