Trusting God: Rejecting Delusions of the Dead
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker emphasizing the power of God and the importance of trusting in Him. The speaker discusses a story from the Bible about a great chasm that separates two realms, emphasizing that it is impossible to cross from one to the other. The speaker urges the congregation to avoid engaging in spooky or strange activities, reminding them that they are already considered peculiar because they stand on the word of God in a world filled with man's opinion. The speaker then discusses the belief in communicating with the dead and warns against it, emphasizing that anyone who claims to have communicated with the dead is operating under a demonic delusion.
The speaker then discusses the concept of death and judgment, emphasizing that as Christians, it is believed that people are destined to die once and then face judgment. The speaker addresses the belief in ghosts and the idea that souls linger after death, stating that souls do not disappear and dying in a strange way does not mean the soul will linger. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing that God is the only one in control. The sermon focuses on the story of King Saul, who initially made the right decision by abolishing witches and mediums from the nations. However, due to his disobedience, Saul finds himself in a desperate place, cut off from the voice of God and the prophet Samuel.
The speaker begins by sharing a story about a house in Mansfield Street that was decorated brilliantly for Halloween. The speaker describes Saul as a toxic man who was jealous, had a critical spirit, and was rejected by God due to his disobedience. The speaker then references 1 Samuel 28:3-25 and encourages the congregation to have their Bibles with them, comparing it to supporting a football team. The speaker discusses the actions of Saul and Eli in response to their troubles. While Eli sought help from the Lord and found true help, Saul took a different approach. Despite previously expelling all mediums and spiritists from the land, Saul now asks someone to find a medium for him.
The speaker discusses the tendency for individuals to return to behaviors and habits that they have previously repented of. They mention examples such as addiction, unhealthy relationships, and holding onto bitterness and unforgiveness. The speaker emphasizes the importance of letting go of these things and turning to God for guidance and repentance. They then mention the story of Saul, who sought supernatural help from a witch instead of seeking God's forgiveness. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the unchanging truth of Hebrews 9:27, which states that people will face judgment after death.
The speaker emphasizes the belief that ghosts are a delusion and not biblical. They argue that Jesus is the only way to salvation and that ghosts are a trick from the enemy to keep people away from God. The speaker highlights the importance of relying on the word of God for guidance and understanding of the future, rather than seeking strange beliefs or experts. The sermon concludes by referencing the story of Abraham and the fixed chasm between the living and the dead, emphasizing that communication with the dead is not possible.
Key Takeaways:
- Trusting in God's power and standing firm in faith is crucial in a world filled with man's opinion. The word of God is the most reliable story in history. [49:33]
- The belief in communicating with the dead is a demonic delusion. Christians should be discerning and match claims with the word of God. [01:02:47]
- As Christians, it is believed that people are destined to die once and then face judgment. The way someone is buried or not buried does not determine whether their soul will meet God. [01:11:41]
- The tendency for individuals to return to behaviors and habits that they have previously repented of can be harmful. It's important to let go of these things and turn to God for guidance and repentance. [01:08:41]
- Ghosts are a delusion and not biblical. Jesus is the only way to salvation and ghosts are a trick from the enemy to keep people away from God. Relying on the word of God for guidance and understanding of the future is crucial. [01:17:30]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 28:3-25 - The story of King Saul consulting the medium at Endor.
2. Hebrews 9:27 - "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."
3. Deuteronomy 18:10-11 - "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Saul take when he felt cut off from God's guidance? [55:59]
2. How does the speaker describe the belief in ghosts and communication with the dead? [01:17:30]
3. What was the speaker's main point about the story of the rich man and Lazarus? [01:14:10]
4. According to the speaker, what is the significance of Hebrews 9:27 in understanding the concept of death and judgment? [01:11:41]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Saul seek out a medium despite having previously expelled them from the land? What does this reveal about his state of mind and spiritual condition? [55:59]
2. How does the speaker connect the story of Saul with the broader theme of seeking guidance from God versus other sources? [52:02]
3. What does the speaker suggest is the danger of believing in ghosts and consulting mediums? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual delusion? [01:17:30]
4. How does the speaker use the story of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate the finality of death and the afterlife? [01:14:10]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you respond, and what steps did you take to seek His guidance? [55:59]
2. The speaker warns against returning to behaviors and habits that we have previously repented of. Are there any habits or behaviors in your life that you need to let go of and seek God's guidance for? [01:08:41]
3. How can you ensure that you are seeking guidance from God and His word rather than from unreliable or unbiblical sources? [52:02]
4. The speaker emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith in a world filled with man's opinion. How can you practically stand firm in your faith in your daily life? [49:33]
5. Discuss the concept of spiritual delusion as mentioned in the sermon. How can you guard yourself and others against such delusions? [01:17:30]
6. The speaker mentions the importance of recognizing that God is the only one in control. How can you remind yourself of this truth in times of uncertainty or fear? [01:05:22]
7. Reflect on the story of the rich man and Lazarus. How does this story impact your understanding of the afterlife and your daily walk with God? [01:14:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Standing Firm in God's Word
In a world filled with man's opinion, it is crucial to trust in God's power and stand firm in faith. The word of God is the most reliable story in history, and it is our guide in navigating the complexities of life. [49:33]
Isaiah 40:8 - "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you felt swayed by popular opinion. How could you have stood firmer on God's word in that situation?
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Day 2: Discerning Truth from Delusion
The belief in communicating with the dead is a demonic delusion. As Christians, we should be discerning and match claims with the word of God. This discernment is crucial in maintaining our spiritual integrity. [01:02:47]
1 John 4:1 - "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."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you were faced with a claim that didn't align with God's word? How did you respond and what can you do differently next time?
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Day 3: Facing Death and Judgment
As Christians, we believe that people are destined to die once and then face judgment. The way someone is buried or not buried does not determine whether their soul will meet God. This belief shapes our understanding of life and death. [01:11:41]
Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
Reflection: How does the belief in death and judgment influence your daily decisions and actions? Are there areas in your life where this belief should have more impact?
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Day 4: Breaking Free from Harmful Patterns
The tendency for individuals to return to behaviors and habits that they have previously repented of can be harmful. It's important to let go of these things and turn to God for guidance and repentance. This is a crucial step in our spiritual growth. [01:08:41]
Proverbs 26:11 - "As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly."
Reflection: What is one harmful habit or behavior that you find yourself returning to? How can you seek God's guidance and strength to break free from this pattern?
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Day 5: Rejecting Delusions and Embracing Truth
Ghosts are a delusion and not biblical. Jesus is the only way to salvation and ghosts are a trick from the enemy to keep people away from God. Relying on the word of God for guidance and understanding of the future is crucial. [01:17:30]
John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Reflection: Are there any beliefs or practices in your life that are not aligned with the word of God? How can you replace these with the truth of Jesus?
Quotes
"He's the only one who has power to raise from the dead and he did it through and with his son amen." #!!01:23:53!!#
"Don't do spooky stuff, don't do stuff that's spooky, don't do weird stuff, don't do strange stuff...we're peculiar because we stand on the word of God in a world that's full of man's opinion not God's." #!!01:24:29!!#
"He finds himself in a desperate place so desperate through his own Disobedience... he's past the point of no return... when we've rejected God's voice so much in our lives that we put ourselves in a position where we say I'm not going to change, I'm not going to repent, I'm not going to say sorry." #!!01:06:38!!#
"Maybe it's the bottle, maybe it's a needle, maybe it's spending, maybe it's a binging habit... it's that very thing that Jesus set us free from that can now somehow take hold of us again." #!!01:08:41!!#
"Anyone who thinks they have communicated with the dead are operating under a demonic delusion... many of these people that believe in these things are making money from it... you're not only wasting your money but you're doing yourself spiritual harm." #!!01:20:33!!#
"The Devil by Divine permission should be able to impersonate Samuel is not strange since he can transform himself into the angel of Light... let's be Discerning people about claims that are made just about anything if it doesn't match up with the word of God... Satan Mas as an angel of Light." #!!01:22:28!!#
"No soul will disappear. Souls don't disappear right. Souls don't disappear someone dies the way someone dies however bizarre it might be... it doesn't mean because you died in a strange way that your soul is going to linger around right that's not going to happen." #!!01:12:16!!#
"There are no souls roaming around the Earth in between, there's no limbo... it's not a Biblical Doctrine if someone suffers a particularly tragic death their soul does not hang around in old houses ancient castles." #!!01:13:30!!#
"I don't believe in ghosts because it's not biblical. It's just not. I have no problem believing in spirits, but ghosts are unbiblical." #!!01:18:06!!#
"The devil wants us to believe in ghosts so that we'll think that we don't have to find and face judgment before God. But a Christian still faces judgment, and our eternity is assured because we have a mediator." #!!01:19:18!!#
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