How to Spot a False Prophet

After Paul's initial visit to Corinth false teachers crept into the young congregation. They did their best to discredit the Apostle Paul with all manner of criticisms. In 2 Corinthians Paul answered their complaints and contrasts himself with false prophets. 

  • True ministers focus on the eternal. False prophets focus on the external. 
  • True ministers seek to give riches. False prophets seek to gain riches. 
  • True ministers are wise to Satan. False prophets are deceived by Satan. 
  • True ministers (if pushed) boast of their sufferings. False prophets boast about themselves. 

 

Life's Greatest Lesson

The children of Israel were on the cusp of greatness. They had miraculously escaped Egypt and were about to enter the Promised Land. But at the last second they blinked. 

Here are three lessons we must learn from the failure of the Israelites. 

DON'T LOOK AT YOUR DIFFICULTIES (Numbers 13:28)

DON'T LOOK AT YOUR INADEQUACIES (Numbers 13:31).

DO LOOK AT GOD'S PROMISES (Numbers 13:1).

Today when we stand before frightful obstacles the challenge remains: Will we walk by sight or by faith?

What Moves God

Psalm 34:15 and 40:1 tell us that God moves when we pray properly. 

  • God looks our direction
  • God listens to cry
  • God leans into our situation

This is an amazing picture: God on His throne looking our way, listening to our prayer, and leaning into us.

Here are 3 prerequisties to God-moving prayer.

  1. We can move God if we pray with purity. "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous." 
  2. We can move God if we pray with passion. "His ears are open to their cry."
  3. We can move God if we pray with perseverance. "I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me."

An Ancient Modern Story

In Acts 18 Luke tells the story of Paul starting the church in Corinth. It is an ancient modern story familiar in so many ways.

  1. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES SHARE A SIMILAR MESSAGE (repent and believe)
  2. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES FACE SIMILAR OPPOSITION (external and internal resistance)
  3. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES ENJOY SIMILAR COMFORT (saints and scriptures).

The struggles we face today are nothing new. Like our spiritual forefathers, we are still proclaiming Jesus to a hostile world, and still receiving divine strength to carry on.

 

 

Staying Focused on Jesus

The Gospel writer Matthew left his tax collecting business to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9). It was the best decision he ever made. Other people also had the opportunity to follow Jesus, but chose not to. It was the worst mistake they ever made. Why do some people follow the Lord and others don't? It is a matter of perspective.

Jesus told Matthew, "Follow Me." Notice the singularity of focus. We are to follow Jesus, not religion. In essence, Jesus told Matthew, "Keep your eyes on Me and let's go!" Jesus is lovely, powerful, wise and very much worth following. 

But the other people got distracted and took their eyes off Jesus. From their mistakes we learn two lessons.

  • DON'T LET STRANGE PEOPLE DISTRACT YOU FROM JESUS

Matthew had been a despised tax collector and he no doubt invited his friends to meet Jesus. When the religious good people saw these sinners, they were offended and didn't want anything to do with Jesus (Matthew 9:10-11). Light attracts bugs and Jesus the Light of the world attracts needy people. When you go to church, keep your eyes on the Lord, not the other worshippers. 

  • DON'T LET STRANGE PRACTICES DISTRACT YOU FROM JESUS

The good people had customs about fasting. It was part of their comfortable religious ritual. When they noticed that Jesus and His followers didn't observe these traditions they were troubled (Matthew 9:14). Just because someone doesn't worship the way you've always done it, don't stumble over them. When you go to church, again, keep your eyes on Jesus, don't get distracted by the various customs. 

To stay focused on Jesus maybe we need blinders like race horses. The writer of Hebrews says we should keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Be careful not to allow strange people or stange practices distract you from following Jesus!


Since Judgment is Coming

Sometime in the future God is going to judge the world. Until then we have to be patient and wait on the Lord. When God is ready He will judge everyone. In the meantime, God does not need our help in judging individuals. Our concern should be to faithfully carry out our gospel responsibilities (1 Cor. 4:2). We are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1). Ultimately everyone will answer to God. In light of this future judgment here are three convictions to hold onto.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3a)

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3b-4)

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE YOU (1 Cor. 4:5).

 

This Will Happen

Anyone with spiritual senstivity realizes God is judging our land. During fear-filled moments when things look out of control we can be comforted by the words of 2 Peter 2.

  1. GOD WILL JUDGE THE WICKED. 
    • God judged the angels who sinned (verse 4)
    • God judged the ancient world prior to the flood (verse 5)
    • God judged Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 6) Notice: God's judgment is high, wide, and deep.
    • The Lord knows how to judge the unjust (verse 9)
  2. GOD WILL DELIVER THE RIGHTEOUS. 
    • God delivered Noah (verse 5)
    • God delivered Lot (verse 7) Notice: Neither Noah and Lot were perfect. 
    • The Lord knows how to deliver the godly (verse 9).

Don't worry about evil, no one is going to get away with anything. And don't worry about security, God knows how to protect His people.