Opening Prayer - Heavenly Father we thank You for this opportunity to worship You and study Your Word. We're eternally thankful that the Holy Spirit has given us a knowledge about Your Word, the Bible, so that we can help lead other people to Your Son. We're especially thankful for the opportunity to do this series on false teachings. Please help us to not be deceived by these teachings. We pray that everyone who reads or listens to these sermons who are not a Christian will become a Christian. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Worship music - Please click the links and sing along if you know the words (You can also click skip ad to go straight to the songs) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJzWPL_5pds&index=44&list=PLcGYl7txrQa4CRHNO0sT-Fzi2SO3_0vCf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyKvWBQ7FD8&index=52&list=PLcGYl7txrQa4CRHNO0sT-Fzi2SO3_0vCf
False Teachings
The Lord has led me to do a Sunday evening series on popular teaching in churches that has literally sent people to hell. The unfortunate thing is that these pastors and teachers refuse to admit that they are wrong and change their views. However, not all of these pastors and teachers are trying to trick people, but it is very important for you to learn about these unbiblical views and warn others so they will not be deceived by these false teachings. Therefore, please pass these sermons on to others.
Before I begin to warn you about teachings that are false, the Bible actually instructs members of a church to remove people from their church who claim to be Christians, but they refuse to stop their evil ways. This definitely includes proven false teachers who are pastors and Sunday school teachers. 1 Corinthians 5:12,13; 2 John 1: 9-11; 1 Corinthians 5:2,7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; 2 Corinthians 11:3-6,12-15; 1 Timothy 1:3; 3:1-10; and Titus 1:6-9 support this.
False Teaching # 28 -
We are only allowed to tell a sinner that they need to believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and arose from the dead. If you add anything to that, you’re acursed and are going to hell (Galatians 1:8,9)
The Bible's Teaching -
If that was true, Jesus and the apostle Paul, who wrote Galatians, would be in hell right now. The reason is because Jesus told people to follow (imitate and obey) Him without hesitation, and those who refused missed heaven (explained in much of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com). For another important note that people misinterpret, see the 16th indented paragraph of chapter 5, of www.areyousureyouaresaved.com beginning with this sentence, “In many churches today, discipleship is not encouraged.” Also, Jesus began His preaching ministry by preaching, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17), and He said in Luke 13:5 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (go to hell).”
Repentance in the Bible is not just another word for believe. John the Baptist (whose purpose was to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming) said in Matthew 3:2 “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He then said in Matthew 3:7-8 “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” When John the Baptist said, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” - he meant that if someone repented (or changed, with God’s help, and began to think and live the way God wants them to think and live), they will know it because they will begin to bear good fruit (becoming more holy (They set their old plans of each day aside and spend more of their time, other than work or school, etc., doing what God wants them to do.) in the way they live (Romans 6:22); sharing their material possessions with other people (Romans 15:28); having Jesus' character traits (Galatians 5:22–23), praising the Lord (Hebrews 13:15), answered prayer (1 John 5:14–15), and doing good works (Colossians 1:10)). So according to some people’s theology, Jesus and John the Baptist added to the death, burial, and resurrection.
Most people know that actions like stealing, killing, and talking bad about people are things that God doesn’t want us to do. However, it is also a sin when you spend more of your time, other than work or school, etc., thinking about other things than God. (Romans 8:5-8 "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."). These verses mean that if you spend more of your time, other than work or school, etc., thinking what you want to think about instead of what God wants you to think about, you will not enter heaven. So, with the Holy Spirit’s help, you need to be willing to repent (turn from) of thinking the way you want to think from this moment on.
It is also a sin when you spend more of your time, other than work or school, etc., doing what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do. (Galatians 5:24,25 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.") (Galatians 6:8 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.") These verses mean that if you spend more of your time, other than work or school, etc., doing what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do, you will not enter heaven. So with the Holy Spirit’s help, you need to be willing to repent (turn from) of spending more of your time, other than work or school, etc., doing what you want to do.
So the question is, are you willing to spend "more of your time, other than work or school, etc.," thinking about what you’ve read in the Bible (Psalm 119:15), thinking about things such as a miracle that you witnessed or heard of, someone who got saved, some act of kindness you saw or heard of, something amazing an athlete did because God gifted them with that ability, or imaging what heaven will be like when you get there, etc. (Philippians 4:8); and praying how Jesus taught in Matthew 6:9-13 by (admiring God, confessing your sins, thanking God for all things, and asking God to supply your and other people’s needs) than other things?
Are you willing to spend "more of your time, other than work or school, etc.," doing things like reading the Bible and do what it says to do and don’t do what it says not to do (James 1:22); talking about the Bible with people who will listen (Deuteronomy 6:7), saying things that can help and encourage others and isn’t perverted, hateful, foul, threatening, argumentative, prideful, rude, trying to make fun of others, etc. (Ephesians 4:29), talking about a miracle that you witnessed or heard of, someone who got saved, some act of kindness that you saw or heard of, something amazing an athlete did because God gifted them with that ability, how beautiful the weather and scenery is because God made it that way, or what is going on in heaven, etc. (Philippians 4:8); attending church services that you are able to attend in order to worship, fellowship, and learn (Hebrews 10:25); doing whatever the Holy Spirit gives you thoughts to do each day no matter how challenging they may be or who or what tries to stop you (James 4:17); giving money (spending more of your money on things like evangelistic associations, charities, and things for God’s purposes instead of entertainment and material type things (Matthew 6:19-21), if you have money left over from providing yourself with food, clothing, and shelter, be willing to give to those who have needs (Luke 12:16-21); feeding, clothing, and providing shelter for the less fortunate, visiting people in hospitals and jails (Mark 12:30,31); doing acts of kindness that will make God look good in front of others such as cooking and cleaning for people, doing people’s yard work, helping people shop, washing people’s cars, and fixing people’s appliances, etc. (Matthew 5:16); teaching people the Bible (Matthew 28:19), counseling with people who are having problems (Galatians 6:2), encouraging others (Hebrews 10:25), correcting other believers when they sin (Galatians 6:1), telling people how to become Christians (2 Timothy 4:5) by mouth, through email, by handing out or dropping off Christian tracts in places like stores or restaurants where people can pick them up, or by giving to associations that tell people how to become Christians?
Not only these things, but are you willing to spend every moment of the day for the Lord? First Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." This means that everything you do during the day (eating, drinking, getting dressed, brushing your teeth, driving, and working, etc.) should be done to please the Lord. While you are doing these things, you should try to thank God for the opportunity (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and think about the Lord (thinking about what you have read in the Bible (Psalm 119:15), pray (Matthew 6:9-13), and think about things such as a miracle that you witnessed or heard about, someone who got saved, or an act of kindness that you witnessed or heard about (Philippians 4:8)). Even if you are watching a sporting event, you can do things like thanking God for gifting the athlete with such amazing ability, etc. (Philippians 4:8). God wants to be involved in everything you do during each day.
Are you willing to live the way the previous six paragraphs described no matter who or what circumstances try to stop you?
According to some people’s theology, the apostle Paul also added to the death, burial, and resurrection. Paul was witnessing to king Agrippa, and Paul said in Acts 26:19–20, “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” This means that if someone truly repented (changed, with God’s help, and began to think and live the way God wants them to think and live), they will know it if they change and begin to do good works (give, witness, serve, do acts of kindness). Notice in those verses, Paul witnessed this way to people in Damascus, Jerusalem, throughout all of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles.
Also notice that Paul preached repentance before belief in Jesus when he first preached to those in Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles (Acts 26:20). Then, he preached belief in Jesus to those people (Acts 26:22,23). Paul confirmed repentance before belief again in Acts 20:20,21 when he said, "And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Hebrews 6:1 also states, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” Notice that repentance from dead works (which are sins) comes before faith. Some church leaders would proclaim that someone is adding to the gospel (will go to hell) if they tell other people that they need to repent (be willing to quit sinning, and if they are willing to try to avoid sinning for the rest of their life, then they are ready to become a Christian by believing). Of course, Jesus was the only one who never sinned, but we should be willing to try to “follow” His example.
Similarly, many people claim that Jesus’ close disciples were saved when they witnessed Jesus turn water into wine at the marriage of Cana because John 2:11 says, “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” I also believe that Jesus’ close disciples were saved at this time, but notice that Jesus’ close disciples were willing to follow (imitate and obey) Jesus before they believed on Him and became saved. Since Paul preached repentance before belief and Jesus’ close disciples who changed the world were willing to follow Jesus before they believed on Him and became saved, why wouldn’t Romans 10:9 (which says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”) not mean that if someone isn’t willing to allow Jesus to become the Lord of their life, they are not ready to believe that Jesus is their Savior and be saved? If you have read chapter 1 of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com, you will see that repentance, being willing to follow Jesus, and being willing for Jesus to become the Lord of someone’s life basically have the same meaning.
In Acts 26:12-23, Paul tells king Agrippa his conversion story (please see the notes that are in parenthesis) – “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (It was useless for Paul to go against what Jesus wanted him to do, from that moment on.). And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Jesus wanted Paul to tell them that they needed to repent.), that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (This is where Paul followed Jesus’ instructions about repentance in verse 18, which says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.”). For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come (Paul told them the same things that the prophets and Moses said would describe the Messiah, and Paul gives this description in the next verse - ): That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
Paul also stated two verses on how to obtain salvation that use the title ‘Lord’ in Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9, and they both mean the same thing etymologically, contextually, and historically (and that is “God who rules”). Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.” And in Romans 10:9 it says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This doesn’t mean if someone simply says Jesus’ name and believes He arose from the dead, they will be saved. This means that someone is telling God that they are willing for Him to rule (or take over) every area of their life “from that moment on.”
The Greek word for “Lord” is kurios. Dr. John MacArthur, in his book The Gospel According to Jesus, explains this very well. He said, “Proper understanding of any biblical term depends on etymology, context, and history. Etymologically, “kurios” comes from a Greek root that means “rule, dominion, or power.” Contextually, taking Peter’s use of “kurios” in Acts 2:36, it is important to note that verses 34—35 quote from Psalm 110, a messianic psalm of rule and dominion (“Rule in the midst of Thine enemies,” v. 2). Peter was not saying merely that, “God has made Him . . . God,” he was affirming Jesus’ right to rule. Historically, Peter’s sermon addressed the Jews’ role in crucifying their Messiah (v.23). At the trial of Jesus before Pilate and the Jewish mob, the issue was clearly His “kingship,” mentioned at least a dozen times in John 18:33—19:22. Clearly, careful historical-grammatical exegesis of Acts 2:36 can lead to only one conclusion: Jesus is the divine King who rules in the midst of both friends and foes. Having thus identified Christ as Lord of all, Peter makes his gospel appeal. Note that Paul preached Jesus in exactly the same way (2 Cor. 4:3–5): Jesus is our sovereign Lord, and we are His servants.”
If you are reading this and aren’t willing for Jesus to become your Lord, He will not become your Savior (“and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”).
Obviously, someone isn’t going to hell if they tell a sinner that they need to be willing to repent of their sins “from this moment on,” be willing to follow Jesus “from this moment on,” and be willing for Jesus to become the Lord of their life “from this moment on.” I promise you, Jesus and the apostle Paul are both in heaven right now! Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are the core of the Christian faith, and we could never make it to heaven if Jesus hadn’t conquered those things. Although, that clearly doesn’t mean that someone isn’t allowed to mention repentance, following Jesus, and His right to become the Lord of someone’s life. Some people in Paul’s time added to the death, burial, and resurrection by claiming that people had to believe that and also keep the Law of Moses, keep the Ten Commandments, and be circumcised in order to get saved. Although, telling people that they need to be willing to repent of their sins “from this moment on,” be willing to follow Jesus “from this moment on,” and be willing for Jesus to become the Lord of their life “from this moment on” is not adding to the apostle Paul’s gospel. The truth is that if you are reading this right now and aren’t willing to repent of your sins “from this moment on,” aren’t willing to follow Jesus “from this moment on,” and aren’t willing for Him to become the Lord of your life (take over your time, thoughts, conversations with people who will listen (Deuteronomy 6:7), what you watch and listen to (see chapter 23 of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com), future goals, physical safety (Matthew 10:28), and the way you handle your money (see chapter 19 of this book - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com) “from this moment on”, you aren’t ready to accept Him as your true Savior.
In conclusion, if you have asked Jesus into your heart, believed that He is the Savior, or prayed or made a decision to trust Jesus' death on the cross and His shed blood to erase your sins and let you into Heaven, etc., but you aren't living the way that was described, please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/makingsure
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you are not sure that you are really a Christian (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:18-22, 1 John 5:14, and Hebrews 11:1), you need to be sure - please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven
If you have never prayed or made a decision to trust Jesus' death on the cross and His shed blood to erase your sins and let you into Heaven, please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven