Don't Accept a Counterfeit

Transcription

1 Don't Accept a Counterfeit By Wade Webster April 05, 2015 Those who work around money have to be careful not to accept a counterfeit. They have to know the difference between a counterfeit and an original at a moment s notice. If they do not know what the original looks like, they are likely to accept a counterfeit and lose some money. Spiritually speaking, each of us must be able to tell a counterfeit from an original when we see it. We must not let the devil trick us into accepting a counterfeit (2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 11:14). If we let him trick us, we will lose more than money. We will lose our souls (Matthew 16:26). Let s consider one of the devil s counterfeits that we must be careful not to accept. Don t accept a counterfeit church. In fulfillment of prophecies and promises, Christ established His church on the first Pentecost following His resurrection (Isaiah 2:2-3; Daniel 2:44; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 16:18; Mark 9:1; Acts 2:47). Although Christ established only one church (Ephesians 4:4; cf. Ephesians 1:22-23), the devil has filled the world with counterfeits. As is always the case with counterfeits, the counterfeits bear enough of the marks of the original to deceive those who are not careful to notice every detail. Because the devil has many counterfeits, we must make sure that what we have found is the original. We must make sure that the church of which we are a member can trace its origin back to the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47). We must make sure that the church of which we are a member teaches the plan of salvation taught in the Scriptures (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:17). We must make sure that the church of which we are a member worships on the proper day and in the proper way (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; John 4:24). After all, none of us wants to face judgment in a counterfeit church. Counterfeit churches will be rooted up (Matthew 15:13). You can be sure that Christ can tell His church from the counterfeits made by the devil.

2 The Devil s Bible Foolishness 19:7: I ll try anything once. Popular 6:9: Go ahead, everyone else is doing it. Cowardly 1:10: The best thing to do when Christ and His church are criticized is to keep silent. Critics might get angry if you speak up. Indifference 3:4: I m tired after working all day and cannot attend church services. Deceit 8:15: It makes no difference what one believes as long as he is sincere. Pride 31:3: If I become a Christian, my friends will think I ve become a religious fanatic. I don t like to be laughed at. Foolishness 6:6: One drink will do no harm. Excuses 1:1: I m afraid to discuss the Bible with others. Anyway, they won t listen. Apostasy 2:5: What difference does it make whether we follow the New Testament or not? Heartache 7:2: I ve never cheated on my spouse before, but everybody does. No one will ever find out about this one time. Hypocrisy 6:5: When we go home from college on weekends, we go to church so the home folk will think we are faithful at school. 2 Opinions 2:4: One church is as good as another; therefore, attend the church of your choice. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11 This Week s Pantry Items Oatmeal Canned Meat Dry Beans 4/1 Jan Doyal 4/1 Shane Robinson 4/8 Pam Tennant 4/10 Shane & Jennifer Robinson 4/11 M.J. Kelley 4/14 Addie McCarty; Holly Abbott 4/21 Joe Hamala; Audrey Young 4/23 Sheilah Hayes 4/25 Lee Isable April

3 PRAYER REQUESTS OUR SICK Frances Parden, Memorial, Rm 7108; no visitors Vivian Compton, to be scheduled for hip surgery Judi Fraley, possible shoulder surgery Debbie Dotson, scheduling another surgery Please remember our shut-ins in prayer: Burma Black, Jimmie Ann Brown, Leona Hale, Ruth Koger, Floyd Lones, Betty Paseur, Frances Thomas, and Carl Wallace FRIENDS & FAMILY Rick Davis, Linda Uhler s son Bill Morgan, Gary Ward, friend of Dick Hillis Linda Daniels, Joy & Norma s cousin Renee Wattenberger, friend of Norine O Kelley Debbie Campbell, friend of Norine O Kelley Linda Daniels, Joy & Norma s cousin Ginger (Adair) Keys, Bill Adair s daughter Eunice Graves, Angie & Terry s aunt Kenny Wallace, Betty Eagle s son UPCOMING EVENTS April 5 April 6 Apr First Sunday Fellowship Meal after morning worship Ladies Devotional Breakfast; 9 AM; Fellowship Room Gospel w/jim Murrell; 7 PM Mon-Thurs Men s Study; 9 AM; Fellowship Room Ladies w/donna Faughn; 9 AM Monthly Devo; 6 PM; Fellowship Room 7th Annual Spring Formal; 6 PM; Walker Co. Civic Center Sympathy Our deepest sympathy is extended to Addie McCarty and Charlene Curtis in the passing of their sister-in-law, Jo Robinson. Please remember all of the family in your prayers.

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5 Counterfeit Christianity Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:20-27 Introduction Something that is counterfeit tries to pass as the real thing; it tries rode dive you into believing it is something it's not. Jesus said there would be people who claimed to be the real thing, but were actually counterfeit (Mt. 7:20-23). He said the way you could tell the difference was by examine the fruit they were producing in their lives. The purpose of our lesson today is to determine whether or not I am a real Christian or a counterfeit. Put under the microscope, will I pass the test? ways to assist us in passing the test... PASSING THE TEST: KNOW THE REAL THING Jesus could be found in the temple or synagogue (Lk. 2:46-52; 4:16). Jesus truly cared for and served people (Mk.9:36; 10:45; 15:32). Jesus had a heart of compassion and was always ready to forgive (Lk. 23:34; Jn. 11:5). Jesus lived a life without sin (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus died for counterfeits (Rom. 5:6-8). PASSING THE TEST: EXPOSING MY FLAWS Am I the hypocritical Christian? Motto: "Do as I say, not as I do," or "say I do and do something else." Am I the hypercritical Christian? Motto: "Do as I do and as I say." Am I the hypersensitive Christian? Motto: "Don't judge me." Exposing My Flaws Exam* PASSING THE TEST: BECOMING THE REAL THING The smaller our view of sin, the smaller our view of the Savior (1 Tim. 1:12-17). Despite how messed up I am, I am still valuable (Lk. 15:11-32). Christianity is about making small steps not 100% accurate leaps (2 Pet. 1:5-11). PASSING THE TEST: ASKING THE CRUCIAL QUESTIONS Have I obeyed Jesus' requirements for salvation (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24)? Do I study the Bible so I may grow and avoid sin (2 Pet. 3:18; Ps. 119)? Have I identified myself with a group of Gods people to hold me accountable (Rev. 2-3)? Do I actively seek opportunities to share Jesus and His love with others (Mt. 25:31-46)? Shane Robinson April 05, 2015 Chickamauga Church of Christ

6 *Exposing My Flaws Exam Scale 1 (least like me) to 5 (most like me) 1. I believe church attendance is important, but am infrequent in my attendance. 2. I post scriptures and share indecent material on my Facebook page. 3. I often compare my faithfulness with the unfaithfulness of others. 4. I treat people the way Jesus did until they do something I don't agree with. 5. I am highly opinionated and expect others to agree with me. 6. I tend to only point out what I disagree with or do not like about others. 7. I have guidelines I follow so I may not sin and expect others to follow them as well. 8. I'm an expert in hobby riding and will set you straight if I see the slightest opportunity. 9. I'm easily offended when others point out my faults or the faults of others. 10. I'm easily offended when others fail to point out my accomplishments. 11. I often say things like, "God is the judge," "It's not my/our place to judge," or "nobodies perfect." 12. Feelings are more important than facts. (e.g. As long as their happy that's all that matters.) Tally points*. Compare points for the following three sections: Q1-4: More like the hypocritical Christian Q5-8: More like the hypercritical Christian Q9-12: More like the hypersensitive Christian *If you refused to participate you're probably a combination of hypercritical and hypersensitive ;)