DEFENDING THE FAITH!

Psalm 73:1-24

INTRODUCTION: Why do Christians; even great men and women of faith endure hardship? I

suffering the result of sin and prosperity the result of righteous living? If so why do so many

wicked men prosper and have good health while many godly men suffer and have bad health?

Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 73:3. Today’s church often teach that God wants Christians healthy,

wealthy, and wise. The Bible talks about churches that teach those doctrines: 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

If a preacher’s message disagrees with Scripture we must conclude that, that preacher is

preaching to itching ears. Proverbs 30:5.

I. DEGRADING CRITICAL THINKERS!

Creating shame and embarrassment is the easiest way to silence would-be critics and

prevent future critics. The Word of God warns Christians not to believe every spirit but to test

the spirits against the Word of God: 1 John 4:1. So how are we to test the spirits?

Acts 17:10-11. The Word of God is the Truth as taught by none other than our Lord Jesus

Christ: John 17:17. When you hear someone say: “Touch not thou God’s anointed” be very

careful. We are search the Scriptures 1 Chronicles 16:21-22; 2 Timothy 2:15; Jude 1:3-4. Critics

argue we should all just get along. This may be the world’s view of truth, but it is not God’s

view of the truth. 1 Peter 3:15. We are not called to be passive by-standers but to be soldiers

of the King fighting for the truth of God in love! Proverbs 27:5. Apologist are those who give a

reasoned defense of the Scriptures and they are mocked by many who want to make up their

own truth.

II. CULTIC DOCTRINES!

There are many very sincere Christians who have been caught up in the “Word-Faith”

movement which comes from cultic teachings. The teachings of the “Word-Faith” movement

actually challenge the clear teaching of Scriptures. The teachings of the “Word-Faith

movement are contrary to the teachings of God’s Word: Revelation 4:1-2; Matthew 6:19-21. As

we look at the description of God from “Word-Faith” movement what do we find? Almost the

exact teachings of Joseph Smith which said: “As man is, God once was. As God is man shall

become.” Isaiah 40:12-18. Our Lord Jesus spoke of His Father in these words: John 4:22-24.

III. USING METAPHORS AS DESCRIPTIONS OF GOD!

Many false teachers and prophets use the metaphors of Scripture as truths to teach instead

of metaphors to learn from: Psalm 91:4; Matthew 23:37. The metaphor is intended to describe

God’s protection—not to describe God: Revelation 4:3. Remember we are called to be like the

Church at Beria! Acts 17:11. Now it is our turn to be noble and study the Scriptures to see if

what we believe and what others teach is true.