Beware Of Fellowship Destroyers Series

In verses 18-19:

• John is writing to warn of antichrists.

• Not just the antichrist after the rapture. but of false teachers then and now.

• These are people that profess to be Christians, supposedly teaching the Bible, but are actually giving false words.

• Study the scriptures so that we can know if who is before us is speaking truth.

• False teachers we out from us, yet they were not of us.

• They came into the church, brought false teachings and tried to take others away.

• They brought disharmony and disunity and used the church as a social club.

• Is the church a place to be seen, to see others, a place to network?

• Are we members of the Church of Casual Christianity? (I'm Dr. so-so, Mr. High & Mighty, we're the Uppity family, etc)

• "Let me tell you how I do for the church"

• "This is how I run things around here"

• No mention of what God does

• God should be in control of the church and church service

In verses 20-21:

• The Holy Spirit enables us to discern the false teachers

• We should be allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell and work through us

• Allowing the Holy Spirit to move brings harmony and puts us in one accord

• Matthew 7:15 - beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

• They come looking like Christians, but the True Spirit is not in them

• A tree is known for the fruit it bears

• The Holy Spirit will enable us to differentiate

In verses 22-23:

• Everyone should know the basics

• God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit

• Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified and died, buried in a borrowed tomb, rose from the grave three days later, ascended unto Heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, will return one day to take believers to glory

• Some will try to change that, say that there's another way, but they are false

• Doesn't matter what letters are behind their names, what school of theology or seminary they attended

• True believers must have attended KNEEOLOGY school, where they bowed on their knees and cried unto God 'Have mercy upon me, a retched sinner'

In verses 24-29:

• When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we had to have Heard the basic Gospel message preached, and that seed was planted

• Therefore, we know of the Truth for it should abide in us.

• We're to hold on to that truth and share it with others

• If someone tries to tell something different, go back to the basics, back to the beginning

• 'Something doesn't sound right, not like what I've heard before'

• The truth that abides in us is the Word, Jesus is the Word, therefore, Jesus abides in us

• How are we to know if what the preacher/teacher is presenting is correct? Look It Up

• False teachers are out to change you, to stop you from abiding in the Holy Spirit. Satan uses the false teachers to trick us

• Be equipped to stand against the devil

• Follow the Holy Spirit, seek God's guidance

• To know the truth better means to get in the Book

• God will reveal the answers to the questions that we may not understand

• Pay attention to the Holy Spirit, listen to the Holy Spirit as it speaks

• Heed the Word, read the Word