Circuit Breaker
Series: Turn on the light
Sunday Sermon / December 2nd, 2007
Intro: Function of a Circuit is to protect against dangerous overload.
A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overload or short circuit.
A short circuit allows a charge to flow along a different path from the one intended.
The Circuit breaker automatically breaks the flow the flow of rouge electricity and protects the system from damage.
John taught and warned against the false teachers who were trying to get the Christians to take a different path from the one intended. These were the Gnostics who claimed an extra Biblical enlightenment concerning the Faith. And the people were trouble about whether or not they knew the truth.
Text: 1 John 2:18-29 “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he made to us eternal life.
26I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
28And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.
I. Every Christian needs a spiritual “circuit breaker.”
“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
26I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
a. There is one big “A” Antichrist
i. Only John uses the title “Antichrist.”
ii. Daniel refers to the “prince who is to come / Paul calls him the “man of lawlessness” / in Revelation he is called the “beast out of the sea”
According to Nelsons New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp 79-80), the antichrist is “a false prophet and evil being who will set himself up against Christ and the people of God in the last days before the second coming. The term refers to one who stands in opposition to all that Jesus Christ represent.”
iii. Many see the prefix "anti" and think “against” Christ.
iv. While this may be ultimately true, perhaps the real idea of the word is "substitute." The Antichrist is one who offers himself as a substitute for Christ.
John’s real concern in this present passage is not just for "the antichrist" that is yet to come, but to the existence of the "many antichrists" that were then present in the world.
b. There are many little “a” antichrists
i. Most of the world is antichrist
ii. This is the greatest threat to Biblical Christianity.
iii. This is the main reason we need a Spirit controlled circuit breaker guarding our minds, souls and spirits.
iv. There are many (Billions) of little antichrists.
Antichrist thinking shows up in the denial of or the depreciation of or the distraction from the full person and complete work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
v. The undermining of Jesus. Who he was and is. What he has done and does.
1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
c. There is no middle ground
Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.”
i. Jesus says, “you’re either all for Jesus or you’re all against Jesus”
ii. You can’t be indifferent to Jesus. You are either living For Jesus or for yourself.
iii. Notice he didn’t switch the order, “If you’re not against me your for me.”
iv. Some say, “I’m not against Jesus, I just think there are probably other options too.”
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
II. The Holy Spirit protects you with The Truth.
“20But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 21I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
a. We need protected on every side
i. Direct Attacks – these are people who directly oppose Jesus.
• Completely different religions all together / adamantly opposed
• Atheist
ii. Distortions and additions – Just enough “Jesus” to get you to listen.
27…His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie…
• The Gnostics spoke about Jesus, but distorted Him.
• They claimed “new” revelation in addition to the revelation of the Apostles.
• These are the people and teachings that say, “It’s Jesus AND_____.”
a. Jesus and good works or Mary
b. Jesus and whatever.
c. Truth + Lie = Lie
• These are people who present only one side of God. He is love, he wants the best for you, and he wants to give you the best life, the good life.
• He only wants you to be healthy, wealthy and powerful.
People are sworn in to a court of law by saying, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Anything less is useless and misleading.
iii. Omissions – Don’t talk about Jesus at all.
22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
• They may talk about God but omit the Son.
Mark Driscol says, “God isn’t some sky-fairy we can call he, she, we, me or it.”
• Not some feel good spiritually – “Chicken soup for the soul.”
Recently, I heard of how Dr. Tony Evans was invited to lead a prayer at the Dallas city council. However, he was told that he could not pray in the name of Jesus. Dr. Evans said emphatically, “I don’t pray non Jesus prayers.”
iv. Alternatives –
• Alternative gods saviors
• Alternate Heavens: Nirvana, Paradise, Blue Lodge, etc.
• There are not alternative gods, saviors, answers to man’s problems and there are no alternative heavens.
• These are “fronts” for Hell.
b. Protect against antichrist thinking from within the Church.
You must filter all human teachers (me included.)
All teachers fit into one of three categories: Good teachers, teachers on probation and false teachers.
Good Teachers: These are individuals who love Jesus, they are Born-again and they preach and teach the same as Jesus. They are “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” “All Jesus” and “Just Jesus”
Teachers on Probation: Any “bible” teacher who starts to teach or do something “off” goes on probation. They may or may not be trying to deceive you. But something about them just isn’t right.
Their theology isn’t completely Bible based or it’s based on misinterpretation of Scripture or just one aspect of the Bible.
Everything they say must be double filtered: First for content and second for motive.
• What are they not saying but are communicating none the less?
• What are they attempting to incite in you. (stir, encourage, or urge on; stimulate or prompt to action.)
Oral Roberts – In 1987, during a fundraising drive, Roberts announced to a television audience that unless he raised $8 million by that March, God would "call him home" (a euphemism for death) REALLY???
Joel Osteen – Who during a Larry King interview was unwilling to admit that people who don’t accept Jesus won’t go to heaven. This is coming very close to denying Jesus. He’s on probation.
Benny Hinn - Who has a $10 million “parsonage” and continually refuses to submit to financial stewardship inquiries, he goes on probation.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.”
They “may” have something to say worth listening to, but they are on probation. Their teaching should be taken as a grain of salt. I’ve listed just a few, really there are thousands.
The third category is false teachers. These are people who once tested by Scripture and the Holy Spirit are clearly dangerous in their teaching, they are dangerous in their ideology, they are threats to your faith and they are clearly antichrist in nature.
i. Sincerity isn’t enough
Some of you may recognize the name Fanny Crosby. Crosby was the author of over 8000 songs.
At 6 weeks of age Fanny Crosby developed a minor eye inflammation and was taken to a local doctor for treatment. However, the doctor who treated her used the wrong medicine on her eyes and she became totally and permanently blind because of his carelessness.
That doctor was completely sincere and completely wrong and caused irreversible damage.
Every time we accept a theology or ideology as the answer to life’s problems and it is not Jesus, All Jesus and Just Jesus, it’s like that wrong medicine that causes damage instead of healing.
It poison for the spirit because it gives a FALSE SENSE OF ASSURANCE. The real damage often doesn’t become evident until they are face to face with God on Judgment day. Then it is too late.
We need Circuit breakers. We need to detect false teachings; false ideas and misleading ideals and stop there flow into our hearts and minds.
Ravi Z, “You cannot be inexact in life’s absolutes. The Word of God is absolute; truth is absolute and you violate it at your own peril.”
c. Protect against antichrist thinking from without the Church.
i. Not every teacher presents themselves as a teacher, yet they are trying to influence.
ii. Not every lesson they want you to learn is presented as “Doctrine”
Ideology - the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc., that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class, or large group.
iii. All ideologies attempt to answer the problems of man.
iv. That makes them “Theology” whether or not that claim is made.
v. Antichrist is anywhere and everywhere: Education / Politics / Business / Charitable organizations / and of course Religion.
They may or may not use the Bible; they may or may not speak about God.
Antichrists teach in our schools and universities, antichrists hold and run for political offices, they sit on our judicial benches, they write and produce TV shows and movies and they stand in pulpits across our world. They can have crosses on their steeples and lies on the lips.
They are entertainers, authors and authorities in our culture. They host talk shows, write for newspapers and magazines. Many are good people, sincere people and caring people. They don’t have horns growing out of their heads. They don’t appear EVIL but they are none-the-less antichrist.
III. Stick with Jesus, All Jesus and Just Jesus
24Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he made to us eternal life.”
a. All you need is the Word of God and the Spirit of God.
i. Stop every idea at the door and test it.
ii. Does this match up with the Word of God and the witness of the Holy Spirit?
iii. If it doesn’t match up, stop its flow into your heart and soul.
b. Know and abide in the Word of God for yourself.
i. Abide - not to depart; to continue to be present; to be held, kept, continually
ii. No need for fear or paranoia / we simply must know the Truth and the Spirit of God
Conclusion:
