The Culting of America
Tonight we are going to talk about false religions or cults. Prior to 1850, cultists were practically unheard of in America. Today there are tens of millions of Americans involved in the cults. The following statistics reveal some disturbing trends for those who hold biblical Christianity dear to their hearts.
1. Most Americans reject the notion of absolute truth.
2. Up to 1/3 of Americans do not believe in the God of the Bible.
3. Most Americans believe it doesn’t matter what god you pray to because the deities of the world religions are the same, but with a different name.
4. Nearly 2/3 of American adults believes all faiths teach the same basic lessons about life.
5. A minority of Americans has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
6. Nearly half of Americans believe that Jesus sinned while He was on earth.
Considering the above statistics, it is easy to understand why Americans are so easily led into false religions. Tonight I will be talking about the following cults, how they got started, and their influence on America and how to counter their beliefs.
1st. Mormons or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
2nd. Jehovah’s Witnesses (The Watch Tower)
3rd. Christian Science
4th. New Age or Spiritualism
5th. Baha’i
6th. Islam
These are only a very few of the many false religions right here in the US.
We know the truth and Christianity is different from any other religion because our faith is based on the true-inspired Word of God, the Bible. No other religion can prove the existence of their god. Jesus fulfilled over 100 prophecies from the Old Testament with 100% accuracy. No other religion can make that claim.
The Bible warns us of false prophets.
Let’s read:
Matt 7:13-23
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 "Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
23 Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
(NIV)
Let’s look at Mormonism known as the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".
1. Founder was Joseph Smith in 1830 in New York. Joseph Smith was poorly educated and very superstitious. In 1820 he claimed he had received a vision in which both God the Father and God the Son appeared to him. He was told in this vision that all churches were abominations to God and that he was being charged as a prophet to restore the true gospel. In 1823 the angel Moroni allegedly appeared to Joseph telling him where to locate a number of golden plates. In 1827 Joseph claimed to have located these plates that were inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics. Using crystals he was able to translate these plates into "The Book of Mormon". I have read the 1st printing of the book and it is filled with misspelling and grammatical errors. Joseph enlisted 3 other men to join his cause and the 2nd printing of the book corrected all errors, but also changed a lot of the doctrine. If Joseph had received the "true gospel" why is the 2nd printing of the Book of Mormon different from the first? There has been 3913 changes to the original Book of Mormon and the 1981 edition. For example in the Book of Mormons:
In 1 Nephi 11:21 the phrase "Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the eternal Father" is changed to "Behold the Lamb of God, yea even the son of the eternal Father."
2. They believe that God the Father was once a man, but became God and has a wife. The trinity does not exist. They believe that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three separate gods. Worthy men may one day become gods themselves ruling over another populated planet. We must show them that there is but one God.
3. They believe in the resurrection by grace, but by works they may become gods in another world. They give little emphasis on the cross. They believe that Jesus took on our sins when He was in the garden praying and not on the cross. This takes away from the atonement of sin by Christ shedding of His blood.
4. They do have some good points. No alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea or colas; even though they own Pepsi Cola Co. They encourage two-year missionary commitment and door-to-door proselytizing. They store up enormous amounts of food in community storehouses and they have a great outreach program to help their members in need.
5. The Mormon Church is one of the wealthiest in the world. They own or control at least 100 companies. They spend roughly $550 million per year on their worldwide missionary efforts. They used extensive radio and TV outlets to reach more that 2.3 million adults per day.
6. In 1950 there were one million Mormons in the US and today there are over 4 million. Mormons are well trained in their beliefs, but the best method to witness to them is the meaning of the crucifixion of Christ and the shedding of His blood for the atonement of sins. If you have the 1st edition of the Book of Mormons and a latter edition, then you can ask about the differences. This may place doubts in their mind and the Holy Spirit may convict them of the falsity of their book. Always pray for them to realize the truth.
Next let’s look at the Jehovah’s Witnesses (The Watchtower).
1. Charles Russell started the Watchtower organization in 1884 after he left the Seventh-day Adventist over disagreements especially over the Atonement. Russell’s wife successfully sued him for divorce in 1913 on the grounds of adultery and domination. Joseph Rutherford took over the Watchtower in 1917. Nathan Knorr took over in 1942.
2. They believe that the Scriptures alone is insufficient in learning the things of God. They must study the Watchtower literature to be able to know the true meaning of God.
3. They believe that the Archangel Michael created Jesus. It was through this created angel (Christ) that all other things in the universe were created. They believe that Jesus is not God.
4. They believe that Christ died on a stake; not a cross and was resurrected as a spirit, with his body being destroyed. Christ’s spiritual and invisible Second Coming took place in 1914. He has been ruling as King since then through the Watchtower Society.
5. They believe only 144,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses will go to heaven. All remaining Jehovah’s Witnesses will live forever on a paradise earth.
6. They believe salvation depends on works. "Grace" is the opportunity for human beings to earn their salvation by total obedience to the Watchtower Society.
7. In 1940 there were only 58,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in the US. Today they are approaching one million. Jehovah’s Witnesses are required to witness and to pass out the Watchtower literature.
8. Most Christians are not equipped to respond doctrinally when Jehovah’s Witnesses show up on the doorstep. They are well trained and have been indoctrinated into the Watch Towers beliefs since a child. The best method to witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses is to use the book of John chapter 1. They will either get up and leave your home or will say that they have to discuss this with their leaders but maybe a seed was planted. Pray for them.
Next let’s look at the Christian Science religion.
1. Mary Baker Eddy is credited with starting the Christian Science religion founded in 1875. She was always depressed and had several illnesses and spinal problems. She was supposedly healed by a Dr. Quimby through mental healing which he called "The Science of Health" or Christian Science.
2. Ms. Eddy then claimed that she had come up with this mental healing and then wrote the Christian Science Journal. She claims that all matter is an illusion. Since your body and sickness is an illusion, then one cannot become ill.
3. Christian Science believes that Jesus was not the Christ, that He did not suffer for sins, that He did not die on the Cross and that He was not physically resurrected.
4. They believe humanity is already eternally saved. Sin, evil, sickness and death are not real. Heaven and hell are states of mind.
5. Many of today’s movie stars belongs to this religious group. The beliefs of the Christian Science are so bazaar that the best method to use for witnessing is the Roman Road of Salvation or similar scriptures. They have a church right here in Hobbs on Turner St.
Next let’s look at the New Age movement.
1. The New Age movement is based on Eastern mystics, Hinduism and paganism. It was popularized in the 1980s and 1990s by actress Shirley Maclaine.
2. This religion uses parts of the Bible along with parts of the writings of most other religions to include the occult.
3. Beliefs vary, but most believe that everything and everyone is god. They believe that Jesus was a guru and not a savior. They believe that Jesus studied in the Far East and was a New Ager.
4. They believe that you will be constantly reincarnated until you reach a oneness with god. They use all types of the occult in their worship. They believe in psychic experiences and that extraterrestrials have visited earth.
5. Most of the worshippers are gathered in many small groups, but if all Americans that hold this belief would organize, then it would be the 3rd largest denomination in the US. Most of the New Agers are well educated, upscale people with a college education and very active in politic and community affairs.
6. The New Agers are like some liberal college professors, who thinks that there are no absolute truths, so parts of all teachings taken together represents the closest thing to truth. It is like saying I don’t know what is true, so I will believe everything. In witnessing to the New Agers, you must be able to convince them that only the Bible is the true word of God and that all other teachings are from Satan. Explain to them the plan of salvation. With most New Agers being well educated, you must show them that compared to the One and Only God, their knowledge is insignificant in comparison.
Next we will look at the Baha’i religion.
1. Baha’i was founded in 1844 in Iran by Mizra Ali Muhammed (the Bab). They used the Bible that they have rewritten along with writings of Abdu’l-Baha.
2. They believe God is a divine being who has revealed himself through nine religious leaders. They include Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, Muhammad, and Bah’u’llah.
3. Baha’i originated as an Islamic sect. It teaches that all religions have the same source, principles and aims. To witness to the Baha’i, you must be able to prove to them that Jesus is the only Son of God and that all other so-called prophets are false. This means you need to be familiar with the teachings of the other so-called prophets and the errors in their teachings.
4. The Baha’i are right here in our town. They meet on West Mesa Street. About 6 years ago when they came to Hobbs, you couldn’t pick up our local paper without seeing positive news articles concerning them and their faith on the front page.
Next we will look at Islam.
1. Islam began about AD 610 by Muhammad. Their teachings come from the Qur’an which they believe God revealed to Muhammad.
2. They consider Jesus as one of up to 124,000 prophets sent by Allah to various cultures. Jesus to them was sinless, but not the Son of God.
3. Islam is one of the world’s fastest growing religions numbering over one billion followers. It is the second largest religion in Europe. In the US, Islam challenges Judaism as the second largest religion. Newsweek reports that in the US there are between 4 to 7 million Muslims.
4. A United Nations demographic report forecast Muslims will represent at least half of the global births after the year 2055.
5. The five doctrines of Islam are:
a. Allah is the one true god.
b. Allah has sent many prophets.
c. The Koran is the only accurate of the four inspired books.
d. There are many angels and fallen angels.
e. There will be a day of judgment and resurrection based on your works.
6. The five pillars of Islam are:
a. Recitation of Islam’s creed "There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet". This is done several times a day.
b. The practice of prayer five times a day. This is the same prayer recited each time.
c. The practice of almsgiving. This is a mandatory tax.
d. Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
e. The pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lives.
7. We have been hearing that Islam is a religion of peace. The strange thing about this is that only the members of the Islamic faith or people that knows nothing about Islam are saying this. I have listen to several Muslims that have came out of the Islamic faith and have become Christian pastors and all have said that Islam is not a religion of peace. I have taped two of the speakers if anyone is interested in listening to the interview. Also since September 11th, more non-Muslims are accepting the Islamic faith as acceptable to that of Christianity. People are being deceive in thinking that Islam’s Allah is the same God that we as Christian worships. This is not true and it is an abomination to God to have interfaith prayer services consisting of Christians praying to God and Islamic people praying to Allah. I agree completely with the comments that Franklin Graham made concerning the sin of having Christians and Islamic praying together.
Let’s read:
Matt 24:8-13
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(NIV)
Since September 11th the above scripture seems very relevant. Christians are being killed and persecuted in all Muslim countries and Christians are hated by all Islamic Nations. But because of lies about Islam being a peaceful religion and that they worship the same God that we worship, many people including Christians are being deceived.
Now let’s look at the truth in:
John 3:16-21
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
(NIV)
There is only one true religion. There is only one Savior and that is Jesus Christ. No one comes unto the Father except through Jesus Christ. Anyone praying to a God that Jesus Christ doesn’t call Father is praying to a false prophet.
If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are no better off that those worshipping the false religions that we have talked about tonight. Jesus is the only Son of God. God loved us so much that He wanted to give us a way to be saved and to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. God knew that we could never live a life good enough to earn our way into Heaven, so He sent His one and only Son to die on the Cross as a blood sacrifice for our sins. God raised Jesus on the third day and Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father today. God made it so simple for us to have everlasting life. All we have to do is to believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord. Confess that we are sinners and ask for forgiveness of our sins. Then Jesus will help you to change your life. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus will lead you through your daily life if you let Him.
If you don’t know Christ and you don’t have peace in your life, come now to receive Christ as your Savior. He will give you an inner peace that is impossible to describe.
Come now. Come as you are, Christ will take care of the rest.
