What Do You Believe In?

What do YOU believe?

Introduction (Ron)

Society tells us to believe one thing

Religion tells us to believe another

And God’s Word, NOT religion, tells us to believe something else

What do you believe in?

Where is your faith anchored?

How solid is your faith?

Tonight, we will look at some examples of this world’s latest fanatical “religious” thinking – and why it does NOT match what God’s Word tells us. We will also seek to explore where we can get wise to the world, and have understanding and wisdom. God’s Word is the key here, and we need to be students of it.

Pen and paper ready – bibles ready – we have LOTS of ground to cover …

Pray

Point 1 - What does the world say? (TJ)

The latest fanatical in this world of “religious zealots” that is corrupting minds

Jose Luis De Jesus

He claims to be Jesus Christ – the risen Messiah who has come to Earth to establish his kingdom right now.

His claims that his followers do not want to see the illogical in:

- In 1998 he said he was the Apostle, Paul

- In 1999 he said he was "the other"

- In 2004 he said he was Jesus of Nazareth

- Requires that each of his members receive a tattoo of 666 on his members

- His organization lashes out at other Christian organizations

- Demands obedience and money from his followers

- Millions of dollars are lavished upon him by “members”

Let’s take a look at why he is NOT the Messiah

Talk about an identity crisis! This man has NO idea who he is!!

This man also has a prison record for fraud! Confused yet?

The Spirit of God brings peace, not confusion – 1 Corinthians 14:33 says “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

Jesus said He was the “I am” – John 8:58 “even before Abraham was, I am”.

Present tense of authority! Not coming to, not has been, but the verb “IS”!

When Jesus speaks, all of creation listens!

When this man speaks – a true believer ought to immediately begin to show his followers where they are wrong. In my view, his 15 minutes of fame are over.

Point 2 – What does the Word say? (Ron)

Jesus was poor and lowly and came to be with them – to serve, not to be served

Money was NOT important to Jesus – he did not pass the offering plate

Believers are confused and do not know the Word!

After Revelation Chapter 3 – the church (the word church – thus the literal body of believers) is no longer mentioned.

Before the appearance of Jesus again on the Earth, the church will be removed!

Rev 19 is when Jesus comes to Earth to set up His Kingdom and declare His Kingdom has authority over all that has been created!

Jesus warned specifically of false Christs so we would have … WISDOM:

Matt 24:23: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.”

Mark 13:6 “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

Mark 13:22 “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”

Even Satan will be sending false Christs and appearing as angels of light:

2 Corinthians 11:12-14 “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”

False Christs will be coming to imprison the believers:

Galatians 2:4-5 “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.”

The mark his members take – Rev 13:18 clearly says when the mark of 666 will come into play. It says, “Here is wisdom …”

Stop there – look at the word choice: Wisdom – this means you HAVE to STUDY and pay attention and seek God’s face on what is really true! You do not get God’s wisdom by osmosis; you have to actually READ the Word! (Show thyself approved – rightly dividing the Word of Truth – 2 Timothy 2:15)

Continuing: “Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”