The Shepherd's Chapel P.O. Box 416, Gravette, AR 72736 501-787-6026 Dr. Arnold Murray, DRE Newsletter #266 - December 2000 ©2000 cw Led_Astray Every time the Bible warns us about being led astray, ‘the warming concerns false prophets and teachers. The word “astray” as we are going to be studying it today is the Greek word "planao" (plan-al’-oh). The Greek word ‘means to cause to roam from the truth, and the root word that it is from means to cause to stray from religion through fraud and deceit, Let's begin our study in Matthew. 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of Hae lag tee tr say unto you, Thak heaven oe angels do always behold the face of My Father Which isin heaven. As a servant of God, you are one of those little cones. At any time you are in trouble your angel has God's attention, and help is on the way, Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost ‘Why was Christ born in the flesh? He was sent to save that which is lost. This goes all the way back to the first earth age and the one-third that followed Satan, If you are in Christ, this is your purpose also, Matihew 18:12 How think yo? Ife man have an hundred sheep, and ono of them ba gone astray, doth he not Ieave the ninety end ning, and goeth into the moun- {ains, and scokoth that which is gone astray? ‘As Christians, we should follow the example of Christ. Do you Took for that one that has roamed from the truth? there are many that are lost. Anyone. that Understand that antichrist returns’ first fs lost Matthew 18:13 And if so be that ne find it, verity | say unio you, fe rejoiceih more of that sheep, than of the cninetyand_nine which went not astray. It isn't the will of our Father that even one of His children should perish (Il Peter 3:9); however, some of them are so stubbom that they will indeed perish. That is why Christ rejoices more over the one lost sheep that is found. That my friends is what all who serve God should be sbout doing, Help those that have gone eary with God's truth, Let's continue in the Book of Ephesians, Febeslgns #4 thorofore, tho prisoner of the, Lord jeseach yOU that ye walk Worthy of the vocation where with ye are called, 2 With all fowiness and meokness, with Tong-sufferiag, Forbeering one another in love; If you are serving God, your vocation is to help: those that are lost. Do it humbly, patiently and in love sians_4:3 Endeavouring to_keop the unily of the Eee tae Bond of peace! 1 There 1s one. Cody. and ‘one Spint, even as yo are callad in one hope of your calling: ¢ One Lord,” one feith, one baptism, What is the calling of a Christian? Seck the lost. That is the entire purpose of this earth age. That is the purpose of this ministry. Foeus on our purpose, Skip to verse eleven with me, 4:11 And He gave somo, apostles; and some, prophels; and some, evangelists; and some, ‘pasiors and teachers: 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ll of His servants to accomplish 1 the work is finding the lost. God gives gifts to the work at hand. Agai Ephosians 4:3 Till wo all come in the umity of tho faith, ERS? the knowledge of tho Som of evs nia a portect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ‘The word “perfect” in this verse means "mature", and there is no gender implied. Enhesjons 4:14 Thet wo henceforth be no more chin, tossed to and fro, and camied about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; verse actually means. to cause to stray from religion through fraud. They tend to stray from God's Word, and many of them would have you believe there is more than one body, one Spirit, one Lord, ‘and one baptism. Don't listen to their lies. We are going to the Book of Mark as we continue our study. For many shall come in My name, seying, Bere rene a ta ‘Again, the waming concems religionists. There are many Preachers that come in the name of Jesus Christ, in other words claiming to be @ Christian, and they deceive many, Let's skip to verse 22 with that same thought in mind, For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, an ‘shew signs and wonders, to saduco, if it wore possible, even the elect. Make certain they don't seduce you into a one-way trip to hell. How do you do that? By focusing on the one tbody, the one faith and the one Lord. There is only One! But take ye heed: behold, | have foretold you Mack 15:23 ail things. Understand the simplicity of Christ's teaching. Keep God's Word simple, and you will be wise above all people in this generation. The religionists won't have a chance to deceive you. Let's tum to the doctrinal Book of I! Timothy. 4 Timothy This know also, that in the last days ‘paribus tines “shod came. 2 Far men shai bo ‘overs af their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,‘disobedient (o parents, unthenkful, unholy, ‘There are troubled times on the horizon. Why? Satan ‘and his angels will be here on earth, What would you expect from them? Timothy 2:3 Without natural alfection. ucebroskers fais accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of plea- sures more than lovers of God; ‘Without natural affection means hard-hearted towards family. Incontinent means lack of self-control. il Timothy if Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such lum away. They claim to be servants of God. Some even cl to be preachers, but they deny the very power of God. Beware! Don't allow them to lead you astray. iL Timothy 3:8, For ofthis sort ore they which erage into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, Jed away with divers lusts, Spiritually, we ave all the bride of Christ. The false teachers ereep into the house of God and deceive the bride of Christ. Note the bride is laden with sins. In other words, she hasn't even been taught to repent. These Teachers claim to be holy, but they are unholy. | Timothy 3:7 Ever teaming, and never able to come Easiher mings etna ‘That is sad. They sit in their pews Sunday after Sunday and never gain knowledge concerning the truth. Let's go to verse twelve, U Timothy 9:42 Yoa, ond all that will ve godly in Christ esis shal sulfer ‘persecutton I say bring it on. We are standing with our gospel armour on, and we are “kicking dragon". We have noth- ing to fear, if we will only exercise the power Christ gave us (Luke 10:18-19), Tim 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax eee Soe, decetving, and’ beng. deceived Friends, it will get worse before it. gets any better. False teachers love to deceive themselves and others. ‘Check out what someone is telling you in God's Word, before you eall that person your teacher, No one can improve on the doctrine of Christ. You will find the doctrine of Christ in the Bible, and no where clse J_Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which Thou hast-jeamed and Nest Doon assured of, knowing ‘of whom thou has leamed them; ys And that tron a child thou hast known the holy Senptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation though faith which is in ‘Christ Jesus, It is the doctrine of Jesus Christ that brings salvation, not the foolishness of men. r ure Is given by inspation of matey STS table for doctrines for roorast, Tor cor ‘eetion, for instruction in righteousness: 17, That the man oF God may be perfect ireughy fumished unto ai! good fom, ‘The apostasy will happen just as it is written. Make certain that you are throughly funished so that no man can deceive you and make you part of that falling away Tn closing, turn with me to the Book of Revelation. We Will pick it up with Jesus speaking 0 the church ‘Thyatira. You don't want to be a member of this church. Beerelaion 230 Motwipstanding, | ayo 0 few, things against thea, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, ich calleih hersel a propheless, to teach and to seduce My servanis to commit farnication, and to eal things sacriliced unto idols. This church allowed those that claimed to be proph- ets of God to lead them into. false religions Ri 2:21 And | gave her space to repent of hor femeaionand she repented” not Christ paid the price on the cross with His blood ‘and gave them the opportunity to repent, but they wouldn't Rlevelntion 222 Behold, | wil cast ner into a bed, and a that commit adultery with her ino great tnbulation, except hey repent of their deods. 2 Aki wil kil bot reo th; and all the churches shail know that fam He Which sesrcheth the reins and hearts: and J will give unto every one of you according to your works. God doesn't like false teachers. Judgement begins at the house of God. May God help those that lead even one of God's children astray. Stick to His Word. wolation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the sest Re eee irany on Tare no Ue. Gockine, aint which have not known the depths of Satan, as thoy ‘speak; | will put upon you none other burden 2 But that which ye have alzeady, hold fast til | como. Do you know the depths of Satan? Do you realize Satan will be cast from heaven and. be here on earth as antichrist? If you don't, you are already in Thyatira Revelation 2:26 And he that avercometh, and keepeth My works Unie the end, to him will | give power over the mations: zr And he shall rule them with 2 rod of iron; as the veasals of a potter shall they be broken to Shivers: oven as | received of My Father Do you accomplish God's works, or your own? You would be able to know the answer by whether you are being blessed or not. The Son will rule with a rod of iron. 1 don't know about you, but I don't want to feel at rod of correction. Those that lead others astray through fraud and deceit deserve the rod. Rovelaion 228 And I tl ive him tne monning star a He that Rath an ear, let him hear what the Spint saith unto the churches.” Be certain that you are in a church that teaches as ‘Smyma and Philadelphia. You must know those who claim to be of Judah, but they are of the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9 and 3:9). You must know the key of David. What do you do with that key? You reach out to your brothers and sisters that have been led astray and are lost. InHis Service, Amold Murray