July 24, 2011

Sunday School

II Corinthians 11:1-33
Paul and The False Apostles

Psalm 91:1-16

1. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2. This I declare of the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.
3. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague.
4. He will shield you with His wings.  He will shelter you with His feathers.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day,
6. Nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Boast of what the Lord had done not of yourself.

Paul is talking to the Corinthians of hid credentials to silence the false teachers.  He wanted the church to love "only" God.

The Corinthians had fallen under the smooth speakings of false teachings which seemed to make sense to them at the time.

Paul wanted them to come back to God's words.

For the false teachers were no more than Paul was only they spoke lies and were servants of Satan.

Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive, good and moral. Many people follow smooth-talking, Bible quoting leaders into immorality and deceit.  Don't be fooled.

Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn't a true follow of Christ so it helps to ask these questions:  (1) Do the teachings confirm Scripture (Acts 17:11)?  (2) Does the teacher affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God, who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins (1 John 4:1-3)?  (3) Is the teacher's life-style consistent with biblical morality (Matthew 12:33-37)?

Sermon

Philippians 3:12-16

Subject  "Anchors Away"  -  Pressing toward the Mark

• We must endure to the end
• We are to anchor ourselves in the Word
• Forgetting what's behind us because God forgives us
• We need to "press" on to better ourselves, not just running in place
• An anchor is for holding something in place - Jesus is our anchor
• Luke 5:1-11 ...... launch out into the deep because God has called us to become fishers of men
• Where there is no vision, people will perish ...... so "way anchor" and move out of your comfort zone, cast out your nets
• Serve the Lord with gladness
• We are His people
• Bless His name ..... for the Lord is good