Jesus warned that in the last days there would come many false prophets and teachers
that would deceive many people.
There's a lot of confusion over who these false teachers and false prophets are
and many people don't know how to identify them.
Today I'm going to show you five signs that you can use to identify false prophets and false teachers.
Sign number one: Self-promotion.
False teachers and false prophets promote themselves.
Even though they talk about Jesus, their ministries revolve around themselves.
That's why their ministries are named after them
and they have photos of themselves all over the place for everyone to see.
They consider themselves to be more important than the message.
They use titles of respect like 'apostle', 'reverend', 'teacher', 'pastor' or 'father'.
They invite you to a Billy Graham crusade or an apostle so-and-so's place, or to see a particular pastor's church
but they don't invite you to a Jesus Christ crusade.
They don't want to present the Jesus of the Bible to you. They want to present themselves.
In contrast, Jesus said that the greatest person in the kingdom of of God
is the one who considers themselves last, and that we should not allow other people to address us
with titles of respect, because we're all brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God.
Sign number two: Popularity.
False teachers and false prophets are popular.
They tell people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.
These con men don't have much conflict with the system because they teach things
that people in the system already value.
They are popular because they teach popular topics.
I don't know what you're going through right now.
Maybe your back's against the wall. Maybe you're in a financial crisis.
Maybe it could be that your your business is not flourishing like you want it to flourish.
Maybe your family is not where it ought to be.
But you so desperately want to move forward in your life.
When you go through the day saying, "I am blessed", blessings come looking for you.
"I am talented"...talent comes looking for you.
You may not feel up to par, but when you say, "I am healthy", health starts heading your way.
"I am strong"...strength starts tracking you down.
You're inviting that into your life.
You need a new home? You've got it! You need a better car and transportation? You've got it!
You need peace and harmony in your home? You've got it!
If you'll believe those words--I prophesy them into your being--this is your day, says God.
I've set my servant to prophesy life to you, abundance to you, health to you, says the Lord. So do not draw back!
Take this word and mix it with the action of faith
and you'll see that mixing of action with your faith will bring about the miracle you need this day, in your life
says the Lord!
Woo! I love to prophesy! Oh, I love the prophesy! Amen!
Jesus said, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you
"because they've always treated the false prophets in that way."
Jesus didn't teach a message that was compatible with the system.
He said that he didn't come to bring peace, but division
and that even our own families would be divided because of him.
When someone wanted to follow him, he didn't try to sell the message with attractive baits.
Instead, he told them clearly what the cost was for discipleship
and if people were not willing to leave their possessions, their family ties, to take up their cross
and to be willing to die for the Gospel, he wouldn't accept them as disciples.
True prophets are rejected by the system.
They're despised, and all kinds of evil things are said against them
because the world cannot tolerate the true message of repentance that they preach.
So when you see a religious leader who has a lot of popularity
you need to be hearing some spiritual alarm bells going off.
Don't be deceived!
Sign number three: Disobedience.
False prophets don't live according to the teachings of Jesus.
They disobey Jesus, and they justify their disobedience.
Whoever says they know Jesus, but they disobey him, is a liar.
These con men hardly ever mention the teachings of Jesus.
Instead, they talk about the law of Moses, the proverbs of Solomon
Paul's epistles, or any other scripture that they can twist for their own benefit.
But they hardly mention the requirements that Jesus laid out for following him
because they themselves do not practice them.
That's why even after people have been going to church for years
they hardly know anything about what Jesus taught.
Could you name, for example, 10 things that Jesus said for us to do?
Actually, no, I couldn't.
Five things?
Not even five.
Alright...one?
I don't really know much about the Bible, but I'm a Christian.
It's about loving other people and loving God. Those are the two commandments.
I can't tell you 10 things. I'm sorry.
So you believe in Jesus?
Yes! Most definitely.
Could you name 10 commands of Jesus?
No, I can't.
How familiar you with what Jesus taught?
Um, really familiar. I learned the Bible.
Can you name 10 things that Jesus said?
Not off the top of my head.
Could you think of 10 things that he said?
Umm, no, not off the top of my head.
In contrast, true Christians live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus. Their role model is Jesus.
That's why their lives are consistent with Christ's message and example.
Sign number four: Lying Signs and Wonders.
Jesus said that false prophets would be able to do signs and wonders so impressive
that they could almost deceive true Christians.
He said that on Judgment Day, many people would say that they did miracles in his name
cast out demons in his name, and did all kinds of signs in the name of Jesus, but he'll say to them
"I never knew you. Depart from me you who always did evil!"
In contrast, Jesus did genuine miracles and healed many people
but he would tell them not to publicize the miracle.
He would try to hide his miracles as much as possible.
Because the miracles were genuine
the miracles would publicize themselves without much advertising on his behalf.
Whereas the phonies are the ones who are always publicizing the supposed miracles they do themselves.
More importantly, signs and wonders don't prove anything by themselves.
Even secular magicians are able to deceive many people.
With tricks and gimmicks, they're able to produce the illusion of a genuine miracle.
So put your faith in Jesus, not in signs and wonders, or you'll be easily deceived.
Sign number five: Materialism.
False prophets and teachers love money.
They preach about economic prosperity and having a comfortable life right now, in almost all of their sermons.
I can dream as long as I want to!
I can believe God as long as I want to!
If I want to believe God for a 65 million dollar plane, you cannot stop me.
You cannot stop me from dreaming!
Money, you don't belong to the wicked, you belong to us, and I want you to get in the right plan.
Money, come to me now!
And Paul even tells us in the Bible that when we give of our finances, that's like sowing seed.
Inside that seed is the Word of God, and the Word of God is also inside this seed.
Now, are you going to keep the seed in your pocket?
Or are you going to plant the seed and make the donation?
I have a feeling that somebody that wants a credit card debt wiped out
that if you'll use your faith as you sow...as you sow $1000 on a credit card
as you use your faith...as you use your faith
God is going to wipe out your credit card indebtedness.
Let me tell you, this $1000 seed is breaking the shackles, it's breaking the chains
and to me, $1,000 seed is proof that you have conquered greed.
I like new money. The most beautiful thing on earth is $100 bill.
I haven't seen a woman as good-looking as $100 bill.
There's something about $100 bill that excites you!
They promote the middle class or higher lifestyles
and they promise economic and spiritual benefits to anyone who would give them money
but they hardly ever tell you to give the money to the people who really need it.
In contrast, the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil.
Jesus himself said that we cannot serve two masters...that we will love one and hate the other.
Ask yourself, who do these preachers love? God, or money?
The early Christians revolutionized the world because they believed in the teachings of Jesus.
They lived together and shared everything they had with one another.
They would sell their possessions and their property and give the money to the apostles
who would distribute to the people who were in need; they didn't keep the money for themselves.
Now you have five signs that you can use to identify a false prophet or teacher.
So when you see these signs in a religious leader, beware, because they're probably a charlatan.
What experiences have you had personally with false teachers and prophets
and what other signs are there that we can use to identify them?
We hope to hear from you soon. Remember, time is short, let's make the most of it.