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940306AM
Mark 13.5-6 THE FINGERPRINTS OF A FALSE TEACHER MARK 13:5-6
On Friday late afternoon I stood with Pastor and Mrs. Huff watching the sun through the large plate glass doors and windows of the Administration building. In the clear and bright light we saw some marks on the glass. Each that could be only made by one individual in the Universe. Why? Fingerprints are unique because God made each of us unique. I. WE ARE UNIQUE God has made us in such a special way. Each of us are unique in the entire Universe. Like snowflakes no two of us match exactly another. The Lord alone knows us entirely. Psalm 139 expresses this truth. Look at it with me:
God knows our LOCATION at all times [2a] God knows our MEDITATION at all times [2b] God knows our DESTINATION at all times [3a] God knows our INTENTION at all times [3b] God knows our CONVERSATION at all times [4] God knows our EVERYTHING at all times
This amazing and unique identity we have that God knows and understands overwhelmed the Psalmist in verse 6
II. WE LEAVE DISTINCT TRACKS OR FINGERPRINTS Now, modern science has used this unique craftsmanship to identify humans. As we all know our fingerprints are all different. No two match. We have also learned the DNA strands that are the blueprints for our bodies are each unique also. But the FINGERPRINTS are a focus this morning.
In Washington DC the FBI holds over 300 Million sets of Fingerprint records. In a tour of the facility once an unknown randomly chosen visitor was taken, fingerprinted and identified in FOUR MINUTES, out of the 300 million prints on file. [NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 6/61, p.869]
Why were they able to do that/ Because you leave unique signatures of your presence on everything you touch. Our Creator wants us to know we are unique and special and known to Him.
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III. WE ARE SURROUNDED BY FALSE TEACHERS WHO LEAVE MARKS OR FINGERPRINTS ON THE TRUTH
The amazing thing we see is that just like the fingerprints we all have that are identifiable, so the identity of a false teacher can be positively identified by the way they handle truth!
Last week we saw the plethora of FALSE TEACHERS AROUND US!! Remember how we learned that Religious Deception is so surrounding us that it is increasingly difficult to discern. For the past year one of the best selling books in America is a book of False Doctrine. This book deceives people about true Biblical Christianity. Author Betty J. Eadie in Embraced By The Light, Goldleaf Press:Placerville, CA, 1992, (147) sets forth many false teachings. Note with me these errors taught in this book:
IV. WE ARE WARNED AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS v.5-6 TO WATCH OUT FOR DECEIVERS!
God says in His Word: CAUTION DECEPTION AHEAD. In the gospel of Mark, chapter 13 there is danger coming and Jesus gave a warning sign to help those in the days leading up to the end. A general outline of the 13th chapter of Mark: 1. v.1-4 = BEWARE OF DISTRACTION 2. v.5-6 = BEWARE OF DECEPTION 3. v.7-8 = BEWARE OF DEPRESSION 4. v.9-13 = BEWARE OF DEFECTION 5. v. 14-37 = BE ALERT
BEWARE OF DECEPTION. That means: 1. False Teachers [Mt. 24:23-28] 2. Workers of Signs And Wonders [Dt. 13] 3. Apostates [II Peter; Jude ] We must always remember that miracles are not a proof of divine calling and approval, only the Word of God is the final test. See Deuteronomy. 13:1-5 and I John 4:1-8.
V. WE CAN SPOT A FALSE TEACHERS BY THE DISTINCTIVE MARKS THEY LEAVE ON TRUTH.
What are the fingerprints they leave when they handle truth? We can identify this morning, nine characteristics or telltale fingerprints, signs of an apostate or false teacher:
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1. A DENIAL OF THE EXCLUSIVITY OF THE FAITH I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)
Hearst Castle 1984. The estate of William Randolph Hearst, wealth before taxes and Forbes limited the counting of it to recordable figures. A man who controlled the news industry and had so much he once commissioned a detective to spend any amount needed to find a painting he wanted. Two years later he found it in a warehouse along the pier in San Francisco under guard by the employees of – you guessed it W.R. Hearst.
Crowds of tourists, curious and folks with tickets all milling around. Then the huge bus roars down the winding road. The driver gets out and calls out a ticket type and then only allows on the bus those who hold the tickets.
There is only one road, one bus and one ticket purchased in advance that can get you to the Castle. Can God be any less strict?
He that spared not His only Son.. He that let Him empty Himself and become mere humanity to save us? He that cursed His only Beloved One by having Him hung on a tree? He that turned His back on His Son and let Him become sin for sinners?
Please turn to Matthew 7:13-23:
Note the way of life and way of death contrasted.
• True believers are those who ENTER GOD’S WAY [v. 13-15 it is narrow, small and they are few] • True believers are those who BEAR GOD’S FRUIT [v.16-20] • True believers are those who DO GOD’S WILL [V. 21] • True believers are those who KNOW GOD INTIMATELY [v. 22-23] • True believers are those who ACT ON THE WORD OF GOD [v.24a if God says it they believe and obey] • True believers are those who BUILD THEIR LIVES UPON THE ROCK [v. 24b]