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Mike McInnis

Counterfeit Religion #11

Mike McInnis • September, 15 2013 • Audio
19 Articles 1,627 Sermons
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Mike McInnis
Mike McInnis • September, 15 2013
19 articles 1,627 sermons
What does the Bible say about false apostles?

The Bible warns against false apostles who promote a religion focused on human desires rather than Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures describe false apostles as deceitful workers who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ. They typically promote a religion that panders to the flesh and deviates from the centrality of Christ's sacrifice. The Apostle Paul highlights this in his letters, pointing out that true glory must come from the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, as seen in Galatians 6:14. These false teachers often appear genuine but lead people away from the true gospel by focusing on signs and wonders instead of Christ's redemptive work. Their practices reflect the work of Satan, who masquerades as an angel of light, drawing individuals away from the truth of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Galatians 6:14

How do we know true worship involves falling on our faces?

Scripture shows that true worshippers fall on their faces before God, acknowledging His glory and holiness.

Biblical accounts of people experiencing the glory of God often depict them falling prostrate in worship. For example, Daniel describes being in a deep sleep with his face to the ground upon hearing God's voice (Daniel 10:9). Similarly, when John encountered the ascended Christ in Revelation, he fell at His feet as dead (Revelation 1:17). In true worship, the appropriate response to God's holiness is a posture of humility and self-loathing, as seen in Job's confession after encountering God (Job 42:5-6). This contrasts sharply with contemporary practices that emphasize theatrical displays, where individuals fall backwards, diverging from the scriptural model of reverence and awe before God.

Daniel 10:9, Revelation 1:17, Job 42:5-6

Why is understanding counterfeit religion important for Christians?

Recognizing counterfeit religion helps Christians adhere to the true gospel and avoid deception.

Understanding counterfeit religion is crucial for Christians because it safeguards against the deceptive practices that distort the gospel. The Bible warns that in the last days, many will be led astray by teachings that tickle the ears and cater to human desires. By grounding ourselves in the truth of Scripture, we can discern between genuine worship and those practices which are mere theatrics aimed at drawing attention to the self rather than glorifying Christ. Paul emphasizes the necessity of focusing on Christ and His work on the cross, which is essential for true faith. By knowing the distinctions between true and counterfeit religion, believers can remain steadfast in their faith and engage in authentic worship that honors God.

1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 6:14

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

100%
Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. Satan has a counterfeit for every
genuine spiritual activity. Those who promote a religion
which appeals to the flesh of men generally deal in these counterfeits. Where this fool's gold appears
in all of its glory is where the emissaries of darkness will
be found peddling their wares to those who seek a religion
which panders to their free will, design, and tradition. These
purveyors of error generally appear in many ways to be genuine.
Yet the fact that they glory in something other than Jesus
Christ and Him crucified, rejoicing in and promoting signs and wonders,
while busily gathering a following, shows them to be those whom the
Apostle Paul describes as false apostles, deceitful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no
marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light. When Paul said, But God forbid
that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,
he is not simply expressing his own personal preference, but
is defining the very nature of gospel truth and the preaching
of it. When the Spirit of God is present,
he will always glorify Christ and not himself. When the eyes
of men are turned away from the centrality of the work of Christ
in redemption, then they have departed from the gospel and
fallen into vain jangling and the indulgence of the religiosity
of the flesh. This is why the Apostle Paul
said, For I determine not to know anything among you, save
Jesus Christ and Him crucified. One of the most prolific parlor
tricks of these angels of light is that of staging a theatrical
and emotional display in which they showcase their talent to
slay men in the spirit, as they would have us believe. We find
no scriptural example of anything remotely like the performances
of these charlatans and religious hucksters. There are indeed genuine
cases in the scriptures where men were slain by the spirit.
but it is never associated with the theatrics of men. In fact,
there was no one even present most of the time, other than
the Lord and the person slain. Daniel said, Therefore I was
left alone, and when I heard the voice of his words, then
I was in a deep sleep on my face and my face toward the ground.
John tells of a similar experience in the book of the Revelation,
as he saw the glory of the ascended Christ. And when I saw him, I
fell at his feet as dead. We also read of the experiences
of Manoah, Ezekiel, Joshua, the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration,
and of course the Apostle Paul. It is interesting that the direction
of the fall of those who were slain in the Spirit in the Scriptures
is face down. Yet the babbling slayer's victims
always fall backwards for more theatrical effect. Over and over
again we read of the true worshippers of God falling upon their faces
in obedience to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The only record
in the scriptures that we have of those who fell backwards at
the manifestation of His glory is those who came to arrest Him
in the garden along with Judas, His betrayer. Jesus saith unto
them, I am He. and they went backward and fell
to the ground. When a man is truly slain in
the Spirit, he will fall upon his face and worship at the overwhelming
glory of the true and living God. Christ alone will be the
object of his desire and praise, and he will be brought to a place
of self-loathing and repentance, even as Job expressed, I have
heard of thee by the hearing of the ear. But now mine eye
seeth thee, wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and
ashes. True repentance always acknowledges
the holiness of God, the justice of God, and one's own abject
wickedness and unworthiness to stand in his presence. How dreadful
now my guilt appears! If you'd like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream dot
net. That's forthepoor at w-i-n-d-s-t-r-e-a-n
dot net.
Mike McInnis
About Mike McInnis
Mike McInnis is an elder at Grace Chapel in O'Brien Florida. He is also editor of the Grace Gazette.
Broadcaster:
Grace Chapel
Theology:
#Christology #Soteriology #The Five Solas
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