Sovereign Grace Chapel, located at 135 Annabel Lane in Beaver, West Virginia, invites you to listen to a gospel message concerning Jesus Christ our Lord. Welcome to today's broadcast. I have a question for you to consider. It's a question that certainly could be brought up from the scripture. It's a very serious question. Here's the question. This is my title. Is your pastor an imposter? You hear what I said? Is your pastor an imposter?

Listen to Jeremiah chapter 23. I'm gonna read just a few verses. Jeremiah chapter 23. This is what God said through Jeremiah. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pastor, saith the Lord. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people.

You have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries, whether I have driven them. And I will bring them again to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and increase.

And I will set up shepherds over them, which shall feed them, and they shall fear no more. nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days, Judas shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. And this is his name, whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousness. So again, I ask you the question is, is your pastor an imposter. There were imposter pastors in Jeremiah's day. And these pastors had scattered God's true people, his sheep, his elect, his called out ones. They had troubled them and hurt them and were not feeding them the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, although we certainly could say that Things are vastly different in our day compared to Jeremiah's day, yet some things remain the same. I said they remain the same, and I'll give you seven things about this warning about these pastors who are impostors. Just like it was true in Jeremiah's day, sadly it's true today. There are still these impastor pastors. Let me tell you, there are pastors God's given that are telling the truth, but there is a pastor that God also sent. Now listen, let me go through this, seven things. First of all, Jeremiah's day had evil pastors. I've read that and here's the fact we do today. That's number one, simply stated. Jeremiah's day had evil pastors, so do we have today. Here's the second thought, the word pastor, it's used, Only nine times that I could find, if I'm correct in that, it was used only nine times in the scripture, eight times in the book of Jeremiah, one time by Paul the Apostle.

That is, the word is translated pastor. And the word pastor in the Hebrew, it means to tend to God's elect. That's what it means, to tend to God's elect. It means to tend to his sheep, to associate with as a friend. That's what it means to pastor or be a pastor. In the Greek, as Paul used it, it means to shepherd. or to be a shepherd, one who loves and tends sheep. And this is true, of course, in the natural realm amongst shepherd and actual sheep, but this is true. This is an illustration of God and his sheep, his elect, his people. And God put pastors over them.

As a matter of fact, a pastor teacher is an ascension gift of Jesus Christ, but there are imposter pastors out there. Actually, is your pastor an imposter? Is he? So again, remember Jeremiah's day had evil pastors? It's sad, but we still do today. That word pastor means basically this, to take care of God's sheep. to take care of God's people, to take care of God's elect, to take care of God's gospel-called people. Now consider God's word against these imposter pastors. Let's see if we can just kinda compare to them in their day and what Paul said was true in his day and other New Testament writers, but we'll also see that it's still true of these imposter pastors today. Think about it, here's number one.

Number one of these seven things I was gonna give you, they lie about God. Listen to what Jeremiah said of those in his day in Jeremiah chapter two and verse eight. These priests said not, where is the Lord? And they that handled the law knew me not. The pastors also transgressed against me and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit. Do you see that? That do not profit.

And then Paul comes along in the book of Galatians and says to all New Testament churches for that matter, of course he wrote this letter, the letter of Galatians, he wrote it to the churches of Galatia, but it's still pertinent in our day, listen to what, The apostle Paul said to them, in Galatians chapter one in verse six, I marvel that you're so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ and to another gospel, which is not another, but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ, you see. But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel, that's that imposter who claims to be a pastor. If he preach any other gospel unto you than that which you have received, let him be accursed.

So remember, they lie about God. That's what Paul said these people were doing, they lying about God. That's what it means when you have a pastor that's not telling the truth about God. He's not a God sent pastor. He might be a pastor in this world's eyes and in his denomination's eyes, in his so-called church's eyes, but he's not a pastor of God's sheep. Here's the second thing. They consume rather than edify God's elect.

It's exactly what Jeremiah said in chapter 10 of Jeremiah and verse 21. Chapter 10 and 21, look at what it says. For the pastors are become brutish. That's their ways. That's the way they do things. They're become brutish and have not sought the Lord. Therefore, they shall not prosper and all their flocks, their flocks shall be scattered. Now, yeah, they may be gathered.

Even in Jeremiah's day, the people were gathered around these false pastors. These imposter pastors, they were gathering around them, but God said, that's gonna be scattered one day. They were actually gathering in those who were not the elect of God, and were scattering abroad the elect, the actual sheep of God.

Now, look at what Paul told Timothy. in 2 Timothy 2, and let's just read what Paul said was true in his day, and I'm here to declare that it's still true in our day, sadly. 2 Timothy 2, listen to what it says, verse 14. Of these things, put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, but shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a canker or a cancer, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and look at it, and overthrow the faith of some.

Nevertheless, the foundation of God stand assured, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. You see, that is not only departing from the doctrine itself, but if you are a believer in the Christ of God, if God has called you by his gospel and your pastor has turned away from that, or maybe you heard the gospel in truth, but you're sitting under someone who's not preaching the gospel of Christ, shut it, get away from it. Get away from it. It's dangerous to your soul. So again, I say that though things are very different in our day than they were in Jeremiah's day, yet some things still remain the same. As Solomon said, there's nothing new under the sun. Nothing new on this.

Remember, they lie about God, these imposters. These imposter pastors, they lie about God. They consume and do not, rather than edify, God's elect. But here's the third thing. Their message is the message of and about men. Now, go back to Jeremiah chapter 10. where I was at just a moment ago, Jeremiah chapter 10.

I read verse 21, for the pastors are become brutish and have not sought the Lord. Therefore they shall not prosper and all their flocks shall be scattered. One day it will. Oh, it looks as many of them are, there are some of these imposter pastors that are making thousands, if not millions of dollars, but one day it will come to an abrupt end.

But look what else? Jeremiah wrote of his day, and then we'll look at what Paul said. Behold, the noise of the brute is come. The noise, wait, what'd they say? They put on a big show, it's noise. But that's all it is, noise. It's not the beautiful sound of the gospel. Behold, the noise of the brute is come, and a great commotion out of the north country to make the cities of Judah desolate and a den of dragons.

This is, they scatter God's sheep, oh yes, the goats. The unbelievers, the unregenerate, the unsaved, the uncalled, those who don't know the gospel, oh, they'll gather to these imposter pastors. But the sheep start, they can't take it. They know not the voice of a stranger. The sheep know the voice of Christ.

They begin to hear the truth distorted and lied about. They've got to get away from it. They've got to get away from it. Remember, these imposter pastors lie about God. They consume rather than edify the elect. And their message is a message of and about men rather than being about Jesus Christ.

And this is exactly what Paul said. He said it was the same in his day. We read that in 2 Corinthians chapter four, and listen to how Paul put it concerning his day. And I'm here to say it's still true today, certainly. 2 Corinthians 4, and listen to what Paul writes.

Therefore, seeing we have received this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we, here it is, for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts. And note, God must command the light to shine. Just like God in the beginning, in Genesis chapter one, commanded the light to shine, God must command the light to shine in men's hearts today. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, just clay pots, that's all we are. Clay pots that the excellency, the power may be of God, not of us, do you see it? So I'm saying, yeah.

Things are a lot different today than they were in Jeremiah's day. They know nothing of the things that we see and hear and know of today, but yet some things still remain the same. There are these imposter pastors out there, and I ask you, is your pastor one of those imposters? Remember, they lie about God. They consume rather than edify God's elect. Their message is a message of man and about man, but here's the fourth thing. They tear down God's way for their own way. That's exactly what Jeremiah says in Jeremiah chapter 12. Listen to how Jeremiah put it. Jeremiah chapter 12 and verse 10. Jeremiah 12 and verse 10.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard. They have trodden my portion underfoot. They have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. These imposter pastors will say things about pastors that I know that are preaching the free and reigning grace of God. Well, they're just a fanatic. Don't listen to them.

God's gonna make everything better in your life. What I'm here to tell you is when God Almighty saves a soul, their trouble just begins. That's when trouble really starts. That's when the world will really start to manifest its hatred towards you because you're associated with the sovereign Lord God Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Their message is a message about men. They consume God's elect rather than edifying them. They lie about God and they tear down God's way.

And here's exactly what the Apostle Paul said. It's the same way in his day. And I got every reason to know that it's saving our day. Listen to how the Apostle Paul put it in Colossians chapter two and verse 18. Listen, listen, Colossians two verse 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward.

Why? Because there's many out there doing it. Even John said, 1 John chapter four, I believe it is, says to watch out because there are many, many false prophets are going out into the world. But he said, he that hears us hears God. And if I'm preaching to you the truth of this book, then you best listen.

Any other man is preaching the truth of this book, not his own twisted meaning of it, not his denomination's meaning of it, not what all these other things say about the Bible, but what the Bible says it's about. Look, let no man beguile you in your reward, in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels or messengers, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding the head that is capitalized. And not holding the head, that's Christ. And not holding the head from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered and knit together increases with the increase of God.

You see, they tear down God's way for their own way. That's what these imposter pastors do. They're always looking to preach up man. not preach up Jesus Christ. They will even preach down Jesus Christ and preach up men. He goes on, wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of this world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances? And you know as well as I do, that's what most of these so-called pastors, these imposter pastors are doing.

They're preaching this, touch not, taste not, handle not. That's what they preach. They're preaching always against this, against that. They're never preaching up and honoring and magnifying the glory and majesty of the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men, which things have indeed a show of wisdom.

They look good on the outside. In what? Wheel worship. That's what these imposter pastors are doing today, playing up man's will. Some even call it, put it on their church buildings, free will. No, it's what? Will worship, and that's what men's doing, worshiping man's will rather than God. And which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility and neglecting of the body, not to any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. They're so holy. They're so right, but yet they lie about God. Yet they consume rather than glorify and edify God's elect. Their message is a message of and about men, not about Jesus Christ. They tear down God's way for their own way.

And then here's something else that Jeremiah said. Jeremiah chapter 22. Think about this. Here's my fifth thing. Jeremiah 22. They view their success as their proof of blessing. Now you know that's what's going on. They view their success, their numbers that come in, the monies that they're able to gather in, their tithes and their offerings, all of the great humanitarian things they do. That's what these imposter pastors do. They view their success as their proof of blessing. It was true in Jeremiah's day.

Listen to it, Jeremiah 22, just a couple verses. Verse 21, I spake unto thee in thy prosperity. You see it? I spake unto thee in thy prosperity, but thou saidest, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyest not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity. Surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

And one day God will wide this thing all up. and God will manifest to all of humanity of all time who his God sent men were and who were the imposter pastors. I pray God that he shows that to you now. And I pray God that if you truly desire to know the true and living God and Jesus Christ whom he sent, that you will seek out a man who is sent of God that's preaching to you who God really is and who man really is. and a man that will cry up and declare the honors and the glories and the majesty of Jesus Christ and stop crying up man and put man where he belongs in the dust of corruption and depravity and wickedness and ungodliness and unrighteousness and unholiness. That's where we are by nature. But these imposter pastors, boy, they play up man. You know, we call it kissing up to man. rather than putting man and declaring man where he is in the dust of depravity on Jesus Christ is exalted at the right hand of God the Father.

So remember, they lie about God. They still do today. They consume rather than edify God's elect. They did it in Jeremiah's day, they did it in Paul's day, they're still doing it today. Their message in Jeremiah's day was a message of and about men. It's true in Paul's day, sadly it's still true in our day. They tear down God's way for their own way. It was true in Jeremiah's day, it was true in Paul's day, and sadly it's still true, it is still true in our way, in our day. They view their success as their proof of blessing. And listen to how Paul put that. I mentioned that, but listen to Philippians, what Paul said about these false preachers in Philippians chapter three. Last few verses. Brethren, verse 17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk, as so ye have us for an example.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. They're the enemies of the true nature and accomplishment of Jesus Christ's sufferings on Calvary Street. They're enemies of the cross of Christ. Here's what Paul said about them in his day, and I must say the same thing about them in our day.

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind, what? who mind what? Earthly things, right? They're not declaring the glory and majesty of God in Christ, they're preaching up man. But for our conversation, our way of life is in heaven. From whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

So remember what I said. It was true at Jeremiah's day. It was true in Paul's day. And sadly, I must declare and warn everyone that, everyone that hears this broadcast, everyone that hears this message in some venue, in some manner later, that it's sad, it's still true today.

There are imposter pastors out there, parading themselves as God called, God sent me, and they are not. Why? They lie about God. They consume rather than edifying God's elect. Their message is a message of and about men, not about Christ. They tear down God's way for their own way. They view their success as a proof of their blessing. And even in Jeremiah's day, God promised, think about it in our text, Jeremiah chapter 23.

Let me get back there now. I want you to think about this, yes? It's true, it's true about these false pastors, these imposter pastors. But notice what he says in verse four. And I will set up shepherds. There's coming a day and we're in that day now, we're in it. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them. and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.

Oh, they may be poor as a church mouse, as we say, but they have all the rich blessings of God in Christ because they've got a God-sent man that's preaching to them the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. But there's one greater than even those God-sent men. Listen, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king, you notice both that branch is capitalized and king is, and a king shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days, Judas shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousness.

That's the Lord Jesus Christ. That's who that is. Ezekiel. Ezekiel has similar words. Ezekiel has similar words. This is in Ezekiel chapter 34. Ezekiel 34. I've got my times running low, but I want to give you this. Ezekiel chapter 34. And he says very similar words. Ezekiel chapter 34.

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say of them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves, should not the shepherds feed the flock.

You eat the fat, you clothe with the wool, you kill them that are fed, but you feed not the flock. The diseased have you not strengthened, neither have you healed that which is sick, neither have you bound up that which is broken, neither have you brought again that which is driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost, but you with force and with cruelty He ruled over them, you see it?

They were scattered because there is no shepherd. They became meat to all the beasts of the field, and they wandered about, and my sheep wandered through all the mountains. Upon the high hill, yea, my flock was scattered upon the face of the earth, and Nod did seek after them.

Ah, but listen to what Ezekiel then says in verse 20. He said, therefore, thus saith the Lord God unto them, behold I, even I would judge between fat cattle and between lean cattle. because you have thrust with side and with shoulder and pushed all the disease with your horns to scatter them abroad. Therefore will I save my flock and they shall no more be a prey and I will judge between cattle and cattle and I will set up one shepherd over them. Do you see it? Here's the thing.

If you've got a God sent man he's gonna be preaching about, not him. but the Lord Jesus Christ. That God sent man will not be preaching about himself, he will be preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd, and I will be their God, and my servant David, a prince among them, I the Lord hath spoken it. Isn't that glorious? You see, if you're a pastor, is not, is not, listen to me, if your pastor is not Jesus Christ the Lord, then whatever pastor you have in your so-called church is an imposter. Because according to Peter in 1 Peter 2, 21 through 25, Jesus Christ is the great shepherd, he's the good shepherd, he's the blessed shepherd, he's the only shepherd of the sheep.

If a man preaching in the local assembly is preaching Christ as he really is, If you are blessed with a God sent man, then he, that man, is an ascension gift of God, according to Paul in Ephesians 4, 8 through 16. But you will know that he's God sent only if he's preaching up the Lord Jesus Christ. only if his message and the sum and substance of his ministry is about the person and the work of Jesus Christ. He will touch on many topics, but Jesus Christ will be his sum and substance. Jesus Christ will be his theme, and Jesus Christ only. He will preach up Jesus Christ, he will preach down fallen Adamic men. And that's just the way it is, amen.