SERMON - WHAT IS TRUUE CHRISTIANITY... (pt 1)

What is True Christianity
And
What is Not
Part 1

 

We ‘True Christians are getting to be a rare breed as more and more groups and Denominations who name themselves as Christian fall into apostasy. It is as if these groups and Denominations think and teach that they are improving on God’s Word and His actions.

If the truth were to be laid bare it would be easy to realize that Christianity is not a religion at all. True Christianity is a ‘personal relationship’ with God and not a ‘system of attitudes, beliefs or practices.’ To clearly explain the difference of any religion and Christianity would be to say, ‘A religion is man seeking God,’ and Christianity is, ‘God seeking man.’

Let us look at the groups and Denominations that are saying, “We are Christian,” but are either far from this or close but not really practicing ‘True Christianity.’

Satan has been around much longer than any living man and with that known we must realize that he has cleverly penetrated groups and Denominations and winning them over to his desires and thereby leading them astray.

If any group or Denomination is guilty of, ‘toning down’ as they accept and excuse the sinful frivolities of today, that group or Denomination is teaching apostasy and is guilty of heresy.

If any group or Denomination is, ‘providing amusement, and not teaching the True Gospel,’ that group or Denomination is not following the teachings of Jesus Christ and is not truly Christian.  There is nowhere in God’s Word (the Bible) that amusing the people is spoken of in any way. What is written in Scripture is Jesus pitying sinners, sighing and weeping over them but there is not one word about His seeking to amuse them.

What we see today in ‘so-called’ church services is amusement through the use of , ‘rock bands, rap music, so-called ‘worship leaders’ that seek to stir up the emotions of people with mindless music, repetitive choruses as they deliver ‘feel-good’ messages to those in attendance.

Then we see short sermons that resemble a motivational message rather than one of meaning. We hear more about ‘jazzercise, inner healing and tolerance training than we hear of the teaching of Jesus about the necessity of repentance and His teachings that are of utmost value to all.

As we look about these groups and Denominations we do not see or hear teachings that are focused on the Word of God and Jesus Christ. More and more we are taught, ‘be tolerant, be open-minded, don’t offend someone for their lifestyle and even taught that to live by God’s Word as evil is condemned, is a sin!

The result is that many groups and Denominations refuse to preach and condemn the acts of abortion, rape, adultery, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, divorce, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, stealing, lying or any number of sinful acts.

Ask yourself a simple question. ‘Is this what our Lord intended how His people were to be taught?’

The answer to that question is as simple as this…NO…Most certainly NO!

2 Timothy 4:  1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry

What we are seeing is groups and Denominations denying, “sound doctrine,” as they “suit there own desires.” They will not listen to truth as they prefer to listen to amusement, fables and myths of their own making.

It is clear and cause for concern that all too many groups and Denominations are guilty of ‘apostasy.’

Apostasy is defined as: ‘An abandonment of a previous loyalty.’

Thessalonians 2: 3Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

The ‘rebellion’ spoken of here is the ‘apostasy’ are witnessing this very day. What we know as Christianity is being abandoned by the very groups and Denominations that claim Christianity as there sole teaching!

What we are witnessing is two ‘streams’ of Christianity. First is the True Christianity which is the Christianity of the Apostles. The second Christianity, what I refer to as ‘so-called’ Christianity is that taught by the apostate groups and Denominations and increases with each passing day.

Jude 1:  3Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

The “faith…entrusted to the saints,’ is True Christianity.

We must continue to have faith as we learn of God’s having knowledge of that apostasy seeking to overthrow Christianity.

Matthew 18:6 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

In this Scripture, which has been wrongfully interpreted by many Denominations, Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church…” Think about it…Who is the Rock? Know this, there is but One Rock and that Rock is Jesus Christ.

In the Words of God Jesus affirms two major points. One is that He is the Rock and the other is that, “the gates of Hades will not overcome,” the church He builds.

The Second ‘stream’ of Christianity began in the foundation years of belief in Christianity.

Acts 20: 29I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

In the days of Paul’s life his works were subjected to apostasy.

2 Corinthians 2: 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

Any that, “peddle the Word of God for profit, “are themselves guilty of apostasy.

Apostasy has become so vile and disguised by Satan as Christianity that many refuse to speak out against apostate groups and Denominations fearing themselves to be labeled as intolerant and thereby not Christian! This is detestable and cause for every Christian to be concerned.

2 Timothy 3: 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

1 Timothy 4:  1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

2 Peter 2:  1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

As True Christians we are to recognize, and with the gift of discernment given us by the Holy Spirit, stand firm and refuse to deny the True Word of God. We must not sit silent as any group or Denomination distorts His Word and His teachings.

In subsequent sermons I will continue to reveal all that is necessary to tell you what being a True Christian is and requires of each of us.

(Closing prayer)

Abba, our Father who alone are worshipped, we come to You with praises and ask that You see us as true to Your teachings. Lord, we see the many apostasies as Your Word is either twisted in meaning or ignored. We see additions to Your Word that are not correct in either meaning or in truth. It is Your Word we seek to follow and it is Your will to be done. We are Your children and You are our Lord and Savior. Be with us.

Lord, as we learn of Your Word we ask that You send Your Holy Spirit to be with us and reveal the truth of Your Word. It is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that we will gain the true meaning of exactly how we are to serve You and live by Your Word.

Be with us O Lord and allow us to worship You and to correctly adhere to all You have taught us.

We also ask that You protect our military, comfort them as You lend Your mighty strength to their efforts. Bless our brothers and sisters throughout the world as well as those within the borders of this nation.

We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,

Amen, amen and amen.

Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr

God's Word Christian Ministry