TOPIC: Beware Of False Ministers [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 1 December 2019]
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MEMORY VERSE: “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” – Jude 11 (scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 1 December 2019 HYMN)
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BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 7:15-20 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 1 December 2019)
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: In a bid to make ends meet, falsehood is fast becoming the order of the day. Just as there are internet fraudsters i.e scammers, quack practitioners etc, there are some minister’ whose god is their belly (Phil. 3:19). Their false teaching/practices result in false churches which Jesus Himself called ‘the synagogue of satan’- Rev. 2:9; 3:9. Believers must recognise false ministers and avoid becoming their victims of their antics.
OUTLINES
- DESCRIPTIONS OF FALSE MINISTERS
- HOW PEOPLE ENTER THEIR TRAPS
DESCRIPTIONS OF FALSE MINISTERS
On the surface, it is difficult to spot a false minister because even Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14) and his ministers cover-up as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15). However, Jesus warned us that “false Christ and prophets” will come and attempt to deceive God’s elect (Matt. 24:23-27)
Some of the ways by which the bible describes false ministers can help true believers recognise them.
False ministers deny the divinity, sacrifice and humanity of Christ (1 John. 4:1-3, Matt. 16:15-16). Even when they minister or pray in ‘ Jesus’ name’, their hearts are far away from God (Matt. 15:8). Such ministers corrupt the gospel for selfish interest or to justify their immoral lifestyles (Phil.3:19, 2 Cor.2:17, Micah 3:11). Some called themselves into the ministry or sometimes derailed from God’s call for their lives to deceive gullible people (1 John 2:19). They do not preach the complete bible doctrines (1 Cor.15:1-4, Gal.1:6-9, 2 Cor.11:4).They are not just false in their ministrations, they are false in their (Matt. 7:15-20). Some replace the preaching of the gospel with motivational talks and philosophies of men (Col.2:8).
There are those who cause divisions among brethren (Rom.16:17-18) while others are out to exploit unsuspecting members (Acts 20:29-30). They trivialise the matters of eternity, preach what people want to hear and hardly reach holiness, Heaven, hell, etc (Isa.30:9-11, 2 Tim.4:3-4). They usually perpetuate falsehood in the name of miracles (Matt.24:24).
HOW PEOPLE ENTER THEIR TRAPS
Many people walk into the web of false ministers due to lack of knowledge (Isa.5:13, Hos.4:6). Impatience is also key among the numerous means of entering into falsehood (Psalm 27:14, Heb.10.36). Those who are desperate tend to play into falsehood in the bid to get rich quick (1 Tim.6:9-10), desperation to know what the future holds or find answers to certain crucial life questions (1 Kings 22:6-8).
To avoid being a victim of false ministers, children of God should be watchful (Matt.26:41), prayerful (James 5:1), sober (1 Pet.5:8), patient (Luke 21:19), rooted in the word of God (2 Tim.2:15), filled with the Spirit of God (Rom.8:6), and able to discern the spirit in operation at every instance (1 John 4:1, Matt.24:4-5)
Anyone that is already a victim should retrace his/her steps back to Christ and cry for divine help (Matt.11:28-30, Psalm 46:1).
CONCLUSION: The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false ministers is to know the truth (John 8:32). To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing.
QUESTIONS:
- How can false ministers be best described?
- Mention four keys to entering falsehood.
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five (5) differences between false ministers and true ministers of the gospel.
FOR FURTHER READING:
Monday – 2 Cor.2:14-17; 11:1-4, 13-15
Tuesday – 2 Cor.4:1-6
Wednesday – 2 Cor.11: 13-15
Thursday – 2 Cor.11:1-4
Friday – Proverbs 12:17
Saturday – Proverbs 13:5
Sunday – Proverbs 30:8
RCCG Sunday School 1 December 2019 HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
