Counterfeit Christianity

Acts 8:5-24 (Program 2284DVD, Airing on 7/24 & 7/31)

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. One of Satan’s chief tools in his bag of tricks is religion.
    2. The very first temptation in the Garden of Eden was a religious temptation; it was a temptation not to be ungodly, but to be godly “and ye shall be as gods”. 
      1. Genesis 3:1-5
    3. Satan is a counterfeiter; rather than deny the faith, he counterfeits the faith.
  2. DON’T BE DAZZLED BY THE SATANIC FORCE OF FALSE RELIGION  (Acts 8:9-10)
    1. 2 Thessalonians 2:9
      1. “Lying wonders” miracles that deceive
    2. Revelation 16:14
    3. Pharaoh’s magicians performed miracles when Moses performed miracles of God.  
      1. Exodus 7:11-12, 22
      2. Exodus 8: 7
    4. Don’t be deceived by the power of false religion; flee from it.
  3. DON’T BE DECEIVED BY THE SUPERFICIAL FAITH OF FALSE RELIGION  (Acts 8:13-21)
    1. Never put your faith in miracles; put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
    2. Simon the sorcerer believed not in the Master, but in the miracles.
      1. Acts 8:21
    3. John 2:23-25
    4. Superficial faith never truly bows the knee to Jesus; never makes Him Lord.
      1. James 2:19
    5. Don’t trust in a supernatural experience alone as proof of salvation. 
      1. 2 Corinthians 11:14
      2. Revelation 13:13-14
      3. John 5:24 Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone.
  4. DON’T BE DESTROYED BY THE SELFISH FOCUS OF FALSE RELIGION  (Acts 8:9-10, 14-24)
    1. Selfishness/self-centeredness empowers false religion.
    2. Self-centeredness is pride.  It is what made the devil the devil.
      1. Isaiah 14:12-14
    3. 1 Timothy 6:3-4
    4. False, self-centered religion brings two things.  (Acts 8:23)
      1. Bitterness
      2. Bondage
    5. The difference between a true child of God and an unsaved person:
      1. The unsaved person fears the consequences of his sin.
      2. The saved person is broken-hearted that he has broken the heart of God.
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