TOPIC: Beware Of False Ministers 

MEMORY VERSE: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” – 2 Peter 2:1

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)

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 the 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 ‘ministers’ whose God is their belly (Philippians 3:18-19). Their false teaching/practices result in false churches which Jesus Himself called ‘the synagogue of Satan’ (Revelation 3:9). Believers must recognise false ministers and avoid becoming victims of their antics.

LESSON OUTLINES:

1. DESCRIPTION OF FALSE MINISTERS
2. AVOID BEING A VICTIM

1. DESCRIPTION OF FALSE MINISTERS

On the surface, it is difficult to spot a false minister because even Satan masquerades as an angel of light and his ministers’ cover-up as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). However, Jesus warned us that “false Christs and false prophets” will come and will attempt to deceive even God’s elect (Matthew 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). Even when they minister or pray in ‘Jesus’ name,’ their hearts are far away from God (Matthew 15:8). Such ministers corrupt the gospel for selfish interest or to justify their immoral lifestyles (Philippians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 2:17, Micah 3:11).

Some of these false ministers ‘called’ themselves into the ministry or sometimes derailed from God’s call to deceive gullible people (1 John 2:19). They do not preach the complete gospel (Bible doctrines) – Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Corinthian 11:4. They are not just false in their ministrations but also false in their living (Matthew 7:15-20). Some replace the preaching of the gospel with motivational talks and philosophies of men (Colossians 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 preach holiness, Heaven, hell, etc. (Isaiah 30:9-11, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). They usually perpetuate falsehood in the name of miracles (Matthew 24:24).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss how the church can halt or repel the activities of false ministers.

2. AVOID BEING A VICTIM

Many people walk into the web of false ministers due to:

1. Lack of knowledge (Isaiah 5:13, Hosea 4:6).
2. Impatience (Psalm 27:14, Hebrews 10:36).
3. Despair in the bid to get rich quick (1 Timothy 6:9-10)
4. Anxiety about what the future holds.
5. Quest to 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 (Matthew 26:41), prayerful (James 5:16b), sober (1 Peter 5:8), patient (Luke 21:19), rooted in the word of God (Colossians 3:16), filled with the Spirit of God (Romans 8:6) and be able to discern the spirits in operation at every instance (1 John 4:1, Matthew 24:4-5). Anyone that is already a victim should retrace their steps back to Christ and cry for help (Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 46:1).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Mention what should be done not to become a victim.

CONCLUSION: The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false ministers is to know the truth (Jn.8:32). To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing.

QUESTIONS:

1. How can false ministers be best described?
2. Mention four (4) keys to entering falsehood.

FURTHER READINGS:

Monday: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (KJV)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 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. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 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. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday: 2 Corinthians 11:1-4, 13-15 (KJV)
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15: 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Wednesday: Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV)
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.

Thursday: Galatians 1:6-9 (KJV)
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 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. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Friday: 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Saturday: 1 John 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Sunday: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

ASSIGNMENT: Can a true minister of God become a false minister? Identify five (5) causes (2×5=10 Marks).

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. 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.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?