7 Facts About False Prophets - Nathan Rages

One of the greatest difficulties for God's true prophets like Jeremiah was contending with the many *false* prophets in the land.  This situation is described in Jer. 23:9-32, from which we can easily make application to our own situation in America.    

False prophets:

1. Cause confusion about God’s Word (v9,21,28).

2. Like to give positive messages (v14,17,19-20,22, Jer. 6:14).

3. Enjoy greater popularity (Jer. 5:30-31, Isa. 30:10, 2Tim. 4:1-4).

4. Are both deceived and deceiving (v26, Jer. 14:14, 1Kgs. 22:22, Matt. 15:14, 2Tim 3:13).

5. Live sinful lives (v11,14, Jer. 6:13, Isa. 28:7, Zeph. 3:4, 1Pet. 2:1-3).

6. Destroy their followers (v1-2,16,27,32).

7. Will be punished by God (v12,15,30, Jer. 28:16-17, Jer. 29, James 3:1).

Hopefully this study will cause us to:

1. Prize the truth.

2. Learn our Bibles well.

3. Delight in the Lord Jesus as the perfect prophet and ultimate revealer of God. 

Suffering in the Lord's Service - Nathan Rages

As we continue our series focusing on the OT prophets, we consider the six ways that they suffered as they served the Lord:

1. Rejected message (Jer. 7:27, 25:3, 36:1-23).

2. Verbal insults (Jer. 15:10, 20:7-8, 43:2).

3. Secret conspiracies (Jer. 11:19-21, 18:18, 20:10).

4. Family disruption (Jer. 16:1).

5. Emotional distress (Jer. 6:11, 8:18-21, 20:14-18).

6. Physical abuse (Jer. 20:1-2, 32:2-3, 37:14-16, 38:4-6).

These same categories of suffering can then be applied: 

1. To Christ.

2. To preachers.

3. To all believers.

Where Do Preachers Come From? - Nathan Rages

This message examines how God calls Jeremiah into his prophetic ministry as a young man, from Jer. 1:1-19:

1. God’s sovereign initiative (v5,9,10).

2. Man’s reluctant excuses (v6,10,16,18,19). 

3. God’s comforting promises.

     God’s messages will be provided (v7,9).

     God’s word will be fulfilled (v10-12).

     God’s protection will be sufficient (v8,18-19).

Profiting from the Prophets - Nathan Rages

This message introduces a new preaching series on the prophetic books of the Old Testament, by reviewing these Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18:14-22, 2Peter 1:20-21, 1Peter 1:10-12, Hebrews 1:1, Hosea 12:10, and Jeremiah 7:25. 

Canonical Prophets Organized Chronologically (covering ~400 years)

   Before Israel’s exile: Jonah, Amos, Hosea

   Before Judah’s exile: Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel, Jeremiah

   During Babylonian captivity: Obadiah, Ezekiel, Daniel

   Following Babylonian captivity: Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

His Heart Beats! - James Voon

1Cor 15:3-4,20-23 "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, .... But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming,"

1. The Crucifixion. 

2. The Resurrection.

3. What it means to us.

Violently Striving to gain Salvation - Nathan Rages

Matt 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matt 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force."

Luke 13:23-24 "And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." 

Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it."

Questions:

1. Is it always easy to become a Christian?

2. If someone wants to become a Christian, should they wait passively for God to do something?  

3. If your parents are praying Christians, does that insure that you will eventually be saved?

4. If someone wants to become a Christian, what actions should they take?

5. If someone does what Jesus says, will it be worth it?

What is True Revival? - Nathan Rages

Revival in the Scriptures:

1. Prayers: Psalm 80:18-19, 85:4-7, Habakkuk 3:2, Ezra 9:8-9, Isaiah 32:14-15, 64:1-8.

2. Examples:

   Under King Hezekiah (2Chron 29).

   Under King Josiah (2Chron 34).

   Nineveh’s repentance (Jonah 3:4-9).

   John the Baptist’s ministry (Mark 1:4-5).

   Pentecost (Acts 2).

   Ephesus, under Paul’s preaching (Acts 19:18-20).

Revival in History (a few examples):

   Great Awakening (1730s) in Britain and US Colonies.  

   Second Awakening (1790s-1840s) in US. 

   Third Awakening / Prayer (1850s-60s) in US and Britain. 

   Wales (1904). 

   Hebrides Islands, Scotland (~1950).

   Canada (~1970). 

“Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God” (per Jonathan Edwards)

1. Raises esteem for Jesus Christ.

2. Destroys Satan’s kingdom.

3. Increases confidence in the Scriptures.

4. Leads to greater understanding of truth.

5. Causes more love for God and people.

“Things Revival Will Bring” (per Iain Murray)

1. Revival restores faith in the Word of God.

2. Revival restores definiteness to the meaning of the word “Christian”. 

3. Revival advances the Gospel with amazing swiftness.

4. Revival always has a moral impact upon communities.

5. Revival changes understanding of the Christian ministry.

6. Revival will change the public worship of churches.