There is a Jesus we adore – and to whom I am always pointing us. And there is another “Jesus” (in quotes) we are avoid and whom the Scriptures warn us about.
Text: 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; 13-15
Main Idea: Cling to the true Jesus, always and in all ways.
God is not the only spiritual being whose doesn’t change. The evil one doesn’t either.
Jesus said “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
- In the Garden of Eden, the evil one presented a different God to Eve and Adam.
- When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he presented a different God the Father, than the One Jesus knew.
- And so, through the agency of false teachers, preachers and prophets, the evil one presented the Corinthians with a different Jesus than the one Paul had preached to them.
Sin is always ugly in its essence but rarely in its appearance.
- “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” That’s what makes him so effectively deceptive.
The profile of the Jesus Paul preached about is described throughout the New Testament. And from those various depictions I put together three prominent distinctions, a composite sketch so to speak, of a false Jesus, a different Jesus.
I. A Jesus who oppresses.
The other Jesus is more about rules than relationship. (It is for freedom that Christ set us free.)
The other Jesus is one who just wants your money.
- These false teachers were using the message of Christ to make money (Chapter 2:17).
- God doesn’t want our money. He wants to use our money to develop our trust. Because when He has our trust, we have true security. And there is simply nothing better on earth to refine that kind of trust than our attitude towards money.
- The love of money is the idol God of security. As much of an idol as Baal or any other pagan idol. The idol God of security seeks to replace the true God in whom there is true security. Do not trust in money, which is so uncertain, Paul says. The issue is not money it is trust.
Be mindful that a pastor challenging us is not the same as oppressing us.
- Philippians 2;3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind consider others better than yourself. That is a challenge.
- If you don’t_________ God won’t bless you or God doesn’t love you. That is oppressive. Beware of all such messages they represent a different Jesus.
Beware of any message that makes God’s love conditional upon anything but the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Any message that suggests you must perform for God’s favor instead of trust in His favor. represents a different Jesus, a Jesus who oppresses rather than the Jesus who died for you.
II. A Jesus who is not enough.
The different Jesus is one who isn’t sufficient for eternal forgiveness and eternal favor. Who isn’t enough for fullness of life here on earth.
“Reasons to Smile” board, which hangs in my office. And on it I have posted the following verse from Colossians 2:2-4. This passage is a portrait of the true Jesus. The Jesus who is enough.
When it comes to personal growth, there is nothing better we can do to be better than to get to know Him better. He is the ultimate Source for self-awareness, spiritual insight, personal inspiration, and supernatural empowerment.
There are things I want to do, fun things, but I first want to give thanks to the One who makes everything more enjoyable, fuller and more substantial. I just want to thankfully reaffirm You as the best thing about today, with or without the other pleasures I have in mind. You enrich my life, so laying it at Your feet is not a “sacrifice,” it is an enhancement, it is a bonus. That is the truth. You are the Life that enriches all aspects of life.
III. A Jesus who doesn’t make love a priority.
The true Jesus wasn’t turned off by anyone’s “label.” He was turned off by peoples’ hearts. Their stubbornness. Their pride. Their unlove. Mostly, He was saddened by their rejection of His love for them.
Listen to some of these labels and the conclusion (1 Corinthians 6:7-11) “And that is what some of you were.” And God chose you. He accepted you. He loved you.
How did you become children of God? “But you were washed.”
Romans 10:13, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Conclusion
Stay away from that other “Jesus,” The Jesus who oppresses, the Jesus who is not enough, and the Jesus who doesn’t make love a top priority, which is really no Jesus at all but a man-made philosophy. Cling to the true Jesus. Always and in all ways.
Leave a Reply