Today's sermon at my church - my notes

by mrsjones5 5 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  mrsjones5

  
  Title: Recongnizing the Voice of God - First John

  1John 4:1-4:

  1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

  4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

  1Peter 5:8: 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

  Ephesians 6:12:

  12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

  Some people claim that God is speaking to them or through them alone (The pastor went on to mention the jws as ones who are not spaeking truth about Jesus and God - lying). There 3 ways or tests to tell if someone is actually proclaiming truth about God.

  1. What do they say about Jesus? Jesus is God in flesh: Hebrews 1:3, Colossions 1:15-20

  2. What do they say about the Holy Spirit?: 1 John 4:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 5:16-25: memorize fruits of the spirit

  3. What do they say about the Word of God? 1 John 4:5-6, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, John 16:13, Deuteronomy 18:20-22: But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."

  21 You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD ?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. - I liked this one, it really describes the watchtower org.

  The enemy is here to lie, kill, and destory. He uses people (think Jim Jones and David Koresh and the like) and organizations who claim to be from God and speak for God.

  Take no one's claim to represent God as immediate truth. Research with the bible what they say to see if they speak truth. Acts 17:11.

  Josie
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  blondie

  (1 John 4:1) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world. (NWT)

  I have used this scripture along with Acts 17:10,11 in talking with elders who insist you do what they say without any scriptural reason or a faulty scriptural reason. That I am following the Bible and not WT publications.

  Notice how the WTS applies this scripture in writing but not in practice. Questioning them is the same as questioning God leading to being labeled an apostate and disfellowshipped. This is called speaking out of both sides of their mouth.

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  w01 8/1 p. 6 Why Do You Believe What You Believe? ***

  The Bible encourages us to check our beliefs against what it teaches. (1 John 4:1) Millions of readers of this magazine can testify that doing so has added purpose and stability to their lives. So be like the noble-minded Beroeans. ‘Carefully examine the Scriptures daily’ before you decide what to believe. (Acts 17:11) Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you to do this. Of course, it is your decision as to what you want to believe. However, it is the course of wisdom to make sure that your beliefs are shaped, not by human wisdom and desires, but, rather, by God’s revealed Word of truth.—1 Thessalonians 2:13; 5:21.

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  w98 8/15 p. 20 Strengthening Our Confidence in God’s Righteousness ***

  Jehovah’s organization does not discourage sincere, timely questions, as some opposers mistakenly claim. (1 Peter 1:10-12) However, the Bible counsels that we avoid foolish, speculative questions. (Titus 3:9) Asking reasonable questions and searching God’s Word and Christian publications to find Scriptural answers can increase our accurate knowledge and can thus strengthen our confidence in Jehovah. The organization follows the example of Jesus. He refrained from commenting on questions for which the proper time for answering had not arrived. He explained: "I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present." (John 16:12) He also admitted that some things he himself did not know at that point.—Matthew 24:36.
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  mrsjones5

  So glad I'm not in the org. Titus 3:9 says 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless - It says nothing about speaking against the org. I love how in the prior verses Titus says the we are saved by grace

  Titus 3: 1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

  3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
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  Sam the Man

  Off subject, but I am so glad I got out of the Org as well. I mean, when you read stuff like how God sends two bears to rip up 42 little children for making fun of Elisha's bald head in 2 Kings, it makes one realise why one ditched religion outright.
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  inquirer

  In some ways John was too different to the Synoptic Gospels, but boy did he same some interesting things.

  This Scripture mrsjones5 is one of the best Scriptures in the whole Bible -- IT SAYS EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW ALMOST!!

  1 John 4:1 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.

  I feel like quoting that Scripture after disproving 607 BC to a JW and say "goodbye" like Tom Baker on Doctor Who! :)
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  caligirl

  "we avoid foolish, speculative questions" Of course, ANY question that seems to imply that they are not God's soul channel of communication and implies that you do not bow to their view is considered foolish and speculative.