Playlist:

playlist Go to the False Teachers (topic) playlist

Spotting False Teachers

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

True shepherds have genuine concern for the flock, as opposed to hirelings who only devour or take advantage of the flock.


Titus (Part Three): Rebuking False Teachers

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The congregations in Crete were beset with insubordination, subject to no authority, full of meaningless and senseless talk, distracting the overseer.


The Fifth Teacher (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Belief always produces conduct, and thus, ungodly behavior signals the presence or influence of a false teacher. Who was the false teacher in Corinth?


Whatever Happened to Gnosticism? Part One: False Knowledge

Article by David C. Grabbe

Gnosticism is very much in vogue today in books and movies, and perhaps surprisingly, in the belief systems of many people who profess to be Christian.


What Is a False Prophet?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

False prophets—including the great False Prophet of Revelation—claim to speak for God, yet reveal themselves in predictable ways. Here is what to look for.


False Gospels

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major clue for discerning false gospels is that any teaching attempting to change the nature of God or Christ or their doctrines is anti-Christ and false.


Is God a False Minister?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who advocate doctrinal change portray God as a confused and false minister who lacks the power to instruct his chosen leaders to 'get it right.'


Four Warnings (Part Two): Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's people will know false teachers by their fruits. Even as helpless sheep, we must exercise vigilance detecting the fruits of their preaching.


The Fifth Teacher

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Corinth had four positive teachers, yet a mysterious fifth teacher was also influencing them and instilling beliefs that were the source of all the bad fruit.


Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

False prophets promote the broad way, giving people what they want to hear. They replace God's truth with human tradition. They are identified by their fruit.


The False Christ Deception

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

A new lie alleges that a tomb has been found with the remains of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and their alleged son Judah. It may undermine the faith of many.


The Fifth Teacher (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Corinth was a hotbed of carnality, yet the four identified teachers were not the source of the problem. Instead, a fifth teacher was influencing them.


Damnable Heresies

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many heresies have crept into the church over the past several years. Here is how Satan works to introduce heresy into the church, and what we can do about it.


The God of Prosperity

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Having credentials as a motivational coach or an entertainer does not qualify one to be a preacher, especially if he does not hold people accountable for sin.


'I Will Build My Church'

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Jesus is aware of all that transpires within His church—regardless of how out-of-control things may seem—and He will always act in the way that is best.


A Distant Reflection

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Considering the events and trends exhibited in the modern church of God, will it follow the disastrous example of early second-century Christianity?


Foam

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

In Scripture, foam is usually accompanied by a state of agitation, as in hurricanes, angry waves of the sea, nations being torn asunder, or demonic influence.


Itching Ears

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

False ministers pander to the 'itching ears' of the audience, telling it what it wants to hear, catering to desires and lusts, fatally mixing truth with error.


How Revelation Enters the Church

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Paul had received the same revelation from God that the original disciples had been given. They all preached from the same Source: Jesus Christ.


Testing the Spirits (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

I John, addresses a congregation grounded in the truth but vexed from within by a number of anti-Christian teachings, including Docetism and Gnosticism.


The Parable of the Wheat and Tares

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

For every pure thing God has created, Satan has manufactured a counterfeit, even passing himself off as an angel of light. He is the master imitator.


Being Deceived

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Christ warned that many would be deceived, though no one ever admits to being deceived. The Bible warns of deceptions from within and without the church.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Christ cautions the Pergamos congregation to shun the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Church suffers when it harbors those who compromise and offend.


Mightier Than the Sword (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Apostasy in nominal Christianity has come from major philosophers, serving as 'educators' within the worldly churches, causing great damage with their pens.


Do We Have 'Eternal Security'?

'Ready Answer' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Are we 'once-saved, always-saved'? Once God grants us His grace, are we assured eternal life? The fallacies of the doctrine of 'eternal security' are exposed.


No One Else Matters (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.


Deceivers and Antichrists (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

John's epistles are the only places the term "antichrist" is used. This word has taken on a life of its own, especially within Evangelical Protestantism.


Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Olivet Prophecy lists deceit as the first danger confronting Christians who will be living in the disinformation age, strong enough to deceive the elect.


The Gun Lap Is Looming

Sermon by John O. Reid

As we near the conclusion of our spiritual journey, the more dangerous obstacles we will face. Satan will pull out all stops to destroy us.


Jude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In our quest for unity, we can never compromise with the truth. True love between brethren is impossible without an equal pr greater love for the truth.


The Spirit of Antichrist

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

All of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.


Finishing Your Gun Lap

Sermon by John O. Reid

The most dangerous lap we encounter is when everyone around us tends to be compromising. Today, what was once aberrant behavior is now considered normal.


Frequencies

Sermon by Ryan McClure

Human bodies have frequencies and react to incoming frequencies. As we live in the Babylonian system, Satan's frequencies penetrate into our nervous systems.


Discerning of Spirit

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

We need the ability to discriminate in spiritual matters. Grace does not cover unrepented sins nor fellowship with those contemptuous of God's laws.


Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A prophecy in Zechariah concerns prophets or church leaders who, being ashamed of their false teachings, will claim they were farmers rather than ministers.


Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 3)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Outcome based religion exalts numerical growth and feeling good over the truth of God, promoting the use of modern psychology over 'divisive' biblical doctrine.


Discerning Spirits and Discerning the Body

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Because of the culture of deception fostered by Satan and his children, we must develop discernment to tell the difference between truth and falsehood.


God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's hand was definitely involved in the scattering of the church. We should respond by growing and preparing ourselves for His Kingdom.


Looks Fair, Feels Foul

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Be wary of things and people that appear attractive and fair on the outside, but are actually foul and destructive underneath. Evaluate the fruit.


Deceivers and Antichrists (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

John says that those who do not confess Christ as 'coming in the flesh'—or 'as appearing in flesh'—in the present—are deceivers and antichrists.


Dissatisfaction

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Change agents have attempted to apply traditional Christian terminology to politically correct referents, distorting and defiling the original meaning.


The Gift of Discernment and Godly Love

'Ready Answer' by Ronny H. Graham

Scripture warns about end-time deceivers who will seduce church members to ungodly beliefs and ways. We must make righteous judgments to reject what is false.


The More Things Change

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to think of the early Church as a 'golden age' of unity and momentum. But early church members experienced problems similar to what we face today.


Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In evaluating the dubious fruits of a false minister, we must realize that belief and conduct are inextricably linked and the linkage must be with God's Word.


Our Walk Out of Darkness Into the Light

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

After we accept Christ's sacrifice, we desperately need to come out of sin, walking in light rather than darkness, having continuous fellowship with God.


Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Satan's biggest targets for disinformation are God's called-out ones. How can the true disciples be identified?


God, Allah, Rick, and John

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Rick Warren, the energetic and ambitious founder of the Purpose Driven Church movement, is now seeking to syncretistically merge Islam and Christian faiths.


Satan (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.


Matthew (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.


Discern and Distinguish Between Spirits

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Inspiration and doctrine were meant to be complementary rather than adversarial. Many believe they have found new truth when they have recycled old heresies.


The Works of the Devil Destroyed

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Satan and his demons know that their time is short and are determined to destroy as many people as possible, especially the Israel of God.


Apostasy and Faith

CGG Weekly by Martin G. Collins

In a secular sense, apostasy is abandoning one's political party, principles, or cause. Biblically, apostasy is rebellion against God or the abandonment of faith.


Testing the Spirits (Part 1)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Apostle John exhorts us to test and discern the spirits, judging between the true and the false, using the scripture as the steady standard of truth.


The Seven Churches (Part Five): Pergamos

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Christ severely criticizes the church in Pergamos for idolatry and following the doctrine of Baalam. To those who overcome, He will grant eternal life.


Another Look at the Prosperity Gospel

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Prosperity gospel preachers twist verses out of context to convince people that God will give them anything. They fail to mention that God does not give His benefits to just anyone.


The Colossian Heresy and Laodiceanism

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Colossae and Laodicea were susceptible to fast-talking teachers, whose plausible words eroded the true Gospel in favor of pagan thought and practice.


Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.


Facing Times of Stress: Lovers of Self

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We face the same kind of pressures and stress that Timothy faced, with perilous times ahead of us, threatening the existence of the nation and the church.


First Love (Part One)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

A Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. A decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love affected the first-century church.


Secession (Part Two): Spiritual Separation

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Any syncretism with the world will lead to confusion. We must separate from the world in terms of its religious practices and its false gospels.


Antichrist Deceptions

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Antichrists manifest several characteristics, including fostering deception and confusion, preventing fellowship, and creating intense spiritual conflict.


Ensuring Our Calling

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because judgment is now on the house of God, we must be diligent, making sure of our calling because it is not yet a sure thing without effort on our part.


How Satan Destroys Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.


Guard the Truth!

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.


Matthew (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

To establish sound doctrine, we must build on the foundation Christ's teaching, taking the straight and narrow course rather than the wisdom of this world.