Sorry for the double post - let's break this down a little bit;
Have you ever walked on the beach and tried following another persons footprints; matching your own steps with them as exactly as possible? By calling ourselves Christians, we have indicated our desire to do just that, to follow closely in the footsteps of Christ. Have you ever noticed though that on a crowded beach, , there were several sets of footprints, Many of them may look alike. Well, in a spiritual sense, we need to be certain that we are following the correct ones! Otherwise we may be tricked into going in the wrong direction, leaving the path Jesus set before us.
Up to this point - he has it fairly correctly from almost any Christian point of view.
This is what apostates have done. If you have your reasoning book please turn with me to page 34 and read with me the definition of apostasy. Definition: Apostasy is abandoning or deserting the worship and service of God, actually a rebellion against Jehovah God.
Notice that the first reference is to man's word, not God's. HMMMM
Some apostates profess to know and serve God but reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible but reject Jehovah’s organization.
Assertion; I am apostate - I do not reject anything except the man-made religion of Jehovah's witnesses. Jehovah's witnesses of course can neither prove nor support the idea that THEY are God's organization. They have done that, they have rejected the body of Christ.
Tonight let’s discuss a couple of ways in which we can identify apostates. First let’s look at “Acts 20:30 From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” And now let’s turn to (Romans 16:17-18) and notice how Paul helped the Roman congregation identify the footprints of apostates. 17 Now I exhort YOU, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that YOU have learned, and avoid them. 18 For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own bellies; and by smooth talk and complimentary speech they seduce the hearts of guileless ones. Did you notice some identifying marks? Apostates aren’t satisfied just following another set of foot prints. They aim to make others their followers by using…. Counterfeit words Smooth talk Twisted reasoning Half-truths Flattery Deceptive logic Empty speeches And Outright lies to try to draw us away from Christ’s footsteps. They often concentrate on the imperfections of those who Jehovah has chosen to watch over the Christian congregation. They toss around seeds of doubt by using public criticism and other methods to get in the way of our work. Do you remember the account of Korah and his associates who rejected Jehovah’s visible organization? How did Jehovah feel about them? At Numbers 16:21 Jehovah said: “Separate yourselves from the midst of this assembly, that I may exterminate them in an instant.” We “separate ourselves” by steering clear of their reasoning—whether in person, in printed form, or on the Internet. As loyal Witnesses of Jehovah, we therefore have absolutely nothing in common with them. True Christians do not want to deviate from the path Christ has set before us. We love the organization that has taught us the precious truths that so plainly separate us from Babylon the Great. So friends, as Christians let us continually follow in the foot steps that Christ has so clearly left for us that lead to everlasting life
The scriptures here point correctly at Jehovahs' witnesses themselves, do they not? The WTS has deviated from both the teaching of Jesus and that of Paul in most significant ways.
Counterfiet words and smooth talk is also correct - just read the Watchliar and see that. And yes they also attack those seeking to protect God's flock. And of course outright lies is a regular feature of thier program of indoctrination. They attack the imperfection of the churches while 'leaving the rafter' of their own wrongdoing unnoticed, indeed.
The Watchtower apostates have done precisely as Korah and his followers did - rejection of the Greater Moses, Jesus. Just go to the memorial this spring and watch 14 million of them reject the emblems he instructed us to partake of in remembrance.
Absolutely - True Christians would want to have nothing to do with them.
By the way - in what church is this man going to deliver this warning against Jehovah's Witnesses? I think he could make the conclusion a little stronger though and mention Revelation 18:4 and it's precise application to cults like Jehovah's witnesses. He might also desire to offer a heartfelt prayer for them before he steps off the lecturn.
May God bless him.
Jeff
