A "Show Me" Saint*

Missouri is known as "The Show Me State", because one of its Congressional representatives, when faced with a political argument of dubious facts, stated, "You're going to have to show me!" Certain events of this week, both of the world and the church, including those who refer to themselves as prophets, involved the issuing of statements that seem dubious, but are being accepted as truth. I respond to these statements by saying, "Show me that in the Word of God!" Last week, I encouraged all to become "Bereans", those who searched the scriptures for themselves, looking for confirming truth regarding what Paul was teaching them. We need to know what the Word of God says, especially in these times in which we are living. Paul wrote: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has come abroad unto all men...but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (Rom. 16:17-20). Paul also wrote that the mystery of the Gospel was hidden before the world began, but had now been revealed. This previously hidden mystery has now been made known to all nations by the prophets in scripture, according to the commandment of God. The purpose of the revealing at this time was to bring all to the obedience of faith (v. 25-27). By our obedience to faith, God will bruise Satan under our feet. What have the prophets written in the scriptures? To those who are prophesying contrary things, I say, "Show me that in the Word of God!" Paul wrote that there were those who had gone out from him, who were now teaching things that Paul never taught. These teachings regarding keeping the law (nomos - meaning includes a custom) that had the effect of troubling the hearers, and subverting their souls (Acts 15:24). These false teachers were causing people to be troubled, and weakened in their true faith. Damage is done by false doctrines and customs. As Paul wrote to his son in the faith, Timothy, he emphasized the importance of the Word of God, and how Timothy was to minister in it, as well as what and whom to avoid: "These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity...give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:11-16). Paul wrote this to Timothy while warning him: "...in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron;" (v. 1-2). Timothy was not like those who appointed themselves, but as Paul said, he was given a gift by the word of prophecy and with the laying on of hands of the elders. Timothy was to keep this in mind. In a second letter, Paul wrote to Timothy: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. 2:15). He wrote that striving, and profane and vain babbling leads to more ungodliness, even as a cancer that grows throughout the body. Some of these teachers, and Paul named names, ended up overthrowing people's faith by teaching that the resurrection of the believers had already passed (v. 16-18). Today, there are Christian Nationalists, who have a racist, and anti-Israel doctrine. This also is a cancer spreading in the body of Christ, and cannot be found in the Word of God. The Word of God says that we are all related by blood to the eight people who were aboard Noah's ark. Paul assured Timothy: "...The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (v. 19). Instead of obedience to this message from Paul, many in the Church today not only tolerate iniquity, but agree to celebrate it. Paul urged Timothy not to strive against foolish questions, but to teach patiently and gently to all, that they might be brought by God to repentance and the acknowledging of the truth, thereby rescuing those who have so easily become ensnared by the devil (v. 23-26). Specifically of the last days, Paul wrote to Timothy about a falling away from the faith that would come, which we see today: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim. 3:1-5). In this falling away, or apostasy, that Paul saw coming to the church, there were many who would be especially susceptible to its influence: it enters houses of "silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of truth (v. 6-7)... also those who resist the truth...of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all (v. 8-9)...Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them." (v. 13-14). Regardless of the disturbing things that come against the truth of the Word of God that he would see, Timothy was told by Paul to continue in the things that he has learned from Paul, which Timothy knows to be the truth. This is the undebatable, eternal value and truth of the Word of God according to Paul: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly (thoroughly) furnished unto all good works." (v. 16-17). What doctrine have you been following? Many churches are teaching abhorrent doctrines, and empty traditions. Again, Paul prophesies to Timothy regarding the coming apostasy: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Paul repeats what Timothy should do: "Preach the word;; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine...But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (v. 2, 5). We are all to be evangelists, bringing to others the Word of God, the Gospel of life and salvation through Christ. As He prophesied the signs of the end times, Jesus also mentioned the rise of false Christs and false prophets: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall deceive many...And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved." (Mt. 24:4-5, 11-13,24). He also warned of wars, earthquakes, famine, and pestilence (which would include pandemics), and the persecution of believers, breaking out over the earth. These things, which Jesus called 'great tribulation' would become so severe, that days would have to be shortened for the elect's sake, or no flesh would survive them (v. 7-9, 21-22, Mk. 13:19-20, Lk. 21:10-12). Jesus also warned that these false Christs and false prophets would perform many signs and wonders that would seduce, if possible, the elect (Mk. 13:22). Jesus also warned that hostile armies would surround Jerusalem to bring desolation, as a fulfillment of the scriptures..."And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (Lk. 21:20-24). Jesus told us of these things to warn us before they happened (v. 25). We are already seeing these things begin to come to pass. Jerusalem was, until recent history, under the control of Gentiles, but in another fulfillment of scripture, it was restored to Israel, which is a nation that was miraculously resurrected, also according to scripture. Jesus told us that when we see these things begin to come to pass, "...then look up, and lift your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Lk. 21:28). He also said that "...this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Mt. 24:14). If you are going to believe other prophecies and doctrines, I'm going to ask you to "show me" where it is written in the Word of God. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a wrathful God. *Based upon the 7/9/23 message of Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson to the Church. To hear the full message, look for Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. You can contact this ministry at PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. God bless you.