Facing Influences that Lead People to Turn Back

Kevin Thorsell

Jesus + Nothing = Everything • Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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Story of coming to college and getting recruited by an unorthodox Christian group.

After that I was being really influenced by the secular college culture.

What happened here?

We’ve all seen this happen.

Today, we are going to find out what is really going on, when a person is being led astray from the Gospel.

Sin

Legalism

Another religion

Deconstructionism

Galatians 1:8 ESV

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Jesus did it for you:

You do not need to, nor can you, earn God’s love.

You do not need to, nor can you, earn God’s acceptance.

You do not need to, not can you, earn Gods forgiveness.

“In Christ, you are unconditionally loved, totally accepted and 100% forgiven.”

That is amazing. That is freeing!

Gal. 4:8-20

1. Don’t turn back from the gospel. (Gal. 4:8-11)

Galatians 4:8 NIV

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

The Galatians were previously Greek, polytheistic pagans, not Jews.

Slavery to false gods

No salvation

Slavery to sin

Orgies

Marital unfaithfulness was normal

Prostitutes

Unwanted babies would be left in the marketplace

They were enslaved to sin.

Have you been there?

Galatians 4:9 NIV

But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Why was Paul asking why they were turning back?

The stoicheia were the spiritual forces behind the false gods they previously worshipped and were enslaved to. (Gal. 4:9)

The Galatians had received the gospel..

But now they had been led astray, not by the sin of the polytheistic religion of their past, but by Judiazers.

Circumcision

v. 10 “days, months, seasons, years”

The Galatian Christians are, he finds, expected to know about the stoicheia to which Paul refers; they did not know, however, that by submitting to the law they were reverting to the service of those stoicheia by which they had formerly been enslaved,

We have a spiritual enemy, Satan, and he wants to bring people away from the freedom that is in Christ and back into slavery, one way or another.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

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.

Behind the world religions are real spirits that are enslaving people and keeping them in spiritual darkness Col. 1:13

Colossians 1:13 NIV

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Myth: All religions are worshipping the same God.

Truth: There is only one God, and he is accessed through Christ (John 14:6)

Truth: There are stoicheia, demonic forces, behind the world religions.

What was happening in my story? (Unorthodox group, secular college influences)

Our job, is to point them back to Jesus. That Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Galatians 4:11 NIV

I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.

Paul feared for them, but he didn’t give up on them. (Gal. 4:11, 19-20)

Who’s someone in your life, whom you are concerned for? ________________

2. Become Like Paul - Believe in the simple gospel (Gal. 4:12-16)

Galatians 4:12 NIV

I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.

In what way? In the sense that he was free in Christ

“In Christ, you are unconditionally loved, totally accepted and 100% forgiven.”

Galatians 4:13–15 NIV

As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.

They welcomed him so well!

Hearing the gospel for the first time!

Receiving it

Angel, Christ, Torn out their eyes

His Illness: God used Paul’s illness to cause him to stay in Galatia.

In spite of his illness, God used him.

What’s your weakness? ____________

You aren’t out of the game.

My Father in Law - Your weakness will never hinder you from your calling in life, it will only clarify it.

You may think you are a burden to others, but Jesus wants to use you.

Galatians 4:16 NIV

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Paul was bold with them.

He loved them enough to write to them.

These were his spiritual children. Who are yours?

Be bold and loving. Not pushy.

My dad: When he found out I was living in sexual immorality, he talked straight with me.

3. Beware of influences that draw you away from the Truth (Gal. 4:17-18)

Galatians 4:17–18 (NIV)

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.

The enemy will often use those who...

...are Zealous, passionate influencers.

...claim Superiority.

Activism

Moral superiority

Spiritual superiority

Intellectual superiority

Dana’s Video

There are often spirits (stoicheia) behind the negative influencer, that the influencer is not even aware of.

Get the young Christian isolated from solid Christian community, doubt the validity of orthodox Christianity.

Possible Influences

TV show

Professor

BF/GF

Celebrity

News source

4. Don’t give up on your Spiritual Children. (Gal. 4:19-20)

Galatians 4:19–20 NIV

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Spiritual parents, don’t give up on the goal, which is “to see Christ formed” in them.

Tips:

Prayer - Pray for them daily.

Presence - Be present and show you care.

Proclamation - Proclaim the gospel and biblical truth as opportunities arise.

It is worth it.

Conclude my story: I saw the truth, goodness and trustworthiness of the Gospel.

Conclusion:

Believe in the simple Gospel. Don’t be led astray.

Understand that their are spiritual forces behind the other religions, ideologies and worldviews that lead people astray.

Ask God to give you discernment about demonic influences.

Don’t give up on your spiritual children.