Let no man deceive you! (1 Jn.3:7)
A. Tragic reality in this world!
1. Evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim.3:13
It is so true in religion wise! People are deceiving and being deceived!
2. Apostle Paul said: I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create denominations and put obstacle
in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Ro.16:17
Denomination contrary to Jesus’ prayer for complete unity! Jn.17:20-23
Denomination contrary to Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians chapter 1-3!
But people care not to watch out and stay away, they join them!
3. The worst case of this deceiving and being deceived is in Matt.7:21-23
Jesus declared: On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not preach in thy name, cast out demon
and do many mighty works in thy name?
Jesus said, then I will tell them: I never knew you, depart from me, you evil doers!
What evil did they do? By the way they reason with Jesus, we can see they had successfully deceived themselves
and deceived lots of others!
I can imagine, these people preach, cast out demons and do many mighty Works.
They must have been thinking … and their followers must also be thinking--> we are so blessed to have been
following such a preacher!
B. It is imperative that I preach this lesson! 1 Jn.3:7
This will help us to suffer less frustration and assure of our salvation!
This was why John wrote this--> Little children, let no man deceive you:
he that does righteousness is righteous, even as God is righteous.
1. He who does righteousness is a Christian, even as God is righteous.
2. One who does not do righteousness is not a Christian! (Please remember!)
C. In the case of Joseph.
1. Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put
her away privately. Matt.1:19
2. A righteous person does not do things to hurt those who hurt him!
He thought his fiancée committed adultery to hurt him! but he still did not want to do things that may hurt her!
3. A Christian does not repay anyone evil for evil. Ro.12:17
D. In the case of Lot: 2 Peter 2:4-9
1. God spared not angels when they sinned, He cast them into hell…2 Pet.2:4
2. God did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with 7 others, a
preacher of righteousness, when he used a flood to destroy it. 2 pet.2:5
3. God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes… having made them an example unto those that should live
ungodly. 2 Peter 2:6
4. God delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked (for that righteous man
dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed righteous soul from day to day with lawless deeds).2:7-8
5. The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto
the day of judgment. 2:9
E. In the case of Cornelius: Acts 10:1-6, 22
1. Cornelius is a righteous and God-fearing man… Acts 10:22 What did he do?
2. Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Regiment.10:1
3. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God
regularly. 10:2
God made sure this family is saved!
Conclusion:
My dear brethren, please always remember--> He that does righteousness is a Christian. He that does not do
righteousness is not a Christian!
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever! March 18, 2009.