by Phil Sanders

This material is originally from Thomas Brooks (1608-1680 AD).

Beware false prophets (Matt. 7:15-23)

1. False Teachers are men pleasers (Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:1-4; Isa. 30:10; Jer. 5:30-31). Such smooth teachers are sweet soul-poisoners (Jer. 23:16-17).

2. False Teachers are notable in casting dirt, scorn, and reproach upon the persons, names, and credits of Christ's most faithful ambassadors. (cf. Num. 16:3; 1 Kings 22:10-26; 2 Cor. 10:10; Matt. 27:63).

3. False teachers are [in]ventors of the devices and visions of their own heads and hearts. (Jer. 14:14; 23:16).

4. False teachers easily pass over the great and weighty things both of law and gospel, and stand most upon those things that are of the least moment and concernment to the souls of men (1 Tim. 1:5-7; Matt. 23:23; 1 Tim. 6:3-5).

5. False teachers cover and color their dangerous principles and soul-impostures with very fair speeches and plausible pretenses, with high notions and golden expressions (Gal. 6:12; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rom. 16:17-18; Matt. 16:6-12; 7:15).

6. False teachers strive more to win over men to their opinions, than to better them in their conersations (behavior). Cf. Matt. 23:17.

7. False teachers make merchandise of their followers (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Rev. 18:11-13; Jer. 6:13.

Now by these characters you may know them, and so shun them, and deliver your souls out of their dangerous snares.

Be on the alert!

by Phil Sanders

Azariah toward Uzziah

But when he [Uzziah] became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.

Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the LORD, valiant men. And they opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful, and will have no honor from the LORD God."

But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense. And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead; and they hurried him out of there, and he himself also hastened to get out because the LORD had smitten him.

And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was over the king's house judging the people of the land (2 Chron. 26:16-21, NASB).

Urijah toward Ahaz

Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar which was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the pattern of the altar and its model, according to all its workmanship. So Urijah the priest built an altar; according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, thus Urijah the priest made it, before the coming of King Ahaz from Damascus.

And when the king came from Damascus, the king saw the altar; then the king approached the altar and went up to it, and burned his burnt offering and his meal offering, and poured his libation and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. And the bronze altar, which was before the LORD, he brought from the front of the house, from between his altar and the house of the LORD, and he put it on the north side of his altar.

Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, "Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening meal offering and the king's burnt offering and his meal offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their meal offering and their libations; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by." So Urijah the priest did according to all that King Ahaz commanded.

Then King Ahaz cut off the borders of the stands, and removed the laver from them; he also took down the sea from the bronze oxen which were under it, and put it on a pavement of stone. And the covered way for the sabbath which they had built in the house, and the outer entry of the king, he removed from the house of the LORD because of the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16:10-18, NASB).

Both kings acted corruptly in their worship and presumptuously thought they could change God's plan for His temple. Azariah opposed Uzziah, but Urijah gave in to every whim of Ahaz. One priest was faithful to God's will, while the other regarded the king more highly than God. One priest warned the king not to disobey God, while the other priest never opened his mouth to warn the king of his grave sin.

We have no right to corrupt God's worship, and those who sit silently and allow it to happen bear great guilt. Are you like Azariah or Urijah? When those who seek change rebelliously force their way on the church, will you speak or sit silent?

It hit me the first thing this morning. I could have been dressing to go to the hospital or to a funeral home.

Last night [Tuesday] after our song service, my daughter Laura Lynn drove her Geo Prizm home. The rain was cold, and Interstate 65 was wet.

Laura just graduated from Freed-Hardeman University as an art major. She had taken three years of Koine Greek and had distinguished herself as an honors college graduate.

Unfortunately, someone had broken off her side mirror. Some car or truck had brushed by too closely on the narrow streets of Henderson. It left her a blind spot.

As she journeyed home, a car entering the interstate from an on-ramp moved too rapidly and uncautiously into her blind side. She overcompensated her swerve away from the intruder and, hitting her brakes, threw her Geo into a spin.

What happened next was a blur for her, but the driver of a large white truck saw her face as his vehicle collided with her.

The collision sent Laura down an embankment and into the fence at the bottom. Fortunately, the grass and soil were thoroughly soaked and provided a softer landing.

The old car, which is paid for, is completely totaled with damage to the undercarriage and wheels as well as the front fender. Laura, however, came out without a scrape or a bruise. She says her neck hurts a little.

I could have spent the day at the hospital or the funeral home. God was gracious. He walked with her through the shadow of death and brought her home safely.

I am reminded of the brevity and the precious nature of life. Our children are a wonderful gift. Whether we have them short or long, let us treasure each day with them.

by Phil Sanders

Into Your hands, Father, into Your hands, I commit my spirit into Your hands. All I am and have I yield to You. Your love and grace will bear me through, For You know what's best and what I should do, So I leave my soul within Your hands.

In His body He bore our transgressions; In the garden He gave in to Your plans. On the cross He committed His spirit, So we can live forever in Your hands.

Into Your hands, Father, into Your hands, I cast all my burdens into Your hands, All my stress and pain I give to You. Your love and grace will bear me through, For You know what's best and what I should do, So I cast my cares into Your hands.

Into Your hands, Father, into Your hands, I cast all my sins into Your hands, All I've said and done I bring to You. Your love and grace will bear me through, For You have told me what I must do, So I cast my sins into Your hands.

Into Your hands, Father, into Your hands, I commit my spirit into Your hands. My life on the earth I leave for You. Your love and grace will bear me through, For You have a place I'm going to, So I leave my soul within Your hands.

In His body He bore our transgressions; In the garden He gave in to Your plans. On the cross He committed His spirit, So we can live forever in Your hands.

by Phil Sanders

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls about seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

If I were the devil, I would do everything I could to get your soul, to lead you and your loved ones into sin, to get you to forsake the Lord and the truth.

I’d make fun of the things that are right and seduce you with the things that are wrong. I’d tell you how important it is to please men (actually me) and that God’s ways are always boring, outdated and a struggle.

I’m make fun of the Lord and His church. I’d always want the church to look foolish and hypocritical.  I’d make fun of people who want to do right by calling them demeaning names and picturing them as radical and mentally imbalanced.

I’d make heroes out of sinners. I’d say over and over again that sin really isn’t so bad. I’d punish and slander everyone who speaks out against sin. 

I’d make counterfeit religions and counterfeit churches that look like the real thing. I’d tell people that God’s grace is so great that people can substitute self-made beliefs and practices for the Biblical ones. 

I'd tell you that you are #1 and the most important person. I'd promote jealousy, envy, and pride. Forget kindness and compassion. I'd encourage gossip and slander. I'd plant it in your heart to "get even" and take revenge! I'd say to you to be slow to forgive anyone.

If I were Satan, I would try to control you by making you utterly selfish and blind you to the needs of anyone else. I would distract you with all your desires and keep your mind away from God and His work. I would make service to God optional and distasteful.

Ah yes, if I were Satan, I would try my best to capture your soul long enough to keep you from God. I will wrestle with you to win. Be aware. (Eph. 6:10-20)