Counterfeits and Cereal Toys | July 5th

2 Timothy 3:1-6, 8, 14-17 (NLT)
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

I. Counterfeit faith affirms while real faith confronts.

A.) It’s not an out-there problem; it’s an in-here issue.  
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The goal of the gospel is not to affirm you, celebrate you, or empower you to do whatever you want.  The goal of the gospel is to rescue you, transform you, and empower you to do whatever God says.

B. Real faith has a real effect that brings real change.
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II.  We mistook the things of God for the Presence of God.
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1 Samuel 4: 4-11 (NLT)
So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, they panicked. “The gods have come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!” So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.


III.  Love Jesus so much it changes you.


John 14:15 (AMP)
If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.

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1 John 2: 4-6 (NLT)
If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
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Becoming who God created you to be will cost you the comfort of who you’ve been.
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We want to follow up on this week’s message with a few questions that help you respond personally to what God is saying through His Word. Let this be a time of honest evaluation and spiritual reset.

When you examine your life, where do you see evidence that your faith is transforming the way you think, speak, and live?

The message challenged us that counterfeit faith affirms while real faith confronts. Is there an area of your life where you've resisted God's correction instead of welcoming it?

In 1 Samuel 4, Israel trusted the Ark more than they trusted God. Are there any Christian habits, traditions, or experiences you've begun relying on more than your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." How does obedience demonstrate love rather than simply following rules?

Practice:
Set aside 20 minutes this week to read 2 Timothy 3:14–17 slowly. Ask God to reveal one specific area where His Word is calling you to change. Write it down, share it with a trusted believer, and take one concrete step of obedience before the week is over.