1. Our lesson is based on the warning that Jesus gave to His disciples in this verse -- "Take heed that ye be not deceived." 2. Jesus went on to say that many deceivers would arise. 3. Later, John also talked about the presence of many deceivers (2 John 7). 4. There are basically 2 ways in which we can be deceived. a. It is possible for us to be deceived by others (1 John 3:7 -- "Little children, let no man deceive you"). b. It is also possible for us to deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18 -- "Let no man deceive himself"). 5. With this information before us, let us turn our attention to 3 passages that contain specific warnings against being deceived.
Discussion:
I. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) LET US AVOID BEING DECEIVED ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO HEAVEN
A. Many people have the idea that God will allow almost everyone to go to heaven. 1. This idea might be popular, but it is not true, and we must not be deceived. 2. Jesus is the judge, and He cleared this up in Matthew 7:13-14. 3. The Bible lists a number of people who will not go to heaven. a. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) The "unrighteous" will not inherit God's kingdom. b. A similar list is given in Galatians 5:19-21. c. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) Those who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel will be punished at the judgment. d. (2 Peter 2:20-22) Those who fall away from the Lord will not go to heaven. B. According to 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord does not want anyone to be lost. C. The good news is that cleansing from sin is available (1 Corinthians 6:11). D. We learn from Acts 18:8 how the people in Corinth were cleansed. E. To go to heaven, a person must: 1. obey the Gospel of Christ 2. remain faithful to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). F. Let us avoid being deceived into believing something else.
II. (1 Corinthians 15:33) LET US AVOID BEING DECEIVED ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL COMMUNICATIONS [COMPANIONSHIPS]
A. The evil communications under consideration are identified in vs.12. B. The influence of such teaching would be devastating (vs.19). C. (vs.58) Looking forward to the resurrection should motivate us to serve the Lord faithfully. D. We need to learn a lesson from the Israelites. 1. They were told not to make covenants with pagans (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). 2. Unfortunately, they disobeyed and wandered away from God. E. We must try the teaching we hear and the things we read (1 John 4:1). 1. We must receive that which is true. 2. However, that which is false must be rejected because of its influence.
III. (Galatians 6:7) LET US AVOID BEING DECEIVED ABOUT THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING
A. The law of sowing and reaping is an undisputed law of nature. B. In vs.8 a spiritual application is made from this law. 1. The "sowing" refers to what we do in this life. 2. The "reaping" is the reward we will receive at the judgment. C. Since this is the case, let us do as we are told in vs.9-10.
Conclusion:
1. We are taught in Ephesians 5:17 to understand what the will of the Lord is. 2. To accomplish this we must pay careful attention to the warnings in the Bible about who is going to heaven, the influence of evil companions, and the law of sowing and reaping.
