A Peek at the Devil’s Playbook
We know the devil’s gameplan. Scripture gives us the inside scoop about several tools in Satan’s toolbox—schemes he employs in his efforts to thwart God’s purposes.
Articles for tag: False Teachers
July 26, 2021
Aug. 1 | Which Gospel?
With the churches of Galatia, Paul squared off against doctrinal defection. The gospel that came from heaven cannot be improved. Adding to it or subtracting from it totally dilutes it.
October 12, 2020
Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the October 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Oct. 18, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Discern how to deal with people as you serve Christ. ________ By Mark Scott The “purpose” of the Bible is larger than just functioning as a “how-to” manual for getting along with folks. But one
September 7, 2020
Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: Fight (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the September 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “How to Have a Good Fight,” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Sept. 13, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Join Christ in the good fight of faith. ________ By Mark Scott It is difficult to misunderstand such one-word commands as “quiet,” “stop,” “go,” or “run.” The next several lessons have titles
June 15, 2020
Lesson for June 21, 2020: Perfect Love in Light (1 John 1:5–2:11)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the June 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES: Application: “This Little Light of Yours,” by David Faust Discovery Questions ________ Lesson Aim: Love your brother and live in the light. ________ By Mark Scott More than one person has overlaid Paul’s triad of Christian virtues (faith, hope, and love) on the writings of John in the New Testament. If the
November 19, 2019
Thankful
By Jon Wren French journalist and author Alphonse Karr was widely known throughout Europe in the 19th century as chief editor of Paris’ famous Le Figaro. Yet despite his fame in journalism, Karr’s passion in life was gardening. Karr described his life’s philosophy this way: “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” Karr’s words are a perfect illustration of the thanksgiving and gratitude Christ followers should have. The apostle Paul encouraged the church in Colossae to see their lives and circumstances through the perspective of gratitude for Christ and his work in their
October 28, 2019
Lesson for Nov. 3, 2019: Persevere by Faith (Jude 3-7, 17-25)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 11 (weeks 41-44; October 13—November 3, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Build yourself up in your most holy faith. ________ By Mark Scott Jesus had four half-brothers. If they are listed in birth order, Jude (or Judas) would have been number three (Mark 6:3). We know the most about James (book of James; Acts 15; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 2:8,
October 14, 2019
Lesson for Oct. 20, 2019: Persevere in Truth (2 Peter 1:12–2:3)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 11 (weeks 41-44; October 13—November 3, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Firmly establish yourself in the truth, because there will be false teachers. ________ By Mark Scott “Close” works if the game is horseshoes. But for rocket science and neurosurgery close is not good enough. There is another area where close is not good enough. It is the truth of
August 20, 2018
Lesson for August 26, 2018: Live by the Word of God (2 Peter 3:3-15)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9 (weeks 33–36; August 19—September 9, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Beginning with this batch of four lessons, the weekly Bible lessons are based on a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here. ______ By Mark Scott Israel lived by the Word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus lived by the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). The church should
August 13, 2018
Lesson for August 19, 2018: Christ Is Preeminent (Colossians 1:9-23)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 9 (weeks 33–36; August 19—September 9, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ Beginning this week, the weekly Bible lessons are based on a scope and sequence prepared by Christian Standard Media. For more information, click here. ______ By Mark Scott Our oldest son had a T-shirt that read, “There are two things you can be sure of: (1) There is a God. (2) You are
August 11, 2018
Can You Define Deception?
By Costi Hinn The church’s greatest threat has never been from the outside, but rather, from deception within. The Bible is clear. Satan doesn’t show up at the foot of your bed with red horns and a pitchfork claiming, “Here I am to distract and deceive you!” Neither do his false prophets. They are disguised in light; seeming to be workers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Our adversary’s deceptive strategy is to infiltrate our ranks. Like a Trojan horse entering through the city gates, darkness often hides in plain sight. Satan doesn’t fight fair and false teachers take no prisoners.
April 20, 2015
Lesson for April 26, 2015: Watch Out for Deceivers (1 John 5:6-12,18-20; 2 John)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 19 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Deceivers are all around us. While the last two letters from the apostle John are characterized by his emphasis on the importance of love (as in 1 John), he was equally strong in his warnings about false teaching””2 and 3 John are the shortest documents in the New Testament, but they address serious and important issues. Although they deal with
December 20, 2014
Leading Young
By Will Thomas Young ministers can overcome the challenges that have faced them since Paul wrote Timothy. I understand Timothy”s predicament. “Don”t let anyone look down on you because you are young,” the apostle Paul encouraged (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was a preacher and in all likelihood younger than most of the people in his church. Been there, done that. I had just turned 19 when I began serving as a minister. I had preached a fair number of sermons as a teenager in my home church and had always been a motivated student of the Bible. But suddenly, a
May 6, 2013
Lesson for May 12, 2013: Sure Hope (2 Peter 1)
By Sam E. Stone This second letter from the apostle Peter to the churches (see 3:1) was probably written around AD 67, not long before his death. Some consider it his “last will and testament.” Knowing what awaited him (John 21:18, 19), he was more concerned about the needs of other Christians than his own. False teachers were afoot seeking to mislead the believers. They needed a sure hope, one found only in Christ. Hope”s Resources 2 Peter 1:2-4 Only knowledge of Jesus provides grace and peace in abundance. In fact, everything we need for a godly life is available
January 21, 2013
Lesson for January 27, 2013: Standing Firm in Christ (Philippians 3:12–4:1)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In his personal letter to the church family at Philippi, the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of doing everything for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). In addition to warning against false teachers, he spoke candidly about spiritual maturity, encouraging every Christian to remain faithful. Today”s text provides guidance for believers living in a hostile world. Don”t Dwell on the Past Philippians 3:12, 13 It is not wise to think that one has “arrived,” having
January 14, 2013
Lesson for January 20, 2013: Knowing Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons are all taken from Paul”s letter to the Philippians. His message to them centered in Jesus Christ, just as his other letters did. Evidently some false teachers were afoot in Philippi, as well as in Galatia (Galatians 3:1-5). They were causing some believers to have misplaced confidence. They taught that salvation could come from what they could do””not by depending on God. We see similar errors today. Paul reaffirmed his previous message to
September 5, 2011
Cease-Fire: Rethinking the Culture Wars
By Kelly Boyd The alignment of Christians with political conservatism is a recent phenomenon rarely questioned these days. Conservatism, it seems, simply is understood as the biblical position, but the results have been mixed at best, from a cultural standpoint. In fact, it can be predicted with confidence that gay marriage will be legal in all 50 states in our lifetime. How can this be, when Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? I propose that it”s time for a cease-fire in the culture war and a closer examination of the church”s calling
