The Danger of False Christs; Luke 21:7-9

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 5/4/2025. As the end of Jesus' earthly ministry grows near, He turns His attention privately to His disciples and begins His last great eschatological discourse on End Things. When He is asked when the cataclysmic events surrounding the destruction of the Temple will take place, He does not respond directly to the question but rather warns His disciples not to be deceived by false christs. We will find this to be extremely significant as Jesus emphasizes that the greatest dangers the church will face will come from within. For the danger of false christs goes beyond false teaching and prophecy to the proclamation of a gospel that masquerades the truth, but cannot save anyone. We will realize that some false christs are obvious phonies while others are so subtle as to lead astray all but the most careful students of Scripture. After considering several examples, we will unmask the current focus on "experientialism" that is leading millions of people away from Scripture and the true Gospel. We will learn that the best way to identify false christs and false gospels is to be intimately acquainted with the true Christ and the true Gospel as they are presented to us in Scripture. Ultimately we will echo Jesus' simple but poignant warning-- "Do not go after them"!