TEXT:  Jer. 23:1-2, 30

INTRODUCTION:

A.      OBVIOUS BREAKDOWN BETWEEN GOD AND HIS SPOKESMEN.

B.      PARALLEL OT ISRAEL AND RELIGION TODAY( Rom. 15:4;  1 Cor. 10:11 ).

          1.       As Christians we must not imitate their error.

          2.       We must watch for those who do.

C.      WHEN IS GOD AGAINST THE PROPHETS?

I.      WHEN PASTORS SCATTER THE FLOCK( vs. 1-2 ).

A.      THEY SCATTER BY DRIVING AWAY.

          1.       A lack of love( Eph. 4:1-3 ).

          2.       Poor example( 1 Tim. 4:12, 16 ).

B.      THEY SCATTER BY FAILING TO FEED.

          1.       Proper food is important( 2 Pet. 2:1-2 ).

          2.       Responsibility of mature Christians( Heb. 5:12 ).

          3.       Admonition to elders( Acts 20:28 ).  Why?( vs. 29-30 ).

II.     WHEN THEY STEAL AWAY HIS WORDS( vs. 30 ).

          By denying and contradicting.

A.      SATAN'S OLDEST TRICK( Gen. 3:4 ).

B.      USED OFTEN:

          1.       Korah( Num. 16:1-3 ).

          2.       Old Prophet( 1 Kings 13:18 )

          3.       Ahab and Micaiah( 1 Kings 22:8 )

C.      USED BY THE PROPHETS IN JEREMIAH'S TIME( Zeph. 3:4 ).

          1.       Contradicted God on sin( Jer. 23:9-15 ).

          2.       Contradicted God on judgment( vs. 16-20 ).

D.      IN CHRIST'S DAY( Luke 11:52 ).

E.      TODAY( 1 Tim. 6:3-5;  2 Tim. 3:1-9;  2 Pet. 2:1-3,  17-19 ).

III.    WHEN THEY SAY "HE SAITH"( vs. 31 ).

A.      THE PROPHET WAS GOD'S SPOKESMAN( Deut. 18:18;  2 Sam. 23:2 ).

B.      WE SPEAK FOR GOD( Phil. 2:12-16 ).

C.      THE FALSE PROPHET ABOUNDS( Jer. 5:30-31;  Matt. 7:15;  15:13-14; 

          Acts 20:29-30;  Rom. 16:17-18;  2 Cor. 11:13-15;  2 Tim. 3:13 ).

D.      EXAMPLES:  Circumcision, Sabbath, Calvinism, etc.

E.      WHAT RESULTS?( Matt. 15:14;  Gal. 1:6-9;  3:1-2 ).

IV.   WHEN PROPHETS HOLD DREAMS FOR TRUTH( vs. 32 ).

A.      "GOOD IDEAS" - NIGHTMARES OR MESSAGES FROM GOD?( vs. 28 ).

B.      JESUS DISCUSSES SUCH( Matt. 7:21-23, 24-27;  2 John 9 ).

C.      MODERN EXAMPLES - Social inducements, institutionalism, fund raisers, pianos.

D.      Isaiah 9:13-16.  WHO LEADS US DOWN THESE PATHS?

V.    WARNING!( 1 Cor. 10:11;  1 John 4:1;  1 Tim. 4:1-2 ).

A.      A TEST FOR THE OT PROPHET( Deut. 18:20-22 ).

B.      A TEST TODAY( 1 John 4:6;  Gal. 1:8-9 ).

C.      WHAT DO WE DO?

          1.       Take heed( Col. 2:8 ).

          2.       Be noble( Acts 17:11 ).  Open mindedèNarrow minded.

          3.       Fight for the truth( Phil. 1:16, 27;  Jude 3;  Prov. 23:23 ).

CONCLUSION:  HAVE YOU OBEYED THE GOSPEL?