Playlist:

playlist Go to the False Ministers/Prophets (topic) playlist

What Is a False Prophet?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

False prophets—including the great False Prophet of Revelation—claim to speak for God, yet reveal themselves in predictable ways. Here is what to look for.


Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

False prophets promote the broad way, giving people what they want to hear. They replace God's truth with human tradition. They are identified by their fruit.


Is God a False Minister?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Those who advocate doctrinal change portray God as a confused and false minister who lacks the power to instruct his chosen leaders to 'get it right.'


Four Warnings (Part Two): Beware of False Prophets

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God's people will know false teachers by their fruits. Even as helpless sheep, we must exercise vigilance detecting the fruits of their preaching.


Was Herbert Armstrong a False Prophet?

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong made scores of predictions, and many of them never came to pass. Does this make him a false prophet? Is he thus not worthy of following?


Spotting False Teachers

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

True shepherds have genuine concern for the flock, as opposed to hirelings who only devour or take advantage of the flock.


False Gospels

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

A major clue for discerning false gospels is that any teaching attempting to change the nature of God or Christ or their doctrines is anti-Christ and false.


The Prophet

'Prophecy Watch' by Staff

Who is the Prophet of Deuteronomy 18? This article takes an in-depth look at this prophecy, showing that its greatest fulfillment is in our Savior, Jesus Christ.


Prophets and Prophecy (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A prophet is one who speaks for God, expressing His will in words and sometimes signs. Standing outside the system, he proclaims God's purpose, including repentance.


The Two Witnesses

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Many have claimed to be the Two Witnesses. We can identify true and false prophets by their fruits, including if they teach that God's Law has been done away.


The Fifth Teacher (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Belief always produces conduct, and thus, ungodly behavior signals the presence or influence of a false teacher. Who was the false teacher in Corinth?


Damnable Heresies

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Many heresies have crept into the church over the past several years. Here is how Satan works to introduce heresy into the church, and what we can do about it.


The God of Prosperity

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Having credentials as a motivational coach or an entertainer does not qualify one to be a preacher, especially if he does not hold people accountable for sin.


Stand Firm in the Truth

Sermon by John O. Reid

In this time of sharp religious confusion, it is good to hunker down in our spiritual foxhole until the deadly volleys of heretical shrapnel have ceased.


'I Will Build My Church'

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Jesus is aware of all that transpires within His church—regardless of how out-of-control things may seem—and He will always act in the way that is best.


The Spirit of Antichrist

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

All of us have anti-Christ tendencies in us, and must work vigorously to root out the anti-Christ elements within ourselves and to become like Christ.


Foam

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

In Scripture, foam is usually accompanied by a state of agitation, as in hurricanes, angry waves of the sea, nations being torn asunder, or demonic influence.


The Wisdom of Men and Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The pressures and conflicts that the church has undergone is part of the spirit of the time that has embroiled religious and political institutions worldwide.


Being Deceived

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

Christ warned that many would be deceived, though no one ever admits to being deceived. The Bible warns of deceptions from within and without the church.


Our Trusted Source of Truth (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Olivet Prophecy lists deceit as the first danger confronting Christians who will be living in the disinformation age, strong enough to deceive the elect.


What Is the Proper Christian Perspective on Dreams and Visions?

Bible Questions & Answers

In times past, servants of God were given visions and dreams to convey special messages. But He does this only when the circumstances warrant.


The Fifth Teacher

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Corinth had four positive teachers, yet a mysterious fifth teacher was also influencing them and instilling beliefs that were the source of all the bad fruit.


Itching Ears

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

False ministers pander to the 'itching ears' of the audience, telling it what it wants to hear, catering to desires and lusts, fatally mixing truth with error.


Jude

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.


No One Else Matters (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Sin has tainted the most faithful leaders. Most (perhaps all) church leaders have skeletons in their closets, but we follow them as they follow Christ.


Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In evaluating the dubious fruits of a false minister, we must realize that belief and conduct are inextricably linked and the linkage must be with God's Word.


Matthew (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.


The Cunning of Satan

Sermon by Kim Myers

The process of being taken over by sin usually takes place over a lengthy period of time as we allow Satan's deceptive words to corrode our attitudes.


Man's Greatest Challenge (Part Four)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Satan's biggest targets for disinformation are God's called-out ones. How can the true disciples be identified?


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Six)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Like the four groups of seeds exposed to various qualities of soil, many have heard the true gospel, but few have remained faithful after the onslaught of hardship.


Taking Care With the Tares

'Ready Answer' by Ted E. Bowling

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares warns of false brethren within the fellowship. Jesus Christ exemplified how to interact with them in a godly manner.


Unity (Part 1): God and HWA

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A major cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert Armstrong, under God's inspiration, restored.


Knowing a True Shepherd

Sermonette by Mike Ford

We are cautioned to test the spirits contained in what a shepherd says to see whether they come from God. The world is not able to understand this message.


The Gift of Discerning Spirits

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

God gives the ability to determine the source of a spiritual manifestation. However, this gift depends on a thorough knowledge and understanding of God's Word.


Dissatisfaction

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Change agents have attempted to apply traditional Christian terminology to politically correct referents, distorting and defiling the original meaning.


God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's hand was definitely involved in the scattering of the church. We should respond by growing and preparing ourselves for His Kingdom.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Christ cautions the Pergamos congregation to shun the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Church suffers when it harbors those who compromise and offend.


The More Things Change

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to think of the early Church as a 'golden age' of unity and momentum. But early church members experienced problems similar to what we face today.


Human Will and God's Sovereignty (Part One)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

A prophecy in Zechariah concerns prophets or church leaders who, being ashamed of their false teachings, will claim they were farmers rather than ministers.


God's Perseverance With His Saints (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We seriously err if we rely on the secular media to give us spiritual understanding. God sends strong delusion to those who do not love the truth.


The Epistles of II and III John (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In our quest for unity, we can never compromise with the truth. True love between brethren is impossible without an equal pr greater love for the truth.


Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Herbert Armstrong, while not infallible or sinless, nevertheless served as the custodian of the truths of God, occupying the role of God's messenger.


How Satan Destroys Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.


Matthew (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

To establish sound doctrine, we must build on the foundation Christ's teaching, taking the straight and narrow course rather than the wisdom of this world.


Looks Fair, Feels Foul

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Be wary of things and people that appear attractive and fair on the outside, but are actually foul and destructive underneath. Evaluate the fruit.


Discerning Spirits and Discerning the Body

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Because of the culture of deception fostered by Satan and his children, we must develop discernment to tell the difference between truth and falsehood.


Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.


Deceivers and Antichrists

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Whoever does not abide in the doctrine of the indwelling of Christ does not have God, but whoever does abide in this doctrine has both the Father and the Son.


God, Allah, Rick, and John

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Rick Warren, the energetic and ambitious founder of the Purpose Driven Church movement, is now seeking to syncretistically merge Islam and Christian faiths.


Satan (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.


Satan (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan uses disinformation, spread through false ministers/prophets, teaching smooth things that destroy. We must test the spirits to ensure a teaching is from God.


Suffering Disgrace For Christ's Name

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We can always expect new challenges, including persecution, and must never be content with standing still, but must press on to spiritual maturity.


Guard the Truth!

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.


The Right Use of Power

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

With dominion comes responsibility to maintain. The sad history of mankind shows that he has mismanaged his power, bringing about disease, war, and famine.