TO BE LED by PM 297 July 2003

You may me led in different directions. One may be led into the truth, or a false teacher may lead you astray. If you have been led into the truth, certain responsibilities fall on your part. Paul was a very zealous person; however, he was lost. Jesus Christ led him into truth as Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus. Paul was on his way to Damascus to do harm to Christians and the Church. This was prior to his name being changed from Saul to Paul. Jesus blinded Saul to show him that he was blind to truth. Saul didn't believe that Messiah had appeared. Many today who have been led astray are going to believe Messiah has returned, when in fact it will be antichrist. Let's begin our study in the Book of Acts. Acts 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Paul was a chosen vessel. After his conversion, he would go on to write most of the New Testament. God will lead his chosen by the hand. If that doesn't get your attention, He will drag you by your feet. God will move His elect where He needs them to be. Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. V10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord." Ananias was a willing servant of the Lord. Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, Paul had a lot to pray about. He had been led astray from serving God. I'm certain he was praying for direction. Acts 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight." v13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem: Saul had been very zealous in his persecution of the Church. Ananias is questioning his assignment just a little bit. It is alright to question God and ask for a sign, as Gidion for example, but don't ever argue with Him. Acts 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name." v 15 But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy

way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Here we see Paul's commission. He was sent to the gentiles, the ethnos and Israel. He always taught on three levels and so should we. God placed Paul exactly where He needed him. Father is in control. Let's continue our study in Chapter 13. We are going to take a look at someone who was leading people astray. Acts 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. John is John Mark (Acts 12:12). Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: This is a bad one. He even called himself the son of Jesus which is the meaning of "Bar-jesus". Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. Sergius Paulus had his hand out to be led to truth. The problem is he had a false prophet who was probably more interested in Sergius's money that teaching truth. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. V9 Then Saul, (who is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, The false prophet didn't want Sergius to hear truth. Things were just fine the way they were before. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul is about to "smoke" this demon. Acts 13:10 And said, "O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? Paul put this false prophet in his place with truth. Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

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This false prophet was already spiritually blind. Now he was physically blind as well. His spiritual blindness was becoming a stumbling block to others seeking truth. Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. The deputy had been led astray by the false prophet. Then he saw the power of the Holy Spirit, and he was led to the truth. Make certain you are being led by the Holy Spirit. Let's continue our study in Ezekiel. There are prophets and even priests who will lead you by the hand, but they will lead you astray. Once you have been led astray, it becomes likely you will lead others astray. The penalty is severe. Do your homework before you teach. Ezekiel 14:1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. V2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, I want you to realize God demands a certain amount of responsibility from those who know the truth. Ezekiel 14:3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? In Chapter 13 we learn about those who falsely teach the rapture escape doctrine. It isn't biblical, and they can forget about God answering their inquiries. Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, "Thus saith the Lord GOD; `Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; This is one answer they won't want to hear. They will receive everything they have coming to them, and it isn't good. Ezekiel 14:5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from Me through their idols.' ` Their false doctrines have separated them from God. They listen to the traditions of men. Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: `Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. This includes the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (Mark 13:14), which is to say antichrist standing in Jerusalem claiming to be Jesus. Ezekiel 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourned in Israel, which separateth himself from

Me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning Me; I the LORD will answer him by Myself: Again, this is one answer they won't want to hear. Stick with God's Word. His Word is truth. Ezekiel 14:8 And I will set My face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of My people, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. There are many plans of salvation. The Lord only has one. Stick with His plan, His truth, and His Word. Turn with me to Chapter 33. We are going to learn more about our responsibilities in regards to His truth.

Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. What is a watchman's responsibility? Hear the word of the Lord, and warn His children. Ezekiel 33:8 When I say unto the wicked, `O wicked man, thou shalt surely die,' if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. This is a lot of responsibility. You are up to it. When someone asks you a biblical question, you are responsible for answering the question from God's Word to the best of your ability. Be gentle, and protect your credibility. You have the opportunity to lead someone to truth. After you plant a seed, your responsibility ends. It is up to God as to whether that seed germinates and grows. Ezekiel 33:9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. God holds us accountable for planting seeds. He doesn't hold us accountable for what someone does with the truth that you have shared. In conclusion, let's go to the Book of Ephesians. Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: v14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Don't listen to "junk". Listen to God's Word. There are many looking for a new religion. Satan and many cunning men will be happy to deceive you with a lie. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ: v16 From Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Each of you plays an important role in this ministry. One part of the body is as important as the other. We aren't tossed to and fro. We stick with the Word. We are mature enough to be doing the leading rather than being led. When we are led, it is only of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, v18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: We are not to cast pearls before swine (Matt 7:6). Utilize discernment. You must be able to recognize a hand reached out to you that needs correcting from a hand reached out to you in search of truth. Knowledge of God's Word increases your spiritual discernment. In His Service Arnold Murray