Responding to the Enemy

Ezra 4:1-5 

The Adversaries: Samaritans 

1. King David --> Solomon --> Rehoboam --> 2 Separate Countries 

2. Judah & Benjamin & Other 10 tribes form Northern Kingdom (Capital - Samaria) 

3. Northern Kingdom deported by Assyrians and replaced by other Mesopatmia exiles

4. Exiles marry remaining Isralites in Northern Kingdom regions to form Samaritans.  

5. 2 Kings 17:24-41 

6. They only acknowledge the first 5 books of the Old Testament 

The Adversaries method of Attack: 

A form of Religious Pluralism 

"We are basically all the same!"  

"All roads will lead to God!"  

The Appropriate Response to the Adversary: 

"There is a difference in our God and yours!"

"We will do what our King commands us!"  

What does our King Jesus say today?

John 14:6 

Acts 4:11-12 

Application # 1: Mormon teaching is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Mormon: "Jesus is the grace I needed to get started. I must take it from here to one day be like him!"  

The Bible says: "Jesus is all the grace I need for everything! Jesus is Lord of all!"  

- Ephesians 2:5-10 / Colossians 1:15-18 

Application # 2: Catholic teaching is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ 

The Catholic: "I need Jesus, the church, the preists, the saints, and the sacraments in order to achieve salvation."  

The Bible says: "I just need Jesus!"  

- Romans 3:21-26 / 1 Timothy 2:5   

Application # 3: "Add on Jesus" is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ 

The "Country Music" Christian: "I believe in the grace of Jesus! My faith influences my music."  

"So God made a girl, his best work of art, Oh, but he didn't make no place to go when she breaks your heart. So man made a bar." 

The Bible Says:  

- Mark 10:21 / Matthew 11:28-30

The Appropriate Response 

1. Step 1: They need the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16 & 17)

2. Step 2: They need a messenger of the Gospel (Romans 10:14 & 17) 

3. Step 3:  We need to follow Jesus by engaging the lost (John 4:4-10 & John 12:24-26)