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I recently read an interesting story that shows the true, amazing ingenuity of people. In California, it is common to see bears and, in some places, they have become a nuisance searching for food in relatively inhabited areas. Bears are often seen going through residential trashcans, going into homes and raiding the refrigerator (that’s why you lock your doors) and even taking dips in backyard swimming pools. While all that sounds cute, they also can cause serious damage. They scratch cars, break into cars looking for food and causing great amounts of damage. For example, recently a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes were damaged with costs exceeding $142,000. The cars were broken into, and the seats were torn and destroyed. The insurance company paid out the claims, but something did not seem just right. The California Insurance Department began looking into the claims. When the people
submitted their claims, they handed over video proof of their claim. Their video showed the bear inside the car and doing the damage. However, when the California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist reviewed the footage, he concluded it was “clearly a human in a bear suit.” Yes, you got it, these three people used a bear costume with knives for claws to do damage to their own cars for the insurance payout.

As I read this story, I thought why would they try and deceive the insurance company? Was it just to get the money? They still had damage to their cars. Was it worth it? I guess to the two men and one woman, it was. Many times, I see or hear of people that do things often for their own benefit, yet to the damage of many. Unfortunately, they don’t care about others, they look at only their benefit even if it comes at great costs to others.

This idea is not new. Virtually all the way through the New Testament we see warnings. These warnings are about false teachers. Even Jesus warned about them in Matthew 7:15-20. Why is the New Testament so loud about false teachers? Because they were there. As I see all these warnings, it makes me wonder-could this still an issue in the church today? The answer to the question is most definitely. As I look around, I see examples of “TV preachers” telling people that if they just send money, God will bless it many times over. We have all heard how many of these preachers have no problem justifying their own greed. But there are also false teachers who want to either intentionally or unintentionally for one reason, power.

I am writing this article today because I see it becoming increasingly prevalent and it can and does affect the church. The internet has made this false teaching spread like wildfire, but it also allows us to be alert for these false teachers as well. I have begun to make it a “hobby” of mine to watch YouTube and see some of these false teachers. So many times, they seem to be doing the “Lord’s work.” The words sound so close to the Bible it is hard to even notice it sometimes. I heard one the other day that alluded to “I have not lied in 11 years.” I think he just did! I have heard the old heresy come up that Jesus was not fully God when he walked the earth. That is a heresy that has been around for more than a century, it even has a name--kenosis. Theologically, the Bible teaches that Jesus walked on the earth as fully human but also fully God. It sounds so close that if we are not careful, it begins to sound correct.

So why am I writing this newsletter with this as my topic. The answer is, as your pastor I have a responsibility to watch out for things that might lead us astray. As I see the warnings repeatedly, I need to watch and be on my toes. Even with college and seminary degrees, we can always learn more and be challenged even more. If the Bible warns us about false teachers as much as it does, we must really pay attention. 2 Peter 2:1-3 says,

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Other passages include:
* Romans 16:17-18 - warns of those who cause division in the church
* 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 - deceitful teachers in disguise
* 2 Timothy 4:3-4 - only hearing what suits themselves
* Galatians 1:6-9 - distorting the gospel
* 2 John 7-11 - one who does not abide Christ's teaching
* 2 Peter 3:16-17 - twisting scripture
* 1 Timothy 4:1-3 - following deceitful spirits and liars
* Jude 3-4 - those who pervert the peace of God
* Colossians 2:8 - warns against being captive to worldly philosophy
* 1 John 4:1 - test to see what is from God
* Acts 20:28-31 - men speaking twisted things
* 2 Timothy 3:1-9 - those who have the appearance of godliness but deny God's power

So, while we read about people trying to defraud an insurance company in a bear suit, don’t let a false teacher deceive you in a sheep suit.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7:15).

In Christ,
Brother Alan

I came across a quote the other day that made me laugh at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it started preaching to me. Donald Rumsfeld once said there are “known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns.” Now, he wasn’t talking about church life but honestly, he could’ve been.

Because if we’re being real, that’s pretty much how following Jesus feels most days.

We’ve got our known knowns: the things we can plant our feet on. God is good. Jesus saves. His grace is enough. These aren’t guesses; they’re the anchors that hold us steady when life starts rocking like a boat on Lake Limestone on a windy day.

Then we’ve got the known unknowns: the stuff we know we don’t know. We don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring. We don’t know how God’s going to answer every prayer. We don’t know why some seasons feel like smooth sailing and others feel like we’re paddling upstream with one oar. Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 12: “We see through a glass darkly.” In other words, I don’t understand it now, but I will one day.

And then there are the unknown unknowns: the surprises. The things we never saw coming. Sometimes they knock us flat. Sometimes they end up being blessings we didn’t even know to ask for. Scripture reminds us in Deuteronomy 29:29, “The secret things belong to the Lord.” God’s working in places we can’t see, arranging things we don’t even know we need yet.

But here’s the part that gives me peace: God isn’t pacing the floor over any of it. He’s not confused. He’s not caught off guard. He’s not scrambling to figure out Plan B. He holds the things we understand, the things we don’t, and the things we don’t even realize we’re missing.

The worship team has been rehearsing new music for you all, like, “The Blood”, “This is Our God”, and some hymns like “How I love Jesus”. The choir will be meeting again shortly to provide joyful worship to our congregation!

And please remember, God meets us right in the middle of the knowns, the unknowns, and everything in between. And who knows… the very thing that feels uncertain today might be the place where God shows His faithfulness in a way you’ll look back on and say, “Only God could’ve done that.”

Much Love Y'all,

Tyler