Seeker Sensitive Movement?

First off,  all churches within the body of Christ should be seeker sensitive, looking to save the lost, bring them into a place to hear the Gospel.  I don’t have an issue with churches using technology, media, music, etc to draw in the lost as long as the Gospel is preached within that body of believers. What I have a problem with is the use of course language that has become prevalent within this “movement”, the “Sermon Series” that doesn’t use much scripture or no scripture, the tawdry appeal to emotions, to the flesh, to build up a congregation numerically, which is yet another way of building up a “Jesus Business” as opposed to going about doing the business of Jesus. All of the shenanigans that go on in these churches do nothing to build up the body of Christ, and in many cases do more harm than good.

  EPH 5 3-4
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” 

Gal: 1: 10 

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. NIV

 There are varying degrees of nonsense going on in the name of Christ these days. Be alert, be aware of the difference between a body of church goers and a body of believers. Stay in the Word, read it daily, stay in prayer and pray for discernment.  It has become way to easy to get fooled these days.

Calvin"ism" : OY VAY WHEN WILL WE LEARN?

There has been a revival of Calvinism of late that is tearing the church apart. All I am going to say is this: If you follow an 'ism' instead of the Bible, make sure that doctrine doesn't create "tension" or contradiction in the Bible. In my experience the only time I have encountered  a contradiction in scripture has been when somebody has been trying to convince me that their "ism" is correct.

Beware the laws of men and those who put their doctrine over the Bible. 

Angry Pastors and Teachers

I have often held the belief that yelling Pastors are often yelling at themselves.

Angry pastors on the other hand are often so bathed in their own self righteousness

they only yell and talk in sneering tones at the flock, never at themselves. 

I hear them on the radio, demeaning people, tearing people apart, asking questions like

“How do you know that you are saved”, in their derisive tone.

 For the most part their messages follow their “ism”, not the Bible. They are people who believe they have all the answers and ANY disagreement on ANY point means you are an apostate. They major in the minors and sow discord within the church pushing their “ologies” and “ism”.

I thank God that there are stations that stand up to these bullies and refuse to air their programs. 

Until the next time, may the LORD bless you and keep you, in Jesus name I pray. 

Merry Christmas

  From David Jeremiah:     

                   All our inheritance was released upon the death of Jesus Christ. Because He died, we have an abundant provision of everything we need. We are heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, and He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:3, 7).

Because of Christmas we have comfort for today, hope for tomorrow, and blessings innumerable for every day. That's why it's truly a Merry Christmas.                            

Beware the Hucksters!

The warning that appears most in the New Testament is the warning against false teachers. The false teacher that concerns me the most these days is the huckster.

The warnings are clear and most times it is good to see multiple translations of a given passage to leave no doubt as to its intended meaning. Here are two translations of 2 Cor 2:17: 

 "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." NIV

"You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us."  NLT

Combined with 1 Tim 6: 3-5 the warning is clear:

"These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

What to look for:   “Confess it to possess it”, “Name it and claim it”, Teaching on a 100 fold return on donations, and extra biblical teaching such as  "New Revelations". These are some of the big things to look for.

The flaws in these teachings are real obvious for the Christian with a minimum of discernment to spot. Unfortunately those who are brought up in an “ology” based on faulty exegesis of scripture or that read things into scripture, (eisegesis) are prone to fall into the trap and not even see it.

Pray for these people, handle with care, point out their error with gentleness and the agape love of GOD.  

Think about it, meditate on it, open your Bible and verify it so that you know what I'm saying is accurate and in context.  

Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.

You Have Received Christ as Savior: Now What?

While I love it when I see people come to a saving relationship with the GOD of the Universe through his son Jesus Christ, but I often ask the question on their behalf, now what?

I was left high and dry after I was saved and looked and searched for a long time for the right church. It took way too long and I drifted aimlessly. In other words I was the true definition of a seeker. 

Here is what David Jeremiah says about what really needs to happen after one becomes a new born again believer:

“New Christians need to be fed "the milk of the Word"--basic biblical truths about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. But that "milk" is for a transitional purpose, just as mother's milk plays a transitional role in human physical development. If a Christian doesn't move beyond basic Bible doctrines into deeper biblical understanding, something is wrong. Spiritual growth only continues when the "milk" of the Word is replaced by the "meat" of the Word.

How would you describe your spiritual diet in terms of how long you have been a Christian? If you are consuming milk too long or meat too soon, your growth will suffer.”

Churches: Please don’t leave your new Christians high and dry, to fend for themselves.

Get them studying, at least have Bible Studies weekly to ensure their growth.

Think about it, pray about, and until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us,

In Jesus name I pray.

Politics: Who Do You Trust?

As the political ads are already saturating the air waves with lies and exaggerations and the “It’s not corruption if it’s my guy” attitudes take hold, it all comes down to who do you trust. Who is truly worthy of our trust? 

If you are a professing Christian, there can only be one answer. I trust in no party, no plan, no political or social dogma, no “ology” or “ism”. The only man I trust is the man with the nail scarred hands, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While it may be our national and some would even say it’s our moral duty to vote, please do so against the measure of biblical truth. Vote for the people who stand on the firmest moral ground.  Hold your nose and perform your civic duty. What we shouldn’t do is get caught up in the debate and get dragged down or dragged into the world, but rather we should always, as much as is humanly possible, stayed focused on Jesus.

Think about it, pray about it.

Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.