False Pastors: The Message of Sly Beguilers
“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,” 2 Peter 2:1-3
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3
It has been wisely stated that “Wolves entertain goats. True disciples feed sheep.”
Beguilers want people to like them so they tell those people what they want to hear instead of the LORD’s truth. That’s what they are about – self. They are serving self instead of being a messenger for the Savior. Self-preservation is their agenda which reveals that they have not truly repented. They “mind earthly things” and their “god is their belly.”(Philippians 3:18-19)
“Thy prophets (false) have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered (uncovered, revealed) thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens (light things that are non-essentials) and causes of banishment.” Lamentations 2:14
According to the divinely-inspired message above, when sin is “discovered” or dealt with, men can then see their error and “turn away” from it and be delivered out of their “captivity” (bondage). Yet Jeremiah wrote that the false teachers among God’s people dealt with “false burdens” instead of the sin that was separating the people from the LORD. As an example of one who deals only with “false burdens” instead of what is primarily important to the LORD, take a look at this quote:
“I don’t get deep and theological.” Joel Osteen, New York Times July 18, 2005
JUST WHY DOESN’T OSTEEN “GET DEEP AND THEOLOGICAL”? FIRSTLY, HE DOESN’T KNOW GOD’S WORD VERY WELL AND HAS NO BUSINESS ACTING/POSING AS CHRIST’S LEADER. SECONDLY, TO “GET DEEP AND THEOLOGICAL” WOULD MEAN THAT JOEL OSTEEN WOULD PREACH ON SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, HOLINESS, JUDGMENT TO COME, THE DAILY CROSS, AND THE SOON RETURN OF CHRIST. UNLESS HE REPENTS, OSTEEN WILL NEVER PREACH ON THESE ESSENTIAL DOCTRINES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH BECAUSE THE GOATS HE IS GATHERING WOULD FLEE LIKE DEER FROM A LION.
HERE OSTEEN IS PRETENDING TO BE DOING NEEDY SOULS A FAVOR BY TELLING THEM THAT HE DOESN’T “GET DEEP,” STRAIN ANYONE’S INTELLECT, OR PREACH ANYTHING AT ALL THAT WOULD BRING CONVICTION OF SIN TO THEIR HEARTS. NO, INSTEAD, BECAUSE HE IS SERVING SELFAND NOT THE SAVIOR, OSTEEN IS SAYING THAT HE IS THE FUN GUY, THE CIRCUS LEADER, THE MAN OF THE HOUR WHO IS ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE A WORD OF “ENCOURAGEMENT” TO MAKE EVERYONE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR UNREPENTANT SELVES. HE CATERS TO THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED. ONLY THOSE WHO DESPISE TRUTH MIGRATE TO THIS FALSE MESSAGE. IN FACT, GOD HIMSELF IS TURNING THEM OVER TO “STRONG DELUSION” SO THAT THEY WILL BELIEVE THE LIES, BE DECEIVED, AND ETERNALLY “DAMNED.” (2 THESSALONIANS 2:9-12) THE FACT IS, THAT THERE ARE SO MANY SELF-SERVING, GULLIBLE, BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE DUPES, THAT JOEL OSTEEN HAS BECOME A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE BY TELLING THESE REBELLIOUS MASSES EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR INSTEAD OF TELLING THEM WHAT THE LORD SAYS. AS A WOLF, OSTEEN IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF ISAIAH’S DAY. THE COUNTERFEITS WHO DON’T SEE THIS MAN AS A WOLF ARE ALSO THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE PROPHET ISAIAH’S DAY:
Joel Osteen is said to be worth $40 million dollars and his empire continues to grow as biblical illiteracy soars due to wolves who refuse to get people into God’s Word.
Of Osteen’s statement where he shamelessly and openly admits that he refuses to “get deep”, Cheryl B. writes:
“Not going deep into the BIBLE may land you deep in LAKE OF FIRE!” Cheryl B.
“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law (Word) of the Lord: 10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy NOT unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” Isaiah 30:9-10
Isaiah refused to join the many false leaders of his day in telling the people what their unrepentant sinful hearts wanted to hear. The perfect, unchanging LORD told His servant Isaiah to raise his voice aloud and show the people their sins.
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1
Man’s core problem is nothing other than sin. Sinning against God caused the first man and woman to fall and that problem plagues mankind today. Christ came to solve this problem and yet, He only saves those who truly repent and put their trust in Him and then abide (remain) intimate with Him (John 15:1-6). Those who truly walk with Jesus bear good fruit (John 15:16). All who get saved and then don’t remain in Christ, will perish (Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (hell).” John 15:6
GOD NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL GIVE ANY MAN LICENSE TO PREACH ANYTHING EXCEPT HIS UNCHANGING WORD OF TRUTH. ANY MAN WHO IS LEADING AND NOT STRICTLY PREACHING THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD, IS A REBEL AND A BEGUILER. SUCH A MAN IS LEADING HIS LISTENERS TO ETERNAL DAMNATION WHILE PRETENDING TO BE DOING THAT WHICH IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.
You see, it’s real simple: Leaders who want to be popular want you to like them. They are doing what they do for THEMselves, not Christ. If they were following Christ they would be preaching EXACTLY WHAT Christ and His holy apostles preached directly from His written Word – sin, repentance, holiness, forgiveness, eternal damnation in hell, judgment to come, defilement, the daily cross, etc. If these beguilers can get you to like THEM, then you will give them your money by sending it in or buying their materials, books, etc. and by telling your friends about THEM.
OTHERS FOOLISHLY REASON, “WELL, JOEL OSTEEN IS SUCH A NICE GUY. HOW DARE YOU!” IF YOU THINK THAT JOEL OSTEEN CARES ABOUT YOU, YOU ARE UTTERLY GULLIBLE. EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS OR WRITES SOME BOOK OF LIES, HE’S SMILING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK DUE TO THE HORDES WHO WANT THEIR FLESH FLATTERED INSTEAD OF SEEKING TRUTH. SMILING, BEGUILING JOEL REFUSES TO PREACH THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL AND IF YOU CAN’T TELL THAT THAT IS THE CASE, YOU OBVIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW GOD’S WORD AND THE DOCTRINES OF THE ORIGINAL GOSPEL. – COWER DOWN, COP OUT, OR SHINE HIS LIGHT ON THE DARK WOLVES WHO ARE DEVOURING THE SHEEP JESUS BLED TO SAVE. WHAT SHALL YOU DO?
The people who patronize such obvious false prophets, are mostly to blame. False prophets would not be popular if there were not so many self seeking, selfish, Christ-denying rebels. “Like people, like priests.” (Hosea 4:9)
In the divine authority of our LORD, the apostle Paul commanded Timothy:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judgethe quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (stories).” 2 Timothy 4:1-4
The false teacher today is simply anyone in leadership who does not simply preach God’s pure Word. Yes, it’s that simple! The LORD never has and never will give any leader the license/permission to preach anything except His pure Word. Nothing could be clearer in Holy Scripture (Ezekiel 3:4b; 1 Peter 4:11). Beguilers are known in that they have and are refusing to simply “preach the word” and have turned to “fables” or story telling.
SIMPLY PUT, THE FALSE LEADER IS KNOWN BY HIS CATERING TO WHAT MERE SINFUL MEN WANT INSTEAD OF WHAT GOD SAYS – IN HIS WRITTEN WORD.
WOLVES MAKE IT BIG TODAY BY SIMPLY TELLING THE UNREPENTANT WHAT THEY WISH TO HEAR. ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE GOAT ENTERTAINERS … “ENTERTAIN ME AND I’LL FOLLOW AND FUND YOU …. ALL THE WAY TO ETERNAL HELL. AS LONG AS I CAN HAVE MY ‘BEST LIFE NOW!’”
THERE ARE MANY GULLIBLE DUPES IN THE WORLD WHO REFUSE TO READ THE BIBLE GOD GAVE US AND ARE THEREFORE TAKEN IN BY AND SUPPORT THE MYRIAD OF WOLVES IN THE RELIGIOUS SCENE TODAY.
False teachers today deceitfully feign to be doing people a favor by not speaking about sin even though in God’s Word there are many lists of sins that defile men (Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.). Yet, that’s exactly why Christ came – to save and make men free from the “captivity” of sin (Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 8:30-36; 1 John 3:1-8). According to what God told the prophet Jeremiah, these beguilers are keeping people in bondage (captivity). Those who give ear to wolves like this will remain in bondage to their sins. Their sins aren’t being addressed and therefore they are not being made free from them by Christ and are going to die in sin and go to hell. You see, no one can maintain a relationship with He who is “Holy, holy, holy” while living in sin (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). In fact, the Bible tells us that without personal “holiness … no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) Anyone going to God’s holy Heaven will go there by following Christ in His prescribed way. Listen to the words of our LORD’s apostle John:
“And every man that hath this hope (Christ’s return) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:3-8
The true servant of Christ will love you and will pray for your soul and will feed you truth, never withholding divine truth to make you feel comfortable in your sins and therefore usher your eternal soul into hell.
The LORD places a high premium on truth:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 4
Though they be few, without exception, men who truly serve Jesus Christ, the Truth, are all about the truth.
Isaiah the prophet and servant of the LORD was in union with the LORD and refused to depart from Him and therefore from preaching only His Word. The LORD has and is raising up a small remnant of “pastors according to” His “heart.”
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15
Even though there will be great “controversy” against them, true under-shepherds will never cease to teach the LORD’s people how to discern and mark false teachers and false doctrines:
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24 And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies…” Ezekiel 44:23-24
Essentials of False Leaders | Scam Pastors | Sin: Man’s Core Problem | Voices of Conviction Who Warn of Hell’s Horror | Crossless Counterfeits
LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments for My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (Jn. 5:39; 1 Tim. 4:6, 16; Heb. 5:11-14; 1 Pet. 2:2). Sign up here.
FEEDBACK:
“Joel Osteen was born in Texas and has an estimated net worth of $40 million dollars. A pastor, author, and televangelist, Joel Osteen is the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He took over his father’s role as a pastor and televangelist, despite having very little formal religious training, in 1999. Since then, the Lakewood Church broadcast has grown exponentially and can be seen in 100 different countries. Yes, he IS a celebrity! Babylon is mad about her idols!!!!
‘A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols. Jeremiah 50:38’
GREAT word brother! PREACH it loud and clear! PREACH, WARN AND TEACH MY BROTHER!!!” Stephen Michels
“One thing I’ll say, if you don’t go deep and get there – when the winds start to really blow – you’ll see a lot of spiritual leaders flee the flock – I told my good friend several months ago – just watch this happen – the money preachers probably have houses in another country somewhere – with a bag of money – but God knows who will rise unto Him and who will stay and maybe wish the rocks would fall on them….it’s a sad thing to think about.” Connie R.
“I used to love Joel O’s sermons, I used to think ‘what a deeply spiritual man’……that was before I had any knowledge of the Word! How utterly grateful I am that our Father opened my eyes & taught me from His Word, especially on how to identify false prophets!” Yolandi H.
“Can we blame only him? This is what most people want to hear. The majority of people don’t want to hear the truth. They select these so-called preachers to make them feel good. There’s no conviction, no repentance. Even here on Facebook I notice that when we post the truth (Word of God) you don’t get a lot of likes and comments. But when we post stuff like ‘God is gonna give me my stuff’ and stuff that get your emotions worked up you get 50 likes.” Nicole F.
“A man that bats his eyes and smiles too much….I raise an eyebrow to….(con artist).” Micki F.
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Apostasy
“Avoid Foolish Questions” [podcast]
What Does Christ’s Great Commission Call Us to do?
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12
The dire need of the salvation of eternal souls necessitates that we walk in God’s wisdom in these final of days before our LORD’s return.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:2-6
Paul on Mars Hill
Did Paul believe he had to answer every question? Did he entertain questions?
“The hill is historically significant as a site of philosophical debate and as the location where the Apostle Paul delivered a sermon to the Athenians, as recorded in the New Testament.”
On Mars Hill Paul didn’t seem to affront his audience as much as he sought to reveal who the known God is as they had built an altar “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” (Acts 17:23) Paul sought to turn them to the one true God, to inform them of who He is – The One who sent His only begotten Son to be crucified and raised again for their justification, calling them to repentance.
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
Romans 1 informs us that God’s wrath abides upon all who hold or suppress the truth in unrighteousness …. and that the Gospel of Jesus is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16-20)
Ascertaining by Scripture what the LORD sent us to accomplish
What did Jesus send us, His people, to do?
“What a tragedy to spend precious time on these things (foolish questions) while a world is perishing!” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Preach the word” is the divine command (2 Timothy 4:2).
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
Jesus, the apostles, nor the earliest followers never set up a location where they entertained every question and potshot the heathen could throw at them. No, they were on mission, as Christ’s “ambassadors” to preach and teach the Gospel, the Word of God.
“Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15
“Preach the word….” 2 Timothy 4:2
Notice, no mention of “going and asking people what they believe or setting up a table and answering questions. Sorry to those who balk, such is not the Great Commission.
“Stop the tip toeing around people. Preach the whole counsel of God ‘word. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in them. You are not the Holy Spirit.” Darlene Dusza
We are so far removed from original Gospel learning, adherence, and obedience that this revelation will shock some and even anger others. Yet an honest study of the Holy Scriptures reveals these things plainly.
A.W. Tozer declared:
“We are called to preach the Bible. Not to prove it. The Holy Ghost is all the proof we need.”
I agree with his statement as it plainly aligns with the mission and Gospel action of Christ, His holy apostles, and the earliest followers of Jesus as is recorded on the pages of New Testament Scripture.
Perhaps many a follower of Jesus is hindered in his ministering by thinking he’s not qualified since he sees so many modern day question answerers…. Yet is anyone getting saved? No. Those who are answering the questions of our day thrown at them and recorded, are not preaching the Word of God. At best they may sneak something from the Bible or mention the Bible but they are not preaching the Gospel under the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus mandated (Acts 1:4-8, etc.).
One disciples declared:
“It is incumbent on us to lead them to His Word (to give them HIS Word). The Holy Spirit will bring them to the Cross!”
“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18
Satan’s work is to ensnare, to entangle Christ’s messengers in “foolish questions” in order to distract and divert them from planting the seed of the Word of God from which salvation springs.
Satan is always the one behind the diversions, the tactics to block sinners from salvation… to create the noise pollution in an attempt to stop them from getting saved and therefore being translated out of his kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14). Do we remember how….
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 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?” Acts 13:8-10
Gentlemen, you don’t owe everyone an answer to their every question. Just obey God by preaching the Word. God gave us all His Word, the Bible. Beware of being misled by the whiners who act like Christians owe them an answer to their every question which emanates from an unbelieving, rebellious heart. They have a Bible but have refused to repent truly. When someone repents, they begin to devour the WORD for themselves and don’t whine about not understanding all the answers to life (2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2-4).
Are we not told to “avoid foolish questions”? And questioning the Creator while drowning, living in His creation seems to be one of the reasons for the many “foolish questions” we see being entertained today.
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
We should be armed with the knowledge, ahead of time, that there are many who throw out “foolish questions” to entangle and divert Christ’s disciples, to derail them from preaching the Word as God commands (2 Timothy 4:2).
“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” 2 Timothy 2:23
Examples of “foolish questions” people use to divert from the truth that they are sinners in need of the Savior:
- “What about the people who have never heard the Bible, the Gospel preached to them?”
- “What about all the hypocrites who claim to be Christians?”
- “But the Bible has been translated over and over and so it’s not accurate.” –
- “What about the lost books of the Bible?” –
- QUESTION: “Where did Adam and Eve’s son’s wives come from?”
POSSIBLE ANSWER: “We can understand the discomfort this interpretation might cause. Incest taboos are deeply ingrained in human societies for both biological and social reasons. But in the context of the first human family, such unions would have been necessary and not yet forbidden.” ChristianPure.com
The priority command of Christ via His Great Commission mandate, is for His people to go preach the Gospel, to teach the Bible (end of Mark end of Matthew).
Perhaps we can surmise that avoiding “foolish questions” involves navigation, sticking to the most important Bible truth – salvation – upholding, planting the seed of the truth, the Word, keeping the main thing the main thing…
Recently I had a man who is a new ager, spiritual type ask me if it concerned me that babies are being killed by Jews in Palestine….
“Foolish questions” being asked is the diversionary tactic of the enemy of souls. Concerning “foolish questions”, one source notes:
“All four of these practices—pointless debate, arguments over genealogy, quarrels, and debates over the law of Moses—are considered a waste of time. All they accomplish is taking energy and resources away from the ministry Paul had entrusted to Titus.”
Another source notes the following on “foolish questions”:
“Examples of foolish questions include those that are unprofitable, speculative, and serve no purpose beyond generating strife or satisfying curiosity, such as debates on the number of angels on a pinhead, excessive speculation about the antichrist, or questions about biblical prophecies that God has not revealed. The context of Titus 3:9 is a directive from the Apostle Paul to avoid such debates and instead focus on maintaining good works and godly living.”
Don’t be distracted. You are on mission for the LORD. You are there to preach the Word and not win arguments…. to win souls…. Deal meekly and mildly as is possible and deposit the convicting law of the LORD which is able to convert the soul, to make wise the simple, to rejoice the hearts of men, to enlighten their eyes,
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” Psalms 19:7-9
God did not send His only begotten Son nor us to try to talk anyone into the greatest blessing and gift that every has or will exist – all done to save them from the sin that is destroying them and will result in their irrevocable eternal damnation.
God instructs us not to waste our/HIS time:
“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Proverbs 23:9
We are to “be ready” to give a biblical answer and a personal testimony of the saving grace of Christ we’ve personally experienced at the moment and thereafter of being born again.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
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Abiding
The Eternal Danger of Trusting Mere Men [podcast]
Idol Shepherds Abounding!
The LORD is Holy and will not share His glory with any other.
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Your favorite pastor, evangelist or teacher among men is “at his best state … altogether vanity” (Psalms 39:5). God be thanked for the life of every true servant elder and yet they are mere men. God did not send His only begotten Son to die and be buried and raised again to make you a good church member or fan of a mere man who is supposed to be a servant leader. Jesus came to take away our sins, make us new creatures so we could know Him and His Father – and serve them and not man (John 1:29; 17:3; 1 Corinthians 7:23). We are each called to “know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10). Let’s read the whole verse: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
RAVI ZACHARIAS is just another pawn of Satan whom gullible dupes clung to, they hung to his every word. He rarely even mentioned the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith – the holiness of God, the precious blood of Jesus, the crucified life, repentance, etc.. Why did they cling to him, a mere man? They were unrepentant and therefore weren’t choosing to truly worship, seek the face of, love and obey Christ. The vacuum left by their idolatry facilitated their delusion. Then Ravi died in sin. When you love the LORD, truly, you love and devour HIS Word, daily. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. 5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. 6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. 7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? MY HOPE IS IN THEE.” Psalms 39:4-7
When O When will we truly repent and genuinely follow JESUS, pouring over and hanging on HIS every Word – from Genesis to Revelation? Isn’t that why He gave us HIS Word, the Bible? (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 20:31
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5
The ministries of mere men are not an end in themselves.
They are called to simply teach God’s Word itself – and to get you into God’s Word daily for yourself.
Notice how the apostle Paul reveals how the disciples at Thessalonica “received the word of God.”
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when YE RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
“Ye received the word of God – Ye received the doctrine of God, not as any thing fabricated by man, but as coming immediately from God himself, we being only his messengers to declare what he had previously revealed to us. And ye have had the fullest proof that ye have not believed in vain; for that doctrine, under the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, has worked most powerfully in you, filling you with light, life, and holiness.” Adam Clarke
They were “taught of God”, not men (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
The ministries of the servants of God are merely designed to get you to discern ….. and to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF – to study to show your own self approved unto God! (Acts 17:10-11)
” And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:10-11
“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13
YOU do it.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
The lazy, those who don’t truly love the LORD are being eliminated as goats. This all comes on the heels of their refusal to seek God…. and study His own Word.
No, instead the idolaters of mere men will read and listen to endless messages by mere men, their favorite preachers, mere men. They then bond with those mere men, there is an unnatural soul-tie created.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“Isaiah 2:19-22 People will seek for shelter wherever they can hide. It will be clear then that fleeting man is unworthy of trust. Only the Lord is worthy of the undivided confidence of His people.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Cease ye – Never admire or place your trust in man. Breath – Whose breath is quickly stopped and taken away. Wherein – What excellency is in him, considered in himself, and without dependence on God?” John Wesley
“Cease ye from man – Trust neither in him, nor in the gods that he has invented. Neither he, nor they, can either save or destroy.” Adam Clarke
The church world is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing. The list of “idol shepherd(s)“ is long…. Here is but a sampling:
See all shorts videos here on ministry youtube channel.
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Abiding
“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith and He requires our personal participation both initially and ongoing, as we “endure to the end”, abiding in Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; John 15, etc.).
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
WHERE O WHERE are we going to go if we depart from Jesus? …. does He, the eternal God and Creator of all things not hold the future of every living soul in His holy hand?
FB Meyer on John 6:60-71
“THE SIFTING OF JESUS’ FOLLOWERS
Christ’s pathetic question-Will ye also go away?-elicited from Peter a reply which proved that the inner meaning of His words had already broken upon their souls. ‘Thy words give us and nourish within us the eternal life.'”
“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?” John 6:66-67
There are many today, who like the 5,000 who departed from Christ, leave when they hear the cross message – the divine command to be crucified with Christ. Jesus asks us today: “Will you allow He who authored your faith to finish it?”
“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness”? Romans 6:1-16
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:3-10
The Gospel, the Resurrection of Christ
1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
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