“Looking unto Jesus” or Horoscopes?
QUESTION ASKED:
“So I have a question for you. Do you think the wise men were sinning and should be damned for following the wandering star in the sky that led them to Jesus and the barn in the first place? (Matthew) Or that God was wrong for placing stars in the sky to be used for signs and for seasons, days, years? (Genesis) If it’s so wrong for us to learn from the stars, why did he make and name all of them? (Psalms)
Sorry, but don’t go off the bible. It contradicts itself.”
REPLY:
Observing and appreciating the LORD’s creation is one thing, looking to those mere elements for wisdom and direction in life, instead of He who made them, is sin. The wise men being directed by the stars to the correct location in no way means our lives on earth are to be relegated to or following the movement of the stars in the heavens. When God used His stars to guide the wisemen, that was for His special purpose. Do we ever see anything else like that in the Bible? Holy Scripture tells us that there must be “two or three witnesses” to establish something (Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
A star is an inanimate object. It’s a dumb rock. No breath, no eyes, no ears, etc..
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:” Amos 5:4
If you like to show me where the Bible contradicts itself, share freely. Your not being able to decipher and collate things in the Bible with the whole of Scripture in no way means the Bible itself is contradictory. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). You will be one of many who’ve made that false assertion with no proof due to your own unbelief and misunderstanding. First off, you must be born again to know the LORD, the Author of the Bible and until you do, you cannot possibly understand His Word.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
Anything one puts before Christ/His Word is idolatry.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:3-5
Jesus told us exactly who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”
Those “of God” look to God via His Word for their direction, not His creation, the stars.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Anyone who is known of God lives by God’s Word and therefore will have nothing to do with this cheap substitute. Those who seek wisdom or direction outside of Christ and the Word, are full blown lost souls.
They have denied Christ His right place in their lives of which only He is worthy.
They are of the world, the devil.
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
The scope of your life is not determined by the stars but rather by the One who made and put those stars where they are. There is no hope in horror scopes.
The SCOPE of your future is HORROR if you are seeking direction, affirmation, or guidance in anyone or anything except Christ.
Horoscopes are for those who do not know the LORD.
“Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2
The Bible foretold of this hour of great apostasy as the return of our LORD draws nigh. Specifically speaking of those who claim to be Christ’s, the Word tells us that many of these professors would deny the power of their Creator to guide them, fill them, and be their all sufficiency. This is the damnable sin of unbelief (Revelation 21:8).
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5
If this message, namely God’s Word, convinces you that you are not following Christ according to His Word, then God is calling you to come to full repentance, laying down your life before it’s too late …..
Some claiming to be Christians falsely profess to be of Christ. This is clear by many things in their lives, including that they get up in the morning and read the newspaper, read their horoscope, read magazines done by vile heathen, read corrupt fad books, romances, etc., and have no time for Jesus’ Word.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16
They want Jesus only insomuch as they vainly believe He is going to save them from Hell but they do not want a real relationship with Him.
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:19-29
Anyone claiming to be saved and going to God’s holy Heaven who is “lukewarm” or does not have Christ as their personal “FIRST love,” is deceived and will be kindling for the fires of eternal damnation (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
Are you on this list?
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
All true disciples of Christ look to Him and no other. They have “no other gods before” Him.
“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 12:2
The heart affections of every true, ready-to-meet-Jesus disciple is set upon the LORD and Savior. He is their supreme “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).
“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
Idolatry and spiritual adultery is forbidden by our God and Maker. To commit the sin of spiritual adultery means to alienate the affection of our hearts to someone else beside the LORD Himself.
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2
Monitoring the “signs of heaven” is the occupation of the “heathen” not Christ’s saints.
Romans 1 says “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:19-32 KJB).
To take the focus off of the LORD Almighty, Jesus Christ, is to commit the soul-damning sin of idolatry (v25). Also, to “have pleasure in them” who do such is also equally sinful (v32). To bid god speed or participate in sin is to be guilty of that same sin in the eyes of the one true, holy God and Judge (2 John 10-11).
Worshiping the creature or creation more than the Creator is a sin. It’s the sin of apostate hearts or people who have departed from the LORD.
God determines personality, not mere elements He created, or the time in His great universe in which HE chose to bring us into HIS world. Read Romans 1. Looking to the time and place and alignment of mere parts of creation to determine our own character and personality etc. is idolatry …. it looks to the creation instead of the Creator. Our personalities are to be “conformed to the image of his Son,” the very reason for which we have been predestined (Romans 8:29). We are to be servants as Jesus showed us (Matthew 20:24-28; John 13; Philippians 2, etc.).
His blessed Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Do we see Jesus or His holy apostles looking to the stars or zodiac etc.? Nor do they instruct us to do so. We are to look to “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which the LORD tells us is more authoritative than even His audible voice speaking from Heaven (2 Peter 1:12-21).
That was certainly primarily for them, not us. We now have the divine Person of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We are His temples and led of Him and “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). I just don’t see following or looking to any part of creation as ordained for us who are now indwelled by the Holy Ghost and have the written Word.
The earliest believers didn’t look to mere elements of creation but rather to their Creator who had come and bled to save them, ascended back to His Father, and then sent the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to live inside of each of His saints. They “continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine” which is the written Word of God (Acts 2:42).
There are so many counterfeit, like flavors at an ice cream shop. Satan has his poison packaged in every flavor and it’s all pure, unadulterated spiritual adultery and rebellion. Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, etc..
Former new ager, Ivanca Olanu writes:
“THERE IS SO MUCH DANGER IN THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT MY ADVICE TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IS TO STAY OUT OF IT! STAY OUT OF IT, I EXPLORED IN IT AND GOT MYSELF IN A LOT OF TROUBLE! Stay out of it, there’s nothing there except delusive abstract concepts that will get you NOWHERE. Come to JESUS CHRIST WHO IS ALIVE and WELL and He will show you what life really is all about!”
Satan’s counterfeits include: Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, all false religion, etc..
Horrible scopes are pure idolatry. When a person is not putting God first they will search everywhere else for “direction” and the witchcraft of divining the future. This is forbidden by God and will bring curses into a person’s life that only Jesus Christ can break if they repent and place their whole trust in Him (Deuteronomy 1; Isaiah 47).
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
The Bible says that if we lack wisdom we are to ask of God, not seek out answers ANYwhere else. If we do, we are alienating the affections of our heart in worship to false gods, and the devil (evil spirits) will then come into our lives (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).
“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17
Seeking answers, information about your future, etc., from any other source but your Maker, is unadulterated rebellion and idolatry. This is spiritual adultery – where one alienates the affections of his heart to another god, one other than the one true God. The Bible says this is whoredom, including occultic, pagan venues such as tarot cards, Ouija boards, horoscopes or divining of any type.
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22
THOSE who look to their horoscope deny Christ the right to reign in their lives. Looking to a horoscope instead of our Maker is witchcraft – seeking to divine the future without our Creator. That’s pure rebellion. THE LORD WHO MADE US wants us to read His Word daily and when we do, we will cease looking elsewhere for answers (like horoscopes, psychology, or mere men). God has commanded us to trust Him in all things by faith to lead us and not to try to figure out the future (Matthew 6:33-34). “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). The very first commandment is “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Looking elsewhere is idolatry and spiritual adultery. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).
Repenting means turning from your own way and any other way and to the LORD your God and Judge, placing your full faith in the Son of God for the remission of your sins.
One sister writes:
“HOROSCOPES, ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, SCIENTOLOGY, TAROT CARDS, PALM READING, CRYSTAL BALL, ANY PROPHETIC UTTERANCE WITHOUT SUPPORTING THE WORD OF GOD IS WITCHCRAFT! Keep that in mind!”
If a person reads their horrible-scope and eagerly opens and read their fortune cookies and doesn’t read God’s Word daily, where is he/she spiritually? “He that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47).
Those who truly know and love the LORD Jesus Christ look to Him for their full sufficiency in righteousness, wisdom, grace, love, and truth!
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Articles
“Evolution is a Fairy Tale for Grownups” … “The Greatest Hoax Ever
Clear proof that the devil can only make a monkey out of fools who deny the existence of their own Maker. – SIMPLE QUESTION: IF MAN CAME FROM MONKEYS, WHY ARE THERE STILL MONKEYS?
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” Psalms 14:1
Is it possible to have a painting and not a painter?
Got proof?
Did the painting paint itself?
Is it scientific, is it honest to acknowledge a creation and deny there’s a Creator?
Got proof?
Can something come out of nothing? Where did the evolutionary primordial soup come from that what we see now somehow came out of? WHO created that soup? Does the first law of science not acknowledge that “something cannot come out of nothing”?
By definition, science is defined as the study of what already exists. Otherwise there would be no science, nothing to study, right? What would you say of a person who while claiming to be scientific, simultaneously denies there’s anything to study? Are we studying something that doesn’t exist? If we are studying, that means we exist, right? If we are examining, studying something, that means that that something already exists, correct? Where did it come from?
Those who deny there’s a Creator, are simply being moral cowards who want to deny the need to obey the Judge of their eternal souls before whom we shall all stand before to give full account of every intent of the heart and action.
Robert Beriault notes:
“They have disproved evolution many years ago, by mapping our genome. It proved that humans were always humans and monkeys were always monkeys. And through God‘s fingerprints in the Fibonacci sequence. The question is why are they still teaching it to our kids? The beast system as its best.”
Charles Darwin was a satanist – The theory of evolution is mere baseless theory, mythology, a fairytale for grown ups who refuse to take personal responsibility for their lives before a holy God.
“To suppose that the eye… could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest possible. degree.” Charles Darwin, 1872
THERE’S NOTHING SCIENTIFIC ABOUT EVOLUTION. Undisputably, it’s a proofless myth, a lie, a fraud.
If mankind evolved from apes, why are there still apes? Where O where is the intermediary species? Where’s the proof? There is not 1 iota of evidence of such the whole world over.
Is mankind the evolution of apes?
IF HUMANS CAME FROM APES, WHY ARE THERE STILL APES? WHERE IS THE INTERMEDIARY SPECIES?
Apes are beasts, animals. They can’t laugh, cry, or reason. God made only MANKIND in His own image (Genesis 1). Satan is the author of this erroneous doctrine of evolution. He’s the one who want children, people to believe they are just animals, so they act like such. He’s the liar and the father of all lies who has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 8:44; 10:10), Those who don’t walk in the truth of God, given all men in Holy Scripture, will be “destroyed”, the pawns of the evil one who “walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” (Hosea 4:6; 1 Peter 5:8)
God made each species of HIS creation to PRODUCE AFTER IT’S OWN KIND and so that dispels the myth, the rank heresy of evolution (Genesis 1). Adaption can be observed but not evolution. Species simply do not become something other than what they were made to be, what they are coded to be. There is no proof the world over for such a myth as the evolution of species. A term makes nothing true, especially in this case where there is no proof. Adding “millions of years” to a mere theory doesn’t change that such a theory is mythology, not truth. Think about it: If you went home today and emptied out your gargage, and waited a year to see if something would magically appear in that garage, would it happen? No. What if you waited 10 years? How about a thousand, a million years? Would time itself cause something, anything to somehow appear in your garage? No.
Fact: There’s not 1 stitch, not 1 iota of evidence of evolution in every museum in the world. It’s been called a “fairy tale for grown ups.”
Adaptation is part of CREATION. It merely speaks to a loving God who made men and even animals to adapt to their environment on HIS earth where He created and placed them (Psalms 8). There is no museum in the entire world that has a stitch of proof of evolution. “The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no God.” (Psalms 14:1)
“Evolution is a fairy tale for grownups.” Dr. Louis Bounoure, Director of the Zoological Museum and Director of Research at the National Center of Scientific Research in France, J. Rostand, “LaMonde et la Vie,” October 1963, p. 31 from V. Long, “Evolution: A Fairy Tale for Adults,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Vol 78 (1978), no. 7, pp. 27-32
“Scientists who go about teaching that evolution is a fact of life are great con-men, and the story they are telling may be the greatest hoax ever. In explaining evolution we do not have one iota of fact.” Dr. T. N. Tahmisian, Physiologist, Atomic Energy Commission. As quoted in: Evolution and the Emperor’s New Clothes, 3D Enterprises Limited, 1983, title page
Primordial Pudding and the Pawns who Promote it. | Evolution/Atheism Debunked category
Making Peace with God – Before it’s too late
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Articles
Mexico Mission Update Part 28
SATURDAY
ONLY GOD can do stuff like this!
SMH for His goodness.
After asking Luis (pictured below) where a certain food item was, he showed me and a lengthy conversation ensued. Luis was asking me questions about the USA after he found out that is where I originally from. At some point in the conversation, Luis said “make another statement in Spanish.” I guess he was seeking to measure how much Spanish I had learned. This caught me off guard yet I said “Jesus Christ reigns” in Spanish. AS SOON as I began saying those words, a dear man and his wife (Manuel) were turning the corner into that isle and so as I spoke those words I looked Manuel (whom I’d never before laid eyes on) straight into his face in order not to waste or limit who God’s Word was being spoken to. Manuel immediately lit up and rejoiced to hear God’s Word because he and his lovely wife are on-fire disciples of Jesus! Manuel then began ministering to beloved Luis who is not yet saved. The timing and arrangement of this event was nothing less than a divine miracle. We were all quite stunned at how this unfolded. Everyone exchanged contact info and Luis is going to continue to minister to and lead Luis to Jesus.
JESUS CHRIST IS MINISTERING TO AND SAVING SOULS!!!!
RECENTLY: Another 1,500 more JESUS tracts in Spanish picked up from the printer.
LAST NIGHT: Just got back in. Was able to pass out dozens upon dozens of JESUS tracts and speak God’s Word to each person…. ran out of tracts and loving it. Home restocking the pouch now.
The amazing people of Mexico are receiving the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Your prayers coveted.
The only spirit I have ever been in with ministering to Mexican people is “compassion.” Jude 22-23
The amazing people of Mexico are receiving the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). Your prayers coveted.
LAST NIGHT: AFTER sending out the weekly Bible teaching tonight, a young man named Julio here in Mexico replied with this:
“I want to learn the word of God, thank you for sharing the word of God with me.” Julio
He’s not yet saved (that I know of) and he’s reading the Word he’s being sent and now has the 4 ministry books in Spanish, including the Born Again book and the JESUS tract, etc.
Thank you for praying for our brother in Christ, Justin.
“About two weeks ago I would wake up spontaneously praising and thanking God. Normally, I am too groggy. But it just happened so naturally. It blesses my day and I give thanks for the challenges. Love you too bother.” Justin
When Alfredo (above) was given a JESUS tract and had God’s Word spoken to him, he was on the phone. He hung up and came and grabbed me as I was walking away. We spent ample time together and he was excited that you would be lifting him in prayer. He was very open and honest and asked me how he would be able to stop drinking many beers daily. In return I preached Jesus to him and that when he repents and receives Jesus, he is going to be forgiven of his sins and born again, a new creature in Christ and that all old things will pass away. He was instructed to repent and receive Jesus as I pointed to the prayer on the back of the JESUS tract (oracion). He was also shown the Reina Valera Bible 1960 to download onto his phone. He has my number and as soon as he texts me back he will be sent the Born Again book in Spanish and receive biblical ministry. Thank you for lifting this dear man in prayer. The honesty of the people of Mexico is so very refreshing!
God loves the Mexican people. Jesus died for them.
Thank you for pausing to pray for the people of Mexico.
Here’s beloved Martha who recently received ministry – as a direct result of your prayer and support.
Spanish
Is your life fruitful for Christ?
Or is it being wasted? John 15
Bibles and ministry books going out weekly across the nation. Lives being changed. Prayers coveted.
Now supporting a missionary in the Philippines….. Jesus tract in Tagolog etc.
You’re working to pay bills but are you fruitful for Jesus? John 15
Below are message from 2 men here in Mexico who have been ministered to and are continuing to receive God’s Word weekly:
“I am interested in knowing God and reading the Bible.” Julio
“Hi Todd. Greetings. Thanks for the Bible messages.” Carlos
IF you want to have a ‘field day’ adventure of evangelising lost souls, 90% of which are just waiting to be told about Jesus….. perhaps you may wish to pray and ask God if He’d have you move south to Mexico. A blessing. Psalms 37:23, right?
God be praised for your prayers and support. HE is doing a work in the hearts of the people of Mexico.
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Articles
The Purpose of Elders in Christ’s Body [podcast]
There is no more important work transpiring in the earth today than the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.).
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
In short, the authentic under-shepherd ordained of Jesus Himself (John 15:16), will give up his life in this fleeting world for the sheep of Christ – just as the Great Shepherd of the sheep did on the cross. Such a divinely called-out man, will teach only God’s pure Word and watch for the souls of the LORD’s people (Hebrews 13:7, 17). He will take up the cross – live the crucified life – and therefore ministry will not be about them but rather about Jesus and His beloved sheep for whom He shed His blood and is soon returning (Philippians 3:17-21).
Also in Hebrews 13 …. The true elder of Christ will, according to Hebrews 13, do two things:
- Speak the pure Word of God to you and get you into it:
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation (their way of life).” Hebrews 13:7
2. Will in the fear of God pray for and “watch for your soul.”
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
In review, just WHAT are the earmark fruits of true under-shepherds as opposed to the many wolves among us?
- True under shepherds relentlessly teach God’s Word – “who have spoken unto you the word of God.” (Hebrews 13:7)
- They are there for you! – “they watch for your souls.” (Hebrews 13:7)
IF they aren’t preaching God’s pure Word to you, fearing God, not you…. and watching for your eternal soul, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Repent and run to Jesus beloved.
Let me add that if they are using a fake “bible” instead of the King James Bible, that should be a clue to the darkness they walk in (Matthew 7:16, 20).
Elders are ordained of God and yet never to take His place nor to negate our own personal responsibility to seek God daily for ourselves. Yet, we do not need a preacher. Why? – because we each have a Bible. Read it. We don’t need a preacher to tell us what the Bible says! Read it for yourself, learning of the LORD yourself. Today is your day to take personal responsibility to seek God for yourself! Stop depending on a preacher or preachers. Devour God’s Word daily. Jesus taught personal responsibility and the essential nature of it when He said “Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 21:34-36) …… Paul instructed Timothy to “Study” the Word (2 Timothy 2:15).
Today we have all around us church-goers who are not possessed with a heart after God, do not diligently study and read and live out Christ’s Word. This lukewarm, world-loving fruit clearly reveals the prophesied priesthood of wolves (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8; Matthew 24:11; Acts 13:22; 2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 4:1, etc.). Until a pastor has provoke you to get into God’s Word for yourself, to seeking His holy face daily in prayer, he has failed. If has has diligently, biblically sought to do these essentials, and people have refused God’s Word, refused to seek His holy face continually, the blood is off of his hands (Ezekiel 3:18-20).
“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18-20
When you check the fruit of a fellowship, check, discern if the individual saints are vibrant in Christ, diligently seeking His holy face, in His Word, living a life of prayer, denying self, taking up the cross daily, and following Jesus. This sounds like what we see of the earliest saints in the book of Acts, right? Boom. Remember how Peter preached and 8,000 were saved and how the Berean believers put Paul’s teaching to the Scriptural test? (Acts 2-4; 17:10-11, etc.).
Sadly, usually you see a bunch of people who are proud to be a member of a church with none of the biblical fruit list above.
The apostle Paul kept a close watch on those he oversaw.
“For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Having a physical “church” building makes no mere man, no supposed elder, an official representative of Heaven. Feeding the sheep of Christ with His pure Word and equipping them “for the work of the ministry” is the mark of a true under-shepherd of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-12, etc.). Discern. Beware. Inspect the fruit. Jesus nor any of His holy apostles collected a penny to build a building called “church.” No, they went to the people – to serve them instead of having the people come to them.
Let’s test that…. How many people do you personally know who are good church members, Sunday morning church attenders, and ALSO true, daily disciples whom God is using everywhere they go? Think about that…. How many true disciples of Jesus do you know who are involved in a Sunday morning church program? If you personally know even one true disciple, that’s a miracle and in spite of his attendance at the Sunday morning circus called “church.”
Unlike Christ’s apostle Paul, most in leadership today foster in their prey a dependence on THEM and their church business instead of prayerfully, biblically exhorting people to depend on Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5).
Like Christ’s apostle Paul, the true elder labors relentlessly to see you grounded in Christ – not in him or his ministry or church, but in CHRIST! Listen closely:
“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.” Colossians 2:6-7
It simply doesn’t matter what else he’s doing, if any minister is not prayerfully, biblically, perpetually rooting and grounding you in Christ, he’s a fraud. Run.
Like Jesus and His holy apostle Paul, part of grounding you ever more deeper in Christ, is warning you to “beware” of the “many false prophets.” (Matthew 24:11)
“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 2:8-10
SO, he’s not exhorting and admonishing you to seek and know the LORD in an ever deepening fashion? He’s not equipping, maturing you “for the work of the ministry” and yet you still consider him one of the LORD’s under-shepherds? He’s not getting YOU into the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) for yourself? That’s a false leader who is entertaining the goats instead of feeding and equipping the saints! Run! (See Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.)
False leaders divert the attention, the heart affections, the resources, and the energy of God’s people away from Christ and simple obedience to His Great Commission mandate. YOU are personally responsible! Waste is rampant! If you support, “bid God speed” (2 John 7-11) to a false leader, false ministry, then you will perish with them!
The divine purpose for elders is not to dominate nor entertain the LORD’s sheep but rather to help their joy in Christ! Get to know this verse saints:
“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
There is the citing of elders in the Word and their divine purpose – to humbly serve God by helping His sheep grow in the knowledge and grace of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 5:1-6).
Christ’s apostle Paul desired the “perfection” (maturity in Christ) of the people of God (Ephesians 4:11-15).
“For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.” 2 Corinthians 13:9
Like Apollos, Elders among God’s people must remain teachable to God’s Word and simply and only teach and preach his word (Proverbs 9:9; Acts 18:26). Elders true to the LORD act on his behalf and never out of a personal agenda for self gain (2 Corinthians 3:5; 4:5, etc.). They live the crucified life (Galatians 2:20).
We are to humble ourselves like Apollos did and learn the way of our God more perfectly from each other, via God’s Word – as Apollos learned it more fully from Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28).
Beloved Apollos was a very effective, anointed communicator of God’s Word and yet, was in need of maturing, of being perfected. So, God sent to him an elder and his wife, Aquila and Priscilla. Apollos humbly received the LORD’s elders and His grace to grow in Christ:
“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Acts 18:24-26
The vast majority of “churches” that meet in “church buildings” are simply and merely conducting “church services” where they entertain their prey. They are not equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and therefore discerned as being counterfeit (Ephesians 4:11-13). If they were, there would be salty disciples in their midst who go forth to minister Christ’s kingdom blessings wherever they go. Not even a trace of this transpiring in the apostate modern church world. Run. Run. Run.
The Purpose of Kingdom Elders:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (equipping, maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12
Philip Lye writes: “Paul says in Ephesians 4, that he gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. He expressly says these people are given to mature the saints, to equip them for their ministry and growth in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24 that many false prophets and messiahs will arise deceiving many. They are simply functions that God has given and not titles which the proud use to strut about like a peacock. Most of these people that I have met (and I have seen a lot of famous ones) are false, proud and arrogant and not servants of the the Lord Jesus Christ. I have seen humble genuine ones who move mightily in truth, calling people to repentance and right relationship with Jesus and a demonstration of genuine miracles and wonders. They are to be genuine servants to God’s people.”
VIEW this following verse from Solomon’s day in light of our calling and work till Christ returns:
“Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.” 2 Chronicles 8:16
Let’s read a larger portion of this important passage in Ephesians 4. God fearing under-shepherds must prayerfully labor for and be intent upon seeing God’s people grow in the grace of Christ to the full stature of maturity He has ordained!
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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: 14 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; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-15
The Error of Using Titles in the Modern Church World
God sovereignly and exclusively ordained MEN to feed, lead, and equip His saints (Ephesians 4:8-11). Women are called to and seen doing many ministry functions in the New Testament but never as a leader in a position specifically designated in Scripture for men.
Repent. The American “church” is a catastrophe of spineless moral-coward Ahabs who’ve allowed, suffered women to lead, and the fall out is incalculable (Revelation 2:20-24).
GOD’s men must never allow women to lead where they (men) are called to lead (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:2; Revelation 2:20-24).
To put yourself under the ministry of a woman who is acting as an elder among God’s people, is to defy Christ, and to agree with Christ’s arch enemy and his Jezebels and to bring severe destruction on the people of God (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:2; Revelation 2:20-24).
JUST because a woman can run her mouth and even genuinely have a gift of the Spirit DOES NOT mean she’s an elder in the body of Christ – which is divinely reserved non-negotiably for men, male elders (1 Timothy 2:11-12; 3:2). | Beware of Scripture-Twisting Jezebels
We must humbly confess before our LORD and God that we have nothing and are nothing without Him!
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5
God can use us in spite of having a seminary or Bible college background…. If we will truly denounce it, lay it all down, and truly submit to Him – just like Paul did (Philippians 3). Otherwise we will join the epidemic of false prophets who build their own kingdoms in this fleeting life and spend eternity in hell (2 Peter 2:1-3). Paul counted his “higher education” as “dung” to know and serve Christ (Philippians 3).
BIBLICALLY SPEAKING, BY DEFINITION, ELDERS ARE NOT SEMINARIANS (UNLESS THEY’VE DENOUNCED SUCH) BUT RATHER PROVEN MEN OF GOD WHO HAVE WALKED WITH CHRIST FOR SOME TIME AND ARE SEASONED IN DOCTRINE AND GODLY CHARACTER AND ABLE TO HELP ASSIST OTHER BELIEVERS GROW IN GRACE (Philippians 3).
In part, we can be transformed in our thinking/perspective of what leaders are seen to be in the apostate modern church vs the biblical definition of an elder which is a humble servant with sound doctrine and a godly life (1 Timothy 3; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 1-2, etc.).
Christ’s kingdom ordination is not like the ordinations of many denominations….. To ordain seems to mean to recognize the work of GOD in a man’s life and to set him forth into ministry as by the leading of the Spirit of God.
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16
ORDAIN
G5087
τίθημι
tithēmi
tith’-ay-mee
A prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate): – + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
Total KJV occurrences: 96
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3
Denominations of mere men set their elders forth to do THEIR bidding, to perpetuate their own cause and existence, to build their false church businesse$. God fearing assemblies of the saints simply recognize Christ’s work in a man and prayerfully send him forth to do GOD’s work. They worship and exalt Christ whole heartedly!
MINISTRY is about feeding sheep, not entertaining goats (John 21:15-17). So, when you see a “minister” entertaining, you know he himself is a goat (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5).
What True Elders Teach
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5
THERE is nothing good in us except Christ. We are not featured but JESUS is. “We preach CHRIST crucified” (1 Cor 1:23). All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags and HE is the One and only righteous Redeemer whom we communicate to others (1 Cor 9:16; Rom 7:18 etc.).
Jesus’ true disciples are crucified vessels who preach with His authority, unlike the lame leaders we have today (Matthew 7:28-29). True Gospel preaching rocks the world of those who hear it – it never coddles people in their sin. That’s the work of wolves! Beware!
Godly Elders Teach God’s People to Discern
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23
Why don’t some leaders teach discernment?
“Anyone that profits off of you being blind, will never teach you or inspire you to see.” unknown
Any man in leadership who doesn’t warn you of false prophets as did Christ and His apostles, is a wolf who does not want you to see who he truly is.
God’s people are to continue to learn to discern – to test, to weigh all things against Holy Scripture. Ungodly elders have the “I said it so it’s true” notion. Or the “We’ve always taught that” or “That’s what we believe” philosophy. Not. What saith the Scriptures is what every true follower of Jesus asks, as he searches God’s Word to ascertain truth. Every student of Christ should become extremely familiar with Acts 17:10-11.
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“I am curious as to how one man is considered the other’s elder? Do they attend the same church gathering thus, he is a church elder or is it through willful submission of the younger as an understudy or simply due to the fact that one man is older?”
REPLY:
Great question brother. Elder, biblically seems to mean older and more seasoned in God’s Word, having walked with the LORD longer. Two views come to mind: 1. The organic body of Christ, the kingdom relationships we have, where there appear men in our lives who are seasoned and there’s an automatic elder/young relationship (that’s how it is here)… and 2. Where a person attends a church group and they have their elder in a more organized fashion as you mentioned…. that help?
Nothing brings definition to this like God’s Word as you know…. and notice how it begins with “The elders which are AMONG you”….
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:1-6
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