Is Peter the Rock or is Jesus? CATHOLIC HERESY EXPOSED! [podcast]
The catholic church prides itself on traditions.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
When Paul spoke of “traditions” it was in direct reference to the divine truth he’d previously delivered to the believers at Thessalonica – which is now the written Word of God.
The catholic church, laced and laden with completely un-biblical traditions, vainly attempts to claim their basis for such based on this one verse above. Laughable. Catholic traditions completely contradict the final divine authority of Holy Scripture. For example, can anyone find a scapular, a rosary, a novena prayer, a prayer to Mary, purgatory, holy days of obligation, a mass, or a so-called “pope” in God’s Word? No. Not one.
Anybody who thinks that anything or anyone else but Jesus Christ is essential for eternal life is Anti-Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). This includes 100% of pagan roman catholic idolaters. Jesus is the only way and not just a way (John 14:6). There is no such thing in Christ’s kingdom, in the Bible, as a pope, purgatory, a scapular, a rosary, a novena, mass, etc. Repent now and follow Jesus or you are going to hell irrevocably and there is no such thing as purgatory which is just another lie.
“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
“I was born catholic and I will die catholic!” is a phrase all ex catholics have heard. These are people who were initiated into (sprinkling rites at 8 days old) and personally vowed, swore their eternal souls to this false religion.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Religion is Satan’s greatest tool and was Jesus’ worst enemy when He walked the earth (Matthew 23). No such thing as a catholic who is Heaven-bound! Idolatry is a soul damning abomination to the Almighty and if you need to repent right now for misleading catholics into thinking they’re save, please do so. Any catholic who gets saved IS coming out (Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Revelation 18:4, etc.).
Does Matthew 16:18 Teach that Peter was the “First Pope”?
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Let’s take a closer look. As a Catholic, I was taught that Peter is the rock, not Jesus. This brainwashing begins from the beginning of the lives of those born into families that are Catholic. Regrettably, most Catholics just accept this teaching and never investigate it for themselves.
In using this passage to teach that Peter—the supposed “first pope”—is the rock, the Catholic church insidiously borrows from the credibility of the Bible while taking it out of the biblical context in which it is written. The Catholic church discourages its members from reading the Bible for themselves and when they do use the Bible, it’s usually out of its obvious context. More on this in a moment.
Catholicism seeks to rob Jesus Christ of His preeminence as the only divine LORD and only Savior. As we are now going to see by looking at the passage in context, they bait and switch here. They put the emphasis on Peter and not Jesus. So, they rob Christ of the glory due His Name alone and put that glory on a sinner named Peter. Then they teach the heresy that he was the first pope. First of all, there’s no such thing as a pope in the kingdom of Christ. There’s not one mention of a pope in the Bible and for that matter, no mention of a novena, a mass, a scapular, a rosary, or purgatory in God’s Word. It’s all made up Pagan mythology to mislead people away from the Savior.
WHO IS THE REAL ROCK?
“This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself as the only Messiah. Let’s read this passage carefully. Peter had just told Jesus that HE, Jesus, is the prophesied Messiah, “the Son of the living God.” This is what was revealed to Peter by the heavenly Father. Then what was Jesus’ initial response? “This rock” is not referring to Peter but rather the revelation that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, the only Savior who came to take away the sins of the world (Matthew 16:13-20). Note how the passage closes: – “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ” (Matthew 16:20). Notice Jesus didn’t say “Tell no man that Peter is the rock.” Hmmmmm …. this passage is about the Rock, Jesus Christ, and not Peter or the Catholic church. This is just another antichrist heresy peddled by the Roman church, seeking to steal the glory from the LORD Jesus Christ, the only LORD and Savior, the only Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Corinthians 10:4).
PETER CONFESSES JESUS AS THE CHRIST
Matthew 16:13 – When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 – And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 – He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matthew 16:16 – And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17 – And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 16:18 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:19 – And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:20 – Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Interestingly, just after Jesus told Peter that He was going to build His church (called-out people) upon the rock of the revelation that Jesus is the Christ, He told Peter to “Get thee behind me Satan.” The catholic church teaches that their pope is infallible. Yet we know that Jesus told Peter, supposedly the “first pope” to “Get thee behind me Satan.” (Matthew 16:23) – IF THE “FIRST POPE” (who actually walked with Jesus in the flesh for 3.5 yrs) WASN’T PERFECT/INFALLIBLE, HOW COULD CURRENT ONES BE???
WAS PETER EVER IN ROME? READ ROMANS 16, WRITTEN FROM ROME BY PAUL. PAUL LISTS 27 PEOPLE. PETER WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED.
ABOUT 80-90 A.D. PETER WROTE TWO EPISTLES (NEAR THE END OF THE NEW TESTAMENT), A TOTAL OF 8 CHAPTERS AND NEVER MENTIONED ONE TIME THAT HE WAS A “POPE” OR THAT THERE WAS A “CATHOLIC CHURCH.” DID THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PETER FORGET TO TELL US SOMETHING IMPORTANT OR IS SUCH SIMPLY NOT TRUE???
Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and forbade any such notion (Matthew 20:20-28; Luke 22:24-26; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:11).
The only Church Jesus has is the born again Church He died to save. God’s Word tells us that Christ is the only HEAD of His one body! This alone means that the pope of Rome is the head of a false church. God has One Church with One Head – Jesus Christ, the nail-scarred risen LORD and only Savior (Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19).
Note: Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that Peter ever was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25 years. Clement, 3rd bishop of Rome, remarks that “there is no real 1st century evidence that Peter ever was in Rome.”
To What Degree, How High does the Catholic Church Elevate the “Pope”?
Peter was not the first “pope.” There’s no such thing as a “pope” in Christ’s kingdom. The word or concept of a “pope” is found no where in Scripture other than the seat of antichrist which pretends to put itself in place of the LORD Jesus Christ. Anti in antichrist simply means “in place of.” (2 Thessalonians 2) Listen closely to the following passage and see if you can guess who the Holy Spirit is speaking of. Who fits this description?:
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Now do we see why nearly all Christian leaders of past days called the pope of Rome “the seat of antichrist”?
The catholic church officially and blasphemously teaches that the costume-clad sinner on a man-made throne in Rome is “Jesus Christ Himself.” Listen to their own words:
“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, HE IS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF, hidden under the veil of flesh.” Catholic National July 1895. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY!
“The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God…He is likewise the divine monarch and supreme emperor and king of kings. Hence the pope Is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions.” Ferraris EccI. Dictionary (Catholic) Article, Pope. ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
“The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man (…) he is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power.” -Lucius Ferraris, «Prompta Bibliotheca», 1763, Volume VI, ‘Papa II’, pp.25-29 ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SAYS: “The Pope has power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ”. “The Pope has authority and has often exercised it, to dispense with the command of Christ.” This is from Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop. Cap. THIS IS ANTICHRIST!
NOTE…this is only “one” definition of blasphemy. Another is claiming to have the power to “forgive sins” Case in point = Mark 2:7, which states, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” The “confessional” of the Roman Catholic Church is indeed yet another identifiable feature exposing the Vatican as Antichrist’s dwelling. They openly declare a mere MAN dressed as a priest has the power to FORGIVE SINS!
God alone can forgive a sinner, can forgive sins. Jesus says:
“the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins” Matthew 9:6
No sinner can forgive his own sins, much less the sins of another. The catholic church is a demonic pagan cult which pretends that its costume-clad unsaved “priests” can forgive sins. Hint: The catholic confessional booth was originate for espionage purposes – to find out and blackmail those who went there and confessed their sins to those God-less “priests”.
“Many believe that the Catholic Church or the Pope is the Antichrist. It is interesting that from their own church historians they have said, “The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of human flesh“(Catholic National Magazine, 1895). Pope Pius V was quoted as saying “The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth” (quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, Cities Petrus Bertanous). Can the Pope forgive sins? Consider this written record from Alphonsus de Liguori, in Dignity and Duties of the Priest, “To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God…The Jews justly said: ‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ But what only GOD can do by His omnipotence, the PRIEST can ALSO do by saying ‘Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis’ [I absolve you from your sin] (pages 34-35).” Unknown
It would be wise to ask your friends and family who are still catholic if they know that their “church” teaches this.
Why aren’t catholic priests and popes married? Peter, the supposed “first pope” was married.
“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Matthew 8:14
Notice that if Jesus healed Peter “WIFE’S mother,” the apostle Peter was married.
GOD NEVER TOLD YOU THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS OF HIM, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TOLD YOU THIS.
ISN’T IT INTERESTING that in the 27 books of the New Testament Scriptures, Mary is not once mentioned after the 6th book? There are 27 books in the divinely inspired New Testament canon of Holy Scripture and Mary is not even mentioned in 21 of those books. Further, the supposed “first pope” (Peter) never mentioned Mary one time in the 8 chapters he penned which are at the end of the New Testament canon. Also, Peter never referred to himself as a “pope.” He was an apostle. A telling fact for certain! God never placed the emphasis on Mary that the Roman religion does. Which will you serve? Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
True Christians follow Jesus Christ and His words (John 8:31-31,47). Only an idolater (barred from Heaven Ephesians 5:3-7) would follow some robe-wearing earthly “pope” or Mary.
FACT: THERE IS NO PROOF PETER WAS THE FIRST “POPE”…THE OFFICE OF “POPE” WASN’T EVEN INVENTED TILL SEVERAL CENTURIES AFTER CHRIST AND PETER HAD LEFT THE EARTH.
If Peter was the first “pope” then why didn’t he say so? Why didn’t the APOSTLE (not pope) Peter simply tell us if in fact he was the first “pope”? Because the fairy tale “pope” is a myth and has nothing to do with New Testament Christianity or the true people of God.
“Holy Father”?
The catholic church calls their pope “holy father.” There’s nothing holy about the pope because there is no pope in Christ’s kingdom. He’s a mere man, nothing more than a sinner dressed in a religious costume. If the Son of God was speaking about the Catholic pope, why did Jesus not tell us he would be based in Rome, that he would be wearing a long robe (that Jesus forbid in Luke 20:46), and be called “holy father” which Christ also forbid? (Matthew 23:9) Why, O Why? Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we needed to know?
Is the pope a mere “man”? Jesus commanded – “And call NO MAN your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).
Jesus warned against long robes. Look up Luke 20:46. He gave us a clue as to who was false.
According to the Son of God “Damnation” is where the robe-wearing priests and pope are headed – “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:46-47).
What happens when you put a robe on a sinner? Simple: you then have a sinner dressed in a religious costume.
Catholics have been misled. This is obvious because they only tout and defend mere men and an organization of mere sinful men. Their defense and praise is not about worshiping Jesus Christ who is the only nail-scarred risen LORD and Savior. “There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
THERE’S NO HOPE IN THE POPE – JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
Peter was a Jewish man who was an apostle, not a pope—no such thing as a pope in God’s economy, otherwise He would have told us in His Word. The word or concept of a “pope” is nowhere to be found in God’s Word, the Bible.
Catholicism is based upon a mere sinful man, peter (pebble), while true Christianity and the object of worship for true believers is the sinless ONE with the nail-scarred hands who died for the sins of all the world.
“HOLY FATHER” is the Catholic term for their phony “pope” and yet it is a title God Almighty claims for Himself alone in the Bible (John 17:11). This title occurs only once in the Bible (John 17:11) when Jesus addresses His Heavenly Father in His great prayer before His betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. It is blasphemy for any man to claim this title for himself. It belongs only to God, the Father.
WHERE JESUS IS, THERE IS THE TRUE CHURCH. WHERE THE POPE IS, THERE IS THE FALSE CHURCH. ALL POPES ARE MERE SINFUL MEN. JESUS IS GOD.
Can the pope save anyone’s soul from eternal damnation? No, the pope is a mere sinner too. The long robe and title changes nothing. God will judge. Concerning the dead popes, perhaps we should consider the words of our precious LORD: “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60).
Friend be not deceived, no true Christian honors the rotting bones of a mere sinful man (like pope John Paul II) because the One who saved the true believer with His precious blood has arisen and is alive forever more. Amen.
JESUS TOLD US HE IS THE ONLY WAY. WHO’S LYING? “It is necessary to salvation that every man should submit to the Pope.” (Boniface VIII Unum Sanctum, 1303.) ANTICHRIST BLASPHEMY.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOESN’T WANT ITS MEMBERS READING GOD’S WORD FOR THEMSELVES
The Catholic church did not want the Bible to be translated into English because if the people read it then they would find out the errors in their church.
The Council of Trent (1545-1564) placed the Bible on its list of PROHIBITED BOOKS and forbade any person to read the Bible without a license from a Roman Catholic bishop or inquisitor. The Council added these words: “That if any one shall dare to read or keep in his possession that book, without such a license, he shall not receive absolution till he has given it up to his ordinary.”
The Pope put the Bible on the Index of forbidden books in the 12th century.
Why did the pope forbid God’s Word being known by the common man? It’s simple, the Roman religion doesn’t want the light of Scripture to shine on their darkness. They want to keep their prey in slavery.
Dear Catholic friend, why do you think Rome prohibited Catholics, and others, from reading the Bible? Why do you think they killed over 50 million people and called them heretics for reading and believing the Holy Scriptures? Why did Pope Pius VII say that the Bible causes men more harm than benefit? Why would God’s Word cause harm?
Why is the true gospel of salvation through Christ alone and by unmerited divine grace never preached in the Catholic mass? This fact alone clearly shows the falsity of this religion of mere men and shows how infinitely distant it is from the LORD Jesus.
Historical List of Atrocities of the Popes | The Catholic Church Exposed |
There is no salvation without regeneration. “Ye MUST be born again.” John 3:3, 7
I also ask them to show Bible Scriptures demonstrating how the scapular, rosary, purgatory, etc. are biblical. Laughable. Not one of these are ever mentioned in the Bible and are totally pagan.
Making Peace with God Now – Before it’s too late. | The Catholic Church Exposed
Abiding
The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]
“Hid with Christ in God”
“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
The safest place in the universe is in the cross of Christ: “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Our place of protection is in the love walk with the LORD where we express our love for Him in obedience to Him. Jesus commanded that we deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him. We are full of troubles and so it should be easy to relinquish all to Him!
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1
In Christ alone is our rest from the toil of this life.
“Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psalms 17:4
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please bring me to the end of sinful self. Rebuke and remove the foolishness of this heart! I love You LORD and thank You that I am crucified with You today and that You are raising up this life for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]
One source notes:
“‘I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness’ is a famous promise from the Bible found in Isaiah 41:10 (KJB). It is a comforting verse offering reassurance against fear, with ‘the right hand of my righteousness’ symbolizing God’s divine power, justice, and support.”
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Help Me Jesus!
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. … For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:10, 13
“When we are in the fire of affliction it’s easy to feel afraid and wonder if God is there. Many of the great men of the Bible became discouraged and broken. But the secret was they took it to God in all honesty! In Job 3 he expressed a desire to die. But yet he said in Job 19:25 ‘For I know my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:’ David said in Psalm 56:9 ‘When I cry into thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ And we know Jeremiah, Jonah, Elijah, etc. all had moments of despair and suffering, but the Lord continued to uphold and encourage them. Their faith did not waver even in the midst of doubt and confusion!” Karen Cochran
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
“in thy presence is fulness of joy”
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11
“at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”
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Articles
Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]
The Reason Your Bag has Holes in it [podcast]
Could our diminishing returns could be due to our refusal to put God first which would mean we are putting His work, His agenda, His stated will and mission – the Great Commission – first?
“The beginning of Haggai’s prophecy finds Israel returning to the land after 70 years under Babylonian oppression (God’s punishment for the sins of Israel’s leaders). Now, a new and younger generation of God’s people are working to rebuild God’s earthly dwelling place, the temple. Long before Haggai’s prophetic ministry, God had promised that when his own presence dwelled among his people, the life-giving power of God would flow from him into their land (Deut. 28:1-14, Haggai 1:1-4). So, in hopes of experiencing God’s promises after a long season of exile, the people begin to rebuild.
Unfortunately, the temple rebuilders quickly become distracted from the project at hand. They stop working on the temple to build their own houses (Hag. 1:1-4). Meeting their immediate needs takes priority over rebuilding God’s temple. But this priority doesn’t work out well for them in the end. Haggai points out that no matter how much they sow in their fields, the returned exiles are reaping less and less. Every day, their rations get thinner, and they feel just a little thirstier (Hag. 1:5-6). Haggai says their diminishing returns are a result of their failure to prioritize rebuilding the temple, the place of God’s presence (Hag. 1:10-11). But he also promises that if they recommit themselves to the temple project, all the blessings and life they hope for will return (Hag. 2:7-8, 18-19). This new generation listens to Haggai and starts making plans for the project’s next phase.”
The rebuilding of the temple in the days of Haggai the prophet is equivalent to the Great Commission work Christ sent us, His “ambassadors” to accomplish as we look for His soon return (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Who is it that gives men the “power to get wealth”? The LORD. Why does He do such? – “that he may establish his covenant.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
“And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:17-20
Does God still keep His Word to bless those who put Him first with what He grants them the ability to bring in?
If a person chooses to repent of poor stewardship and conform to God’s Word, will the LORD not give that person grace to do the impossible? (Proverbs 3:9-10; Mark 10:27) Are you on your own with your finances? Or, are you dying to human reasoning and excuses and simply obeying the LORD? When we do simply obey Him, we can expect that He will undertake the cause and begin to do things that are miraculous. We see this throughout history, especially as recorded in Holy Writ. Remember the widow who had only a handful of food left to feed herself and her son? Remember who when she obeying the LORD that she was abundantly blessed? (1 Kings 17:10-16) The fact that some wolves have utilized this passage to garner gains for themselves, in no way negates the divine authority in and of this passage of truth. Will the LORD still bless? Has He changed or is our sin hindering His blessings? (Isaiah 59:1-2; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:9)
“Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.” Haggai 1:9
The people of God were experiencing diminishing returns due to their refusal to simply put God first in their lives, hearts, and therefore finances. The LORD blew on their finances and scattered them because they were not putting Him and therefore His work first – but rather their own lives and money were first. Repentance required (Revelation 2:4-5). Read Haggai 1. It’s a very revealing chapter.
The LORD’s Plan to Feed, Protect, and Bless His Saints and to Spread His Good News
It’s interesting and telling to compare the distribution of goods/resources/funds among the earliest believers and the way things are done today. Read Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35. Today, as was so often foretold, the merchandising wolves are living ‘high off the hog’ when the Bible clearly instructs leaders never to “greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”(Deuteronomy 17:17)
Of course, the Bible teaches that those whom God has called out are to be provided for (1 Cor. 9:1-14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) and yet, today we have lavish wolves flaunting their multi-million dollar homes in gated communities (insulated from the little guys/the poor). This has nothing to do with and blatantly contradicts the lifestyles of Jesus and His holy apostles. This makes you wonder if those who enable these wolves have even read the Gospels! A second grader knows this is wrong.
Most of us have funded wolves only later to see the light of their greed later. So, should we stop obeying God by giving to further His work? Is it time we understand the LORD’s balance in these things?
Does the Almighty have or need American money in Heaven? No.
The LORD has a plan and following that plan (instead of our own) will result in glorifying Him and seeing many blessed.
***The true disciple of Jesus is not looking for the next trinket to waste his money on, but rather is about His Father’s business of putting that money toward God’s eternal kingdom! (Matthew 6:19-24)
Some who are greedy in heart, serving the god of mammon, do not like biblical teachings on stewardship. They will lash out against the messenger, when those demons that control them are enraged. There are more than 2,500 verses on stewardship in God’s Word and over half of Jesus parables are on stewardship so anyone endeavoring to disclose/teach the full counsel of God cannot dodge that topic.
Many today who name Christ as their Savior are saying in their hearts: “I have more important things to fund than YOUR work LORD! After all, the things in my life, to make me feel more comfortable in this fleeting world, are very important. Jesus, please don’t bother me any more concerning funding YOUR work. I have vacations to go on. I have to get a bigger, nicer car so that I, I, I, look better to mere men. I HAVE to run out and see the newest movies, buy the latest fashions, subscribe to magazines from the world to help me me me be in the know, eat out 20 times monthly, put more money in the bank for MY security, get a bigger house to make myself feel better …”
Which World are You Rich In?
“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Proverbs 13:7
Praise God for those who give to the work of Christ! It is regrettable though that many of those who see God’s work and receive of Him through it as they see those workers of the LORD doing HIS work, do not contribute and do not agree with God that HIS workers “ARE worthy”of financial reward so they can be sustained and furthered in doing HIS HIS HIS work. Many are saying with their inaction that Christ’s workers are NOT worthy of their hire. They are saying “LORD, I know You said that Your servants ARE due financial reward so they can keep doing YOUR work, but I am too busy to take a moment to help, I am too strapped financially, after all, I have the cable TV bill to pay, I have to pay my mortgage, my rent, for food, daily coffee, golf, and for many other essential things. I really don’t think that Your work is important. Winning souls to Your eternal kingdom for who You bled and rose again is not important to me. I am too busy being entrenched in and loving this present sinful world. So, Your kingdom, Your work, and Your people will have to wait till I have so much money that I can keep doing these important things that are important to ME in this life and also throw a token tip your way.”
When is the last time you read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18? Do you know what the LORD is teaching us in these important passages? How can we expect to be blessed of Him if we ignore His instructions?
It is clear that God will bless those who agree with Him – in heart, mind, and in action. We will find amazing, supernatural blessings in our lives if we will put Jesus “first” in our stewardship, in our finances (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 3:10-11). Did He not promise to bless us if we put Him first which means putting His work as a top priority?
The “double honour” financial reward is due to called out Gospel workers and that’s the instruction of the One who has called out and set those workers apart to do (1 Timothy 5:17-18). That money should be there and that’s why God says that those who labor in His Word – learning and feeding His sheep – are to receive “double honour” so that they do not have to be interrupted in doing HIS work.
Jesus says that what we do with our monies is a direct reflection of who we truly love, worship, and serve – self or the Savior. “For where your treasure is THERE will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-24)
Who has God put in your life to feed you HIS Word? What does the Bible say to do to those who feed you God’s Word? (Galatians 6:6)
Is God calling you to get into agreement with His revealed mind? Is He calling you to count His work as a high priority in your life? Will He not open His windows of blessings upon your life? (Proverbs 3:9-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11) Will His kingdom blessings now be added to your life if you truly and practically put Him first? (Matthew 6:33) Will your barns not be “filled with plenty”?
“Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
If you are upset, I am sorry. I sure hope this never has to be said again other than in the general teaching of the full-counsel of God which includes the important topic of stewardship.
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Do you begin to realize what is at stake here? Do we begin to understand the implications of sinful omission? Do we begin to realize what great rewards we are forfeiting?
Aren’t the bank accounts that are connected to the work of the LORD worthy to be filled in order to supply for His work to be done?
Are you doing your part to fund those who are truly fulfilling a New Testament purpose?
Is the feeding of the LORD’s people important to you? Do unreached precious souls for whom Christ bled and rose again matter?
Jesus says “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Are you personally interested in Christ and His sheep? Are you concerned that His sheep will be fed (nourished) and that more souls will be won to Him before it’s too late? What work or labor in this fleeting, sinful world could possibly be more important than that of the LORD’s business? Are you prayer for His laborers and supporting the work of Jesus? (Matthew 9:35-38)
Do we fit into that last day’s prophetic category of those who have a mere “form of godliness” yet deny the power, the divine authority of God to reign in our daily lives? Are we “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and are we those who are “lovers of their own selves, covetous …”? May the LORD rebuke and change us now! (2 Timothy 3:1-8)
God is able!
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