Christianity is only cool because of CHRIST!
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
“The modern church has a problem. We’re looking for validation, not from God but from the world. The same world that crucified Jesus, you want that to love you? It’s never going to happen. Christianity is not validated nor is it discredited by its acceptance or rejection by celebrities.” Spencer Smith
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. … Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:13-14, 20
It seems that the wolves who are exploiting, using Kanye West, are the ones who bear the greatest blame.
Personally I was skeptical of the idea that Kanye West got saved. This is due to the fake celebrity salvations we’ve previously seen.
One sister insists that Kanye could not possibly be saved because if he was saved, he couldn’t possibly yoke with the likes of obvious false prophet Joel Osteen. She offered this verse to prove her point:
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3
Is that the only Scripture to consider in discerning this?
Are some rushing to judgment against Kanye West?
Is it possible that God could be using Kanye West?
Frank Telford writes:
“God started using Donald Trump and some Christians got mad. Now God is using Kanye West and they’re even more mad! ‘What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.’ Phil 1:18″
Some believe this is a fully planned deception to use Kanye’s fame to bring true believers under the antichrist catholic church. Could be.
Now, when people use old videos, quotes, and pictures about a person, BEFORE they supposedly got saved, that should be discounted because when God saves someone, they become “a new creature: old things are passed away.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) Yet, it’s now come to my attention, someone sent me a graphic of Kanye West at Osteen’s “church” where he’s flashing the 666 illuminati hand signal. When talking to a close friend and minister, he said he also did the same thing out of habit after he was saved. Either way, this should be of concern.
Can the LORD save someone who was previously a satanist (illuminati, etc.)? He’s done it many times.
SO God saves a person who was a performer in the world and then they begin to use their gifts to praise HIM … and you have a problem with that?
While Christ’s disciples are commanded to be discerning and to know all men “by their fruit,” wrongly judging others is a sin and often a cover up for our own sins. Beware (Matthew 7:1-5; 16, 20; Romans 2:1-3).
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11-12
“I’m thrilled that Kanye says he is saved and turned from the satanic Illuminati. Praise God. Just like his song says that the ‘Christians are the first one to judge him and he feels like nobody loves him.’ Let’s love him Saints without judgment. Who made us judge and jury? Give him a chance unless his fruits show otherwise.” Suzanne
So, in general, if the LORD chooses to save someone, does HE need our puny, no-count permission to do so? No.
There’s a time to judge (John 7:24). The Scriptures much be searched daily to see whether that which poses as God’s truth is truly that, or a counterfeit. And, we should make sure we aren’t attacking a true believer.
If we are looking for a revival anywhere else except between ourselves and the LORD, we can be misled. So, this disciple doesn’t look to some leader to lead a so-called “revival.” No need for a national or worldwide revival in the future when we have Jesus, the Holy Ghost, and the Bible today, right with us. Revival begins today, with us and Jesus! What are you waiting for beloved?
Beware of today’s armchair pharisees: Remember that none of the work of satan negates the work of the Almighty. Many times perhaps we get so clued in to the work the devil that we may lose site of the work of Christ in others and through His body and by His Word and Holy Ghost. In the early church we see it all going on simultaneously. Today we see more of satan’s work prospering and paralyzing believers who perhaps should be more concentrating of preaching the Gospel to the poor, the lost… like Jesus and the earliest saints did as they were full of the Holy Ghost and turned the world upside down, right? (Acts 1:8; 8:4; 17:6).
If you’ve been born again for a few years, you’ve probably witnessed “stars” being saved or supposedly and how the wolves of the modern church seized upon the opportunity to use them for their own self-serving promotion, agenda. | Born Again? What Does That Mean
Some doubt that Kanye has been saved. His past life of sin is very public. So, many are having a difficult time believing Jesus actually saved him. Other things that Kanye is doing increase this valid concern. Did Jesus truly save this man? Perhaps they read into everything he’s doing now due to the tainting of his past. Whether Kanye is truly saved or not, we should consider the following scenario from Acts 9 where some members of Christ’s body doubted that Saul was truly saved or not. Remember this? Watch …
“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26-27
Did you notice that it was beloved Barnabas who took Paul from there to the apostles and testified how Christ had confronted and saved Paul and how Paul was already preaching Jesus? Previously, Saul participated in the death of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). Yet now, the saints at Jerusalem were experiencing the fruit, a peace due to Saul/Paul now being brought to Christ (Acts 9:31). Saul had previously wreaked great evil on the people of God.
“As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” Acts 8:3
Barnabas later traveled with the apostle Paul on his missionary journeys, ministering with him. Barnabas was either a prophet or a teacher (or both) as plainly stated in Acts 13:1-2. Was Barnabas in sin for believing Jesus saved the previously wicked Saul? Some believers act like those who believe Jesus has saved Kanye are in sin for believing such. They act like our own salvation hinges on how we view this. Not true. Others will be saved as Jesus saved Saul and made him Paul. So this Kanye thing brings this into focus. There will definitely be false converts whom Satan seeks to use to deceive God’s people.
One thing is certain: Jesus is still saving sinners to Himself.
Friend, which are you in that scenario? Are you Barnabas or are you like the others who disbelieved Saul got saved? (Acts 9:26-27) It’s true that Kanye shouldn’t be followed, that’s not the point here. His salvation is. If he is saved, he’s merely a babe in Christ and even publicly acknowledges such. Believers are to follow Christ and not mere men. And the Bible forbids a “novice” from being in the ministry as an elder (1 Timothy 3:6). What’s regrettable is that instead of grounding this young believer in the Word, wolves like Osteen are exploiting him for their own self-serving purposes.
When Jesus saved Saul, was it fake? Who helped Saul/Paul? Barnabas did. Was Barnabas wrong? Should Barnabas have bashed Saul? Fact: Saul was a million times more wicked than Kanye was (Acts 9:26-27).
One man writes:
“Kanye literally just told the entire Lakewood Church on live TV this morning to protect your kids because the entertainment industry puts images and symbolism in their movies and tv shows to make them stop thinking for themselves and make it easier for them to accept everything they watch. Nobody clapped…. So Kanye stood there for 2-3 seconds then said “Y’all can go research that. Kanye just told people to protect their kids and do some research on Hollywood symbolism. – Blaise Foret” Joshua
There is no position being defended here…. Personally I was skeptical at first, and remain concerned. When the LORD saves someone ….“But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (Acts 11:9) Some believe I am evil for not outright condemning Kanye. Could it be that perhaps some are full of pride and pretend to be in control of who and when and where the Almighty chooses to save? It seems plausible that some perhaps believed Barnabas was evil for believing Jesus had saved wicked Saul, right?
It’s understood that some believe the fruit of Kanye’s life does not indicate that he’s saved and in fact it concludes he is not saved.
For the record: When Sylvester Stallone went on the 700 Club, this ministry called him out as unsaved and called out the 700 Club for exploiting, for using him for their own agenda. The attack against me was vicious. Because they had soul ties with Stallone, a few women lashed out at me for daring to doubt that Stallone was saved. Yet there was no confession of Jesus or being born again, saved, washed in the blood that came out of Stallone’s mouth. This is not true of Kanye. And, if you are drawing conclusion on Kanye before you’ve listened thoroughly to him, to his music, have you done a thorough examination? (Proverbs 18:13)
There certainly is an agenda. There are 2 agendas … an agenda from hell….and Heaven. GOD has an agenda, “his kingdom ruleth over all.” (Psalms 103:19) The LORD has never ceased perpetrating HIS agenda, beginning in Genesis 3:15 when He introduced, He foretold the coming Messiah. In fact, He’s in full control and orchestrates hell’s agenda for His own glory (Romans 8:28). Seems like some are putting more trust in hell’s agenda than God’s and insinuating that hell is greater than Heaven, Heaven’s King and His will and kingdom agenda …. just a loving thought, exhortation to you. Whose agenda was it when Jesus saved Saul/Paul?
Yes there are numerous warnings about deception and deceivers in these last day (Matthew 24:3-5; 11, 24). Does that negate the working of God, the promised drawing of sinners to Christ? (John 12:32) End Times
Regrettably, some seem more fixed on satan and his agenda than they do on God’s power and desire to save. Jesus says “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)
“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:56
Saving souls is exactly what Jesus said He came to do. In this example, I fail to see or believe that Saul or Kanye’s sin is greater than God’s power and desire to bring them to repentance and salvation. Surely, this may be a deception perpetrated by satan that either Kanye is willingly or unwittingly part of.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Why do we doubt that Jesus still does what He came to do – SAVE SOULS?
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
The Gospels are littered with examples of how Jesus, while on earth, saved the vilest of sinners. Has He somehow changed?
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8
Are some being merciless toward Kanye West and other celebrities who claim salvation, assuming that because they’re popular in this world that they are automatically evil and perpetrating a deception? In their minds, was, is Kanye’s sin greater than Jesus Christ? | Is Sin Greater than JESUS?
We must discern as is the divine mandate, and realize, not factor out, the saving power of Christ. My concern is that some seem to condemn those who dare believe that Christ still saves sinners, even those who happen to be popular people. Fruit inspection is a divine mandate (Matthew 3:7-10).
Perhaps this issue has manifested some self-righteousness in us. Some do not like it when others do not agree with their perspective on this matter. Some just can’t stand the fact that at this point I am not openly condemning Kanye West. They ignore the fact that OSTEEN continues to be openly exposed as a false teacher as Scripture mandates (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3, etc.). It seems that Osteen is where the greatest, most obvious blame is. He is deliberately choosing to use Kanye and has no desire to help him become grounded in Christ.
Could there be a greater issue than Kanye here? Yes, this is a kingdom issue. Without the permission of any mere man, Jesus saved perhaps the most wicked man on earth – Saul! The believers doubted it but Barnabas didn’t and neither did the apostles (Acts 9:26-27). … There WILL be fake salvations and there will be true salvations. Get ready. More to come. God is going to continue to save and He doesn’t need anyone’s permission to do just that! Those who choose to believe that somehow God can’t save a wicked “celebrity” are the same people who daily read the divinely inspired words of one of the most wicked men who ever lived, before Jesus saved him – Saul who become Paul the apostle and wrote 14 of the 27 books that are in the New Testament canon.
Christ Lives to Provide What He Died to Purchase
If Kanye West truly repented and received Christ, like any other believer, God holds him personal responsible to continue, to abide in Christ, to endure to the end to be saved. He, like any of us who are saved, still has the opportunity and personal responsibility to continue with Christ or to fall away and reject Him and mislead others. Is this not all the reason believers should lift him in prayer?
This whole scenario should quicken in us an urgency to help those around us who are saved to be increasingly grounded in His Word (Colossians 2:6-10).
It’s interesting that in one of his new songs Kanye West is crying out, pleading believers to “Pray for me.” Could this also be a good time to ask our LORD to forgive our own unbelief and hardness of heart? Kanye seems to be crying out for God’s people to pray for him. Am I missing something?
Given Kanye’s past life, perhaps it’s understandable that some are wary. Yet when the LORD saves a man, he becomes a “new creature” in Christ.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
We have some of Christ’s disciples who can’t fathom how God could possibly save a rich, popular, evil person such as Kanye West. He’s done it throughout history though. Notice below that the Bible says “Not MANY” and it doesn’t say “not ANY” … watch this:
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that NOT MANY wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” 1 Corinthians 1:26
The sin of self-righteousness blinds. How is it that in the eyes of a Holy God Kanye’ West’s life of sin was any more vile than your previous life of sin or mine? | Sin: Man’s Core Problem
Even though most people who are temporarily rich in this life are going to hell (Mark 10:23-25), Paul specifically addresses rich Christians, telling them to be very generous, preparing a foundation against the judgment to come (1 Timothy 6:17-19). So, being rich in this world doesn’t in itself damn the soul. Being rich in this fleeting world and not generous reveals that such a person doesn’t know, isn’t known by He who gave all – Christ. Such a person is hell bound (Luke 16:19-31).
Ray Zeitler writes:
“From what I’ve seen with Mr West and President Trump, and other high profile celebrity converts to Christ … They don’t yet have a foundation in the Gospel. So, they turn to the leaders they see, the high profile so-called Christian leaders, the wolves, because as new believers they do not know any better. Been praying for the President ever since the leaders his wife surrounded him with. I don’t discount their salvation, but these new to Christ need our prayers for protection from these wolves.”
Yes, pray for Kanye and ALL new believers to be truly grounded in truth, in Christ.
“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 2:6-10)
What Osteen is doing is nothing new. False churches such as Lakewood Church, false prophets like Joel Osteen like to use celebrities to promote themselves. That’s exactly what Osteen is doing. There are many others who just got saved, are new believers, and yet Osteen will never have them up there in the limelight because it’s of no value to O$teen and his “church.” Do you think Jesus cares more for a so-called “celebrity” than He does about any other person He recently saved? No.
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:11
Speaking of himself while on Osteen’s stage, Kanye says “The greatest artist God ever created”? Regrettably that sounds like Isaiah 14:12-15 (Lucifer). Self-elevation is always from the father of pride, Satan.
“he is a king over all the children of pride.” (Job 41:34)
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
And, being that he’s now surrounded by wolves, you will never hear them admonish him with Holy Scripture. He will never be given Scriptures on the utter importance of humility by Osteen or any other wolf who will invade his space.
It seems possible that perhaps Kanye received Jesus, got saved, and yet, he’s a baby Christian if that’s the case. Time will tell. Fruit will tell (Matthew 3:7-10). Instead of God fearing men taking him in to help him grow in grace (if he truly repented), wolves like Osteen are seizing on the opportunity to use Kanye for his celebrity.
To underscore his influence and the reason evil doers wish to exploit him, when Kanye came out for Trump, the support of blacks for Trump doubled in one week. The vilest of wolves are now circling the wagons to exploit him. Again, some believe Kanye is willingly conspiring with them to deceive the professing church. Could be.
Some people will scorn you for not jumping on their condemnation bandwagon.
Some believe I should just bash Kanye West into oblivion. Not going to do that at this point. I am in no way seeking to justify him. Have no reason to. Have YOU prayed for him, sincerely? Personally, I’ve seen many people that I was privileged to lead to Christ who showed little or no fruit or even showed bad fruit and I gave up on them… only for God to explode in their lives with His working in them. Have witnessed this many times. When I wrongly judged others I thought had no interest in seeking God, when I determined they were unsaved, on many occasions the LORD corrected me. When we give up due to not seeing any good fruit and perhaps bad fruit, the LORD may not be finished with that person. We do know that He’s not willing that ANY should perish.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
While some are quick to condemn and guarantee Jesus didn’t save Kanye, personally, I’m not so sure of that. The fact that he’s now surrounded by demonic sharks who smell blood, doesn’t mean Jesus didn’t save him. Now, Kayne, like all whom Christ saves, is personally responsible to listen to the Holy Spirit and Word of God. If he doesn’t he will be delivered from these wolves.
Maureen Lundie writes:
“No baby Christian will ever say or do all the right things in the beginning. In my opinion, Kanye can either believe and follow the wolves or if he is truly sincere, the Holy Spirit will lead him in the correct direction.”
Exactly. This all goes back to the 4 types of soil God’s Word falls upon and how the individual is responsible to nurture his relationship with Christ or he will “fall away.” (Luke 8:11-15)
Jesus told those who’d just believed upon Him that they must “continue” in His Word, they must “endure to the end” to be saved into Heaven (Matthew 10:22; 24:13):
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Kanye, if he truly got saved, is not a seasoned elder in the body of Christ. History reveals how dangerous it is to elevate novices or so-called celebrities. New believers are babes, novices and not to be featured as leaders as such – “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6)
Joel Osteen is not grounded in Christ himself, much less helping Kanye West become sound in the faith via the daily cross life.
In my opinion, the blame goes to Joel Osteen, not Kanye. Your input welcome saints. | Deception/Discernment
How to be saved: Making Peace with God
Beware of the Catholic/Ecumenical One World Church Movement: Antichrist
The Modern Church Exposed | Prepared to be Used of God | Joel Osteen is Clearly a False Prophet | Osteen says Mormons are Christians | Joel Osteen is an Antichrist | Osteen: Affirmation without Salvation | Kenneth Hagin, Joel Osteen, Joseph Prince, Kenneth Copeland Exposed
This is good…. and may surprise some:
Part 2..
FEEDBACK:
“Hey Brother Todd,
I think it’s a fair article expressing a desire to see Kanye to really be transformed but at the same time reminding people that there mass deception in the world today as Jesus said their would be in Matt 24.
That’s one thing I like about your writings is that yes we should never be conned out of standing for truth, but at the same time mercy rejoices against judgement and we all need to remember that the Lord is trying to get people to turn to Him and takes no pleasure in the destruction of those that don’t.
Back in May of 2011 when the Lord turned my life upside down and convicted me to being a cherry picker (and I just thought I was a Word guy!) and got me into discernment realizing that probably better than 95% of preachers today are not teaching what Jesus and His Apostles taught…
There have been seasons when He backs me away from that a little to remind me that He desires to deliver people from error and not just point it out. So, I can appreciate the desire in the article for Kanye to experience true salvation along with the fact it’s very unlikely to happen in the company of people like Osteen who is not a legitimate Gospel teacher when compared to the New Testament.
Yes, I definitely believe young believers should be given a little space to grow but of course it’s going to take someone who knows the Word of God to do that and Kanye does not seem to have people around him that know squat about the Word. And it was a very true point that people are seeking to take advantage of Kanye just to draw in more people for bigger offerings and bigger product sales.
It’s my prayer that someone strong, knowledgeable in the Word, no false grace teaching preacher / teacher from the black community get a hold of Kanye and pulls him out of the circus of fame and disciple him so he can grow to actually know Jesus and live contrary to the fake gospel that all these fake preachers are hawkin.
If he could get a few years of good teaching in Him, he could definitely influence some young folks to walk with Jesus! Have a blessed week brother Todd!”
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
Articles
The High Treason of False Leaders [podcast]
PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach
“Whom we PREACH, WARNING every man, and TEACHING every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” Colossians 1:28
Did you catch what the apostle Paul did to prepare the church to meet Christ?
- Preach
- WARN
- Teach
Letting God Speak for Himself
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15
Bible truths/words you never hear from wolves: Repent, obedience, the cross – crucified life, holiness, judgment, eternal Hell, the lake of fire, being spotless and ready for Christ’s return, etc..
Many today preach the crown but not the cross, the promise without the condition. They perpetually peddle half truths as they use words like “soar” and “rise up” and “elevation,” a going upward but never the essential non-negotiable condition of going downward before God will raise one upward (Isaiah 37:31; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12). Their misleading cross-less messages are “another gospel” and we know that because there is no cross, no mention of dying downward, no crucified life (2 Corinthians 11:2-5; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 3:18-19). The LORD will raise no one upward who doesn’t first humbly bow downward before His Majestic holiness (Luke 9:23-24; James 4:6-10). | Myth of Elevation without the Cross
“MANY pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. 11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.” Jeremiah 12:10-11
Were we not warned repeatedly to beware of those who would spoil us (ruin us eternally)?
This “famine” is here and has been induced by the “MANY false prophets” Jesus and His apostles foretold (Amos 8:11; Matthew 24:11; Isaiah 9:16; 2 Peter 2:1-3, etc.).
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” Amos 8:11
Self-induced “famine”: Those rebels who refuse to repent and get into God’s Word for themselves are starved out and deceived by the false gospel of the apostate modern church world. In contrast, every true disciple will study God’s Word diligently for themselves and feast in the midst of this prophesied “famine” for the Word of God.
“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
PAUL GAVE LITTLE PLACE TO FALSE LEADERS (GALATIANS 2:4-5). THEY ARE TO BE IDENTIFIED, REBUKED, REJECTED, AND MARKED UNLESS THEY REPENT (ROMANS 16:17-18; TITUS 1:13).
Jesus warned:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring) wolves.” Matthew 7:15
The false leaders Christ speaks of here would have all the trappings of a true Christian leader so as not to be detected. But the true remnant cling to Christ and therefore His Word and are thereby able to discern (Ezekiel 44:23).
“The majority has always believed the lies, gone the wrong way, never changed, and suffered great devastation. The pattern is repeated every third or fourth generation. People warning them are always considered alarmist or fools (conspiracy theorists). But God ordains faithful people. They will not cease to warn them until repentance is no longer an option.” C.
Paul Speaking to the Ephesians
“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:27-32
God’s Word informs us that Christ’s true servant-elders WILL TEACH God’s people to discern by weighing all against the standard of the Word of God (Ezekiel 44:23; Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1, etc.). Therefore we know that any man in leadership not teaching people to discern between the holy and profane, between true and false, is himself a wolf!
“Even the very elect! We need to be guarding our hearts every moment because the devil loves an idle mind.” Charles Pray
“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
For a moment, let’s explore what true ministry is so that we can see what is not true ministry. Perhaps one good definition of what true ministry is would be: Giving people God’s Word in order to endear them to Him by His very own words. Is not the divine Person of the Holy Spirit integrally involved in that exchange? Did He not orchestrate it?
Watch closely at what the elders of Israel did when they stood before the people:
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly (directly, literally), and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8
Truly God-fearing servants of Christ get people into HIS Word so that they follow Him and not them – mere men. Note that in this important passage in Nehemiah 8, we see the principle for leadership: Leading the souls of men to Christ, not to self.
Those who flatter you by refusing to preach the absolute necessity of repenting, taking up the cross daily and following Jesus…. Are setting you up for the kill …. You may vainly believe that it’s all fun and games now but judgment is coming if you don’t repent and diligently study and adhere to the whole counsel of God’s Word. When you do truly repent, you will no long put yourself under a smooth talking wolf who refuses to preach the whole counsel of the original Gospel of Christ (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
“A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” Proverbs 29:5
All ministers who soft peddle and do not endeavor to unapologetically declare the whole counsel of God’s Word, are deceivers. Run.
JUST because a preacher has a few good quotes does NOT at all mean he’s not a false teacher. If he has one false doctrine, he is false. Speaking of false doctrine, Paul wrote: “A little leaveneth the WHOLE lump” (Galatians 5:9). Example: There are many teachers/pastors of old who left behind good quotes and yet were false teachers. Examples would include the often quoted wolf C.S. Lewis, the diabolical monstrostity John Calvin, and the vile legalist Charles Finney. Also, there are many today who say a lot of good things and yet, then you find out they believe calvinism or the lie of eternal security/OSAS. Run.
One minister of Christ declared:
“People think that because I skin the brethren alive when I preach, that I’m not showing any love. That’s because they’ve been brainwashed by the glass toilet (the TV), and they respond to the tone of my voice much as my German Shepherd would. But I do love the brethren. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t preach against their sins. I would preach on coping and sharing and family values and let them hit a bonfire at the Judgment Seat of Christ.”
Think about how many people are promoting THEIR ministries and how much money is wasted on such trash.
“For THE LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
Leaders who betray the LORD and His people.
Remember that according to the record of the Gospels, it was the wicked religious leaders, the Jews of Christ’s day, who betrayed the Son of God their KING to the Roman authorities, calling out for His crucifixion (Matthew 27; John 19, etc.).
The kingdom of God is not about mere men’s ministries or churches or church organizations. Reading the history of Israel and the New Testament plainly reveals that false leaders have done inestimable damage – they have done so very much to oust Christ right out of the hearts and minds of the people they are misleading while posing as those who are leading them in the ways of the LORD (Isaiah 9:16).
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer (true worship); but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
Today is no different – In fact we are told it will get even worse in these final days at the hands of deceivers (2 Timothy 3:13). Like the wolves of old who were constantly exposed by Israel’s prophets, modern beguilers are intercepting the heart affections and resources of those they have misled. Listen to God’s prophet Ezekiel:
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (false leaders) in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening (devouring) the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening (devouring) the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.” Ezekiel 22:25-27
Ready to Magnify Christ?
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3
The eternal kingdom of God is all about KING Jesus.
“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 (ruin) 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 … Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Colossians 2:6-10, 18, 19
Most men in ministry are “not holding the Head” of the body – Christ – and therefore have intercepted the affections of the people in order to exploit them to build their own ministry business.
Any leader who is not constantly doing every possible thing he can to get YOU into God’s Word for yourself, is an absolute wolf of the worst kind.
Revelation: People don’t need you and me – they need the LORD – and He reveals Himself through His Word.
Christ must be magnified, not mere men – “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
IT’S SO very important not to over aggrandize any mere man. We must rid our hearts of all idols (Ezekiel 14:3). The personality cults must be seen for what they really are and shunned by Christ’s true remnant. Think about the personalities so many (most) modern popular ministries are built upon? Think about the ingratiating, manipulative, and flamboyant personalities of circus clowns like Jesse Duplantis, Joel Osteen, and Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren, and a host of other false leaders who have built their enterprises/empires on THEIR own personalities and telling people what THEIR unrepentant hearts want to hear instead of what God says in the full counsel of His Holy Word (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Others we could name are more subtle and yet nevertheless draw people to THEMSELVES, not Christ! This is robbery – robbing Christ of the glory due only to Himself.
The great apostle went out of his way – he made sure and steadfast provision – to never draw or entice the affections of men’s hearts to himself. That would be theft – high treason against Heaven. In the holy fear of God, Paul took great precaution not to endear the hearts of men to himself, a mere man, but rather he espoused them to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2-5). Listen to him:
“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2
Have you memorized the above verse yet?
“I Have Espoused You to … Christ”
Let’s again listen closely to the heart of Paul to the people of God, Christ’s messenger/apostle:
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 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. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?” 2 Corinthians 11:2-7
Paul espoused those he oversaw to Jesus, not to himself. He caused them to trust Christ through His blessed Word and invited others to compare what he taught to the Holy Scriptures (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17). Is this what your pastor is doing?
In a recent conversation with my friend Tim, he was edified to hear the encouragement that every time he gets someone into the Word of God for themselves, he is doing much more than most pastors or “Christian” authors who make people dependent upon them – so that they get repeat customers for their business.
Are you in the Word daily friend?
How can God’s Word get into you if you don’t get into it?
Are you drawing and remaining close to the Savior in this late hour like the wise virgins who kept the oil of His presence in the lamp of their lives and were therefore ready when He returned? (Matthew 25:1-13)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (abundantly) in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
Listen to this audio message: Esteeming the Words of His Mouth | Colossians 1:28 PWT Preach Warn Teach
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Apostasy
Why Did God Give Us His Word? [podcast]
The 4 Pillar Purposes for the Holy Scriptures
There are 4 reasons detailed in 2 Timothy 3:16 for the Holy Scriptures being given to us by God. Under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the apostle Paul wrote:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16
According to this verse, the Bible, God’s very Word, has been given to the people of God for 4 reasons: Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Let us take a brief look at these 4 reasons for the written Word so carefully presented here concerning the very purpose of the Bible.
Doctrine – (Gr. DIDASKALIA): that which is taught; teaching, instruction. An individual’s doctrinal body of truth consists of that which he has been taught and holds to be true.
Reproof – (Gr. ELEGMOS): proof, proving, test. As the noble Berean believers demonstrate and John commands, to test every doctrine that comes from the mouth or pen of men, against the holy Standard – the Scriptures. This is, in part, what is being spoken to us by the Holy Spirit in this verse at hand. Therefore, we conclude that we have been given “All scripture” in order to exercise “reproof,” or the testing of men’s doctrines against Holy Writ and to test every notion of belief we currently hold against the divine standard of the written Word which is final divine authority (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1).
Correction – (Gr. EPANORTHOSIS): a restoration to an upright state or right state. The Scriptures are “given by inspiration of God” to bring correction into our own hearts, and into the hearts of all who heed the divine message (James 1:21-25).
Instruction in Righteousness – (Gr. PAIDEIA): training in righteousness is what is meant here. The Bible is given to train us in the ways of the One who inspired the same. The divinely given Precepts of life can never fail anyone who would search out and do its commands (Isaiah 34:16). All of life’s answers, as pertains to man, are found within its pages (2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalms 119:128a). Millions of godly pilgrims, journeying through this earthly life, has found the perfect divine will and direction by studying the words of Holy Scripture (Psalms 119).
The verse following this monumental 16th verse, v17, also reveals to us another reason for the Scriptures – “That the man of God may be perfect (mature), throughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.” This maturity will come as a result of the workings of God as we walk with Him. He will teach our hearts His doctrine, His correction, His reproof, and instruct us in righteousness.
In review, what are the 4 reasons that God gave us His Word in written form?
- doctrine
- reproof
- correction
- instruction in righteousness
The Bible was written to CHANGE you – TO CORRECT FALSE THINKING – and not to accommodate the lies you believe. Are you washing your mind of every false notion – by daily study of God’s Word, OR are you backslidden? (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:26) Repent now and conform to Christ by learning, embracing, adhering to, searching, studying, and obeying His truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17). WHY DID GOD GIVE US HIS WORD? WHAT are the stated 4 reasons God gave us His Word? Do you know this truth, and are you ready to share it with others?
You are obviously saved when you are putting God’s Word as final divine authority of your life and that’s pleasing to the LORD (John 8:47). When we allow God’s Word to correct us, we prove He is authentically the LORD of our lives (2 Timothy 3:16).
SOFT-PEDDLING, HALF-TRUTH preachers are Satan’s agents. No conviction, no cross, no holiness, no repentance, no readiness for the return of Christ, no judgment to come, no hell, no lake of fire! RUNNNNNN
WHY did God give us His Word? It was to establish His truth in and to protect His people from the many deceivers – “them that seduce you.”
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” 1 John 2:26
God gave us His Word so that we may be established in him and kept safe from the “Many false prophets” He so often warned us about. He provided His written Word, his tangible revelation, so that we may fear Him (Deuteronomy 4:10), and so we can know Him (John 5:39). As you study Scripture, be on the look out for the many divinely stated reasons our LORD gave us His written Word.
Beloved saint, will you now teach these Bible truths to others? Share this.
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16
God gave us His Word in written format so they’d be no confusion and also, no excuse on Judgment Day (John 12:48; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Timothy 3:16-17, etc.). The Word of God is the basis by which the LORD shall judge each of us.
“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
“Read your Bible for yourself. Please. A YouTube sermon clip is not enough. A podcast is not enough. Your favorite preacher is not enough. Know your Bible.” Biblical Man
“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail…” Isaiah 34:16
Read God’s Word itself, yourself (KJB). THAT is God speaking. Every time you read His Word, God is speaking to you.
In Christ’s Love.
PASS IT ON
Memory Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16
LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: Are you tired of reading Scripture or hearing a good message from the Word and not retaining any of it for yourself and to help others? This message was sent out to each person on our Moments For My Master email devotional list. We would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (1 Tim. 4:6). Sign up here.
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Christ’s true followers are known in that they love Him truly and therefore hear and are corrected and guided only by His voice, His written Word (John 8:47).
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
God will Never Anoint and Bless Us to do our Own Thing! Watch this Closely …..
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
Did you catch what Jesus just said? – That God is with His people to the end of the world to help them do what He said – teach His Word to all!
LOTS of people on social media claiming and preaching their own visions and dreams and not the Gospel! Beware.
When I hear someone speaking live or in a video, if the Word is not coming from their mouths, I soon close it out and unfriend. What is it that we don’t understand about the divine command to “Preach the word”? (2 Timothy 4:2) Wolves entertain goats while true under-shepherds of Christ feed sheep. Beware.
IF we stick with God’s Word, if we do things His way and no other way, we will be involved in the preaching, the teaching – dissemination – of His Word (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20).
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” Philemon 1:6-7
“The bowels of the saints are refreshed” when God’s people communicate His Word!
The Waste of the Modern Church World
If you are born again and abiding presently in Christ, you have “mansion” in glory awaiting you! (John 14:1-6) Did you know that you also have an “account” in Heaven? Now, what’s in that “account”? Is it empty or full?
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Philippians 4:17
Paul, Christ’s apostle, wanted to see the heavenly accounts of God’s people full!
God is not going to reward you good for not contributing to that which He stated is most important.
ANY leadership curriculum that isn’t literally the Scriptures – and learning THEM – is a scam! (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21, etc.) How long shall prop of the wolves and their self-agenda “ministries”? How long shall we be be deceived?
“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
“Read your Bible for yourself. Please. A YouTube sermon clip is not enough. A podcast is not enough. Your favorite preacher is not enough. Know your Bible.” Biblical Man
“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail…” Isaiah 34:16
Read God’s Word itself, yourself (KJB). THAT is God speaking. Every time you read His Word, God is speaking to you.
Today we see LOTS of clowns raising money to continue to fund their circuses they have and are building using the name of Jesus in vain to do so (Exodus 20:7).
Looking around us and perhaps beginning with our own lives, we see a biblically illiterate generation of Christians – people who can’t quote 10 Bible verses. Yet, those same people have been good church members for many years.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6
The vast majority of “churches” today are simply not teaching God’s Word to the people which alone makes them disobedient frauds. Fruit.
“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
If you help a “ministry” that is not instilling God’s truth in people, you are bidding Godspeed to these workers of iniquity and will be judged with them (2 John 10-11). The teaching of God’s Word is paramount and for the divine purpose for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in the hearts of men (Colossians 3:16).
“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” Acts 28:30-31
Many today campaign aggressively to raise money for and promote things that do not involve the communication of God’s truth into the hearts of men. In fact, very little “ministry” being done today even has the unchanging divine goal of instilling God’s Word into the hearts and lives of His people. God will only reward that which is in keeping with what He’s clearly stated – which will never change. His New Testament Gospel program is plain. Are you walking in it?
- “Preach the gospel.” (Mark 16:15)
- “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
- “Preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
- “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly (abundantly).” (Colossians 3:16)
Saints, God forbid that we waste the wealth on the waste of spreading the false modern gospel and the trinkets used to promote it!
If it’s a ministry and they’re not the teaching of God’s Word, it’s not of God (John 8:47).
“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.” Acts 8:4
If people are not literally learning and obeying and speaking God’s truth, it’s not of God! (Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 12:17)
The “Success” of Christ’s Saints Depends on This….
“This book of the law (God’s written Word) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8
Can you personally name just 5 “Christians” you know who can quote 10 Bible verses from the King James Bible?
I can’t.
The Danger of Endorsing – Bidding Godspeed – to False Teachers, False Ministries
“For MANY deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 7-11
Wolves entertain goats while true servants of Christ feed sheep! (John 21:15-17)
Prayer: Holy Father, I come now to You in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ. LORD, this moment I stop this life You gave and I ask You to make me truly, authentically Your disciple. Teach me Thy Word and forgive me for the sin of supporting, for bidding Godspeed to anything claiming to be of You while not truly and literally teaching Your people Your Word and to know it thoroughly for themselves. Please forgive me of this sin Father, in Jesus’ name. I love You Jesus. Thank You for dying for me, for finding, and for saving me by Your blood. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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