The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]
To study the Bible organically means simply to study God’s Word without the undue influence, the taintings of mere men!
God’s Word is your life (Proverbs 4:20-23). The Word is your “daily bread,” and your life depends on knowing and obeying it (Matthew 6:11). Knowing and adhering to Holy Scripture is your protection (Proverbs 30:5-6).
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
RECENTLY: In a very engaging fellowship discussion this morning with a dear brother in Christ, it was a blessing to witness his Berean approach to the LORD and His kingdom (Acts 17:10-11). He was factoring everything we discussed with Scripture, stopping to meditate and cite Holy Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 anyone? Amen Jesus!
God gave us His Word in written format so we would not be deceived by false teachers, so there’d be no confusion, and also, no excuse on Judgment Day (Proverbs 22:17-21; 30:5; 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.
ORGANIC Bible study, organic fellowship, and organic ministry. Organic simply refers to being “without foreign additives – poisons, taintings, pure.” May Jesus bless His people with absolute authenticity.
HOW do you know if someone is imposing something upon the Scripture text they are reading from IF you haven’t personally, organically, thoroughly studied the whole of God’s Word for yourself? You don’t.
So many among us are living wasted lives—lives where they’ve been seduced into systems of theology which contain poisons in the pond of their body of truth (the whole of what they believe).
The unchanging Word of God, the Bible itself, and the Holy Spirit are the divine Teachers of truth—and not mere men or sinful man’s concocted theological systems and/or charts! Beware saints. See Psalms 119:105, 130; Mark 13:31; John 14:26; 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17, etc.
Saints, let’s beware of the charts and systems men create to “help people understand the Bible better.” RED FLAG! God has ordered, commanded you to learn straight from Him and that’s why you have access to His Word. You have a Bible. Study it for yourself. Your knowledge and understanding of God must of necessity come straight from your own personal, daily study of His Word. “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). Antichrist cults in our midst that push the use of their charts and theological systems include the demonic dispensationalists, and many of the eschatology (end times) wolves.
The word theology simply means the study of God. And, if we shall see Him correctly, we must obtain our theology, our view, our knowledge of God, directly from the Word of God alone—allowing Him to speak for Himself, to reveal Himself to us without the tainting of mere men. We must learn of the LORD, learn for ourselves who the LORD is and what He said, and stop following man’s philosophies, notions, systems, and charts. When the Bereans tested what Paul taught, they didn’t break out some mere man’s system, theology, or a chart. No, they “searched the scriptures daily” to see if Paul was preaching the truth (Acts 17:10-11).
Many a believer has been misled by the teachings, the charts, and systems of evil men posing as Christ’s elders. Run from them! Stop and think: “Why would those men build a system, a theology, chart for you to follow instead of exhorting you to study the topic in God’s Word for yourself—just as God commanded you to do?” The only reason why wolves create systems and charts is to get you to believe their errors and to derail gullible people who refuse to study God’s Word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
If a person isn’t in the Word, learning the Word and meditating on the Word, he has no business acting as if he is ministering for Christ! Such a person’s knowledge of God is second hand at best. Wisdom would be to repent now and get into God’s Word with reckless abandonment! When we get into the Word it will then and only then get into us! (2 Timothy 2:15)
Paul got Timothy into the Word for himself—else how could Timothy be an authentic minister for Christ? Think about all the phony men representing Christ today. They have a secondhand, a skewed knowledge of God—learned from mere men. Paul charged Timothy and us to:
“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
In other words, Paul didn’t lead Timothy to come to Paul for the Word but rather to go to God to get His Word directly from Him!
After confronting a lady who is being misled by dispensational wolves, exhorting her to study God’s Word organically for herself instead of via wolves, she replied:
“We can’t claim the whole Bible to ourselves. We don’t all have to go out and build arks … Paul’s epistles are different for a reason as with Hebrews.”
REPLY:
You are using mere human reasoning. The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures are our Teachers, not mere men. Paul told Timothy to study the Bible for himself (2 Timothy 2:15). Yes we, as Christ’s true body, are to dwell richly in God’s Word and yet, regrettably, you’ve been misled by an enemy of Christ, a false teacher, who is not the body of Christ but rather one of the wolves Jesus and His apostles so often warned us about (Acts 2:42; Colossians 3:17, etc.).
Contrary to the apostles of Jesus, Most ministries and ministers today intentionally foster in their target market, their prey, a dependence upon them and not Christ. They want to entice and seduce in order to create a following, a repeat customer, and build their church or ministry busine$$. Beware saints.
Are you “Taught of God” or are you taught of man? (John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9) | “Taught of God”
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” Isaiah 29:13
Those not diligently, daily in God’s Word for themselves are sitting ducks for a deceiver to come along in their vacuum and fill the void with heresy. IT WILL HAPPEN IF IT HASN’T ALREADY. If you wish to endure to the end, you must personally fill your heart and mind with God’s Word or you will be turned over to “strong delusion” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). God takes it personally when you don’t choose to LOVE His truth!
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
The personal nature of this instruction is introduced at the onset of this verse – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” YOU do it.
Yet, instead of personally studying the Bible organically, some want a short cut and so what they do is hook up with some ministry that is pushing a system. Laziness is also a contributing factor when men choose to go to seminary—to supposedly study a book they’ve had in their possession for years. Enlisting to be indoctrinated would sum up the course of seminarians.
SAINTS of Christ, be aware that clever men, operating as Christian pastors, authors, singers, etc., can make nearly anything look biblical. They perform this slight of hand, this trickery by selectively siphoning out Bible verses to make THEIR point, to make THEIR tradition look legit. Yet they do this to the exclusion of the whole of Scripture, which they hope you never thoroughly study. These are the very wolves in sheep’s clothing whom we’ve been warned about. They prey upon the ignorance of their prey (Hosea 4:6). We must ask, we must test the spirits by asking whether or not their doctrine is expressly, directly, explicitly stated in Holy Scripture, or not—just exactly as the Berean disciples did (Acts 17:10-11; 1 John 4:1). Again, nearly anything can be extrapolated using select Scriptures and yet, is that what the whole of Scripture communicates? Test. Discern.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
TODAY, the true body of Christ is “Looking unto JESUS” and not mere men (Hebrews 12:1-3).
One of the great deceptions in today’s “church” land is that many “pastors” verbally claim that God’s Word is the highest authority and then they cling to some thing(s) that contradict God’s Word. When confronted they ditch the Word of God for their tradition, their heresy, or doctrine of men. This is exactly what Jesus cited the false leaders of His day for doing (Mark 7:6-9, 13).
Praying in the name of Jesus to the Father, asking Him to help you never be misled, is vital.
“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.” Isaiah 34:16
Many today would rather find someone to tell them what the Bible says instead of studying it for themselves. Deadly mistake.
IF YOU don’t personally diligently study God’s written Word for yourself, you will forfeit a myriad of divine blessings and will be deceived—and in the end “destroyed” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Hosea 4:6; Matthew 22:29; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17).
Studying the Bible organically is the best method; thoroughly, topically, stacking Scripture upon Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13). The less involvement of man, the better.
What happens in most apostate modern churches is indoctrination—not true Bible learning. People are being poisoned by the doctrines of men and devils.
YOU have a Bible? Good. Read it for yourself (2 Timothy 2:15). Stop relying on mere men to teach you what only the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit who gave them can teach you.
Let the Bible speak for itself. If somebody is having to tell you that the Bible says something instead of letting God speak for Himself, letting His Word speak to the individual, that should be a red flag. There are lots of voices saying “the Bible says” and yet until you personally behold it with your own eyes in God’s Word, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses” in Scripture, you should not embrace it.
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1
We as men can find Scripture to justify nearly anything. Men can deceitfully extrapolate and “prove” nearly anything using the right mixture of Scripture taken out of the context of what the whole of Scripture teaches.
No Greek or Hebrew is needed and is certainly not the main rule of interpretation. We must take God’s preserved Word for what it clearly states in our own language, as we compile, compound, put together, and compare Scripture with Scripture (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 2:13). This is the method of priority in apprehending truth, the highest, stated rule of interpreting truth. A thorough gathering of all Scripture pertaining to the given study, is essential.
Just because someone’s book, this website or any other, or some man standing in a pulpit says something, in no way makes it true. You must “prove (test) all things” and only hold fast the true (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This is exactly what the disciples at Berea did when they heard Paul preach—they put what he taught to the test, diligently searching Holy Scripture to see if it was God’s truth:
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10-11
Are You being “Taught of God”?
Praying daily for the LORD’s understanding is imperative.
To bring light to the reality of how people are imposing things upon the Bible that simply do not bear out through honest, organic, thorough study, below is a list of examples. These are some of the falsehoods being peddled as biblical that simply aren’t. Those who thoroughly study God’s Word for themselves, being “taught of God” Himself, will never come out of their study of God’s Word and say things like:
- “keeping Saturday as the sabbath is essential/important”
- “once saved always saved”
- “man has no free will” (calvinism)
- “eternal security”
- “the gifts of the Spirit passed away with the apostles” (cessationism)
- “there’s more than one gospel”
- “you have to learn the Bible through dispensationalism”
- “pretrib rapture” (escapism)
- “Jesus only died to save a pre-selected elect people” (calvinism)
- “you have to keep the law to be saved”
- “I received all of the Holy Spirit I need at the moment of salvation”
- “God no longer does miracles” (cessationism, agnosticism)
- “every believer needs a human, pastoral ‘covering‘ (deeds and doctrine of the nicolaitans)
- “God doesn’t require that His people apply ‘ALL scripture’ to ourselves and gave us permission to decide what in His Word applies and what doesn’t” (Revelation 22:18-19)
- “You can’t understand the Bible without mere men teaching you” (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27)
- “All whom the LORD saves lose their free will and are forced to continue serving Him and forced to go to Heaven” (robotic, calvinism)
- “fellowship is limited to a certain physical “church” building and organization that meets on Sunday mornings”
- “The town drunk was saved and bearing fruit for Christ earlier in his life, is now living in open sinful rebellion but is still going to Heaven” (once saved always saved)
These are all errors induced upon the minds of men by other beguiled men. They misuse, twist Scripture as we’ve been warned about.
The list of man-imposed heresies goes on and on and on…… This is a mere sampling of man-induced falsehoods which Scripture never expressly states and that other known biblical truth contradicts. Letting God speak for Himself is essential to remaining in His truth saints. Today, there are countless doctrines of mere men imposed upon the Bible and being called “biblical” by those who perpetrate them.
Many things are being said to be “biblical” today which simply aren’t. Only the astute student who is being taught God’s Word via personal study and the Holy Ghost, will escape the many false “wind(s) of doctrine” blowing through the church world in this last hour (Ephesians 4:14).
“For we are not as many, which corrupt (twist) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (corrupt, twist), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:15-16
Notice that Scripture tells us that “destruction” is the future of all “false teachers” (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Paul warned and was very concerned about the “enticing words” of mere sinful men who pose as men of God:
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. … 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.” Colossians 2:4,8
Men are misled, deceived due to their own dishonesty before the LORD.
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:7,13
Remember, the LORD says this concerning the 4th and only heart soil His Word falls upon who will be eternally with Him:
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
Many men today, refuse to follow Paul’s example of denouncing all motives except knowing Christ. Their own depraved hearts therefore beguile and ultimately destroy them and those who allow themselves to be misled by such men.
“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Like David, God-fearing men cry out to God perpetually for the purification of their heart motives (Psalms 19:12-13; 51:1-13; 139:23-24). They are able to lead many to righteousness as they handle the Word of God without guile.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
Theological systems are an overlay, a structure of Bible organization that makes things easier to understand. That’s the appeal to some. Yet, the person who hasn’t personally studied God’s Word diligently for himself is not able to discern the errors of the system and thereby easily misled as he becomes swept up with the program. After all, the ministries which do this are usually large and lots of people are participating. A theological system pretends to organize and make the Bible easier to understand and yet in most cases, has built-in error that poisons the pond. Examples would include dispensationalism, Calvinism, etc. Can you add to this list?
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Lots of the systems of theology induce or impose things on Scripture. The novice has no depth of knowledge of God’s Word and so cannot possibly discern such. They are consequently indoctrinated.
Topically studying God’s Word is extremely beneficial – where Scriptures are gathered on a certain topic. Yet, when the wrong ministry is putting those verses together, it can be dangerous. Again, this is why it’s imperative to study God’s Word for oneself.
Exhorting other saints to study God’s Word for themselves is one thing and a godly thing. Yet, forcing YOUR interpretation is another, an evil thing. Jesus gave us His Word and told us that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher. We must thoroughly study it, collate it, and let God, the Author, speak for Himself (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Beware of any man who unduly uses his position to usurp unwarranted control over your mind concerning the Holy Scriptures. This is how many have been deceived—when they allow mere men to impose their own views, or some regurgitated theology over their minds. Millions today abide deceived via this method of indoctrination, mind control. Beware of the curriculums.
Seeking to have or to exercise dominion over others, over their faith, is witchcraft!
“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
Trust no man with your eternal soul. God paid for your sins in Christ and commanded you to trust Him, and to lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23
The LORD made you. He intentionally gave you the complete faculties to know Him for yourself by reasoning out the whole counsel of His Word—synthesizing it all together (Isaiah 28:10, 16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15). Study His Word daily, diligently and ask Him to lead you into all truth. Trust the Holy Ghost to teach you, to lead you into His holy truth and to protect you from the many poisons in the pond of the modern church (John 14:26; 16:13-14; 1 John 2:20, 27).
When man is controlling the study and interpretation of the Bible, that in itself is dangerous. People, individual saints are to be “taught of God” and not taught of men. There are people in leadership who insist upon presiding over the interpretation of Holy Scripture instead of letting GOD’s people read it for themselves, being “taught of God.” This presumption to supposedly hold the keys to interpretation is a farce. GOD alone holds the keys to understanding HIS own Word and He alone can ultimately teach HIS own people. When undue control is asserted by mere men over the interpretation of God ‘s Word, that’s a big red flag. This is how indoctrination occurs, this is how heresies spread.
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” John 6:45
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are TAUGHT OF GOD to love one another.” 1 Thessalonians 4:9
Are you being “taught of God” or are you being taught of men? Jesus warns:
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
Beware of Being a “Back it Up” Bubba
Personally studying God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, organically, is ultra-important. | The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study
To “back up” a belief with Scripture seems to really indicate: “I believe ABC doctrine and I’m hell bent on finding Bible verses to prove it!” In other words someone like this doesn’t really care what the whole of Scripture teaches as much as they care to hold on to some pet doctrine (it’s usually something to justify their sin such as the falsehood of eternal security).
Some put forth their subjective beliefs and defend those beliefs by saying “I can back everything up with scripture.” Satan can too as we see him do when tempting Jesus (Luke 4). The devil used Scripture out of context as many today do. Are we merely backing up what WE say and what WE currently believe with Scripture, or are we simply reading and diligently studying the whole counsel of Holy Scripture and letting GOD speak for Himself as we “compare spiritual things (Scripture, known truth) with spiritual things”? See 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:15. Big difference. Think about that. Men and devils can deceitfully make the Bible say anything THEY want it to say but that doesn’t make it biblically sound and true. We must beware of our own tendency to espouse and hold on to philosophies, notions, and doctrines that do not line up with the whole counsel of God’s Word and we must be corrected (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We must honestly examine our own selves to see WHY we believe WHAT we currently believe. Discernment, “rightly dividing the word of truth” seems to be concretely connected to searching the Scriptures as we see with the Bereans who tested Paul and all that he taught (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:10-11). Lots of people who talk about discernment trust their own subjective discernment instead of letting the written WORD be their two edged sword of discernment (Hebrews 4:12). Many believe they are discerning correctly and yet aren’t daily, diligently being grounded in the written Word, which God will never contradict (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
IT’S ESSENTIAL TO PRAY ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS LIFE AND AS WE STUDY HOLY SCRIPTURE—FOR THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF KNOWING THE LORD (John 5:39-40; 17:3; Philippians 3:10; Hosea 6:6).
Knowing the text, the words of Scripture is one thing—and knowing the LORD and possessing HIS understanding of HIS Word is yet another.
Those in ministry must be careful never to be forceful, coercive toward “GOD’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:1-6; Ezekiel 34:4).
“But with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:4
It should be a concern when we see men who spend more energy getting people to listen to themselves and to go through a curriculum than they do exhorting God’s people to seek His face in prayer for HIS understanding of HIS Word. Isn’t this exactly what Christ’s apostle Paul prayed for the body of Christ?
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:15-20
PRAYER: Holy Father in Heaven, I come to You now in the name and by the blood of my LORD Jesus Christ. LORD, I confess that I’ve been dishonest and deceitful before You and those around me. I confess the deceit and guile for what it is—sin. Please forgive, cleanse and allow the mind of Christ to dwell in, to find a home in, and to permeate my being. I ask this for Your glory and in Your holy name LORD Jesus. Amen.
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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
They give no resistance, only acceptance to Jesus, the message of His Gospel.
I am praying for you all….. part of me wants to encourage more people to pray about leaving…. for their own safety and fruitfulness in Christ. Just a thought.
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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