Glorification And Glory

Christians are here on earth to serve our King, the Lord Jesus. Jesus upon His ascension to the Father after He resurrected commanded His disciples to replicate themselves, i.e. make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).

If your view of the Church is merely what you often see in cyber space and YouTube, the aforementioned does not resemble the current "church's" mission at all. What I call the postmodern church is a seeker-sensitive-concert-social club atmosphere. The bootleg Pastor does not teach on sin and repentance and sound doctrine for he/she does not want to offend those whom they claim to love with the truth. Rather they lull the naive and gullible to sleep with a hypnotic false gospel; one that gets you riled up with ridiculous whooping and hollering - making way too much noise and saying nothing, along with misleading you to be greedy for money because being rich is the goal in this life right?

What I and many others know is the only ones getting rich are the wolves in the pulpit. Their parishioners are broke and will stay broke if they continue to follow a incubus/succubus.

The meaning of a disciple is to be a learner, a follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus never painted a pretty picture to those He called to follow Him. Anyone wonder why there are so many pretenders in the Church? Once they are fully aware what it will cost to follow Christ, they bail out. The Apostle John said it like this, "They went out from us because they are not of us. If they were of us, they would continue with us. But they went out, that it might become plain they they all are not of us (1 John 2:19).

Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

You must know why you are a Christian. You're not likely to get all your dreams fulfilled because you're a Christian. Sometimes what we desire is out of the will of God. One of my late Pastors wisely told our congregation that God will never answer a prayer that will not give Him glory. 

How do we give God glory?

Simply put, we have to be obey the commands of the Lord. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or Greeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything. I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 

To give glory is bestow honor, majesty and praise to God. We extol and magnify his name in the earth through our lives. The only way to do that correctly is through the knowledge of the truth of scripture. 

In Jesus' mountain sermon he preached to the crowds, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

That my friends encapsulates the Christian life. 

This is what we all want Jesus to say to us when we are judged for our lives here on earth: 

"Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matthew 25:21-23).

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - Let us hear the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is this the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it be good or evil.

Wise and common sense words from King Solomon.

In order to enter God's glory, we have to glorify Him right here and right now.

Are We Supposed To Fight For Biblical Truth?

 Lately I wondered if Christians have been too harsh and critical of other Christians regarding their doctrine. Let me explain what I mean. I follow several YouTube Christian Content Creators that are solid Biblical Expositors. They have no problem pointing out doctrinal error in the pulpit of Pastors when they come across it. I agree them with more than I disagree because I share a kindred spirit with them. They are Biblically astute. Those that filter what they see and hear through a Biblical lens are being led by the Holy Spirit and do not habitually fall into error. Those that are emotive more than doctrinal often fall into serious error. Performance based “Pastors” are only interested in arousing the emotions of their congregations; it’s the blind leading the blind. Seeker sensitive “Pastors” love to “Decree and Declare” things to their congregations; God is going to bless you with a new house this year! There’s a healing with your name on it! I prophesy that you’re not going to be broke anymore, etc. While all this positive confession tickles and tantalizes the senses, they’re lying to their gullible audiences. Those of us who have a reverence and fidelity for Biblical truth find this egregious and heart breaking. God has placed ministry gifts into the Body of Christ for equipping and maturing of the Saints, not for us to be merely entertained and to be ineffective in the kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-15).

Should we just pray for Pastors and parishioners who are in error and not test their doctrine? It is unloving to correct false teaching?

Those that do not want us to question the Pastor always say to just “pray for them!” One of the most famous retorts regarding the Pastor is, “Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm!” That verse is almost always taken out of context. For an explanation regarding this verse, read my article here: https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2024/01/touch-not-my-anointed.html

The Bible does not say we are to just pray for those who teach error. Rather we are to lovingly correct them who contradict the truth (Titus 1:11-14). This is what Paul instructed Titus to do. Those who are able to teach are supposed teach others so that we mature and grow in truth. The apostle John in his second letter wrote to the elect lady and declared that he was happy that some of her children were walking in the Truth (2 John 1:4).              

The Apostle Paul wherever he traveled would enter into the synagogues of that city and preach Christ.

From the Amplified Bible Version

Acts 17:1b-2 – …they came to Thessalonica, and there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul entered as he usually did, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned and argued with them from the scriptures.

Acts 17:17 – So he reasoned and argued in the synagogue (in Athens) with the Jews and those who worshiped there, and in the marketplace (where the assemblies are held) day after day with any who chanced to be there

Acts 19:8 – And he went into the synagogue (i.e. Ephesus), and for three months spoke boldly persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God

 

Why should we be so passionate about God’s word? Simple, it is the Truth! The world has no problem championing their lies. We have to counter their lies with the Truth. If we keep silent, we are in sin and the following will be the result. This is what Paul commanded Timothy to do:

2 Timothy 4:2-5 - preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound (or healthy) doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears from hearing the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

If you’re a Pastor and you’re not up to the task of doing what Paul commands above, do yourself and your congregation a favor and step down from the pulpit.

Teaching and preaching God’s word is a labor of love and patience. It is also every Christian’s responsibility. This is NOT an option! Paul gave Timothy the command, and by extension us as well. Remember, Paul told Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Jude 3 commands that we are to contend (or fight) for the Faith once for all delivered to the saints.

1 Peter 3:15 says this: Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

1 John 4:1 COMMANDS us to test the spirits to see if they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  That means we are to evaluate what we hear and make a judgment to determine if what we are hearing is true or false.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands us to test all things. Cling to that which is good.

Acts 17:11 commends the Berean Christians stating they were more noble than the Thessalonians because they received the Word of God with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so. The Bereans had the sense to examine what they heard from Paul and Silas and compared what they heard against the scripture to verify if they were hearing the truth.

 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is breathed out buy God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly furnished for every good work.

If we say Amen to everything we hear because its coming from the pulpit, we might as well say the Pastor is infallible which of course is not true.

No man or woman that is continually teaching false doctrine is being led by the Spirit of God. God is never the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Living the Christian life the right way is a Truth War. It’s a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7). Why do we have to fight? Because we have enemies of the truth – the arch enemy being the devil himself. Jesus said that whoever is not for Me is against Me (Matthew 12:30). Whoever is an enemy of Christ is an enemy of mine. Despite that truth, we have to love our enemies and persuade them to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So the solution for those in chronic doctrinal error is not prayer alone, its loving correction with the truth of scripture. Sadly, pragmatism in lieu of the Bible is what pervades many churches. If it’s working, then do it is what these false teachers are promoting. The Bible is an afterthought; meaning they will sprinkle eisegetically Bible verses to convince their unsuspecting parishioners that what they are doing is a move of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, to rebuke these false teachers is good and commanded of scripture when its done with love and truth with meekness and fear. We realize those who warn others of false teachers aren’t better than them but fear the Lord enough to challenge their falsehood and lovingly appeal to them to repent of their heresy because if they don’t, they are going to drag countless souls to hell with them.

 

What Is The Seeker Sensitive Church?

 Seeker sensitive Churches basis is emotional more than doctrinal. They base their faith heavily on experience. Those that lead these types of Churches will use an entertainment atmosphere - light shows, hype music to draw in the unchurched. The target audience are young people. From what I have seen online, seeker sensitive centers are often large Mega Churches with plenty of money. The preacher’s message is non-offensive. He / she rarely discusses the need for repenting of sin for that is negative. Rather, it often is a “positive” message about living your best life now. It’s about positive affirmations and “good vibrations.”

Seeker centers are primarily based on two factors: the speaker and the audience, not on God. It focuses on the speaker because they’re often very loud, demonstrative and charismatic. Their presence is so powerful it can be hypnotic. Secondly, these centers focus on the parishioner because they react to the heretical message being delivered. They respond by shouting Amen, jumping up and down and running around the sanctuary. Jesus’ name is mentioned, but it’s not the Jesus of the Bible. One individual even had the gall to say that Jesus was a stripper because He died naked on the cross! Go search it out on YouTube. 

The thought process of these types of churches [(and I use the word church(es) loosely] is like this: cater the church service to the sinner and not the Christian. Use secular music so the sinner is comfortable when they enter the building. Churches are to be kind to all people, but that does not mean the gospel should be abandoned to conform to the world. Those that are in God’s house must hear God’s truth. The music must be worshipful to God not to man. Everything the world is used to doing outside of the Church should never be in the Church. The two must remain separate.

No one in the Church needs a motivational message about their goals and dreams. We need the word of God so that we can be reinvigorated with strength so that we can continue to fight the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8). We need the word of God so that we can combat falsehood and earnestly contend for the faith (1 Peter 3:15). Those are the best feel good messages one can receive; to know that you are in the will of God (Ephesians 5:17).

When one seeks God and His righteousness, everything in our lives falls in order  (Matthew 6:33).

What must the unsaved hear when they enter God’s house?

Jesus started His public ministry by commanding everyone to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). Jesus went right to the heart of man’s problem, his sinful nature. Why did He do this? Because He was preaching the good news, the gospel. The goal of the faithful Pastor is to persuade the sinner why he or she needs to be saved. We do all we can do in the natural to compel people why they must repent, and leave it up to God to convert the soul through the dynamic power of the word of God (Psalm 19:7). It amazes me the power that so many Pastors have (i.e. the word of God), yet they fail to use it all because they want the unchurched to receive their watered down powerless message. The weak Pastor to me is the greatest enemy of the unsaved when they teach a user-friendly message. Why? They have disguised themselves as a sheep when they’re a wolf. The role of the Pastor is to warn the unsaved by telling them of pending eternal destruction and hell if they refuse to repent. Despite what many believe, preaching a message about avoiding hell is not hateful, it is loving if taught with the understanding you have a burden for that person’s soul. (Ephesians 4:15).

When Paul was before King Herod Agrippa and shared his testimony about his conversion to Jesus, he was so compelling that Herod said, “You almost persuaded me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). These are the types of penetrating messages that must be preached. Same thing happened when Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. In verse 37 it says they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” 

Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:37-39). In verse 40b Peter said, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

 It is like Peter is speaking these words today although he spoke them 2000 years ago. We too must be saved from this perverse generation. This is the message that everyone must hear-the message that pricks men’s heart so that they can repent and be saved so they do not eternally perish. The seeker friendly message does nothing but brings the world into the church, makes them comfortable in their sin instead of uncomfortable because God has been de-fanged of His power, and everyone's ears are tickled due to a toxic candyland message.

Shame on those who teach a different gospel other than what Jesus, the apostles and the men and women have preached throughout church history. The judgment for those who preach a false gospel will eternally regret it (Galatians 1:8).