As Christians we must individually mature inChrist, and know who to follow, who to support and why. The world takes our example more seriously than our Christian advice (judgment).
#1. Mega Prosperity (Personality Driven) Preachers : As Christians we need to be more aware of those representing the
teachings of Jesus. We must ask ourselves
- do they teach by their life example or are they just a voice expounding from
biblical memory of scripture without true understanding. When we forget our
past we’re doomed to repeat it.
For the record - I’m not new to the Mega Christian Movements in America. As a boy I was raised on Oral Roberts and his multimillion dollar healing hospital, Jimmy Swaggart's jet and the great Billy Graham peaceful conservative lifestyle.
Then as I got older, I remember watching Richard Roberts, Robert
Schuller, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, PTL (Jim Bakker), and now we have the
‘Paul Crouchs’ of TBN, the Paula Whites, Joyce Meyers, Creflow Dollar, TD
Jakes, the Mike Murdocks and of course the most popular Joel Osteen.
Now, what do these preachers all have in common? Outside of
Billy Graham, they all lived or live multi-million dollar lavish lifestyles as
favored Christian Kings and Queens, all the while claiming to ‘need
money’ to help feed and clothe the needy worldwide.
Is this what Jesus taught? Are they not aware of the embarrassment
this ‘type of hype’ brings to Christianity? Especially in the poorer countries
where humble servants of God (at the risk of being killed) struggle to help the
lost find Christ, while in America preachers brag about having Gods ‘special
favor’ in their prosperity.
Do they really need to live in big mansions and have multiple
luxury cars and planes? Do they really need to have multi-millions of dollars
of real estate in their ministry portfolios for their security while discussing
the “coming of the Lord” at any moment? Do they really need to give
Bentleys away to one another or allow their church to buy them Rolls Royce’s
while asking for ‘more to feed the poor’?
Is this the true message of Jesus? Is this Christianity in
action? I am not here to judge, I’m here to ask the questions before Jesus
returns.
If you inquire about these people, their lifestyles and review
their personal reputations among the most humble ministers of the Lord, you’ll
quickly see through their unfortunate misunderstanding of scripture pertaining
to self worth.
Example: they flaunt their worldly possessions of which Jesus saw no value.
Example: they flaunt their worldly possessions of which Jesus saw no value.
Remember the temptation from Satan described in Matt. 4: 8-10? “The devil took him to a very high
mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All
this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus
said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God,
and serve Him only”.
In the end I don’t think we can barter with God by using our tithes
as seeds for more lavish things way beyond our needs. I think it’s time ‘Mega-Ministers’ scaled back their lavish lifestyles
and lived on 10% of their incomes, giving 90% away to feed, clothe and help the
needy; first in their city, state and country and then the world.
How can we help the world be Christian strong if we’re Christian
weak in America? If we don’t start restoring the Christian principles that
America was founded on we won’t have a chance. And it may be too late, if we
can’t get our Mega Ministers to realize they weaken the body of Christ by
living life in such a gaudy way. Jesus
said, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the
things he possesses”.
#2. Evangelist / Preachers who refuse to use repentance
and
baptism to begin the ‘born again’ process as Jesus taught.
We need to tell it like it is. The whole born again process is
the most important beginning for anyone coming to JESUS and being HIS.
Jesus said: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.'
For I did not come
to call the righteous, but sinners, to
repentance."
PETER TAUGHT - WHAT JESUS SAID
On Heaven Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
in heaven.
Jesus makes no excuses for those who don’t
follow Him, every day in every way. You’re either worthy of Him or you’re not!
Being a ‘born again’ Christian might be simple to explain but
it’s not easy to do. It should be represented in a truthful way. It’s serious
and our souls are at stake.
We should be teaching exactly what Jesus said in the Gospels about sin, repentance, love, forgiveness and discipleship. We need to know what Jesus said even more so than what Peter, James, John and Paul said or anyone else since them.
We should be teaching exactly what Jesus said in the Gospels about sin, repentance, love, forgiveness and discipleship. We need to know what Jesus said even more so than what Peter, James, John and Paul said or anyone else since them.
There’s a difference between those who teach the gospel according to Jesus and those who teach the gospel according to Paul. (It’s called Pauline Christianity) and it’s worth your time to review the Great Debate and decide for yourself. Just remember, it all started with “what Jesus said”, and He also had the last word in Revelation.
#3. Non-Practicing Christians - The ones who embarrass us by false confessions and dishonest behavior, while calling themselves-
non practicing Christians.
As a counselor, I am always surprised while talking to
Christians when they say they “know very little of the Gospels”. They actually
call themselves “Non-Practicing Christians” and they expect to enter heaven
simply because they once said a prayer of repentance in church or while
touching the TV screen. Most of them really didn’t know what the word ‘repentance’ meant. And yet they expect to get into Heaven while they’re playing in
Hell.
Whoever thinks they’re going to the same place Jesus is without
following His Example - truthfully and daily - is sincerely wrong. It’s true;
no one can snatch you out of His hand. However, if you’re out sinning and
fooling around and not in HIS hand ... then what?
I think all non-practicing Christians should be warned and
informed: You’re either with the Lord or you’re not. Be hot or cold but never
be lukewarm, or He will spit you out of His mouth. (see Rev. 3:16) •That sounds very specific
to me.
ITS
TIME WE MEASURE OUR EXAMPLE BY JESUS CHRIST
•THE ONE WAY we can ALL HELP, is knowing what Jesus meant when He said,
“I AM the Way, the Truth and the
Life”.
I think we ALL need to know WHAT JESUS SAID and decide if it
matters to us.
Our decision determines if we’ll read HIS WORDS.
Our decision determines if we’ll read HIS WORDS.
The great Bible Scholar Henry H. Halley, said it this way:
"The Four Gospels are, by all odds, the most Important part
of the Bible: more important than all the rest of the Bible put together: more
important than all the rest of the books in the whole world put together, for
we could better afford to be without the knowledge of everything else than to
be without the knowledge of Jesus Christ."
When we read the ‘words of Jesus’ (highlighted in red) in our
Bible, we quickly see the intensity with which Jesus speaks and teaches. When
He speaks He isn’t vague. He’s specific. He tells us over and over again to
hear His Words, and to follow His Commandments.
Jesus said, “By
this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another”.
Now that’s specific, and that’s why it’s so important to know, that you know, what did Jesus say to do. In the end, our test will not be based on what Peter, James,
John and Paul said (or any other preacher); it’ll be based on what Jesus said.
John and Paul said (or any other preacher); it’ll be based on what Jesus said.
IF Jesus Christ matters to you then dedicate yourself to HIS
WORDS. Be the example of HIS LOVE and you’ll be called HIS DISCIPLE forevermore
and you’ll fulfill what HIS Apostles taught too!
Now, I leave you with these words
from Jesus:
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My
word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home
with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which
you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me”. (John 14:23-24)
I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me
a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life.
Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."-
John 12:49-50
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free. - John 8:31-32
On
Discipleship Jesus said,
For the Record,
I believe we should ALL know, the story of Jesus and what He
taught His Disciples, as well as what they taught in their letters about Him.
We should also know what Paul said, how he was picked by Jesus and what Jesus
said he had to do for Him, but we follow JESUS.
I believe our test will be based on WHAT JESUS SAID and our
living example of Him - nothing more, nothing less. With that in mind, I leave
you with the ‘last instructions’ Jesus gave HIS DISCIPLES –
May God bless all those who serve His Will,
everyday in every way.
everyday in every way.
In His Word and Love,
I serve, as your brother in Christ.
Rev. Christian
PS: Here’s my Conclusions
in Christ,
I ask you to make one too.
Who is Rev. Christian
His calling to ministry was simple and clear. While in prayer,
Jesus told him to “tell them what I told them and nothing
more”
And with that instruction, he composed a book that clearly
organizes the “words of Jesus” into a teaching / learning format that anyone
can use in bible study, church groups or for daily devotion. It would take him a
total of 12 years to write, edit and publish in full color.
The book is called, “What Did Jesus Say - The Seven Messages
from the Master”. It contains over 500 scriptures spoken directly by Jesus as
highlighted in red in the NKJV Bible, without commentary or opinion its message
is only the words of Jesus.
This book is dedicated to everyone who wants to walk with Jesus,
hear His words, and understand His message.
