2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no
marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works.
Many people
have been led astray from God due to WOLVES in the pulpit. These people have
encountered serious hurts from those who were “supposedly” set in place to lead
them and help promote their growth in Christ. Instead of being the example that
the children of God were able to look at, they were the ones who turned them
against the church altogether and in many of cases, against God. In their
minds, they believe that if a God could allow a leader to take advantage of His
children, then this is the type of God that is not worth serving.
What would
make people decide that they do not want to come to church and in some cases
serve God altogether? Could it be that the image of the church has been
distorted by men and women of God right up in the pulpit? Could it be that “preachers”
of the gospel have turned God’s church into a mockery? Could it be that the
excessive spending on lavish lifestyles, womanizing, hypocrisy and the desire
for Hollywood stardom has turned many would-be-saved Christians running to the
fastest exit that they can find? Has the desire for secular worship houses, which
blends into the mainstream, caused the word of God to be watered down to the
point where church is more like a Golden Globe’s Award Show instead of a House
of Worship? Is it that the outward display of prideful living has caused many
who would give to the ministry of God to shrink back due to misuses of God’s
funds?
All of the
above are very probable scenarios, which are taking place every day. God has
become the mockery of many so-called leaders of the gospel and God is not
pleased with the way they are turning souls who would be for Him—against Him.
It is a sad day when preachers feel
comfortable with the misrepresentation of God because they want to fit into the
Hollywood “norm.” What would Jesus say
and do if He were here on Earth about this? Could you see Jesus being on the TV
lineup for Preachers of LA? Would Jesus have His huge gold chain, fancy car,
mansion house, and Armani suits available for the world to see? Would Jesus
have His choice of women to sleep with and have the gospel compromised? Would
Jesus dishonor His Father for the fame of the world?
Mathew 4:8-11 Again, 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.’” Then the devil left him, and angels
came and attended him. (NIV) Jesus had a chance to get caught up
into the things of the world, but he did not allow the devil to take him there.
Satan was offering him the chance of fame, fortune, and popularity. Instead,
Jesus chose a life humility, poverty, and disapproval among the religious community
of his day. As a matter of fact, Jesus was so against what the church had
become in his day that he drove them out in anger. John 2:14-15 In the
temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others
sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove
all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the
money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a
market!” Jesus did not want his Father’s house to be made a
mockery of. God’s house was to win souls and is still supposed to be that way
today. Is that being done today or is something else being won over instead?
Hmmm…makes one think.
So this
takes me to another point…Money. Why is it that some people do not want to give
to the church? Well, we shouldn’t look at it as giving to the “church” but it
should be looked at as giving to God. However, due to the misrepresentation, of
what the money is being used for legitimately in many churches, has become
distorted due to shows like Preachers of LA. Many, who already thought the
church is a place of preachers ripping off the poor and elderly, are in their eyes,
now being confirmed in front of a world-wide audience. Yes, this is very sad,
but is true. Many people have a negative view of the “mega” church. They look
at “mega” churches as nothing but “mega” money machines taking from the poor to
make themselves rich. The churches with ATM machines, Starbucks Coffee, and the
likes of rock bands has given a sour taste in many people’s mouth.
I have heard
countless people say that they don’t go to church because they get tired of
preachers always begging for money and taking up countless offerings. They say
that if God supplies all your needs then why do you have to “beg” for it at
every service. Well, do they have a point? Have we made worship service become
more of a begging service? Do we tell people that God will take care of you,
but PLEASE oh PLEASE get in the $100, $200 or $1000 line at church because we feel
that unless we beg the saints of God, the bills will not get paid? Is this
really the message that is being sent?
God DOES
want us to take care of His house and to give in order for the ministry to go
across the world. However, we must be very cautious in not letting our good be
evil spoken of. There is nothing wrong with building a nice place of worship.
However, when does it become more of Mega Greed instead of Mega Need? If you
are winning so many souls that that people are standing up and around the
building because you can’t hold them, then that is a GOOD thing. Therefore, it is a MEGA
NEED to get a new facility to hold them. However, if you are more concerned
with getting on TV, not to spread the gospel, but to become popular, having a
new building not because it’s needed, but because it ups your status, and
getting more people only to get more money…that is MEGA GREED. In this case, God may still use you for the end
results, but BEWARE!!! If your MOTIVES are wrong, you will not lift up your
eyes into heaven, but bow your head in hell. 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there
were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers
among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign
Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow
their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their
greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their
condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not
been sleeping.
There is so
much that can be said on this topic and due to this being a blog, I am not able
to do this all of this in 1 or 2 settings. What I will say is that there is a
difference in when you just have a preacher of the gospel and when you have a
pastor. A pastor will truly be one sent from God who also preaches, but he/she
will minister to your soul. They will help you in your Christian walk and you
will grow under their leadership. They will teach you the ways of God and
therefore, it is up to you to follow as they lead. They will not lead you
astray, but will ensure that their sheep are being fed the unadulterated word
of God. They will have a concern for you, others and the things of God. If it
displeases God, then it will displease them. They are not perfect, but they
will strive to be in the excellence of God. If you have this, you have a
pastor.
However, if
you are under the leadership of someone who goes against the will of God,
self-seeking and self-serving, has a desire to only obtain the things of the
world, preaches a good sermon, but doesn’t live it, you may have just a
preacher. If his love is more for money than for helping those in need, you may
have just a preacher. If you can’t get to him without having to go through his
secret service, you may just have a preacher. This is not for those who have
large congregations where they have to delegate duties…this is needed because a
pastor can’t do it all, but you get the point. If you can’t shake his/her hand
unless there’s money in it, you may just have a preacher. I hope you get the
point.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
Just
remember to follow God’s voice. He will never lead you astray. Do not stop
giving to the cause of God just become “some” may not be doing the will of God.
In the end, they will pay for their wickedness, but you have the obligation to
help souls be saved. Giving is required in order to receive the blessings from
God. A tight fist isn’t open to receive. Make sure to always help others and
God in turn will bless and reward you. There are pastors all across the world that
are living and doing what God will have them. Do not let a “few” discourage you
from doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. God rewards those who come
earnestly before Him and seek His face. Stay faithful, do not be discouraged,
and ALWAYS do what is right. Take care my people and be blessed.
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