Hello Fellow Christians,
God gave us the entire Bible for a reason…
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:1-4
I heard a Joel Osteen youtube video the other day. In it, he told the interviewer he doesn’t like to talk about hell and other related, “heavy” topics because “people are so beat up and beaten down” that he feels it’s not right to talk about those subjects. He wants to talk about topics that lift people up.
I know my gift is to encourage others as well and I have to admit, I’ve gotten some good insights from Joel. But, even Jesus talked about hell and other themes Joel stays away from. If the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), I want to know how not to sin, how not to miss God’s mark, how to live God’s ways that will bless my life. If Jesus taught these points, shouldn’t we, especially in today’s environment?
The truth (Jesus – John 14:6) will set us free. If Jesus didn’t, then we can’t conveniently omit topics that are actually meant to set people free.
I’ve been listening to some folks talking about all of the confusing “Christian” doctrines being slung around these days – They stated that there are very few churches they’d recommend. Reminds me of how important it is to know the Word, the Bible. Knowing what the Bible has to say keeps us from getting lead astray by “every wind of doctrine.” It’s also important to pray about teachings and to ask God to show you if the teaching is out of order or not in line with His will.
Whenever I hear of some new movement in the church, I watch it for a while and note what some others are saying about it. I don’t just jump in and I don’t get on the “band wagon” until I’ve tested what the ministry is saying and teaching overall.
Lots of times, when a new ministry or church begins talking about and emphasizing money, I get really cautious. Sure enough, most of the time, the teaching begins to sound “off” when compared to what the Bible teaches as a whole.
There are many groups and teachers talking about the gifts, money and being seeker-friendly these days. Be careful, people. If the teaching isn’t talking about Jesus, the cross, eternal salvation or damnation, laying your life down, loving your wife and family, etc., be very leery of it.
By the way, recently, I read that even the people attending the famous Willow Creek Community Church aren’t satisfied with the shallow, seeker-friendly atmosphere. They want to go deeper in Jesus and the leaders are somewhat confused on just how to do that…
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;
Ephesians 4:14
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
God bless,
Mark