Infiltration and Indoctrination

Some ask, "How does false doctrine take root within the Church?" The answer is found in two words:

INFILTRATION and INDOCTRINATION.

Merriam-Webster defines the word INFILTRATE thusly:

TRANSITIVE VERB

1. to cause (as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices

2. to pass into or through (a substance) by filtering or permeating

3. to pass (troops) singly or in small groups through gaps in the enemy line

4. to enter or become established in gradually or unobtrusively usually for subversive purposes <the intelligence staff had been infiltrated by spies>

INTRANSITIVE VERB

to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by insinuating gradually

Merriam-Webster defines the word INDOCTRINATE thusly:

1. to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments : teach

2. to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle

INFILTRATION takes place as SERMONS OF MEN are valued ABOVE the Word of God...resulting in an ABSENCE of DISCERNMENT.

Acts 17:11 KJV “These [the Bereans] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”


INDOCTRINATION takes place as there is a GRADUAL DEPARTURE from the TRUTH.

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

Notice these essentials:

1. The Bereans were EAGER to hear the TRUTH…not seeking to be ENTERTAINED but, instead, to be ENLIGHTENED.

2. The Bereans heard the sermons preached by Paul (as well as others), yet they never BELIEVED what was spoken until they had thoroughly “searched the Scriptures daily” for the purpose of CONFIRMING what was spoken..

3. The Bereans realized that what is spoken from a pulpit is not always TRUTH.

4. The Bereans realized that the FRUIT of a ministry is based on the ROOT of the ministry. In other words, what is spoken/preached/taught must be FIRMLY ESTABLISHED in the Word of God.

5. The Bereans realized that CONTEXT is ESSENTIAL. SERMONS may QUOTE the Word of God while not being ROOTED in the Word of God: a Scripture pulled FROM the Word of God (taken out of context) is no longer rooted IN the Word of God. (If you UPROOT a ROSE from the soil…it REMAINS a rose…but it is no longer ROOTED. Therefore…the rose cannot continue to GROW…nor can it continue to SURVIVE.)

6. The Bereans PROTECTED the TRUTH. They were UNWILLING to let ANY MAN deceive them. In so doing, they refused to be INFILTRATED and INDOCTRINATED.

Look again at the definition of INFILTRATE. Notice these words and phrases regarding infiltration:

1. To Permeate - the Word of God is DIFFUSED (not concentrated nor made the central focus)

2. To Penetrate - to enter by overcoming resistance

3. Filtering - subjecting the Word of God to a FILTER: to sift through to remove portions or particles

4. To pass through gaps - done through a LACK OF KNOWLEDGE regarding the Word of God

5. To enter in gradually - repeated teaching, done in incremental fashion

6. To enter in unobtrusively - due to lack of RESISTANCE (refusal to confront the error of the doctrine)

7. To enter in subversively - secretly introduced heresies which are SILENT KILLERS

8. To insinuate gradually - to introduce by stealthy, smooth, artful, subtle, indirect, and/or covert ways

But, in the SPIRITUAL realm, how does this apply? How can we further understand the POWER of the Word of God…the POWER we possess if we APPLY the Word of God to what we hear spoken from a pulpit?

What is the KEY?

We must understand that God NEVER intended for us to accept ANY teaching simply based on WHO the teacher is who fills the pulpit! Even though Paul and Silas had been commissioned by “the brethren”, the Bereans knew that the Word of God was TRUTH…and they knew that ANYTHING spoken…even if spoken by a REPUTABLE minister…must be MEASURED and EVALUATED in light of the TRUTH of the Word of God. Paul would write, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-12 NKJV)

Paul uses this phrase…”but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” The word PERVERT refers to MUTATION or MORPHING. Imagine the old comic book character THE HULK…as the character DAVID BANNER morphs into a BEAST. In this same way, false teachers take the Word of God and they create a MUTATION…which is a teaching which GOES BEYOND the realm of TRUTH, as the false teaching actually GROWS BEYOND the ORIGINAL INTENT which God has PURPOSED for the passage being exegeted… creating a “new revelation” which is UPROOTED from the Word of God, with its ESSENTIAL CONNECTION to TRUTH being negated, separated, and eliminated. And…although it is seen as Scripture…the false teaching is based on Scripture REMOVED from is CONTEXT…thus, eliminating its TRUTH. Thus…the INCREDIBLE HULK (the false doctrine) begins to exist APART FROM David Banner (the truth…reality)…as the Word of God ceases to be the AUTHORITY in the matter.

There are many POPULAR TEACHINGS within the Church…the Body of Christ…which I would LOVE to ACCEPT and BELIEVE! We probably ALL need to admit that! I would LOVE for some teachings to be TRUE…being found ESTABLISHED and CONFIRMED by the Word of God! But we are not called to discover what we WANT and WISH to be true by the Word of God: we are called to discover what IS true!

NEVER be AFRAID or INTIMIDATED as you DARE to SEARCH the Word of God regarding what is spoken from the pulpit of your church as “Thus saith the Lord!” Too often, ministers and ministries present a “How dare you question what is being taught here!” attitude.

But…the reality and call of God through His Word is this:

How dare we NOT search the Word of God regarding what is being spoken from pulpits through “men of God” today! DARE to STUDY and KNOW the Word of God! DARE to NOT BELIEVE any teaching which cannot meet the scrutiny of STUDY and DISCERNMENT! DARE to QUESTION any and all teachings which are presented as “truth”…yet they appear “too good to be true” or they CONTRADICT other passages within the Word of God on the subject!

DARE to be as a BEREAN!

In Christ,

Ron

　

　

ILLUSIONS OF MINISTY: When "a form of godliness" fills the Pulpit

2 Timothy 3 (NKJV)

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When the MESSAGE of our MINISTRY exists to promote our MINISTRY, then our MINISTRY ceases to actually MINISTER. Thus, the spreading of the GOSPEL ceases, and finances are no longer supporting the GOSPEL...they are simply financing a SELF-ADVERTISING RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

How often we hear the call, saying "Help me spread the Gospel"...yet, the Gospel is CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT in the presentation!

As I watch Christian programming, I am overwhelmed at the ILLUSION of MINISTRY as the claim of "Spreading the Gospel" is made...yet the only mention of the Gospel is as a word in a ministry advertisement! In place of the Gospel, they have offered every possible doctrine and teaching which always seems to circle around one theme: "God wants you to sow a seed into this ministry...and if you obey God, He will bless you with earthly riches, fulfilling your every desire."

Many years ago, a man traveled from town to town promoting his attempt to lift a car over his head with one hand. Around town, posters depicted the man in a triumphant pose, his right hand firmly planted on his hip, as his left hand held aloft a large Chevy coupe. The townspeople were all talking...skeptic and believer alike. Excitement was in the air...and NO ONE was going to miss this event! As the time drew near, the crowd began to gather. One by one, the townspeople eagerly paid the price of admission, entering into the hidden arena and finding a seat. The anticipation was visibly evident in the crowd. Soon, the announcer entered the large circle as a microphone slowly lowered directly into the center. With a drum roll and the blast of trumpets, the announcer shouted, "Ladies and gentleman, tonight we will witness an attempt of a GREAT FEAT! The Great Strong Man will attempt to lift this car..."as a huge tarp was lifted, revealing the Chevy coupe..."not with TWO hands...but with only ONE hand! It is a dangerous test of superhuman strength! Now...I present to you...THE GREAT STRONG MAN!"

With that, The Great Strong Man ran into the circle, waving to the crowd and bowing repeatedly. Then...he held his hand up as if asking for silence. He turned and nodded toward the lone drummer...and the drum roll began! Bending slowly down, The Great Strong Man placed his hand on the support brackets specifically made to give balance during this amazing attempt. The drum roll grew louder, the crowd joining in with rhythmic clapping. Soon...the crowd was chanting together "Lift it! Lift it! Lift it!" Then...suddenly...The Great Strong Man strained with all his might, as his muscles bulged with the appearance that they would BURST at the slightest poke! Seconds passed...then minutes...yet, only one tire appeared to leave the ground...if only for one very brief moment. Within minutes, The Great Strong Man ceased his straining, shaking his head in disappointment as he looked in the direction of the announcer. The announcer sadly proclaimed, "Ladies and gentleman, tonight we have witnessed a noble attempt...yet, there are times when the body is weak, and the feat is just not possible. But...let's give The Great Strong Man a rousing applause for his grand attempt!" With that...the crowd left, a bit dejected and unfulfilled.

This scenario would be repeated in town after town...until, one day, a reporter sat down to interview The Great Strong Man. "How many times have you SUCCESSFULLY accomplished this great feat, sir?" Calmly, The Great Strong Man replied, "Never. I not once have claimed that I have ever actually LIFTED the car over my head with one hand: I have only said that I would ATTEMPT to accomplish so great a feat!"

This is a picture of many ministries today...as they ask you to invest your finances into the "Spreading of the Gospel". With great advertising and with much "pomp and circumstance", the fanfare surrounding this coming "attempt at so great a feat" is proclaimed to all who will hear! As the excitement builds, the people are enthralled by the presentation...and they are eager to be a part of something so great! But...it is here that reality should set in...if only the throngs of eager followers would look with discerning eyes! The futile attempt at the "great feat" is more powerful in its ADVERTISING than it is in its PERFORMANCE! Day in and day out...the fanfare surrounding the "coming attempt" FAR OUTWEIGHS any actual accomplishment of the advertised ACT. Actually...the financial resources are almost EXCLUSIVELY invested in the ADVERTISING of the ATTEMPT...while any ACTUAL attempt is FLIMSY and FUTILE in its execution. You see...in most cases...the feat has never truly been done! The TRUE Gospel has been replaced by the FUND RAISING GOSPEL...as the "Spreading of the Gospel" has become the great HOOK LINE which draws in donors. Yet, the reality is this: the MESSAGE of these ministries is not TRULY the GOSPEL...the MESSAGE is the PRESENTATION OF A FUTILE EFFORT at some FUTURE ATTEMPT! The claim becomes "We need your financial support to fund our next attempt!"

In truth, the focus of the ministry has shifted from one of actually "Spreading the Gospel" to one of "Sow a seed into our ministry to allow God to prosper you as we make very few actual attempts at spreading the Gospel, focusing our attention almost EXCLUSIVELY on pleas for support, sprinkled with excerpts from our CRUSADES in which you can witness claims of physical healings of no visible sickness or disease, financial returns on 'sown seed', and a complete listing of our scheduled appearances for the upcoming months and year."

... OR...

"Sow a seed into our ministry as we offer you an encouraging, non-judgmental, non-sin-confronting, totally positive, favor-speaking, blessing-declaring, sin-accepting, obedience-denying, Bible-distorting, lie-filled, Satan-inspired, self-seeking, power-lacking, entertainment-filled church service! Join the masses as they flock to our church! Our large membership and huge attendance is PROOF that Jesus is on our side...as we affirm that homosexuals can go to heaven...because we will ALL go to heaven with SOME type of sin! And...we affirm our Islamic brothers and sisters...as we enter into ministry together (promising NOT to try to evangelize/steal each other's faithful believers!) to meet the societal needs of our community, setting aside Biblical truth in a religious unity in an effort to stamp out in INTOLERANCE in our hearts! We firmly renounce any LAW which demands OBEDIENCE to the TRUTHS of the Word of God, choosing EXTREME GRACE which covers our disobedience...as we call people to 'COME TO JESUS AS YOU ARE...TRUE CHANGE IS NOT NEEDED: freely LEAVE the Cross the same way you CAME to the Cross!' Come join our MEGA-MINISTRY...as we seek to welcome you into our exciting presence...and under our impressive influence!"

Yes...we live in a day when the ILLUSION of ministry is greater than the TRUE spreading of the Gospel...and a day when defending the faith is called "being judgmental" and/or "legalism" and/or "negative thinking"...while false doctrine is held up as "new revelation" and/or "spiritual insight"...with declarations of "I got a word!" and/or "God wants Christians wealthy!" and/or "There are many paths to God!" and/or "Gold dust appeared in our service!" and/or "This is your year!" and/or "Favor! Favor! Favor! Blessing! Blessing! Blessing!"

Yes...The Great Strong Man has become an ORDAINED MINISTER...and his MINISTRY is EXPANDING and EXPLODING...right in our very faces! And...trust me...it isn't "Coming to a church near you!": it is "Now at a church near you!" And it MAY BE appearing at your church next Sunday!

　

RELEVANCE without REASON: The Satanic Attack on the Simplicity of the Gospel

I went shopping the other day. As I looked at various items…clothes, house wares, etc…I shopped based on my personal tastes. That makes sense to me. Now, of course, we all have SOME propensity to shop for SOME things with others in mind. I mean, who wants to wear clothes that everyone considers RIDICULOUS! But, as I looked/shopped, I realized something…I do not look for things that I already have. Now, I am not saying I do not shop for SIMILAR things…even though, when it comes to jeans, I primarily buy Levi’s 501 jeans only…but I do not go buy the exact same shirt that I already have at home. Similar maybe…but not JUST like the one I already have. I buy things I like…but I want to wear a shirt that I like one day and ANOTHER shirt that I like ANOTHER day. What would be the point of buying 10 shirts EXACTLY the same and wearing them? I guess buying and wearing 10 would keep that particular group of shirts cleaner and allow me to wear that group of shirts for a LONG time, but I think that is…and would be…just a bit odd. I just do not need ANOTHER shirt like the one I ALREADY have. And, I realize that this same principle applies in the Church…and its search for RELEVANCE.

RELEVANCE has become “THE” Christian buzzword of this generation. Well, that and RELATIONSHIP. And both of these ideas are good ones…Biblical ones. That is….as long as they REMAIN Biblically based and Scripturally sound. As with any Christian, any minister, any disciple of Jesus…I want to have an impact on humanity. I want to reach out and give of myself to minister and witness to those who do not know Jesus as their Savior. I want to help those who DO accept Jesus to grow into more than followers and to become disciples of Jesus. From there, I hope to help each one become an apostle for the cause of Christ. That brings me back to my previous thought…RELEVANCE. The Church seems to be searching for it…but how will they know when they find it?

Is RELEVANCE simply POPULARITY? Can RELEVANCE be measured by church attendance? And I am curious…when did the Church LOSE its RELEVANCE? And…is it THE Church that needs relevance…is it YOUR church that needs RELEVANCE…is it YOU that needs RELEVANCE? What EXACTLY has become IRRELEVANT?

I guess the reason I am so confused by it all is that I read A LOT …A LOT…of Christian material and A LOT…A LOT…of other material (news online, newspapers, TV news, etc). I study and read the Bible A LOT…A LOT. I do not say any of this in a “look at me” kind of way. But, with all that I read…I have yet to see any REAL and BIBLICAL thought on being RELEVANT. I know it is a popular idea today to search for it…but, if so many are searching for RELEVANCE, then when did so many LOSE their RELEVANCE? And, if they have become IRRELEVANT, do they matter in this discussion…aren’t they, by admission, IRRELEVANT to all of this? That seems implausible to me…I would consider every creation of God RELEVANT. So…it, and they, must mean something different…you think?

The Church has certainly jumped on the “buzzword” bandwagon over the years. Some of it has been downright hilarious. Some words and phrases coined over the years have even been mistaken for SCRIPTURE. Sad…but true. Today, these words and/or phrases are CONSTANTLY being mentioned on Christian TV and in pulpits across American: A NEW SEASON, THE YEAR OF…., THE SPIRIT OF LACK, THE SPIRIT OF POVERTY, STEP INTO…., CLAIM…, PROPHETIC, FIRE, DESTINY…I could go on and on. Many of these words have some truth…many are spiritual hogwash. Some ministers create a “SPIRIT OF…” for every sin. That is just a modern day version of “The devil made me do it” syndrome.

What is my point in all of this? First, it is to say that “buzzwords” are just that…BUZZWORDS. But, too many times ministers are simply using a “word of the day” mentality…taking that word and “PROCLAIMING” it to a congregation. Just as in the Word of God, the Lord spoke many things…but in each case Jesus did NOT get a “buzzword” that He liked and use it to SOUND spiritual. Jesus spoke truth that was needed. Jesus spoke life. Jesus spoke to the SPECIFIC needs of those He encountered. Today, it often seems quite the contrary happens. Words get spoken for reactions. Ministers use “buzzwords” and hype to get a shout…or, in most cases, to get an offering.

Now…back to RELEVANCE. That is what ALL ministries are claiming and/or searching for in the Church today, it seems. But…I have to be honest…and I have to be true to God’s Spirit as He speaks to MY spirit. In ALMOST every case…I cannot find what they are searching for. In each case…I do not see that the ministry or church is seeking relevance…they are seeking popularity and better attendance! Why do I say that? Because what they claim, or change, to be RELEVANT is always based on APPEALING to the masses…APPEALING to the lost…APPEALING to the world. And it is there that I lose my understanding of their motives and ministry.

There are so many passages in the Word of God that tell us that the proclamation of the Gospel will not be popular. The Bible also tells us that those who proclaim the Gospel will NOT be widely accepted or even liked. Scripture also tells us that the gate/path to ETERNAL LIFE is narrow and only a FEW will find it. On top of all of that, I am DEFINITELY sure of this…being APPEALING is OFTEN times ANYTHING BUT being relevant. Even Satan uses the APPEAL of many things to ensnare humanity. It is the very idea of something APPEALING to our flesh that brings on the thought of sin, and when that APPEAL is harbored within us, it brings forth sin.

It is with all of this in my thoughts and spirit that I write this warning: THE SEARCH FOR RELEVANCE IS CAUSING A MISTAKEN FOCUS ON APPEALING TO THE MASSES!

Jesus lived on this earth approximately 2000 years ago. He came as a man…as the Son of God…to redeem mankind. He ministered for 3+ years, he was crucified, he arose on the 3^rd day, and He is present with God the Father even now. Jesus did all of this so that we would not be condemned…He did it all so that EVERYONE could have eternal life. We accept this through BELIEF….FAITH….and Jesus gives salvation by grace. There is NOTHING irrelevant about that! It is totally RELEVANT!

Jesus, God’s Living Word, and His Written Word are relevant in every life, in every church, in every country on every continent. And all that He did….all that He said…all that He Is….can NEVER be made IRRELEVANT! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is always RELEVANT! And the message of the Gospel is the NUMBER ONE priority of the Church! The message of the Church, therefore, should always be RELEVANT!

Sadly, the Church’s focus and claim to be “searching for RELEVANCE” is, in essence, telling the world that….somehow….the message of “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” has become IRRELEVANT. Yet, the Church will only become IRRELEVANT if it ceases to preach and proclaim that message! And….sadly….it is beginning to do just that!

The Church has become APPEAL focused. The Church has become ATTENDANCE focused. The Church has become SELF focused. In doing so….the Church has made the GOSPEL a secondary issue. The thought is this: “We need to get them here to reach them (the lost). So, we must APPEAL to them.” Really? Really? REALLY? Paul would write to Timothy and say it this way: “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 4:3-4) Paul is writing about this very subject: APPEALING to the listeners.

It is here that the Church fails to recognize why it is losing influence in the world today. It is here that the Church fails to see that the statistics by George Barna regarding the loss of Biblical truths within the Church are NOT a reason to try different ways to APPEAL to the masses…but, instead, the statistics SHOULD lead us to realize that all the modern ideas of entertainment and APPEAL built into modern “worship” are destroying the foundations of the Church! In trying to PLEASE the masses…the Church has quit being RELEVANT. Why? Remember my story at the beginning of this writing: my recent shopping trip? That story applies here.

This generation has almost every possible device, game, gadget and “new idea” at its immediate disposal. I am AMAZED at what kids have today! Even before many go to elementary school, they already have things that most adults never had 20 years ago. We live at a time when it seems “the sky is the limit.” With all that kids have today…they STILL get bored. There just doesn’t seem to be enough to keep them happy. Therein lies the problem: in my day, in my generation, my parents…THANK GOD…did not seem to focus so much on my HAPPINESS! They, instead, focused on my WELL-BEING! And trust me…there IS a difference.

With all of this in mind, I have come to realize…not on my own, but through prayer and through God’s Spirit…that the Church has become just like most parents today: it is in the “make them happy” business. APPEALING TO THE MASSES has become the “LAW OF MINISTRY”. Yet, notice with me some examples from the business world that gives us insight to reality: BEST BUY is struggling to survive, office supply stores are closing down, KMart/Sears is on the verge of disappearing, and other businesses of various kinds that were once so POPULAR have now found themselves struggling. In a market driven world, when people quit buying, businesses close their doors. But…the Church is, and never was supposed to be, a business. Yet, many churches are finding the same problems. But, unlike in business, the Church was…is…WRONG to ever base its success on APPEALING to the masses.

If you are like me, you would agree with my opening story of shopping. So, let me ask this: would you even enter the doors of a store that ONLY had…ONLY offered…items that you ALREADY HAVE? If you looked through the windows of a department store and, in every area, you saw shirts that were EXACTLY like ones you already have at home, would you bother going in? And if you did go in and have a look…finding that the store DID INDEED only have things EXACTLY like you already have…would you ever bother going back? I think not. This is the problem with the Church today.

The Church, in its search for RELEVANCE, has been supplying the masses with things they want. In the realm of music, the problem IS NOT music that is modern and new…the problem is the FOCUS of the music and how it is presented. And…using the term PRESENTED is appropriate. It was a great time when the Church began to leave behind what we called “song service” and began to utilize and enter into a time of WORSHIP as a body of believers. That change from simply singing Christian songs to actually using songs to focus on Jesus and to worship Him was…and remains…a powerful aspect of ministry in the Church. But many fail to see that MANY songs considered WORSHIP today are NOT worship songs at all…they may be good Christian songs, but they are not WORSHIP. I have said it before and I say it again…even PRAISE and WORSHIP are not the same thing. I can praise anyone for anything…yet WORSHIP is much more. In a figurative sense…and maybe we should make it more literal…BOWING is maybe the ultimate act of WORSHIP in Scripture. That act alone shows our reverence to God…showing He is above us, we are below Him, that He is the Supreme God of the Universe, that HE IS ABOVE ALL. Here is an example of a SONG OF WORSHIP:

“Worship You…I will worship You. Lord, in this place I seek your face and worship you. Through all my days I will give you praise…Lord, in this place my hands I raise, and Lord I worship You.” (WORSHIP YOU by Rick Riso)

Notice the focus of the words: they are from CREATION to CREATOR…from me to God. The focus here is upward. That is ALWAYS the direction of worship. But today, I sit through services where MOST songs are SELF focused…or even OUTWARD focused…with very few songs actually UPWARD focused. Instead of paying attention to FOCUS and DIRECTION during worship, the Church has bought in to songs with admittedly beautiful lyrics and beautiful melodies…but many of these beautiful songs have NOTHING to do with worship. I recently even sat through what could be considered nothing more than a PERFORMANCE…yet they called it WORSHIP. It was complete with cute moves and staging for all to see. The worship team moved into groups at one point, they did cute hand motions, they bounced and moved to the beat together…a nice PERFORMANCE. But NOT worship. There is NO WAY to focus on what THEY were doing while still focusing ON GOD! What they did was for VISUAL EFFECT…to appeal to those watching. Somehow…they forgot the intent: to put ALL FOCUS ON GOD. Now, music is just ONE very visible example of this problem. But it does paint the picture of how we give the masses the style of music…the style of ministry…they want, yet we leave out the necessary SUBSTANCE to make it real.

All of these ideas and words have culminated in this: the Church mistook APPEAL for RELEVANCE…and in appealing to the masses, it actually began to offer to the masses EXACTLY what they can get…and have….outside of the Church. Thus, this MASS APPEAL may have gotten people to come see what we offer…but it also caused the masses to realize the Church was not offering anything beyond what they already have! And, worst of all, the masses saw no difference in those who labeled themselves as CHRISTIANS and those who did NOT take on the Christian label. In essence, the masses were offered much of the same things that they already had…and they saw that what they were offered didn’t seem to have ANY effect on those who already HAD it. They saw a WORDLY Church that offered no real change.

So….WHY ATTEND?

Whether I have spoken all of this in the best possible way I do not know. I sat today and simply wrote from the heart in a way that I would say it to anyone in person. But, I know this: the Church must return to being DIFFERENT and DISTINCTIVE from the world…rather than seeking ways to be more LIKE the world. It is JESUS CHRIST that makes us different. It is our desire to please HIM that makes us different. It is our adherence to HIS WORD that makes us different. We must be a part of the world…but we must not let the world be a part of us. We have tried to make the Gospel palatable…yet we made it weak and phony. In an effort to be NON-OFFENSIVE, we started using terms such as CHURCHED and UNCHURCHED…when the truth is we are all either SAVED or UNSAVED. CHURCHED is irrelevant…SAVED is RELEVANT!

I think the Church should do this: stop offering the masses the same ol’ shirt! We CAN be RELEVANT…but RELEVANT is NOT synonymous with APPEALING. We can try all we want…but the Bible says…and will ALWAYS say…the GOSPEL is an offence to those who do not believe. The Gospel, I admit, is HARD to believe. It is HARD to live. But…it is believed and lived by FAITH! It is not accepted by being APPEALING…it is accepted by FAITH. And the Gospel is ESPECIALLY this: RELEVANT!

I pray the Church again begins to let the HOLY SPIRIT do HIS work…the work of drawing men to Christ. I pray the Church then again begins to simply preach the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST and again makes strong disciples out of all believers. In doing so, I pray the Church leaves the four walls of its buildings and again begins to go out, witnessing everywhere they go, proclaiming the good news…the GOSPEL. I pray the Church does this: dares to be DIFFERENT!

Proper Training: When the Church is Armed for Selfish Pursuits

What happens when the Church is involved in TRAINING…yet, the Church is TRAINED in SELFISH PURSUITS?

The Church in America seems to spend MORE time training ATTENDEES in GOLD MINING techniques...in search of FINANCIAL GAIN and EARTHLY RICHES and EARTHLY HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT...instead of training BELIEVERS as SOLDIERS, preparing the Church for the SPIRITUAL BATTLES being waged by Satan through FALSE DOCTRINE and ANY and ALL forms of SPIRITUAL EVIL.

Thus...the Church is now armed with PICK AXES and other GOLD MINING TOOLS instead of being EQUIPPED and ARMED with the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT!

I have never seen a SPIRITUAL BATTLE won with CARNAL WEAPONRY!

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Notice this: GOLD MINING tools are NOT MENTIONED in God's Word! There are TWO DISTINCT categories of TOOLS mentioned in God's Word:

1. Weapons of Warfare - Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--"

2. The tools for SOWING, REAPING, HARVESTING - John 4:35 NKJV

“Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!”

Keep this TRUTH at the FOREFRONT of ALL DOCTRINE in this area: in EVERY instance, the focus of these tools are SPECIFICALLY explained in reference to SOUL WINNING, WORKS, or actual FARMING...NOT in WEALTH GAINING or WEALTH SEEKING!

The ABSENCE of any mention of GOLD MINING tools…or ANY OTHER tools of SEEKING WEALTH…is SIGNIFICANT!

You see…God’s Word speaks of the “desires” of the heart. God’s Word also says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34 NKJV) Thus, we see that if our desire is EARTHLY GOLD, then our HEART is BURIED with that gold!

Further, EVERY instance/mention of a DESIRE to ACQUIRE WEALTH (TREASURE) is noted in a NEGATIVE light in God’s Word.

James 5:3 NKJV (The desire to gain WEALTH and POSSESSIONS leads to DESTRUCTION.)

“Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.”

Ephesians 22:25 NKJV (The prophets have deceived the people for the purpose of gaining TREASURES.)

The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.

The Church in America has CONSISTENTLY focused on:

Wealth

Personal happiness

Comfort

Contentment (in place of CONVICTION)

Motivational Speaking

Morality (in place of TRUTH and HOLINESS) - You can be MORAL and remain UNSAVED!

Personal “truth” instead of Universal truth (The Word of God being replaced by “my view” of God)

In each case, people are DECEIVED into believing that these “doctrines” are “spiritual pursuits”. Yet, in every case, these “doctrines” are put IN PLACE OF… “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)

And…THIS IS ESSENTIAL: notice that the “things” that “shall be added to you” are NOT in ANY WAY denoted as EARTHLY WEALTH and RICHES! What is “added” then? It is CLEAR…because in the PRECEDING verses, Jesus is discussing the NECESSITIES OF LIFE. Jesus is saying that we will have FOOD to eat, WATER to drink, and CLOTHES to wear! NEVER is there a promise of WEALTH…just a promise of PROVISION of NECESSITIES.

But…remember: Scripture EXPLAINS and DEFINES Scripture. And, we learn in God’s Word that we are to WORK if we are to EAT! You see…there is a DIRECT correlation between our LABOR and our NEEDS being met!

I have said this REPEATEDLY over the past year: We are in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE. And…Satan has SUCCESSFULLY gotten the Church to focus on PANNING and MINING FOR GOLD…causing the

Church to lay down the “weapons of our warfare” without a fight!

God is calling the Church out of the CREEKS and MINES of the GOLD RUSH…calling BELIEVERS to RETURN TO BATTLE in the fight against EVIL! Notice this: when GOLD MINING…you must wield a PICK AXE…and you must strike AGAINST the ROCK! The PROSPERITY GOSPEL is NOT a doctrine of TRUTH…it is a doctrine which strikes AGAINST the Word of God and TRUTH!

As people are dying and going to hell…the Church is down at the GOLD MINE hoping to strike it rich! In doing so, Satan has DECEIVED the Church into FOLLOWING a doctrine which is actually STRIKING A BLOW against TRUTH! This GOLD MINING mentality must END!

So…back to the beginning:

The Church in America seems to spend MORE time training ATTENDERS in GOLD MINING techniques...in search of FINANCIAL GAIN and EARTHLY RICHES and EARTHLY HAPPINESS AND CONTENTMENT...instead of training BELIEVERS as SOLDIERS, preparing the Church for the SPIRITUAL BATTLES being waged by Satan through FALSE DOCTRINE and ANY and ALL forms of SPIRITUAL EVIL.

Thus...the Church is now armed with PICK AXES and other GOLD MINING TOOLS instead of being EQUIPPED and ARMED with the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT!

I have never seen a SPIRITUAL BATTLE won with CARNAL WEAPONRY!

THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Deceiving Spirits and Doctrines of Demons

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” (Keyser Soze, a fictional character played by Kevin Spacey in the movie THE USUAL SUSPECTS)

But…Satan’s GREATEST accomplishment has been this: 

Successfully convincing BELIEVERS and the CHURCH that he is nonexistent in their SERVICES, in their SERMONS, and in their DOCTRINES.

The Bible tells us that many IN THE FAITH will one day “depart from the faith”…and this will be caused by “deceiving spirits”, resulting in beliefs that are rooted in “doctrines of demons.” 

1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”.

Here is that same verse in the New American Standard Version:

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons”.

And, here is the verse in the New Revised Standard Version:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons”.

Here, we learn two things:

1. Some who have been IN THE FAITH will walk away from their beliefs, having been deceived by FALSE TEACHING.

2. The DOCTRINES which these people pursue will APPEAR to be TRUTH, yet these DOCTRINES will be inspired by DEMONS, not by God.

Today, many in the Church desire to protect their EXPERIENCE above their DOCTRINE. 

But, as Paul would write to Timothy, the DOCTRINE we follow will lead us somewhere: it will lead us TO God or AWAY from God. 

We can see in the passage of Scripture above that those who “depart from the faith” do so under DECEPTION. This provides for us INSIGHT…as we realize that those who follow these “deceiving spirits” do so without knowing that they are in error.

Now THAT is a scary TRUTH!

Paul, at the beginning of his letter to Timothy, would say:

“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:3-7 NKJV)

We see here that Paul is urging Timothy...from the outset...to protect his DOCTRINE. DOCTRINE is defined thusly:

1. Teaching, Instruction

2. a. Something that is taught

b. a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief (Dogma)

c. a principle of law established through past decisions

d. a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations,

e. a military principle or set of strategies

In 1 Timothy 6:3-12 (NKJV), Paul would then go on to say “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Paul is CLEAR regarding which DOCTRINES “some” have gotten involved with...as "some” have begun teaching that “godliness is a means of gain.” Paul explains to Timothy that “we brought nothing into this world”, and that we should be “content” with “food and clothing”. Then, Paul makes it VERY CLEAR, as he says “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare”, continuing on by saying that “some have strayed from the faith in greediness” by their pursuit of RICHES…even equating it to a spiritual SUICIDE ATTEMPT as they have “pierced themselves through with many arrows.”

Then…Paul makes it PERFECTLY CLEAR what he is instructing Timothy to do, as Paul writes: 

“But you, O man of God, flee these things…” 

Paul tells Timothy, in no uncertain terms, that Timothy MUST stay away from ANY and ALL doctrine which focuses on getting RICH, as those doctrines are in OPPOSITION to a GODLY PURSUIT, as Paul encouraged Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

And then…notice how the next verse coincides with the definition of DOCTRINE which reads “A military principle or set of strategies”, as Paul states: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Paul is actually urging Timothy to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH, noting that to do so will require a FIGHT!

Paul knew that anyone who dares CONTEND FOR THE FAITH…anyone who DEFENDS THE FAITH…anyone who speaks against the POPULAR, EAR-TICKLING, GET RICH BY BEING A CHRISTIAN doctrines of the day would find themselves in a BATTLE for TRUTH!

Here lies the problem:

The Church has somehow erroneously believed that they were SO SPIRITUAL and so “full of the Holy Ghost” that the Devil would not DARE step foot in their church…much less in their PULPIT! And…Satan, in seeing the success of his deception, now sits back and LAUGHS at the DELUSION that many in the Church are now living under.

Many falsely believe that the life of a believer is supposed to be one of EASE and COMFORT. But, we find that Paul would write a SECOND letter to Timothy…and Paul would greatly dispute that erroneous belief by stating in 2 Timothy 1:1-10 (NKJV):

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”

Paul is HONEST with Timothy, saying that he will have to “endure hardship.” Paul’s words then again reference that those who CONTEND FOR THE FAITH are “engaged in warfare.” We also learn here that Paul is now IMPRISONED, being labeled an “evildoer.”

You see, those who stand in OPPOSITION to FALSE DOCTRINE…those who will EARNESTLY defend the TRUTH of the Word of God…those who seek to PROTECT the people from DESTRUCTIVE DOCTRINES and HERESIES…those who DARE point out the ERROR which is being spoken from PULPITS in CHURCHES all across America and around the world…those WARRIORS for the TRUTH will be labeled EVILDOERS, as those who preach the “destructive heresies” (and those who follow them) aim their power (gained by their popular message) at anyone who DARES to speak out against them!

Oh…how the FALSE PROPHETS/FALSE TEACHERS love to sling their arrows at those who DARE to point out the DEMONIC INFLUENCE which is the impetus for their teachings! 

If I had a dime for every time a person contacted me with words like “Ron, you should be careful! You know what the Bible says: touch not mine anointed!”…how rich I would be!

Hear me…and let me make this clear: The TRULY “anointed” of God would NEVER speak, preach, and teach such DEMONIC DOCTRINES…doctrines of RICHES, full of DECEPTION and SEDUCTION. So…I will PROUDLY and PLAINLY state: I do NOT fear speaking out against those who pervert the truth of God’s Word…but I DO fear knowing the truth and NOT speaking out!

So…having said that…let me now say this: 

Satan has now entered the pulpits of churches across America and around the world…and we had ALL better be in prayer to God as we BEG and PLEAD for DISCERNMENT!

You DOUBT that statement??

Let me remind you of one ESSENTIAL truth which we discover in God’s Word: the FALSE PROPHET will play a HUGE role in the rise of the ANTICHRIST, as Revelation 13 even describes him as having the appearance of “a lamb” but with the voice “like a dragon.” Does this sound eerily similar to Matthew 7:15, which states (NKJV) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Remember my quote from the beginning of this writing? I repeat it here: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” 

But...the most DANGEROUS trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the CHURCH that he did not inspire the DOCTRINES that many are hearing from their PULPITS! 

There are no “harmless” doctrines when those doctrines are inspired by DEMONS, as Paul warned Timothy in his first letter to Timothy (as quoted earlier above)!

I mentioned this in one of my writings long ago, but I mention it again today: I remember watching a video years ago. This video was a documentary in which FORMER and PRESENT DAY Satanists and Witches were interviewed. The video was ASTOUNDING in its REVELATION! These people discussed the ORGANIZATION and UNITY found within their ranks. As they meet together regularly and faithfully, they actually PRAY for their success against the Church. They discussed their observations of the Church…how the Church is “lukewarm” and “blind” to the infiltration of Satan into their midst. After their time of WORSHIP and PRAYER to Satan, these people go to work on their plan…which is to INFILTRATE the Church. Of course, the revelation is not surprising: they successfully infiltrate the Church by APPEARING to be “good, honest Christians.” Their ORGANIZATION is amazing in its PLANNING! Each member of the COVEN is assigned a specific church to UNITE with. They are to “blend in”, as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”…yet, their PURPOSE is destruction. But…they accomplish their goal through DEDICATION and PATIENCE.

Each Satanist/Witch interviewed told of their “position” which they held in the Church. Here is a list of the positions held in the Church mentioned by Satanists/Witches in the video:

Choir Member
Children’s Church helper/teacher
Children’s Sunday School Teacher
Youth helper/teacher
Youth Pastor
Minister of Music
Staff Pastor
Senior Pastor

Surprised?!?

It is time that the Church realizes that Satan may not be OMNISCIENT (all-knowing, as God alone is)…but, over the course of thousands of years, Satan has LEARNED, and thus, he has PERFECTED his attacks on the Church and all things Godly! 

There was a time (at least in my opinion, observations, and discernment) when Satan was more easily RECOGNIZED in his tactics. But, today, the DECEPTIVE nature of Satan’s attacks are amazingly UNRECOGNIZED by many in the Body of Christ.

In times past, it seemed the Church only had to DISCERN between OBVIOUS TRUTH and OBVIOUS LIE. Today…the Church is struggling to DISCERN between TRUTH and ALMOST TRUTH!

Today, Satan’s lies are presented in an AMAZING PACKAGE of “truth“…but, that “truth” is noted as Scripture…but Scripture taken OUT OF CONTEXT. You see…TRUTH can become a LIE if that “truth” is not placed within its proper boundaries…which is the FULL CONTEXT of the PASSAGE.

Let me put it this way: 

What the Church needs to worry about is NOT the man who proclaims “Satan is Lord!”…but the Church needs to worry about the man who proclaims “Jesus is Lord!” while he is not PERSONALLY submitted to the Lord!

Here is what I KNOW: 

 A person cannot TRULY be serving Jesus while proclaiming “doctrines of demons.” But…neither will a man proclaiming “doctrines of demons” ever REVEAL to the Church that he is preaching under the inspiration of SATAN!

I wrote the other day about URGENCY. And this is what I KNOW…I AM SURE…that the Spirit of God revealed to me last Friday: if the PULPIT is preaching a TOMORROW gospel…then the PULPIT is not TODAY holy!

I have said this all before…and I say it again: God is NOT leading men to preach doctrines of RICHES and WEALTH which are based on BEING RICH and “planting financial seed” so that my TOMORROW will be lived in WEALTH and COMFORT! That false teaching is a TOMORROW gospel….and TOMORROW is never promised…nor may it even ever come! It will not matter if you plan to be saved TOMORROW if you die TODAY!

Any pulpit which continues to regularly focus on TOMORROW is a pulpit infiltrated by “doctrines of demons” and a pulpit led…and leading…by DECEPTION.

The battle for TRUTH is ESSENTIAL…and to fail to recognize Satan in the pulpit will result in a spiritual MASS SUICIDE by many churches. Therefore, I urge you…I IMPLORE you…I BEG you…to obey this passage from God’s Word:

1 John 4:1 NKJV “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

In Christ,
Ron

URGENCY!

The Church has lost its URGENCY.

I am sure you are saying “What does that mean?” So…let me explain.

We now live in the last days. We know that for a fact…as Peter said in Acts 2:16-18 NKJV “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.”

Peter SPECIFICALLY referred to the prophecy in Joel…and he SPECIFICALLY states that “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel”…going on to say that “in the last days” God would “pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…” So…we can KNOW FOR SURE that Peter was proclaiming that the LAST DAYS had begun.

So…knowing that fact…where is our URGENCY?

Follow me here:

If we TRULY believe that we are living in the LAST DAYS…and, if we TRULY believe Matthew 24:36-42 (KJV), which states “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”…then tell me…where is our URGENCY?

Again…what do I mean by URGENCY?

Here is what we KNOW…and any study of God’s Word shows this to be TRUE: we are NOT promised TOMORROW…and we do NOT know exactly WHEN Jesus will come for His Church (what most call the RAPTURE). Yet, when we study God’s Word, we find that there are no longer ANY prophecies of Scripture which MUST be fulfilled BEFORE Jesus Christ returns to receive to Himself His Church!

Jesus would tell His followers that they should not worry about TOMORROW…and that they should focus on TODAY…the “here and now”, as we call it. In doing so, Jesus would tell them that gathering up RICHES for TOMORROW was a fruitless endeavor…because, again, TOMORROW is not promised. Jesus would then say that if we gather to ourselves TREASURES here on earth…TREASURES to try to secure our FUTURE here on earth…that we are simply LAYING UP TREASURES. Jesus says it this way:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV)

Jesus was CONSTANTLY telling believers that we are NOT to place our bets on TOMORROW!

TOMORROW is a day which may never come! TOMORROW is “another day”…and it is a day that we can not be SURE OF! TOMORROW is the focus of someone whose plans are EARTHLY…because there is no time (thus, no day or night, etc.) in heaven! When our plans are based on TOMORROW…then we feel no URGENCY in what we do! Why? Because “There is always tomorrow!”

Now…with all of that in mind…here is what Jesus spoke to me this past Friday: “The Church has lost its URGENCY.”

As I thought about that statement, I began to picture the passage of Scripture quoted above…where two are in the field: then, suddenly, one is taken and the other is left behind. Pictures began to flood my mind! I saw my wife at her desk at work…my parents at home…my brother delivering packages. I saw people on city streets…people in restaurants…people in factories…people of every race, people of every economic status, people young and old. I saw churches filled with people.

And…whether saved or unsaved…they all had one thing in common: they had NO IDEA when Jesus was going to return for those who have given their lives to Him…returning for those who have accepted Him as Savior and Lord.

I wept.

Not in an audible voice…but in my heart and mind…I could hear the Spirit of God saying (as I saw these masses of people): “Where is the URGENCY?”

Suddenly…I understood. Suddenly…it was clear.

If we TRULY BELIEVE that Jesus could return at any time…then how is that BELIEF playing out in our actions…and, especially in our SERMONS?

It was then that I “heard” (again…not audibly) these words: “Are your sermons about TOMORROW…or are they about TODAY?”

Think about it: if TODAY is “the day of salvation”…if we TRULY need to accept Jesus Christ TODAY…then we must make it clear to the world (and…sadly…to the Church) that this is an URGENT call to “Come!”…realizing that for someone…or maybe for us ALL…that we are NOT promised TOMORROW!

Ministers…this is TRULY what I hear the Spirit of God saying: “It is time that the pulpit speaks a TODAY Gospel…not a TOMORROW gospel!”

Salvation is a TODAY Gospel! Abstaining from sin is a TODAY Gospel! Walking in OBEDIENCE to God is a TODAY Gospel! Seeking God is a TODAY Gospel! Worship is a TODAY Gospel! Praying is a TODAY Gospel!

But…how to live HAPPY in life is a TOMORROW gospel. How to get RICHES from God is a TOMORROW gospel. Any thought of GRADUAL SALVATION…or any thought that I can GRADUALLY witness…is a TOMORROW gospel. Anything which focuses on contentment in the WORLD…riches, wealth, fame, popularity, comfort, etc…is a TOMORROW gospel.

Here is EXACTLY what I felt the Spirit of God wanted me to ask to ALL who will read this: “If God would somehow tell ALL CHRISTIANS that He was going to tell His Son…Jesus Christ…”Go get my children!”…and, in doing so, God revealed that He would do this within the next 30 days…how would our LIVES and our MESSAGE change?”

If we KNEW that Jesus Christ was returning within the next 30 days (notice…I did not say “IN 30 days”…just “within” the next 30 days: in other words, we do not know if it will be 1 day or 20 days or 30 days!)…then would there be any REASON to preach or teach ANYTHING about “God wants you rich!” or “God wants to bless you financially!” or “You need to plant a seed and you need to expect a harvest in the next season!”?

Can you grasp it?? If we have URGENCY…if we could (and, indeed, we SHOULD) believe that Jesus Christ is returning WITHIN 30 days…and that day could be TOMORROW or NEXT WEEK or 20 days from now…then some sermons would simply be seen for what they are: FOOLISHNESS!

You see…God has NOT spoken to us that He will tell Jesus to return within 30 days. But…guess what? God has not spoken to us that His Son Jesus will NOT return within 30 days…or even TOMORROW, for that matter!

We DO NOT KNOW when Jesus Christ will return! It could even be TODAY! It could be TOMORROW! It could be before your next CHURCH SERVICE!

So…what do you plan to do about it??

The Disciples lived with an ESSENTIAL belief…a belief that Jesus was going to return VERY SOON! Read the New Testament…and it is EVIDENT that Peter and Paul and John and others ALL believed that Jesus would return VERY SOON!

This URGENCY drove them! This URGENCY molded them! This URGENCY changed them! This URGENCY was ESSENTIAL…because this URGENCY caused them to live READY…and it caused them to preach TODAY…and it caused them to proclaim to THEMSELVES and to the WORLD: “Do not wait! Do not put off til tomorrow what NEEDS to be done TODAY!”

URGENCY will change your perspective. URGENCY will change your walk with God. URGENCY will change your plans. URGENCY will change your sermon. URGENCY will change your witness. URGENCY will change your FOCUS. URGENCY will change your belief. URGENCY will change your prayer. URGENCY will change your worship. URGENCY will change your church. URGENCY will change your attitude. URGENCY will change your Sunday Service.

I dare you to live in URGENCY. I dare you to preach URGENCY. I dare you to pray URGENCY. I dare you to worship in URGENCY. 

This may go against ALL modern ideas of ministry…but a TOMORROW “word” is not good for a TODAY Church! Some will denounce this statement…but they will do so with NO DISCERNMENT: I do not need to know how to face TOMORROW…I need to know how to live TODAY! If I live for God TODAY…if I trust God TODAY…if I can serve God in my poverty (as some are) or in my wealth (as some are)…then TOMORROW will take care of itself…if TOMORROW ever even comes.

It is time that the pulpits are filled with TODAY messages! What does that mean? Jesus can come back TODAY…and things in lives must be taken care of TODAY. If I do all the things that PROSPERITY PREACHERS tell me to do…if I “sow a seed” for “tomorrow’s blessings”…yet I never deal with my sin TODAY…what will TOMORROW profit me?

We MUST return to the belief that Jesus Christ could return TODAY…at ANY MOMENT. We must LIVE in that EXPECTANCY…and in that URGENCY.

Do you have unsaved loved ones? Do you need to take care of sin in your life? Do you need to tell someone about Jesus? Do you need to get your spiritual house in order?

If you said YES to any of those questions…then it is time to live in URGENCY. Do not wait until TOMORROW.

TODAY is the day…for TOMORROW may never come.

Pastor…I beg you…never preach a TOMORROW gospel: preach the TRUE GOSPEL…one of URGENCY.

In Christ,
Ron

The Attractive Gospel: Seduction in the Church

1 Corinthians 2:4 (KJV) “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”

Colossians 2:4 (KJV) “ And this I say , lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”

The Bible tells us that there are false churches and false Christians…and there are false teachers who will proclaim LIES under the guise of TRUTH. Scripture shows us that it is the Spirit of God which draws people to TRUTH. So…what is it that is drawing people to FALSE DOCTRINE??

Reverend Doug Small once spoke on the issue of distinguishing between what is God and what is NOT God, saying that there are “two winds” blowing spiritually. The question is…who’s wind have we set our sails to “pick up”…which wind will our sails be set to receive? So, we see that we have TWO POWERS trying to draw us: one, the Spirit of God, draws us TO GOD…the other, the spirit of antichrist (false prophets), draws men to DECEPTION through ATTRACTION. The Bible uses very revealing terms when it speaks of false teaching and false prophets: it uses the terms “seduce” and “entice” and “covetousness” and “great swelling words of vanity” and “allure”. Read a few passages with me:

Mark 13:32 (KJV) “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise , and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce , if it were possible, even the elect.”

2 Peter 2:1-3 (KJV) “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

These are words which show the deception of SATANIC attraction…as opposed to the “drawing” and “wooing” of the Spirit of God as He draws men to Christ.

The Spirit of God draws men TO God by drawing spirit (of man) to Spirit (of God). The Holy Spirit ALWAYS draws men to TRUTH. Due to this fact, we can KNOW that when false doctrines and false teachings are being preached by a false teacher/prophet, the Holy Spirit will draw a person ELSEWHERE. The enticing and seducing tactics of Satan draw people to lies, as those lies denounce any truth, such as any mention of SIN or REPENTANCE or OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST, etc. For every REAL MOVE of God…Satan provides a COUNTERFEIT. The REAL is always based on the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT to draw men to God: the COUNTERFEIT will rely on ATTRACTION to get the job done. And, none of us can underestimate the power and deception involved in that SEDUCTION and ENTICEMENT.

Thus, the Bible likens Satan’s false “wooing” with terms that deal with an act and/or process of SEDUCTION. The lies of Satan are STRONG. Many are fooled. The draw of ENTERTAINMENT is proving to be a POWERFUL tool as it fights the draw of the HOLY SPIRIT. Both sides in this battle for souls are at work: the Holy Spirit and Satan. One draws spiritually…the other draws through the flesh. And the flesh is a powerful thing to overcome (the Bible likens it to a battle within!). This SEDUCTION and ENTICEMENT of Satan is to use “some truth” and “some lie” to disguise and MIMIC the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEIT…of which we must take note and recognize. In perpetrating this COUNTERFEIT on humanity, Satan uses one of the most basic tactics: he simply uses ATTRACTION. We all find beauty APPEALING. That beauty may be judged by what we see, what we hear, even what we can experience. Notice this truth: SEDUCTION doesn’t work if the SEDUCER doesn’t appear ATTRACTIVE to us. SEDUCTION is solely based on the “desires of the flesh.” What draws us…seduces us…must be APPEALING to us. And it is in THIS REALM that Satan is working within the Church to COUNTERFEIT truth. It may be best expressed this way: Satan appeals to our SENSES and DESIRES…but God appeals to our SPIRIT and DEVOTION.

Today, we see the success of Satan’s ploy in much of the Church, with churches employing every possible tactic and method of ENTERTAINMENT to ENTICE people to attend their church. The appeal is to the SENSES…to the FLESH. Look through the materials being given and sent out by most churches today: the focus of the material is the PROGRAMS OF THE CHURCH and the EXCITEMENT that the church can offer the attendee. It is MARKETING at its religious finest! Many will want to say here “Well, what is wrong with MARKETING?” Let me make this clear: the Church has NOTHING for sale. The Church has no PRODUCT to offer that is in COMPETITION with ANYTHING that the world has to offer. What the Church has is JESUS! We are to proclaim “JESUS!”…but we are NOT told to proclaim “CHURCH!” Face it…MARKETING is a CHURCH focused act. And whether you SEE the problem with focusing on the Church as opposed to focusing on Jesus…trust me, there are HUGE problems. Face it…if you MARKET the CHURCH…then you are promoting a very FALLIBLE, FLAWED entity. That is why we were NEVER called to do that…we were never called to promote the CHURCH! You see…when we promote JESUS, then we promote something that is INFALLIBLE…with NO FLAWS.

Without even MEANING to…with no MALICE or HARM intended…the Church has actually successfully begun to TURN PEOPLE AWAY FROM JESUS…all because it tried to promote ITSELF instead of JESUS! In my humble opinion, the result has been catastrophic. The Church ITSELF caused the extreme and constant EXAMINATION of ITSELF…while many in society have been looking for ANY FLAW to show itself, thus “proving” to them that the Church is no better than the society at large. Follow me in this thought:

Society is full of ACTIVITIES. People can do AMOST ANYTHING at ANY TIME OF DAY that they want to. The possibilities are LIMITLESS! Every possible desire and interest can now be FULFILLED almost IMMEDIATELY! Society has EVERY POSSIBLE CHOICE available…at the click of a button. In MUSIC…I am ASTOUNDED at the number of channels available now, by which a person can watch music videos in every possible genre of music. And each of these have their very own channel! My point in all of this?

Regarding entertainment...in any and every form…society has OVERLOAD!

Let me give you a modern parable to help explain: My car is low on fuel. There is a convenience store/gas station a few blocks from my home. The fuel at this station is the EXACT SAME PRICE as the fuel at another gas station which is 15 miles away. Now, barring any other desire to go anywhere else…other than going JUST for fuel…would I more than likely stop at the gas station which is only a few blocks from my home…or would I more than likely travel 15 miles for fuel? All things being equal…probably 100% of us would simply go to the gas station around the corner! If what you want is available ONE PLACE and it is CONVENIENT…then few people would even CONSIDER traveling the 15 miles to get the EXACT SAME product!

This is what I believe is happening to the Church. The Church has MARKETED itself, telling people “What we have to offer.” In doing so, MANY people realize that the offer is no different from the world!

Don’t you get it?! Can’t you see it?! Everything is based on APPEALING to…or ATTRACTING…the people! In doing so, society has begun to COMPARE what they can get ELSEWHERE with what they can get AT CHURCH! Do not blame society for doing this! They do it because the Church created the COMPARISON!

I have been in music all of my life. Yet…I realize this…the “WORLD” has some AWESOME music. Journey is my favorite group. I REALLY enjoy their music: vocals, instrumentals, everything. So let me say this in a way that is NOT offensive but it remains true: In almost every case, the Church can not offer BETTER music than the WORLD can. In some cases, the music in the Church is JUST AS GOOD…but, it is NOT better! That is important to realize. EQUAL will not win when it comes to the desire to ATTRACT! Face it…just like the FUEL example above…if I can get EQUAL close to home (or AT home)…then why bother to DRIVE to get it!?!

One quick note: by seeking to ATTRACT people…one Church pits itself against OTHER CHURCHES! So, to maintain, we must ALWAYS stay “above’ the other Churches! If not…what the OTHER Church offers may become more ATTRACTIVE!

Let me make this clear: I believe the Church should do EVERYTHING with excellence. It frustrates me when they DO NOT do things with excellence. But please grasp this: EXCELLENCE is not GOOD ENOUGH! Why?? Because society does not need EXCELLENCE which is ON PAR with what they already have! What society NEEDS is JESUS!

I truly believe this with all of my heart:

It is NOT what the Church CAN DO which needs to be the focus: it is what the Church CANNOT DO which needs to be the focus…and what the Church CANNOT DO is what Jesus CAN do!!!!!!

The ONLY thing that the Church has that is NEEDED by society is JESUS! And when we offer them JESUS…then we offer them something that they CANNOT FIND and they CANNOT GET anywhere else! JESUS is the only “offering” which is EXCLUSIVE to the Church! Everything else…EVERYTHING…can be found and experienced by society ELSEWHERE!

Let JESUS be what attracts people to the Church…and keep this in mind: To BE attractive is different from SEEKING TO BE attractive!

Satan's work will have the APPEARANCE of good...but it will be EVIL. SEDUCTION and ENTICEMENT are built upon the premise of SEEKING to attract...using HUMAN desire as a means to an end. MARKETING causes us to SEEK ATTRACTIVENESS. Don’t doubt that statement: you only MARKET if you believe you HAVE…or CAN HAVE…a MARKETABLITLY…or an ATTRACTIVENESS to the consumer. And…the Church is NOT a CONSUMER oriented entity in the first place: we, the Church, are a CREATOR oriented entity!

So…you are left wondering “Then how do we grow? How does the Church increase in size? How do we get the message out?” Well…let Jesus take care of the GROWTH part. The second answer is a bit more difficult: that involves becoming the Church that we were intended to be: without false doctrine, focusing on JESUS and not our own desires, creating Disciples…and those Disciples leaving the Church on Sunday with an intense purpose and desire to win the lost and tell others about Jesus…and, yes, their Church.

CHANGED LIVES are an amazing and unintended MARKETING PLAN!

If your Church puts all of its efforts into JESUS and MAKING DISCIPLES…then UNINTENTIONAL MARKETING takes place! The Spirit of the Lord can work MIRACLES through the changed lives of believers!

My last thoughts? Satan seeks to COUNTERFEIT everything…and there are COUNTERFEIT CHURCHES everywhere. What will make YOUR Church any different from THOSE Churches? Both the COUNTERFEIT Church and the REAL Church will offer some great programs, talented musicians, fun opportunities…and the list goes on. But there is ONE thing that the COUNTERFEIT Church cannot offer society that the REAL Church can: and that is JESUS!

What Satan draws people to is simply the PRODUCTION! What the Holy Spirit draws people to is the PRODUCER…the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE…to JESUS!

Remember: a COUNTERFEIT has no true purchasing power! The REAL…Jesus…has ALL the purchasing power! And He has already paid that price to purchase the salvation of EVERYONE in your town or city! They just need to be shown JESUS!

Food for thought.

God bless!

Ron