Is it too late?
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Yes, megachurches grow larger and larger; Christian conferences abound and grow more prolific every year; ecumenicism is on the rise; contemporary Christian music is bigger ($$$) and more popular now than ever. But is it for the good?
People like Rick Warren praise the pope (from "papa," Holy Father
), saying of Catholics in a tweet: "If you love Jesus, we may serve on different teams, but we're in the same league of receiving His grace and forgiveness"; Louie Giglio of Passion Church and his wife meeting and kissing the Pope. This is but the tip of the iceberg.
Church is nothing but big business. No one is accountable for sin. If someone is good for business they're in, regardless of whether they teach heresy or not. Formerly conservative preachers like John MacArthur have apparently swallowed the Kool-Aid.
Have we already gone over the cliff? If so, what should true and faithful believers do? You can't rebuke. People like Rick Warren are above rebuke. You can't rebuke the contemporary Christian music industry or their artists, they don't care, all they want is $$$ and more of it. If you try to warn people they'll tell you you're crazy.
I believe the time has come for worldly christianity (lower case intentional) to be exposed for what it is. Much of what's going on is deliberately designed to cater to the younger generation. A whole generation is growing up thinking this is what Christianity is.
I didn't spend a lot of time on this post so it may not be that eloquent; it's a heartfelt plea that hopefully the Lord will use for some good.
People like Rick Warren praise the pope (from "papa," Holy Father
Church is nothing but big business. No one is accountable for sin. If someone is good for business they're in, regardless of whether they teach heresy or not. Formerly conservative preachers like John MacArthur have apparently swallowed the Kool-Aid.
Have we already gone over the cliff? If so, what should true and faithful believers do? You can't rebuke. People like Rick Warren are above rebuke. You can't rebuke the contemporary Christian music industry or their artists, they don't care, all they want is $$$ and more of it. If you try to warn people they'll tell you you're crazy.
I believe the time has come for worldly christianity (lower case intentional) to be exposed for what it is. Much of what's going on is deliberately designed to cater to the younger generation. A whole generation is growing up thinking this is what Christianity is.
I didn't spend a lot of time on this post so it may not be that eloquent; it's a heartfelt plea that hopefully the Lord will use for some good.
Care to elaborate on how MacArthur has slipped? Not a loaded question, I just listen to a lot of his teaching, want to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
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I agree we reap what we sow; however, the prosperity "gospel" abuses verses like this to justify their greed. I have no disagreement with you on this and other verses that talk about God blessing us, but what I disagree on is how they're put into practice by prosperity gurus. They go around bragging about how "God" has blessed them; and about all the material things they have:
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy."-1 Timothy 6:17
"From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away."-1 Corinthians 7:29-31.
"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."-Philippians 3:18-19
The whole idea behind the prosperity message is to glorify self. Prosperity gurus feel entitled, they're not humbly seeking to glorify God but themselves. They seek the kingdom of this world, not Christ's Kingdom.
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy."-1 Timothy 6:17
"From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away."-1 Corinthians 7:29-31.
"For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things."-Philippians 3:18-19
The whole idea behind the prosperity message is to glorify self. Prosperity gurus feel entitled, they're not humbly seeking to glorify God but themselves. They seek the kingdom of this world, not Christ's Kingdom.
Making "merchandise of the Gospel" is another critical aspect. When the Gospel is preached there should be absolutely no reference to any kind of donation or contribution whatsoever. "Freely ye have received, freely give" is the fundamental principle of Christ. Paul went so far as to support himself through tent-making to avoid any accusation of preaching for gain.
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John MacArthur is the living embodiment of Jesus' words: ". . .so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice."-Matthew 23:3
All I can say is watch this video and see if you don't come away with a new perspective. MacArthur has started appearing at a lot of conferences lately with people who oppose everything he supposedly stands for. Why is this? A hint. . .there's a lot of money to be made.
All I can say is watch this video and see if you don't come away with a new perspective. MacArthur has started appearing at a lot of conferences lately with people who oppose everything he supposedly stands for. Why is this? A hint. . .there's a lot of money to be made.
If you can't handle Joshua Chaves then you might try the Roy's Report. Many articles on John MacArthur and crew there.
https://julieroys.com/?s=john+macarthur
https://julieroys.com/?s=john+macarthur
Somebody who has been called by the Holy Spirit, commissioned by the Holy Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by Him in ministry. The proper place for all these things to happen is in the assembly.
It is people like Jones and Joseph Smith who separate themselves from the church, carpers and critics, who go off the rails. It is a dangerous place to be. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the church.
People set themselves up as OT type prophets. But Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekia and the other prophets did not separate themselves from the church. Even when they told the people what they didn't want to hear and the people disobeyed like Jeremiah when he told the Jews not to go down to Egypt but they went. Jeremiah went with them.
It's a tricky thing to criticise the church. You can speak the truth in love. But let the people SEE the Holy Spirit working in your own life first.
It is people like Jones and Joseph Smith who separate themselves from the church, carpers and critics, who go off the rails. It is a dangerous place to be. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the church.
People set themselves up as OT type prophets. But Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekia and the other prophets did not separate themselves from the church. Even when they told the people what they didn't want to hear and the people disobeyed like Jeremiah when he told the Jews not to go down to Egypt but they went. Jeremiah went with them.
It's a tricky thing to criticise the church. You can speak the truth in love. But let the people SEE the Holy Spirit working in your own life first.
So you agree God does prosper His people, actually what He prospers is the gospel. If you are preaching His gospel He will prosper you. Wherever the church has gone the people have begun to prosper, the curse of poverty has been lifted.
It's not God's will that people should drag in the dirt, that little babies starve with flies buzzing around them.
It is time for the church to learn what God's will is concerning poverty, the church has been preaching poverty as a blessing for long enough. Calling Good evil and evil good. Some people you hate have taken the prosperity message to India and Africa and those nations are beginning to prosper. The nations of Africa which reject the gospel and forbid it still languish in poverty.
We are to preach the kingdom of Heaven and prosperity is part of the message, part of salvation. Salvation from poverty.
And I'm not sticking up for anyone. Nothing tests our heart like wealth, there are warning signs.
... but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
It's not God's will that people should drag in the dirt, that little babies starve with flies buzzing around them.
It is time for the church to learn what God's will is concerning poverty, the church has been preaching poverty as a blessing for long enough. Calling Good evil and evil good. Some people you hate have taken the prosperity message to India and Africa and those nations are beginning to prosper. The nations of Africa which reject the gospel and forbid it still languish in poverty.
We are to preach the kingdom of Heaven and prosperity is part of the message, part of salvation. Salvation from poverty.
And I'm not sticking up for anyone. Nothing tests our heart like wealth, there are warning signs.
... but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
I agree, Jones was a false teacher; but by your own definition he had the anointing because he had a large following. And a lot of people certainly believed he had the anointing.
Now, if it's possible for Jones to be a false teacher and still draw large crowds and appear to have the anointing, wouldn't it be possible for the leader of a megachurch to likewise be a false teacher and appear to have the anointing?
We have to use criteria other than crowd size because it's too unreliable. Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit? Does what this person teach match up with God's word. Is the person in question living in humility before God or arrogantly in worldly luxury? Is his or her private life the same as what is projected publicly?
Now, if it's possible for Jones to be a false teacher and still draw large crowds and appear to have the anointing, wouldn't it be possible for the leader of a megachurch to likewise be a false teacher and appear to have the anointing?
We have to use criteria other than crowd size because it's too unreliable. Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit? Does what this person teach match up with God's word. Is the person in question living in humility before God or arrogantly in worldly luxury? Is his or her private life the same as what is projected publicly?
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It's been sometime ago by now, but at one of the visits to America early in his duties as the Pope, there was a picture showing preachers like Ken Copeland, some preacher from Florida whose last name is Brown [I think], and if memory serves me correct, even Joel Osteen and many other big names preachers had not only met with the Pope, but it showed a couple of the preachers [kissing] his demonic ring.
Personally, I don't mind visiting mega churches if the Pastor is in alignment with God, but generally I prefer smaller Church Assemblies [300 members and under]. I enjoy the more intimate and closeness to my Brothers and Sisters in a smaller Congregation. But on certain occasions, it is fun being in a mega setting and when the Holy Spirit moves. It really is an amazing environment and experience to enjoy and witness God moving in that type of setting.
And of course, I do enjoy just being alone and being and feeling connected to God in my worship and Praise of Him.
But as far as the topic of this Thread is concerned, men and their idealism in how they view one Denomination versus another including and especially other sects like Catholicism, Church of Latter Day Saints [Mormons], Jehova Witnesses, Glory Barn, cults, and such and attempt to claim we're worshiping the [SAME] God but in different ways...yeah,,,I am not a big fan of that ill conceived concept.