In this article my goal is lay out a case to demonstrate the biblical position on what a pastor is to do when he is in the House of the Lord. Then give a refutation on some of the most damning statements that were brought before this congregation.
In the second letter to Timothy, Apostle Paul give this charge for all Pastors that come to the Pulpit to abide by:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ( Verses 1-2)In this epistle, which is addressing the function of the Elder "Pastor" our Lord through inspiration communicates by the pen of Apostle Paul what the main focus of the Shepherd of the flock is to do in relation to the teaching. Here we are given four important points: (1) Preach the word, (2) in season and out of season, (3) reprove, rebuke, and exhort, (4) with complete patience and teaching. The one that I wish to highlight is the first one mentioned.
In that first point, we are being told of a Pastor's duty before God and the congregation; he is alone to bring forth the word of God to be proclaimed. He is not to share his thoughts, his feeling nor his life experience in the sermon. It is to be solely based the word of the Living God which is the power unto salvation. As Christ states concerning this amazing word to the Father, it is "your truth" which also means that it Christ's truth as well that the Pastor must be preaching at all times.
The second scripture that I want to consider in this article is the following one from Paul letter to Titus, where he states:
This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Verses 5-9)In the above scripture, Paul gives this instruction through one of his young protégés who he has left in charge of many different churches and have had minor roles in other churches given by the Apostle. Our focus here is on the whole instruction, but especially the last sentence, which is vocal in our discussion at present.
We are informed about the one central tenant of being a Pastor which is not confined on the personal quality, but the practical quality of a Pastor. In these words, "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught," from this we need to see that the scriptures are the very foundation of the church, they are what gives us true understanding of all matters. The pastor must "hold firm" stand upon, be conformed and informed by the word of truth. That is the sole duty of a pastor ... he must show true diligence in his conduct as a teacher by teaching what is "sound doctrine."
What was the shape of the Sermons offered at this Church?
In the three sermons that I listened to which were called "Rising above the culture" which although not a bad title, seemed just to be a lost course; the sermons lacked any stable structures such as having no sermon texts which would govern and inform the series. Personally, it would have been good to have a strong flow of thought as well, since the sermons were all over the place - they discussed in one instance the difference between the earthly culture and the heavenly culture. Which in and of itself is problematic because the bible does not speak of culture but natures: the Old fleshy nature of the unregenerate, and the New spiritual nature of the regenerate, only two kinds.
For the pastor who has the awesome responsibility of proclaiming the word; it is no easy task in deciding what they should teach when it is a topical sermon such as Justification, the trinity, Scripture alone, Regeneration and other issues of great importance. But even so, with the topic of the Sinner's nature and the Saints nature there still is a way of making a good sermon series.
An example of this is just to consider a section from the book of Romans which makes the truths so clear:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:12-21)Here is the perfect text in discussing the essential differences between the unregenerate state of man in Adam and the state of the regenerate man in Christ. There is so much richness in this passage that can be bought to light, if they had just stuck to a passage of scripture. It simply strikes me to the core, when a church that has the term "bible" in its name does not even pay enough concern to the bible when they are suppose to teach it to the congregation.
Now this kind of irresponsible action falls clearly under one of the thing listed in the above passages from the Pastoral letters, when it say in Titus for example, "For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers" This is the exact point that Paul is referring to here - they are indeed insubordinate to the Word of God.
This is in actual reality the pattern for all Christian Churches that have been established in Christ as we have written in Matthew 16 13-20. For the Pastors to faithfully and accurately handle the "word of truth" before God and his people in order to feed the people, so they may flourish and grow to spiritual maturity. This is the act of sanctification: just as the Spirit uses the Word to renew the person by regeneration; he also sanctifies them by the truth of God's word alone.
A Defining Issue: Personal Revelation.
One of the most striking things that constantly come into focus in these sermons was the manner in which the Pastor would claim that "God spoke to me," it is often a substitute for powerful proclamation of the God inspired Word in the bible; and it just thrown out there as a measure to raise the peoples egos as well as led themselves astray.
There were a number of very interesting statement made and were claimed as if they were coming directly from God himself. One such example is the following:
People should be able to point and say there's something different about this person. The first night we moved into our place- there was a fire, and the house was burning - said there was a child in the place. And we were parking, moving into the place. There was police there: do you know what the Holy Spirit said to me "let them know you have arrived, there shall be no loss of human life ." And they were panicking - the mother of this child. I went to the police and the women and said listen, I said "God said to me, "there shall be no loss of any life, don't worry about it. Just calm down, everybody calm down." They all come to me at the end of the day and said, no loss of life no one injured.It is this kind of loose cannon type of rambling on about whatever may have been the situation that he decided to speak on. How can we know for sure that this actually happened? We cannot, simply because he does not even give us any information to where it took place. It is an unsubstantiated claim that is all. Beyond this issue - How about changing the venue slightly what if it took place in a different way - would he say the same thing.
Then his claims "the Holy Spirit said," and also "God said" Why should I believe that God said a word when you have shown yourself to be a poor handler of the Word of God (as we shall soon witness). Even more, to the point How do we know that God actually spoke to him in the first place. Well one might say "his a Pastor of the Word" No he is not, humans all are sinners and some even lie in God house on a Constant basis.
Here is what we can know for a certain fact, the bible is clear that after seventy ad , and the destruction of the temple: all prophecy "new revelation" would cease to happen. The prophet Daniel states:
Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Chapter 9, verses 24-27)The key point in this passage that need to seen here are the following "to seal both vision and prophet" this is important because it is in fact speaking to the complete cessation of these thing; there will be a time when God would no longer interact with his people in this formation. And we given two events which form the very fabric of this promise: (1) "an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing." In this we see that the first sign is in fact something which takes place in early part of the 4th decade of the 1st century- that being the Crucifixion. (2) "And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary." In this we see that the second sign is in fact something which take place in the 7th -8th decade of the first century - that being the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
In these two great acts, God brought to an end the act of prophecy; which means what this man had stated about God speaking to him did not happen. And since it did not happen, and he is adamant that it happen that makes him a false prophet, Which the Lord states these words:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20)Here we see that the Lord Jesus gives us a simple test to discern whether someone is in reality speak for God (as in Prophesying "new revelation") And that is based on the fruits that he produces thereof; in the Lords words, it is not speaking of good deeds, but a much deeper issue of sound doctrine and sound practice. The second aspect necessarily flows from the first aspect.
So if it is discovered that someone is teaching falsely; then they are as Jesus warns us in this passage "false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." And they are also as Peter sates:
These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” (2 Peter 2: 17-22)It is a very graphic depiction of such people who teach falsely; yet it describes just what I heard on the sermons I have listened to thus far. So the task ahead is to consider a few statements said in the sermons and what they teach from the Pastors perspective, then contrast that to what the bible actually teaches.
What follows are a number of problematic statements which the Pastors had made in the sermons which drew my attention and caused to come to me some real concerns. Points one and two will be from the first sermon; points three and four will be from the Second sermon; point 5 will be from the third sermon.
Scripture twist number one
In an attempt to prove his belief that man came from heaven and was already in existence, the pastor states the following words:
We are not adapting to the world - we are not of this world. Most of us are born here - the fact that you are born here, does not mean you are here. When people ask me "where are you from?" The first thing I say is I'm from heaven- that's my original place. Where are you from? Where are you from? - your from heaven! I didn't born myself (to use the correct English) I didn't give birth to myself- I didn't born myself. Where I came from who born you Who is your father- who born you. But I was a gift from heaven - as a Christian I want you to understand - first of all that your nationality is heaven. ---- the bible said "every good and perfect gift" you look so handsome and beautiful - I need you to understand that you were not made on earth - God was speaking to Jeremiah chapter 1, verse 5 "from your mother womb I knew you and I ordained you" Jesus Christ was prophesied 530 years before he was born - he already existed before he came to be.He later states this:
It is the Word of God that is our light - that's the culture - the culture of heaven is this: that everything that needs to be made - is made by the word. It says "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." it says "the same Word was in the beginning with God and without it was anything made." Everything that needs to be made - understand the culture of heaven- it is made by the Word.Now in these statements we find the most unbiblical idea coming through loud and clear, notice for a moment if you will the words "When people ask me "where are you from?" The first thing I say is I'm from heaven- that's my original place. Where are you from? Where are you from? - your from heaven!" The theme in this is that because the Pastor has an idea about Man existing in heaven before he was created on earth; therefore, it must be true.
And it is right here we meet the first challenge to this idea. It is foreign to scripture, in fact none of the scriptures teach such a thing. In fact, to put a spanner in the works (so to speak) Heaven is a created place too. The triune God created it in the same seven days he created all the other creation including mankind. Since God is eternal and has always existed. It mean how he existed and where he inhabited before this time is not a question that needs to be considered. Just the fact that he has always existed is enough.
No scripture speak of man existing in any form before they were created by the triune God on the 6th day - It is hard to fathom this idea as it runs against the biblical truth concerning the human spirit that it was a created essence (immaterial, but created) It is in the same characteristic as Angels who are immaterial, but created.
Now let us consider the passages that either alluded to or referenced, and see what they really teach:
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures. (James 1:16-18)This verse in this passage cannot be taken out of its immediate context to suggest something it does not and cannot mean. And in this case, it does not refer to the idea of man having some pre-existence and being given as a gift in this life. Now obviously, human life is a gift from God, but this passage does lend support to that idea (psalms 139:13-16 does). But this not at all. First of all, pay attention to what is said: "Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers." Here in lies the first clue - he is speaking of fellow believers in Jesus Christ, who if are true share in the blessing of salvation. Next, in the key statement "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," now in relation to first part we can see what James is speaking of the believer's inheritance and blessing. And this further seen in the important term "Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." God is the believers Father by the work of Christ and the Work of the Holy Spirit. But the idea behind "of lights" is that compared to the stellar bodies which fade, change, burn out and change in many ways .. God's nature and promise are none of the above. It is a fixed constant. And it is explained further in the next words why he will be faithful to his children, "Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth," It based on his own desire, his own nature, his own unchanging character that the promises are never revoked. It is the same in relation to his work of salvation, we are told of the act of regeneration.
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1: 4-5)This scripture is used to shoehorn this concept of "humans pre-existence" into the scriptures. But there is a problem with the notion. It does not speak of Jeremiah have self awareness or pre-existence for that matter. In the first place when you ad verse 4 to the mix, we are informed that "Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying," this indicates that Jeremiah was already a creature of God, being a child on planet earth. Therefore, making this a personal revelation from the one true God to the Man Jeremiah about the first encounter with God as a child.
Now what is the meaning behind verse 5, it does not prove "pre-existence of man" rather, it teaches three things (1) God's foreknowledge, in that he chose to have a personal intimacy with Jeremiah before creation, not that Jeremiah had it with God. (2) God predestined Jeremiah existence to happen, the exact time and place he would be born, the exact era. (3) that he called him to be his prophet, and that he consecrated and appointed him as such.
Jesus Christ was prophesied 530 years before he was born - he already existed before he came to beThis is a sneaky trick, but lets unpack the point so that we do not misunderstand it or assume we are dealing with the "pre-existence of Gods son as a divine person" the second member of the triune God. It is a buttress to an already weakened case, that all mankind existed before creation in some manner. But the problem we face in this is that they do not know the scriptures, they do not know who Christ is. And therefore, are easily led to make this categorical error.
Of course, every true Christian would agree that Jesus was prophesied 530 years before his birth; he was in fact, prophesied back in the garden of Eden. But that in and of itself does not prove the unfounded assumption in this series of sermons that all men did. For that move to work it would require an extra-ordinary leap of logic.
The bible is not about mankind as a whole it may make reference to us in passing; but it's main focus is on the Son of God - Jesus Christ (John 5:39-45, Luke 24: 25-27, 44-49 and 2 Timothy 3:14-15). He is the God- incarnate, who died for my sin and rose to conquer death and vindicate his claims of being God's unique Son.
And as for the reference to John 1: it is about who? Christ. Read verses 1-18 and consider it in Context. It is Jesus that is the Word (Logos) who is God by nature (John 1:1c); who is the one that all things have their existence from (Verse 3-5); Who entered into humanity taking on the flesh of his creation (John 1:14). And is the unique God (the Son) who truly exegetes and reveals the father (Verses 18). Man is not the focus of this passage, Christ is.
Scripture twist number two
In an attempt to prove his belief that man came from heaven and was already in existence, the pastor states the following words:
All of mankind are in a fallen state through Adam, when you receive Christ as your Lord and Saviour, what you are doing. And Jesus said those who receive him are those who are buried with him. And when you get baptised - he said we rise up in his resurrection - so when you are not baptised in immersion. What you are doing is that you are staying in the state of being in water - although you have given your life to Christ you are still in water, because Baptism is resurrection into life - you rise! So if you must rise, you must understand the culture of your status. In that status Jesus was describing in John 3 ... he said to the ruler of the scribes- Nicodemus. Nicodemus come to Jesus and he said "Master, master" he was applauding him. John 3:3 "except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Why would Jesus be answering - there was no word, no question. He was speaking heavenly, the man was speaking earthly. Jesus was speaking about the culture of his house in heaven (of his Father's house). He said to him, "Most assuredly, unless a man is born of the water and the Spirit." So if you are in a fallen state, I need you to understand - until you are baptised in the water and in the Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues you are not rising. (to break limits) No matter how Christian you are - until you do it the way Christ wants you to do it - you are not of the right status.This above statement packs in a lot of charges that are simply incorrect. Let us now consider them and rebuke them all one by one. First, Jesus did not say "those who receive him are those who are buried with him." This is not correct, no scriptures states this at all. In fact, there is a scripture that this is a misquote of but it does not come directly from Christ, but is written by Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It states,
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4).The point in this section has nothing to do with the physical Baptism, although it does represent "dying in Christ's death and rising in his Resurrection." Paul here has just made his argument for being justified by faith in Christ apart from the Law and our human works. He now turns to the act of regeneration which is Spiritual cleansing of the sin, which is then transferred to Christ in his death. Consider what else Paul states in this passage. Read verses 5-11.
Why would Paul now speaking of a physical act of Obedience to Christ, when he so far has been speaking on God role in salvation? First was Justification, Now it is Regeneration. The point in this is that Paul is unpacking the act of Salvation in the first 11 Chapters of Romans, then in the last 5 he gives us the commands of living a faithful Christian life. And of course, that would include the act of baptism as a sign of Obedience.
It would seem that this belief that is being espoused is that "you are saved though baptism" which is not biblical in any shape or form, we are saved by God on account of his ever-abounding mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Next the Pastor states these intriguing words: "What you are doing is that you are staying in the state of being in water - although you have given your life to Christ you are still in water, because Baptism is resurrection into life - you rise." What does this mean. You can give your life to Christ, and live for him. And still be in the water: that is nothing short of being a false convert. I am not even sure what the "water" comment has to do with anything since as we have seen it is not biblical in nature to make this claim.
He then makes this very deceptive comment,
So if you are in a fallen state, I need you to understand - until you are baptised in the water and in the Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues you are not rising. (to break limits) No matter how Christian you are - until you do it the way Christ wants you to do it - you are not of the right status.It is once again, making the persons act of obedience the central tenant for gaining Salvation; this however, does not line up with the bible itself. Which teaches Salvation is a free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 4). Now Jesus does have a word or two to say on this in Matthew 19 where he tells the disciples after the interaction with the rich young ruler the following thing about gaining salvation: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." In this we understand, nothing man does will merit eternal life, for it is given at the pleasure of the Father and that will be based on the work of Christ on the cross.
The final point in this to which I now turn my attention to is the one scripture that is mention by name but it is also twisted to fit some preconceived ideal. That of course is John 3:3,5 which reads:
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (Verses 1-8)As we read the section, we learn a few important points in this passage: It is not speaking to a physical act of Obedience, but a Spiritual act which leads to such things later on. When we come to the key phrase "born again" it is not speaking of a physical act on man part, but a spiritual act on the part of the Spirit of God - So it is not about Baptism, but it is in fact speak of Regeneration as was Romans 6. One must be born again, or more technically speaking "born from above" highlighting the fact that it is God alone who does this.
And in verse 5, when it says "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." it is also speaking of the same act of Regeneration. Because man is a sinner - he cannot enter the kingdom of God (consider 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, and Revelations 20 and 21), he must first be cleansed internally and from an eternal being.. God.
Scripture twist number three
In an attempt to prove his belief that man came from heaven and was already in existence, the pastor states the following words:
Our prophetic declaration for the month is "I am breaking limit - rising above the culture ...... I shall be the head and not the tail. I shall be above and not beneath. God has exalted my own life like the horn of the unicorn My head is anointed with fresh oil by God's grace I escape world enticement.
Genesis 27:40b "And it shall come to pass when you become restless that you shall break the yoke from the neck.
1 John 4:4 "You are of God little children and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater then he who is in the world.
This is what happens when you have a false teacher as a pastor - who does not care for the correct application of scripture; and nor does he care for the spiritual well being of the flock. It is sure a careless, and dangerous predicament to be put under and it must be carefully dealt with or it will only get worse. The scriptures are not a "prophetic anything for you" they are a prophetic witness to God's nature and Character; to the act of redemption founded and mediated by Christ; as well as the prophetically revealed ministry of the Spirit of God.2 Corinthians 2:14 "Now thanks to God who leads us to triumph in Christ - and through who you have fragrance in every place.
These kind of declaration are typical of New Age Pantheist; but not true Christians who know the bible is not about them. To say for example, "I am breaking limit - rising above the culture" it in fact, reveals that you are very much apart of the world culture of believing you are better than others. This is not a Christian attitude. The correct attitude for a Christian to exude is: to be humble and submit themselves to the Lord, and know that that God has shown mercy and grace unto you a sinner. No one is better than any other person, we all deserve hell.
Now what about these 3 verses which have been abuse in this statement:
Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: “Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck.” Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. (Genesis 27: 39-42)Here is a wider section of this scripture, and there is no scriptural -- no logical reason to take a small section away from it overall context. And forces to speak to some one or a group of people that it has no connection too (that is called Eisegesis, and it is also classified as Narcagesis). There is only one person in view, and person that the words can be contextually applied to and that Esau. While it is true that it has another understanding in terms of what it is foreshadowing: in that it is speaking of the battle between Christ and his saints and the Devil and his demons.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6)Here is the full passage from 1 John 4, and we must follow John's point and not get side-tracked from the real issues at hand. John is giving us the test of discernment; in which all believers (those who are true) can know and understand that they are in fact true. We are not to "believe every spirit" for not every spirit is a true spirit; in fact, a great many are called "anti-Christ" in their disposition and nature. For one more important point, when the pastor of this sermon say "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them," who are the "them" being spoken of? The verse on it's own does not answer this question, only the full context does.
When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2: 12-17)For a "pastor" to read himself and everyone in the congregation into a passage that has no direct application to them is dishonest. First, for this to be taken seriously it must be preached totally and not partially as if it were pre-text for something else such as false teachings. We note Pauls words "and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." The question that immediate arises is this: what is the source of that "knowledge" being spread? It is none other than the Word of God preached fully and consistently.
Scripture twist number four
In an attempt to prove his belief that man came from heaven and was already in existence, the pastor states the following words:
The four qualities of True Character (that being the Man's own Character)
- Moral Discipline
- Moral Attachment
- Moral Autonomy
- Moral Dynamic
Therefore, when we consider the above list of points with their explanation that I will provide below; it raises one question: Where is Christ in all of this? He seems to be missing in these sermons; where the focus should be fully placed. The bible is not about us, it is however, about the Lord Jesus Christ being the one who saved us.
And so, we begin with point number one in this "Character- building" statement
1. Moral Discipline
This statement is manifestly untrue, if it were the case that "It means dominion over impulses and desires, so we're in control of them and not the other way around." don't you think there would be some revelation from God in the scriptures to back this claim. But as it stands, there's not one shred of evidence to substantiate this claim. In fact, the bible is clear on this matter that it goes into depth about this matter in several places, that because of the fall in Adam, man has become subject to his own evil nature and will much sooner carry out it's deeds then live for the light of the gospel truth unless we are regenerated that won't change.The freedom is what is embedded in the moral discipline as a quality of true Character. It means dominion over impulses and desires, so we're in control of them and not the other way around. I do cosmetic work for a living; the first time someone asked me - a friend in Nigeria say to me "you know what! I really want to work for you as an assistant." I said, "you not a doctor, what do you want?" He said, "man all those beautiful girl you make even more beautiful." You understand - Imagine that was a doctor himself - God knows what would happen in that room . So that what Character does for you - it gives you dominion over impulses.
Notice what the following passages all teach about mankind who love their sinfulness:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:18-21)
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (John 8:34-38)The truth being convey here is because man is by nature a sinner (which they have admitted to on occasions) that when it lead to actually sin and it will, then that Soul shall be under it dominion until it is set free by the Son. As a unregenerate sinner, the natural man can only love and live for "the darkness" it cannot even free itself, it can try to fool itself but in the end it will only sink further into the darkness.
And as James, Peter and Paul all attest in James 1:13-15, 2 Peter 2: 11-21, and Romans 6: 15-19 all make clear as a unregenerate sinner you are a slave to that nature and only live to its inclinations. Even the example that is given if it is considered carefully refutes the premise of this point, for when he said the following:
I do cosmetic work for a living; the first time someone asked me - a friend in Nigeria say to me "you know what! I really want to work for you as an assistant." I said, "you not a doctor, what do you want?" He said, "man all those beautiful girl you make even more beautiful."This in actual reality reveals that because Man is naturally depraved that even his attraction to women will be fundamentally altered by sin. He will lust after, have sexual thoughts about her and even in his mind commit sin ever before actually doing the deed but don't imagine that the actual deed can be subdued as it cannot soon as you have those inclinations- they will birth the very acts in reality. And the illustration provided here is a key example "all those beautiful girls" if this is not under the control of the Holy Spirit, it will spiral out of control leading to possible repercussions. Just read James 1:13-15.
2. Moral Attachment
Instead of focusing on the Character of man, or even that of the believer; why not focus the sermon on the only one that matters when it comes to Character: and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is his Character that it being impugned by this self- motivated speech; not your own, yours does not even matter - Only Christ's does to the true Christian.Your Character is about something bigger than you. It is about being committed to a set of higher ideals and to act for the greater good. When you see people - when they say "Oh somebody has integrity" I think that is just another way to describe Moral attachment. When somebody say I have something that is great then me - some people will say my name is greater than me - I want to live a good name - I would rather go through this- I would rather manage with what I earn- I won't do this, that or the other thing. Because I don't want to spoil my reputation. And that is why it is called moral attachment.
And the bible speaks on the Character of all believers, as those whom are being transformed to the "likeness of Christ," so it is not my reputation, nor yours that is in question when we fall into sinful patterns, when we preach and teach falsely. If you are a true Christian then it is Christ's reputation and Character that is being dishonoured.
3.Moral Autonomy
Honestly, I simply have no clue what this idea is really saying, nor what it has to do with the Christian faith.It means your character is a product of your judgment, your decisions and choices You carry the responsibility for your action - oh let's go to that place- I'm not going. It's your decision. You know the choices - the choices are go or not go - you just don't go. This is what is called Moral Autonomy - you make the decision from your heart
4. Moral Dynamic
Now here is the most damaging statement to be stated by a Christian. Comparing human depravity to the way a computer Operating System works simply cannot be legitimately made. Notice that in this analysis that the picture of the Computer system overrides the biblical truth of man's depravity; when it says "you always see the computer gives a configuration code - a default setting .... When we are born - our default setting is sin, we are born into sin - that is why every Character is dynamic." It goes onto claim that that just as you can change the settings of a computer, you can change the nature of man - from sin to righteousness.That would look like a contradiction 'cause of what was said at the beginning that Character is unchangeable. But now I'm saying every Character is dynamic. It is because everyone of us that has given our life to Christ. The way I put it, let me put it this way when you .... anybody does I T programming; anybody that does sort of Networking - you always see the computer gives a configuration code - a default setting: which if you don't do anything that is the setting you get. Now you can now be changing it and saying (Ok even your programme) say windows comes in blue screen but if you don't like blue - you can now change it to red - you have changed it. If you like it you can leave it. When we are born - our default setting is sin, we are born into sin - that is why every Character is dynamic. So you can first of all make a choice and a decision to move from sin to righteousness.
However, the error in this is that the two ideas do not necessarily flow - they are incompatible for the reason that one is a machine made by man (fallen men) Where as Man was created in God image and likeness, then fell as a result of Satan's deception. But what is worse is the tint of man made religion that is coming through when it states,
How does one read the bible and come to the impression that it teaches "you can first of all make a choice and a decision to move from sin to righteousness." The sinner loves his sin, and will go to extra-ordinary lengths to dismiss the fact that they know God exists, and that he is the one who chooses people to be saved. It is what Paul called "suppression" the sinner suppresses the truth of God to a point where they delude themselves into believing that they can get to heaven on their own merit.When we are born - our default setting is sin, we are born into sin - that is why every Character is dynamic. So you can first of all make a choice and a decision to move from sin to righteousness.
But as Jeremiah tells us about man's natural state "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil." Jeremiah's point here is that those who are naturally evil cannot do that which is opposite their nature. And therefore, since all men are this way, they cannot even begin to "move from sin to righteousness." Sin is not simply the default set, it is what someone is.
Just a man is born man and a women is born a women -- no amount of outward conformity can change the fact that you are what you are, and as a result because man is born a sinner they will die one too unless God changes them inwardly.
As we have previously seen in Paul's writings that it is not the truth to say "we can change our position by our own effort" But even more, Paul states the following:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:1-5)These verses make it very clear that man cannot save himself by making "a choice and a decision to move from sin to righteousness." Righteousness is something that's not possible for the sinner to attain apart from Christ who provides it by his work on the Cross. Now another interesting point to consider in this argument is that it back-fires, for a computer to be "configuration code - a default setting" you need an outside source to ensure it goes right, as it cannot do it by itself. And like wise the nature of man being sinful, cannot remove it without an outside source to change the nature.
Scripture twist number five
In an attempt to prove his belief that man came from heaven and was already in existence, the pastor states the following words:
Remember what the Lord said to us "it's a month of breaking limits" I hope some one is breaking limits already! .... He said "you are God, little children" He said you are God! Someone say you are God . Now some might be afraid of that. In Psalm 82:6 he said "you are Gods." He calls them God - unto whom he is working- scriptures can't be broken. On earth we are God. And the best way to put it is: A child of a lion is what? A lion. A child of a dog is what? A dog. A child of an elephant is what? an Elephant. A child of God is what? A God.Now here is the fifth and final falsehood to come from these series of sermons if you can truly call it that. And already we run into several serious errors; which are so dangerous to the Christian's growth that they need to be considered carefully. But before we do, there is an issue of the fact that this was the very first 5 minutes of the third sermon; and if this is the nature of the opening segment then there is no hope for any restitution in the rest of the sermon. And that is a very damaging issue that has very real repercussions. Consider the last words said "A child of God is what? A God." This is a word game that is not being truthful. the more appropriate formation is "A child of a human being is what? A human." And that is what we are as to creation. We're not Gods, and never will be. Now let us get to the first of these errors in this statement:
Remember what the Lord said to us "it's a month of breaking limits" I hope some one is breaking limits already!Here is the first error, as I have mention above in "the defining issue" the claim of personal revelation apart from it being found in scripture, is ill-sufficient for it does not happen now. The bible is clear on this matter - that if we want to know what God has said, then his revealed inspired word is the best place for us to go. For God said this through the writer of Hebrews:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2)It is clear that God has only promised one channel of revelation, and that is by His Son who has given by the Apostles and the other men who wrote the New Testament. Since the office of Prophet-hood has been completed in Christ's coming - there is no more prophecy of new revelation; only Prophecy of declaring that which has been given (proclamation of that which has been given) and to claim new revelation directly contradict the bible; and therefore, it is suspect.
This does not only mean for so called Christian Pastors who claim it; but also for fringe group like Mormonism, Jehovah Witness, Islam, Catholicism, New age Pantheists, Moonies and whatever else comes along. And for sure as the Pastor claims of "breaking limits" he certainly is, but the limits that the bible sets on Pastors teaching.
Now let us get to the second of these errors in this statement:
He said "you are God, little children" He said you are God! Someone say you are God.This mistake ever so subtle, but it is there for all to see. And what is it - Well it is the blending of three different scriptures with a false idea coming from New age Pantheism that "we are Gods" which the bible does not teach in the slightest. Let us consider each scripture carefully in order to see what they really teach. The first comes from 1 John 4
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1-6)We have the full passage as John wrote for our encouragement and Spiritual growth in the holy faith "once for all delivered unto the saints" and what is the lesson or subject that John is leaving the Christians in this chapter: It is this, how to exercise discernment. This is seen in the very first verse when it says "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God," and when we test this above statement by the Pastor, it fails.
Because not only does he neglect the passage. But he also twists verse for to his own destruction when he says "you are God, little children" He said you are God!" this is not what the text states at all - it states "Little children, you are from God" it is talking of the Spiritual begetting that we receive in Regeneration as the same epistle teaches in the following section:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)In this section, we are dealing with the truth of Regeneration - in the words "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God," it is not that we believe and then are born again, but that we are born again, and a result are given the ability to believe. And that is why in Chapter four John states that we are from God. It is not teaching that prior to this life, we existed. But that due to God's holy choice in eternity that all believers are being perfected in Christ. It is a fundamental error to read a false theology in the bible and twist scripture to fit. We must allow all scripture to speak for itself.
Now let us get to the third of these errors in this statement:
Now some might be afraid of that. In Psalm 82:6 he said "you are Gods." He calls them God - unto whom he is working- scriptures can't be broken. On earth we are God.We note in passing that the Pastor attack people who would be concerned about this kind egregious error. And rightly so. He states "Now some might be afraid of that." This is a get-out-of-jail free card. But sadly it is does not give him the right to twist God's word as he does.
Let us move on to the first scripture mentioned here and see what it is really teaching over against this false notion of we are Gods.
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:This is the entire Psalm, it is an incredibly short one. And it's theme is judgement. In the first instance, we are talking of gods as in corrupt judges; verses 1-2 bare this point out in great detail. But what is more interesting in this that it state of the one true God "God has taken his place in the divine council;" In other words, just like Isa 40-48 where he does the same thing - he is about to pass Judgement on the Leaders of Israel for their corruption in their handling of God's people. And that is the most essential point in this. Next, in verses 6-7 we are told "I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” After given a list of things that these leader have not been doing, he states this all important truth. In saying "I say, "you are gods"" he is reaffirming his above point that they corrupt judges. But unlike them, He is the true Judge. But it is what comes after this that is very important to consider he says that they are like every other man ... who will die. So no, they are mortal humans that will die in their sin.
“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Psalms 82:1-8)
Now the final thought on this is -- this statement in light of its full context cannot be used to support a false doctrine about man, as it is not addressing such a position.
Now what of the scripture that is alluded too, but never identified in this statement. Well it comes from John 10:34, it reads:
The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. (Verses 31-40)Here is the section that we need to consider in this, in the previous 30 verses he has just spoken on his sacrificial death for man's sin, the union that believers have in him, and even the security they have in him and the father as apart of his messiah-ship. The question that Christ is asked by these leaders has to do with his Messiah-ship: which he basically spelled out in Chapter 8, but we also need to understand that the eternal Son-ship and his messiah-ship go hand in hand. With this in mind, we now can consider Jesus' Point in John 10:34 when he states, "Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken" Just as the Psalmist as we previously noted was speaking of false gods = corrupt judges; here too Jesus is speaking of the Jewish leader (and only them) as "gods" or more appropriately corrupt judges- for they were judging Christ in a manner they had no place too as in calling him "a blasphemer."
Conclusion
With the above statement tried and tested and found biblically wanting. It is vital that we understand the teaching being espoused knowingly or unknowingly by the Pastors of this church are anti biblical and straight heretical in nature. We should never go to a church with closed bibles and closed minds as it would appear that this congregation does; it is also important that in one service that the bible that belonged to the Pastor was shut and put aside, this is simple a mistake and one that must never be witnessed by anyone.
I leave with one final thought from scripture, in 1 Thessalonians we are told "not to despise prophecy ... and to test all things." How is this command meant to carried by a bunch of biblically illiterate spectators.
