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All scripture is inspired by GodI would like to wade in on a very controversial topic, “is the word of God to be trusted?” Should I believe every word coming from our pulpits? And what does this old history book have to do with the culture in which I live; was it not written for a culture in times past, how can it be relevant to the hour we live? Is it not living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12. I believe you cannot pick and choose from the Bible what you want to believe is or is not inspired. The Bible does not present itself that way. You either read what you believe, or believe what you read! In the hour we now live, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of what is spoken over the pulpits, and in our studies, is a doctrine of believing our own interpretations into what we read! Not just believing what we read as the true word from God. Because some people pick and choose, they claim, they know better than God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power to make us godly.2 Tim 3:5 Even more, the Bible will have no sustaining power for life if we make ourselves the Arbiter of what we will and will not believe in the word of God. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do very good work. 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. One of the most strategic attacks the adversary wages against the Church (Body of Christ) has to do with the inspiration of scripture. It is the greatest issue of every new generation. The same tactic the Devil used through a serpent on Eve in the Garden of Eden is the method he employs today in an even greater way. Gen. 3:1–5 Did God really say? We question whether the word of God is relevant to the times we live, forgetting God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He never changes only we do, yet we want and act as if He should change for us!. If Satan can get us to doubt the truth of God's word, than we have no standard by which to live, no clear message of salvation, and no guidelines for the over-sight and advancement of Christ's Church. If the truth of the bible is muddled or cloudy in our minds, we only have our wits and our human understanding to count on! This leads us into all kinds of debauchery and separation from God. One of my mentors, who I call my Pastor, said to me once, “A mist in the pulpit puts a fog in the pews” Clarity of truth must be preached for the sake of God's people. 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of Gospel than the one you believed. I am reminded of the wise words to Timothy by his mentor Paul about the last days. I firmly believe we are drawing close to the end of this season of time, and entering into a new beginning with the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings. 2 Timothy 3:1–5 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!. Wow! It scares me to think that this scripture is talking about the Church, Christ's body, not the unbelieving people lost to a loving Father that we know and cherish and adore. How can that be? Let me share how this has happened through scripture. 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 2 Tim 4:3. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. For us, as leaders of Christ Church, we need to not add or subtract from God's word. We need to Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Tim 4:16 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the Church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1. As a pastor myself, these are sobering words, shall I forget I read them, pass it off as a cultural thing of the past, or cry out for God's mercy and his loving grace to overcome my weakness as I bring the word of God each Sunday with such reverence and fear! I need to talk straight with you: not everyone who wears a collar and uses a Bible is to be trusted. I tell my congregation to test what I say with the word of God, trust in the word of God, not me! Just because someone quotes verses doesn't mean his or her message is reliable. Remember even Satan quoted scripture to Jesus. Not every Church that has a huge following is blessed of God. And please, don't equate glitzy entertainment with truth. Even Satan appears as an angel of light. There are impostors on the loose, some are preying on Churches, and some are actually leading them! Watch out! Stay realistic, pay attention and use your gift of discernment. I deeply sense God is drawing his people back to wholesome teaching of his word, which draws us to a death, death of self! A laying down of our lives, a suffering for the King and his kingdom. I also believe what the scripture says, that many in the church these days only want a feel good gospel, a feel good message that makes them feel better about themselves, without dying to self, and living for Christ. My question is will these people be prepared for what's ahead? Are they prepared for the doctor's report that reveals cancer? Or a call from the police, who say your son was in a head-on collision? Or for the day your spouse abruptly walks out on your marriage? Suddenly, all of the Christian niceties, clever sermons, dazzling performances, and twisted scriptures about having health, wealth, and prosperity offer no help! Why? Because we leaders of the Church will not stand up for truth that sets people free; our teachings are unrealistic, lack depth, and have a façade of what following Christ really means. We are building a Christianity that crumbles under stress, instead of building a strong foundation on the word, nourishing people with biblical doctrine. God's people need deep truth to cling to, they need a solid foundation to fall back on, and we need to strengthen their spirits and souls so they can have spiritual muscles to keep them going in difficult times. The Bible is our moral compass, a map of Godly Ethics and a way to find our true home. Let's imagine that you and I are exploring the jungles of Africa. We get into a deep, dense area of the jungle, so thick it's almost dark. It isn't long before we have lost our way. If our lives depended on it, we couldn't tell if we were going north or south. There is no sun, no stars, and no trail or river to follow, and let's imagine a few nasty mosquitoes pestering us all the time. Do you have the picture? We are hopelessly lost! Suddenly, a twig snaps behind us, and we hear footsteps approaching. But we're relieved, when someone calls our names and walks into the clearing in which we are standing. “I am glad I found you!” He says, I have a map and a compass, I thought you might need them, would you like them? Now pause for a moment. How many of us would answer; “Are you kidding?” that map of Africa is really old. I am not sure I can trust it. I mean, look how wrinkled and worn it is! Plus the landscape is different to when the map was made! And look at that compass…it may or may not be pointing north…how can I know for sure? “No thanks” I think we will trust in ourselves and go where we think it is best for our own good. We would be thickheaded if we said that! And we would die completely lost in the jungle. In spite of our feelings and regardless of the valleys it leads us through, the map always guides us correctly and the compass always points north! He and his word never change! Without God and the inspired word, the Bible, we would never find our way! May I urge you to become a better student of your Bible, familiarize yourself with its content. Filter today's difficult times through it! Read it for yourself! The better you know the word of God, the better you will recognize the truth from the lies, and you will recognize the trail signs to help you find your way through the jungle of this life and come out the other side. I know there are many great Bible believing Churches in our area with great teachers of the word, that teach the inspired word of God. It is not just an experience or a feeling they are teaching, and it's not a post modern theology, which puts science, philosophy and humanism over the word of God. It is about truth, inspired by God himself!. In closing, I believe this is the Church's greatest hour! Pastors and leaders keep up the good fight of faith! Stay true to the word of God! For the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many Blessings, Rev. Gord Horsley; 2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word of God, be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. |
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Post date: 2013-11-27 16:59:28 Post date GMT: 2013-11-27 21:59:28 Post modified date: 2013-12-04 11:40:18 Post modified date GMT: 2013-12-04 16:40:18 |
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