I have been keeping an eye on John MacArthur’s blog lately because he is doing a series on the false teachings of Prosperity/Word of Faith movement. His latest post talked about “Positive Confession” and the “Law of Faith”. If you believe in “positive confession” or the “law of faith” I suggest you listen to the audio blog because Dr. MacArthur clearly lays out the error and implication of these teachings (Idolatry).
If you question if The City Church teaches such garbage, perhaps you should listen to the sermon by Pastor Jude Fouquier titled “Laws of Faith“. It is sad that people believe this garbage and teach it to so many people (for their itching ears). Not to mention, look at the list of some of the prominent speakers at their church (Hagin, Oral Roberts, Marylin Hickey, TD Jakes).
These teachings are false, idolatrous and dangerous.
I was directed to John MacArthur’s blog where he has been discussing the prosperity gospel, and the absolute fraud it is. I thought I would link to the articles he has posted. If you follow the prosperity preachers, you might want to check these out. It is a 5 part series (so far), and he shows how this deception is not new. Even Paul Crouch’s son has gone onto the blog to leave comments. I may not agree with John MacArthur on all points of Theology, but we definitely agree on this one.
“There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishlyevery day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.” Luke 16:19-21
However some professors may seem to differ from the world–they are not easily distinguished upon many other points; particularly at their meals. The people of the world can scarcely exceed them in the cost, care, profusion, and variety with which their tables are covered.
Perhaps there is no one circumstance in the history of our Savior so little laid to heart, so generally overlooked, by those who acknowledge him as their Master and their Lord–as that state of poverty to which He submitted, while upon earth. He had no home. He did not even have money to pay His tax. He was hungry when He went to the fig-tree. He wrought no miracle solely for His own relief; but He felt for the necessitous, and miraculously fed them by thousands; not with dainties, which would have been equally easy to Him–but, finding a few loaves and fish among them, He satisfied their needs with plain food. Yes, after His resurrection, when He had taken possession of all power and authority both in heaven and in earth–He condescended to dine with His disciples upon broiled fish and bread, which He likewise provided for them.
Alas! the rich followers of this poor Savior have more reason to be ashamed of . . .
their gorgeous apparel,
their fine houses,
their elegant furniture, and
their sumptuous feastings
–than to value themselves upon such trifles!
They are unavoidable appendages to people in some situations; but, I believe, those who have drank deeply into our Lord’s spirit, account them rather burdens than benefits!
We must be watchful of that sinful, shameful conformity to the world, which spreads like a gangrene, which is the reproach of the gospel, and threatens the utter extinction of vital religion in multitudes who profess it.
“In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him–Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!” Luke 16:23-24
Below is an article I found on Sermon Index written by Greg Gordon. In a time when ministries and pastors seem to preach that God needs your money, I found it very fitting. I liked it and thought I would share…
God Doesn’t Want Your Money! by Greg Gordon
Never in the history of Christianity has there been so many sermons and preachers begging for money. Is God broke? God says “blessed are the poor” we say in our twisted days “blessed are the rich”. God says “godliness with contentment is great gain!” we say in our materialistic age “godliness is great financial gain!”. Right now as I am writing this article there are 1000’s of T.V. preachers begging for money. There are 10,000’s of people opening envelopes and emails as we speaking right now of ministries pleading for financial support. What a travesty that the first impression of the mind of unbelievers in North America is that Christianity is about money.
I admit personally in my life and ministry there were times where I asked for financial support and went against my conscience in that matter. I do believe there is reason and balance and it will vary from ministry to ministry of making some need known. But I do feel the best and most excellent way is to serve God and ask the Father in secret for your needs.
Judas was the money changer and it is surprising so many pastors want to follow in the steps of Judas rather then Jesus. Never has so little been done with so much money for the Gospel. The Gospel work of Jesus Christ requires little money but much men. It requires little financial begging but much knee work before God in prayer. If we were prevailing with God instead of pleading with men for our needs they would have been met overabundantly by this point.
Zac Poonen said this: “The early Christians were humble enough to acknowledge their lack of wisdom in such matters. That was why they gave their gifts to the apostles to be distributed to the poor. But those apostles never touched any of that money themselves.” Their are needs for money to be given for the poor, helpless, and to some workers of the gospel “the workman is worthy of his hire.” But what a contrast we see between these Apostles in the Scriptures and the modern day pastor.
This is a challenge to all Christians to stop giving to these ministries on T.V. who are fleecing the sheep and making themselves rich. Give to ministries that are humble, small, that don’t beg. Find modern day prophets to give to. Don’t give to the slick sleek pastor who just says “nice” things to comfort you.
I close with a very profitable list from Zac Poonen which he calls the “Ten Commandments” on money for Christian workers:
1. Never make your financial needs known to anyone but God (Phil.4:19).
2. Never accept money from unbelievers (3 John 7).
3. Never expect any gifts from anyone (Psa.62:5).
4. Never allow anyone to control you or influence your ministry by giving you money.
5. Never accept money from those who don’t receive your ministry.
6. Never accept money for your personal or family needs, from anyone poorer than you.
7. Never be dependent on any man for your financial needs.
8. Never handle God’s money in a way that would cause others to suspect mishandling (2 Cor.8:20,21).
9. Never be excited when you receive money.
10. Never be depressed when you lose money.
There are few warnings in Scripture more solemn than that which heads this page. The Lord Jesus Christ says to us, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
Lot’s wife was a professor of religion; her husband was a “righteous man” (2 Pet. 2:8). She left Sodom with him on the day when Sodom was destroyed; she looked back toward the city from behind her husband, against God’s express command; she was struck dead at once and turned into a pillar of salt. And the Lord Jesus Christ holds her up as a beacon to His church; He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the person Jesus names. He does not bid us remember Abraham or Isaac or Jacob or Sarah or Hannah or Ruth. No, He singles out one whose soul was lost forever. He cries to us, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we consider the subject Jesus is upon. He is speaking of His own second coming to judge the world; He is describing the dreadful state of unreadiness in which many will be found. The last days are on His mind when He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It is a solemn warning, when we think of the person who gives it. The Lord Jesus is full of love, mercy and compassion; He is one who will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. He could weep over unbelieving Jerusalem and pray for the men that crucified Him; yet even He thinks it good to remind us of lost souls. Even He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Read the rest of this entry »
If you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading–all that is lifeless, unctionless, and powerless. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which does not profit. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published–are not worth the paper on which they are printed!
“Those who live according to the flesh–have their minds set on what the flesh desires,” (Romans 8:5). They are charmed with . . .
oratorical eloquence,
catchy sayings,
witty allusions, and amusing illustrations.
On just such husks, do the religious swine feed! Read the rest of this entry »
The Lord’s command in Mark 4:24 is “take heed what ye hear”. Corrupt nature is thoroughly in love with error and will more readily and eagerly receive false rather than true doctrine. Should any dispute this statement, we would refer them to Jeremiah 5:31: “the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so”. Said Christ unto the Jews, “because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:45): what a commentary on fallen human nature - had He preached lies they would have promptly received Him.
Alas, what is man: he will run greedily after something new and sensational, but is soon bored by the old story of the Gospel.
How feeble is the Christian, how weak his faith, how fickle and unstable the moment he is left to himself. Peter, the most courageous and forward of the apostles in his profession, denied his Master when challenged by a maid. Even when given a heart to love the Truth, we still have “itching ears” for novelties and errors, as the Israelites welcomed the manna at first, but soon grew weary of it and lusted after the fleshpots of Egypt.
Real and urgent then is our need to heed this command,
“Beware of false prophets.”
From: Sermon on the Mount
It makes me think of how wonderful our God is since He gave us scripture and the Holy Spirit to battle with our bent toward evil, so that we can overcome the flesh and live in the Spirit. What a stern warning to “examine yourself to see if you be in the faith”.
I think of all the people who love it when “the prophets prophesy falsely and the priests bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so”. In Isaiah it was described as coming from the people themselves:
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
It amazes me when you read the epistles to the churches, how many of the epistles were warnings of false doctrines that spread so quickly throughout the believers. How much more today with 2 thousand years of the imagination of men and doctrines of demons perverting the very word of God. Just as in the days of the Judges the people of God desired not to serve Him directly, but desired a king to lead them.
I see this as a call to have the light of God’s word shine in all the areas of my life. As David said:
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Below is an article I found on Sermon Index regarding a topic I have been struggling with lately, and have had discussions with people regarding the gift of tongues. I think this article adequately outlines the conclusions I have come to on the subject (not that agreeing with me makes it right).
Please take some time to read it and let me know your thoughts on the writings of Zac Poonen…
The Truth About Speaking In Tongues - Zac Poonen
“Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation (change)” (James. 1:17).
God never makes a mistake, He never changes and He gives only perfect gifts. Therefore when He gave the gift of “speaking in unknown languages” (”tongues”) to the church on the day of Pentecost, He knew exactly what He was doing. The gift of “tongues” was a perfect gift. God has not changed His mind about the gift, for He never changes.
God knew the controversies that would surround this gift in the 20th century. Yet He felt the church needed this gift to fulfill its ministry.
Even major truths such as the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, the Humanity of Christ and the Person of the Holy Spirit have been opposed and have faced controversy in the history of Christendom. So it should not surprise us if the gift of “tongues” has been controversial too.
It is always best to stick exactly to what Scripture says on all doctrinal matters. Let us look then, with an unprejudiced mind, at every single verse in the Bible on the subject of “speaking in tongues”:
In the wake of my post called “Eat the Meat, Spit out the Bones” Pastor Wendell Smith came out with a blog post called “Scandal and Restoration” regarding the Lakeland Revival and the falling of Todd Bently. The base argument of his post is to not get bitter or disillusioned by the fall of a leader.
My only response is if you don’t exalt men so high in the church (senior pastors), but exalt Jesus, when men fall they won’t leave or get bitter because Jesus will never fall. Also, don’t be so flippant and lazy on false doctrine…especially in your own church.
John Piper, on the other hand, also came out with a blog post talking about the issue. I believe his response is a good warning of the false doctrine, including the ones prevalent in the prosperity gospel and word of faith.
Filed under 