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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Importance of Being Earnest (not about the play) (08/04/11)
Practically from birth, I’ve been drawn to God’s Holy Word. But I readily admit that I’m not as true to It, as I ought to be. That’s why I try not to let a day go by without having set time aside to thank God and Christ for His grace; redirecting his love shown toward me to someone else, and seeking to better understand Him, intimately. To me, far surpassing sex is hearing the skillfully Word delivered through gifted vessels that have been authentically called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But these days hearing ears can hardly distinguish the wheat from the tare, especially in God’s pulpits.

Jesus taught His disciples that it’s not how well a sermon is received by its audience that counts. What matters most to Christ is the preacher’s character after the sermon has been preached. When even gifted shepherds don’t practice what they preach or when they twist God’s message for selfish gain they spread spiritual confusion on to the sheep, like cancerous cells through an attacked body. God is not the author of confusion, which begs an even greater question: was God even the author of the well received sermon preached by the hypocritical, manipulative or leaven spreading, yet well respected Pharisee? Case in point…

Not too long ago, I viewed a sermon preached by a highly esteemed, prosperity-gospel-preaching pillar within the upper echelon of mainstream Christian leadership today. His last name means money. This was a few years back when Christ personally convinced me (when Christian leadership couldn’t) that I was, in fact, born same-gender attracted to the extent that I couldn’t remain gay. In his sermon the Christian icon with a doctorate degree from some Christian seminary attempted to convince me that as a believer, I could command God. He used Isaiah 45:11to solidify his wayward instruction to thousands in his congregation and watching, as I was, via some unfortunate Christian network. He taught that from that passage and others that God had given us permission to command Him to do our bidding. His message sparked my curiosity enough to try that spirit whether it was of God or not. So, I took His bait and digested the entire chapter, verse by verse. Man, was I unpleasantly surprised to say the least. I discovered that God had not given me, anyone else or the unrestrained preacher permission to command Him of anything. On the contrary, God, in His infinite majesty, was, in truth, asking us how anyone could even think of commanding Him for anything based on who He Is.

Elohim proclaimed through the prophet, Isaiah, that He, alone, made the darkness and the light. He made the sun, moon, and stars appear and remain in the sky. What God expressed in that passage was so transparent that I could only surmise that the well respected scriptural expert was pulling an ungodly stunt. I guess he needed to pay on the note on his personal jet or a mortgage payment on his mini-super-dome-mega-church. I don’t know.

Any gifted person has the ability to draw a crowd and retain them. To me, that’s no big feat. The late Michael Jackson drew multitudes with his gift until the world crowned him king of pop music. He made them scream, cry, sprint, shout, dance and faint from some spirit, too, just like what we see on Christian television every night and in congregations every week. Gifted athletes fill stadiums to capacity weekly just to be seen manipulating worthless cowhide. So, just because shepherds can fill mega-churches each week by the fruitless words they preach doesn’t say much, really.

Pulpits hit the nail on the head in urging every believer to read our Bibles more earnestly. All of us should seek to better personally know Our Father who art in us and who is in Christ Jesus. The Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, helps us to better understand who God is, His nature… His ways, so that we may better love Him back. Throughout Hebrew scripture, God is found pointing us directly to Christ. Then from Matthew through the John the revelator, we find Christ pointing us directly back to God-- the perfect Circle of life-- that’s when He’s not exposing the unbridled injustice, unfairness, manipulation and hypocrisy that within the pulpits of His day-- just like it can be clearly witnessed in Christian pulpits today.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Avigail David
08/12/11
Isa 53:6 BBE,KJV We all went wandering like sheep; going every one of us after his desire; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

The Lord of absolute truth commands His God-fearing people to be prayerful and be watchful of His coming (Mat 24); and warns us of what He will allow to happen, 2 Thess.2:1-12.

Be faithful, even unto death, to our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ as we await for His return.(Rev.14:12)

You've earnestly written a very sensitive issue, like a "voice in the wilderness." Keep writing pointing your readers (and 'sowing', Mark 4:14))to the simplicity of the the gospel of Lord Jesus Christ, His Word (truth) and love--so that whoever may hear will repent, and salvation for whoever will come to Him.





Juliette Chamberlain-Bond
08/13/11
You raise some very valid points in your essay.
I once attended a church where the prosperity doctrine was preached. I never did buy into it, but I have to say that there was a great deal of love in the church, and very obvious sincerity. To this day, although I have moved many miles away, I still remember the church members with much love.
Ultimately though, the doctrine was Scripturally wrong and the church continued to divide until there were very few people left to attend.

I appreciate the point that the responsibility lies with each individual to earnestly check against Scripture, all that we hear and are told.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/14/11
This is a great message. Many people have twisted God's word to fulfill selfish desires. The only suggestion I have would be to quote the verse in Romans. Some readers may not have a Bible and others won't take the time to look it up. This is well done and should make most people stop and think.
C D Swanson 
08/14/11
Amen and Amen again!!!
Well written and so true! There are so many preaching what I call "man's doctrine" and losing sight of GOD and HIS word.

Always test the spirit and the Word, and always run to the Word to corroborate and solidify with the Creator and Master who wrote the Book, and the Father who loves us; His word - His ways, not "our way or man's words."

Amen - I loved this..I am saving it and will print it out. Thank you, and May God continue to shine His light on you as you write in His Glory and Honor.