Home
Bible Study- Lutz, Florida
Rightly
Dividing the Word of Truth
(2
Timothy 2:15)
This is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:3-4
The Communication of the Remnant (Part 3)
I
left you with this message from our Lord and Savior.
Concerning
the end times, when His disciples asked Him what will be a sign of Your coming the very first thing Jesus said was this,
Matthew 24
4b: “See to
it that no one misleads you.”
Mislead
= to cause somebody to make a mistake or
form a false opinion or belief, either by employing deliberate deception or by
supplying incorrect information – to lie.
Of
all the things Jesus Christ (a.k.a the Creator God) could have told his
disciples about this traumatic time in man’s future He chose to lead off with
this warning.
There’s
a reason for this my friends.
The
Bible tells of a time when people will no longer “tolerate” the Truth.
This
reality adds a highlight
to Jesus’ statement above.
2 Timothy 4
3: For the time
will come when they (They
= Believers my friends. Scripture is not
referring to unbelievers in this verse)
will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they
will accumulate for themselves (who) teachers
(In the church and in institutions of higher learning where they train receptive
minds with the theories of Freud and
Darwin and insist they are factual. They
teach liberally that we all evolved from monkeys and God doesn’t exist. Whatever their heart fancies) in accordance to their own desires (another
word for desires is lusts),
4: and will turn
away their ears from the truth (what God has said) and will turn aside to myths (lies).
Generations
come; generations go. Society changes
with the times.
People
think the Bible (or how it’s interpreted) should change right along with it.
For
instance: the majority of Americans are
receptive to the homosexual lifestyle. Resistance
to the gay-agenda in other words is waning fast even amongst Believers.
The
president made mention of gay acceptance and equality in his inaugural address.
- For the record the Bible does not teach a doctrine of hatred toward anyone, and the only thing the Lord Jesus Christ speaks out against is sin and pride. So the people spreading their message that Christians "hate" homosexual people are at the very least ignorant. The Bible clearly states Jesus died for ALL and not just for some. These folks should spend time studying the Truth instead of spreading hatred and untruths.
- Divorce,
once thought to be unthinkable among Christians, is now considered one of the
facts of life. While the divorce rate is
right around 50% or higher for the nation, it is currently at 45% for
evangelical Christians, according to the University of Chicago Research and
Opinion Center.The
young people attending church have a different opinion of marriage then their
parents these days. There is no longer a
“stigma” attached to divorce as there once was.
Divorce is now seen as “unavoidable.” Interviews with young adults suggest they want their first marriage to last, but they are not too particularly optimistic about that possibility. They are embracing the concept of SERIAL Marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life. Many young adults these days have a dim view of marriage altogether. They look around and what do they see? They see wrecked marriages, shattered lives, and broken dreams. Why not just live together and skip the marriage thing?
After all, it is what it is…
Society changes…and they expect their church to keep in step.
Church
goers are turning from the Truth of God’s Word and following after false
prophets, false pastors, false ministers, false teachers, and deceptive workers
in the church in large numbers.
This
should not surprise anyone. For there is
no place on earth Satan’s evil influence has not infiltrated. Even the walls of the church have been
breached.
Are
you not aware Scripture says Satan disguises himself as an angel of light?
2 Corinthians 11
12: But what I am
doing
(preaching the LORD JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED) I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who
desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which
they are boasting.
13: For such men
are
(what) false apostles, deceitful
workers disguising themselves as
apostles of Christ.
14: No wonder, for
even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Young
people are still seekers. They’re searching
for truth. I believe this.
But
they’re up against the world and the god of this world.
That’s
a powerful one-two punch.
I
know a young man for instance who has been introduced to Jesus and the gospel.
But
he’s exploring his other options which are Yoga and Hinduism at the moment.
In
my opinion, he’s sold out to Yoga and its RELIGION.
Jesus
has been demoted to a discussion group.
The
problem with this young man is he too has “itching” ears.
He’s
an intelligent young man. He’s been
introduced to the Truth.
But
the Truth is not enough. He seeks
something “else;” something a bit “more.”
Let’s
get right down to the nitty-gritty.
What
does the Bible say about these people with the “itching” ears?
They
are self-centered, self-absorbed, self-concerned, self-indulgent, self-serving,
self-interested, and motivated by their desires (2 Timothy 3:17).
These
folks are going to be attracted to whatever or whoever makes them “feel good.”
And
this is why the PROSPERITY GOSPEL is
still the gospel in vogue today. Thousands
crowd into Mega-Churches on a weekly basis to hear their man (or their woman as
the case may be) deliver their “feel good message.”
This
style of preaching is referred to as RELATIVISM
or “Cotton Candy Theology”
It tastes
good – but has no substance.
Relativism = the belief that
concepts such as right and wrong, goodness and badness, or truth and falsehood
are not absolute but change from culture to culture and situation to situation
The
prosperity message is: God blesses those
God favors with material wealth…
And
millions of Christians fill up the pews every week to hear this false teaching.
Why? It’s just what they’re “itching” ears want to hear.
Please
don’t just take my word for this. Follow
the link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/opinions/outlook/worst-ideas/prosperity-gospel.html
“Itching ears” are eager to hear
every new idea, every new theory, no matter how fanciful or farfetched it may
be. “They have to be “itched” to be
“entertained” by teachings that will produce sensations and leave them with
good “feelings” about themselves.” John MacArthur.
People
with itching ears want preachers who tell them what they WANT to hear instead of want they NEED to hear. As we get
closer to the Lord’s second coming, the more of these “itching” type preachers
we are going to see.
There’s
quite a demand. It’s also quite
profitable!
For
a group, such as Christians, who proclaim to believe their Bible, many have tossed it aside and elected
homosexuals as priests and ministers.
For
example: the Episcopal Church has elected two homosexual bishops.
The
Church of England, struggling to remain “relevant” in modern Britain despite
falling numbers of believers, has lifted a ban on gay male clergy from becoming
bishops. Soon women may be allowed to
become bishops as well.
On
the subject of same-sex marriages in America:
The
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America officially began blessing same-sex unions
in 2009.
The
Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly Permanent Council has ruled that
same-sex ceremonies are not forbidden, as long as they are not considered to be
the same as marriage services.
The
United Methodist Church – Baltimore-Washington annual conference (May 2011)
seeks to change the church’s Book of Discipline to be amended “to allow pastors
to perform same-sex marriages and ceremonies in member churches in
jurisdictions where legislatures already have gay marriage laws, such as the
District.”
*Waiting
on vote in 2012.
Quakers recorded the first
same-sex marriage in the USA in 1987.
The
United Church of Christ affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless
of gender and declares that the government should not interfere with couples regardless
of gender who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights,
responsibilities, and commitment of legally recognized marriage. 2005
The
Affirming Pentecostal Church International and the Global Alliance Apostolic
Pentecostals are US based denominations of Oneness Pentecostals that will
perform weddings for both heterosexual and same-sex couples.
The
United Church of Christ has no formal rules requiring or prohibiting
solemnization of wedding vows. Each
local church is autonomous in the management of its own affairs and has the
right to operate in the way customary to it, it cannot be abridged or
impaired. It has the freedom to bless or
prohibit and kind of marriage or relationship in whatever way they discern
appropriate. They may choose to bless
same-sex marriages, same-sex unions, same-sex relationships, etc.
The Body of Christ
These are the days of the “itching ears.” Consequently, these people come to church with
certain demands; and they influence their church leadership. And
it’s not just in the liberal churches, either. It happens in evangelical churches as well.
People
come to church with a personal agenda in mind.
Some
of these are:
·
Make
me happy
·
Meet
my needs
·
Don’t
talk about sin
·
Don’t
talk about hell
·
Tell
me how to be successful
·
Don’t
be so negative
·
Bible
doctrine is boring
·
Theology
doesn’t matter
·
Sermons
are too long
·
Make
the gospel relevant
·
Tell
more stories
·
Make me laugh
·
Tell
some jokes
·
Help
me feel good about myself
·
Build
up my self-esteem
·
Don’t
be divisive
·
Be
positive
Where
is the “hunger” for the Word of Truth in the Church today?
When
will it be RIGHTLY DIVIDED?
Where
is the personnel accountability?
Faith is followed
by action…
The
Lord said, “See to it that no one misleads you.”
The
Church of Oprah began several years ago.
That’s right. Oprah Winfrey.
She
was a Believer once until one Sunday morning (during the sermon) a Baptist
pastor made her wonder why God would be “jealous.” Her mind started to wander…
From
that moment on she has entertained the notion that God is jealous of her.
Why,
because Oprah believes she is a god too.
Millions
of people around the world have “bought” into her heretical philosophy.
Please
take the time to view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
People,
people, people…Satan has been selling this lie to millions for centuries –
“You can
be like God.”
Eve fell
for it (Genesis 3:5) and helped plunge the entire human race into sin and
death.
This lie
is Satan’s best weapon against mankind.
*****
Mr.
Joel Osteen has been and is a rising star in the Christian world.
Lakewood
Church, in Houston Texas, is the largest mega church in the USA.
It
averages 43,500 in attendance per week.
His
sermons are viewed in over 100 countries worldwide.
His
family members make up the church leadership.
Their
website says the church is evangelical in belief.
But
Joel Osteen preaches the Prosperity Gospel.
FYI: Mr. Osteen does not
possess a degree from a Bible college.
The Troubling View of Joel Osteen
There’s
more:
Joyce
Meyer also preaches the Prosperity Gospel.
In
addition, her teachings are not confirmed by the Word of God.
To
be honest her preaching is heretical.
But
don’t just take my word for it, please.
Pastor
Josh Buice has a few words to add.
Paul R.
Belli and G. Richard Fisher from Personnel Freedom Outreach’s also
comments on Joyce Meyer’s false teaching and a few other things.
Please
be aware this is not an attack on these individuals or on their efforts.
I’m
not here to judge these folks. This Bible
lesson is for your edification only.
We’ve
looked at some of the more well known people who are teaching false truths.
But
this is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak.
The
practice is wide spread and growing at an alarming rate.
The majority has always gotten it wrong when it comes
to believing God.
Far
too many believers are being led astray by these individuals and their false
teaching. But they preach a message that
those with “itching” ears want to hear.
Unfortunately,
trusting individuals seeking the Truth get caught up in their web.
Believers
hold to the Truth. Take a stand!
We live
in a society where long held values are being confronted and challenged.
The
Apostle Paul writes,
2
Timothy 1
13: (Insert
your name here) Retain the standard of (what) sound words which
you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
As
I’ve said I’m not judging anyone and this includes the folks who flood into
these churches week after week to hear these people preach their “feel good”
messages.
Some
of these folks may be Believers. We may
be hobnobbing with them for eternity.
Only God knows the answer to such questions.
But
history shows following the crowd is not always a wise decision when it comes
to spiritual matters.
Matthew
7
13: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
(To
be continued)
©
Copyright 2011
GJ
Heitzman’s Ministry
All
Rights Reserved
