Christianity: Then and Now

Are you being properly taught the Word of God? To know if you are, let us compare the teaching methods of our Lord Jesus Christ with the methods of modern pastors.

The majority of modern preachers like to fill their sermons with quotes from philosophers and popular life-enhancement gurus. They agree with modern church leaders and tend to shy away from the meat of the Word, focusing instead on fluffy stuff like ‘Is Social Media Evil?’ and ‘Ghosts’ and other conciliatory items that can hardly even be categorized as Christian.

How did Jesus Christ teach? How did He view the teachers of his day, the wise men, the philosophers, the church leaders?

The methods of Jesus’ teachings are the opposite of modern preachers. He rejected the sayings of the teachers of His day, and instead quoted scripture. Who did he excoriate? Was it unbelievers? Those living in poverty? No, our Lord Jesus condemned the corruption of the church authorities. He disputed their traditions and rituals. He overturned their money-changing tables. He Pointed out their sins and proved their methods to be contrary to Scripture—by quoting Scripture!

This should be our method today. In two millennia the methods have changed, but the message has not. Perhaps we would be better served (and better servants) if we wound the clock back and followed the example our Lord Jesus employed. We need to get back to Jesus. Let’s start by following His way of teaching.

Jeremiah 6:16 offers far better advice than anything coming off the pulpits today: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.’

Hebrews 5:12-13 explains the flaw in the teaching methods of church leaders during Jesus’ time, and it explains the flaw in the teaching methods of church leaders in our time: ‘Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.’

Contemporary ‘theological experts’ would have us believe that, because times have changed, this has necessitated a change in the way we teach and learn our faith.

This is complete hogwaller. Just read those verses above again. Notice how remarkably poignant they are to today’s issues. With the churchliness and self-improvement shtick and obsessive focus being on the Church instead of on its Head, and with the watering down of Scripture to create a larger all-inclusive faith, it is clear that our leaders are, at best, mere babes in Christ. It is also just as clear that we desperately need someone to teach us again the first principles of our faith.

Unfortunately all our teachers are too busy focusing on the self-improvement programs touted by New Age and New Thought leaders who are more interested in being accepted by the world as tolerant of pretty much everything, than in honoring our Creator and Savior.

Their quotes may sound uplifting and motivational, but they often seem to miss the point of church, and sometimes even forego Christianity altogether to teach a more passive seven faiths fellowship that borders on blasphemy.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, not accept their sins. What do you think the point of the Pentateuch was? It was to make vividly clear to us that we (like the Israelites) must serve only one God; we must be careful to avoid being influenced and corrupted by other faiths.

Scripture clearly teaches that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. If we are to believe the bible and accept its truths, then we must acknowledge this one also. The question you must ask yourself about your church leader is this: Do his methods suggest he is teaching belief in the bible? Do his methods even have anything to do with Jesus Christ and Him crucified?

It is a vital question. Your very soul could depend on it.

Don’t search your heart. Search Scripture and know that He is God—He, and He alone (Psalm 86:10). 1 Kings 18:16-45 is a wonderful place to start if you want to see our faith in action against other faiths. This world would confuse you and make you think all religions are basically the same. But in order to believe the Word of God, to live as a true Christian, it is time you take off your blinders, turn from serving other gods, and serve the One who died and rose again and sits at the right hand of God, for you. Amen

Here is a link to a video of Pastor Paul Washer making an excellent point.

Should a Christian Follow Self-Help Teachings?

With all the self-help guff out there these days, it can be difficult to know what is Christian and what is bluster. As always, the answer is found in scripture.

Titus Chapter 3 is an excellent place to turn to in your search for understanding. Verses 1 and 2 advise us on how to live properly toward others. Verse 3 reveals our former state as being 'foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.'

And then Titus Chapter 3 really hits home, unveiling a truth that is in direct opposition to the sham teachings of self-help gurus. It tells us that 'the kindness of God our Savior appeared' and that we were saved not by works we had done, but by Him, through 'the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.' It goes on to reiterate this point, driving home a truth that today's sham artists would not have you know: that though we need saving, we cannot save ourselves, and that we are saved only by His grace.

It also warns that this salvation we have received by grace is to be maintained by us, that we do this (by His grace) by 'being careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.' Verse 8 uses terminology that is eerily similar to modern self-help and motivational charlatans: 'This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who believe in God should be careful to maintain good works . . . '

SHAM artists advise us to affirm things, to use mantra's and repetition, but the purpose of their affirmations is to bring about our desires, which is precisely what Titus 3 warns us against.

In some ways the self-help and motivational industry is a twisted skewed re-imagining of scripture, but in most ways it teaches exactly the opposite of God's Word. We are not called to serve our fleshly desires, but to serve and glorify God. It is only by learning to deny the flesh (which is the opposite of the self-help industry) that we can fulfill God's purpose for our lives.

Self confidence is good and all, but far more important is to: 'seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you' (Matthew 6:33). 'Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth' (Colossians 3:2).
selfhelp-and-the-gospel

Who is the God of Your Life?

Psalm 100:3 'Know that the Lord, He is God. It is He who made us, and not we ourselves.'

Ephesians 1:11 'In Him also we have obtained and inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will--'

Ecclesiastes 5:2 'Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore, let your words be few.'

Colossians 1:10 'That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.'
 
We see from scripture--the standard of our faith--that all we have we owe to God; that all power resides with Him and not with us; that we are called to exercise control over our tongues and not to wag them around with naming and claiming; that we should always be increasing in our understanding of our Creator.

Our pastors are failing us in this vital regard. We are not taught to be still and know that He is God. No time is given in church to allow the Spirit to move, because we are not silent before Him. We are not learning about God, but about ourselves. After church service (self-help seminar) ask yourself: ‘What have I learned about God today? Do I know Christ better than when I went in?’

If the answers to these questions are 'Nothing' and 'No' then you better reevaluate your life. Spend time in the word and in prayer. Be silent before God, and know Him. How can you expect to know and do His will, if you give no time to learning of and hearing Him? How much time do you spend with God? How much time to do spend on your phone?

How to Identify False Teachings and Be a True Christian

In order to be more inclusive of all faiths, our church authorities are filtering scripture, diminishing the divinity of Christ, and altogether ignoring the Holy Spirit. As scripture advises us to walk in the spirit to keep from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16), the failure to recognize the Holy Spirit reveals the truth, that church authorities walk according to the flesh, and that they are teaching us to do the same.

They decorate this filtered doctrine with pretty anecdotes and ego-boosting ideology; but it is all just fluff and feathers without substance. We are taught to focus on our desires, voice our desires, and expect our desires to be fulfilled—by the universe, apparently. But scripture teaches something quite different. 1 Corinthians 10:33 admonishes us not to seek our own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. The focus of our attention should be on honoring God; in doing so we stop thinking about ourselves, and start thinking of others. The end result being salvation, changed hearts—not a new car or that dress you’ve been coveting and asking the universe to provide by ‘putting your positive thoughts out there’. The point is the bible teaches us selfless love, while our teachers are starting to teach us self-love, trusting in your own thoughts and power. The world would have your believe that your highest goal should be to ‘find yourself’. However, Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things. Our thoughts and hearts cannot be trusted; so we would be wise to trust what our Creator has left us: His Living Word.

I leave you with this thought (which is not mine but Jesus’): What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? Mark 8:34-38. With modern teachings, after awhile you get this self-sufficient mentality that all good things in your life are due to your power. It may be good for some worldly accomplishments, but this mode of thinking is dangerous, and it is not conducive to a healthy mindset for the servant of God. Galatians 5:20 shows us that selfish ambitions are the work of the flesh. The work of the Spirit is service. 'Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets’ (Matthew 22:37-40). 

The purpose of a Christian is to serve, not to get. Jesus Himself showed us how when He got on His knees and washed his disciples’ feet. Service, not self-help. What are you, Christian or covetous? 
False Teachings Exposed

The Patience of Saints

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13.

Wait on the lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14.

The Old Paths, the Good Way

Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is. And walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it' (Jeremiah 6:16).
 
We need to go back to true worship, simple faith, obedience to our Creator. Throughout the Psalms we are advised and inspired to meditate on God’s awesome power, His works, His grace, His righteousness, and His majesty. Throughout modern culture we are motivated and pressured into meditating on our potential, our righteousness, basically the power of ‘I am’ (some human-inspired book) rather than on the power of the ‘Great I Am’ (Exodus 3:14). Psalm 145 beautifully captures the essence of what our focus should be on: God’s greatness.

Metaphysics and New Thought and basically everyone, are trying to convince the world that if you just focus on ‘being’ and feeling good about yourself, well then you’re just golden, a righteous little nugget who deserves heaven/paradise/72 virgins/eternity of chocolates. And yet the bible clearly teaches us to focus on God’s goodness and power, and that we cannot earn our way into heaven (Titus 3:5, Romans 8:3-4, Acts 4:12, etc). Romans 10:3 provides unimpeachable God-given guidance that what the world is currently teaching is ignorant and flies in the face of our excellent Creator. ‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.’

Happy thoughts may lift you into the air, but they are not enough to get you to heaven, and they are little use (without selfless righteousness through submission to God’s will) to others. Verse 4 reinforces this: ‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.’ Without Christ we are unrighteous. Without Christ we have only empty words and no salvation. Turn to Christ and live, and there you will find true joy and rest.

Too Busy, Too Bad: Service in the Name of Christ

What does it mean to be a Christian? In a word: Service.

Jesus had compassion on the masses (Matthew 9:36), because they had followed Him and were hungry. So He fed them. That was a service. He had compassion on the sick who were brought to Him (Matthew 14:14). So He healed them. That was a service. Throughout scripture we are encouraged, exhorted, and commanded to do good works, which involves serving the needs of our neighbors. Fortunately the bible gets pretty specific when it comes to ‘good works’. Obey the ruling authorities; speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all men (Titus 3:1). Meet urgent needs (Titus 3:14). Increase in knowledge of God; giving thanks to Him (Colossians 1:10-12). Bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:13). Pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:28). Control your tongue and do not lie (Psalm 34:13). Tend to the needs of the suffering (Luke 10:33-35). It is not always easy, but is simple, being a Christian.

You see someone in need, and if it is within your power to help, then right at that moment you have a choice to make, a road to choose. Will you be a Christian, a man or woman of God? Or will you say to yourself ‘I am too busy’ and go about your day, like the priest and Levite who walked by the wounded man lying on the road without helping him? Are you the hypocritical priest or are you the good Samaritan? In other words, are you a servant of Christ, or are you a servant of yourself? It is a vital question to your faith. What will you tell God on the Day of Days, when He demands an answer for your neglect of your Christian duties? That you were busy? Think on this: when you are presented an opportunity to help your fellow man, and you choose not to because you were busy or whatever excuse you favor, you are putting your eternity at risk.

The hard truth is that we put our salvation on the line every time we act as if getting to work is more important than stopping for that accident (if the cops or ambulance have not yet arrived), or that we don’t have time to help that old gentleman cross the street because we really need to get to the store, or that we just can’t attend that food drive because we have a lot of work to do. FOOLS! Helping your fellow humans is your business. THAT is why we are here, to serve and honor and glorify God by ‘doing good works’. It is also just as vital that you take time out of your terribly busy schedule (busy does not equal important, by the way) to close your door and pray, to spend time in the Word with God. WWJD?