Greetings,
I hope that you had a blessed week. I started preparing this message on Friday, but the Lord and I began talking about it on Thursday night. As usual, I try to share with you things that I may be dealing with to add some perspective to the point God is trying to make or the direction I think he is trying to go in. Remember, we are all human and each lesson or message may not have an affect on your life as it does someone else. Additionally, you may not even like what I had to say, but it doesn't mean that God's word isn't the truth and could help someone who is in search of a Savior.
With that said, I ask up front that you read this message carefully withhold your comments, judgments, or anger until you read the full message. Remember, this message was derived from love and will end in love. If you disagree, that is between you and the Lord, but I hope it forces you to study the Word for yourself.
NOTE: I will not mention any names of individuals whom I disagree with. The goal is for you to increase your relationship with Christ and ask for wisdom and discernment. I only hope that you take the discussion in had with the Lord into consideration.
In the past I was a big proponent of getting people to hear the Word or to church anyway possible. I was a naive about the "name or claim it sect." Furthermore, I even attended the emotional churches, or the lay your tithes on the altar while the preacher is speaking type of church. As a matter of fact, once while in training in Georgia, I visited a church that had a DJ (in a DJ both) in the back of it. Or once I was at a mega church in Maryland, where everyone was there to see these famous preachers. I was so disappointed to see the behavior of the preachers who targeted their messages at the lonely, broken-hearted, and single mothers. They knew these people were struggling, but yet they demanded they lay thousands of dollars on the platform/stairs. Why, because God would surely bless them, as He (God) knew it was all they had. REALLY!!!! Then what made it worse, after that, they demanded these broken (emotionally) people go and buy their so called inspirational books and CDs. The people all but ran me over. What did God have to do with any of that?
Exegetical preaching or sound biblical doctrine is rare for many of us. It sounds like school or too much work, who wants to do that? We may think we know the Word because we hear it through some televangelist, radio preacher, or even at home self study. But without God's help do we really know him? Scripture speaks on our responsibility to ensure that we study God's word. We must become aware of those who pervert God's word for thier benefit, and those who water God's word down to make us feel better. I think the last statement is the rage of the day. Someone once told me that if you put one drop of ink in a cup of water the whole thing is contaminated. Please read the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.
According to the Bible Study Tools website:
Book: 1 Timothy
Author: Both early tradition and the salutations of the Pastoral Letters (1,2 Timothy; Titus) themselves claim Paul as their author (1:1; 2Ti 1:1; Tit 1:1). Some objections have been raised in recent years on the basis of an alleged uncharacteristic vocabulary and style (see, e.g., notes on 1:15; 2:2), but other evidence still convincingly supports Paul's authorship.
Background and Purpose: During his fourth missionary journey, Paul had instructed Timothy to care for the church at Ephesus (1:3) while he went on to Macedonia. When he realized that he might not return to Ephesus in the near future (3:14-15), he wrote this first letter to Timothy to develop the charge he had given his young assistant (1:3, 18), to refute false teachings (1:3-7; 4:1-8; 6:3-5,20-21) and to supervise the affairs of the growing Ephesian church. A major problem in the Ephesian church was a heresy that combined Gnosticism, decadent Judaism (1:3-7) and false asceticism (4:1-5).
Date: 1 Timothy was written sometime after the events of Ac 28, at least eight years after Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus (Acts 19:10) (AD 62 - 66).
New English Translation - 1 Timothy 6:3-12 Summary of Timothy's Duties: ...Teach them and exhort them about these things. 3 If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, 5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit. 6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. 7 For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. 8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. 9 Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains. 11 But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness. 12 Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.
Matthew Henry Commentary : 1 Timothy Vs. 3 - 5. We are not to consent to any words as wholesome, except the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; to these we must give unfeigned consent. Commonly those are most proud who know least; for they do not know themselves. Hence come envy, strife, railings, evil- surmisings, disputes that are all subtlety, and of no solidity, between men of corrupt and carnal minds, ignorant of the truth and its sanctifying power, and seeking their worldly advantage.
1 Timothy Vs. 6- 10. Those that make a trade of Christianity to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed; but those who mind it as their calling, will find it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. He that is godly, is sure to be happy in another has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. He that is godly, is sure to be happy in another world; and if contented with his condition in this world, he has enough; and all truly godly people are content. When brought into the greatest straits, we cannot be poorer than when we came into this world; a shroud, a coffin, and a grave, are all that the richest man in the world can have from all his wealth. If nature should be content with a little, grace should be content with less. The necessaries of life bound a true Christian's desires, and with these he will endeavor to be content. We see here the evil of covetousness. It is not said, they that are rich, but they will be rich; who place their happiness in wealth, and are eager and determined in the pursuit. Those that are such, give to Satan the opportunity of tempting them, leading them to use dishonest means, and other bad practices, to add to their gains. Also, leading into so many employments, and such a hurry of business, as leave no time or inclination for spiritual religion; leading to connections that draw into sin and folly. What sins will not men be drawn into by the love of money! People may have money, and yet not love it; but if they love it, this will push them on to all evil. Every sort of wickedness and vice, in one way or another, grows from the love of money. We cannot look around without perceiving many proofs of this, especially in a day of outward prosperity, great expenses, and loose profession.
Discussion : So here is our question: "What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?" Based on researching the Word, and various sources (i.e. Bible Study Tools, Christian Research Institute, and Got Questions.Org ) we will briefly discuss this issue. I am sure you are wondering where this is coming from. Well, on my way home on Friday, I was listening to a minister on XM Radio. I tried not to be too critical of the sermon, but my first concern was that his/her channel was listed under the entertainment channel and not the religious channel. My second concern was the message itself (Overcoming Fear); other than aiming to make people feel good, I didn't hear the minister tell the listeners to be happy in whatever situation they were in. He never mentioned that they should consider Paul's "Thorn in the flesh" (see below). Therefore, I am sure many of you are aware that there are a slew of those who call themselves ministers, apostles (a whole other discussion), evangelist, etc., spreading various versions of the gospel on a daily basis. My goal is not to tell you what to do, it is merely to provide you with the tools to find the answers through God's word, not mine. The terms to keep in mind are "Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith." According to GotQuestions.Org, in the “Word of Faith,” the believer is told to use God, whereas the truth of biblical Christianity is just the opposite—God uses the believer. Word of Faith or prosperity theology sees the Holy Spirit as a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wills. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is a Person who enables the believer to do God's will. The prosperity gospel movement closely resembles some of the destructive greed sects that infiltrated the early church. Paul and the other apostles were not accommodating to or conciliatory with the false teachers who propagated such heresy. They identified them as dangerous false teachers and urged Christians to avoid them.
Paul warned Timothy about such men in 1 Timothy 6:5,9-11. These men of “corrupt mind” supposed godliness was a means of gain and their desire for riches was a trap that brought them “into ruin and destruction” (v. 9). The pursuit of wealth is a dangerous path for Christians and one which God warns about: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (v. 10).
Paul said covetousness is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5) and instructed the Ephesians to avoid anyone who brought a message of immorality or covetousness (Ephesians 5:6-7). Prosperity teaching prohibits God from working on His own, meaning that God is not Lord of all because He cannot work until we release Him to do so. Faith, according to the Word of Faith doctrine, is not submissive trust in God; faith is a formula by which we manipulate the spiritual laws that prosperity teachers believe govern the universe. As the name “Word of Faith” implies, this movement teaches that faith is a matter of what we say more than whom we trust or what truths we embrace and affirm in our hearts.
A favorite term in the Word of Faith movement is “positive confession.” This refers to the teaching that words themselves have creative power. What you say, Word of Faith teachers claim, determines everything that happens to you. Your confessions, especially the favors you demand of God, must all be stated positively and without wavering. Then God is required to answer (as though man could require anything of God!). Thus, God's ability to bless us supposedly hangs on our faith.James 4:13-16 clearly contradicts this teaching: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Far from speaking things into existence in the future, we do not even know what tomorrow will bring or even whether we will be alive.
As I stated previously, consider what's being said. If you truly believe in Christ, why would you limit him? Placing humanism ahead of Christ is never the way. God promised he would bless you and would provide for you, but you have a part to play as well. Remember, Jesus said in John 14:1-7; “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places in my Fathers house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” If this is true, why are we stressing? Life is and was not designed to be easy, everyone is not designed to be rich, or poor. Everyone is designed by God, whereby he knows from the womb, that certain things will happen in your life (Psalm 139:13-16; Mat. 10:26-33)
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ...Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me so that I would not become arrogant. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Matthew Henry Commentary : 2 Corinthians 12:7- 10 The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan which he sent for evil; but God designed it, and overruled it for good. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he does not always give what is asked for: as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the goodwill of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified. When we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we feel that we are weak in ourselves, then we go to Christ, receive strength from him, and enjoy most the supplies of Divine strength and grace.
According to GotQuestions.Org, "No one likes to live in pain. Paul sought the Lord three times to remove this source of pain from him (2 Corinthians 12:8). He probably had many good reasons why he should be pain-free: he could have a more effective ministry; he could reach more people with the gospel; he could glorify God even more! But the Lord was more concerned with building Paul’s character and preventing pride. Instead of removing the problem, whatever it was, God gave Paul more overwhelming grace and more compensating strength. Paul learned that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9). The exact nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh is uncertain. There is probably a good reason that we don’t know. God likely wanted Paul’s difficulty to be described in general enough terms to apply to any difficulty we may face now. Whether the “thorn” we struggle with today is physical, emotional, or spiritual, we can know that God has a purpose and that His grace is all-sufficient." So the question for us, are we any better or different from Paul. Can we demand God to remove our "Thorn", or through "name it or claim it", can we will it to happen? It seems to me that God's will is greater and learning that is the key. Be blessed and choose Christ.
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