Corruption In The Church

Written by: Deacon Tim Butler

(New York)

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)!

I notice many of the preachers in the area in which I live (Hempstead, New York), galvanize themselves around other ungodly preachers for the sake of being united.  When the Bible clearly says, “What unity has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? For you are a temple of the living God. Therefore, ‘Come out from among them, and be ye separate,’ says the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:15-17).”  I write to you with great grief and sadness in what I see happening among so-called Christians and those who call themselves preachers of the gospel.

We recently had a School Board Election in the Village of Hempstead.  There was a particular pastor that ran for one of the vacant seats on the School Board.  Now many of the people in the Hempstead community recognize this particular pastor to be a roughneck, gangster like preacher who tries to intimidate those in his circle.  Many have asked the question, what interest does this pastor have in running for this seat?  Has he ever been involved in any programs to make this community better?  Has he been active in the cares of this community?  What is his motive?  Why is he running?  Could it be for power and control?

It causes me to wonder why some of these other pastors and preachers cannot see what so many of the village residents see.  Could it be, because they turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to what is obvious?  Or could it be, because they are afraid and intimidated of this preacher?  Whatever the reason may be for their continual association and fellowship with this particular preacher, it is certain that they’re not pleasing God.  It seems as if they would rather please a wicked preacher than seek to please a holy God.

It appears that many of these preachers are more political minded than they are spiritual.  They continue to endorse wicked people for their selfish gains.  They would rather have a wicked person in office that would oppress the people with high taxes in order to advance and achieve their agenda.  They would rather sell out the people of Hempstead for higher taxes than stand up for what is right and endorse the candidate who would better serve the people.  For this cause, I believe that the holy God of the Bible who is no respecter of person in whom they claim to serve is not pleased.

And they wonder why they don’t have the resources to take care of some of the necessities that their churches are in need of unless they beg their congregation for it.  In the Bible King David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25).”  Why would you have to beg so hard when God says, “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

The Lord states in His holy word, “Because I have called, and you have refused to listen;

I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention; but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof.  I also will laugh at your disaster.  I will mock when calamity overtakes you; when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come on you. 28 Then will they call on me, but I will not answer.  They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me (Proverbs 1:24-28).”

The Effect Of True Preaching

Written by:  Deacon Tim Butler

There are so many churches set up on many of the streets of America today.  You may find a church on virtually every street corner or every other street corner of every block in many of our high crime communities.  Why so many churches and yet still so much sin?  What is the primary goal of the church?  What is its mission?  Has the church lost its way?  Has the church changed its mission?  Has the church fired its Chief Commander and High Priest and appointed another?  What has gone wrong?

The reason there are so many churches planted on every street corner or every other street corner of every block is because church has become big industry instead of ministry.  Greedy men recognize that church people have become easy prey.  They no longer take heed to the warning in the Bible.  The Apostle Paul warned that after his departure grievous wolves would enter in among the saints, and sparing not the flock (Acts 20:29).  Jesus also warned us to beware of false prophets, which He said would come among us while dressed up in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15).  But churchgoers don’t believe Jesus when He said that greedy preachers will come among us or that a preacher would intentionally deceive the congregation.  No one wants to challenge what is being preached and taught in the church today.  No one wants to question where all of the money goes.  No one wants to question why the preachers of the Bible did not focus on money while many of today’s preachers won’t preach unless they are paid.  This is why churches are popping up on every corner.  The “con men” (wolves) have figured out how easy it is to bamboozle churchgoers.

The reason why there are so many churches and yet still so much sin in the high crime areas are because there is no deliverance in prosperity preaching.  If preachers would preach the gospel, then people would be delivered from their sins.  If they would tell the people that the wages of sin is still death (Romans 6:23), then many would forsake their sins.  They need to let the people know that God said it is wrong for men to lie with men as they would a woman and it is wrong for a woman to lie with another woman (Leviticus 18:22), (Romans 1:26, 27).  The preacher should tell the people that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, have any inheritance in the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5).

It appears that the role of this “so called church” is to make people happy.  They seem to be more interested in making people feel good than making people feel guilty about their sins.  The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy to preach the word instant in season and out of season, reprove and rebuke, because the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.  And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

So many churchgoers have no clue on what it’s like to be a Christian.  How many times have you heard a person invite someone to his or her church and say, “Come to my church because you’ll have a good time”?  Or “When you come to my church, bring your dancing shoes because we get our party on”.  This is what church has become to many people.  They go to church and they leave the services never feeling guilty about the sin in their lives.

Jesus never intended for the church to make man feel good.  The “preaching of the cross” should cause men to flee from their sin.  It should cause men to feel guilty about their illegal cable connection.  It should cause people to feel guilty for buying illegal merchandise on the street corner.  It should cause men to feel guilty about having a secret mistress in their life.  It should cause men to feel guilty about lusting over another woman.  The true preaching of the cross should cause men to feel guilty about their hidden sins and cause men to repent.  If your church is not making you feel guilty about your sins then your church is not of Christ.  Jesus said the duty of the Holy Spirit is to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-8).  There is no mention in the Bible where by the Holy Spirit come to make men feel good.

We wonder why so many so-called Christians are living immoral lives.  One of the reasons may be that they are being fed a sugar-coated, water down, distorted word by a “feel good” preacher.  It never ceases to amaze me how these so-called people of God could continue to put up with some of the shenanigans that we see displayed in many of the churches today.  No, it’s not every church, but it is far so many of them.  Many of these pastors refuse to preach holiness and the need for repentance.  Therefore, sin is running rampant in the church along with the world.

Is God pleased with this “feel good” gospel?  GOD  FORBID !!!

The latest person standing up with us

June 23, 2009

Sister Laureen Mountcastle

Castle In The Sky (Paltalk)

(MINNESOTA)

The latest people standing up with us

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Evangelist DL Thomas & his lovely wife Eileen

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I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25).

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If anyone is mad at me for being a fanatic for the Lord.  So what, I won’t apologize for that. (DL Thomas)

Bible Study

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The Importance of God’s Word

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(May 31st, 2009)

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Expository Bible Study

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From The Book of John (May 17th, 2009)

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(John 1:19-34)

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 john-1-19-34-pastor-saiko-woods

Expository Bible Study

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From The Book of John (May 10th, 2009)

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(John 1:1-18)

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Hello friends,

We will be canceling our weekly “On Line” Bible study for now through out the summer months.  Hope everyone enjoys his or her summer and we look forward to fellowshipping with you again when we resume back on September 6th, 2009.

Pastor Saiko Woods

saikowoods@hotmail.com

Today’s Promise from the Bible

“Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.”  Psalm 112:1

Reflection

Blessed is the man who repents and believes! God shall give Him that rest promised from the beginning. Yes, the believer shall receive blessing upon blessing in the very gospel promise of Christ Himself. By His obedience unto righteousness, even we to be made righteous. By His death unto the cross, even we are made just. By His resurrection unto life, even we are made unto new life. And by His ascension to His heavenly throne, even we are exalted to His right hand. His eternal Sabbath rest is the Sabbath rest of we, His people. Indeed, we are blessed! Beyond imagining are we blessed!

Today’s Promise from the Bible

“Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”   James 1:12

Reflection

The crown of life is a promise that God grants to those who love Him. Though we endure tremendous trials and tribulations, we will not be crushed. Our suffering will end in the glory of Jesus Christ and we will receive the crown of life. What a beautiful ending for this life! May God be glorified in our daily trials. May we seek His face and continue to be molded into His perfect image.

Today’s Promise from the Bible

“And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.“  Romans 5:3-5

Reflection

We are promised that our sufferings will bear a fruit greater than the power of the suffering: we are promised genuine hope that does not disappoint! What glorious fruit! So then is suffering counted by Paul a reason for rejoicing!

Today’s Promise from the Bible

“[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.“  Hebrews 13:5

Reflection

Never are you alone, O Christian, for the Lord of heaven promises His presence in all times. No matter the state of your heart, He is there. His love for His children is forever and He will never forsake the child for whom He has given all! He is longsuffering and His love persistent. Embrace your loving Father and go your way in righteousness.