Topic: Church
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (I Timothy 4:1-5 KJV)
The word “apostasy” is “a falling away from the faith.” We are living where some Christians may decide to give up their faiths in Christ and decide to follow the other ways to life. This message is specifically for believers to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24:5 tells us that “many shall come in” His “name.” In a few moment, I’m going to name some evangelists who proclaim to be prophet of God or Messiah.
In Old Testament, we read how King Saul turned away from God and deceived his people. Unlike his successor, Saul didn’t learn from his mistakes. He kept trying to do his way to please others. We cannot keep try to please other people. Instead, we need to try to please God.
Recently, I watched one of Dr. Jack van Impe’s DVD on apostasy churches. In this DVD, Dr. Impe explained why some America churches are falling from the faith. Some churches have lost the fundamentalism of Christianity, such as virgin birth, Jesus’ baptism, ministry, death, and resurrection. Instead, many preachers teach on prosperity messages. Even though we need money to survive our lives, God wants us to be lived healthier life in both physical and spiritual. We just cannot have nice things to live for Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Right now, this maybe shocked you. If you’d visit TBN Bookstore, you’ll find a side by side book on the Bible and Qur’an. The description of this book says, “Many of the Bible's characters and stories are also found in the Qur'an, but there are often differing details or new twists in the Qur'an's retelling of biblical narrative. In this compelling book, seasoned theologian Michael Lodahl explores these fascinating divergences to discover the theological difference they make.Writing from a Christian perspective that is respectful of the Islamic tradition, Lodahl offers an accessible introduction to Muslim theology and to the Qur'an's leading themes to help readers better understand Islam. Lodahl compares and contrasts how the Bible and the Qur'an depict and treat certain characters in common to both religions, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He offers theological reflection on doctrines held in common by Christians and Muslims, such as creation, revelation, and the resurrection of the body. Lodahl also explores the Jewish tradition as an important source for understanding the Qur'an.”
There is no common between the Bible and Qur’an. Islam is about summiting or surrender to that religion or else die. But the Christianity is about building a loving and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Recently, Rick Warren spoke at the Islamic conference. In this conference, Warren wanted to build partnership with Christianity and Islam communities. It is also sad in his book, Purpose of the Driven Church, teaches us how to build secular world mega church rather than a place for us to come to worship God and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
As we see TBN, Rick Warren, and others are trying to make biblical Christian churches into One World Religion church. These and other apostasy churches/organizations are accountable when they’d come to the Judgment Seat of Christ.
As I said from previous message, the church has to be in unity with Christ and not separate from each other. We must stand against all these apostasy activities within our churches. If we’d see one or more apostasy activities, we must walk away from the churches or let us put pastors out from the churches.
Are you saved in Jesus Christ? If you’d like to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, I’d like to encourage you to do two simple things. First, confess your sins and invite Jesus Christ to your life. Paul said in Romans 10:9-11, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” There is no sinner prayer formula. Instead, you just talk to God at where you are now. Secondly, I’d like to encourage you to find a good solid biblical teaching church and Christian friends. They can help you to build strong relationship with God.
