Category: foolishness

Strengthened!

Monday, February 26, 2018

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3:16).

Without further delay, we need to be strengthened by God’s Spirit in the inner man.

The Apostle Paul advised young Pastor Timothy at Ephesus: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Timothy 1:4). Accentuating religious stories and lauding personalities should be discouraged in ministry; they only cause uncertainties. The local church should engage in “godly edifying.” Edification means constructing a building or strengthening someone spiritually.

In Ephesians 4:11-16, God’s goal is to produce mature saints, Christians who have grown up into grace doctrines beyond elementary level. Only perfected saints do the work of the ministry (which leads to everyone’s maturity). By and large, though, the professing “Church” is weak, mixed up, spiritually crippled. Why? There is ungodly entertainment and no godly edification! We read books about Scripture, but we rarely read Scripture. We sing about the Bible, but we seldom read the Bible. We talk about Scripture, but we hardly study Scripture.

God’s power lies in His Word, as 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” Friend, you toss out the Bible, you thereby remove faith (Romans 10:17), and the Holy Spirit has nothing to use to strengthen you internally. Now you know why the alleged “Church” is able only to confuse and amuse you!

Second Timothy 3:16,17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect [spiritually mature!], throughly furnished unto all good works.” Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, were the final installment of God’s revelation to man (see Colossians 1:23-28, especially verses 23-26). Since Pauline authority and doctrine are largely ignored today, we need not marvel at or wonder why spiritually impotency is characteristic of most Christians.

Superstitious!

Sunday, February 25, 2018

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14,15 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to guard against superstition.

When tragedy strikes, people plead for God to stop it. They pray for the criminal’s apprehension, a miraculous recovery from an illness or mortal injury, floodwaters to recede, earthquakes to cease, poverty and war to disappear. When these things continue, it is supposed that God does not love them, was not listening, or could not care less. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Dear friends, what masquerades as “Christianity” is usually nothing but vain superstition. Most church members have not a clue as to what God is doing today—not a clue! How skilled they are in what God did in time past—miracles, signs, wonders, Sabbath days, water baptism, tithing, et cetera. They are naïve as to what He is doing in the but now. Dispensational Bible study is completely foreign to them; hence, they cannot find where they fit in God’s timeline for the ages. They are totally unable to locate their information in Scripture. They just grab whatever verses fit their agenda/denomination; context means nothing.

The most inconspicuous place for superstition in a Christian’s life is prayer. Doubtless, superstition abounds in most prayer lives. Church members are asking or demanding God do things He is not doing today. He has already declared in His Word to us, the Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon, what He is doing today. However, they go to the rest of Scripture—what God did long ago and what He will do yet future—and try to make Him do that now. We cannot make God do something He is not doing. Just because the Bible says it, that does not mean that it is God’s Word to us. Do we build a boat as Genesis chapter 6 says? Do we bring a trespass offering for touching an unclean animal as Leviticus chapter 5 commands? See, stop grabbing things haphazardly from the Bible and start respecting contexts.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “But what if they read the Bible at my church…?!”

The Mischievous Minister of Music #8

Saturday, February 3, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

At this point in our Bible study about this topic, the fervent objection can be heard: “Oh, Brother Shawn, do not be legalistic. Does not the Bible tell us to sing to the Lord? Are we not to have praise and worship with musical accompaniment? Is there no good music to play in the church building?” I eagerly respond, “Why sure, my friend, provided that we are not singing to and glorifying the Devil!” (Remember, Genesis chapter 4, Exodus chapter 32, and Daniel chapter 3.)

Someone commented on social media years ago: “Man!!!!! Church was so awesome!!! We had [guest’s name] visit the church and we learned the new dance step…!!! He showed us the moves!!! The whole church was dancing!!! Loved it!!!… Christians can have fun!!!” We can sense this young person’s emotions running wild, can we not? Notice, however, there is nothing about worshipping Jesus Christ or Father God. See, they just want to “have fun” (remember—food, fun, fellowship, and foolishness!!). As stated already, they want entertainment. They should be seeking edification. Entertainment is temporary and thus will profit them nothing in eternity; however, edification is permanent, lasting forever!

To their shame, and the shame of many others in churches all around the world, they are ignorant of Bible truth. They are pleasing themselves; only here it goes under the banner of “Christianity.” We can find people “doing the moves” at the local nightclub. We can discover individuals “having fun” robbing a bank. We can find people “feeling awesome” because they are high on drugs! Are we going to say the Spirit of God is leading them in praise and worship? Then, my dear friend, we had better realize that praising God is more than dancing, singing, having fun, and feeling awesome.

There must first be sound Bible doctrine….

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The Mischievous Minister of Music #7

Friday, February 2, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

According to Ezekiel 1:4-28 (especially verses 5-10), Ezekiel 10:1-22 (particularly verses 9-19), and Revelation 4:1-11 (especially verses 6-9), four cherubim currently surround God’s throne. While often confused with angels, cherubim are technically dissimilar. Cherubim are also spirit creatures, true, but, unlike angels, they have wings and four faces—lion, ox/calf, man, and eagle. (Strange indeed!)

The four cherubim around God’s throne today were initially five. Recall the “anointed cherub that covereth [God’s throne]” (Ezekiel 28:14—the verse immediately after today’s Scripture). The fifth cherub was Lucifer, whom we now know as Satan. It was Lucifer whose outstretched wings formed a canopy above to reflect and refract/bend God’s radiating glory. Lucifer, remember, was a “living music box;” he encouraged singing. This all directed praise and worship to the Lord Jesus Christ (the Creator). Once created, the angelic races sang as they watched the Lord Jesus continue working during the Creation Week. Lucifer led this music and singing too.

Notice Job chapter 38: “[1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, [2] Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? [3] Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. [4] Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. [5] Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? [6] Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; [7] When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Verse 7, doubtless, is the angelic host.)

Nevertheless, as stated earlier, Lucifer was ungrateful to his Creator. Rather than leading creation in worshipping the Creator in song, Lucifer wanted to lead creation….

The Mischievous Minister of Music #6

Thursday, February 1, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

There is one more major Bible passage about satanic music. Read Daniel chapter 3, when the exiled Jews lived in Babylon circa 600 years before Christ: “[1] Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image [idol] of gold, whose height was threescore cubits [90 feet, or 27 meters!], and the breadth thereof six cubits [9 feet, or 2.7 meters!]: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. [2] Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

“[3] Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, [5] That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: [6] And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

“[7] Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” Wow! Music was used in idolatry again. Satan indeed knows how to rob JEHOVAH God of praise and worship….

Bible Q&A #360: “Is reciting a list of names ‘vain repetitions?’”

The Mischievous Minister of Music #5

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

Once Lucifer transformed into Satan, and he and his fallen angelic cohorts were cast out of the third heaven into outer space, he initiated his ministry on Earth. In Genesis chapter 3, Adam willfully joined Satan’s rebellion against the Creator God. Among other things, man would now cooperate with Satan’s “mischievous ministry of music.”

Music is first mentioned in Scripture during the godless centuries prior to the Great Flood: “And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ” (Genesis 4:21). Rest assured, when the Flood came, man was glorifying himself and Satan with “the arts and entertainment!” (Sound familiar?)

Hundreds of years later, while Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving God’s Law to give to Israel, Exodus chapter 32 reports: “[17] And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. [18] And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. [19] And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf [an idol they had made and were worshipping], and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount…. [25] And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies: )….”

Centuries of Egyptian bondage had corrupted God’s people, Israel. To Satan’s delight, the Jews had adopted Egypt’s pagan ways—its false religion, music, and lewd (nude!) dancing! Indeed, Satan had successfully spread his message on Earth….

The Mischievous Minister of Music #4

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

Satan (Hebrew, “adversary”) was not always God’s opponent. Originally, he was “perfect in [his] ways;” iniquity, crookedness, was found in him later (verse 15).

JEHOVAH God speaks to Satan in Isaiah chapter 14: “[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”

Satan’s original name was Lucifer (Latin, “light-bearer”). Lucifer’s wings opened and stretched over God’s throne; his precious-stone-studded coat (today’s Scripture) was a prism that refracted/bent the light emanating from God’s presence below. Lucifer’s body played music. At the base of God’s throne is a sea of glass (Revelation 4:6)—a giant mirror that reflects God’s glory. Lucifer, beautiful and intelligent, noticed his own reflection below; he began to covet God’s throne. Lifted up by pride (1 Timothy 3:6; Ezekiel 28:17), Lucifer was condemned; he wanted creation to praise him.

Again, Satan was formerly a musician. As God’s “anointed cherub,” he was endowed with immense wisdom to use in devising ways to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Lucifer was a musicologist: he studied music. However, one day, he determined that creation should worship him instead of God. Once Adam fell into sin, Satan seized that earthly crown and corrupted Earth’s world system. Music could be used to his advantage; it did not have to praise God as before….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Which belongs in Romans 8:16 and Romans 8:26 in the King James Bible—‘the Spirit itself’ or ‘the Spirit Himself?’”

The Mischievous Minister of Music #3

Monday, January 29, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

Verse 12 said he is “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty;” he was also “in Eden the garden of God” (today’s Scripture). Only four beings were in Eden—God, Adam, Eve, and Satan (Genesis 3:1-8). Ezekiel’s utterances, as the context shows, doubtless refer to Satan.

Satan once had for his “covering,” or coat/robe, “every precious stone” (today’s Scripture). Ezekiel also says, “the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” Satan was created with a body, albeit spiritual (invisible), that had built-in musical instruments—“tabrets” (percussion instruments, like tambourines) and “pipes” (wind instruments, like pipe organs, flutes, whistles, et cetera). Satan was the “anointed cherub that covereth;” his unique spirit-creature body allowed him to be a canopy over God’s throne.

Again: “[15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. [16] By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. [17] Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. [18] Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”

God’s “anointed cherub” was not content with his original role. Thus we see Satan’s origin….

The Mischievous Minister of Music #2

Sunday, January 28, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

Let us read today’s Scripture in context: “[12] Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. [13] Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. [14] Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. [15] Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

“[16] By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. [17] Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. [18] Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”

Whoever this musician is, God is very angry with him….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did Abraham say what he did in Genesis 17:18?”

The Mischievous Minister of Music #1

Saturday, January 27, 2018

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created” (Ezekiel 28:13 KJV).

Who is this musician, and how did he destroy his ministry?

Recently, I attended an event at a “Christian” school. The background music, however, was anything but Christian. It motivated people to literally move around in most unbecoming manners. In particular, a religious woman stood before hundreds of people and provocatively shook her body from side to side! She laughed. Others tapped their feet, squirmed in their seats, and clapped their hands. A Christian lady who was with me was most embarrassed. She had given up such nonsense when she trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. Now, she had to fight the urge not to “move and groove” with them!

In case you have not noticed, what makes a church popular today is its entertainment. Let us face the facts, dear friends. People normally do not go to the church building today to learn the truth; they just go there for the fun, to have a good time. It is their social club: they go to fellowship, to meet friends and chitchat about sports, the weather, politics, and other trivial matters. The less the Scripture is mentioned, the better the conversation! They go for the food—but not the spiritual kind. Above all, they go for the foolishness!

Of course, the entertainment would not be complete without a musical aspect. As one brother said many decades (!) ago, “I went into the world and found the church; I went into the church and found the world!” You find some worldly music, broadcast it loudly on the church building’s grounds, and the world will come flocking in a split-second. (Oh, you better believe it!) Megachurch leaders figured that out, and there are millions of people gullible enough to fall into the trap.

At the heart of this entertaining music ministry is the minister of today’s Scripture….