Category: church leaders

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #7

Sunday, October 29, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

In Acts chapter 5, while the Sanhedrin members consider killing Christ’s Apostles, a dissenting or disagreeing voice interjects: “[34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; [35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. [38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: [39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Gamaliel—a well-known rabbi or Jewish teacher even now (2,000 years later!)—was willing to give the Apostles the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they really were serving the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He was thus open to sparing their lives, and they were delivered from execution (read verses 40-42). If they were following a false “messiah”—who were multiplied during that time, including Theudas and Judas of Galilee (verses 36,37)—the movement would be manmade and thus fizzle. However, Gamaliel might have had some spiritual light from Joseph of Arimathaea or Nicodemus, his Messianic Jewish colleagues of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50,51; John 3:1,2; John 7:45-53). Not necessarily a believer, Gamaliel was nevertheless quite right in warning, “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #6

Saturday, October 28, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

The same religious leaders who had so viciously opposed and killed the Lord Jesus kept violently resisting Him in resurrection as His Little Flock (filled with the Holy Ghost) conducted their ministry during the early Acts period. Sermon after sermon is preached to call Israel to repentance (change in mind) and faith (in Jesus as Christ/Messiah). The response is overwhelmingly negative, with just a believing remnant. By the time of chapter 5, the Apostles, having been imprisoned and subsequently freed by the angel of the Lord, are now recaptured and on trial before the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court).

We read in chapter 5 of Acts: “[25] Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. [26] Then went the captain with the officers [the Jerusalem Temple police!], and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council [Sanhedrin]: and the high priest asked them, [28] Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

“[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. [33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.”

Let us see if the Apostles will live or die….

Perceive Ye How Ye Prevail Nothing? #5

Friday, October 27, 2023

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (John 12:19 KJV).

Behold, the lamentation of professional religious leaders whose system is in jeopardy!

Read the Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen in Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-20. Jesus spoke those words to Israel’s apostate religious leaders just two days before they put Him to death. He announced—to their surprise, no doubt!—that He knew very well how they were conniving to murder Him. Like selfish farmers who refused to give the vineyard over to the Owner’s Son, they wanted to keep their positions of power instead of relinquishing the nation’s government to Him (God’s Son)!

Church leaders need to be especially careful they do not turn into such individuals who are “drunk on power.” They can become so irrationally obsessed with controlling people that, eventually, it is no longer the Holy Spirit guiding the assembly but the minister’s flesh (someone’s scholarship, opinions, hunches, speculations). Unless it teaches or endorses something they want to believe or promote, the Holy Bible is set aside. The denominational hierarchy cares more about perpetuating longtime traditions than sound Bible doctrine. This was the Judaism of Christ’s earthly ministry, and it is the Judaism even now. They are more familiar with manmade ideas (“interpretations of verses”) than they are with actual Bible verses. Christendom is just as corrupt, deceived, and immature in Scripture.

Do not think it farfetched, dear friend, that there are people in “Christian ministry” (HA!) right now who would, like ancient Israel’s spiritual leaders, kill Jesus Christ in a heartbeat if it meant saving their false theological system from exposure, ruin, or obliteration. He is not here physically, but we are, and how they shamefully treat us is how they would handle Him if He were here because He is in us by means of the indwelling Holy Spirit (and this they do not like!). Like Him, we are outcasts. The world does not want us. The denominations do not want us. Let them fight us, for they without the rightly divided Scripture will—like ancient Israel’s stubborn religious leaders—prevail nothing in the grand scheme of things….

333’s 4500th – To Eat Bread, Not Hold Pebbles

Monday, September 25, 2023

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 KJV).

Dear friends, only by God’s grace we present our 4500th daily devotional!

Once, a “Christian philosopher” (whatever that means!) confronted another preacher. The preacher had endorsed heretical beliefs, so, attempting to reform him, the “Christian philosopher” asked precisely what had happened to him. This heretical preacher explained his spiritual dilemma.

After he as a young man had forsaken agnosticism (“I do not know if God exists”), he went on to “become a Christian” (whatever that means!) and attend seminary. He had hoped for “bread,” spiritual nutrition, at that institute. However, upon graduation, he had nothing but “a handful of pebbles.” He was so resentful to learn his professors cheated him of Bible truth. All he received was words of men—not words of God. Moreover, he had since passed on that bad education to his congregation. As it turned out, both men (the philosopher and the preacher) had been robbed of the truth. Neither was grounded in Scripture rightly divided, and though they departed this world long ago, each man’s ministry still misleads the Body of Christ.

What Moses wrote 3,500 years ago; what Christ quoted 2,000 years ago; is just as applicable to us. There is absolutely no substitute for “every word of God” (see today’s Scripture). People can talk about “God,” “Jesus,” the Bible, church history, philosophy, creeds and doctrinal statements, Hebrew or Greek or Aramaic or Latin, or various religious topics, but if there is no sound Bible doctrine being studied, there is no Holy Spirit building anything in the inner man. It is just man using his limited intellect to reason about life, the creature usurping the Creator, a task doomed to fail. The aforementioned example is but one of millions.

Dear brethren, we trust and pray we have left you each of these last 4,500 days—over 12 years (!)—with bread not pebbles, spiritual nourishment that will truly sustain your soul and those to whom you minister. Perhaps the good Lord will grant us another 4,500 days of bread not pebbles! 🙂

NOTE: All 4500 devotionals of “333 Words of Grace” are archived here for your convenience: https://333wordsofgrace.org/master-list-of-devotionals-chronological/.

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #18

Saturday, September 23, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

“So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (verse 21). Though earthly wealth is useful to us in obtaining a variety of favors and possessions from fellow humans, God cannot be bribed and will let no one into His Heaven based on any financial records, tax returns, or charitable contribution receipts. Worldly status means nothing to Him. Either we have trusted His Son’s finished crosswork and acquired His righteousness by faith, or we have not. Those without Jesus Christ had better come to trust Him as their personal Saviour now, and stop depending on uncertain riches for lasting peace and security (either now or later, eternal loss will come).

When a representative of an enormous eminent “Christian” cult was asked how much wealth his church had, he smugly replied, “Only God knows!” Decades later, and now boasting a billion members, the Lord is still keeping track of their finances. We can be absolutely certain He has not overlooked so much as a single penny! Laying up treasure for self, but not rich toward God, these religious leaders will give an account to Him. They too will lose the earthly fortunes they extorted from their gullible parishioners. The grim reality of today’s Scripture is that church leaders and church members alike do not “take it with them” when they leave this world!

If only the professing church (Christendom = Christendumb!)—and even the genuine church (the Body of Christ)—heeded the simple financial advice God the Holy Spirit issued in 1 Timothy 6:3-10,17-19! If only we had listened to the Lord Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24, Luke 12:15-21, and Luke 16:13! Our world would have far less debt, bitterness, poverty, disappointment, miserliness (greediness), idolatry, ruthlessness, and even loss of life! Christians would be wise stewards of their material goods, God’s ministry would be fully funded, and Hell would have fewer souls. Think about it, dear friend, and act accordingly!

-FINIS!-

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #17

Friday, September 22, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Loving money instead of loving God is spiritual suicide, especially for church leaders (1 Timothy 6:10). Yet, what about church members? The Holy Spirit through Paul also addressed them in 1 Timothy chapter 6: “[17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [share]; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

Pastor Timothy was to instruct the materially wealthy not to be “highminded”—haughty or proud (Proverbs 18:23; Proverbs 28:11), particularly toward those less fortunate (see James 2:1-5, for instance). Though they assumed they were financially secure, even the richest people are not exempt from thieves, inflation, debt, recession, depression. Eventually, physical death will snatch “uncertain” material riches away (1 Timothy 6:17; cf. Proverbs 23:4,5), so we  should not put our faith in them. Instead, we should “trust in the living God” (cf. Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13)!

It is not a sin to save money, but it is a sin to go to extremes to keep to it. Rather than hoarding our material wealth, we should “do good, that [we] be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [share]; laying up in store for [ourselves] a good foundation against the time to come, that [we] may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:18,19). We should be rich in good works (cf. Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14)! Sound Bible doctrine will motivate us to use our financial resources to fund grace ministries, that the Gospel of God’s Grace (1 Corinthians 15:3,4) be disseminated. Our giving under grace (and the sound Bible doctrine serving as motivation) will result in a spiritual reward in eternity future (serving in an office of Heaven’s government!). With our priorities in order, we enjoy eternal life (God’s life) on Earth.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #16

Thursday, September 21, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The context is a greedy minister “serving God” (HA!) with the primary goal of, not teaching the truth, but providing himself with earthly gain. Such departure from sound Bible doctrine results in a metaphorical impalement (“pierced themselves through”), with “many sorrows” (numerous long-term distresses/griefs) being the weapon and the materialistic souls being the stabbing victims!

Most regrettably, the professing church has often allowed moneymaking to take precedence over sound Bible doctrine. Consider so-called “Christian” publishing houses marketing all kinds of “Christian” literature. These companie$ offer products covering a wide range of theological persuasions. Only a fraction of this material is actually Christian. The remainder is denominationalism and/or paganism in disguise. Why? Had they restricted their materials to the truth, doctrinal debates would have been settled, and those preferring to maintain their favorite theological errors would not buy from such a “limited, narrowminded” product line!

During the last 130 years, over 200 modern English Bible translations have been produced. This diversity is a bu$ine$$ model. Selling just King James Bibles would be meager proceeds. Now, if a company retails a dozen different translations, the consumer has many “final authorities” from which to choose. Do not forget: “the love of money” (profit$!) prompts the company to offer this assortment of translations in the first place! To attract crowds, megachurches cannot offend anyone, so their teaching is shallow and able to accommodate various positions. Church attendance and funding are thus maximized. Neither can denominations afford to support sound Bible doctrine, for their revenue would also vanish. Preachers and professors often decline to take a stand for the King James Bible and dispensational Bible study because it would mean losing pensions and retirement funds, and becoming outcasts at their colleges and churches. If you doubt, ask them!

Friends, we are left with one final caution from Paul to Timothy about earthly wealth, so let us hear it well and believe it….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #15

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Re-read 1 Timothy 6:6-9. Now, verse 10: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Unfortunately, this is commonly misunderstood and misquoted. Moreover, not only have modern English Bible translators failed to adequately capture the thrust of Paul’s Greek words, they have contributed to the confusion surrounding the verse. They soften “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (King James Bible) to “For the love of money is a root of all kinds/sorts of evil.” Their usage of “kinds” or “sorts” is totally unwarranted, and a blatant perversion of God’s Book!

First Timothy—like Paul’s other three Pastoral Epistles (Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon)—is a handbook for ministry workers. These words are the Holy Spirit’s instructions for maintaining a local assembly. The context of 1 Timothy 6:10, “the love of money is the root of all evil,” is ministry. Not “having money” but rather “loving money” is the root of all evil in ministry. Misconduct in ministry (compromise, false teaching, and so on) originates because someone seeks profit. They love the little “g” god, not the big “G” God (remember Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13!). Ministers must take extreme caution here, lest Satan conquer them.

Listing qualifications for bishops (pastors) and deacons (helpers), God the Holy Spirit required men “not greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Timothy 3:3,8). Titus 1:7 says “not given to filthy lucre.” Think of a “lucrative” bu$ine$$ operating according to corrupt or unethical principles. God’s ministry, including the local church, will become such a cesspool for greed if the wrong leaders are appointed. This iniquity is what Paul warned Timothy about in 1 Timothy chapter 6! Remember well the thieves robbing people in the Temple in the name of “God” in Matthew 21:12-14, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48, and John 2:13-17! The “religious leaders” also cheated widows in Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, and Luke 20:47! Such false teachers want the fortunes of those they lead astray (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 16).

Yet, there is more….

Spellbound! #16

Sunday, September 3, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4). Having “itching ears”—an uneasy or restless desire or longing to hear something that pleases the ear—the professing church rejects rightly divided Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15) so as to believe, teach, and do what they want!

When advising the elders (church leaders) of Ephesus, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declared: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).

After “marking,” or fixing our eyes upon, false teachers for the purpose of identifying and avoiding them—even if their message sounds good! (cf. today’s Scripture)—we are to then “mark” sound teachers so as to follow them. “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17). We protect ourselves from the “spells” of today’s false teachers (cf. Ephesians 4:14-16) by having a firm understanding of and faith in “the word of [God’s] grace” (Acts 20:32), the Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon.

-FINIS!-

Spellbound! #15

Saturday, September 2, 2023

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18 KJV).

Let us analyze these “good words and fair speeches.”

After giving us 16 chapters of fundamental grace doctrine—the entire Book of Romans—God the Holy Spirit wrote today’s Scripture to call to our attention the fact we should guard that information delivered us. If we truly (!) were thankful to Him for what He had taught us through our Apostle Paul, we would make every effort to maintain or uphold it, protect it from loss or alteration, and to never drift from it. Moreover, we would be vigilant regarding those who sought to pervert it.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Paul asked us to “mark” (Greek, “skopeo,” as in “scope”) them. That is, “take notice of them, fix your eyes on them.” This is in contrast to, “Overlook them, pretend like nothing is wrong, excuse them.” We are to “avoid” those kinds of people, these who refuse to unite around grace teaching and who discourage others from gathering around it. Not only do they cause “divisions” (disunity, rifts, denominations), they create “offences” (Greek, “skandala,” as in “scandals,” or “causes of stumbling/fall/sin”) contrary to the sound doctrine we have learned from Paul (especially in Romans).

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Provided here is the reason why we distance ourselves from false teachers. It has to do with the fact they are self-serving instead of Lord-serving. If we have chosen to do the Lord’s will, then it is ridiculous for us to sit under the “ministries” of those who have not. However, unless we have mastered sound Bible doctrine, we will be easy targets and fall into the error ourselves. Their elegant or fine words, and their praise-filled sermons, will seduce us.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….