General Articles

Teachers :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7

 

It’s a sign of the times that Scripture is not being taught. Too many Christians don’t care to take the time to study – truly study – Scripture. That leaves them open to accept wishy-washy teaching from the pulpit. Many pastors will only preach sermons that are “user friendly” and quote from secular, non-Christian sources rather than stand upon the authority of Biblical truth. This causes a “dumbing down” of many Christians. If your pastor is a Christ-centered, Scripture preaching teacher, be thankful. There are a remnant few who honor God’s authority.

It was very important to Jesus that His truth be taught. After the Resurrection, He met with His disciples on the shores of Galilee. Peter was there, even though he had denied knowing Christ during the trial. He must have been very uneasy at that meeting with the risen Lord, but Jesus knew his heart. Jesus specifically told Peter to feed the flock. That didn’t mean to have a potluck. Peter fed the flock on God’s word. You’ll find the account in the Gospel of John, chapter 21.

The Apostle Paul was another man whose life was completely changed when He met Jesus. His life should be the model for missionary work. He spread the Gospel. Paul also taught young pastors how to lead their congregations in the way of the Lord. One of those men was Timothy. Paul knew Timothy had been grounded in Scripture since he was a child, and he shouldn’t deviate from truth, nor should he follow “trends” or use gimmicks to spread the Good News of Christ.

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Reproof? Correction? Instruction in righteousness? That’s not “user friendly” and means you can’t accept all manner of sin into the congregation and say it’s OK. Scripture needs to be written on the heart of every Christian, both Old and New Testament Scripture. Feed the sheep and the lambs with good, nourishing food. Milk will help the lambs grow, but the meat of God’s word must be offered so the older Christians can grow stronger. In order to grow in Christ, we all need to study God’s word and use it as our standard of living.

Paul wasn’t a very nice person in his younger years. After Christ dramatically met Paul on the Road to Damascus, Paul was changed from a murderous, angry man into a man who served Jesus with his entire being. Let’s see what Paul has to say about watered-down, ear-tickling teaching.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

The recipients of this letter should have grown in their understanding of God’s truth. They were regressing instead of progressing. Although those who teach are to blame for their lack of instructions, shame on the students who sit quietly in their pews drinking milk rather than growing strong in Scripture. The pew-sitters allow irresponsible teaching. Too many Christians put their fingers in their ears and think what they learned as a child in Sunday school is enough. Milk is just fine with them.

Some pastors refuse to teach from the Old Testament. By doing so, they fail to teach the whole counsel of God. By doing so, they deny their congregation some important teaching… meat for nourishment and growth. You see, The New Testament has its foundation in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament. If you don’t study line upon line through Scripture, you’ll never understand creation and how sin entered. You’ll never fully understand why God had to step into His creation in order to provide the only way to save us from the final death that comes from sin.

Study and see how Genesis chapter 1 describes God creating everything and how the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus was the Creator. Read the first chapter of the letter to the Romans to see what happens when God is rejected as creating all things. Today, we have slid down the slippery slope, and the evolution lie is taught as truth. We have fallen right into the perversion described in Romans chapter 1.

The Psalmist understood how important it is to know the ways of the Lord. “Aleph. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:1-2).

How can a person “keep his testimonies” if they aren’t taught what His testimonies are? That isn’t just an Old Testament idea. Jesus fulfilled the Law but didn’t abolish it. We need to keep the moral law. Jesus was our final sacrifice to atone for sin, and He is our High Priest, so the priesthood is no longer necessary.

Later in Psalm 119, the Psalmist wrote, “Mem. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me” (Psalm 119:97-98).

The Psalmist loved the ways of the Lord, and “it was my meditation all the day.” What would happen to your walk with the Lord if you kept the word of God in your heart all day? Like the Psalmist, you just might gain more understanding. “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts” (Psalm 119:99-100).

Don’t wait for the man in the pulpit to teach you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your studies of Scripture.

To gain the fullest understanding of God’s word, it should be taught from Genesis 1:1 through the book of Revelation. In that way, controversial subjects aren’t skipped. You’ll learn why God honors a one-man/one-woman marriage, you’ll learn how the heroes of the faith struggled in life just like we do, you’ll be amazed by prophecy, and you’ll know why God Himself had to step into His creation and be our final sacrifice for sin.

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people” (Isaiah 28:10-11).

Don’t be afraid to dig into Scripture, but do avoid false teachers. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Scripture discloses that the time would come when questionable doctrine would be normal. Paul urged the young pastor Timothy to stay true to God’s truth.

“Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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 4:2-4).

Today, I thank God for men like Chuck Missler, who wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel, and his teachings have outlived him. Pastor JD Farag teaches God’s truth line upon line without fear. I’m also very thankful for my husband, who stood on God’s word without wavering and drew me deeper into the study of Scripture. There are other very sound teachers of God’s word, such as Jack Hibbs and Tom Hughes, so don’t be deceived by those who are leading the flock astray.

Bible teachers need to take heed to stay true to God’s word. “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:1-2).

James warned that not everyone should be a teacher. If a teacher teaches false doctrine or waters down the full counsel of God’s word, their judgment will be harsh.

The best teacher is the Holy Spirit. He is not a false teacher and will only lead you deeper into God’s truth.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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America Is Not Exempt From Judgment :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR10

As I’ve heard David Reagan say so often, “God does not wrap Himself in the American flag.” He is simply saying, along with the apostle Peter, “… “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34).

We, as a society, think we can do or say anything we want and never have to pay the piper. Most in our society either do not believe in God or think we are so special that God would not dare judge us.

Is God really just a big teddy bear up in Heaven that winks at sin? Is He really so impressed by us that He would consider us an exception and just hold His nose while He gives us a big hug? I personally feel we are under judgment now, and I’ll explain why I believe that later on in this article.

First of all, I would like for us to consider a few judgments by God upon others in the past and the future. These are in no particular order.

PAST JUDGMENTS

God’s Judgment in the Garden of Eden:

Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and disobeyed God, then sin entered us and had to be judged. Judgment was handed down by God upon them and their progeny, and judgment was also pronounced upon the serpent. Read chapter three of Genesis.

God’s Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah:

Sodom and Gomorrah were extremely wicked in every respect, much like us, by the way. Jesus’ half-brother said of them and the surrounding cities of that day the following:

“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7).

The account of their destruction is recorded in Genesis 19:23-29. Only Lot and his daughters survived.

God’s Judgment on Those in Noah’s Day:

Well, here is another group of people, much like us, who refused to repent of their evil devices. They ignored Noah’s warnings and became more and more evil. Their judgment is recorded in Genesis 6:1-8; 7. Only Noah and his family survived. Everyone else drowned by a worldwide flood.

God’s Judgment on Egypt:

Because of the Pharoah’s arrogance, the people suffered, and the Egyptian army was drowned in the Red Sea. See Exodus 14:26-28.

God’s Judgment on Israel:

The northern kingdom, called Israel at that time, had turned its back on God and was taken captive by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Out of 19 kings, they were all bad, from Jeroboam I to Hoshea, a period from 931 B.C. to 721 B.C. You can read about their judgment by Assyria in 2 Kings.

God’s Judgment on Judah:

In the book of Daniel, we can get a first-hand look at Judah, the southern kingdom, following its captivity by the Babylonians from 607-586 B.C. Out of twenty kings, from 931 B.C. to 586 B.C., there were only eight that could be called “good.”

God’s Judgment on Babylon:

In 539 B.C., God allowed the Persians to capture Babylon to punish them for taking Judah captive. In Daniel 5, we can see the beginning of Babylon’s fall.

God’s Judgment on all Israel for Rejecting their Messiah:

In 70 A.D., Israel’s temple was destroyed and the people scattered to the four winds. Luke 19:43-44 gives us the reason for their judgment.

FUTURE JUDGMENTS

God’s Judgment and Reconciliation for Israel During the Tribulation:

Note Ezekiel 20:36-38; Romans 11:26; Revelation 6ff. (I will repeat this judgment at the end.) In Daniel 9:20-27, we are told of 483 years and then the additional seven years remaining, which will comprise the Tribulation.

God’s Judgment of the Gentiles at His 2nd Coming:

Read Matthew 25:31-46. There will be three classes of people at this judgment: sheep (saved Gentiles), goats (unsaved Gentiles), and brothers (the people of Israel).

God’s Judgment of Fallen Angels at the End of the Millennium:

Please see Jude 6.

God’s Judgment of the Wicked Dead at Great White Throne After Millennium:

Read Revelation 20:11-15.

God’s Judgment on Gog and Magog:

See Ezekiel 38 – 39.

God’s Judgment of Satan:

See Revelation 20:7-10.

Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, but it is clear that the Almighty God we serve will not hesitate to administer judgment upon individuals and nations that refuse to repent. Someone may say, “My God is a God of love!” I must reply that God is a God of love, and He is also holy. He cannot condone sin, and there are no exceptions.

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

The United States of America was once a God-fearing country. Today every area of our society is so deep in sin that we are now a carbon-copy of those in Noah’s day and those in the days of Lot. Our government is totally corrupt, steeped in pride and greed, and hates anything associated with a holy God. Along with the politicians, the entertainment industry in our nation is perverse and laughs in the face of Almighty God, as the world of business robs from the people and thumbs their nose at God. Even most of the churches have been taken over by false prophets, perversion and apostasy, and are leading people by the millions straight to hell.

What has happened to us, a country that at the very least once showed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob respect and recognized the Son of God as the only way to the Father?

As did Ephesus, we lost our first love and turned our back on God. In our pride, we have sunk to the lowest depth of Satan’s sewers. We removed God from every aspect of our society and have never looked back since at least 1963, when we chose to remove Him from our schools.

As I said earlier, I believe we are already under judgment, for Romans 1:24-25 says that God gave us over to sinful desires. Romans 1:26-27 says God gave us over to shameful lusts, and Romans 1:28-32 say God finally gave us over to a depraved mind. In other words, God backed away and gave us what we wanted, and now we are reaping what we have sown.

Yes, God is love, and He proved it at the cross, but He doesn’t save anyone by His love. He saves all who will come to Him by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God’s Judgment at the Cross of Calvary:

The greatest judgment of God was upon Jesus Christ at Golgotha (Calvary). On that cross, Jesus took our sins upon Himself and died for us so that all who come to Him will be saved from wrath. Please read John 12:30-33.

Self-Judgment During the Church Age:

Every person who comes to Jesus and asks Him to save them will be saved and never face judgment because Jesus paid the price for us that we could never pay.

1 Corinthians 11:27-32 tells us, as true followers of Christ, to judge ourselves so as not to bring any disrespect upon our Lord. Also, we learn of Him and serve Him in whatever way He leads us. In turn, there is another judgment.

God’s Judgment of the Believers Works After the Rapture:

2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 promise that Jesus will judge the works of every believer, not sins, but works. He paid our sin debt at the cross, but this judgment is to reward us for serving Him.

Even though our country has placed itself in God’s crosshairs, as did the Pharoah of Egypt and so many others, we must stay true to God’s Word.

There is another judgment that many will face.

God’s Judgment During the Tribulation (Repeated):

The Church will not be here for the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9). We will be in Heaven with Jesus, preparing for the greatest wedding of all. All who have rejected Jesus will remain upon the earth to suffer through God’s wrath (Revelation 6:17), a time so terrible that all mankind would die if not for His grace (Mark 13:20).

In my opinion, our once great country has crossed the line, and there is nothing remaining but the judgment of God. We are in the last days just prior to the Tribulation, and the only thing the Bible says about this time period is that it will get worse and worse until the Church is first removed, and then the Tribulation will begin.

Our leaders and the majority of our populace want nothing to do with God, but the good news is that any who are willing can come to Jesus right now and be saved from the wrath to come. How do you avoid the Tribulation? Call upon Jesus now.

Out of the list of judgments I have mentioned above, how can we be so naïve in thinking we are exempt simply because we are the United States of America? We are not exempt. Do we not realize that God has waited two thousand years in order to give the world plenty of time to repent?

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12).

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html