“The Lord has given us a vision to build a church in order to welcome Christians from every nation. It will be a place of repentance, salvation, healing, and restoration for everyone to discover the life of the Spirit. I believe that, when they hear what is happening here in Mauritius, people will be drawn to what we preach: Jesus Christ and Him crucified!” – Miki Hardy, January 2007

When Pastor Miki Hardy spoke these words almost 3 years ago an unspoken challenge was laid down to all the churches and members of the CTMI Network. Could they raise the amount required; and, was it realistic to try and save 25% of the project cost by using volunteers to build this complex by themselves?

On Tuesday 27th October 2009, as 2500 people gathered for the inauguration ceremony at Trianon, it was evident to all present that the challenge had been met… The final piece of audio and video equipment was delivered and tested by Niklas Fairclough from South Africa, less than 72 hours before the ceremony.

In her welcoming remarks, Sister Audrey Hardy declared that, “Mauritius and this church will be used as a strategic platform by God to reach out to many nations!” And, however proud everyone present can be of this truly magnificent edifice, “We are humbled to have been entrusted with such a great vision by the Lord!”

Over the past 2 years, more than 1200 brothers and sisters of every age, every social background, every colour, have sacrificed their time – evenings, weekends, public holidays, and holidays for the project. Building costs have been covered by large donations, as well as by small monthly contributions from local and overseas churches working with CTMI; only R2.5 million of the total project cost still needs to be raised. Hundreds who could not be physically present in Mauritius have also supported through their giving and their prayers.

Peter McKenzie, CTMI Elder from the UK who came to help supervise the works, described it as, “The best 5 months of his life!”

On any given day, at least a dozen nationalities were represented on the site.

Church Team Ministries International is the overseas missionary wing of Eglise Chrétienne, which was started by a group of newly born-again Christians in 1978, and now has 10 local churches across the island. From such small and humble beginnings, CTMI has grown as into a network of relationships with more than 1000 pastors and churches in 25 countries. The massive auditorium complex, with a seating capacity of 3200, will also house the offices of both Eglise Chrétienne and CTMI, including its expanding publishing, radio and TV studios.

Everyone involved gives glory to God for His help, His grace in time of need, His provision when funds ran low, and His mercy in protecting their lives.

INAUGURATION

A number of local pastors, friends and family of church members, as well dignitaries from government, parliament, and municipal councils were present at the ceremony. In his brief address, Miki Hardy told how over the past 25 years, he has received prophecies, from men of God, most of whom did not know him or of his church, or even where Mauritius was… All of these prophecies have had a common theme: “From this tiny island, a message and testimony of transformed lives would go out to the whole world; God would build something here in the spirit that would draw men and women to come and live something very unique and real with the Lord!”

Songs, sketches, and a brief video story of the building works completed the evening’s programme, before the Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Xavier Luc Duval, unveiled the ceremonial plaque and declared CTMI’s auditorium at Trianon open.

MAURITIUS FACT FILE

• Population: 1,275,000

• Breakdown by cultural/religious groupings:

- 50% Hindu

- 17% Muslim

- 30% Christian

- 3% Chinese

• Born-again believers: less than 5%

• Evangelical/Pentecostal Churches: ±350

• Christian Media:

- 1 Internet Radio

- 1 Monthly Magazine

As we continue our series ‘The Church Needs to Know’, I would like to touch on the subject of ‘God and Music’. This is an area where we can see increasingly just how much the spirit of the world has invaded the Church.

We find no clear instructions in the Bible as to how we should worship God. There are Old Testament precepts relating to music, worship, and instruments, as well as examples of God’s people praising Him with rejoicing and dancing; but no indication as to what type of melody, lyric, rhythm or beat we should use in the New Testament Church. There is a good reason for this… Remember that we are a New Covenant people! Whether we are black or white, rich or poor, educated or not, we all have two things in common: our hearts, and the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher; He guides us and testifies to our hearts as to what is from God our Father, and what is not.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR GUIDE

In John 16:13-14, we read, “However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all Truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

There is no confusion here: the Holy Spirit is the one who will guide us, teach us, and lead us as to how Jesus would talk and the way Jesus would act. We would all agree that there was a fragrance to everything that Jesus said and did. Likewise, the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ should accompany everything we say and do. What comes from the world is of a different spirit; but because God has given us (born-again Christians) the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, we are able to discern the spirit of this world that is under satan’s control.

STRANGE THINGS HAPPENING

I believe people are aware that even in the Christian world there are some very emotional and carnal things going on. Unfortunately, just because something bears the label ‘Christian’ does not  guarantee that it will be good for your heart or your spirit. As much as there is worship and music today that witness to our hearts as being from the Lord, there is also much music, singing, and dancing that strongly give off the odour of the world and carnality. Let us be careful not to take the Word of God to the letter. When it says ‘Praise Him with instruments’ or ‘Praise Him with dances and rejoicing,’ it does not mean we can bring the spirit of this world into the Church, by dancing in any way we feel like, or using instruments to play with a beat or style that is indistinguishable from what is heard in nightclubs.

By looking at a few Biblical examples of dancing and rejoicing, I believe we can see the difference between music and worship that honours God by reflecting what is in our hearts, and music that entertains and feeds our flesh, and can only lead us to sin down the road.

In 2 Samuel 6:12-15, relating to the time David brought the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God, back to Jerusalem, verses 14-15 state, “Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.”

David and the people of Israel were celebrating a great victory. His godly, humble, and pure joy overflowed to the point that he just had to dance, even if it appeared foolish to his wife. The people were rejoicing at what God had done, they knew this was not man’s doing. When David slaughtered Goliath, the very people who had been trembling in fear were suddenly filled with courage and went out to attack the Philistines. After returning from battles like these, we read in 1 Samuel 18:6-7 that, “the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced…” In the New Testament (Acts 3), Peter and John came to the temple one day, and a man who was lame from birth was healed. This man leapt with joy and danced in the temple praising God for his miracle. He couldn’t keep his joy to himself.

SPONTANEOUS REJOICING

In all three examples, we see a spontaneous outburst of gratitude and rejoicing, springing from thanksgiving that results in singing, dancing, and music. It is all about God and not about the music. When we are humbled by what God has done, we are free to rejoice as our hearts lead us. There is no problem with singing or dancing in these circumstances.

But when the worship team decides on a Sunday morning that ‘now’ is the time to start praising the Lord with dances, or worship by appealing to people’s emotions, with music that is nothing more than Christian lyrics set to a worldly beat and which only draws us to the performance, we must begin to ask questions. It is the same for today’s so-called ‘Gospel Concerts’.

What happens afterwards to these young men and women whose emotions and whose flesh have been whipped up to fever pitch by the musicians on stage? How is Jesus honoured and glorified in all this? Some might say it’s how young people worship today and a way for them to bring their friends to hear about the Lord. But I would ask how many of these friends really get born-again in these concerts? And, more importantly, how many of these Christians are on the road to backsliding as a result of indulging their flesh in this way. I know personally that when I hear or watch this type of event, the Holy Spirit in me testifies that something is not right. And we all know who and what is behind everything that is not of the Spirit!

We cannot hide behind Gospel music that entertains us in our emotions and stirs up our flesh. The flesh cannot produce spiritual life, therefore, the moment it responds to a type of music we are in danger. As a spiritual people, we must be able to discern between Godly music, worship from the heart that edifies, and worldly music that simply indulges our flesh and emotions.

MUSIC HAS TWO SOURCES

As we know, music originates only from one of two sources. The first is from the heart of God – where men and women, often as a result of a direct experience of His hand working in their lives, are led by the Holy Spirit to compose a melody or write a song. Many of the great hymns testify to this. God creates this music in the heart of man to worship and praise Him, to give Him all the glory, the honour, and the power. When the anointing of God is present, our hearts melt and we are drawn into His presence. The second source is the spirit that reigns in the world – where the beat, rhythm, and moves are carnal and worldly.

Music is another great danger area for the Church when we lay aside the foundation, i.e. the Gospel of the Cross, which continually challenges us and brings us to maturity. However, if we stay on that foundation, as we grow and become more like Christ, we will automatically know what to do, where to go and what to listen to. And we will find that we are no longer attracted to music that does not benefit us in any way.

I trust that these few words have brought some light and clarity on this subject; that God has opened your eyes somehow and you have been encouraged.

If there is one area where Christians today are being manipulated and taught deceptive doctrines, it is definitely the area of finances and giving. To the great shame of the Church, many pastors are leading the flock astray with false promises of prosperity and blessings, misleading them by using laws and obligations.  But saddest of all, is the fact that these poor believers never come to realise that this is not God’s heart for them.

In far too many churches, when it comes to giving, people are either bringing their offerings with the expectation of receiving some abundance in return, or because they feel pressure and dread at going against ‘what the Bible says’! Yet, looking at the Word of God, when do we ever see Jesus or the Apostles talking about ‘prosperity’ in this sense? What is evident is that God has promised to take care of us (Matt. 6:25-26); it is a demonstration of God’s heart for His people and His vision for the Kingdom.

The Bible is not a manual of techniques and principles for preachers to use to ask you to give them money so that God can bless you in return!

LOVING JESUS, LOVING HIS KINGDOM

God’s plan for His Church is for Christians to carry His heart as a testimony to an unbelieving world. For the grateful believer who knows that Jesus gave everything for him, whose heart has been captivated, and whose life Christ has transformed, wanting to give is natural.

He is not someone who is bringing his offering because he has to, or because someone had told him how much or how to give. He is certainly not giving just in order to be blessed in return. He is giving because he loves Jesus and the Kingdom; he is grateful for his salvation.

His life is fully identified with Christ, and his heart is totally committed to God’s vision for His Church. Here is someone able to give sacrificially, well beyond any set percentage, or fixed amount. He sows cheerfully into the Kingdom as the Holy Spirit leads him. Such a Christian can give liberally even in times of extreme poverty, in the same way as we see the Macedonian church doing in 2 Cor. 8. He walks in the faith that God will take care of his personal needs, because he knows his heart is for the Kingdom.

GOD WANTS US TO PROSPER

There are two portions of Scripture that almost every Christian knows; for, at some point, most of us have probably heard them taught on with relation to giving and prosperity. In both cases, false doctrines have infiltrated the Church as a result of preachers taking these verses out of context…

In 3 John 1-8, we read, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Now, we know that Apostle John is commending Gaius for the heart, the love, the concern that he has for the Kingdom, and for his hospitality towards the people of God. Isn’t it natural that John would want God to bless a man with a heart such as this?

The Apostle wants Gaius to prosper in all areas, because he knows that whatever he receives from God will be used to bless his fellow believers and will be of benefit to the Kingdom. So, how did we jump from this specific context to declaring that it is God’s will – His purpose and His plan – that all Christians must prosper financially; that all believers should expect to receive a hundredfold in return, if they will only give to this preacher, or to that project?

This is simply not Scriptural! However, what we can say without a shadow of a doubt, is that God does want to bless every Christian, who, like Gaius, has a heart for the Kingdom, and is hospitable towards God’s people.

NEW COVENANT VISION

When we read the words of Jesus Christ in Luke 6, we see the same spirit, the same heart, as that of John and all the other Apostles. The context here (verses 27-46) is of Jesus speaking to the crowds about having a different heart, a different vision… that of the Kingdom. He is asking the people to give their lives and allow God to change them so that they may live according to the New Covenant.

Just because, in this context, he states in verse 38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” is no reason for anyone to conclude that He is talking about giving and prosperity. This passage is all about the attitude of heart that the believer whose chief concern is the Kingdom, should carry. Jesus even ends, in verse 46 with: “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” Therefore, no one should use that Scripture to convince people that as long as you give, no matter what the state of your heart is or with what attitude you do this, God is still bound to bless you in return. That’s why there are millions of Christians today eternally waiting for their blessings!

ACCORDING TO YOUR HEART

Allow me to point out that if you still believe you are obliged to give to God, then you have not fully understood the depth of what Jesus Christ did on that Cross; what freedom was purchased for us by the Son of God. He has set us free. Today, we are free to give from our hearts, as the Holy Spirit leads us.

Do you realise that if I have to rely on someone or on some Old Testament law under the Levitical preisthood to tell me how much I should give, I could end up giving less than what I actually have on my heart? Now, in the proper context, we can see the heart of the New Covenant believer in Apostle Paul’s declaration in 2 Corinthians 9:7,

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

This verse does not paint the picture of a fearful, reluctant believer who is obliged to give because it is expected of him, or because everyone will know exactly how much his offering is.

FREE TO SERVE

The churches of Macedonia were able to give out of their extreme poverty, as a result of a Gospel that had brought them to lose their lives, to deny themselves, to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus. Their generosity stemmed from the fruit of the work of the Gospel, not from some emotional manipulation. They earnestly desired and insisted on having a part in a project that was spiritual and of benefit to the Kingdom and other believers.

Please understand that I am not trying to make you look back and question how and to what you may have given your money in the past. But I know that there are many believers who are seeking for truth. And all I want is for the Church to know what God’s heart is on the issue of money; what sound doctrine according to His Word is, so that, by His Grace and with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can be free to serve Him with our finances.

We all acknowledge that demonic activity and evil spirits are real. But is it Scriptural for a born-again believer to need deliverance from demons?

The spiritual world exists and is more powerful than what we may think. That’s why when God touches our lives, we can be transformed in an instant. In the same manner, there are people whose lives are influenced by demons and evil spirits. In the Gospels, Jesus Himself cast demons out of people and set them free. Demon-possession is real and cannot be denied. However in Matthew 12, where Jesus speaks about deliverance, he was speaking before the Cross and was referring to a wicked generation, not to the Church. So, my point is this: do born-again Christians, who have repented of past sins, and truly surrendered their lives to Jesus, still need deliverance from demons?

BORN-AGAIN OR NOT?

I cannot find a single case of born-again believers being set free from demons in the early Church of the Bible. Either you are born-again, or you aren’t; there is nothing in between! Before we came to know Jesus, we were under Satan’s control. We didn’t know God; and we were all in fact, under the influence of evil spirits, or possessed by them (Ephesians 2:1-5). When an unbeliever truly repents of his sins, and believes in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God Almighty Himself comes to live in his heart.

Colossians 1:13 explains it thus: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

Having been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, the nature of sin that controlled us previously has been replaced by the nature of God.

Often, it isn’t even necessary to pray for deliverance. The unbeliever is already under so much conviction and so willing to surrender his life to Christ, that he is set free by the power of the Holy Spirit in a split second. In other cases, prayer for his deliverance is necessary.  You may rightly ask, therefore, what all these demonic manifestations in churches today are about? The answer is that many people only come for healing and deliverance, to be blessed, and not to seek God first and foremost. And, not being born again, demonic influences continue to rule their lives. However it’s impossible for truly born-again Christians still to be under the power of demons, unless they backslide to the point that they have completely broken fellowship with Christ, have denied the Lord and opened their hearts and lives to demonic activity. For, how can the Holy Spirit possibly dwell in the same body as a demon?

Many of the problems and issues attributed to demons have their roots elsewhere. If we are not on the foundation of the Cross, we quickly find ourselves swallowing all sorts of false teachings and strange doctrines. We blame demons for anything and everything that goes wrong…

IT’S THE FLESH!

It must be clear that, as a Christian, just because I find myself in trouble with the flesh, does not mean that I have an evil spirit in me…but rather that I have simply yielded to the passions of my flesh.

Of course we can be tempted, but we must differentiate between being tempted and being possessed by an evil spirit. It is only when I deny myself, am prepared to give up my rights, and lose my life by taking up my Cross, that I can have the victory in that specific circumstance. I have no need, whatsoever, for any demon to be cast out; I am already demon-free!

DELIVERANCE ISN’T THE ANSWER

God has opened a way for us not to bow to our flesh, or to surrender to its desires. It is the Cross. That’s why our lives have no connection with demons. The Spirit of the Lord lives in us. He intercedes for us and helps us, by God’s Grace, to crucify that flesh. What God wants to do in your life through the walk of sanctification cannot be substituted with a prayer of deliverance.

Don’t let anyone try to cast out of you the demons of anger, laziness, jealousy, etc. Likewise, you cannot solve the problems you have with your spouse, your children, or another Christian by trying to cast out a demon…  These are manifestations of your flesh; the fruit of a life not surrendered to the Lord. Many believers today are discouraged because they know what they should be; but, faced with the reality of what they are, feel only failure and defeat. So they resort to deliverance. Victory is in the Cross. Be ready to lose your life and you will see the results… We can be weak in many areas, but still manifest the life of Christ. We are demon-free, and walking on that road to perfection; Glory to God! For a description of the works of the flesh, just look at the list in Galatians 5:19-21. And, let me tell you, you don’t need to be delivered from demons to give you victory over any of these things. Simply take up your Cross!

IDENTIFICATION WITH CHRIST

It’s important for us to understand the purpose of the message of the cross for our lives. We must be willing to be identified with the death of Christ in order to carry His life and be free. As soon as the Cross is set aside, we look for a short cut, or a substitute like deliverance, a kind of press-a-button Christianity. Yet in Galatians 2:20, Paul’s statement, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…” is such a wonderful declaration of his way of life. Through the revelation he received, Paul learnt that he needed to identify his life with Christ’s, to deny himself, to crucify his flesh. He lived that revelation and was able to preach it; his life was a testimony of the transformation the Cross brings. The message of the Cross is a constant warning and a reminder that exposes the weakness of our flesh, and allows us to see our real state. It brings us to repentance, to deny ourselves, to return to the Cross once again.

FREE INDEED!

So, dear brother or sister, if you are sure that deep down in your heart, your life is surrendered to Christ, then do not confuse the weaknesses of your flesh with being demon-possessed. You may be a weak Christian but you are nonetheless demon-free. Hallelujah! That is why Apostle Paul spoke so much about the dangers of the flesh. He was fully aware of its weakness. Remember: “If the Son of man has set you free, you are free indeed!”

In this fast changing world, believers must be made aware of how much of the world’s standards have crept into the Church… hence the reason for this series, “The Church Needs to Know”.

Let me ask you a question: “Does it bother you that Christians everywhere are compromising the Word of God and conforming to the world’s lifestyle, to the point that it is acceptable today, even for pastors and leaders, to get divorced for such reasons as discord, differences of character, self-justification, legalistic influences, spiritual manipulation, hurts, unforgiveness, etc?” This is definitely an area where the Church has allowed itself to be influenced, not only by the ways of an unbelieving world, but also by Christian leaders writing books, often justifying their own, very subjective, experiences, and who, by taking the option of divorce, have opened the door for believers to do the same. But let us  look instead at what the Word of God has to say on this subject.

MARRIAGE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT

In Genesis, God instituted marriage. However, marriage under the Old Covenant, with its multiple wives and letters of divorce, cannot be compared with marriage under the New Covenant, after what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross.

God’s plan for us, as born-again Christians, is to live with our husbands and wives until ‘death do us part’. In Mark 10:2, the Pharisees tried to test Jesus because He had been challenging their legalism on so many issues, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Jesus showed them that, under Moses and the Law, God had ‘allowed’ divorce because of the hardness of their hearts, (Mark 10:5); but that under the New Covenant, things would be different.

In Matthew 5:32, He states plainly what is expected of all New Covenant believers: “But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery .”

‘Except sexual immorality’ obviously does not mean when one partner happens to fall into sin and commit an act of adultery or infidelity. It speaks of a person being backslidden and living in sin, and determined to continue in immorality. In allowing divorce in that very specific case, Jesus does not take away the fact that the  other partner needs to humble himself or herself and forgive. This can only truly happen when we accept the way of the Cross. The Bible, therefore, is clear: under the New Covenant, there is no justification for divorce apart from very specific cases… otherwise it devalues what Jesus Christ accomplished at Calvary!

POWERLESS GOSPELS

I am certain you have noticed that the Church has lost its conviction in this area, behaving as though the Gospel were something that changes with the times. The Church, including pastors and leaders, rightly didn’t accept divorce a few decades ago, but it has now become common in churches today. What has happened? Surely it is because the gospels being preached today have changed and have no power to deal with such issues. Obviously, they no longer bring the same conviction as before. This is why a return to the preaching of the Cross is vital if we want to see Christian families united and the rate of divorce dropping in the Church. The ‘Prosperity Gospel’ is causing hearts to be drawn to material things instead of seeking spiritual maturity. It does not edify, and certainly is powerless to confront the deep inner issues that believers today face.

Christians today often want a simple solution to marital problems, an easy way out. They divorce for trivial reasons such as: “She won’t submit to my authority; he isn’t spiritual enough,” or worse, “We no longer fit together, our vision and ambitions have changed…” It is obvious they cannot be hearing the right gospel, as the true Gospel would lead them to assume their responsibilities towards one another.

THE MINISTRY OF THE HUSBAND

Allow me to expand on the amazing revelation Paul had about marriage in Ephesians 5. The relationship between a husband and a wife is the only one in the New Testament that is paralleled with the relationship Jesus has with His Church.

Paul declares boldly that “AS Christ loved the church and gave His life for her, SO a husband should love his wife.”

Jesus humbled Himself, took the form of man, was obedient unto death even the death of the Cross. That is the attitude Jesus is asking of a husband towards his wife. That is the ministry of the husband; like Jesus, he is called to lose his rights and his life for his wife. This is the key to a successful marriage.

GOD’S ORDER FOR MARRIAGE

The ministry of the wife, however, is compared to that of the Church.

Paul states that just “AS the church submits to Christ, SO the wife should submit to her husband.”

So, when the Church – you and I – understands what Jesus did for us on the cross, in other words His love manifest for us, we can love Him in return. We could not love Him before we felt His love for us. Can you see the order of things here?

It is clear, therefore, that the husband has a greater ministry and responsibility than his wife in the marriage, since his ministry is compared to Christ’s whereas the wife’s is compared to the ministry of the Church. If the husband first responds to his calling, as Jesus did, he will automatically reap an attitude of submission from his wife. Obviously, the submission of the wife is not conditional; but when the proper foundation is laid, the husband can expect his wife to submit to him. However, even if the wife does not do so, he should still continue to give his life for her, and trust God for a miracle in her heart. At the end of the passage, Paul quotes the Old Testament verse, “For this reason’ a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.” ‘For this reason’ means that being united in marriage is the sole purpose behind a man and a woman leaving their parents. Therefore, God’s heart for marriage is for a husband and wife never to separate, but to remain united for life. When we obey God’s instructions, He is faithful to perform miracles.

THE HUSBAND OF BUT ONE WIFE…

May I say that there are many specific scenarios in marriage not mentioned in the Bible. In our own church, we have experienced different situations over the years, and have learnt to deal with them individually, with grace and truth. In every case where the brother or sister has taken the road of the Cross, and allowed repentance to do its work in his or her heart, we have seen victories in their lives and in their service for the Lord. And, let me just add that God is not a God of the second or third chance. It does not mean that He rejects those who have divorced and remarried.

But, at the same time, we cannot conclude that this means it is acceptable to go that route.  His plan has always been for a husband to have one wife and He has provided the means for that by sending Jesus in the form of man, to die on the Cross and conquer sin in the flesh. It is up to us to give up our lives as a sacrifice so that our flesh can be crucified. A man who divorces and continues in ministry as if nothing has happened, can never expect to carry the same anointing in his service for God, until he stops justifying his decision and repents of having divorced his wife unless, of course, she has given her life over to adultery.

THE KEY TO RESTORATION

So, if I have touched on any of your experiences, it’s not too late. God can restore you and your ministry, if you are prepared to acknowledge that you did not act in line with God’s heart and Word, but according to the desires of the flesh, and possibly entered into a wrong relationship. However, you must come before God in true repentance; according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, with a readiness to do whatever He asks of you… even if that may mean returning to your original spouse.

Remember that the Lord isn’t interested in reasons or explanations about what your partner is like, or what he or she may have done. He looks at the heart of man. There may well be relationships that are beyond repair; but, in all cases, God still desires a pure, humble, forgiving, and repentant heart. Then again, so many more are repairable, provided we make room for repentance and forgiveness to bring restoration in the relationship. This can only happen when we are prepared to deny ourselves and take up our cross.

The Cross is God’s provision for a successful marriage!

I trust that these few words have helped you to look at marriage as God sees it.

Since last October, CTMI has been broadcasting a series of straight-talking messages on Christian TV about issues facing the Church today.  Excerpts from individual messages will be published throughout this year in JOY! Magazine.

• Why does the Church need to know about these issues now; what does this say about your opinion of the state of the Church today?

Let us all acknowledge that the Church has deviated somewhat from sound doctrine, with the resultant effect on the lives of Christians.  I felt that it was time to address some key issues directly, so that people may realise that the Lord has better things in store for them.  Also, I long to see Christians walk in freedom and in victory…

• Some people, including leaders, might consider what you say, about certain practices and beliefs that have taken root in the Church, controversial… With the same Bible and the same Holy Spirit, how come there are different gospels being preached?

Firstly, many leaders have been greatly influenced by prosperity teachings, and are seeking their own benefit. Secondly, possibly lacking revelation, or out of ignorance, many don’t realise that the preaching of the Cross is the power of God to bring Christians to spiritual maturity. The Cross, and the compromising message of prosperity, draw Christians in opposite directions. It’s like in the days of Apostle Paul… the same Bible, but different gospels (Gal. 1:6)!

• You’ve received much feedback from viewers across Africa; have any Christians objected to your preaching?

I’m not aware of negative comments about these broadcasts. On the contrary, we’ve received much encouragement, and many questions from Christians, who have felt free to speak about deeply personal issues. In fact, these TV programs have had an extremely positive impact.

• You began with “God’s Heart on Marriage and Divorce”. JOY! readers sent us 2 questions on this particular subject… Firstly, why can’t two spirit-filled Christians work out their differences; and, is there any justification for these to remain unresolved, or for them to divorce?  Secondly, how can a pastor get divorced and continue to pastor his church?

This first question is very pertinent! I believe that if a Christian couple cannot sort out their problems, it’s primarily because they do not know their true responsibility towards each other in marriage. We see in Scripture that the husband has a very big responsibility: that of loving his wife as Christ loves the Church. Likewise, the wife is called to submit to him. Unless both take their cross, and allow the Spirit of God to break and change them, that can never happen… it needs a work of God in their hearts. No technique can do that… it is the fruit of the Cross at work in both of their lives!

The second question is a delicate one… A few years back, when the Church still held onto sound doctrine and Biblical Truth, a pastor divorcing and continuing in ministry was inconceivable, unacceptable. But today, the Church has compromised, and become religious. It tolerates pastors getting divorced, turning the page, and carrying on… as if nothing happened. So, firstly, I don’t believe it’s God’s will for any Christian couple, let alone a pastor, to get divorced; because through the Cross, God provides a way for the restoration of love and unity between them. Secondly, if a pastor gets divorced, I strongly believe he loses his anointing.

• In “Can Christians be demon-possessed?” you categorically state that this is impossible for a born-again believer. Tell us your point of view.

I am often asked this at conferences in Africa… Allow me to say how sad it is that a Christian can even believe that he could be demon-possessed. The Bible is very clear on that subject! When we are born-again, we are delivered from the powers of darkness and are translated into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. There is no way that a demon can live in a truly born-again Christian, who has given his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and desires to serve Him. It’s simply impossible! The problem here is the flesh; but it is often attributed to the devil.

• Won’t some youth struggle with “God and Music”, where you want to draw a clear dividing line between worldly music, and praise and worship?

It is sad to say, but much of what we hear today is simply pop music with Christian lyrics! Where are we going? What has true worship in common with worldly music?  I can’t understand why we are trying to mix the two; praising the Lord, with a worldly beat… it can’t be done! When we are born-again, we should want to worship from our hearts, in Spirit and in Truth. Anything else is just entertainment!

• Many Christians put a lot of emphasis on spiritual warfare, casting out demons everywhere they go, and binding evil spirits for every problem they face.  In “Spiritual Warfare”, you approach this issue in a completely different way. Why?

Let me reply with 2 questions: “What is spiritual warfare?” And, “Is it mentioned in the New Testament?”  In fact, what the Church calls “spiritual warfare” today is nothing other than fighting demons. Many Christians see it as the way to have victory in their lives. However, we see the real call of God on the believer’s life when we look at Eph. 6, where Paul urges us to strengthen ourselves in the Lord, in order to be able to stand in the evil day. Secondly, when the enemy attacks, James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I don’t see any “warfare” in that! Do you?

So, it’s a simple issue; the Bible says: “…if we are in Christ, the devil cannot touch us.” If our life is right before God, and our hearts are pure, why should we fear demons? We need only resist them.  Sadly, these days, much of the Church is more demon-conscious than Jesus-conscious!

• You turn the whole concept of dating, girlfriends and boyfriends upside down in “Relationships Before Marriage”. The world system has entered the Church on this issue, yet in some churches there is legalism, and in others, total leniency.  What do you say to young people about relationships?

I sincerely believe that the Church has abandoned its responsibility towards young people by not being clear or direct concerning the way they should live the true Christian life, whether it be before or after marriage. When we allow the world’s standards and mentality into the Church without reacting, we stop standing for the Truth of the Gospel, and we compromise. The result is that Christians are being destroyed by relationships that are not spiritual, and do not help them grow and serve the Lord in the right way. In some churches nothing is said; in others, there are laws about what people can and can’t do. Neither of the two is right!

What I do know is that when the gospel takes hold of young people, they don’t struggle, or feel any pressure as to what is allowed, or where to draw the line. They desire to do God’s will, remain pure, and walk in a way pleasing to Him.

• Probably your most contentious message is, “The Christian and his Money”, where you condemn the preaching of the doctrine of prosperity, and talk instead about the heart behind our giving.  Why is your perspective on God’s material blessings so different to what is preached these days?

It’s not that I attack the teaching of prosperity. Rather, I try to look at it from the right perspective; to see what the heart of the Lord is about it. I have no problem with Christians prospering materially, being blessed. But I take issue with the teaching that it’s God’s will that all believers are called to be rich. Where is this found in Scripture? Even in the Early Church, there were poor Christians. Therefore, I believe it is a heresy to make all Christians believe that it is God’s will for all of them to be rich, possess big houses, luxury cars, etc… a complete heresy!  In places like Africa and India, most believers are living in conditions of extreme poverty. There is no shame in that, and it does not mean they lack faith. Moreover, far too much importance is given to money in messages preached these days!

• In “The Road is Narrow” you bring everyone back to the Cross, the Gospel of the Cross, the foundation of everything that you preach… Why is everything always about the Cross; why don’t churches put as much emphasis on preaching it today?

I will ask you a question in return… “Why shouldn’t the foundational message of Jesus Christ – what the early apostles taught, what you read in the epistles of Paul, James, John, and Peter – be preached in every church?  It is the basic message of Christianity! We always want to bring the heart of the Christian to the place where he can see his need, where he allows himself to be dealt with by God. That way, he can grow into the image of Christ and carry the life of Christ continually in him.  That’s why it is absolutely necessary to preach the message of the Cross, the foundational message of our Christian life.  You can’t ever preach it enough, because as a believer, you need that confrontation, that truth everyday of your life.  Yet today, many Christians are falling apart, being destroyed, because they don’t hear the right Gospel enough. As a result they backslide and leave the Church. Because of the lack of genuine Apostles carrying the true anointing, this message is absent from the Church today.

• A final word for JOY! readers…

Well, I really encourage them to watch these messages on TV – 3 times a week now (see below). Even better, they can order the CD or DVD. There is much more that will encourage, edify, and set them free, as they listen to the only Gospel that can bring victory to their lives, and allow them to experience true freedom in Christ. Reading the excerpts in JOY! can only give a taste of what is being said.

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around the, a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

The time has come and the time is now! Today, Christians around the world are being deceived by false teaching, with devastating results. When you are constantly hearing about what you can get from God, you don’t want to hear about what you can give. But the Christian life is one of sacrifice; a life completely surrendered to God. Any thing else is compromise! Why should we be so different to the Christians of the early Church? Didn’t they prove that by freely offering their lives to Jesus Christ, accepting the sufferings, trials and tests that faced them, they were able to live a righteous life of victory over sin? This is in fact the simple, clear and powerful message of the gospel. Today however, Christians have everything back to front.

ITCHING EARS

Instead of first seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, they run after earthly treasures. The result of constant exposure to false teaching is that you grow to love these kinds of messages. They will excite and delight you until you have become trapped by them, and are all that you will want to hear. This is a dangerous road to take, because as soon as someone preaches a message that demands something of your life, you will struggle to accept it. Everything in you will rise up and reject that message. In fact, you might even declare that it is false doctrine!

WHOSE ADVANTAGE?

It was the Pharisees in the days of Jesus who strongly opposed His message. They were so proud and self-assured that they believed they were untouchable. But when Jesus came with grace and truth and taught them a simple message that confronted their lives, they resisted Him. They even accused Him of having a demon. And from early on, they plotted to kill Jesus, such were the violence in their hearts against Him.

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3 that many live as enemies of the cross. They pervert the gospel for their personal interests and twist scripture to their own advantage. He says that their god is their stomach and their glory is in their shame; their mind is on earthly things.  This means that they glory in what they posses and their appetite is never satisfied. The Bible is clear: their destiny is destruction.

But Paul writes in Galatians 6: 14, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

So the question must be asked: What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

This is what happens when Christians depart from the true gospel and turn aside to myths. The Galatian church was overjoyed when they heard the message of the cross for the first time and accepted it with great eagerness. They were prepared to identify their lives fully with Christ and suffer persecution for the sake of the gospel. But when enemies of the cross slipped in among them and began teaching that circumcision alone was sufficient for salvation, they were deceived.

THE DANGER WITHIN

The real threat to the Church today does not come from outside, but from within. Just as it says in Galatians 4:17, many preachers today are zealous to win you over, but for no good. They want to alienate you from the true message of the gospel, so you become zealous for them. These preachers promise you many things so that you will be eager to hear them again and again. But they want to win you over to have greater access to your money.

However, the message we are called to preach is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, which is our identification with Him in His sufferings, His death and His resurrection. This message is not designed to excite anyone. It requires denying yourself and taking up your cross and following Jesus. But the grace, peace and joy that is the fruit of a given life will be poured out upon you abundantly.

A FIRM FOUNDATION

You can destroy your life with material things, but you will never destroy your life with spiritual investment. It will set your feet on a firm foundation and be a great protection for you all your life. The assurance that you have rejected false teachings and embraced the truth will be your security and your everlasting reward.

It is much harder to uproot things in your life than to plant them. But the more you hear the message of the cross in all its fullness, the more you will desire it. If you are sincere and ready to accept that there may be teachings that God wants to remove, allow Him to uproot them. Do not close your heart. Rather, let His word nourish and refresh you, bringing you healing and restoration.

ZEALOUS FOR JESUS

I want to reassure you, the message of the cross is not new. It has always been there, though you might not have been able to recognise it. It is the message the first apostles lived and preached – the apostolic gospel – and it is the same message that will lead you to freedom from lies and deception. Do not listen anymore to preachers who are zealous to win you over, so that you become zealous for them. If you preach the cross of Jesus Christ you have one aim; to make people zealous for Jesus. I urge you to resist false teachings and cling to the message of Christ and Him crucified, the one message that sets the captives free.

We have left until last the most well known of the perfecting ministries in the Church – the Pastor.  The title ‘Pastor’ comes from the Greek words ‘episkopos’ and ‘episkopeo’, which speak of watching over, keeping, taking care of, guiding, and feeding.  In other words, the Pastor could also, and often is, called the ‘Shepherd’.

A SHEPHERD’S HEART

Various prophets in the Old Testament – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos, spoke on God’s behalf of God, often quite severely, about shepherds and the flock. But in Jesus Christ, who stated that a true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, we have the perfect example of the Good Shepherd.

It is impossible to consider the calling, anointing and role of the Pastor, without the analogy of the flock, the sheep, and the shepherd. At the core of the Pastor’s calling is a heart that cares for the ‘flock’, i.e. the Christians under his charge. In the conversation he had with Peter (John 21:15), we see that, before going to heaven, Jesus wanted to be sure that the New Testament Church would be in the hands of men who knew and understood their calling, and who had a heart for the flock. He was looking for men who would not simply work for the kingdom of God, preaching or teaching, but those who would love His people and take care of them. Feeding the sheep is about wanting the very best for them, watching over them, loving them, instructing them, and leading them with the heart of Jesus.

One of the five ministries forming part of the body of elders in a local church

The Pastor always forms part of the body of elders in a local church. He is respected there for the authority his calling carries in the spirit; he does not have an independent ministry. Even though all pastors are elders before anything else, all elders are not pastors, neither are they necessarily called to the five-fold ministries. Therefore, the other elders have nothing to envy or to be jealous of, but on the contrary, accept the place or role that the pastor plays in the local church; they sense this call and anointing from God upon his life. However, it is vital that he does not dominate over the other elders, that they are not ‘yes-men’ to do his bidding without question. His authority in the spirit does not give him that right. That’s why he will always seek to take decisions in union with the other elders, and with their approval.  In the same way, for his own protection, and that of the church he oversees, he will also be open to correction and rebuke from them, where needed. His heart’s desire, his driving ambition, his vision, is always to ensure that he and the elders are working together in giving their lives for the people of God. The Pastor has a special responsibility in this regard: he is the one to encourage the other elders in that direction; to watch, and remind everyone of that vision at all times. The whole church acknowledges and accepts the call of God on the Pastor’s life. The people should know the pastor’s life and allow him to know theirs. When we look at the life of a Pastor, we should see a man who is serving God and His people, not just one carrying a title.

A MINISTRY SUBMITTED TO THAT OF THE APOSTLE

If there is an Apostle within the body of elders of a local church, he obviously carries more authority than the Pastor, just as the Pastor carries more authority than the other elders.  The Pastor should submit, not only to the whole eldership, but also to the Apostle, whether the latter forms part of his own, or another local church, belonging to the same network of churches, as we see in the book of Acts (20:17-36) and Paul’s epistles.

THE DANGER OF A SOLO MINISTRY

The anointing on the Pastor’s life is different to that of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, or Teacher, as it is more focused on the local church. At the same time, it also has its limits, and this is where the danger for Christians comes in. Many small churches, today, are led a man with a desire to lead God’s people and take care of them, but who don’t necessarily have the calling or anointing of a Pastor; or sometimes he does have that calling but is answering it alone. He is not submitted to a body of elders, either because there is a body of elders in their church but he does not consider himself accountable to them, or because he is the only elder and so pastors his church alone. This man has no relationship with other ministries outside his church. And yet, whenever we come across the word ‘elders’ in the New Testament, it is always in the plural! (Acts 14:23, 20:17, Titus 1:5) Sadly, many churches today are led by a pastor who believes that he can bring all the spiritual nourishment that God’s people need, on his own. This is very dangerous!

Interestingly, in the New Testament, we never see a church with a pastor as the sole authority! Quite the contrary, we see a model for relationships that should exist within the local church, and between churches. Even if there is a Pastor in a local church, that church should never be alone and independent. Otherwise, the Christians will remain spiritual babes, because the only food they receive is from the pastor. They are completely isolated and without protection, and are unable to benefit from the different anointings of the fivefold ministries. The New Testament churches all formed part of one family; they received the contribution of all the different ministries, which enabled God’s people to grow in maturity, and be equipped and perfected (Eph 4:11-13).

As long as the revelation of the gospel and the structure of the Church of the New Testament, is not brought clearly to the Church, it will be impossible for Christians ministries to work together in the unity of the Spirit. Many pastors will remain independent, and will feel threatened by other ministries, and insecure. And yet, like all the other ministries, the Pastor will one day have to give an account for the way that he has taken care of God’s flock.

A Personal Testimony

Richard Langworthy

Ordained in the ministry in 1977, I soon found myself alone as the “pastor” of a small congregation in Bulawayo; the elders at that time were church members elected into the office. Because I longed to see true holiness in the church, I turned to the letter of the word in order to show people how to live. Within a few years, I became the Senior Pastor of a much larger well-known Pentecostal church with full time pastors and elders on its staff. From the outside, we appeared to have a successful church, yet my heart was growing increasingly disillusioned with the ministry. The biblical principles I taught were not really changing lives. Our leadership team was not really a team; just independent men with strong ministries in the same church.

In 1989, I met Pastor Miki Hardy and was challenged by his life and the clarity of the gospel he preached. Before long, the Lord had exposed the state of my own heart. I saw the pride and arrogance disguised behind my title of “Senior Pastor”, and also the legalism in my heart towards the people in the church.

It took the revelation of the cross to break me and humble me; it had to become real in my life first, before it could be of any value to the flock. Today, we have a totally different church. As elders, our lives are given both to one another, and to the church. More importantly, as a local church we are no longer alone. We enjoy the support of the greater body of elders and the CTMI Apostolic Team.

Richard Langworthy is a member of the CTMI apostolic team and Pastor of Selborne Park Christian Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

There are many pastors with degrees and doctorates in Theology, who have been teaching theology for years, but with very little to show for it. Unfortunately, many of these men have come to the end of themselves today, because all their knowledge has had no power to change their service for God, their lives, or the lives of the believers in their congregations. Some are even looking for an escape route from the ministry.

The teaching of the Word forms part of the commission Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The aim of teaching is not only to build Christians’ knowledge of the Bible but, above all, to bring them to maturity.

BEING UNITED WITH OTHER MINISTRIES

The teacher must never forget apostle James’s warning (3:1) that he will be judged more strictly than others. There are countless independent, self-appointed ‘teachers’, circulating in the Church at large today – writing books, broadcasting television programmes, publicising their teaching on DVD and CD, posting blogs, and using every medium they can to reach the Christian public. There have never been so many as today. Yet, the model we see in the Bible is of teachers forming part of the body of elders of a local church [Acts 13:1]. As with the other four ministries, it is not absolutely essential that there be a teacher present in every local church, but each church should form part of a network of churches in which all the 5-fold ministries are represented. When the teacher forms part of the eldership of a local church in the network, he is sent to the other churches they work with, and so is a blessing to each one of them. He is not just a guest speaker, imparting various facts to the church, without any real relationship with the people, relying on his credentials. Thanks to the apostolic gospel, he is united with the other ministries, carries the same heart for the people, and is aware of the importance of building relationships.

PROCLAIMING SOUND DOCTRINE

Once the apostle has laid the foundation in the Church by preaching the sound doctrine of Christ, the anointed teacher can build upon it (1 Cor. 3:10) because he communicates in a more in-depth and profound way than the other ministries. As long as the teacher is submitted to the team of elders in the local church, God’s people are protected from false teaching.

IMPARTING THE HEART OF GOD

We have the perfect example in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Before He came, the Pharisees were the teachers of the Law. Their teaching was without anointing, and so could bring no change in people’s hearts. But all those who heard Jesus were amazed at the authority with which He taught, and they flocked in multitudes to hear Him. The Pharisees drove people away people because they were only interested in finding fault with others’ lives, but Jesus demonstrated the heart of His Father, and His words drew people. Though, what He taught challenged and confronted his listeners, they recognised that He spoke the words of life (Mat 7:28-29).

LEADING CHRISTIANS TO TAKE UP THEIR CROSS

The anointing upon a teacher causes him to delve into the depths of God’s Word, to find the riches hidden within. He desires to be more enlightened himself, so that he can impart sound doctrine to God’s people. Both a teacher’s life and his doctrine must be founded on the message of the cross – the power of God to those who believe. Therefore, he will be recognised by his ability to establish Christians firmly on this foundation. Teaching, when it is in the right spirit, automatically leads God’s people to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus.

TURNING AWAY FROM FALSE DOCTRINES

One of the biggest dangers in the teacher’s ministry is that his burning desire to find hidden treasures in the Word of God can lead him off course and into error. This is how false doctrines enter the Church. The Bible often mentions false teachers, and clearly warns God’s people against them. Titus 1:10-11 cautions against men who are mere talkers and deceivers, who teach things they ought not to, for dishonest gain. Such men deceive God’s people. Some of them, as a result of certain experiences they have had, develop false doctrines, which are nothing more than destructive heresies.

Others create a whole doctrine from a few verses taken out of context. But we cannot draw from a personal experience with God, and teach it to the church as part of the doctrine of Christ, nor base anything on one verse alone. However, we have seen this happen increasingly in recent years. On the other hand, when the cross is at the centre of the teaching, God’s people can rest secure, and will not be deceived!

When the five-fold ministries operate together, the whole ministry of Jesus is revealed to the Church. The spiritual relationships between these ministries provide vital protection for God’s people, as they prevent any wind of doctrine originating from the mind of man, from infiltrating the Church. The Church needs all these ministries in order to come to maturity, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, which should be its objective. It is in the interests of God’s people that they understand what a wonderful grace the unity of these ministries in the Church represents to them!

A Personal Testimony

Neil Martin

In the late ’80s, I was teaching at, and running our Bible School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.  Though I didn’t know it then, I was teaching without the revelation of God’s grace, and I brought the Word of God to the students in a very legalistic manner, teaching principles and techniques. Because I relied on my own strength to change, it was impossible to apply the very things I was teaching, to my own life; and, knowing nothing about the message of the cross, I couldn’t identify with Jesus’ statement in John 12:24 about the kernel of wheat having to die to bear much grain. No wonder, then, that I carried no life of Christ in me, and could therefore impart no life to those I was teaching! Today, I see just how true it is that the letter kills, but the Spirit brings life.

I am so grateful to the Lord that He allowed me to hear the powerful gospel of the cross through Miki Hardy coming to our church all those years ago.  As I began to identify with Christ, my life began to change and I taught with revelation in my heart. This was the message for my own life and for the church as well. For the first time, I actually witnessed lives changing and, in time, relationships within my family, with my brother elders, and in the church, were all restored.

Neil Martin is a member of the CTMI apostolic team, and pastor of Grace Fellowship in California, USA.

Jesus is coming back soon! He is coming back for His Church, and we need to be sure that He will find faith in our hearts on that day.

The Church needs the Truth of the Gospel, now, more than ever. Sadly. Between now and His glorious return, many Christians will turn away from the faith. They will have followed false teachings, and so be living in deception, discouragement, etc, despite having known Him and experienced His love.

As Christians, and especially preachers we should carefully consider what we say and preach to others, because one day we will have to give an account to God. What did we do with the truth? As apostle James warns us in Chapter 3:1 of his epistle, preachers will be held responsible for what they preach. Therefore we must keep sound doctrine. This is a warning to all preachers, pastors and teachers of the word of God, and to all believers.

TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE

This verse talks about a Day coming, when those who have preached will receive a stricter judgment than the rest. In 1 Timothy 1:3, Paul urges him to remain in Ephesus to ensure that the leaders there, “teach no other doctrine.” Clearly, some preachers had stayed from sound doctrine. Paul’s charge to Timothy is to stand firm in the truth that he has received. He encourages him to preach no other doctrine than the true Gospel of Jesus. Preachers carry a greater responsibility. Sadly, many today use the Bible out of context to back their own arguments and doctrines.

CHRISTIANITY AND MONEY

Paul gives Timothy another warning in 1 Timothy 6:3-10, stating that godliness, which is a pure and holy life, is not a source of gain. Unfortunately Christians are being led to believe that to be godly and victorious you need to prosper materially, i.e. be rich and have material possessions.  They are mixing up Christianity and money. Godliness is not a means for you and I to profit… however godliness, with contentment in your heart, is great gain. Here the word contentment means joy and happiness, whether having plenty, or having nothing. If you equate godliness with gaining something from God you are quite simply on the wrong foundation. This is reflected in what Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13. For many, finances and money have been taken over as their principal focus; consequently it becomes the backbone of their message. In their greed, they have departed from sound doctrine… A very dangerous thing to do!

FULFILLING THE LAW

Why is preaching sound doctrine so important? Because it is our only hope of achieving the goal of our Christian life, i.e. to live a holy life, to fulfill the requirements of the law, while serving Jesus. The message of Jesus Christ – identifying our lives with Him in His sufferings, His death, and His resurrection – enables us, by the Spirit, to accomplish the same law that He Himself fulfilled. Those who preach the Gospel must not add or remove anything from it.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

The Ten Commandments reveal that the purpose and plan of God is for mankind to please Him and have fellowship with Him, living a pure and holy life. It is impossible to have fellowship with God if you keep walking in sin and enjoying it. But if you are struggling with sin in your life, yet you are sincerely ready to deny yourself, take up your cross; and follow Jesus, God will set you free.

BECOMING SPIRITUAL PEOPLE

Sound doctrine is the message of the cross… with the result that we impart life and the fragrance of the knowledge of God! The responsibility of preachers is to enable Christians to become spiritual people, able to serve the Lord; not intellectuals with money, filled with head knowledge about God and Scripture. That’s the true calling of those who preach the Gospel.

The believers of the early Church were prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Christ. The result of laying down our lives is expressed in Paul’s words: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. Today, far from striving for the life of Christ in Christians, many preachers are drawing them away from the truth, feeding them a ‘bless me’ gospel. Jeremiah 23 describes such false prophets as speaking visions of their own hearts. The goal of Paul’s ministry was, as he explained in Colossians 1:28, and in Galatians 4:19: “to present every man perfect in Christ”. He cared about the hearts and souls of Christians. He had nothing to gain from his ministry. Actually, he had absolutely everything to lose. Why is it that so many preachers today appear to care more about a Christian’s material well-being than anything else?

THE RIGHT GOSPEL

We desperately need to come back to the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to allow our lives to be broken and worked by God, desiring to serve Him with a contrite heart and a humble spirit. Christians must rise up and know that there is another gospel – one that can set them free, and that will feed them spiritually. The Gospel of the Cross is the only one that will challenge your life, and show you exactly who you are; and what God wants you to become, so that you can serve Him in freedom. The church needs the revelation of the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

A WAY OF LIFE

Let us be careful not to accept something just because many pastors and preachers are saying it. Even the fact that several preachers are preaching the same thing, does not make their message sound doctrine! Paul defended the Gospel by his way of life, and by confronting those who deviated from sound doctrine. Consequently, his preaching and way of life were a threat and challenge to others. One day, we will all sit before Jesus Christ and give an account of what we have preached, and how we exhorted and encouraged people.