We began looking last week at the insidious philosophy that is being foisted on much of the Church of God. It makes me angry to think what they are subtly doing to so many unsuspecting brethren.
So many brethren are unable to see that they are watering down our rich understanding in God's Truth.
In these last days when the people of God should be spiritually mature and close to God in every way, we find various parts of the Body of Christ being subjected to attacks on our core beliefs. And, it is an Insidious Philosophy that is being put forward.
In Part 1 there were three main points:
First: Jesus said there would be a lot of deceptive men - and a lot of people would be duped by them. Who are they that are deceiving - and who is receiving the brunt of their deception? Jesus said that there would be many attackers, and sadly there would be many who succumb to their deception. That is a red flag warning to us – we are in jeopardy.
Matthew 24:
11 Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Second: There is a movement in one of
the organizations to convince the brethren that all doctrine gets in the
way the Unity of the Spirit. The Head Guy pushing this insidious philosophy has
a long history of terrible things. We saw how this Head Man has produced bad
fruit for 20 years from positions of authority in God’s Church.
Third: True “Unity of the Spirit”
comes as a result of all of the brethren everywhere – drawing near to God –
developing an individual relationship with God – and thereby possessing
the fruits of the Spirit of God – and then we too will resemble each
other in a Unity of the Spirit.
So, in today’s sermon I will not
address the fact that there is an insidious philosophy being carried out on the
people of God – but I will address what we must do about it?
After last week’s sermon, one of the
brethren who had both eyes wide open wrote: “The crux of the problem is that
the 'progressives' are pushing their 'solutions' – regardless of clear
instructions to the contrary from inspired Scripture. The wise will recognize it
for what it really is.”
Brethren, Jesus warns us of how subtle and attractive their vain philosophy is.
Colossians 2:
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
This is written for our day – for us – not just 2000 years ago.
Colossians 2:
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
This insidious philosophy is bringing some right back into the world. They preach a unity of the spirit – but what it boils down to is that they want every man doing what is right in his own yes.
Judges 21:
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
There is no unity of the Spirit without the being “at one” with God – that unity that Jesus spoke about.
John 17:
22 And the glory which thou gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one.
Jesus has a perfect one on one relationship – a perfect oneness with the Father.
When we become ONE with them – then we will have achieved a perfect “Unity of the Spirit” with all our brethren who have likewise become ONE with God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Unity of the Spirit will not be achieved by what the enemies of the true Faith refer to as those restrictions of doctrine on our getting together with one another.
Our Faith is not a Protestant-like syrupy sentimental love – but a doctrine strong, God-loving faith.
As a quick review, let me share a few examples of their thinking – of this insidious philosophy of the new Head Guy and Local Man’s new teachings.
And I am speaking to those who are mature Christians – those who are going on to perfection.
These quotes are for your analysis; You who maintain your foundation in the Truth of God, and are serious about the fundamentals of doctrine.
1 Corinthians 2:
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are [becoming] perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught:
After the Regional Conference this insidious doctrine is being sent out to all the world. Here is what is being taught as they make fun of, demean and disparage God’s true doctrine: And I quote:
“Young people are not interested in formalized doctrine."
“Their understanding of the Bible is based on how to be happy, [have fun], and be successful."
“Us old timers can learn from the young people.”
I do not know about you brethren, but to me, that is a direct attack and put down of the doctrine of Jesus Christ! That should not be said.
Statements like, “What else are be getting wrong in the Church?” undermine people’s faith.
“It is OK if we believe differently - as long as we love one another.”
“Doctrine is boring.” "Doctrine is the source of discord, division and other problems."
“We are God’s gift to you.”
They are teaching that “getting along
with everybody” comes first and (quote) “transcends doctrinal issues.”
Brethren that is a very slick dangerous philosophy!
At the very time that the Church of God should be returning back to the basics of our faith – to the very fundamentals that separate us from the world – to the foundational beliefs and doctrines of the Church of God – these men are going off into frivolities and trivialities.
Where is the warning of the perilous times we are in?
Where are they teaching God’s command:
1 Peter 1:
16 “Be ye holy; for I am holy?”
Where is the proper stewardship of God’s flock? A minister cannot go around spouting off any old philosophy.
1 Corinthians 4:
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
…Faithful to the Word of God and the Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Just “get along with,” and “love” everyone in their sins – no matter what their doctrine is – is not the Gospel message.
I want to thank the wide-awake brethren who alerted me to what was being taught to so many of our dear friends over there.
Their only doctrine seems to be “follow us – right or wrong.”
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 11:
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am [a follower] of Christ.
That is the way it should be said.
Brethren, keep your nose in the Bible.
Do we even remotely understand how
much we have slipped off into Laodiceanism? Thinking, “I’m okay – you’re okay?”
Are we rich and increased with
spirituality – I think not!
What they are doing is teaching a
loyalty to the ministry – and to the headquarters administration – all in the
name of Unity of the Spirit.
Was it “unity of the spirit” when they
cut loose the entirety of the brethren on the South American Continent?
The true brethren should insist that
there be recognition – not of a corrupt administrative leadership – but a
recognition of all their brothers and sisters in Christ – who are led by God’s
Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
We are not seeking a “unity of the
spirit” with those outside our faith who observe Christmas, Easter, Sunday and
believe in the Trinity.
But within God’s One Church,
God says that:
Ephesians 4:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of
your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Brethren, we are obedient and loyal to
God, the righteousness of God, the doctrine of God, the Word
of God.
Who are they that are doing the
deceiving – and who is receiving the brunt of their dishonesty?
Jesus said that there are many
seductive ministers – and a lot of brethren would be duped by them.
We looked at the new strategy of a
group with a new Head Guy that seeks to stem their loss of members by minimizing
and diminishing their use of doctrine.
They reason that it is doctrine that
causes their members to be divisive, and they wish to facilitate the “getting
along with each other” process in local congregations.
The Head Guy is asking the people of
God to wink at doctrine for the sake of what he feels is most important – “just
getting along.”
Brethren, just what would it be like
if we set doctrine aside and decided to just get along with each
other? That is what is being taught.
For a moment, and as an experiment,
let’s set aside the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and set aside His
Righteousness, his Law and just get along with everybody.
Let’s see what would happen.
I have a perfect example of what the church would be like.
There are many examples of the Head Guy’s policy to just get along with everybody – and do not let doctrine stand in the way of unity.
Rodney King was a man who made the phrase “Can we all get along” famous. Do you
remember his name and this news story?
I want to share this brief story with you because it is an example of the kind of unity that results when there is lawlessness and no consideration for the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
Rodney King robbed a store in Monterey Park, California in 1989.
King hit the Korean store owner with a pole and stole two hundred dollars in cash during the robbery and was caught, convicted, and sentenced to two years of imprisonment - then released after serving one year of the sentence.
Rodney King was a Los Angeles construction worker who, while on parole for that robbery, became nationally known for resisting arrest following a high-speed car chase in March of 1991.
This saga ended less than a year ago on June 17, 2012.
Rodney King admitted that he attempted to outrun the police at dangerously high speeds because a charge of driving under the influence would have violated his parole for the previous robbery of the Korean store owner.
When captured, Rodney King – a big man – could not be subdued with multiple stun gun Tasers or police batons. The police were videoed hitting King multiple times.
When the video was made public, terrible riots, looting and arson broke out in Los Angles. 53 people were killed during the riots and over two thousand people were injured, and 1100 buildings destroyed.
During the riots, King appeared on television and offered what would later be his famous plea, "Can we all get along?"
Now, that same plea, “Can’t we all just get along together” is the exact same policy that the church Head Guy has always lived by.
Rodney King was awarded $3.8 million in damages from the City of Los Angeles for the attack on him by the police.
King had three daughters by three different women. Married twice, - both of King's marriages ended in divorce.
Less than a year ago, Rodney King's fiancée found him lying at the bottom of his swimming pool...
King's autopsy results were released, stating he died of accidental drowning, and that alcohol and cocaine were found in his blood and were contributing factors to his death.
That’s the end of the story of a man who was lawless and unprincipled. But, it is not the end of the suffering of those families of the 53 who were killed… Because sin is like leaven – its effects never quit.
Maybe you think that this example of Rodney King is “over the top” a little bit – after all, “we are not like that.”
Brethren, that IS the result – that is the fruit – if you follow their insidious Philosophy of no doctrine to its ultimate conclusion.
That’s the fruit of no Law, no righteousness, no doctrine – just, “Can’t we all just get along together.”
High and lofty terms like, “Unity of the Spirit,” are being used in their promotion to make the new approach sound Scriptural and righteous, but the twisting and spinning of Biblical terms are no substitute for the true doctrine of God.
The wise brethren who understand that this insidious philosophy is being perpetrated on them are in a quandary.
When they see all of Christ’s warning signs they ask themselves,
“What are we to do – where else can we go – there is nowhere else to go to church?”
Jesus answers that question for us in Luke’s rendition of the same Olivet warning that we’ve been looking at.
Luke 21:
8 “Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go ye not therefore after them.”
Jesus says that we are not to follow them any longer.
Supporting them; staying with them, are not viable options any longer.
I was asked the other day if it was okay to go to services with them because there is no other big organization to attend with.
Let’s analyze that question.
You know about their excesses and where they are taking the church brethren.
If you go to their Sabbath services and their feasts – you are showing everyone else that by your presence you support their agenda – of no doctrine.
You further their cause with your tithes and offerings.
You sing in their choir and you support their women’s clubs – all substitutes for real Christianity.
Your friends look at you and say it must be okay.
You are promoting their agenda to further deceive the brethren.
They do not have your good example of being holy and separate and holding the doctrine of God.
If you weren’t there at their Sabbath services, they might examine the circumstances – they might question the motives of church administration, but by your presence, you aid their cause.
Jesus preserved a lot of the history of the trials His Church brethren went through for us so that we would have our eyes wide open when our time of trial came.
Simon Magus – wanted the power and control of the people.
Diotrephes – how many brethren did they dupe, hoodwink, seduce?
Alexander the coppersmith.
Ananias and Sapphira – lots of bad eggs that God’s people had to contend with.
Of course, we say – “I’d never have followed Diotrephes who did not follow true doctrine.”
Jesus Christ warned us that today – in these last days – there would be plenty of false preachers, hirelings, wolves…
95% of what they say sounds so right on – but it is tempered with the mortar of false doctrine. It will cost you your life.
These interlopers, these impostors, these intruders got into positions of power, authority and influence – they were most often loved my many of the brethren – and yet, they were downright evil people.
Here’s the big question:
What are we going to do about the trouble in the church?
What are we to do about this Head Man in sheep’s clothing who has produced bad fruit for 20 years from his positions of authority in God’s Church?
Perhaps your local minister is trying to feed you good spiritual food. But he is facing a dilemma and a decision – isn’t he?
Why a dilemma, because he is ultimately supporting an administrative regime whose purpose is to deceive many brethren.
Brethren, your local minister is in serious need of your encouragement and your prayers to do the right and correct stand. He must take a stand for God’s way of truth.
I’ve had ministerial friends who have run into this problem. They think that they can lay-low and teach the truth and not get caught up in the false teachings.
Brethren, it does not work that way
because those ministers are supporting the administration’s policies by their
very presence – and by not speaking out against the falsehoods. They are
required to speak righteous words.
We’ve had this discussion before:
Remember when I told you about the last discussion that I had with Worldwide
Church of God evangelist, Dr. Herman Hoeh.
I had been fired and disfellowshipped
from Worldwide, but Dr. Hoeh remained in Worldwide.
He was eager to maintain
communications because he admitted that the Tkaches were teaching false
doctrine.
I asked Dr. Hoeh this question. “Is
it better to remain where false doctrine is being taught – ostensibly to help a
few brethren who were fearful to escape the heresy – or, Dr. Hoeh, should you
leave Worldwide and demonstrate to everyone that Worldwide has become a
dangerous heretical organization?
Dr. Hoeh responded that he was
studying on the subject – but, brethren – he stayed on to the end in Worldwide.
And I submit to you brethren, that Dr.
Hoeh chose incorrectly and demonstrated to many that it was okay
to stay in a decadent organization where the brethren were being deceived.
He should have been a part of the
solution – and not be a part of the problem.
So here we are. The new Top Guy is at
the helm – progressively ushering in another gospel – which is no gospel at all.
Galatians 1:
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of
Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another [gospel], [the Greek shows that it is altogether
something different]; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ.
Brethren this has happened before:
If it were Simon Magus or Diotrephes
what would you do?
Should he be helped by you? Should he
be supported? Should he be encouraged? Should he be aided in his
cause to deceive the brethren into thinking less and less of Biblical
doctrine?
Those who change doctrine do not care
that they are dividing families, friends and loved ones.
Hardly a year goes by that some of
those with whom we attended the last Feast of Tabernacles are gone away.
Now I understand that this is putting
a lot of local ministers in a hard place – because their Head Man is doctrinally
off base – and abuses the brethren.
The local ministers say, “I’ll just
keep my job and keep my mouth shut and my head down - and continue to teach
the truth.
Let me ask you a question – when your
Head Man is deceiving the brethren – isn’t your presence at his services tacit
approval of his antics? Yes it is, and that is wrong.
On what Scriptural basis would God
allow a man to continue to support the overall invalid organization and its
designs?
There is duplicity in this kind of
reasoning – at least according to Jesus Christ. There is a degree of hypocrisy
and deceit in that kind of thinking because they themselves have exactly the
same attitude toward Christ as their ancestors did toward the prophets.
Jesus says that you cannot have it
both ways. And I want you to notice Christ’s perspective on this matter –
because Jesus does not cut them one inch of slack.
Luke 11:
47 Woe unto you [Pharisees]! For ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them.
Building the sepulchers of the
prophets doesn’t sound like such a terrible thing – what is Jesus saying,
Jesus is saying that the Pharisees
were complicit in wrongdoing by going along with their father’s sins. In just a
few moments we will see the Old Testament edict in Leviticus 5 that Jesus based
this condemnation upon.
The Pharisees should have disavowed
and renounced their father’s deeds. But by continuing on in the same vein –
they were just as guilty as their fathers.
Luke 11:
48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they
indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers.
Jesus concludes by telling the
Pharisees that they did not accept the truth and that they prevented others from
knowing the truth.
Luke 11:
52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered
not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
We read in:
Matthew at 24:
12 Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Loving our brother according to the
law of God is not a “take it or leave it” proposition – we are our brother’s
keeper.
What is a Christian to do if a
friend or a local minister continues to support a headquarters regime
that has begun to water-down the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and deceive the
brethren?
Once the head of an organization
deviates from Christ’s doctrine – the entire organization has been taken off
course.
What is our responsibility to the true
brethren who are being deceived?
What is the right thing to do?
Psalm 119:
172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy Commandments are righteousness.
How do we speak righteousness in a situation like this?
We are told in Leviticus 5:1
that when we become aware of a sinful situation like this – we must speak up – or else we will bear the iniquity – and be as guilty as those who are deceiving the brethren.
Leviticus 5:
1 If a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath
seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.
The new Head Guy and the Local Man who helped formulate this insidious philosophy said, “Not so,” to Leviticus 5:1.
They say that when your brother is wrong and you know the truth that it is divisive to “straighten him out.”
Galatians 6:
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
James 5:
20 Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Look around at Church services and say the words of Jesus Christ to yourself: “Many are being deceived.”
We cannot aid and abet those who are bringing in this devious deception. If we encourage and facilitate the perpetrator of this insidious philosophy we shall also bear his iniquity.
Here’s a red flag warning: Instead of returning to the Lord and His basic Christian doctrine, the confused members are being directed back into the same wrong mind-set that does not primarily look to God and His unifying way.
God’s people deserve better than that – they should demand better than that kind of lackadaisical performance of leadership.
Brethren, you are the Church of God. God knows what is going on. He is guiding directing the issues we are facing. We need not be fearful.
How will the Book of Acts be concluded? Let’s look at the Big Picture here:
Acts 28:
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him…
The book of Acts is not yet complete – it stops right in the middle of a thought – Paul is working and no one is stopping him from doing so.
What else is going to be added by Jesus Christ to the Book of Acts when he returns?
Do you suppose He will mention some of the trials the Church brethren have gone through in ages past – expounding on some of the stories we have glimpses of in Revelation 2 and 3?
We are important to God.
This is the right and proper way you are to think of yourself.
Sadly, many live in intimidation and even fear that they are some Pastor’s chattel, belongings, peon or bondservant.
How will the Book of Acts be concluded?
Do you suppose that Jesus Christ will mention the greatest outpouring of His Gospel to all the world in 2000 years that we have witnessed and been a part of? And how rapidly and easily it went into abject apostasy?
Do you suppose that any of the battles to preserve the truth of God in these last days by faithful brethren will be worthy of honorable mention in the Book of Acts? I do.
We see the trials right before us – we have the solutions as well.
Br strong in the Lord – take a stand. Jesus will be with you.
Brethren, do not fear those men in “high places.” Do not fear corporate organizations… Sure, they can kill our body – but we are standing for Jesus Christ.
Luke 12:
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
We will be in the Kingdom of God.
God is seeking those who will take a stand for Him.
We want to walk with Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Stand against this insidious philosophy.
Isaiah 30:
21 … This is the way, walk ye in it.
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