Remember those who rule over you, who have proclaimed to you the word of God. Follow their faith, considering the results it has produced in their lives. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Do not be carried away with diverse and strange doctrines. It is a good thing that the heart be strengthened with grace, not with foods, which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. – Hebrews 13:7-9 MEV
In the above passage the writer warns us not to be “carried away” by various and strange doctrines that would draw us away from the Word of God, the teachings of the apostles and our “Master Shepherd,” Jesus Christ. Here we are in 2016 where I am seeing all kinds of weird and strange things happening in the body of Christ that has been permitted and promoted from the pew to the pulpit. Let’s discuss some examples of this, shall we?
Let’s begin with a strange story that comes out of Michigan where a group of pot supporters is gathering and calling themselves “marijuana missionaries” consisting of approximately 50 people gathering on Sundays in South Lansing, Michigan for the debut of a new church called “The First Cannabis Church of Logic and Reason.” The gathering is a kick-off for what organizer Jeremy Hall hopes will become monthly meetings celebrating cannabis’ spiritual properties.
Then we move to the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. who has already has made itself controversial by its stance against Israel, and recently rose eyebrows after lifting up prayers to Allah at its General Assembly meeting recently. The prayers were: “Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path—the path of all prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.” Now could you imagine the apostles approving of this foolishness?
Then I recently shared an article reported by Jennifer Leclaire from Charisma about a church called “Apologia Church” that recently came up with a disturbing way to raise funds for its church plant in Hawaii. In the report, it talked about Marcus Pittman, its leader, offering tattoos and a Bible conference complete with a beer flight, and sampling of beers much like a wine tasting, to pick up some cash for the church plant! Pittman even stated in says in a YouTube video, “So, it’s pretty cool.” As he sees it, the tattoos and beer flights are cooler than a bake sale.
Then we have the recent news of the United Methodists that recently nominated three “Openly Homosexual Candidates” for Bishop despite prohibition from the denomination. The Word of God clearly states that the time would come when many would depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.
Then we have the recent controversy that has stirred from a recent appearance of Mo’nique and her husband in a recent interview on the new program called The Preachers where Mo’Nique was quite open about her open marriage with husband Sidney Hicks, and received a stamp of approval from host and “pastor” Jamal Bryant, who is the pastor and founder of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
And finally, we knew it was coming, but reports nationwide are outlining how purported churches across the country are being pulled in by one of the latest societal crazes: Pokemon Go! And of course, they are using this game to draw or “attract” the masses to their church in hopes of filling the pews! What ever happened to lifting up Jesus and letting him draw all men unto Himself? What we need in this hour is not some attraction and gimmick wrapped in the latest cultural craze to attract the masses to fill the pews. What we need is to re-establish the plumb line and rebuild the altars of repentance, the preaching of the Gospel and the operation of the Holy Spirit to draw men unto repentance and salvation! Are you steadfast in Christ and His Word or have you strayed from the truth and are being carried away by strange and various “New Teachings” and “Doctrines” that are not biblically sound?
2 Timothy 4:3-5: For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths. But be self-controlled in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and prove your ministry.
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