THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET
DO YOU HEAR HIM CALLING
GOD’S WORD VERSES THE TEACHINGS IN TODAY’S CHURCHES
By Pastor Thomas Boris Kingdom Life Chapel
HEBREWS 13:8 JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER.
Before we can address the issues such as the economy, sicknesses and other diseases, abortions, gay marriages, ordaining homosexuals as pastors and the Presbyterian church of America has instructed its pastors to marry homosexuals which has been a practice in the Methodist churches today, etc., we must first address the issues currently in today’s churches. Jesus Himself said that judgment (or correction) will begin in the churches. We cannot deal with items concerning the flesh (or natural issues) outside the church until we deal with items concerning the Spirit. 3rd John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. The interpretation is this. If our Spiritual life does not follow the Word of God, then we cannot expect to receive the blessings that God has promised us, as individuals, the church, or as a nation.
REMEMBER THESE TWO WORDS “JUST AS”
These are the words God spoke when giving instructions concerning the building of the Ark and the Temples of worship. These same words apply to the building of His Church today. Similar too or close too does not count. The Ark would not have floated, the Temples would not have been a dwelling place for the presence of God, and today’s Church will not stand or have the power to change the moral direction of our cities and nation if it is not built “JUST AS” He commanded.
First, let’s start with all of the different denominations! Have you ever given this a thought? If you are like most, it probably never crossed your mind. Prayerfully the TRUMPET will cause you to ask yourself why this is so, if there is only one Bible. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? 1st Corinthians 1:10-13 Now I exhort you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” and “I am of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Is this not what we hear today from people who say they are Christians? Oh I’m a Catholic! I’m a Methodist! I’m a Presbyterian! I’m a Baptist! I’m of the Assemblies of God, Etc.! Were any of these religions crucified for you? What about when you hear people say, I’m of Calvin or Wesley or Luther? Were any of these so called church fathers crucified for you or were you baptized in their names? Read Acts 6:1-7!! Are we dividing Jesus Christ today? We are if, we believe John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. You cannot have a divided word (or doctrine) and not divide Christ! Finally, but not all of the scriptures concerning multiple Denominations; Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he writes: Galatians 1:6-10 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another, only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an Angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still striving to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Whose favor are we seeking today???
These are just a few of the scriptures concerning a divided church. I believe that it was never God’s intent to have freedom of religion as was written in the constitution of the U.S.A. Although, I believe that Jesus gave us a choice between Himself and any religion we desire to serve. Remember, before Jesus came to earth to remind man of this, there was already freedom of religion. It started when Moses was still on the mountain receiving God’s constitution that would be established here on earth for the believers until Jesus’s final return to set up His Kingdom. While Moses was still on the mountain with God, people were already establishing their own religions. Centuries later when Jesus came to earth, they were called the Sadducees, the Pharisees, Hellenistic Jews, etc. Today we are called Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, and too many more to name; each of these having their own set of by-laws, articles of Faith, and constitutions. Having said this, today’s religion shows it’s lack of knowledge of the word of God as spoken in Hosea 4:6. Remember, Christianity is not a democracy were we vote on the scriptures that we like or dislike. We cannot amend God’s By-Laws, Articles of Faith, or Constitution. As Christians, we know that Christianity is a Theocracy where we have no right to add to or take away from the word of God!!! We either except it as written and gain eternal life or reject it and receive eternal damnation. This is biblical freedom of religion!
I do not want to sound judgmental, but we as so called Christians are just like the Senators and Representatives in Washington. Not long ago they passed a stimulus package and a health care package without even reading what is in the packages. Thanks to our great leaders in Washington. Most of us are in an uproar because of what is being done. What will this cost you and me and our children?? Remember, we are responsible for these men and women in office, and are just as responsible for the qualifications of the leadership in our churches. Paul warned young Timothy in his second letter to him, about how people would elect their church leadership. Here is what he wrote in 2nd Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
As Christians, we are responsible to read the word of God daily (the Bible). 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. You and I cannot accurately handle God’s word unless we read the word. What will this lack of daily reading cost you and me and our children?? Here is what the word says! Hosea 4:6-7 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priests. Since you have forgotten the Law of your God, (the word of God) I will forget your children. The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me.
People (including Christians) are gathering at tea parties and town hall meetings to protest and question government officials on issues such as health care, taxes, high spending, future debt, etc. These issues are very important and critical to our future and the future of our children. However, I do not see people protesting and questioning why there are so many different DENOMINATIONS (OR DOCTRINES). This and other issues in the Churches are of much greater importance and need to be resolved if we as believers are to have an impact for Jesus in our cities and all over the world. WAKE UP CHURCH!! Remember, Jesus cleaned up the Churches before He entered Jerusalem and He is about to do it again before He returns for His bride (the church).As you and I are urging our congressmen to read all the material before they make their decision, I urge you to read Gods word before making your decision!
Secondly, we will address church leadership qualifications according to Gods word, always remembering the two words God spoke when building the ARK, the TEMPLES and TODAYS CHURCHES. They are “JUST AS”!! So how are we to build God’s Church Today? As instructed by God in Ephesians 4:10-11 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things. And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers. This is God’s blue print (or plan) for the leadership and structure in HIS CHURCH. What is God’s purpose for His plan and how long should we keep this plan in God’s church? Some churches say it is not for today! What does God say? Ephesians 4:12-14 (Purpose) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (we are still being equipped for service in His body) Vs. 13 (How long) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, (meaning unity in His word & not unity of denominations) and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (I personally do not believe we have arrived at this point. Do you? And because we have not followed God’s plan “JUST AS”, we find ourselves “NOT” fulfilling Vs.14) As a result, we are no longer to be children tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; So we find ourselves tossed here and there (confused by the many waves of doctrines or denominations although we will not admit it). Where are the apostles and prophets in the churches today? Man has eliminated the apostle and prophet in most churches. Ephesians 2:19-22 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, (THE VERY ONES THE CHURCHES HAVE DISCARDED) Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built up together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. What did we do in exchange of these ministries? KEEP IN MIND JUST AS!!
Man added the “pope which is not found anywhere in the bible. What about calling a man in leadership “father” or “reverend”? Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. Also Jesus Himself said no!! Matthew 23:6-13 (addressing leadership as father) They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues (or churches) and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi (or reverend or Father) by men. In verses 8-12, Jesus instructs His disciples (including us today) But do not be called Rabbi; for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for one is your leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. “But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, (meaning false teachers) because you shut off the Kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Luke 18:18-19 (addressing leadership as reverend or good) A ruler questioned Him, saying” Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. The title of “reverend” is not even found in the bible! We are to show respect for one another and those whom God has called into His ministry. Has man followed God’s plan “JUST AS INSTRUCTED?”
What about the office of the Pastor. The Greek word for pastor is (poimen) which is grammatically masculine in gender. That alone should be enough proof that a woman is not called to the office of either a pastor or apostle (apostolos) which is also masculine in gender. It is interesting to note that these two ministries that are given to the church are the only ministries that do not have a feminine equivalent gender. In the ministry of a pastor, God became very specific. In fact, out of the fivefold ministry, this is the only one He gives a specific plan. Not that the others are not as important, but He knew man would really mess this one up. We will address this in a future edition of the TRUMPET. Look at His blue print in 1st Timothy 3:1-7 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, (KJV BISHOP OR PASTOR) it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife (not one at a time) temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not an addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well; keeping his children under control with dignity, (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Also read Titus 1:6-9. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon, or a theologian to understand GODS plan. I have not found homosexuals, divorced men, reverends, women, pope, fathers, etc. in God’s blue print for a pastor. Have you? Amazing what man can do with God’s plans!! Now you decide!! “JUST AS INSTRUCTED”
We have churches (certain denominations) ordaining homosexuals as pastors and priests and think God will not judge them accordingly. The sin of homosexuality as any sin grieves God. However, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, because of their life style which the word of God describes as very grave. And remember this, they were not even proclaiming to be priests or even believers in God. “Today we ordain them in ministry”. This is one of the reasons Jesus said in Matt 11:24 etc. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment than for you. (Please read Genesis chapter 18:20 thru chapter 19:28). 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals (Genesis 18:20 GOD DESCRIBES THIS AS A VERY GRAVE SIN!) nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God. Such were some of you; (meaning that we were some of the above mentioned) but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in the SPIRIT OF OUR LORD. (Meaning we repented, turned away from our sin, washed in the blood of Jesus, were baptized by emersion in the name of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Born Again), then we can be used in God’s ministry. Remember the apostle Paul, he took part in murdering believers before he repented, but after his conversion Jesus used him to write most of the epistles in the New Testament. He can do the same for us today!
God does not hate any sinner including adulterers, thieves, drunkards, swindlers, homosexuals, etc. nor should we. 1st John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. However God does hate sin! As well should all believers!! Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. But if you repent, turn away from the sin, you can find Salvation in Christ Jesus! Click on FOUNDATION TEACHINGS to see our study on repentance from dead works and what sin is and how do become BORN AGAIN.
JUDGEMENT WILL BEGIN IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!!!
1st PETER 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST IS BOTH LORD AND KING!!!
JESUS HAS RESERVED A PLACE FOR YOU IN HIS FATHERS KINGDOM! CLICK ON THE FOUNDATION STUDY ICON TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO BECOME BORN AGAIN.
