{Pardon my French in regards to my mood.} But here they go again--some pious witchhunter from Minnesota sent an email letter to my denominations Lead Pastors (at least in Illinois) slaming Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church Model, Bill Hybels and others...blah, blah, blah.
I have resigned to the fact that these "we are only ones right and everybody else is wrong" type Christians will be with us until Jesus comes. Even when they die there seems to be new ones popping up all the time! Earl Crepes calls these sicko's "erasers" in his excellent book, Off-Road Disciplines. He calls them this because "they wipe away anything we accomplish with our own lives."
Also, two minister friends of mine have recently co-authored a book titled The Jesus Sensitive Church--one has never been a Lead Pastor and the other one is relatively new at it. For years he traveled full time and like the majority of intinerants they are both experts at what is wrong with the church and what the church needs. I haven't read the book yet because I know it will just make me mad--one of my associate pastors has read part of it and he says, "it will tick you off!"
The sicko from Minnesota I do not know but the two brothers bashing what God is doing I have known for many years. It is so easy for any of us to cross over to the Dark Side. It grieves me to know they have crossed over to the Dark Side. I know I have done it too but I certainly hope I can avoid it in the latter part of my life and ministry.
"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out." Proverbs. 20:5 NKJV
"Someone's thoughts may be as deep as the ocean, but if you are smart, you will discover them." Proverbs 20:5 CEV
"Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man? The righteous man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him" Proverbs 20:6-7 NKJV
Will a faithful and just person walk on the dark side? Obvious answer is 'no.' Yet, there are those who proclaim their own goodness as verse 6 says and the truth is, they are on the dark side—their speech betrays them.
There are those, especially among the Pentecostal ranks who live on the dark side—their lives and words are absolutely negative. One of the things about us Pentecostals, that really bugs me—unless you have friends outside of Pentecost who will be honest with you, you will never see this—
-There are those in our ranks that act very spiritual and generally have a 'prophets complex' but in reality they are not persons of understanding. In fact, often after someone has had a season of success and blessing it seems they move towards the dark side.
Illus: Give you some examples of what I mean: [a] Email from James Sundquist, Director of Rock Salt Publishing and, [b] Charisma article by Steve Hill
This has always been around:
[a] Small groups are leading the church astray.
[b] Different translations have watered down the gospel.
[c] Having prayer meetings with non-Pentecostals is compromise.
[d] Psychology and psycho-therapy is evil and …
[e] Too much education will cause you to lose your fire.
[f] Leaving out Hymns will cause our theology to be shallow.
TS: Here is my response to this kind of stuff:
1. It is hyper-spiritual, which is evidence of huge pride! "He gives more grace…. " James 4:6-8 And what comes before a fall? Pride!
2. It is overly critical—it is really a critical spirit manifested under the guise of spirituality. That is what we call narcissism, which means you see everybody else's weakness but cannot see your own!
-This is the way the Pharisee's were! I have a new scripture, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday…and so are the Pharisees!"
-Full of half-truths and things they believe are true that are not the case.
(i.e.) Rick Warren does not preach repentance! Stupid!
3. It is divisive in nature. Ephesians 4:31-32 LB "Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ."
-What I have noticed is that usually the higher you go in the food change the more positive people are. Reasons why some people never get ahead!
Illus: Just came back from a week at SPN with Jack Hayford! He had nothing bad to say about anybody!!! Everybody is his friend!
4. It borders on witch hunting. We have not been called to hunt witches! Usually these types of people become paranoid and see a witch in every bush. Especially if you are successful and God blesses your ministry the dark side prophets think you are doing something wrong or leaving something out.
-Whether we agree with someone methods or not doesn't mean they are preaching a false gospel. Illus: My son called me. One TV guy bashing Rick Warren's book and the very next week the guy's son bashing the opening of a new church that had 30,000!
-Listen to what Paul said in Phil. 1:15-18 "Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will (continue to) rejoice."
5. It totally ignores the ministry of encouragement. Barnabas and Saul in Acts 9:26-30! Dark side guys in this text were afraid/did not trust him.
-These Dark Side Prophets throw out the baby with the bath water.
"Let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help each other with encouraging words don't drag them down by finding fault." Romans 14:19 Message
-Amazing amount of verses that tell us we should encourage one another:
-Heb.3: 13 "but exhort (encourage) one another daily while it is called 'Today.' Lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." NKJV Want you to know encouragement is a weapon in spiritual warfare. We build up what the enemy tries to tear down!
+Some ways we can encourage one another:
A. Give words of affirmation & praise. This is not flattery—you are just acknowledging some godliness you see in someone else.
"I enjoy being with you, it motivates me to spend more time alone with…"
B. Express appreciation. When people express their love & appreciation it builds our own worth and value.
-Thank you for the time you spent preparing that meal… in preparing that lesson! THANK YOU two words that spell power!
C. We can express encouragement thru a caring touch. Not use it as an opportunity for the flesh! Sometimes all that is needed for someone to be encouraged is…. Illus: Clare Doan's mom.
-Discouragement is a tool of the devil and we can defeat with this weapon of warfare—encouragement.
Concl: There seems to be three groups that go down this road to the Dark Side: [a] Young men/women who have a heart for God seemed to often be influenced by these Dark Side Prophets.
-I will warn you that once you go down that road it is hard to turn around.
-All you see is bad – it is easier to be negative than positive!
[b] And there seems to be those who get frustrated for whatever reason and they…
[c] Then there are those who have had good ministries but something happens in their latter days and they develop this 'prophet mentality' that their calling is to protect the faith. What a way to be
remembered! {Sic}
Applic: Articles by Keith Green and Bill Gothard (who is bit like this, sad huh?)
-So what can you do to avoid the Dark Side?
a. Make sure you understand the Ministry of Encouragement.
b. Pray to be used in this great gift!
Bonus: #7. Of course there are times we confront because of our love.
"…If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" Galatians 6:1 NIV
-I am not advocating we just accept and affirm everything and everybody just as they are. When wrong is done, we have to …
Insight: We will all error and I chose to error on the side of GRACE!
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