You cannot talk about Anglicanism’s (Church of England) without talking about its spiritual problems. To be frank, the church is slowly disappearing. While the Roman Catholic Church is in the same disarray, Anglicanism is worse.
Comments on Recovering from Churches that abuse #5 I Comment on Chapter 3 Churches that abuse Exiting them.
Commentary about Enroth, R. – Recovering from Churches that Abuse
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Study on the False Prophets of 2 Peter 2:1 is a commentary on this verse, examining false prophets.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
The first point we need to make is the existence of false prophets. They exist. Jesus planted this central truth in Matthew 7, and Peter-s words echo that same passage. The idea is that there are people who wish and work harm for the people of God, as well as the general population. They are labeled “false prophets,” which are people (prophets which are spokesmen for God,) yet they are not true in their representation of themselves. They do not speak or represent the truth of God, nor the messages of God.
“Also” in this verse indicates that Peter is making a contrast. There are good spokesmen for God among the people of God, but there are “also” evil workers hiding amongst the people of God.
Secondly, these false prophets are among the people. They are among us, very close and dangerous to us. Yet they deliberately disguise themselves and their work so that they appear to just be normal “good” people, or worse, disguised as being God’s prophets.
Zechariah 13:4 refers to the Old Testament false prophets as wearing “a rough garment to deceive“, identifying with the sacrifice of a prophet when it is not true in their own lives. Paul conveys the same concept in Galatians 2:4, “false brethren brought in unawares.” Jude also conveys this deception of the false prophet in Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. This point reveals the truth about these people, while pretending to be good Christians, experts at understanding God, the principles of God, and the message of God, i.e. the Bible, they are not any of that. Peter compares these with the same type of situation in the Old Testament when there were present among the nation of Israel false prophets that tried to pull the heart and devotion of the nation after others gods.
We should compare the biblical warning for these with the same false prophet warnings in the Old Testament.
Ahab (1 Kings 22:12 “And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.”), or Isaiah (Isaiah 9:15 “The ancient and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet that teaches lies, he is the tail.), Isaiah 28:7 “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”), or Jeremiah (Jeremiah 14:14 “Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their heart.”); Jeremiah 27:10 “For they prophesy a lie to you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and you should perish.”), or Ezekiel (Ezekiel 13:3 “Thus said the Lord GOD; Woe to the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!”), or Zechariah (Zechariah 13:4 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he has prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:”), or to those who in his own time had deceived the “people” (the distinctive term for “Israel”) in Jerusalem. The warnings against false prophets in our Lord’s discourses (Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?”); Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.“), and the like warnings in 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.“), (Cambridge Bible School and Colleges Commentary on 2 Peter 2:1)
“False prophets” mainly refers to a prophet (person presenting themselves as speaking for God) who do not have a divine commission to do so nor do they have the correct message of God, rather a heresy. Heresy comes from the idea of causing or augmenting a division between people. True doctrine unites people into one under God’s authority and direction. They get along together among themselves because all seek God’s will. The teaching that these false prophets do cause people to exalt their own opinions and points of view to dominate over others, causing this division or heresy.
Thirdly, Peter switches from prophet or God´s spokesmen to identifying them as teachers. Their activity is identified as convincing the people of “damnable heresies.” They “spoke”. This is set in contrast to the true prophet of God who spoke as he was moved by the Spirit of God. That activity can only happen when the true prophet has a correct and healthy relationship with God. There is a very real and strong power when a message speaks in representation of a great authority. This power and speech, or message from the authority, has to be attended to with respect and analysis. The people have to understand the message because there are always directives for them personally. All of these reinforces the accompanying power and sway over the people that the message from the authority carries.
But these false prophets have no such relationship with God, but desire the power over the people as a true prophet. Herein lies their great danger to the people. The people listen to and obey what the false prophets are speaking when it is not the will of God. But the key here is that the false prophets’ message, these damnable heresies, also do not convey the proper and true moral character of God.
Moreover, we need to carefully distinguish the false prophet from the prophet who makes a mistake. In the latter case, the prophet may be an actual man of God, called legitimately into the ministry of speaking for God. Sometimes these ministers make mistakes. But Peter is not referring to this. Peter is referring to a person not called of God, who does not understand nor represent in his word the actual message of God. He is a fake, a fraud. A hypocrite, someone who pretends to be what he is not in actuality.
A “heresy” originally meant a choice. This is a group, party, or thinking to which people align themselves with that thing to promote. We see this use in that of the “sect of the Sadducees” Acts 15:5 and of the Pharisees in Acts 24:5. (See also Acts 5:17; 26:5; 28:22; 1 Corinthians 11:19)There is a strong idea in this word of a person’s strong will towards something. He is “willful.” Paul uses the concept in Titus 3:10 “a man that is a heretic.” The word for Lord here in 2 Peter is δεσπότης, which has the idea of person who has the rule over others. The willful person is in rebellion to that lawful authority, and this describes the heretic, the false prophet.
Notice the contrast. The false prophet BOTH wants to influence the people of God and negate other prophets of God who preach and teach truth. They want to somehow cause the people of God to despise and reject good teachers and insert themselves in their place. The false prophet does not have sound doctrine nor the calling of God, and so he does this in an illegitimate manner.
Many Christians misunderstand the spiritual battle that they are waging. They think that they have to obey God’s will, which to them, they see no real reason in that will except that God is the boss, and if they obey, then God will after the fact bless them, and if they disobey then after the fact God will punish them. This is an error, a misunderstanding. The will of God has within itself the blessing of God. Also, to not obey God’s will has within that position a curse, something that harms that person both spiritually (separation from the God of all blessing) and physically. God can, does, and will make royal judgments on judgment day, but within righteousness there is inherent blessing in real time, and within sin there is inherent harm in real time. Then there is the judgment of God at the end. Heresy, division or schism, has inherent damage to the people involved in real time. Moreover, that unbiblical separation causes loss to other people because they are not benefitted by that communion or unity that God wants, which is God’s will. That judgment will come on judgment day, while the immediate harm is to the person causing the schism or division.
These heresies are brought in “privily”, in a hidden and deceptive way. Their message was tainted as being not a true message of God, and the method in which they promoted said tainted message was in a way that was deceptive. The open and right way to present a message from God is to compare that message with the person of God. Seeing the moral character of God first, and then understanding that we are to imitate God is the only correct way to present a message from God. Equally involved and important within their process of giving a message from God is that the Word of God (the Bible) has to be a central point of revelation and understanding in this message.
These heresies are furthermore identified as “denying the Lord that bought them.” The point here is very simple. Our Savior has particular moral character traits that identify the Savior (the correct word here is our Messiah or Christ). What the net effect of these false prophet teachers is to cause sin in the people, improper moral character, which doesn’t represent the moral character of God, and specifically of the Savior.
Peter then proceeds to speak of their condemnation by God, “their destruction.” Both their teachings (heresies) and their destiny are aimed at destruction of the human soul.
False Prophets Are Proud Arrogant describes the character of pride in the false prophet, which is the opposite of the character of Jesus.
Just as Satan is proud and arrogant, the false prophet follows in Satan’s footsteps. Nobody is greater or more glorious than God. Yet Satan presumed to present himself as equal or superior to God. This arrogance of heart against God is easily seen in how the false prophet understands himself in comparison to other people.
Version 2 – I have added more material to this post. 5/14/2025
False Prophets Worship Another God. He wants to steal our worship and obedience from the true God to any other god.
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False Prophets Produce Bad Fruit which is a contrast to the Holy Spirit indwelling Christian who produces good spiritual fruit.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Their Goals and Interest are in
>Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
The unsaved soul is marked by these three priorities in life: cares, riches, and pleasures.
A care is something that probably should be done, an obligation, say like work. But the unsaved places a priority on these errands and tasks that make them more important that their spiritual relationship with God. God does not ask for us to be daily in church worshipping Him for 18 hours a day. God has set the norm of a single day devoted to worshipping God usually for a few 3 or 4 hours at most. But the unsaved makes it a priority to visit family, wash the car, or do other “essential things” on Sunday. Saturday is used for his pleasure, which is the last of these three mentions.
Riches are money and things of high value. People really don’t eat gold and silver, coins and bills. There is a symbolism in riches that it can provide you with your desires. Riches can make you happy, a temporary feeling. But only God and the spiritual can give you joy that cannot be taken away from you or diminished throughout eternity. While riches are warned against in the Bible that they can become your God (Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mat. 6:19-21; Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:9-11), every Christian needs money and uses money to live. There is a big difference between the two.
Pleasures are good experiences. While there is nothing wrong with having good experiences, pleasures take on a similar false god image like riches. People seek pleasure, and while it is not wrong to relax and be refreshed, the making of pleasures into your god is idolatry.
The Good Fruit of Galatians 5:22-23
>Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
This spiritual characteristics of a saved person are a direct fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit within the person. There is a composite concept of these fruits, because while Paul mentions 9, there are other verses that add to that list. A Christian person has spiritual fruit. This fruit has it satanic counterpart in each case. For example, meekness is a self-humbling to want to not call attention to one’s own self. But the unsaved person will feign a humble spirit to trick and deceive others into thinking good of him, and falling into some trap he has in mind.
More verses on spiritual fruit: Mat 3:8; Luk 3:8 the fruit of repentance, Rom 6:22 fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, 2 Cor 9:10 fruits of your righteousness, Eph 5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, Titus 3:14 fruit of good works, Heb 12:11; James 3:18 fruit of righteousness, and Heb13:15 fruit of our lips (praise and thanksgiving).
Ye shall know them by their fruits Matthew 7:16-20; 12:33; Jn 15:2-8.
>Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
>Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
But the final analysis of the life and ministry of a false prophet is simply that good spiritual fruit is not found in him, nor really in his followers. The good fruit seems not to be what their focus is on. The false prophet moves the biblical focus on wanting spiritual fruit like Galatians 5:22-23 to religious activity. Again he substitutes other things which he proclaims are spiritual fruit, but lives morally changed to show forth Jesus Christ in them doesn’t really happen as a focus in the ministry of a false prophet. Moral change is really not what the false prophet wants. He wants sacrifice by his members, dedication to his ministry and him (the false prophet), and intense religious activity.
A mark for discerning the false prophet is the spiritual damage they do to others, “their fruit”. We must insist that religious activity is not the same as doing God’s will. Ceremony is also not the same as following God’s will with sincerity from the heart.
A false prophet defends himself before God in three proposed evidences of his “_good minister of God status_” (Mat 7:20-23):
(1) his ability to prophesy, (preach)
(2) his power over powers of evil, and
(3) his work of miracles and great events.
Many in our day want to validate their ministries in a similar fashion. They insist that they are true men of God, exalted ministers of the Highest God, because they have their distinct insight into the mind of God, because their power over demons and evil powers, and most certainly because they impress with what they have done for God, miracles, great works, etc. It is important to note that Jesus in no way tried to contradict what they presented. Perhaps their bragging had some validation in that something notable was on some level accomplished as they claimed.
Ye shall know them by their fruits
>Matthew 7:15-24 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Jesus said in Matthew 7 that by their fruits ye shall know them. The true man of God seeks to produce, and does produce, spiritual fruits of a good nature in God’s sight. This good fruit has a definite description in Scripture.
The Good Fruit of Matthew 13
>Matthew 13:1-23 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Matthew 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Matthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Matthew 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matthew 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Bad Fruit of Matthew 13
Despising the Word of God
>Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Although this parable is not speaking directly about false prophets, but about people in general and their response to salvation, we need to remember that the false prophet is unsaved. There is a big difference between a false prophet who rejects the authority of God as seen and focused on by the Word of God, and a believer in the ministry who makes a mistake. The difference can be almost impossible to discern, but the believer will respond to God’s Word when it is made clear that what he teaches, says or does, or even his attitude is against what God commands us. A Christian will change (moral change), and the false prophet will cover his sin, lie, and get revenge usually.
But the unsaved person despises the Word of God. In general, they see it as an attack or assault on their sinful lifestyle, and they are negate to change. This is highly echoed in the life and attitude of a false prophet.
Lack of Conviction, no Deep Convictions
>Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
As with the unsaved person, the false prophet follows the path of easy. They are not given to really hard moral work IN THEMSELVES, yet they will go to great extremes to push their followers to do exactly that.
>Luke 11:46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
>Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
While we as Christians should not hesitate to work hard for our Lord, there is a contrast to be seen here. A two-tier system where the leadership has things rather easy as a rule, and the layperson under that ministry bears an awful burden in doing all that the leadership demands of their members. This contrast is easily seen.
There seems to be no better distinguishing element to see true conviction versus lip service than tribulation and persecution. The false prophet boasts mightily when he parades in front of his people, but when persecution comes, he folds easily at the first hint of real persecution. Usually, he will throw his followers into the persecution but he himself will stay out of it.
>John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The difference between the good shepherd and the hireling is the commitment of the good shepherd. He interposes himself between danger and his charge. He sacrifices his own safety, security, and well-being to defend his sheep. While a hireling is not necessarily a false prophet, a hireling is somebody standing in for a good shepherd for a short temporary situation, while the prophet does something he needs to do away from the sheep.
But the distinction of Jesus as our good shepherd is seen by his suffering and dying on the cross. The sacrifice of our Good Pastor yields good spiritual fruit.
Note that all fruit rots once it is separated from the vine or tree for some time. That reminds us that as ministers and as laymen, we only produce good spiritual fruit to the extent that we remain in Christ. When you see a spiritual leader that doesn’t imitate Jesus Christ, get away from him as fast as you can. His rottenness will harm you spiritually. No other outcome can be possible.
Contrast of a False Prophet and a Pastor gives an overview of what distinguishes one from the other, for discerning Christians.
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http://watchmanforjesus.blogspot.mx/2010/05/why-i-can-no-longer-endorse-any-of.html
Notes from webmaster David Cox
He was a house church pastor that started that movement in China. During his life, he spent many years in prison. That is nothing to gloss over as insignificant. It is my understanding that none of his works have survived.
I say that to make the point that everything we now have “as being a work by Watchman Nee” is actually notes taken from his followers, and mostly through his follower, Witness Lee. So there is doubt whether anything original in his handwriting survived. Nothing was printed before he died.
Whatever the relationship was between Watchman Nee and Witness Lee is not something the world will ever know completely. Maybe Witness Lee got it all right, or maybe to continue with the majority of his teachings, Watchman Nee winked at Witness Lee’s errors. So we are talking about “proximity teaching“, that of what a disciple heard from his master. But probably the only valid attitude here is that we accept Lee’s representation of Watchman Nee’s writings as valid. There had to be other followers besides Lee, and none have spoken up complaining about Lee’s take being wrong (at less none I have found). So I don’t know how you can talk definitively about Nee. What really is his teaching?
In Nee’s book on Spiritual Authority, he advocates for submission of the members under the pastor. From what I understand, this includes important areas such as a person’s life vocation and mate. I do not hold to that position. Each Christian should find God’s will for their own life, and good counsel is very important. But in the end, the yes or no decision is in the individual’s hands, not that of his pastor. I have crossed cultists that reference this work as almost “Bible”. It opens the door to mind control by the cultist.
From what I have read from his books, Watchman Nee is exactly in the same group as Jesse Penn-Lewis, E.M. Bounds, etc. of the Holiness movement before tongues. It is highly devotional reading. The problem is to always compare everything you hear and read to Scripture.
New notes from May, 2025 forward. I am reading anew Nee’s work “Spiritual Authority“.
F.P. Examining Leadership Models examines both biblical and worldly leadership models, and what we must insist upon in churches.
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What's the difference between sheep and goats?
Tract: ch28 Difference between sheep and goats? This tract outlines the differences and contrasts between a true Christian (Sheep) from a false Christian (goat).
Sections:There are Christians who do not feed themselves well spiritually speaking. In place of going to a good church with healthy spiritual food, these will feed themselves on anything, but mostly trash. ... The nature of goats is that they like to exalt themselves. It is a classic sight to see a goat with his head high in the air, while sheep have they head bent down feeding....(Goats) are always going head-to-head with everyone, especially with each other, and with any who crosses them... Sheep naturally have a loyalty to a good man of God who faithfully feeds them from the goodness of the Word of God. ... Perhaps the worse mark of a goat is simple his attitude. He is never satisfied with anything. ... The mark of the children of God is their cooperation among themselves, and their spiritual and emotional support for the lives one of another, and their aversion to complaining and conflict within the family of God. They put up with things and take personal loss to keep the peace.Please support our tract ministry by donating on the tract website (see sidebar). Because of your donations, we can offer these tracts online, and for free. Read the Tract ch28 What's the difference between sheep and goats?
evc07 God made the World and the Whole Universe is a study of God our Maker, and how He made things, not by evolution. Topics: Why does it matter so much? | God is greater than us | God imposes our condition on us | We must Obey and Worship Him | How do we worship God? | God created all things | Noah’s Ark | The Evolution and Evolution of God | The Maker of Job.
From the Tract: Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
One conclusion of the statement that "God created the world" is that God is greater than us, which is to say, God is stronger, more powerful, and more wonderful than any human being. We owe God our worship and praise.
Read the Tracts: evc07 God made the World and the Whole Universe
My Tracts on Church Attendance The first and foremost reason to go to church is because God commands us to do so (Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.).
Coming in behind that direct command of God, we go to church in order to worship God Himself. How? Simple. We hear the Word of God actually read and carefully explained, and then we assimilate those principles y exhortations into our personal lives, and that is worship. Without those elements, there is no worship, and there is no success at "going to church." It is fruitless spiritually, and without spiritual benefit to your life, you will get discouraged and stop going, stop being committed to it, and it will ruin your life because you are a hypocrite.
Tracts on Church Attendance
ch22 Pastorless Flocks
ch17 Why do I Attend Church?
ch15 Congregating because we Love
ch14 Finding a good church
ch09 Our One another Relationship
ch43 Time to leave your church?
Also see my article on Getting People to Faithfully Integrate into the Church.
Give a Cup of Water in my Name Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Christians who give even a small cup of water will not lose their reward for doing this. God will not overlook their effort to help others in the work of the Lord. To help others is rewarded by God, especially when you are helping the weak, the small young ones (think new believers), the helpless like widows in the Bible, those who cannot provide for themselves. So, my websites are for these kinds of people. I am providing material that is good sound doctrinal material, fundamentalist, conservative, biblical material.
But what I am doing is in the name of the Lord. I am not trying to get rich, but I am just trying to pay my bills from this ministry. My wife and I have personally supported our internet sites with my sermons, tracts, books, etc. and other good solid works for some 20 years now, paying for everything from our living expenses. We have had donations from some few people, about 3 or 4 a year, mostly under $30. That doesn't even begin to address the hundreds of dollars we pay hosting companies to maintain this ministry. While our downloads from these sites reach 40 gigabytes per month, donations don't seem to be in people's minds.
So even a small $5 donation to help us out will allow you to participate with me in this ministry, and you will receive rewards in eternity also. May God bless you richly in heaven for your generosity in promoting God's work. If you cannot donate anything, that is alright, just say a prayer for this ministry and email me saying that you prayed for us so that we can give thanks for you before the throne of grace. Thank you.
Donate any amount: paypal.com/paypalme/davidcoxmex.
Helpful Tracts for Church Problems Spiritual Watchcare is about church leadership taking spiritual care of the members of their church. Job description, administration, etc.
This study is about what the Bible says to those in the care of spiritual oversight of a local church, and the link here is to tracts for those who are considering different aspects of this.
Select the topics you want to see: (clicking on the links below will open them in another tab in your browser)
Mutch History of Premillennialism is a compilation of papers at a Second Coming Conference in 1885 at a camp meeting in Niagra Indiana. These paper present the thinking and verses supporting an imminent Second Coming in the air, premillennial coming of Christ. Download: Mutch History of Premillennialism
Preaching to Offend no One is an article about frankness in preaching and preaching on things that need to be addressed, but many preachers shy away from these.
Topics: Comments on Brandon Cox's Article | What is the real problem? | A Profile of a Professional Man of God Preacher | Cowards are not going to make it to heaven. | Greed is the Tail that Wags the Dog | Balance
Excerpt: A good professional will do his job, however it inconveniences the people he touches. This is how a preacher who is a man of God will work. He tells his people the truth. Explaining the truth, so everybody understands it, he then motivates them to change their lives. A good preacher obeys God explicitly as much as he understands what God wants.
Preaching is like going to your doctor. A superb doctor examines you, does tests on you, and then he has a summary visit with you where he tells you all the things wrong with you, and how you need to 1) lose weight, 2) stop eating red meat, 3) get more exercise (or begin to exercise because you don't look like you have worked up a sweat since a cop pulled you over for speeding), etc. He tells you the truth, no matter how "offensive" it is.
Read the Article: Preaching to Offend no one.
