Prayer Journal
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
"I know your needs, your love, your service and perseverance; Nevertheless, I have this against you...." Revelation 2:19,20
When Jesus spoke to the church in Thyatira through John the revelator, He had mixed praise and condemnation for them. He noted their good, but warned of them of impending judgment for the bad they'd done. It seems one church had sound doctrine but also welcomed the teaching of a false prophet from the pulpit, so to speak. Jesus said, "You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants," Jesus said.
The seven churches listed in the first two chapters of Revelation were real churches but the message of our Lord also applies to the church through the ages. All but one of them offered something to praise, but they also did something our Lord condemned. The last one (Laodicea) is having services in the future when Jesus comes to judge sin. Sadly He finds that church no different from the world except they're supposed to love each other and avoid sin.
Today, there's a sad message going out to Christendom from the mouths of people teaching false doctrine. Their doctrine says all pastors are good and only those congregations who follow their pastor without question are good. These teachers fail to understand that accepting a pastorate does not make a person a man of God. Neither does doctrinally correct preaching prove divine calling. In addition, a church's call to a pastor/leader to come lead them isn't necessarily something that God will automatically bless. And a congregation of professing Christians who will run a pastor out of the church for teaching the truth, proves that some churches don't deserve to have a good pastor.
As an incoming freshmen in college, I still remember the uncle of a close friend of mine telling us over his kitchen table that generalization will always get you in trouble. I've remembered his advice from over thirty years ago and try to avoid making that mistake each day I live. All pastors are not good and all church congregations are not bad; neither are all church congregations good and all pastors bad. Only a fool would believe such a thing. What then should we learn from Jesus' warning to the church?
The Bereans heard Paul's teaching, but weighed it against the truth of God's word before accepting his challenge. They also listened to the Thessalonian troublemakers who claimed Paul's teaching was wrong. Because they weighed everything against Scripture, God made it clear through the Spirit who they should accept. They welcomed Paul, but probably wanted the Thessalonian group to leave. (Re: Acts 17:11-15)
Are you, like the Bereans, weighing everything you hear against Scripture? Do you refuse to accept and act on what you believe is false teaching? Have you been misled by such men, who are not only firmly convinced they're telling the truth, but are also supported by reputation and endorsement?
We have a truth detector you know; He name is Holy Spirit and Jesus said He would teach us all things and remind us of everything Jesus said. (John 14:25-27) I hope you aren't letting Him get dusty from lack of use?
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
