Testing....1.....2......3

Just another thought....we should be concious of what people in the church teach us especially pastors and leaders of the church. We shouldn't just drink in everything they say and assume what they teach is correct. Is it not written in 1 John 4:1-6 to 'test the spirits'? In Acts 20:30-31 is written that even in the church, 'men will arise to distort the truth' and we have to be 'on our guard'. If we are not on our guard, someone can come in, preach some heretical teaching and we will fall into it. In my opnion, to make sure eveything that is taught is correct, it should always be tested against the Word of God. We must make an effort to know the scriptures which is the very words of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is truth since God is truth (John 14:6). We must engage our minds every time when a sermon is preached or someone leads a small group session. Let not our minds be idle during this time but actively engage to make sure all that is being taught is in line with scripture. Note that they 'distort the truth'. To recognize these distorted truths, we have to know the scriptures and search them intently.

An example are the Bereans in Acts 17:10-11. Even though they knew Paul was a well-learned person and well-versed in the Scriptures (remember, Paul was a zealous Pharisee who used to study under Gamaliel-one of the most respectable teachers at that time), we read that they 'examined the scriptures everyday to see if what Paul said was true'. Note that they 'received the message with eagerness'. This shows that they listened intently to Paul but they checked the Scriptures themselves to verify Paul's claims. They just didn't drink in what Paul taught but took the glass of water and checked it first if it was safe to drink.

Therefore, we have to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to know the Scriptures and to see through any false or misleading teachings (John 14:26). I am not saying that all the pastors and church leaders teach are wrong. We are just double-checking. :P


Solis Deo Gloria


Ian


PS: Feel free to comment yah...what I said earlier applies to everyone...not only pastors but to everyone who teaches. :)

These are some of the bible verses i used in my 'essay' above:

1 John 4:1-6

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Acts 20:30-31

30Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

2 Timothy 3:16

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Acts 17:10-11

10As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

John 14:26

26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Buildings Galore.......

I was just observing, hearing and thinking and one thing caught my attention; the number of churches building bigger church buildings are increasing. Most of them are spending phenomenal amounts of cash to make the building bigger, more facilities and grander. They say the number of people increasing. How often is the church full? Only on Sundays its at its maximum capacity. What about the other days? Other activities don't use the building until it's bursting at the seams. Futhermore, its full to maximum for only about 2 hours on Sunday. Can't more services be held instead...?
As I continue to ponder this, a portion of Scripture came to my mind. Its from Acts 6:1-7. Its about the election of the seven deacons.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

From here alone we can note that the disciples were 'increasing in number'. There is a previous verse before this that says that their number was being added daily! How bout that? Try that for number! Do we often see new people coming to church? I presume not very often. Futhermore, we read that inspite of this, the apostles paid more attention to the needs of the people. We read that they appointed seven people to help take over the responsibility to distribute money and food. They didn't say, "Our numbers are growing. Lets choose men to lead a collection drive to collect money for a new building" They instead paid attention to the needs of the people. They used the money they have to help anyone who is in need.

I think that it is time for the church to set their priorities right. Which is more important? Church building or direct needs of people? I am not against getting a bigger place to gather. God in his grace and mercy has indeed granted us relative peace in Malaysia. But a simple renovation won't run into the millions. The building doesn't have to be state-of-the-art. God is more interested in our hearts, our lives, our all. He is not interested who has the biggest church building. Lets all get things back to focus.


Solis Deo Gloria!

Ian

PS: Feel free to post comments yah. I would like to hear your views as well. :P