Background

Christianity has taken on greater promises.

It has more of a whole :-

1. Prosperity Gospel
2. Miraculous
3. Healing Ministry
4. Statehood
5. Us versus Them

Sinner

In this greater packaging the voluntary participation of the individual, the sinner, can be missed, can be lost.

The thought that each of us is a sinner needing cleansing, needing healing, can be lost.

Once that sinner identity is lost, we become part of a mascot, that can be led down the stream with other captives; the material captive, the statehood captive, the culture captive.

God

To me God sees it a bit different.

Here are some scriptures :-

1. Genesis
   • Cain & Abel ( Genesis 4:4-7 ) [ Link ]
     • And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering
     • but for Cain and his offering he had no regard.
     • So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
     • The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?
     • If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.
2. Exodus
   • Israel At Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19:10-11 ) [ Link ]
     • Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow.
     • They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.…
3.  Numbers
   • Balaam’s Donkey ( Numbers 22:31-34 ) [ Link ]
     • Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
     • The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.
     • The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”
     •  Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.”
     • The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.
4. John
   • Jesus and Nicodemus ( John 3:5 ) [ Link ]
     • Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
5. Acts
   • Ananias and Sapphira ( Acts 5:1-11 ) [ Link ]
     • Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
     • Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.
     • Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?“
   • Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians ( Acts 20:25-28 ) [ Link ]
     • …Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
     • For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
     • Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
     • Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.…
6. Ephesians
   • Wives and Husbands ( Ephesians 5:25-27 ) [ Link ]
     • …Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
     • to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
     • and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.…

 

Summary

Beloved, once you take out expository teaching, and have topical teaching, the modern day Bible Teacher can lead you down any path, part, he or she is swindled down.

It does not reveal God’s own word, but one that serves his or her own true master.

In Closing

Tried But Trusting (  Psalm 86:5 )  (  Link )

…Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and attend to my plea for mercy.

Psalm 86:15 ( Link )

But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth.
Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.…