3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. John 12:48 (NKJV)
People as a whole, are rejecting God’s Word today, just as Paul warned. However, the same Word that they reject will judge them on judgment day. The sad and frightening thing is that many of those who claim to be Christians are among those who these verses are referring.
And Jesus knew this would happen.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Now I hear and read of people who say that the Bible isn't relevant today. That's it's just an outdated book of myths and good stories. But does saying this make it true? The Word of God is just as relevant, just as true as it has always been. You can deny it. You can criticize it. But one day you will be judged by it.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
So what happened? What has caused this apostasy, this turning away from the Word of God? One word - laziness. Laziness from the pulpit for not digging deeper into the word of God and following God's plans and laziness from the people for not opening their Bibles except on Sundays, if they even open it then.
Could this be why many have itching ears, drawing to themselves teachers who will tickle them under the chin, pat them on the back and kiss their little pink cheeks on the way out the door? I think so. Following Christ and doing what He wants of us takes work. Studying the Bible takes work. God does not look fondly upon laziness. Do a concordance search in your Bible and check it out. **
Sermons have become sugar-coated, filled with feel-good messages so that everyone leaves happy and content. But where's the fire? Where's the conviction? People are being fed a lie that is coming straight from the pits of Hell and are just as quickly leading people into that Hell. Preachers don't want to offend, don't want to lose their comfortable jobs. Where are the sermons of Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16. Where is the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Luke 16:19-31? Where are all the warnings concerning the judgements of Israel when they strayed from God? Where is the teaching from the book of Revelation of all the horrors of things to come?
So what happened to our churches. They have become places of entertainment. Great music to get your toes tapping and give you a good feeling. Great food with plenty of friendly fellowship. I even know of churches who hold Super Bowl parties since it falls on a Sunday night. Sure, I love good music, I love food, and I surely love the Super Bowl. I understand the church can get people in there for these events, but, where is the message? Where is sin and redemption and Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross and resurrection? Where is the warning that Christ is coming back soon for His Church and woe to those who are left behind?
There is a book by M.R. DeHaan, M.D., called “The Tabernacle”. In it he wrote:
“Instead of believers coming together to fellowship around the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, without all the extraneous paraphernalia, and just to feed on His Word, we have too often turned our services into a carnival. The Word has been pushed aside into a secondary place. Instead, we have an hour and a half of preliminaries, with singing of silly choruses and empty spirituals, and joking and laughing and horseplay. Entertainment has taken the place of worship; singing and music instead of preaching; and then a fifteen-minute sermonette, highly spiced and sensational, in order to keep people awake after all of the wearying entertainment. And then we wonder at the worldliness and the shallowness of Christians today. We have substituted or added pickles, olives, radishes, and highly seasoned extras, and have relegated the Word of Life to a side dish, which few will touch.
The assembly of the saints should be first of all a time of worship and devotion and feeding and feasting upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and not a matter of shallow entertainment. It is a sad thing indeed when a Bible-teaching service or prayer meeting is attended by only a handful of worshipers, while a high-powered entertainer, a musical night, or moving pictures will draw packed houses. Instead of gathering around the person of Christ and feeding upon His Word, we are today regaled by cowboy stunts, ventriloquism, magic tricks, and western movies. Oh, for a return to the good old days when folks went to church not to be entertained and amused and tickled, but to worship the Lord, and to feed upon His Word, and prepare for service through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.”
Sound familiar? This was written 56 years ago. How much worse is it now?
I've been in church, Bible open and ready, notebook and pen in hand, waiting for what God has to say to me through the preacher. I sang the hymns, listened to the choir, took note of the announcements, stood and shook hands with the people around me, introduced myself to visitors; all which are good things. Then comes the sermon, the message I have been waiting for. I'm listening, looking verses up, writing down notes to study, then suddenly, the sermon is over. Why? Because people are getting hungry, people are tired of sitting, football game comes on in an hour? And I feel like I've been left hanging. I still have questions. I still want to learn. I still want to hear the Word of God.
So what is the result of all of this? Apostasy and sin. Yes, we have let sin come into our churches.
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’” Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
The itching ears of the apostate church have brought us deeply into the Laodicean age. This church condones and even ordains homosexual leadership. It has made a farce out of real worship, thinking it is rich and holy, when it is actually poor and wretched. Every sin imaginable is winked at by this so-called church. God judged the people of Noah’s day, Sodom and Gomorrah, and other civilizations that went after other gods, which were no gods at all. You can bet that this country and this Laodicean church will be judged too, and probably sooner than we think.**
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
We are in a spiritual battle, a battle for men's souls.
Now to those who speak from the pulpits. You need to burn your feel-good-prosperity gospel books along with your notes taken from the liberal professors in college and seminary, and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for the poison you have been handing out. Souls are going to Hell because of it, thinking all the time that they were “okay” with God. Christians have become fat and lazy because you have no spiritual backbone.**
Time is short. Sound out the warning even if it is to your own pastor. And, if your ear itches, turn to the Word of God. That is where you will find real relief.
God willing, until next time.
Maranatha
**From ITCHNG EARS By Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
www.raptureready.com
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. John 12:48 (NKJV)
People as a whole, are rejecting God’s Word today, just as Paul warned. However, the same Word that they reject will judge them on judgment day. The sad and frightening thing is that many of those who claim to be Christians are among those who these verses are referring.
And Jesus knew this would happen.
18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Now I hear and read of people who say that the Bible isn't relevant today. That's it's just an outdated book of myths and good stories. But does saying this make it true? The Word of God is just as relevant, just as true as it has always been. You can deny it. You can criticize it. But one day you will be judged by it.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)
So what happened? What has caused this apostasy, this turning away from the Word of God? One word - laziness. Laziness from the pulpit for not digging deeper into the word of God and following God's plans and laziness from the people for not opening their Bibles except on Sundays, if they even open it then.
Could this be why many have itching ears, drawing to themselves teachers who will tickle them under the chin, pat them on the back and kiss their little pink cheeks on the way out the door? I think so. Following Christ and doing what He wants of us takes work. Studying the Bible takes work. God does not look fondly upon laziness. Do a concordance search in your Bible and check it out. **
Sermons have become sugar-coated, filled with feel-good messages so that everyone leaves happy and content. But where's the fire? Where's the conviction? People are being fed a lie that is coming straight from the pits of Hell and are just as quickly leading people into that Hell. Preachers don't want to offend, don't want to lose their comfortable jobs. Where are the sermons of Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16. Where is the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Luke 16:19-31? Where are all the warnings concerning the judgements of Israel when they strayed from God? Where is the teaching from the book of Revelation of all the horrors of things to come?
So what happened to our churches. They have become places of entertainment. Great music to get your toes tapping and give you a good feeling. Great food with plenty of friendly fellowship. I even know of churches who hold Super Bowl parties since it falls on a Sunday night. Sure, I love good music, I love food, and I surely love the Super Bowl. I understand the church can get people in there for these events, but, where is the message? Where is sin and redemption and Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross and resurrection? Where is the warning that Christ is coming back soon for His Church and woe to those who are left behind?
There is a book by M.R. DeHaan, M.D., called “The Tabernacle”. In it he wrote:
“Instead of believers coming together to fellowship around the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, without all the extraneous paraphernalia, and just to feed on His Word, we have too often turned our services into a carnival. The Word has been pushed aside into a secondary place. Instead, we have an hour and a half of preliminaries, with singing of silly choruses and empty spirituals, and joking and laughing and horseplay. Entertainment has taken the place of worship; singing and music instead of preaching; and then a fifteen-minute sermonette, highly spiced and sensational, in order to keep people awake after all of the wearying entertainment. And then we wonder at the worldliness and the shallowness of Christians today. We have substituted or added pickles, olives, radishes, and highly seasoned extras, and have relegated the Word of Life to a side dish, which few will touch.
The assembly of the saints should be first of all a time of worship and devotion and feeding and feasting upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and not a matter of shallow entertainment. It is a sad thing indeed when a Bible-teaching service or prayer meeting is attended by only a handful of worshipers, while a high-powered entertainer, a musical night, or moving pictures will draw packed houses. Instead of gathering around the person of Christ and feeding upon His Word, we are today regaled by cowboy stunts, ventriloquism, magic tricks, and western movies. Oh, for a return to the good old days when folks went to church not to be entertained and amused and tickled, but to worship the Lord, and to feed upon His Word, and prepare for service through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.”
Sound familiar? This was written 56 years ago. How much worse is it now?
I've been in church, Bible open and ready, notebook and pen in hand, waiting for what God has to say to me through the preacher. I sang the hymns, listened to the choir, took note of the announcements, stood and shook hands with the people around me, introduced myself to visitors; all which are good things. Then comes the sermon, the message I have been waiting for. I'm listening, looking verses up, writing down notes to study, then suddenly, the sermon is over. Why? Because people are getting hungry, people are tired of sitting, football game comes on in an hour? And I feel like I've been left hanging. I still have questions. I still want to learn. I still want to hear the Word of God.
So what is the result of all of this? Apostasy and sin. Yes, we have let sin come into our churches.
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’” Revelation 3:14-22 (NKJV)
The itching ears of the apostate church have brought us deeply into the Laodicean age. This church condones and even ordains homosexual leadership. It has made a farce out of real worship, thinking it is rich and holy, when it is actually poor and wretched. Every sin imaginable is winked at by this so-called church. God judged the people of Noah’s day, Sodom and Gomorrah, and other civilizations that went after other gods, which were no gods at all. You can bet that this country and this Laodicean church will be judged too, and probably sooner than we think.**
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
We are in a spiritual battle, a battle for men's souls.
Now to those who speak from the pulpits. You need to burn your feel-good-prosperity gospel books along with your notes taken from the liberal professors in college and seminary, and ask the Lord’s forgiveness for the poison you have been handing out. Souls are going to Hell because of it, thinking all the time that they were “okay” with God. Christians have become fat and lazy because you have no spiritual backbone.**
Time is short. Sound out the warning even if it is to your own pastor. And, if your ear itches, turn to the Word of God. That is where you will find real relief.
God willing, until next time.
Maranatha
**From ITCHNG EARS By Grant Phillips
grantphillips@windstream.net
www.raptureready.com
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