We all pray, at sometime or other, but are we being heard? This podcast is for people who want to know more about praying to God.
The Aussie preacher talks about this topic and gives some good examples from his experience. Check it out!
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“When Preachers Become Politicians”, by Rev. Scott Russell
In over 20 years of ministry, one thing has become so apparent to me: people create “gods” to suit their own purpose or desire. Maybe that is the reason there are so many flavors of churches in the Christian faith today.
It is very disturbing to see people follow their self-created “god” while under the delusion they are following Jesus. Some people follow a church instead of following Jesus. Some follow a man, i.e., the preacher. Others follow a set of ideals. Some gives their lives over to the god of having a good time. Let’s see what Jesus says about those who follow these gods in Luke 7:7,8
“They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”
Please notice it says, “…the commands of God…”. It doesn’t say “…suggestions of God…”!
Over time, many preachers are caught up in this atmosphere of “It’s time for a change”. They also get caught up in being popular, and the good times they are having. Slowly but surely, they teach man’s ways instead of as God’s Way, i.e., Jesus. This deception creeps into their own convictions and life like a slow-spreading cancer. Little by little they value the acceptance of people more than the commands of God. You see, God values holiness, but people look for how close they can live like the rest of the people in the world and still claim to be a “Christian”. They are deluded. Virtue and purity becomes a thing of the past. Proverbs tells us not to associate with those who want to change the fundamentals of the faith in God.
Proverbs 24:21, 22 says:
My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?
Proverbs 24: 23-26 These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”, Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
John Wesley founded the Methodist church on absolutes taught in the Bible. A Divine move of God was at its forefront. How is it that today the Methodist church has strayed so far from its foundation of those absolutes? It has embraced the idea of ordaining homosexual ministers. This is clearly against the teachings of the Bible. Little by little corrupted leaders changed things to be more politically correct. The cancer begins to spread. One generation builds upon the depravity of the previous generation and looks for acceptance of people rather than the Divine move of God. This continues until all absolutes from the Word of God no longer taught. These depraved preachers say “God loves everybody and accepts them just as they are”. They fail to understand this: God loves everyone, but hates what we do. God plainly lays out His unchangeable commands in the Bible.
I’ll give you one good example of this found in Australia. I was born in Australia, but have lived abroad for about 11 years now. However, I read their news nearly everyday. I have watched the Australian society slowly fall apart, largely due to the use of alcohol. They have a self-created god of having a good time. Leading the charge is a large part of the Australian church. The true God of the Bible has brought conviction upon them. Now they say that you are religious if you do not consume alcohol. Pastors are quietly being removed from ministry due to the fact they are alcoholics. The modern church of change says alcohol is OK, but the Bible clearly speaks against church leaders drinking alcohol and people getting drunk. Of course as we have already described, people build a god to suit their own purposes. They forget this: What you have to justify is always wrong.
So many preachers have become politicians. Sure, all politicians have their own personal moral convictions which they state privately. However, when it comes to living those same convictions in public, they fail miserably. In private, politicians do not want their daughters to have abortions or their sons to turn homosexual. In public on TV, however, you just try and get them to say that!
We have ministered to some people with political backgrounds and political ambitions. Many are privately opinionated, but in public are slippery. They step over the real issues they know are hot buttons and potentially would give them bad press. Instead, they have a politically correct message of their own. It’s a message of “Please like me, vote for me”. Can we all agree that the world does not need another weak politician?
They tickle our ears with whatever they think pleases us. The Bible says: “… in the last days men will seek out teachers who will tickle their ears”. Maybe we could say: People will seek to find preachers who are really politicians. When asked difficult questions some preachers who really should be called politicians dance around the truth to avoid being unpopular.
Listen to 2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
You may say, “Scott, this is just YOUR opinion.” OK, if it’s my opinion, just ignore me. If, however, I’m giving you the “opinion” of Jesus, can you afford to ignore that? I really don’t want people following me because I am just a man. However, the apostle Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. IF my life consistently shows that Jesus in the One that I follow, the kudos show go to Jesus, not to me. If you want to be a real Christian and you profess to believe the Bible is God’s Word, then follow what the Bible teaches. You won’t go wrong doing that! If you don’t want to follow the Bible, that is your choice, but please don’t call yourself a Christian. There are a host of other religions you could join if you don’t agree with the Bible and Jesus. Of course, you will not have the life and peace with God that comes through a relationship with Jesus. If fact, no person will get to heaven following that way. Which path to walk on is a choice we all must make. So, really the problem is not with the writer of this article.
If people stopped creating a god to suit their own purposes and desires and kept the absolutes given in the true Christian faith, life would be so much better for them. Jesus could then touch their life in a special way. Maybe when you get touched in that special way, you will want to share what Jesus has done for you. You might become a preacher of the gospel! Hear what Romans 10:14 says:
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
When you talk about Jesus or preach for Him, friend, use every means open to you. Bring the life of Jesus to your hearers through the ways of true love that is protected by truth: 1 Corinthians 13:5 “love rejoices in the truth”. They may not want to hear the Truth, but the message given in love liberates people. They will be set free! To be a preachers of the gospel is a wonderful privilege. However, this awesome position carries great responsibility, and the Bible says: “to whom much is given, much is required”. The Bible also talks about evil shepherds who make the water murky for the sheep.
Some preachers claim that their pulpit is only in the church and hide from preaching the Truth in public. Just like politicians, they have their views at home and hide them in public. What these preachers are really saying is, “God called me to preach, but and I really care more about what people think of me, than what God thinks of me.” THEY HAVE BECOME POLITICIANS. Many of their followers foolishly feed on their words and believe that it’s God’s Word that they are hearing. They trust these men with their family and lives at their own potential peril. How sad!
As we know, the press loves to twist our words. When you have an industry based on gossip, that will happen. My suggestion to you preachers in the media is this: Let’s crucify our pride. The world does not want to hear YOUR gospel, but it wants the gospel of Jesus Christ instead. Let’s share only that! If they don’t want you back on the air, then be happy that you are like Jesus. In Matthew 10:22, it says, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
In conclusion, I have been amazed as we got our gospel TV program on a commercial network we will call Network A in Boston. You see, we tried to put programming on another large network and were told they would not allow the name of Jesus on their network. So we contacted the largest Christian legal organization in America who deals with this sort of thing. They told us there is NO commercial TV network in the USA that will play Christian content and there is nothing we can do about it. When I called them, they were in the process of preparing a brief to the Federal Government about that. They went on to say that Network A is the worst and would never allow us on the network. In fact, if we got on, it would be a real miracle. Well to make a long story short, Network A, one of the largest in the world, agreed to play our material on their Boston station. Why, you ask? Yes, it was and remains a miracle, but I believe part of this relates to the fact we share absolute Truth in love. Not only to we talk about sin and the need to repent, but also we do it while removing man’s religion from the message. We do not ask for money, but offer to bless viewers instead. We believe that it is not the viewers’ responsibility to pay for the program, but it is our responsibility to share with them. Are we rich? Of course NOT! We believe that Jesus will provide for these needs, and He never fails!.
To summarize, lets require accountability from our leaders. Let’s encourage them to be preachers, and not politicians. Let them share only the Truth with us in love. For our souls’ sake, let’s make sure we are under a ministry that tells it like it is in love not self righteousness or pride. “Teaching the Truth in love. Telling it like it is while holding pure motives and showing that we care.”
* All Scripture references from the NASB
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How can we understand about a God that is so big that He can’t fit into our small mind. Listen to Scott explain about this. This is easy to understand. How to know what God has for you.
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This is a brief explanation of why we need a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Download this page as a booklet.
In today’s world where morals and values are constantly being removed or changed, people no longer know or understand right and wrong, so the laws of the land are bent and changed to please the purpose of the time. What is the standard for right and wrong, and who enforces that standard in a world gone crazy? In God’s written Word called the Bible, we are taught in the book of Proverbs, chapter 14, verse 12
[Proverbs 14:12] There is a way, which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
God has a set of laws that He enforces; they are not open to negotiation and no attorney can bend them to suit the purposes of the day. We all have responsibility to find out what God’s laws are and to decide if you are going to obey those laws. It is the failure to keep God’s laws that separates you from the relationship God wants with you. Breaking God’s laws also keeps you from all the benefits of a relationship with God. The breaking of God’s laws is called sin, and sin is what separates us from God. Sin fails to bring glory to God and is not part of God’s plan or purpose for your life. The Bible teaches in Romans 3:23 and 6:23 and in John 8:34.
[Romans 3:23] all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
[Romans 6:23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[John 8:34] Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin.
The payment for our sin is death. Sin brings death and sickness into your life. Whether you have jealousy, lust, pride, adultery or a host of other sins, ultimately, your sin leads to death and having to give an account to God for your life. Jesus Christ came that you might have life.
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
[John 10:10] The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
[John 3:16] For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
[John 15:13] No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
God loved you so much He sent His only son Jesus to pay the price for your sin. You see, every crime or sin committed against God’s laws carries the death penalty, the penalty of eternity in hell. God is a God of justice who does not bend the rules for anyone, rich or poor; the standard is set. A man can ask “how can a loving God sentence me to hell?” That man is measuring by his own perverted standard. We must look to God who sets a righteous and unbiased standard for man’s life.
Jesus Christ came to earth born of a virgin. He lived without sin and is the only man to have never committed any kind of sin. He was born to die, born to pay the price with His blood for all the wrong man does. Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross, and Jesus took all your sin and sickness on Himself when He was crucified. By His actions He said, “God, today I pay for mans sin with my blood.” The death of Jesus that day paid the price for every man and woman’s sin when they enter into life with Jesus. He paid the price for your sin even when you did not know Him or even care. Jesus died for you, though He was and is faultless. After Jesus died, He rose again from the dead, because death could not hold Him. As death comes from sin and Jesus never committed any sin. He just took ours.
The whole purpose of Jesus was to take our sins upon Himself in order to restore your relationship with God. We have broken God’s laws and deserve death and hell. Jesus paid your debt in full. Jesus took the punishment for your sin on Himself when He died. But because Jesus was sinless death could not hold Him, so Jesus rose from the dead three days after His death and ascended to heaven to stand in for us before God to ask forgiveness for our sin.
NEW LIFE IN JESUS
Beginning a relationship with God is very simple. The first step is to be honest with yourself and God, to see that your life has been based in sin and its pleasures. You must admit to yourself and to God you have sinned and have broken God’s laws. After admitting you have sinned, take responsibility for your actions and confess to God what your sins are. Begin to tell God the things you want forgiveness for, the acts of sin you have committed. Start with what you remember and let God bring to your remembrance anything He wants you to mention. God has seen every sin you ever committed against Him, so be totally open and honest with God. Confessing your sin to God is essential and asking forgiveness usually takes time and emotion. This act is called repenting, the Bible teaches in
[Acts 3:19] Therefore repent and convert so that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
[Romans 2:4] Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, and the forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
[Luke 15:10] Likewise I say to you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
[Romans 10:9-11] Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame.”
[John 8:36] Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
FOUR IMPORTANT STEPS TO NEW LIFE
1. Take the time to confess your sin to God and ask
forgiveness of God for your sin.
2. Speak out or confess that you believe Jesus died on the cross for your sin to pay the price for ALL your wrong doing with His own blood and thank Him for doing so.
3. Believe in your heart, God raised Jesus from the dead.
4. Invite Jesus into your life to stay and speak out your commitment to follow Him.
Once you have done this, allow God to teach you how to live a victorious life overcoming sin and sickness. The blood of Jesus bought you the right to a relationship with God that is not based in religion but in a love for God. In your relationship with God, it is important to see God forgives you for your crimes against Him and to see you are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. As far as God is concerned, your record is perfect and clean. It will continue to stay perfect and clean as long as you walk in God’s ways in your heart and life and confess your sins to Him.
[2 Corinthians 5:17] Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
1. TALKING TO GOD
[1 Thessalonians 5:17] Pray without ceasing.
A relationship with God has some things needed to ensure the growth of that relationship. First of all, prayer or talking and listening to God in Jesus’ name is essential. Now you have asked Jesus into your heart, it is important to learn how to hear His voice. Prayer is talking respectfully to your best friend. You can talk to God anywhere at anytime; you do not have to be on your knees but you do need to remember you are talking with the living God who created the heavens and the earth. To tell God your heart is the right thing to do. Talk with Him about the events of your day and the events of your life. You can ask for help and thank Him when it comes. Remember God is not looking to beat you with a big stick for your mistakes. He sent His Son Jesus, to replace the big stick with grace to forgive you. Learn what the true never-ending love of God is and learn to love your God through prayer.
2. READING GODS’ WORD
[2 Timothy 2:15] Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Secondly, Bible reading is essential to help understand a life in God. The Bible teaches you God’s laws and shows you His grace or willingness to forgive. The Bible is our manual for life, so to read the Bible daily is healthy in relationship with God. The Bible is many small books made into one big book. Often the best place to begin reading is in the New Testament in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These books are great foundational books to help give an understanding of a life lived in God.
3. WHY CHURCH AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CHURCH?
[Hebrews 10:25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
[Psalms 133:1, 133:3] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! like the dew of Hermon that came down on the mountains of Zion; for there Lord commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
Finding a good church is essential to any relationship with God. To worship God in unity with other believers brings a blessing you can only get by worshiping God with others. A life in God should be one of giving to others as God gave to you. Not only do you need church, church needs you. Just like you should represent God to the world around you, church should represent God to the society around it.
The greatest sign of a healthy church is when you see God’s heart flowing through it. That heart you will learn about from reading the Bible. Jesus died on a cross for your sin even when you did not deserve it or care about it. God accepted you, not your sin, and He loved you enough to forgive you when you asked for it. Jesus removes the chains of sin that had you bound and stays with you to love you into overcoming sin. Even when you make mistakes God’s love never changes. Look for this heart of God in a good Bible-believing church. Remember, churches are places where people come to learn, and people are at different stages of learning. Through your daily prayer life with God, ask where the right church is for you and act on what God tells you.
If you feel you need help to find a good church, please email or call and we will contact and assist you.
4. THREE ESSENTIALS
Your relationship with Jesus has three essential areas or legs to support and keep it healthy. These essentials are PRAYER, BIBLE READING, and CHURCH.
5. WATER BAPTISM BY IMMERSION WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
[Mark 16:16] He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.
[Acts 2:38] Then Peter said to them, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
[Acts 10:48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
[Acts 22:16] And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
To be baptized is a command in the Bible that involves being briefly dipped completely under water. Being baptized shows you are once and for all turning your back on your old life of sin. It says my old life is dead in Jesus Christ and I am raised new, making baptism a burial service for your old sin nature. Being baptized becomes a focal point in your new life which you can look back on and remember the day you permanently buried your old sinful way of life and all the condemnation and guilt that would try to come from that old sin way. Making Jesus Christ the Lord of your life gave you forgiveness for all the sin you committed and being baptized shows you have cut off the old sin you were forgiven from and buries it. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work of God’s grace. Although Jesus committed no sin, He was baptized by immersion to show you need to be baptized.
AN OVERCOMING LIFE
[Romans 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
[John 8:36] Therefore if the Son (Jesus) shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
[1 John 1:9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Having Jesus in your heart does not make everything you do perfect. But God’s unconditional love never changes and it is important to allow God to show you by His Holy Spirit when you do wrong. God loved you enough to find you even when you may not have known you were lost. So remember, God does not have a big stick to hit you with when you do wrong. On the contrary God sent Jesus to die on the cross for your sin so that through Jesus, God could draw you close to Himself.
Even with Jesus in your heart, if you commit sin, confess that sin to God and ask God to forgive you in the name of Jesus and move on from the sin. The Bible refers to sin as a chain because sin holds us bound like a chain until Jesus sets us free from the chains of sin and the habits sin forms in our lives. If you struggle with a bad habit, ask Jesus to help break that habit in your life. A very important principle to live out of is the knowledge that God does not focus on your sin. God has a desire to focus on forgiving your sin and helping you to overcome sin in every area of your life. In Jesus Christ you are an over comer. Learn to live like one.
Perfect love is giving yourself fully and having someone do the same towards you. Allow a love to develop for God in appreciation for what God has done for you. Out of obedience and love, you will want to please God in any way you can. Living like this helps take away your desire for sin and makes your greatest desire to please the God who you love so much.
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Miracle Jesus