WHERE IS JESUS
IN ALL THIS NOISE?
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8
ALL false teachings, notions and teachers are set forth by Satan to subvert and diminish glory from Jesus Christ the Messiah, and His cross.
"For in him (Jesus Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him (Christ), which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossian
s 2:9-10
Satan's intent is to intercept the worship that is due to the ONLY One worthy - the Living Word Himself, Jesus Christ. This the enemy accomplishes through those who use their ministries to exalt themselves or get gain through their "ministry" platforms and propagate erroneous teachings. The true under shepherd sets forth Christ, not self:
"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently (clearly) set forth, crucified among you?" Galatians 3:1
Let me boldly say here that there are those of us reading this message that are under the oversight of true under-shepherds and there are also those of us who are presently under the ministries of deceivers.
"For I (Paul) know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall (assuredly) men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (and AWAY from love for Christ)." Acts 20:29-30
According to the NT record, deceivers are in our midst - "among" us (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Acts 20:29-30; Matt. 7:15-20, Jude 3-4, etc.). That means your pastor may be a deceiver. Uh Oh. (this is not written to accuse any individual or cause an evil, critical eye upon overseers, but to quicken us to a Biblical discernment cloaked in God's love, yet zealous for Him alone). None of us want to view our own overseer as a deceiver but the LORD Himself determines that, not us, and His Word is replete with the characteristics of those leaders who are true and those who are false (Jer. 23; Ez. 34; Matt. 23; Phil. 3:17-20; 1 Tim. 3; 2 Pet. 2; Jude 1) Through sound Biblical teaching, faithful leaders direct the focus of those they serve, to Christ, the Head of the Church and to His Word, and not to themselves, programs, or temporal earthly prosperity. Overseers who are true to God, warn those whom they instruct to live holy through God's power and to ever be ready for Christ's soon return.
"...Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:" Colossians 1:27- 28
Every believer is to allow Christ to shine in and through his life (Matt. 5:16, etc.). We should ask ourselves this acid-test question concerning what the true substance of our lives presently is: Ask yourself - Do people leave my presence thinking good thoughts about me, or Christ? Who is truly being exalted through my life, Jesus or I? Am I becoming a fool for His sake, or a temporal hero - another in the paraded succession of so-called "christian celebrities"? Has my "christian" life or "ministry" become simply another platform to glorify myself? God help us!
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise." 1 Corinthians 3:18
LORD, please make me a fool for Christ, that He might be elevated in the hearts of others by Your power in this vessel (Eph. 3:20). Amen.
Back to our Sunday morning assemblies.......Do we leave our church buildings on Sunday morning pumped up about the a new program, building project, pastor, praise and worship, or, the very LORD of glory Himself? Is Christ the One genuinely being magnified in our hearts in our time and activities together on Sunday mornings? Where is Jesus in all the noise and activities of our Sunday morning meetings? Friend, in the answers to these questions, we will be able to discern whether or not we are involved with a true New Testament fellowship that genuinely exalts and upholds Christ as the "Head" of His true Church (Col. 2:8, 18-19). Or, whether we are furthering the cause of that which is antichrist - in place of the true worship of Christ (Isaiah 5:20-24; John 4:23-24; 1 John 2:2:20-28, 4:1-4).
"Let no man (not even your own pastor) beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body (God's people) by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." Colossians 2:18-19
Why would any of us who are redeemed by the very blood of the Son of God want to continue in any fellowship or activity that is stealing glory from our LORD Jesus Christ, while posing as being truly Christian? Why? Why? Why?!
That which is truly Christian is Biblical, and those who are genuine disciples, lead the way Paul and John the Baptist led.
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save (except) Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
"But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30
PRAYER OF REPENTANCE: LORD, please allow Your life to be magnified through the brief life You have granted me on this earth. Forgive me for knowingly or unknowingly elevating myself in any way. Forgive me for helping the cause of any person or organization that does not truly love you in truth. I love You Jesus - You are the HEAD of my life and Your true body. You must increase and I must and will decrease. Please fill me with Yourself afresh my LORD and live through the existence You gave me.
Pass It On.
todd tomasella
