SERMON (pt 3) What Is True Christianity...

What is True Christianity

And

What is Not

Part 3

 

 

Before we can truly understand what is True Christianity we must first clear up a few misconceptions that have been all but pounded into our minds. I know that I, as (initially) a Catholic was subjected to teachings that I know to be utterly false and misleading. I direct the first allegation towards what I have been told of as the meaning of a ‘church.’

 

I also know that many groups and Denominations claiming to be Christian teach misleading doctrines and myths about ‘churches.’

 

If we look at the dictionary we see the first definitions of the word ‘church are: A building for worship; the clergy of a religious body. These are the teachings of the misguided.

 

The third definition of the word ‘church’ is the true definition.

 

Church: The whole body of Christians.

 

Colossians 1: ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church; 

 

The He, referenced in this Scripture, is Jesus Christ and the body are the Christians who a true to His teachings.

 

At this point you may be asking yourself, ‘Why would this be going on? Why foster this false teaching? The answer is all too simple and all to evil.

 

Money…profit…financial gain.

 

Look at the amounts of money given as tithes to the existing ‘churches’ as we know them to exist. Look at the holdings of those groups and Denominations that prey on any that seek only to learn of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the ways to lead their lives to please God.

 

Look at the life styles of the clergy…those charlatans that demand more and more with their ‘special needs’ collections atop the normal tithes they take in. If the Priests and Pastors really knew Christianity they would know that NO TITHES are named in the New Testament. NONE!  

 

If you really think on the matter involving tithes think on this.

 

When poor people live on Social Security or a program that pays them ONLY the exact amount required to live on should any Priest or Pastor rob these people of their basic needs by asking that 10 percent be given them? In truth, if that Priest or Pastor were truly Christian wouldn’t they find a way to give to those in need rather than seeking to collect from them?

 

Mark 12:42 ⁴²But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins worth only a fraction of a penny. ⁴³Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

 

 

I know that God set aside Priests and directed them to be paid by tithes but I see no direction given for those that receive tithes to live lives of luxury as people of wealth. It is as if their worship of money and their repeated requests for more and more collections far outweighs any thoughts of seeking out for the lost souls seeking God.

 

Brothers, sisters, the ‘church’ is us. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, is the Head of the ‘church’ and we are the body of the ‘church.’ A ‘church’ is not a building for worship and certainly is not ‘the clergy of a religious body.’

 

I have been spoken of harshly by Catholic Priests and Bishops for my revealing this to those Christians who hunger for truth. I have been named as ‘in need of really serious prayer,’ by men who claim to be Christian Pastors. Then I watch those same men that speak ill of me increase their demands for ‘more tithes, love offerings as well as special needs collections.’

 

Being a Christian, a true Christian, is not seeking money from those that seek teaching of the Lord.

 

God taught Israel to tithe one tenth of their flocks to the Levites as they were the Priests of Israel. What is not really made known to the congregations of groups and Denominations is that the Levites were directed to give one tenth of the goods received as tithes as follows:

 

Numbers 18: ²⁵ The LORD said to Moses, ²⁶ "Speak to the Levites and say to them: 'When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD's offering. ²⁷ Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. ²⁸ In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest. ²⁹ You must present as the LORD's portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.    

 

With that said it is made clear that a portion of the tithes taken in by ‘churches’ are to be paid to the Lord.

 

I can hear the yowls as Bishops and Pastors claim that this is adhered to by paying payments/rent on the ‘church ‘buildings and all the décor within. Certainly the Levites had tents but I am certain their expense for same we not ongoing. They had fine robes but not a new suit for every meeting of the congregation. They rode camels, donkeys but not a new one for each year! They loved as their people not as kings and persons of stature.

 

God set aside a method of paying the priests He chose and did not tell them to lead lives of the wealthy and turn up their noses at those is need.

 

Even more vile are the ‘so-called’ Christian Priests and Pastors who make claims to being prophets and make what they deem to be ‘prophetic statements’ and such prophesies just never come to pass. We must realize that a true prophet speaks only God’s Word with His approval. Any and all prophesy MUST be correct 100 percent of the time as it is God speaking through His designated prophet.

 

Deuteronomy 18: ¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. ¹⁹ If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. ²⁰ But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death."

 

There are groups and Denominations headed by men and women who falsely claim to be a ‘prophet of God’ and set about imposing their false doctrines and dogma upon gullible and needing people.

 

 Jeremiah 23: ²⁵ "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' ²⁶ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?

 

Certainly no true Christian Pastor would dare claim that God bestowed a gift of prophesy upon himself when such is not true.

 

Matthew 7: ²²Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' ²³Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

 

It is a sad fact that many claim to be a prophet by ‘self-appointment’ and ‘self will.’ Even more sad is the groups and Denominations which prophesy is to be learned through what they identify as ‘Prophetic Schools.’ At the risk of being repetitious I say God is the ONLY ONE to appoint a prophet.

 

It is with open honesty that I say, any that does not believe that the ‘church’ is we Christians with Jesus Christ at the head; that tithes are more important than gaining souls for God and that true prophets are more scarce that the proverbial ‘hen’s teeth, are not true Christians. For those I weep.

 

The center of Christianity is Jesus Christ. God’s only ‘begotten son,’ was born to us, walked amongst us, was crucified for the unbelief of man, took upon Him our burden of sin, and died for us. God resurrected Him after 3 days and 3 nights and ascended Him to glory. Believe that and believe all that He taught and you will be a true Christian, BUT do not think for a moment that any slight alteration or ritual makes anyone a true Christian as the slightest change can lead to eternal death to Him and to your soul.   

 

I shall continue and expound further in future sermons as to what is true Christianity and what is not.

 

(Closing prayer)

 

Almighty God, You who have created us all and You that is worthy of our praise and our worship please hear our prayer. You are our God our Father in heaven and the only One gave us Your Word for us to lead our lives in a manner worthy of You.

 

Lord, we name ourselves as Christian as we lead our lives in accordance with Your dictates and with the knowledge that You walked amongst us as Jesus Christ and gave us teachings that we continue to learn. You bestowed the Holy Spirit upon us as You divulged the wisdom we must learn of to truly understand Your wishes. You have granted us the right to salvation through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and it is our desire to walk in the path You have directed.

 

Lord, You are strong and we rely upon You for our every need, It is by walking in Your Light and with the knowledge of it being Your decision as to whom is chosen to be awakened and born of the Holy Spirit leading to eternal life with You. Please be with us O Lord and guide our paths.

 

As we are in Your presence we ask our prayers of mercy for our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted anywhere is the world. Please send Your angels to protect them and watch over them and grant them eternal rest with You when they leave this earthly plane.

 

Lord, we also ask that You be most merciful to those that defend us from harm. Protect them O Lord. We ask that You open the eyes of the many that attend gatherings meant to lead them in paths alien to Your ways and have them walk in Your Light.  

 

Lord, You are our God and there is no other. All glory is Yours O Lord.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen. 

Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr

God's Word Christian Ministry

N Las Vegas, NV

Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com