The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his078/fleaders.arj/FLEADERS.TXT

Text File | 1991-06-24 | 9KB | 189 lines

   Divisions in the Bible

   The Bible mentions two kinds of division.  One caused by Christ and
one caused by false leaders.  The division caused by Christ is between
believers and unbelievers.  Men of the Church and the world.  This we
except readily and have no problem with identifying.  Mt 10:34 "Think
not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace,
but a  sword." These words of Jesus are expected to cause division in
the world for Jesus is sovereign, and the world is blind to this fact.
The world is in rebellion against its creator. Recorded in John 17th
chapter verse 14, Jesus prayed " I have given them thy word; and the
world hath hated them, because  they are not of the world, even as I
am not of the world."

   The division caused by the false leaders is not as easy to identify,
and causes much hurt to local fellowships.  Mostly because we want to
expect all who say they are Christian leaders to be what they profess.

   The Bible teaches that, there are ways to identify men who have a
false ministry.  These men cause division in local churches and causes
confusion as to the nature of the mission of the Church.

   Four ways to identify a false spiritual leader. 1. By their fruits.

   Jesus warned against false prophets, saying, "Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves" (Matt. 7:15).

   Paul writes: 2 Corinthian 11:13-15 13 For such false apostles,
deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works.

   Peter writes: 2 Peter 2:1-3 1 But there were false prophets also
among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And
many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And though covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgement now of a
long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

   If such a warning was necessary to the Early Church, it is necessary
today.  (We believe and practice what they wrote then concerning the
Lord's Supper, baptism, and other things.  Why not believe and practice
what they said about this?)

   The ministry is the Lord's and belongs to no man.  Some men have
their own ministry and require that men serve them. Psm 23. 1: says
"The Lord is my Shepherd".

   Ministers today claim to be shepherd of their flock. This is wrong,
there is but one shepherd and to him do all Christians give allegiance.
 Men who teach and practice otherwise are false Spiritual leaders.  All
Spirit led Christians are taught to be sensitive to men who teach
otherwise.  These men become tyrants in that they upsurge authority
that doesn't belong to them.  They prey upon the innocent.

   The Bible teaches The Lord is my shepherd.  not: The pastor is my
shepherd. The evangelist is my shepherd. The teacher is my shepherd. The
deacon is my shepherd. The denomination is my shepherd.

   These maybe So called Christian leaders but when they do not lead
you to the Lord as the only shepherd they are in error.

   The correct term of pastors is an undershepherd.  Based upon 1
peter, the pastor is not to lord his authority but become like Christ a
servant.

   2.  Does he glorify Christ?

   Jesus, speaking of the Holy Spirit, said, "He shall glorify
me..."(John 16:14).

   When men attract attention to themself, its wrong, for  Jesus said
"he shall glorify me." John, one of Christ's apostle wrote;

   1 John 4:1, 2 1.  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world.

   2.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

   Again false prophets are mentioned.  If there were false prophets in
the time of the Early Church, there are false prophets now.  What are
their attitudes toward Jesus?  If they lead men away from Him or create
division in the Body of Christ, they are wrong.  If they magnify man or
self, rather than Christ, they are wrong.

   3.  Do they agree with Scripture?

   Do they teach the bible is truth or that the bible contains truth?
The Word (Bible) was inspired by the Holy Spirit.  ("For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Spirit, " 2 Peter 1:21.)

   If men tell you things that do not agree with the Bible they are in
error.  If it's the same Spirit, it's going to agree with the Word of
God.  (Bible)

   4.  Do their teachings produce liberty or bondage?

   True teaching produce liberty not bondage. The word says, "....
where the Spirit is there is Liberty" (2 Cor.  3:17). Some people stop
right here and take the wrong liberty. Romans 8: "For ye have not
received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
Spirit of adoption,  wherby we cry, Abba, Father" (v.15).

   Ministers and teachers should produce liberty not Bondage. This
error is often seen in the selfish nature of leaders in getting their
way at all cost.  No matter the cost to fellowship. Statements  such
as, "If you do not agree with the leader you should leave." These
people often produce an atmosphere in which there is competition and
not cooperation for the Lord's work.  The leader who becomes dogmatic,
He's gone to far. God uses many different people, not just one man. 2
Cor.  11:20 states; 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage,
if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a
man smite you on the face.

   Men who become a law unto their own, add to the Word to make
themselves to be more piest then others, are like the Pharisees of
Jesus's day.  These men will cause you much suffering and unhappiness,
because the Law of God (Bible) will bring you happiness, freedom, and
peace.

   A passage in Acts 20 shows us what happened in the Early Church is
still happening today:

   Acts 20:28-30 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the
flock, over the which the Holy Spirit hath made you oversees, to feed
the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

   29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

   30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse
things, to draw away disciples after them.

   False leaders fleece the sheep instead of feeding the sheep. The
word of God says because of self glory.

   It is wrong for a man to build a ministry of self and say (most are
not this bold) it is for the glory of God. The ministry is always the
Lord's and all men are servants in this ministry.  The above verses
show that the true leader from God is not going to create division.
The Church in one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God. (Eph.  4:4-6) Because of this we should endeavor "to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph.  4:3)

   In Romans 16:17, 18 we are told:

   17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and
offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them.

   18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their
own body, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
innocent. These word should cause all Christians to always be on guard
to protect the innocent, the babes in Christ.  ready to do battle and
content for the faith delivered to the saints.

   We are one body, and one Church, saints of God and called to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

   These are but four ways to identify men who profess but do not
posses the true calling from God.  Let us be on guard and not partake
of their evil ways that carry us farther away from the blessings
promised us by obedience to God our creator and Lord.  May we endeavor
to identify and cast light on their darken ways.

   While these ways may seem harsh, they become necessary in the days
that we live.  In order to serve Christ first and be more Christlike as
he set the example.  We should hold up and pray and encourage all
leaders who exalt Christ and demonstrate Christ like qualities in
leadership of the Churches of God today. But we must be on guard and
identify false leaders, Because of the harm to mens souls.  Realizing
that we must maintain unity may it be against the evils of our day, and
not joining in the problems that come through false leaders.  We must
not throw out the baby with the bath water.  But work toward building
up the fellowship but not the disarray that comes by the dividing
factor of all false leaders.