Feel-good Sermons

When the audience are consistently smiling, laughing and saying 'amen', this is likely a 'Feel-good' sermon. A 'Feel-good' preacher is an entertainer. He knows how to coat his words with honey to make people happy until the end of the worship service. Feel-good preachers have millions of supporters because humans love entertainment. These preachers usually talk about how good God is, how much He loves humanity and how forgiving He is. There's nothing wrong with these teachings. They're part of the truth embodied in the Bible. However, when preachers focus on making people happy without any sense of danger, danger arises. The gospel contains two-fold characters of God- Love and Wrath. God loves humanity so much that He gave His only begotten Son for redemption of sins. At the same time, God's holiness can never tolerate sin. He extremely abhors sin but He loves the sinners. He wants sinners to repent and turn to Him so He would be able to change their lives. The problem with these religious comedians is the fact that they don't even recognize whether their listeners are saved or not. They just go to the stage and start entertaining people using the Bible. They motivate people to reform themselves but they don't preach holiness and separation from the world.

In my study of Jesus' way of preaching, I haven't seen Him deliver a feel-good sermon. In fact, most of His sermons are like swords that can pierce even the hardest hearts. In Mark 7:6-7 He said, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." And in Matthew 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

On the other hand, feel-good preachers preach the opposite. Instead of warning about the dangers of sin and its eternal punishment, they focus on making people think that God is a loving God so it's normal to disobey Him sometimes. Perhaps they haven't read the solemn warning in Hebrews 10:26-27 that says, "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."

If I were you dear reader, I will choose a sermon that would make me feel how much I need God in my life instead of entertainment worship services led by preachers who eloquently deceive people into believing that it's alright to commit sins as long as they believe Jesus. A genuine belief in Jesus means obeying His commandments. "Be ye holy for I am holy."

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Don't Judge

"Don't judge." This statement has become a defense mechanism of proud people who got hurt by the truth. They can't confront the preacher because their honest conscience know they're guilty. Since their pride is higher than their desire to be a better person, they choose to defend themselves by constantly saying, "DO NOT JUDGE". 

A meaning taken from a dictionary defined the verb form of judge as "to form an opinion after an estimation of after a careful consideration". This doesn't sound negative. But why people make it negative? Because they've read something in the Bible that says "Don't judge" and they took that too much to justify their guilty souls. Jesus said in John 7:24, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement". So there is actually a righteous judgement. What is then a righteous judgement? Let's read apostle Paul's righteous judgement in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13,

I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person. In these verses, we may learn that when some people claim to be Christians yet deliberately committing sins, it is our duty to warn them strongly according to their evil actions. This we must do to keep the reputation of Christianity. This circumstance was also supported by apostle John in 2 John 1:9-11, Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

To clarify some claims from opposers that Christians are haters, let's see Ezekiel 33:6, But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. 

We are not haters but rather we love sinners. We were once sinners ourselves but were saved and washed by the blood of Christ.  Therefore, we ought to warn the unbelievers about the consequences of their sins. God never wants humans to be partakers of hell so He sent His only begotten Son to redeem the people. However, not all people are willing to accept that redemption since they're taking the truth for granted. The saved ones must help God by warning the people about eternal hell and the possibility of a righteous life through the power of Christ. I suppose some people misunderstand sermons because of their unwillingness to have their lives changed for the better. They think self-righteousness is enough to give them key to heaven's gate. But such is not what the Bible says. In fact, self-righteousness in itself is sin.

You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

- Luke 16:15

The proper action when you get hurt by the word of God is to swallow thy pride, kneel at the altar and let God heal your soul. Your wounded soul is the reason why you easily get offended. If you do this, I'm pretty sure you will thank the preacher for exposing the truth that made you free. 

Concert of Error

One erroneous religious activity I’d like to expose are the revival concerts being done by some charismatic groups. When I was a college student, I’ve experienced a revival concert in which a charismatic preacher gave a message. After the message was an altar call. Those who went to the altar were asked to repeat a prayer of repentance being spoken by the speaker. After the “repeat after me” "prayer", the people believe they were already born again. This is an example of quick fix salvation.

Quick fix salvation is dangerous because they just let people listen to a charismatic preacher, invite them to the altar without explaining what repentance really means. In fact, many of the audience actually don’t know what they just did in the altar. Since the speaker is amazing, the listeners get emotional. They’d want to accept Christ in their hearts. Some of the listeners sincerely repent while the rest are just emotionally touched. Thus, they get out of the building thinking they were “born again” yet they still commit sin. They got reformed, not transformed. Reformation is getting rid of your major sins yet you still commit sins you think are minor such as white lies, gluttony and abusive words. Reformation does not entitle a soul the name Christian. Transformation does. Transformation involves a change of heart. The sincerely repentant person receives a new heart in the instantaneous regeneration process. God must change that person’s heart to enable him to love without conditions, obey without murmuring and denounce ALL sins he used to do. Since quick fix salvation is done without explaining what repentance really means, the change of heart doesn’t happen. This explains why so many people nowadays call themselves “born again Christians” but they still willfully do things true Christians never do.

The Bible teaches born again experience. How is it really done? First, you must be made aware of your spiritual condition. Next, you must decide to leave your sinful life. Third, wait for the godly sorrow given by the Holy Spirit. Godly sorrow makes you sad and ashamed of your sins enabling you to swallow your pride and go to the altar of repentance with a contrite heart asking God's forgiveness. Finally, faith. You will trust that you were forgiven because Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. When this instantaneous process is rightly done, your heart will be changed by God. You will have the power to say NO to sin, ability to love your enemies and desire to imitate Christ.

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When People Judge You

The carnal humans are inclined to judging others. They tend to make assumptions based on their own beliefs and what they hear. Since they can't see their fellow's heart, they tend to judge that person based on his past. This is common among people who are unsaved but it may also happen in the Church. When a carnal Christian sees brethren who work for the advancement of the gospel, envy and jealousy may occur specially when that jealous person isn't being recognized. His soul thinks, "My brethren are exerting effort for Christ and I'm happy for them." but his ego contradicts this by saying, "I'm also doing something. Why don't they recognize me?" These carnal thoughts are made worse by Satan when the carnal Christian listens to him and the result is a judgmental spirit that creates division.

How should we react to judgmental people?
It's simple, LOVE them. Pray for them because they're endangering their souls when they listen to Satan.

Satan divides and conquer so he tries so hard to
divide the Church by using carnal Christians to create
discord among brethren. To combat this old trick, use love.

The only thing you can do is love. God knows your heart so there's nothing to worry about. God sees your intentions so you don't need to please anyone. In fact, pleasing people is not serving God! That's what apostle Paul said. Pleasing God is what only matters. And if you're always thinking about other people's judgment, you will never grow. Someone said, "People like to bring up your past when your present and future look better than theirs." I don't disagree with this quote but there's a better motto fit for Christians. Christians rather say, "People may judge me based on my past so I will live my present in a way that no one will believe them." This is Christian  character. Salvation enables our heart to be selfless, forgiving and loving. If you can't love those who judge you, you are like a robber who hate your fellow robbers.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 )

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Understanding the Church of God

Commonly Asked Questions About The Church of God

(We use King James and New King James Version. This are the most accurate English translation of the Bible.)

Is the Church of God the "Dating Daan" whose leader is Ely Soriano?

NO. 

What is the Church of God?

The Church of God is Christianity. It is the religion founded by Jesus Christ. It's members are all the people in the world who genuinely accepted Jesus Christ in their hearts and living sinless lives in this present evil world.

You say that Christians don't commit sin but why then we see many Christians committing sin?

First of all, you have to understand what the word Christian means. The word Christian is found in Acts 11:26, "The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Disciple means "a follower". Follower means someone who OBEYS. Christians are followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ teaches sinless life. In John 8:11 Jesus said, "Go and sin no more." And in Matthew 5:48 He affirmed this when He said, "Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Therefore, if you see people who claim to be Christians but they still commit sin intentionally, those are NOT true Christians. Please read these verses:  1 John 3:9, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 

1 John 5:18, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

What if a Christian gets tempted and has committed one sin?

God said in Exodus 32:33, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book".

That Christian will automatically have his name removed by God from the Book of Life. He may hide his sin and still attend the Church worship services every Sunday but God knows he is already a sinner, therefore a backslider. Ezekiel 18:24 says, But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. As you see in this verse, it said "he shall die", this means spiritual death. Spiritual death means separation from God because of sin.

So, does this mean a Christian who commits sin is eternally doomed?

No. He still has chance if he's willing to repent again. When apostle Peter committed sin for denying Jesus three times, he sincerely repented with a sorrowful heart and was accepted by God once again.

Is it okay then to commit sin as long as you repent? Not at all! In Romans 6:2 we read, "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" The Church of God never teaches that it's okay for a Christian to commit sin once in a while. Doing so is an insult to our Savior Jesus Christ. 
However, we can't deny the fact that when a Christian becomes careless, he will fail. 

What do you do to a Christian who fails God?

Which is God's will, to condemn that person or encourage him to return to God? 

Why does the Church of God teaches that religious denominations are not God's church?

God extremely hates division. These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.(Proverbs 6:16-19) and in Ephesians 4:3-6, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Denominations or sects are teaching corrupted doctrines. They say they are part of the universal church of God but how can this be when they teach different doctrines? The Bible says there's only one Spirit. Therefore there's only One Guide to our understanding of the Bible, this is no other than the Holy Spirit. Denominations teach either less or more than the Bible. Where did their guide come from? It's impossible that the Holy Spirit teaches a doctrine to someone then teaches another doctrine  to another! A logical thinker would understand what we're trying to say here.
True Christianity teaches what's in the Bible, no more, no less! Some denominations even created their own bibles such as the Mormons and Jehova's Witnesses in spite of God's strong warning in Revelation 22:18-19, For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.  In 1 Timothy 6:3, wholesome words pertain to the complete doctrines of Christianity, particularly holy life, separation from worldly things and Christian unity. In the same verse, the doctrine according to godliness tells about the doctrine that has power to  make Christians live without committing sins and the ability to separate themselves from worldly things. 

Are the Church of God members the only Christians in the world?

This question is not the proper question for your inquiry. You should ask, "What about the sincere Christians scattered in religious denominations?"

The Church of God is a spiritual body. All people whose names are written in the Book of Life are its members. There are many true Christians scattered in different religious sects. And we are calling them to come out of those denominations and join our worship services so they may receive only the sound doctrines of Christianity. If they don't, they'll be deceived into believing that Christians cannot live without committing sins. A fresh tomato mixed with rotten ones will be rotten. Such is their situation. They are like lambs in the middle of wolves. HONESTLY observe the members of man-made churches particularly the leaders. If you're honest with your heart when you do this, you will notice something. "You shall know them by their fruits."

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech

deceive the hearts of the simple.

-Romans 16:17-18

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

-1 Timothy 4:1-5

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

-Mark 7:6-7

Why does the Church of God have few members?

I don't think we are few. We have congregations in many countries. Nevertheless, since you're comparing our number to the famous denominations with billions of members, we are indeed few.  Please read these verse: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."( 2 Timothy 3:1-5) This verse clearly tells us that nowadays, so many people hate the truth. They feel satisfied having form of godliness void of power. Form of godliness means attending church services and doing other things that look like Christian acts. However, the power to live holy and separate from worldly things isn't there. The Church of God teaches holiness, separation from worldly things and unity of all Christians. This teaching looks hard for many people nowadays because they became too proud and worldly. They can't just leave their worldly apparels, worldly ambitions and material possessions. Their spirits are willing but their bodies are weak.  They want to go to heaven but they don't want to do its requirement which is this- "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. " (Matthew 7:13-14)

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Lessons from Failure

Peter's failure is perhaps one of the most shameful of its kind ever recorded in the New Testament. In spite of his closeness with Jesus, his direct communion and countless sight of the Lord's power, he became arrogant and didn't believe the warning revealed to him. As we read in John 13:38, Jesus told Peter, "The cock shall not crow, till thou has denied me thrice." This is a solemn warning of which I believe Peter could have used to avoid committing sin. He could have trusted the Master and asked, "My Lord, if so, please tell me what to do that it may not happen." Unfortunately, he said the opposite. As recorded in Mark 14:31, "If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise." He loved Jesus so much that he couldn't accept the picture of denying Him three times. However, his love was supported not with trust but overconfidence thereby causing him to fail. Thank God that when he indeed sinned as predicted by the Master, he cried bitterly  and repented immediately instead of condemning himself and continuing such fallen condition. 

We can learn many things from apostle Peter's failure. Studying it carefully may shed some light for our benefit. Let it be known that when you backslide, you're not only hurting yourself but the people around you. So like Peter did, stand immediately in case you stumble. It is a huge mistake to stay in that backslidden condition for a long time just to punish yourself for failing God. Who are you to punish yourself? Jesus was already punished! Why repeat that punishment? You're not comforting God when you do so, you're just adding insult to an injury. Therefore, what I'm trying to say is, just in case you fail God, don't ever prolong that failure. It's extremely dangerous. We never encourage backsliding in the Church but we also never teach that when you fail, you must condemn yourself instead of letting God heal your backsliding immediately. As we read in 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". This is also much affirmed in Jeremiah 3:22, "Return ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings."

After Peter's failure, he must have learned so much from it that right after he received the Holy Spirit in the day of Pentecost, he became a humble leader in the Church of God. He must have learned that over-confidence leads to destruction. It's also evident that he didn't take his past shameful failure as something that may distract him from boldly preaching the truth. He boldly wrote in 2 Peter 2:20-22, "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

I'd like to conclude this message with a quote from a book entitled The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life written by Hannah W. Smith in 1875, "The great point is an instant return to God. Our sin is no reason for ceasing to trust, but only an unanswerable argument why we must trust more fully than ever. From whatever cause we have been betrayed into failure, it is very certain that there is no remedy to be found for it in discouragement. As well might a child who is learning to walk, lie down in despair when he has fallen, and refuse to take another step; as a believer, who is seeking to learn how to live and walk by faith, give up in despair because of having fallen into sin. The only way in both cases is to get right up and try again." 

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Understanding Critics

Youtube is one of my favorite internet sources when I want to learn something. It offers "Do it yourself" videos of different skills. However, it is also a haven of the meanest and worst critics in the world. What's so appalling is the fact that no matter how good you think a video is, there'd always be people who'd like to express their unreasonable comments about it. It's like an addiction. They can't live without saying something negative about others.

 There are two kinds of critics. The first is a good one, the constructive critic. This is a person who tells something negative for the sake of improvement. This person's only reason of expressing a negative comment is to help, not destroy. Moreover, he does it professionally and extremely discreet. The second kind of critic is a person who gives criticism for his own pleasure. This person's sole purpose is to destroy a happy mood.

The second kind of critic is our subject today. Let's dig deeper into the souls of these hated individuals in order to understand them. 

Let's start by considering their family backgrounds. Most critics were raised in a bad household. They have this emptiness since their childhood brought about by cruelty, violence, hardship and independence. Some of them were spoiled by their parents. This unpleasant root caused them to view life negatively. 

Next, let's enter their minds. Having an unpleasant family background is destructive, emotionally speaking. Because of this, critics deceived themselves into believing that they can overcome all obstacles in life by destroying their fellowmen. They think that they can be on top by trampling other people's heads. 

Lastly, let's take a look at their current environment. 

Critics are obvious in the society. If you're a keen observer, you can easily spot a critic. Therefore, if they're obvious,  people know them. And if you know that you're sitting next to a critic, I don't think you'd feel comfortable. You're going to avoid him, right? Thus, this kind of environment made these critics worse. They are actually wounded souls seeking love and understanding but it seems all people hate and avoid them. So they resort to criticizing more to "fill" the emptiness in their hearts. Their criticisms are actually their defense mechanism against rejection. 

You can't give love that
you don't have.

Now that you've learned something about these emotionally wounded people, let me ask you dear reader, what are you going to do? As a Christian, I'd say show them that you care. Listen but don't agree with them when they start criticizing others. Be interested in their lives. Do good things to them. In other words, LOVE THEM. If you do this, they might change. 

However, if you don't have Jesus in your heart, loving someone so unlovable is impossible. 

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