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About Me
- Chaplain Bernell Wesley
- I have served in the jail and prison ministry for more than 10 years.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The Dishonest Steward: Luke 16:1-15
Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free
John 8:32
This parable is said to be one of the hardest to teach or explain. On the surface it is about a dishonest steward who is found out. He then manipulates the accounts in his favor in order to appease his master. The Bible says we are slaves to whatever controls us. This dishonest steward was enslaved to his passions to amass wealth for himself by using his office of steward to conceal his "iniquity". The only skills the steward had was being a steward but because he did not respect his master he was eventually brought to account for his failure as a steward. The Bible says this steward "couldn't dig and was ashamed to beg". He couldn't do manual labor and he was full of pride, so asking, begging for help was out of the question.
This parable is about trust and accountability. It's about judgement. The master trusts that the steward will have his best interests at heart. Until it is brought to his attention (by some or they) the master has no reason to doubt his steward. Some or they, depending on which translation is being referred to, means the same. Co-stewards. These fellow stewards went to the master. The Bible tells us to worry about nothing and pray about everything. Philippians 4:6. So, we don't confront pastors or preachers outright when we observe something that does not line up to The Word but instead we make our requests known to God on our knees. Did you know that in some cultures preacher and pastor are different offices with different functions. For example in the Chinese church a preacher must prove that he is capable of leading the church before he is considered a pastor and a preacher is restricted in that he cannot administer sacrament, holy communion or baptism. You have to prove that you are trustworthy. The European (Greek, Roman) church confused the offices in that they understand all offices to be the same with different functions. A bishop and elder are not equal but their function is considered the same. In the natural the parts of the body are different with different functions. Hands and feet are different and serve a different purpose. Promotion in the modern church too often is based on how well you meet the criteria set by the title holders in the church. 1 Timothy 4:14 is an overview of the standards of biblical promotion. Modern stewards (pastors) many times are groomed to inherit churches, congregations and lands as an inheritance package. In Acts 16 Paul meets Timothy for the first time, begins to groom him, sets himself up as Timothy's "spiritual father" against the admonition of Jesus Christ himself who said in Matthew 23:9 - And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. He then ordains and makes Timothy Bishop of Ephesus. Were the other Apostles consulted? When Judas was replaced the apostles acted only under the unction of the Holy Spirit after conferring among themselves. The practice of church appointments is Pauline in its origin and can be traced back to the church of Acts and its first bishop Timothy.
The modern church has taught inheritance totally out of Biblical context. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22. 1 Peter 1:4 says our inheritance is kept in heaven. Inheritance and wealth are two different things according to Proverbs 13:22. Biblical inheritance is heavenly, spiritual and eternal. Wealth is earthly and temporal. We (believers) are admonished to use the wealth that sinners trust in. We don't chase wealth like the unGodly. If we are living in the perfect Will of God, God will cause wealth to find us.
Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered a rich man claiming to want salvation. Jesus replied; "No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" Mark 10:17-22. "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
One commentator has observed this: being an elite, the dishonest steward had never really wanted for anything, therefore he was at a disadvantage for committing to true service as an honest steward. Why? It's easy to keep the commandments if you have never been tempted materially to break them. That's why Jesus presented him with a challenge that he had never encountered before. Give up the stuff that makes you comfortable and happy. And, if you pastors and preachers, really want to learn to be the kind of stewards that the master approves of you have to give up amassing earthly wealth as an inheritance. The Kingdom of God is not a Mom-and-Pop shop or family business. You expect your congregation to give out of their poverty while you live like a pastor. You can't continue to live above your congregation . As the sheperds you have to find a way either to live in the pasture with your sheep or bring them up to where you are. God has promised He will change the sheperds for some that are willing to lead His sheep according to His Word. Jeremiah 23. As always seek ya first The Kingdom Of God and don't worry about the rest...
John 8:32
This parable is said to be one of the hardest to teach or explain. On the surface it is about a dishonest steward who is found out. He then manipulates the accounts in his favor in order to appease his master. The Bible says we are slaves to whatever controls us. This dishonest steward was enslaved to his passions to amass wealth for himself by using his office of steward to conceal his "iniquity". The only skills the steward had was being a steward but because he did not respect his master he was eventually brought to account for his failure as a steward. The Bible says this steward "couldn't dig and was ashamed to beg". He couldn't do manual labor and he was full of pride, so asking, begging for help was out of the question.
This parable is about trust and accountability. It's about judgement. The master trusts that the steward will have his best interests at heart. Until it is brought to his attention (by some or they) the master has no reason to doubt his steward. Some or they, depending on which translation is being referred to, means the same. Co-stewards. These fellow stewards went to the master. The Bible tells us to worry about nothing and pray about everything. Philippians 4:6. So, we don't confront pastors or preachers outright when we observe something that does not line up to The Word but instead we make our requests known to God on our knees. Did you know that in some cultures preacher and pastor are different offices with different functions. For example in the Chinese church a preacher must prove that he is capable of leading the church before he is considered a pastor and a preacher is restricted in that he cannot administer sacrament, holy communion or baptism. You have to prove that you are trustworthy. The European (Greek, Roman) church confused the offices in that they understand all offices to be the same with different functions. A bishop and elder are not equal but their function is considered the same. In the natural the parts of the body are different with different functions. Hands and feet are different and serve a different purpose. Promotion in the modern church too often is based on how well you meet the criteria set by the title holders in the church. 1 Timothy 4:14 is an overview of the standards of biblical promotion. Modern stewards (pastors) many times are groomed to inherit churches, congregations and lands as an inheritance package. In Acts 16 Paul meets Timothy for the first time, begins to groom him, sets himself up as Timothy's "spiritual father" against the admonition of Jesus Christ himself who said in Matthew 23:9 - And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. He then ordains and makes Timothy Bishop of Ephesus. Were the other Apostles consulted? When Judas was replaced the apostles acted only under the unction of the Holy Spirit after conferring among themselves. The practice of church appointments is Pauline in its origin and can be traced back to the church of Acts and its first bishop Timothy.
The modern church has taught inheritance totally out of Biblical context. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22. 1 Peter 1:4 says our inheritance is kept in heaven. Inheritance and wealth are two different things according to Proverbs 13:22. Biblical inheritance is heavenly, spiritual and eternal. Wealth is earthly and temporal. We (believers) are admonished to use the wealth that sinners trust in. We don't chase wealth like the unGodly. If we are living in the perfect Will of God, God will cause wealth to find us.
Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered a rich man claiming to want salvation. Jesus replied; "No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" Mark 10:17-22. "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
One commentator has observed this: being an elite, the dishonest steward had never really wanted for anything, therefore he was at a disadvantage for committing to true service as an honest steward. Why? It's easy to keep the commandments if you have never been tempted materially to break them. That's why Jesus presented him with a challenge that he had never encountered before. Give up the stuff that makes you comfortable and happy. And, if you pastors and preachers, really want to learn to be the kind of stewards that the master approves of you have to give up amassing earthly wealth as an inheritance. The Kingdom of God is not a Mom-and-Pop shop or family business. You expect your congregation to give out of their poverty while you live like a pastor. You can't continue to live above your congregation . As the sheperds you have to find a way either to live in the pasture with your sheep or bring them up to where you are. God has promised He will change the sheperds for some that are willing to lead His sheep according to His Word. Jeremiah 23. As always seek ya first The Kingdom Of God and don't worry about the rest...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Modern Stoicism,Epicureanism and The Religion Of Oprah
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun
Ecclesiastes 1:9
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus (c. 341–c. 270 BC), founded around 307 BC. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus—about whom very little is known—Epicurus believed that the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear (ataraxia) as well as absence of bodily pain (aponia) through knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of our desires. The combination of these two states is supposed to constitute happiness in its highest form. Although Epicureanism is a form of hedonism, insofar as it declares pleasure as the sole intrinsic good, its conception of absence of pain as the greatest pleasure and its advocacy of a simple life make it different from "hedonism" as it is commonly understood.
http://wikipedia.org/
Basic "hedonism" (lust) does not lead to "happiness in its highest form". Lust leads to physical, emotional and spiritual degeneration. Hedonism is the opposite of suffering, something a cross-bearing Christian is supposed to welcome. The philosophy of hedonism is the belief that "pleasure" is the most important thing in life. Hence, the belief that everything is acceptable bewteen consenting adults. In a http://youtube/ presentation Oprah not only proudly denounces Jesus Christ but claims she is a "christian". A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ not someone who denies Him. She is a follower of Eckhart Tolle, a high school drop out New Age author and modern wizard. He has taken every modern "religion", dropped them in his philosophical pot and convinced far too many that he is enlightened. The Bible teaches us that the "spirit of antichrist" is among us. The Bible also teaches us to - Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 . Too many Christians misunderstand the scriptures and therefore rely on the safety of The Word to protect them from the "wiles of the devil". How does one rightly divide the word of truth. By practicing a relationship with Jesus Christ Amen through The Holy Spirit.
With all the influence Oprah has she lacks the ability to study for herself. It seems that she instead finds people with whom she agrees and then promotes them. If Oprah knew anything about philosophy she would have known that Eckhart Tolle was bringing nothing new to the table but instead was presenting old philosophies (Stoicism and Epicureanism) to a modern philosophy challenged audience. It's unfortunate that The Bible, the greatest book ever written , is not taken more seriously by modern so-called educated people. When The Bible states that there is nothing new under the sun or to stay away from "deceptive philosophy" it is clear that God in His infinite Wisdom is in complete control of His Creation and all the Eckhart Tolles or Oprahs have no clue...
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun
Ecclesiastes 1:9
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus (c. 341–c. 270 BC), founded around 307 BC. Epicurus was an atomic materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to a general attack on superstition and divine intervention. Following Aristippus—about whom very little is known—Epicurus believed that the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility and freedom from fear (ataraxia) as well as absence of bodily pain (aponia) through knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of our desires. The combination of these two states is supposed to constitute happiness in its highest form. Although Epicureanism is a form of hedonism, insofar as it declares pleasure as the sole intrinsic good, its conception of absence of pain as the greatest pleasure and its advocacy of a simple life make it different from "hedonism" as it is commonly understood.
http://wikipedia.org/
Basic "hedonism" (lust) does not lead to "happiness in its highest form". Lust leads to physical, emotional and spiritual degeneration. Hedonism is the opposite of suffering, something a cross-bearing Christian is supposed to welcome. The philosophy of hedonism is the belief that "pleasure" is the most important thing in life. Hence, the belief that everything is acceptable bewteen consenting adults. In a http://youtube/ presentation Oprah not only proudly denounces Jesus Christ but claims she is a "christian". A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ not someone who denies Him. She is a follower of Eckhart Tolle, a high school drop out New Age author and modern wizard. He has taken every modern "religion", dropped them in his philosophical pot and convinced far too many that he is enlightened. The Bible teaches us that the "spirit of antichrist" is among us. The Bible also teaches us to - Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 . Too many Christians misunderstand the scriptures and therefore rely on the safety of The Word to protect them from the "wiles of the devil". How does one rightly divide the word of truth. By practicing a relationship with Jesus Christ Amen through The Holy Spirit.
With all the influence Oprah has she lacks the ability to study for herself. It seems that she instead finds people with whom she agrees and then promotes them. If Oprah knew anything about philosophy she would have known that Eckhart Tolle was bringing nothing new to the table but instead was presenting old philosophies (Stoicism and Epicureanism) to a modern philosophy challenged audience. It's unfortunate that The Bible, the greatest book ever written , is not taken more seriously by modern so-called educated people. When The Bible states that there is nothing new under the sun or to stay away from "deceptive philosophy" it is clear that God in His infinite Wisdom is in complete control of His Creation and all the Eckhart Tolles or Oprahs have no clue...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Whenever I hear "first lady" in recognition of a pastors' wife, I cringe. Not only is this not Biblical but in many respects I believe it is separatist, elitest and a hinderance to Church growth. Who was the first to find it necessary to use such a title? And, why is it a "black church" practice? The title also implies rank and order when The Bible specifically teach that God is no respecter of "persons".
Acts 10:34-35.
One of the major problems of modern Church is that we have a tendency to add to The Word of God wherever it best suits our purpose. We forget Revelation 22:18 which forbids anyone adding to The Words of The Book. We are all, who confess Jesus The Christ Amen to be our Lord and Saviour, servants. Nothing more nor nothing less. God does not see us as Reverend, Dr. Pastor so-and-so and first lady. He sees us as servants. How this looks in The Spirit is quite ludicrious. Say, several different congregations all "honor" first ladies. Who is the first lady of the first ladies and who determines this order and by what criteria? Is it maybe judged by who has the largest congregation, or maybe who receives the most tithe? You see where this goes.
Then the problem of approachability arises. Is there certain circumstances when a first lady should not be approached? Hebrews 5:4 teaches that no man shall take honor unto himself but honor unto man is bestowed by God. Religion causes so called Christians to pervert The Word of God to satisfy personal lusts and desires. Seeking a true relationship with The Father on the other hand purges us and requires self judgement.
Acts 10:34-35.
One of the major problems of modern Church is that we have a tendency to add to The Word of God wherever it best suits our purpose. We forget Revelation 22:18 which forbids anyone adding to The Words of The Book. We are all, who confess Jesus The Christ Amen to be our Lord and Saviour, servants. Nothing more nor nothing less. God does not see us as Reverend, Dr. Pastor so-and-so and first lady. He sees us as servants. How this looks in The Spirit is quite ludicrious. Say, several different congregations all "honor" first ladies. Who is the first lady of the first ladies and who determines this order and by what criteria? Is it maybe judged by who has the largest congregation, or maybe who receives the most tithe? You see where this goes.
Then the problem of approachability arises. Is there certain circumstances when a first lady should not be approached? Hebrews 5:4 teaches that no man shall take honor unto himself but honor unto man is bestowed by God. Religion causes so called Christians to pervert The Word of God to satisfy personal lusts and desires. Seeking a true relationship with The Father on the other hand purges us and requires self judgement.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
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