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| Jesus Is the Real Thing |
Time with Jesus - Friday, 05 July 2013
Hi
all,
In
1981 Phyllida and I began attending a church with a large congregation, not too
far from where we lived. For us both, it was something new and exciting. The
gifts of the Holy Spirit were in evidence and it was exactly what we needed as
a newly married couple. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We would have remained
until this very day, if circumstances had not changed for us. We also felt that
it was time for us to take on a more active role in a smaller assembly.
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| TV Star, Sports Star or The Bright & Morning Star? |
The
early 1980’s saw a significant increase of men and women into the various places
of worship. It appeared that the Spirit of God had begun to touch the lives of
local TV stars and sportsmen. We were greatly encouraged to see and be part of
this influx into God’s Kingdom. Indeed, it was exciting to see these celebrities
declaring what God was doing in their lives. Because of “celebrity status”,
several of them were invited to visit assemblies and give their testimony. In
those days, this excited everyone. Here was living proof of the power of God in
the lives of these “stars”. It was wonderful. That’s what we thought. Unfortunately,
one or two did not continue in the faith. Thus, it was not very long, before
the truth about the permanence of their conversion, became evident. In fact,
they became an embarrassment to the Body of Christ. They would say one thing
and do something else. Even so, one or two of them continued with this charade,
until the leaders in the various assemblies stopped.
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| Is your Preacher Real? |
Several
Pastors and Elders then spotted something that we had overlooked. It is an
injunction from Paul speaking about the Christian qualifications required, in
order to be placed in a position of leadership in the local assembly. In his first
letter to Timothy he wrote, 6 He must not be
a new Christian, or he might become arrogant
like the devil and be condemned. 1Ti 3:6 GW If
this was true for Elders, surely it applied to Unknown “Christian” celebrities
invited to speak from the platform? It was not long before it was realised, it
was necessary to be more.
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| Adolf Hitler 20th Century Most Effective Notorious Preacher |
Phyllida
and I have taken this injunction from Paul very seriously. We have tried to
make sure that anyone invited to speak to the congregation, was the “the real McCoy”.
It takes time to establish the “genuineness” of new converts. If you came to
Christ yesterday, you are not in a position to speak about Him in public today.
It is
possible, in certain circumstances, to waive this “rule”. It would need to be
an exceptional circumstance, initiated by the Holy Spirit. After all, He is the
“author” of the Scripture. It’s therefore unlikely He would instruct anyone to violate
His requirement, unless the circumstances necessitated a variation.
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| A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing |
We
have also done our best to make sure, new converts grow in the Lord before calling
on them to participate in a service. Genuine Christians usually have no
difficulty with such restrictions. They know that the time will come when they
are released into ministry to that local body. Since Jesus Christ is in
control, they are seldom determined to promote themselves before time.
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| John Wesley in Action |
From
the point of view of the security of the flock, it is essential to establish
whether or not someone is genuine or a fake.
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Friday, 05 July 2013
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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These devotionals are the intellectual property of
Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute
them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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GENUINE
OR NOT?
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In
English we have a delightful expression, “It’s the Real McCoy”. The picture
on the right is thought to be the origin of the expression. McCoy is derived
from Mackay, referring to Messrs Mackay, Edinburgh, who made a brand of fine
whisky from 1856 onwards and which they promoted as 'the real MacKay' from
1870.
Over
the past 50 years, I’ve come across many men and women who say they are
Christian but are no more Christian than a gold fish. To some extent, this is
because we tend to trust those who say they are Christians. I don’t know why
we are so naïve? In some ways it’s a good way to be. History is littered with
charlatans and flakes. Christians are “fair game” for the enemy. In addition,
one of the easiest ways to get money is to start a religion. So we need to be
able to identify the real McCoy.
A
major difficulty we have with this is because we are reluctant to being
thought of as judgemental. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus warns us: 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive,
and ye shall be forgiven: Luke 6:37 KJVR. But
the same Jesus tells un in Matthew’s Gospel: 15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:15-16 KJVR
These
comments are not contradictory. They make it clear that we are to be careful of
those we listen to! Never just allow anyone to address you. Not until you
have had a good opportunity, to establish whether the person in question is a
charlatan, or a false prophet. You do not establish this immediately. It
takes time to see what sort of fruit they produce. So don’t give them access
to your platform or pulpit until this has happened. A full year is a good
rule of thumb. Note that a fruit inspector is not a judge. He is exercising a
defined rule established by our Lord. You are not judging the person. Never
do that. You are examining what he or she is saying and doing. You are
required to do this in order to protect the flock from wolves in sheep’s clothing.
When this has been done, always remember that you are not “judging” the
person but his or her actions. You do not need to apologise for being
reluctant to allow someone to minister to you or your flock. The Lord requires
you to do so. Sadly, this is not done often enough.
Phyllida
and I have seen many celebrities come and go in Christianity. Being who they
are, they are invited to address the flock. Then, a couple of months later,
we find that the speaker was a liar and a cheat. Jesus knew this would happen
and warned us in advance about this danger.
So,
have a good look at the person’s label. Establish if he is the genuine thing.
Make sure he is “the real McCoy”. Never settle for a substitute!
Jim & Phyllida
Strickland
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16 Live
in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to
enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
Rom 12:16 NLT
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They
called him a delinquent for all the things he’d done.
His father was a rich man; he was his only son.
In and out
of trouble throughout his days at school,
But he was rather clever; in fact was no man’s fool.
At rugby
he was excellent. He played for the first team.
To represent his country, had been a childhood dream.
And then
at last it happened. He heard his country’s call;
And joined the other players in the players training
hall.
He played
just like a champion. He even scored a try.
And he was a celebrity, now reaching for the sky.
His
lifestyle was unaltered. He’d yell and scream and swear.
No matter who was listening. It didn’t matter where.
He got a
reputation. They called him ‘Mac the Knife’.
And that is what he wanted to see him through this
life.
And then
he met the Saviour. As best as we can tell.
The reason that he did it was keeping out of hell.
But he was
a celebrity and churches everywhere,
Came to him and asked him if he would like to share.
He wanted
to impress the folk and picked up “Christian-ese”.
He only told the people the things he thought would
please.
But he was
still a reprobate. He did it all for show.
For he was still unaltered and people didn’t know.
He tramped
around the circuit. The people were all tricked.
For he was very plausible and he had even picked,
The proper
words to tell them; and no one seemed to know.
It was all on the surface. He did it all for show.
And then
one day it happened. He made a big mistake.
The people quickly realised that he was just a
flake.
He’d tell
the people anything if they would give him cash.
And many folk looked at him and saw his life go
crash!
How often
has this happened? A hundred times or more?
We’re taken in by someone who doesn’t live Christ’s
law.
They know
the proper standard, but that is far too hard.
Their words sound very pretty; but in their own
back-yard,
The truth
of what they really are, comes up and overflows.
But it’s their “reputation” that only Jesus knows.
What
should we all be doing and how should we react?
Don’t invite a stranger, until we know for fact,
That what
he says is genuine. Wait about a year,
Before you ask celebrities if they’d like to appear.
Do not
share the platform with anyone until,
You know about their lifestyle; the person may just
kill,
What you
have been teaching. Don’t ever take the chance,
That just because they’re famous, the tune to which
they dance,
Is
absolutely Christian. If Jesus is their Lord,
They won’t object to waiting till their lives have
been explored.
Jim
Strickland
Written 5th July 2012
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1 My dear brothers and
sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if
you favour some people over others?
Jas 2:1 NLT
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5
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't
God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones
who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him?
Jas 2:5 NLT
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24 We should not look out for our own interests. Instead,
we should look out for the interests of others.
1 Co 10:24 NIrV
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8 If we have food and clothing, we will be happy with
that. 9 People who want to get
rich are tempted. They fall into a trap. They are tripped up by wanting many
foolish and harmful things. Those who live like that are dragged down by what
they do. They are destroyed and die.
1Ti 6:8-9 NIrV
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27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28
God chose the things of this world that are
common and looked down on. He chose what is not considered to be important to
do away with what is considered to be important. 29 So no one can brag to God.
1 Co 1:27-29 NIrV
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A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. 1
LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not
haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or too awesome
for me to grasp. 2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like
a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother's milk. Yes, like a weaned
child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the
LORD--now and always.
Psalm 131:1-3 NLT
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