Matthew 4: KJV
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
If the reader has read my previous articles then you would know that I do not hold or espouse the doctrine of the “prosperity gospel”. I will re-iterated that it is a “doctrine from hell”.
The stated verse above I feel is the anchor for the rebuke of the so called “prosperity gospel”. If you will take note of what the devil promised he would give Christ if Christ would bow down and worship him. The promise, “…all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them”. This is the basis of the this eroneous doctrine spouted by a large majority of “faith preachers”. They claim God wants to make them rich and prosperous. This is in total opposition of the message Christ and the early church teachings. Let me direct you to the following words of Christ.
Matthew 6:19-21 KJV
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (emphasis mine)
You can tell a mans heart from where is by that which he holds a major concern for in his life. If he is always seeking wealth, fortune, and fame, it is almost certain that is devotion for the Lord Jesus Christ is weak if not totally deficient.
As a youth there was a hymn that was used during an altar call urging those in the congregation to consecrate their lives to Christ.
1 I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
no turning back, no turning back.
2 Though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
though none go with me, I still will follow;
no turning back, no turning back.
3 The world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross before me;
the world behind me, the cross before me;
no turning back, no turning back.
Over the past several decades the message of the Christ, take up your cross, has been diminished and it’s place a message that promotes the wants of the flesh. Self-esteem, positive thinking, name it and claim it, all things that take away the focus of the work that was done on the cross of Calvary.
The altar has been removed and replaced for a theaterical stage all to make the soul of man feel good. The gospel message has also been put off to the side and entertainment along with entertainers now take center stage.
The hymns of the church, like “There is Power in the Blood”, “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus”, are replaced with songs that could be played on any secular radio or television station.
Maybe I belong in a past decade, yet, I do not believe it is me, but it is the lack of the saving grace of Jesus Christ that is at fault.
Mr. “Prosperity” Preacher, one day all your money raising abilities will be for naught for the money you so want to heap into your coffers will be worthless. Your efforts should have been placed on winning souls for Christ.
Proverbs 11:30 KJV
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
When the economies of the world collapse the very people you entertained will be screaming, asking you why you never prepared them for heaven. You will be held accountable for the lives you led astray.
The revival of repentance must start at the pulpit before it will fall on the ears of those in the pews.
1 Peter 4: KJV
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Mr. pastor, stop your message that caters to the congregation, your church board, or your seminary and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:1 KJV
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
There would be no salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ if the Saviour would have yielded to satan and followed his way. Because he knew what He was sent to do told the tempter to get behind him, he resisted the devil and the devil fled.
James 4:7-8 KJV
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
RTS -Mental health 
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