Glorify The Name of Yahweh...Malachi 1:11 - John Piper against the False "Prosperity Gospel"

Saturday, June 23, 2007

John Piper against the False "Prosperity Gospel"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc
Piper is preaching about the travesty of the "prosperity gospel" taking the focus off of the reason Jesus Christ died and rose again...to save us from the wrath of God. If there are any blessings to be received from God besides that, then it is merely in addition to the grace already received. The reason we are here on earth is to win souls for Jesus Christ. Not to live comfortable lives enjoying our health, wealth, and prosperity! Blessings are not a legitimate draw card for Christianity but they may be a result. The only reason people should come to Jesus is for their sins to be forgiven. People who come to Jesus for any other reason will be false converts who turn away when the promised persecution, trouble, and pain comes around. If they come to Jesus to be forgiven of their sins, then they won't care about the problems because they know that the best is yet to come. The error in the prosperity teaching is rooted in the whole concept of "faith". Faith is a gift of God - the same as everything else. Lack of faith is not the reason the Western Church is in bondage. The only reason ANYONE in ANY church is in bondage is because they are NOT SAVED. The problem does not arise from not having enough faith, but any faith at all - which comes from hearing the Word of God. The call to repent and trust on God is not preached, people are told to "pray a prayer" and then are given false assurance of salvation and called Christians. People are not converted by God and God has not granted Faith as a result. There are many false gospels out there, not just this one. The Truth is that Jesus paid the price so you and I could go free. Period. Otherwise we would have to face the horrible wrath of God for our disobedience. Jesus was crushed for our iniquities - so we did not have to be crushed. God's Justice was paid on the cross, and our salvation, resurrection, and victory was sealed by His resurrection from the dead! I say that we start preaching Christ and Him crucified and throw away this garbage that takes our eyes off the cross and causes us to focus on ourselves!

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Comments

Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Amen!

Posted by Deblyn

I just happened across your blog! My eye caught the name John Piper and I read your blog. It is so good! I really enjoyed watching the clip and have actually forwarded that to a bunch of people as it is such a true statement.

I am going to keep an eye on your blog and be praying for you! Your heart for missions is so wonderful. I went on a short-term mission trip to Thailand in 1990, and went on a couple weekend trips to Mexico in the 90's as well. Although I didn't end up on the mission field overseas, I do believe we all are to pray for, support and encourage missionaries in foreign lands and be responsible to share the gospel of Jesus where we are. May God give you the direction you need for the two year mission and future. God Bless you!

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Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by stitchnchick

I thank you for sharing this. I was so touched by your words and the video. I have seen Christians who, when faced with trials, are so surprised, and believe that something must be wrong--that they don't have enough faith.

Clearly God's Word says, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of them all..." We are promised suffering and I believe that many of us have no real idea of what that means or the suffering that is possibly yet to come... I know I am a whiner at times when I start to feel less comfortable (financially, etc.) and I feel so ashamed of myself.

Back before the new year, my step- father (a very cruel man) said he had accepted Jesus. It made him "happier than he had ever been" he said. But, when faced with a devastating trial soon after, (my mother suffering a stroke and nearly dying) he completely turned his back and has since become ten times more mean and evil than before. The seed was sown, but plucked by the enemy.

During the same trial, my sister and I, holding each other up, through tears, said, "Lord, we will praise you if you spare Mom's life, and we will praise you if you take her home..." That is where you realize what your faith is made of and it''s not about any earthly thing...

Sorry if I rambled here. This was a very stirring post for me.

Amy

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - Amen!

Posted by solodeogloria

As my husband would add, "Good preaching!!"

So often Christians will loose focus, but as you said, our purpose - the reason we are here - is clearly to win souls. Anything that pulls our focus off of that is to be avoided. As Paul did, we need to keep our eyes on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!

I'm enjoying your blog and praying for you!

Love and Blessings,
Laurie

Thank you, God, for young people who have you living in their hearts, their eyes on the prize and hear your call to the mission field to win souls for you...bless them! Amen

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About Me

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." ~ Acts 20:24