Last week I started online schooling through Assemblies of God which is going to cost $2700+ or 116,100PHP+. That same week I miraculously got a job as well to help pay for these classes. I spoke to my dad about the costs and that I don’t make nearly enough as a missionary. Then the following morning a friend of mine posted on Facebook about a part time job, and I was hired before I ever got out of bed that morning. God is faithful even when I am not.
It’s becoming harder and harder for me to preach as God continues to give me messages that would appear as doom and gloom. What I’m going to say in this email is going to be very unpopular, but through the persecution of men I count it as joy just as “the apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Acts 5:41. It’s not men that I care to please, but God. For that is my life’s ambition. With that said many of you will be offended with what I’m about to say.
I wept bitterly for hours last week over all the pastors in America and abroad who are too afraid to say what’s in the context of this message, for they will be judged more harshly at the judgment seat for leading God’s people astray. The devil isn’t the least bit afraid of many of your pastors. When they wake up do you think Satan really trembles in fear for the man of God has awoken? Always preaching a feel good message with an easy to accept Gospel + salvation that I can’t find in my Bible. Satan only bothers himself with those who actually proclaim and demonstrate the Kingdom of God in its fullness. You’ve been sitting in that church for over 20 years and haven’t seen one miracle, and yet aren’t the least bit concerned?
I’m going to take some words out of “Ten Shekels and a Shirt”…Humanism is a philosophical statement that says the end of all things is man’s happiness. The reason for our existence is for man’s happiness. Salvation is simply a matter of getting all the happiness a man can get. One could secure their position in heaven by saying “uh huh” to a few places in Scripture. Just say, “uh huh” to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and you’ll go to heaven. Someone will smile, pat you on the back and say, “Brother you are saved”.
Somewhere it’s turned into a formula. The end of this salvation was the happiness of man, because humanism has penetrated. It could go something like this: Accept Jesus so you can go to heaven. You don’t want to go to that ol’ nasty filthy burning hell when there is a beautiful heaven up there. Now come to Jesus so you can go to heaven. And the appeal could be as much to selfishness as a couple of men sitting in a coffee shop planning to rob a bank to get something for nothing. This philosophical understanding is that the end of all being is the happiness of man, far from what Christ has inspired us to believe. The end of all being is the glory of God. It’s time to come back to Christianity.
Many of you would believe that I have a ministry of preaching healing to the sick. There is something that stirs me far more than sick physically, and that is sick spiritually. In fact, I didn’t even experience physical healing until my heart was in anguish for the lost of this world. Jesus said why He was born and I too strive to please God by speaking only His words, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” John 18:37. My only desire is that God’s people come back to Him. Your physical healing isn’t nearly a concern as your spiritual one. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” What’s worse is that many of you think that means to ask God to forgive you of your awful sins, because you feel bad for doing something wrong. Even a child says sorry when he/she has done something wrong, though true forgiveness will be displayed if they choose to not do it again. The word repent in the Greek and Hebrew, means to “change your way of thinking.” So have we truly changed our way of thinking to that of God’s? Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matt 7:21-23. So are you doing the will of the Father or ignoring His commands to love your neighbor as yourself?
My many tears have wept for you and your church who claim to be followers of Christ. Yet you ignore the poor in your ministry and only seek the rich cause in them you say you’ll reach the poor, orphans and widows? “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” This isn’t even the greatest of offenses, as that little prayer of salvation which is being spread and sending millions of people to hell. Only Jesus has the authority to forgive man of sin, but haven’t many of your pastors said “You’re forgiven” for just repeating a few words? I know of many Catholics who do something similar, but live more holy lives than many of those professing Christians who are still evil doers and aren’t convicted of their own sin. Nowhere in my Bible do I read about salvation being easy. In fact Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Salvation is to be worked on through God and you alone. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” Phil 2:12. Even the Apostle Paul had written that he wants to run the race to win the prize, so that his life wouldn’t be in vain. Is that how you live your life?
If you’re not offended yet, you will be. Look down at your toes and wave good bye. Many of you reading this have so much abundance to fatten up our stomachs and wallets, but not enough to send an extra meal to the poor or to any Christian in need. The American Christians say they are in the will of God, but too many are reclined back watching TV. The lamp of your body has been focused on the dirty television and the darkness has consumed the entire temple of your body. Seek the Holy Spirit while He may still be found! Repent, for if the Apostles said they were in the last hour, then surely we are in the last minutes! “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2nd Cor 13:5.
It’s time to divorce yourself from this world and cling to Jesus. I am not the judge and cannot say who will make it to heaven or to hell. I pray all God’s children take the time recognize people around them, especially in their own church building. “By their fruit you will recognize them” Matt 7:16. God is going to come back for a “Glorious church” who is holy. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. His bride will understand the authority given to them as they have been adopted into the family. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you” Acts 1:8. Because of this power from God, you’ll be able to withstand the schemes of the evil one and conquer his many attacks to steal, kill or destroy in any area of your life that hinders your God given purpose.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24. No one is going to put that cross on you. You must be the one to make the choice to “die” to yourself and your desires. You won’t be alone, and it will be more rewarding and joyful than any counterfeit you’ll find in entertainment! Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27. Follow Him as your plans for your life are meaningless and full of selfishness anyway.
Jesus has been trying to come into the church. Revelations 3 has always talked about church, not salvation for the sinner… “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Let us once again have fellowship with our Heavenly Father and get to know His desires. Turn back to your first love! Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. There is always hope if you are still breathing, but don’t waste your next breath!
Because they haven’t heard,
Justin Gilpin
