Man as the Head vs. God as the Head
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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Why are there people out there who feel that church, or at least some churches are strange, wrong, not for them, or down right evil? Why do some churches have a man leading more than God? What has happened to the church or the church of man? Are all churches, and pastors always right? How can you tell if a church is a church of God? These are some of the questions we need to ask today. Over the past 30 years we have had more self proclaimed false Christ's than any other time. Jim Jones and Vernon Howell (Waco) are two of the most known. Then we have even had pastors and priests go to jail; James Baker for one, and some priests for molesting children. Now imagine you do not know God and the only representation of God is what you see on the news and in public. How many cults or just off base denominations are there? One proclaims that Jesus is the angel Michael, while another states that God came from a planet of Gods. There is more truth in some of the cults and Satan worshipers than there is in some of the churches who say they are of God. Some of the above, the one that claims Jesus is the angel Michael and the other that God came from a planet of God actually do a better job with new believers than all the other denominations put together. These two groups go neighborhood to neighborhood, door to door just wanting to share "Jesus" with each new person they meet. When was the last time you did something like that? I personally do not believe we should go door to door unless led to by the Lord. Most people who do this get excited and go out with no guidance and mess up what is already in the works. It is like over watering a plant. God may have already have someone watering there and then here comes the new person who just wants to share, but ends up pushing this person away. We need to get back to basics. Our leaders need to teach everyone how to hear from God and that listening to and following God is the most important thing over all. You see, God knows who is watering where and where no one is being called upon to share Him. If we listen and are obedient to God we will get more done in ½ the time. Now, to answer some of the questions at the top of the page. People who do not know God and feel that church, or at least some churches are strange, wrong, not for them, or down right evil due to what they have seen, when they see a pastor go to jail or a member out chasing women while his wife is at home with his children. Of course this would give the wrong impression and at the same time keep some from coming around. Some churches depend on the man of God more than God because the man of God has not taught the members how to hear from God, or does not know he/she should. What has happened to the church or the church of man? The church has lost touch with God due to man's teachings. Remember, the 1st century church had no schools, just the Lord. Are all churches, and pastors always right? No, even the best of us can be wrong. But when it deals with the word and the pastor listens well usually he/she does not get it wrong, because it is the Holy Spirit explaining it to them. How can you tell if a church is a church of God? Ask them what I John 2:27 and John 14:26 means. If they are not sure or state anything less than that God is the only one to listen to and follow, then they are of man and not of God. Let us find out together what church is. Matthew 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Remember in our study on Christ, "Christ" is a Greek word, which in English means "The Anointed One". Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Jesus told Peter here that he did not understand or come to know the Christ (The Anointed One) by mental knowledge, or being there with Jesus. It was revealed (a revelation) to him by God; so Peter had a revelation in his spirit. Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Here is where Jesus named Simon as Peter and in Greek the word is Petros; Strong's Number: 4074-GSN Transliterated: Petros Pronounced: pet'-ros a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than 3037 GSN); as a name, Petrus, an apostle: KJV--Peter, rock. Compare 2786 GSN. As you notice it is a piece of the rock. Not the rock. Jesus is the cornerstone, but the rock is revelation knowledge from God via the spirit of who Jesus is as the Christ and Son of God. Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Now the Greek word for rock here is petra; Strong's Number: 4073-GSN Transliterated: petra Pronounced: pet'-ra feminine of the same as 4074 GSN; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively): KJV--rock. Which as you can see is the big, bedrock. So what is the rock (petra) Jesus is referring to? It is not Peter, because Peter is a piece of the rock. Jesus said, "upon this rock". Well, He was just talking about the revelation Peter had. So the church is built upon the revealed (revelation) knowledge from God of Jesus as the Christ and true Son of God. "Jesus" translated is "Salvation". So if you are of Jesus you have salvation, and when you are of Christ you are of the Spirit of God, in, on and through you. The Son of God refers to our inheritance in God's kingdom. So we are the church as far as the revealed knowledge goes, but we are not the church. The church is when we are connected to God through he spirit, and operating in the revealed knowledge of Christ.
My prayer for you is: 3 John 1 2.
When someone in most churches accepts Jesus as Lord they are mostly on their own. The day they accept Jesus everyone is all for them, and then by the next week over ½ of the same people have forgotten their names. While these other two groups holds their hands all the way through.
Remember to show faith when you pray, then praise and give thanks.
God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.
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