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One would think that as we think of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ; sanity is what comes to our minds.  Wrong.  I must admit, that the church in general, or at least those that profess to be a part of the body of Christ have lost their literal minds.  Not only do most of the African American and White church in this country continue to be void of understanding when it comes to discernment; many of us that attend these institutions of religious insanity just go along with the programs as if all is moving in concert as we strain to get to heaven or hell; now days, it is difficult to tell the difference.  We find ourselves in a kind of constant flux being carried into the juxtaposition of choosing in order to please as opposed to being chosen in order to prove who we say we are. 

One but has to go to “You Tube” that great Internet Engine and key in phrases like “praise gone crazy” and view from so many so called Christian churches what has become the normative.  Well let me tell you something, it is not normal for a Christian to adhere to the insane tactics that literally hundreds of thousands of so called Christians subscribe in this country today.   As I surfed the site of  “You Tube” I went to a COGIC ministry that was featuring a young man going by the name of Prophet Bryan Carn.  He is terrible and just the perfect example of an idiot.  Yet I see black people affirming this nitwit.  His videos are so crass, it really takes an awful lot of courage to sit through his crazy shenanigans and to keep a serious demeanor as one defines what he is attempting to do to the literally stupid people sitting or standing in front of him. 

Now by this time, some of you as my readers are offended because I refer to the people in the church as fools of some sort; well, you have discerned correctly.  If one would appear in a court of law, or in an institution of higher learning where people (human beings) are asked to engage their brains it would not take very long to concur that no intelligent human being would attend such services.  Don’t read me wrong, I am a black man, I like good music, I like to dance from time to time, I also like to loose myself in laughter from time to time, as it is very good for the soul to escape the difficulties of this life from time – to - time. 

It appears to me that the people that allow these ring leaders of a circus church gone mad to voodoo their minds in such a way that all intelligent behavior is literally cast to the wind with the explanation that “God or a god” has something to do with this kind of behavior.  Well, frankly; that is a lie.  I would not suppose to speak for God in all cases but I do read in the bible that God is not the author of confusion. See; 1st Corinthians 14:33 

Another excuse for this ignorant behavior is found in the statements that; “We’ve always done it this way.”  I’ve heard that kind of language throughout my entire Christian experience; keep in mind that I came up in a black Baptist Church where most of it’s congregants were from the south.  Bringing about change in religious institutions which are filled with people that I call “Traditionalist” even when you propose a biblical ethic will cause the great divide.  Most of the none thinkers would rather remain in error than to challenge their pastor with a biblical agenda.   

I have witnessed church fights, schisms, divisions among family and foes alike.  I have often thought to myself; “what am I doing in a place like this?”  I have experienced while I was in the choir in the church that I lead, women literally hating each other and fighting for the last word to sing their song.  Disgusting is about the only word that I could think of in that all of us were there for the purpose of worship supposedly.  I recall with vivid clarity that my late Pastor would be teaching and both of the women would listen for him to say something that both might use as an advantage against the other and they would speak with conviction “amen Pastor Preach”.  Each one of us in the choir knew just what was going on.  The foolishness of these two women will be judged by God in the last day.  It would do no good at all to point this outrageous behavior out to others; you see “Family was involved”.  They were not going to hear it. 

That illustration so many years ago has mushroomed larger than the cloud of an Atom Bomb in our churches which are full of homosexuals, perverts behind the pulpits and whores who sell themselves for the price of fun and games.  Shame has been ushered into the black church in America and the greater shame is that no one desires to address it.  At times we are so careful not to offend.  Let me tell you something.  When Jesus returns, He is not going to be unconscious as He offends all of us with His truth.  I love the phrase that He is going to use when He tells literally hundreds of thousands of African American and White American Christians to “Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you.!” See; Matthew 7:23 

It is high time that all of us that have a bit of brains come to the front of the line and speak out against this insanity that has come into our churches.  Please allow me to provide for you another example of this slight of the hand error that many churches now have incorporated.  It grieves me to write this part of the article simply this hits close to home.  I know the man personally that has build a huge new church and ministry in Ohio in the Dayton area. 

The Phillips Temple CME Church lead by Pastor James Washington has a service which I like to call “Christian Lite”.  They call it the “Ultimate Saturday Night Worship Experience”.  I will cut and paste some of the words right off of Pastor Washington’s site.  He is a dear friend of mine, I love him, but this is nothing less than compromise.  Look at the way that he defines this Mosaic worship experience, by the way held at a location away from the church.  Keeping in mind, this is right off of the churches web site.  

What is Mosaic?

Mosaic is a Saturday worship celebration for individuals who want to experience God in a relaxed and relevant way. 

Who is Mosaic for?

Mosaic is for Christians who want to go deeper in their faith and for those who do not yet consider themselves Christians, but want to explore the claims of Christianity.  Our hope is to be deep enough for the believer, but relaxed enough for the unbeliever. 

When will Mosaic meet?

Mosaic will meet on Saturday evenings from 5:00 to 6:00; late enough to enjoy your day with family and friends, yet early enough to still catch dinner and a movie afterward. 

When will the first official service be?

Weekly services will launch on Saturday, March 29. 

How can I be part of Mosaic?

Complete the sign-up form by clicking here. 

Now allow me to analyze this church’s intention.  Never be fooled, they come right out and tell you what they are all about.  Allow me to spell it out to you; COMPROMISE BY DEVELOPING THE BLENDING OF OPPOSITES.  My friends, that is what Marxist socialism is all about.  You may have a “Lite” let us not hurt anybody’s feelings approach on Saturday night for an hour so that they can continue in their sinful behavior.  You may tell them that we are not going to judge you for living in your filthy sin, you may work hard at causing them to feel good about themselves instead of preaching a hard, truthful account of what Jesus and the scriptures is really all about.  You may solve your methodology to pay off the building that God never told you to build in the first place with all of these new people that God never called; but know this; your so called church has compromised itself. 

Lets analyze this.  If a person is not a Christian, they are dead to God.  See; 2nd Corinthians 4:4  Prior to verse four Paul says in V.2; “but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to everyman’s conscience in the sight of God.  Now many of you may not like what the implications are but you have got to deal with it by the use of this CME churches’ language.  WHAT!  Experience God in a relaxed and relevant way?  WHAT IS THAT?  I’ll tell you what it is.  They are sinners all defiled and you do not want to address them as such.  The word does not tell us to make it “lite” for the sinners.  This is one of the first tricks of Satan.  You are led to think that you are doing this for the Lord when you have compromised the body of Believers that God has placed under your charge.  People do not want to hear the truth; especially sinners. 

What do you mean by ‘Deep enough for the believer and relaxed for the unbeliever?  WHAT!  This is flat out compromise and you that are reading this know it.  We are told just to preach the word.  Now Pastor James and I attended the very same Seminary.  We studied from some of the same professors.  We heard some of the same lectures.  We use to exchange pulpits, I have not been invited to speak at the huge mega church and you can assume why no invitation will ever come my way.  I must cut my ties with my friend.  I have but one friend, and that is Christ.  My heart breaks as I go to these sites of churches and see how these men have so compromised.  I understand that the sinner will not stand for listening to the truth; but this is just as shameful as a bunch of shouting tongue speaking crazy looking people attempting to justify communication with the Holy God. 

Am I crazy or what?  No I am not insane.  I am a Christian.  This article will cause great suffering in my life.  No, I will not contact this ministry and ask them to stop their activities.  Sinners have entered into the elects presence.  One cannot preach the hot, bold, demanding word of God to sinners who hate God and all that He stands for.  Phillips Temple like many of our COGIC churches have been compromised.  My friends; when it hits close to home, you have got to deal with the tension.  I guess at times; we’ve got to go through that little bit of insanity, right?   Pastor John E. Coleman August 5, 2008

“Keeping My Way Pure” 

By Pastor / Teacher John E. Coleman

Summer 2008

Often I get engaged in discussions.  Conversations that carry me from place to place and issue to issue, but in all of them I am left feeling frustrated in that the people that I’m having these discussion with that claim to be Christian use the word of God to clobber me with over and over again.  I hear words like; “You should not think that way; or how could you even think like that?”  Mercy me, if I should tell them something unique about me; they have a tendency to take the bible and use it as a tool to teach me something about my life that I am already fully informed about.  Trust me, I do not require someone else telling me if I am sinning or headed in that destination called Hell.  I know the Bible far better than one who feels obligated to teach it to me.  The reason I say that is because most people that attend church quote their Pastors and not the Bible.  I guess it is time to “fess up” to a few things.  I’m human, really human, more human than I would like to admit.  I like things, certain things that I ought not like; at least the bible tells me I ought not like these things.  I have searched long and hard in order to satisfy my spirit man; the Christ within that part of me that loves the Lord and desires to obey Him completely only to find myself shifting back and forth struggling with the me that lives in my body. 

Lighting The Fire

At times I wish that there was a pill that I might swallow which would rid me from the “Paul Fight; Romans 7:7-25; but there is no such thing; there is never any relief from the sin in my flesh that tears me apart day after day.  If I am to obtain that heavenly place where righteousness dwells, I know for sure; it has nothing to do with this body of death in which I live.  I find myself at times even in my mature Christian experience, doubting my relationship with him because I think strange things from time to time.  I ask myself often; how can this be, why am I going there if that is the very thing that I am to oppose.  Have you ever really investigated your real motives for why you do everything you do?  Have you looked so deep within yourself without anyone’s analysis of you and found you to be totally disgusting?  Welcome to the club called “disgusted with me myself and I”.   

Put The Fire Out

Please my ultra conservative Evangelical Saint; think not so harshly of me simply because I speak of those things in which you refuse to lay before the throne of His Grace.  Is it so outrageous that I could have thoughts so opposed to the teachings of the scriptures?  Is it not a fact that each of us as Christians need a constant reminder that we are not as Holy as we think ourselves to be?  Why is it so difficult to get real with yourself; let alone with each other?  I use to be the kind of person that would come down hard on others about things in their lives when their lives did not come alongside of the word of God.  I would make statements like, man, don’t share that with me brother; then I’d take their head off, for “painting the roses red”.  I’ve read some of the writings of St. Augustine.  I understand his passions as well as his pleas, for my life is also complex and at times tearing me apart.  Studying men who were great in God only to fail Him led me deeper into God’s word as I pondered the question of what could be wrong with me. 

“How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Thy word.”  Psalm 119:9   This one verse has answered all of life’s difficulties for me.  In a flash the lights all came on.  How can I stay away from those things that would tear me apart?  How might I know just what to do in this world when all around me compromise stares me in the face.  Should I turn in my relationship with Him for them?  I know in my heart that the answer is no.  I have come to know these tings simply because by reading the bible as a book of divine significance.   “If I am doing something that is in direct conflict with what is stated in the word of God, I have compromised.  I say “Yes” to the Holy Writ.  I affirm the words of the Bible just as if God was standing right before me.  While I am doing that I confess to God that I am a wretched man undone before God.  A prideful haughty person would never admit that to themselves.  The question is a simple one; do you desire to keep your  (MY) life pure?  If we love God the answer is Yes Lord!  Psalm 119:10 provides for us the character of the heart which seeks God; “With all my heart I have sought thee; Do not let me wonder from they Commandments.”  You see; if in my heart, that hidden part of me that no one can see or hear, in that secret place, if I have a genuine desire for God’s righteousness, God is aware of that and he places in my nature the ability to seek Him in the most difficult of times.  The circumstances do not determine the outcome, only my reaction to the divine relationship that has taken place after His calling in my life.  Only my acceptance of the blessed Holy Word found in the bible is my confirmation that he has began the work until it is finished.  Obstacles in my environment could never preclude the end result of what His divine will is for my life. 

Thinking like this for the rest of my life as a Christian would truly be a life of victory.  But there is a problem.  I’m human, I’m weak, I fall at times.  I’m not perfect as someone told me just a few days ago as we discussed this matter.  So John, you might ask me; why don’t you just fly off of the hook and have a little fun now and then.  Is not your relationship with Him (Christ) a given; meaning you know that you are going to heaven at the end of your life; what you do is only because you are weak from time to time.  Can’t I pre-plan a sinful act to care for those things that are so natural for me?  (Please say yes PJ)   Read Psalm 119:11.  “Thy word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.”  

I am thinking all of the time.  Only when I slumber in sleep I think my conscience is not with me.  My thoughts are not who I am, they are only impressions and ideas, probably perceptions of other lesser thoughts that have a way of attempting to make themselves important.  For the Lord says in Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts Neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. ”Ought not the disposition of the Christian be; I can’t do that, God is watching me, or how might I say that, think that, the Lord is in me.  You see, my personal sinning is not only hurting me; the above verse says that I am sinning against God.  We would like to think that we are free and independent creatures that have the right to make choices on our own.  That kind of thinking is opposed to the Christian world view.  We do not belong to ourselves, for we are bought with the high price of the blood of Christ.  Thinking outside of the box after we have read the book does not sustain or confirm a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

I desire to live a pure complete life for my Lord everyday of my human experience.  Do I indeed live this way?  No I do not.  I miss the mark more than I would like to admit.  Do I know the bible, yes, do I love their words, yes I do.  Do I have the desire to live it now and forever, Yes with all of my heart.  “So, John, what is your problem?”  The problem is found in the question itself.  Each of us has to come to THE POINT in our INDIVIDUAL LIVES that we focus upon our ability to fulfill Psalm 119:9-11.   It is not that you see me having a problem, rather, do you have one.  I’ve confessed my tripping state of mind, will you go there with me.  John E. Coleman June 2008 

 

“Hail To The Chief”

By Pastor John E. Coleman

If there were any doubt that the American Nation in the north desired change; all of that doubt has evaporated. With the sure nomination of Barak Obama, we not only must face the fact that American opinion has switched from an old agenda to the new. And what does this new agenda promise we the citizens who live in this grand young country? Has Obama like every other politician that makes the promises to people that appear to look for a Messiah type figured out something that most of us adults have not figured as of yet? Is that why an overwhelming majority of America’s population endorsed a man that has as little business running this very big country than the last idiot which still keeps the big chair warm in the oval office could not have dared think he could? The enduring question facing many in the black community in America is; “how does his nomination move us?” Am I to feel a special sense of relief sighing in relief because finally, “Its about time” a black man is sitting in the oval office, not one that is begging for the crumbs; rather one that is in charge of handing all of us those crumbs. Anyway you want it you can be for him or against him, so how am I as a Christian to respond to the Obama appointment to the office of President of the United States; even though it is only his nomination?

I’ve thought about that for the past two days since people have told me that it is a done deal. Can I be honest with you ; (as if you thought I’d be anything else). I thought that I would feel a sense of ethnic pride if Obama wins the ticket, but I don’t feel that at all. Then again I thought that I would experience this unique euphoria; this rush of adrenalin as my eyes would tear up; “the cause, is what I call it”. Finally we as a people are on top of it all. But that did not happen in me either. So what is it that I feel that is so different, come on now “Me”, I’ve got to feel something, right? Truthfully nothing is happening in my head and heart at all. As I think back for the past thirty years; it did not matter who won the election in that I saw something else developing that could not be daunted. The America that I once knew had been stabbed in the back, and she was slowing dying with all of her glory. If I may use an illustration to make my point.

Some “ten” years ago I saw the spiritual deadening of the black church placed in motion by the lack of concern for traditional values lived out in the lives of church going peoples. The kinds of values that hold families and friends stable while the rest of the world shook loose. The scene suddenly changed as the whole of the organized church seemed to slide quickly underwater as a giant ship does when a hole has been torn in her bow. During the past ten years fate has rung true as I while taking the pulse of the body of Christ hardly feel a constant beat. In the very same way, those who run political parties in this country have submitted themselves to Intravenous injections of greed graft and dishonesty; with the invention of the transformational dialectic. It is no doubt that I felt nothing when I received the news about a black man’s appointment; his theme for winning the favor of the population of America was the dialectical usage of one word that took America by storm; “Change”. It’s funny though; simply because no one fully understands what he is saying by the use the word. I only wish him well as he seeks this office that will change him. I think of his wife as she watches his changing process as he attempts to figure out how he is going to endure America’s punishment for dis-regarding God and all that was right in our once great America. I wish his family well as the change from being an out of touch unit changes into the media messy mentality as every little word is taken under consideration. The powers that run this country vary is their degree of influence and manipulation. We citizens have watched the circus for many years evolve to the place where we are at present. What difference will Obama make? What difference will any man make? I guess I’m somewhat a strange bird. You see; I have placed my salvation in Jesus Christ a Carpenter by trade; He father is nameless, His mother was placed in the most precarious position of bearing Him without evidence of a marriage certificate. His brothers refused to even believe in Him simply because He said that “His time had not come”. Within three short years, not even long enough to endure a term of office in the “White House” He was arrested, beaten, scandalized humiliated, and spat upon. Finally the rulers of his society accused Him of being one that caused sedition and claimed that He spoke out plainly against the President of His day, Ceaser who was thought to be a god. The general population cried “Crucify Him”, we have no god but Ceaser they shouted. He died horribly at the hands of his own people. I live in order to place my vote for him. He is neither black or white. His agenda is the same as it was before our world was created. If you desire change, try my Savior; Jesus which is the Christ. . . You see my friends; He Satisfies!” You see my president will always be alive, regardless of the economic situation. Pastor John E. Coleman June 5, 2008

The soul of the black community is dead   

I want you to read this article and then to read my response to it as the April Commentary.  Read This first.  Thanks.  PJ

“Is The Soul Of The Black Community Dead?”  / “I Don’t Think So”

Pastor John E. Coleman April Commentary / April 2008

I know what has taken place in the black community for the past forty years.  The community has been devastated by a culture that is totally ungodly.  I am fully aware of all of the statistics and all of the negative communication from people outside as well as inside community itself.  Did I really need to come into contact with the article that Jessie Lee Peterson wrote for “The Truth Newspaper?” I for one am outraged at the article that the so called Rev. wrote which is a part of the problem within the black community itself.  I just screamed when I read this man’s words.  He is suppose to be a preacher of righteousness not a prophet of doom.  I thought that all of those passed away when the New Testament came into play.  But let me not regress as I stay the course of this article.  Why, Please somebody tell me why does Jessie continues to not only report the bad news about the black community, but he has a way of stating it in such a way that it smears what is left of a decent vibrant community of which I am a part?  In his article, “Is The Soul Of The Black Community Dead” he sites Deuteronomy  28:15 & 18-20 as an indictment against the black community in America.  “The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.”  Am I to understand this as some kind of prophetic statement given from God against the whole of the Black Community in America?  Were these words spoken to black people in America as a whole, or can we take scriptures and use them in this way to prescribe damnation to an entire group of people?  Can we use the bible in this way?  Is this the means of biblical indictment that the God of heaven would have any of us use to frame, shame, or blame anyone, even black people in America? 

The answer to the above questions is “NO”  Nowhere in scripture are we told to take an Old Testament indictment against Israel or any other nation and frame it in such a way to distort the thinking processes of anyone race against another.  I had to pay very close attention to the particular News Paper that Jessie presented this article to.  The Truth Newspaper.  Come on now, you are not going to find a more biased conservative paper (or web site) in the country?  When it comes to politics; I am not that smart, but I do know when I am reading from people that have a serious agenda to back which is a bit more than the bible gives credence to. 

Why present your article to what appears to be somewhat of an extremist group of people that appears to always look for someone to blame for the woes of this world?  I went to their link page and behold, what did I find?  Lord help me; Jessie, what are you doing man?  You know that I am no racist, but who are these people?  Can’t they find other things to do besides rant and rage over what is happening to the country?  Yes, the whole country is headed for hell, not just some black people Jessie!  Why is Jessie Lee Peterson so bent on speaking about the problems without attempting to do something to solve them?  Oh please, don’t come at me with B.O.N.D.  that is old news, keep in mind I live in Los Angeles, I know where is building is on west Pico Bl.  One can give lectures to a few black males on how to be men; (I do that from time to time myself)  One could have a home for training of young black men on how to do life, as well as how to treat black females.  (I do that also, I have a young black man living in my home with me.)  But I would never be scathe the entire black community with one broad stroke.  Mr. Peterson constantly does this and for the doing of it has earned much hatred from many in the black community who see his articles for what they really are.  When will we learn as Christians first of all to read between the lines.  Why is this man so angry at the black community that he would go to an Anglo southern minded conservative group to spew his venom in the faces of those which whom he racially identifies?

Could this be his hatred for who he is in essence?  I’ve stated before that I am fully aware of the problem in our (my) communities, but as a minister of the truth of God’s word, I shall never give up on the people of my infra structure.  I will always believe in the goodness that comes from literally hundreds of thousands of black Americans just as I believe that there are the same number of white Americans that are of moral aptitude and human decency.  Please do not listen to Jessie Lee Peterson.  He has proven time and time again that there is another reason for his commentary.  And many of his readers need to find out what it is.

One would ask of me, Pastor John, why do you do what you do in the manner that you do it?  I would answer the question and give it to you in the real.  I have no other obligation than to tell you the God honest truth that Christ is behind my commentary, not a hidden agenda of self hatred.  Don’t write me and my brothers and sisters off just yet Jessie.  I do not read the news in order to determine what is going on in my (the black community).  I gather with them and feel the pain, the heartbreak and experience some of the shame myself that my commentary might have a clearer meaning.  I do not drag the mud of the worse of my community and air the laundry to white or Hispanic or Asian Americans in order to appear to be the moral fabric of black America.  Jessie you said; and I quote;  “I once heard Mel Gibson say in a movie, "I have long feared that my sins would come back to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear." Well those sins have come back to visit the black community with a vengeance, and the cost may be more than we can bear. But at least out of respect for the values we once held dear and the strength we once had as a people, we are obligated to attempt with all our hearts to regain that ideal, or die trying. We must now forget all our petty angers, our weaknesses, and our unfounded rage and come forward prepared for the great penance that lies ahead. And we must do so without self-pity. After all, the black soul is dead and we ourselves are to blame.”

Let me attempt to deal what you said with your own words with this last paragraph.  I am not full of petty angers; hey Jessie, are you?  I am not a weak black man, I know many strong and vigorous black men, do you, or is it correct to say that all of your heroes are white men?  I’m just asking.  Unfounded rage!  What are you taking about Jessie?  Have you taken a real good look at the black community.  I have, I am, I live in it.  I see it on the faces of young black men of whom you eagerly condemn, and are suppose to love and fully understand.  One cannot reach a person of the community without empathy, sympathy and heartfelt love; even for the immoral person of whom you say that your “Jesus” Loves.  That is the job of the preacher, right preacher man?  Keeping in mind I have been in Los Angeles through all of the riots, burnings and looting and rage.  Ignorant, indeed, but at the same time; fully understood as a black man.  You speak about the great penance that lies ahead.  Could you ever do penance towards the entire black community of which you so eagerly seek to destroy; I am ashamed of you my brother.  I am a Christian, I love white people and black people.  When I speak as a cleric, I am not biased against one group in favor of another. 

 You end up your article by saying; “we ourselves are to blame”.  Will you take blame for the shameful disposition and disastrous attitude that you have communicated to people on the outside of a community that at times has no idea what Black people’s pain is all about.  Wait a minute.  Those that are reading this know that I am no liberal.  I am not a democrat, nor republican, nor independent party.  I happen to belong to the Jesus party; His in one that would never cast aside a people during the most difficult of times.

Jessie Lee Peterson, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for the words that you write, for the people that you deceive.  Jessie, you know that most white people are operating on a far different scale than black people in this country.  We both may be citizens, drive the same kinds of vehicles, smack on the same grub, but when it comes to dealing with the tensions of our lives; as you have stated so correctly forty to fifty years of mis-management, poor leadership, female domination of the black male character, the feminization of the black man, along with many of his counterparts; the white male; our community is lacking and will suffer for many years to come.

But to write us off the way you do Jessie.  I’m sorry to say that I know you personally.  I would rather never taken the time to do radio, television or any other means of sharing a platform with a man that writes off his own heritage.   My white brothers would not do that.  But some of them love it when one of us, so easily does it.  They say, “see, what did I tell you about them, it would be better for us to rid ourselves of the slave problem.”  Hey Jessie, if that would take place, do you think that human kindness would find a way for you to survive if your whole community would perish?

It matters not what color you are, as a Christian can you really say what Jessie Lee Peterson says and believe that God is behind your words? 

 

Knowing Why He Calls Us / A Reality Check

By Pastor / Teacher John E. Coleman

Did God have a divine intention in mind when He called you as a Believer?  Can you identify what His intention is in your life today, right now?  If you have no idea why He called you individually; what is your justification of calling yourself a Believer?  I know that the question causes one to ponder their purpose as a Christian; but I would like you to ask yourself, just as I have already.  Why are we doing all that we do in the name of Christ if we have no idea what we are doing it for?  Why are you giving all of your money?  Why have you decided to pay for buildings that you do not own or have no investment in at all?  What were you placed in this world to do?  I have said this to you before on many occasions; ‘If you cannot define it, you will not be able to defend it’.  I would dare to say that if I would ask the average professing Christian what their divine purpose was as a person placed on this planet, most would have no idea at all.  Come on, lets get real with it, most so called professing Christians have absolutely no idea what their lives are suppose to produce, other than going to a place of worship. 

We live in a world where evangelicals purchase a book and read from their favorite authors and find themselves co-signing what ever their “Christian Hero” suggest in terms of the above question.  I’m sorry, but that does not fulfill divine Godly obligations.  God is the Person who calls His children.  His call is decisive, to the point, and undeniable when received by His children; what did He call you for, and are you sure, and are you producing the benefits of that “Divine” call?  If the answer is “Yes”, there are expectations as opposed to anxieties.  If your answer was yes, you resist those subjective ambiguities that follows as our arguments as opposed to a concise objective analysis of the question itself.  Could it be that God is calling you to do something that He never intended?  Impossible!  Right!  Our Lord would never come to communicate to you in code language.  A part of my problem is that I’m receiving coded answers to the question these days. 

My calling is as clear to me today as it was when I first heard His voice in my head and heart.  I am doing the same thing that He called me to do with a sure determination.  If I ever find myself doing that which He never intended; I must be under the influence of a demon or some crazy person that is attempting to control me.  Could I see Him face to face someday in the future and report that I had no idea nor intention to replicate any mission as possible in my life?  Do you feel as adamant about the calling of God in your own life?  Are there times when you question the reasons for your believing some of the things that you find yourself thinking about as a Christian?  

There are only two ways of knowing reality in our human experience.  The first way of our acknowledgment of the reality of knowing God is through an “a posteriori experience.  In other words; you know that God has spoken to you simply because you have experienced Him for yourself, without the interference of outside sources.  You know that you know simply because you can point to the place, time and event itself which is perfectly describable and understood by others as uniquely your experience.  Acts chapter four verse thirteen really explains the kind of experience I am speaking about.  “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”  What was it about the first century disciples that convinced others about their Christian mission?  The second way of human knowledge is that of an “a priori experience; which is not based upon your human experience; rather there has been an indescribable activity which cannot be defined by your human experience but is just as objective as any physical activity; yet beyond reason or comprehension.  One knows something to be true outside of themselves; yet it is objective truth.  God called me, placed me in ministry and this is why I do it.  It was not written instruction; tangible evidence; but I am getting the job done. 

Now allow me to address the question again; what has He called you to be and do as a Believer?  Would one have to attend seminary in order to discover God’s will for their lives?  Would one have to be approved by a group of persons that would tell them one day that all is well, simply because one has met a certain prearranged criterion?  What is the deciding factor that collaborates the attributes of a persons living up to God’s standards of approval.  One of the surest ways of knowing the answer to this question can be discovered in our being  intelligent enough to comprehend through the illuminative processes God’s Holy Blessed Word.  Every aspect of the Christian life ought to be validated by the scriptures if it is to be ascertained as “God motivated”.  How does one recognize that any one person has been moved of God to affect His will (God’s) in the life of the church; or in the life of the sinful world?  The answer is found in the Holy Scriptures; the Bible rightly defended, defined and interpreted and then validated in the life practices of those owning the profession, we can get no closer to knowing His will in us than being what we say He called us to be.  What has He called you to be for Him? 

I believe that it can be rightly said that the only person that is able to speak to the question is the lone (individual) Christian.  Ask our brothers and sisters in foreign lands that have paid the ultimate price of their lives; counted as faithful until the end.  Having not abandoned or forsaken the profession of their faith, they would never compromise Christ for the sake of their life’s, they now live with Christ, their lives a sure testimony affirmed by scripture alone.  What of that local missionary who has forsaken the luxuries of living for this world in exchange of living with those of our faith who have no material goods to boast of.  What of those that have been called by God to live the rest of their lives single never to marry; yet living for the grace of God?  What of that special choice gift of God; that Christian that is dying of Aids, yet showing by demonstration their love for other Aids victims? 

I would like to see in my life time professors of Christ that manifest in their lives that Jesus did call them to Himself; but not as a victorious prosperity subscriber; rather as one  available in service for our King who is Jesus Christ.  The kinds of outcome that may not necessarily look successful today; but will shine in eternity as a life that was well lived.  What has God called you to be for Him today my friend?  Are you able to define what that call is all about?  Does it involved suffering of any kind?  Are you willing today to ask yourself that question?  Will your answer be note worthy of a person that God would dare call unto Himself?  March Commentary 2008

 

“Holy Living; Or Living Wholly”

Pastor John E. Coleman / The November Article

We must never come to the point in our Christian lives where we get the two confused; “Holy Living; Or Living Wholly”.  God commands all of His children to be Holy as He himself is Holy.  See; Leviticus 19:2 “Speak unto the congregation of the children of Israel, and says to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”  I am also fully aware that this is speaking of the children of God’s own choice Israel way back in Old Testament times; the reference also concludes that if we are a part of Christ’ body, that we too ought to strive to please our Lord in divine holiness.  See; Hebrews 12:10  The question that faces the church today in America is how might we do this without compromising God’s character? 

There are ideas kind of floating around out there these days speaking to our hearts, minds and souls concerning the thoughts about “Living Wholly”, I call this, living the complete life; lives that are filled with laughter; fun games, happiness contentment and sheer joy.  Our culture is inundated with these ideas.  We have pet insurance for our dogs and cats.  We cannot stand the thought of loosing one of these animals in death; we would have to make an appointment with our shrinks in order to get us back on focus after we bury rover the ground hog.  We opt for the largest house, the latest gadgets to entertain us while we sat in our gas guzzling vehicles on the freeway for hours listening to fine music and drinking cool drinks.  “Living Wholly” has become a new age objective which we equate with “Living large”.  Its about how much we toss out; as opposed weather or not we required the stuff we need to loose in the first place. 

We suffer from wanting too much of everything. Some of us think that all we have to do is to petition God for more of the same, anytime, anyplace simply because we have covenant rights.  We want to be safe, well, happy fulfilled, compensated in every way possible.  We have these thoughts that as Christians everything in our lives reek of success and physical fulfillment.  Nothing could be further from the truth as found in God’s word.  Oh no, Pastor John, you don’t want to infer negative thoughts man; you are coming against the very promises of God as stated in the bible!  Is what some of you might think!   We have adopted this “Whole Life Mentality”, we want the entire package that is offered somewhere between the pages in our fantasyland bibles that make us appear to be a special kind of abstracted person separated from the woes of this world.   The anointing that we possess now has exempted us from suffering, harm, danger, or possibly even death.  Christianity has become the safety net insurance policy that is just a thought away from being fulfilled.  We have but to name it and then to claim it; slam it or bam it, Jam it or cram it!  Bless it or damn it; just take it and run with it; what ever the thought may be!  This mentality has spread throughout our culture with such a passion that even some good thinking Christian people have been seduced to believe in such folly. 

 There will be times in our Christian experience when we gain certain victories in our lives.  They may be spiritual or physical victories.  We may come into a landfall of financial success, we could be wed to the most beautiful person in our world and have a house full of children and live wonderful lives void of conflict or terrible trouble.  We could land that career that we went to college to procure and become the head of the entire department.  Our children might become pillars in the community and make you so proud you would think that your heart might burst open.  Please do not read me wrong.  I believe that many Christians when reading their bibles and obeying God’s blessed word can live a successful Christian experience; I know this to be true because I’ve lived it myself and have benefited from God in so many ways I cannot mention. 

At the same time, I am aware that there are some of you that will have to struggle with victory for as Jesus told the Apostle Peter; “I Have prayed for you, for Satan desires to sift you as wheat” Luke 22:31.  This sifting denotes a shaking up of the life; it also entails suffering; times of abandonment; toil, strain, perplexity on an intentional level as allowed by our Lord.  There will be times when we feel as if God himself has abandoned us.  Some of the homes that were devastated in the October 2007 fires in California belonged to heart felt Christians, they lost everything also, but they glorified God on the behalf of loosing their stuff.  In fact; if they could not do that, the reason for their loss is an evident token that God wrought it.   

We as Christians will be fired from our jobs, beaten by street hoodlums, raped, battered, car jacked, kidnapped, starved, be-headed along with the rest of humanity, for the word in our blessed bibles says that in this life we, those of us that profess to be real Christians that is; will suffer tribulation. See: John 16:33, The very words of Jesus Christ Himself.  If He said it, why would you think that it possibly would not come to you?  Is Jesus lying?  Did He have it all wrong?  Could it possibly be that I am mis-translating it; Oh I got it, the word changes or evolves and no longer has the same meaning?  Oh no my friend, never try to play me.  When my time comes to suffer with sickness, pain, and even dying, I am ready to receive it in full measure.  What is my reaction to tribulation; suffering and pain; Rejoicing and praising my Lord, even while in pain.  I thank him for my nerve endings which allow me to know Him in that way.  I thank Him if I loose my eye sight, now I can listen to His voice more clearly by not being distracted from seeing the things of this world.  If I can’t move; I can really appreciate His saying to me in the Old Testament; “Be still, and know that I am God”.   

Come on now, don’t get me started!  Don’t play with me, does not the bible say something to the affect that we are not only to look for the good stuff from God but for some of the other stuff as well?  See; Job 2:10 Job speaking to his wife after she advises him to curse God and die because of his condition of sickness; “ But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.  Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?”  In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”  One has said in reference to this verse; “Job attributed both previous blessings and the reversal of his fortunes to God Himself.  It would be foolish to think that they could pick and choose among the things that God sent their way.”   Oh and lest we forget; how might we deal with Job 1:12 when the Lord speaks to Mr. Evil himself; thereby telling him to bring pain on Job.  Could Job just speak success in his own life? 

I could go on and on with the many examples that we have in the bible that we are to seek Holy Living as opposed to Living Wholly in this life.  We are to search the text of God’s word.  There are no magic words or phrases that we memorize that will cause our lives to take on the shield of safety from the things that naturally come upon humans of all classes and in every social strata.  We fully accept our plight.  If God would relieve our pain and suffering; praise Him for that.  If he does not move on our behalf; he is yet to be praised and glorified as we are taught in the new Testament Scriptures; See; 1st Peter 4:12-16.  You will notice that the Apostle Peter says in V.13 “keep on rejoicing”, in other words; as the tribulation continues; you just keep on being happy in the state that you find yourself in.  Look at 2nd Corinthians 12:10  What is it that Paul is content with?  He says; “weakness, insults, distress, persecutions and difficulties for Christ’ sake. . . When I’m weak, then I’m strong!”  Come on Christian, don’t you see it yet, we are not affected by our suffering, all of it glorifies Christ.  If we approach our lives in any other way we misrepresent God. 

Paul speaks further about the issue of being whole as opposed to being Holy; See: Philippians 4:11  Again we see the Christian accepting their circumstances without making demands or bartering with God about the situation.  Paul says that he is content; Greek: autarkes= Paul is saying that what ever God wills to place in my life; I am perfectly content with that.  I do not desire changing it if he does not.  Paul was saying that he had so many experiences in tribulations that his greatest lessons were to face up to what was happening in his life.  He is saying; “I have learned in my being instructed in life.”  This Greek word (above) word has to do with an old Stoic phrase back in Paul’s day; “self sufficing”.  We see his further appreciation for this disposition in 2nd Corinthians 9:8 & 1st Timothy 6:6.   

Let me conclude with these words.  If we are truly going to STAND UP for Christ; we must know what the bible teaches concerning true biblical Holy Living as opposed to “Living Wholly”.  We are not of the world.  We obey all of the scriptures, not just the ones that speak of happy happy happy.  Ours is a difficult life; it was so with our Savior, it was also true of the early Saints that lived so many years before us.  The servant is no greater than His Lord; right?  If he suffered, and died; so will we; right?  Let us get into the habit of accepting our lot as God has prescribed, we ought not listen to men’s intention if God has not ordained that for our lives.  If you are not happy with that, go to God on your own.  He will answer you; though you may not appreciate His answer.  Do you recall what He answered Paul when he went to God three times asking Him to remove his thorn in the flesh?  God said NO! flat out NO!  He will say the same to you if He wishes, without a tear.  (Yes I know that God the Father has no eyes)  Are you willingly accepting these words?  If not, do you call yourself a Christian?  Thanks for reading me.  I am just trying to keep it real as I strive to Live Holy.  By Pastor John E. Coleman

 

The Changing Of Our Church

 What happed to the common kind of faith?  As we focus on the changing world that we live in, we must ask the question as to why the church as we know it today is in a state of constant change?  Aren’t you annoyed that at every turn of the compass, we seem to change the way that the church defines itself?  Is there an answer for these sudden drastic changes?  Do we see this as only some simple cultural shift or is there a searching heart in each of us as we seek to give a definition of this change?  This article will attempt to qualify that there has to be another answer other than the trite solutions that many in our culture has arrived at in the fast few years.  As I attempt to give some of the reasons, I would ask that you the reader use a discerning mind as you attempt to determine for yourself the validity of these dangerous changes.  This article will also cause many of you to re-think your analysis of our current church situation which has become a financial institutions, smart marketing management schemes that seeks spread its influence throughout the majority of our African American churches. 

The First Question: What’s wrong with change?  First of all nothing is.  Change is good if there is a real necessity for it.  I was taught as a young man that one ought not change the system if it could care for itself.  We have given ourselves over to a change agent mentality.  This kind of thinking comes from the heart of a philosophical system from the pen of “Hegel”.  Born 1770 and died in 1831 he postulated an idea that has taken root in most African American churches today.  His teachings involve a particular philosophical  dialectic.  He would propose that if one communicates to a certain degree their ideas, that those that oppose will eventually come to be forced to agree with the direction of the compromising aspect of the subject matter being discussed.   Allow me to provide an example of how these ideas appear in reality.

Come up with a particular problem that you may be faced with.  Lets say that that problem is a lack of finance for a certain project that you have before you.  You have a large group of people at your disposal, you need these individuals to get on board  with your idea, in order to alleviate your problem.  For the past few weeks they have not been able to get the picture.  You have reached your wits end, what can you do.  Then it comes to you in a flash; an idea that is just too good to pass up.  You get a few friends that agree with your situation of needing the finances, you might even promise them a place on the board of your fantastic idea.  You them meet and work out a plan that will force the others into conformity.  This idea of yours is established on the premise that “God” told you to place this plan into motion. (Keeping in mind that African American people are prone to follow something if God’s name is attached to it.)  This is phase one of the process; keep in mind, that the masses must be brought into this “process” without their knowing what you are doing to them. 

The leaders of your group promises to work with you in this process,(these individuals become your facilitators constantly moving your ideas upon the group through any means necessary) keep  in mind that they have a vested interest in this project.  The spiritual basis for the establishment of the association has nothing to do with the whole idea.  The bottom line is for the “process” to take place in the massive body of people that they alone will become the caretakers for the prosperity of this new venture.  Keeping in mind, that the whole elementary factor is to get the “money”.  The “money is what promotes the project, so the “process now is important.  Another major key is that the common people, the people that will fund the project should never suspect what is being put over on them. 

The Problem:  You have a person like me that is thinking about everything.  I listen to every word that is being stated.  I not only listen, I also ask questions concerning what every statement implies.  If I am not clear on a subject, I pose it in such a way that I ask others to think along with me on this idea that the leaders are asking  us to invest in.  I have been this way my whole life.  I know that the Lord made me this way.  It will be very difficult for these people to change my mind in terms of my thinking process.  What do you suppose these men have to do with me now? 

Their Solution:  It comes in the form of silencing my objections.  The leaders has to turn the people away from the thought processes that I may be raising as I suggest further investigation into this money scene, or is it a scheme?  (You see, in a strange way, I picked up that most of the work is done by us poor folks that are asked to constantly add to the pool that never seems to fill up.  These leaders must now silence me in that I have become a threat to their survival.  (Got to add something here, keep in mind that this process took place in communist China, Russia and most other dictatorships)  Hegel would say that the “state is the reality of the mind’s process.”  Just as these leaders would have to regulate what the masses think, or even intend to do as they attempt to control the masses intellect.  In this case; the money for the church leaders madness. 

My Reaction To Their Intimidation:  In that I am aware of what they are attempting to do, I hold my ground.  In a free society, I am called a trouble maker.  I’m seen as a lone ranger, one that does not follow the herd instinct.  In a little bit, others around me begin to think in the same pattern of thought.  Now the leaders has to do something to get rid of me.  I have become dangerous to their survival.  I must be cast aside as insane.  My mind has to come to the state of being re-programmed, others are convinced that I’m not to be listened to at all.  In good time I am thrown out of the group all together.  Those leaders have accomplished, I have been scandalized,

ill spoken of and basically make an outcast.   

“Joel Lost In A World That He Created; Are You?                        

                                          By Pastor John E. Colman Oct. 19, 2007  

I guess that it is far different when you grow up in the middle of central city in a large urban community.  Your expectations as a young man is centered around the people that you grow up with.  Sisters and brothers that argued with you, parents that presented gifts when you earned them.  I guess I was taught that nothing comes easy in this life.  That is probably why I welcome life’s challenges when they come my way.  I was never that person that expected God to reach out of the heavens and make things right for me.  He was never my Genie that I rubbed to cause Him to appear.  I was taught the values of working hard and repeating those things that positively sustained others that lived before me.  My life would be a successful one as I attributed everything that I did to the glory of the Lord.  We were taught as black people; (I’m assuming that those of other nationalities also) that life would not be presented to us on a silver platter.  As I reflect back, it was not that we could not dream, we did, but our dreams were rational ones.  I mean; we did not think of things that were not practical.  God was not suppose to do something for us simply because we were black folks.  Becoming a millionaire was not practical; we did not know any on the street where I lived.  When I look at Joel Olsteen on the television is see a man that has been well groomed in broadcast ministry.  I see a silly clown that is pretending to know the God that I know.  I do not see a born again Christian.  His speech denies any association with the God of the bible. 

I am not speaking against the man because I may be jealous of his media success.  Living in American; we have heroes every week.  Most of them do things that most ordinary people would not dare think about.  Our citizens look for those individuals that  will stimulate them to live better lives.  And how do we discover this?  By listening to those individuals that can talk a good line.  We’ve become a people that craves for the personality that will cause us to smile.  It appears that we do not have enough to smile about these days.  We crave for the extra ordinary.  When we go to the doctor and he or she informs us that we have cancer or anything else that might put our lives on hold, why do we fret; people have been dying of this disease for thousands of years.  Why is it strange when sickness comes our way?  Our faith will sustain us even in the face of death, or do we really believe this?  Ours is not a life where we have all of the answers and all of the solutions to life itself.  Our trust is totally dependant upon Jesus Christ and His divine will for our lives.   

Is there a possibility that I got it all wrong?  Could it have been that for the past forty years that I’ve been a Christian that I had it all wrong?  Was I suppose to be rich?  Did God want me to be born in poverty?  Am I to look down on others simply because they do not ascribe to the same type of theological bent?  Could it be that Joel Olsteen and the other prosperity speakers have discovered the hidden secret of the Christian life?  Is it all about having money and fame and health and “The Good Life”?  The fake preacher (Olsteen) has a problem, and it is a simple one.  God is in no way like Joel portrays.  God is a Lord of wrath and judgment and punishment if His children rebel against him.  At the same time He is not a God that listens to those that do not know Him; See; 1st Corinthians 2:14 “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”  

This written piece identifies me as a part of a community that was thinking all of the time about the environment that I lived in.  I and my social peers did not believe in the abstract; rather in the objection theory.  We rejected that which was against nature itself.  This generation seems to have lost a sense of rationale.  The bible puts it this way; See; Job 5:7 “For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward.”  In that God has so ordained in the blessed Bible; why am I seeking to avoid this trouble that the bible speaks about?  Am I not satisfied that the Lord will care for me even if He ordains my suffering?  The Bible speaks loud and clear totally against most all that Joel falsely claims; See; 1st Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange think is happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exaltation.”  I think that the text speaks for itself.  I will not ask why Joel will not preach this positive message.  I know why he can’t speak these things, it is simply because he does not believe them himself.   

We need to stop becoming those persons that are seeking agreement from others concerning a teaching or a teacher; we need to come to the place in our lives where each of us ought to know when we are listening or looking at a real Christian.  When the Anti-Christ appears; would we know who we are looking at?  Is there such a void of scripture knowledge that we might doubt all that we know to be true?  I am not angry at Joel, he is doing what he is suppose to do in order to bring this great deception unto the real body of Christ.  Instead; I am looking at so many of us that profess to be a part of the body of Christ that have no discernment at all.  Persons that allow the appeal of a Joel Olsteen have no love for the Christ of the bible.  The sad thing is that some of them that read this article will watch Joel and forgo all of what they have been taught (if they were taught anything at all) for the sake of a happy smile.  Oh and let me say this.  I can jerk a tear at any time.  Most professional speakers know just how to do that trick.  So called preachers are artist at drawing on the emotional in human beings. 

Joel Olsteen is Americas next famous preacher.  As Obama will not gain the White House; nor will T.D.Jakes the title of America’s next Billy Graham.  Joel is that cut above the boring practical objective speaking preacher that will affirm God.  He will affirm you first.  He will tell you that you are worth the time and effort that you place within yourself.  He will not concern himself with those as he said theological issues that most people do not understand.  It will be those very issues that will judge him and all of his followers at the great white throne judgment.  

My concern is not as to his eternal location; (I think any sound thinking Christian can figure that one out) rather my concern is about you.  Why do you get a kick out of watching him?  Why are you so interested in how large the building is?  He is getting the press time, air time, and all of the stuff that comes with being of this world; why are many of you watching him closer than you can discover where the scriptures are that I quoted?   Joel is indeed lost in the world that he created for himself; but my friends; are you there with him?

 

“In The Heart Of The Battle”

Pastor John E. Coleman

It was 1965, while stationed in Fort Polk Louisiana in the midst of my basic training I was marched to an open plain field.  It was there that we (the other brand new soldiers of the drafted US army) were given pole sticks and trained in how to engage the enemy in hand to hand combat.  I recall many a day getting slammed by the better fighter as my skills were not best in fighting hand to hand. Just as back in the day when our country was fighting wars far on the other side of the world; on that small strip of land called Viet Nam, you see; I was being prepared for battle.  There is another world war ragging right in the midst of every heart; the battle for souls.  I am convinced that my soul belongs to God and that He in his majestic pre ordained will has set me aside for a far different kind of battle, but I find myself fighting on far different fronts these days.  My battle is not an easy task as in the past I fought who I thought was the real enemy; those Jehovah Witnesses, the Scientology guys; the false Charismatic's and the Word Faith Foolishness.   

Those days of knowing who the enemy was and gaining the right kinds of doctrinal understanding was kind of easy.  I would just pick up a copy of Walter Martins; “The Kingdom Of The Cults” and go to town on and in the enemies face.  It was a simple as knowing who the foe were and strategizing a particular time zone to erase them from the battle field.  Things have drastically changed.  My battle as yours is not that simple as identifying the error of the cultic teaching and exposing it; ours is a battle which has come to the front doors of the sanctuary, to the very gates of the church.  The combatants are not as clearly identified as the enemy.  The opposing forces have countered the best of Christian doctrinal teachings by just outright denying them. 

They have not forged a document writ with biblical absolutes; they have just posited the craziest; most unbelievable, unimaginable explanation of how God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit functions that only one who is fully trained with years of bible knowledge under their belts might calmly deduce that the majority of the teachings coming from pulpits all across America today could not possibly be recognized as Christianity.  Our enemy is not that strange sounding funny looking guy with the faded wrap with a dotted forehead.  He or she is not that person sitting in a circle with head bowed chanting some eastern mantra.  The foe of the Christian Church is not the threat of some Communistic Bear from Russia that we await to fulfill some ancient eschatological prophecy, no our enemy is showing up in our local churches smiling; sharing thoughts of unity and compromise as we are called to re-think our faith. 

Rarely do we see this enemy.  This deceiver has discovered the art of persuasive deception; and they pull it off with this smirk of a smile as if you and I don’t read them?  They ask questions about your purpose.  They replace the bible with a hard bound book by one of their generals who spew these new age beliefs which have absolutely no affinity to the faith that was once delivered unto the true saints of the bible.  They rake in the cash from silly parishioners who have exchanged the hard cold facts of God’s word for some new easy digestive teachings which give more options which flatly deny either Heaven Or Hell!  They placate you to passivity, then hit you up for millions in exchange for the glories of what ever they choose to offer you as long as it has mass appeal attached.  Their weapons are simple tools.  They have discovered the use of media.  They utilize this weapon simply because many in the church has succumbed to watching an enormous amount of  television.  They have designed their messages with the state of the art emphasis of “Flash, Flesh and Fantasy”.  

“Flash”

Many that profess Christ no longer want to attend simple rooms designed to appeal to the heart that needs to have sin removed from it with an icon of Christ bleeding on a cross, rather the average church member wants to attend the next event, happening, they are not accustomed to searching the scriptures for God’s truth for themselves; they love to be entertained and enlightened rather than being convicted and frightened by a God that would never put up with their messy lives.  Church services have been designed to numb you to the fact that you are ever living in a body that craves sin and is just yearning to abandon ways of righteousness.  We but to peer into the eyes of Joel Olsteen and be captured by his words and smile and the rest is history.  Mass appeal; “Lights Cameras, Action. . . He is number one in America and he is living proof that mass media religion works.  The only problem is that none of that is Christianity.  And what did he do, he walked right into his fathers (John’s) building and devastated anything that even reeked in the past close to the Christian faith.  But we can question even that as we watched in horror the Charismatic movement take with force some of our finer Christian minds.  

“Flesh”

This new enemy has done something that no other insurgency has accomplished in the history of the church in America.  Just think of it, Christians desiring the things of the world; you have got to be kidding, not really!  Christians placing emphasis on the flesh; prosperity fame and fortune is utterly insane, no real believer could possibly believe this could they?  Lets take a close look friends; many in the church today believe in the messages of Creflo Dollar.  Have you checked out his home?  Now many so called believers actually think that God would have them rich like Creflo?  Christians get their faces lifted; their lips filled with fake stuff in order to look sexier?   Our want of material things drives many of us to acquire those things that make our lives comfortable as we compromise ourselves and then fully give in to the tactics of so called leaders in our Christian community who lead the way in their love for material gain.  Sex, Stuff, Sin; oh yes, the church seems to be right at home these days.

“Fantasy”

Many in today’s church reach for that which is not real.  Female pastors; unreal in the whole of the teachings of scriptures.  Homosexual and lesbian pastors; totally unreal in the mind and will of our Lord.  Insanely rich clerics; totally out of reach in the biblical context.  Compromise; in today’s church practically every protestant denomination have given themselves to chasing that rainbow.  And the search for more assist the leaders of this pack of wolves to discover that the gold is there, and all of it at the behest of many unsuspecting soldier of the cross that have abdicated towards the most heinous error in the history of the American church with smiles on their faces.  Unrepented and denying the very Lord that bought them. 

Our battle rages on and on.  Everyday we are loosing men and women on the frontlines.  There is no blood being shed; rather a silent decline in wanting the Lord’s will to be accomplished.  I have discovered that there is not only this decline, rather this shifting from that strong traditional Christian inclination to an irrational abdication of sorts; a kind of quiet resignation towards the dark side without even a whimper of displeasure.  The most disgusting aspect of this transformation is that there is no thought of what this does to our Lord.  His death for His bride is now a vain attempt, something to be avoided at all cost.  This war has taken the fire out of the once loyal patriot who has now kissed their way to the other side for the sake of futility.   As for this soldier; this writer; this speaker, this man of God?  Being “Into The Word, Is My Biblical Alternative”. 

 

When Satan Attacks Us / The Gauntlet Is In My Hand

Christians has an arch enemy; Satan.  He has never played fare and He never will.  We at times in our lives do not like to retain in our image this enemy that seeks to tear us apart and He is very pleased with that disposition of so many Christians today as they give him place in their lives.  He places in our sights those worldly things that constantly draw us away from God’s will and the sanctity of Godly blessings.  We may attempt to escape the reality that Satan not only will attack us but is constantly looking for opportunities to do so.  Each of us must come to remember that He can only get under our frame of protection as we forgo the use and dependence of God’s word as our constant daily recourse.  We have in the scriptures many verses that encourage us to be on the alert to His many schemes.  But in particular this verse as found in  2nd Corinthians 2:11; “ In order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of His schemes” speaks to the issue that is set before today.  Let’s take some time out and look at this very closely in order to determine just how much territory we as Believers have given away in the face of today’s failing Christian Churches all over America, and especially in our black communities.    

“No advantage be taken of us!”  Are you kidding me?  The Black church in general in the inner cities have no idea that there has to be a stratagem well thought through in order to keep them from falling prey to the wiles of Satan’s schemes.  The Pastors has carried most of our congregations into the false sphere of prosperity which plays right into the hand of Satan.  As long as the enemy can keep the “Church” blurred on the issue of material things, fleshly entertainment, and the constant attempt to seek more of the goods of this worldly system; the work of the enemy is made simple. 

You see my friends; the “Church” in general is very ignorant of the ploys of the enemy of our salvation.  And the question that faces us is; do most in the church really see Satan as that foe?  I would go as far to say that the “Church” has no intention of denying themselves as the scriptures commands of us; See; 1st John 2:15  “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  There has to be intellectual adaptation as we analyze this verse.  When the Apostle John suggest that the first century reader pay close attention to these words; each of us out to become fully persuaded that we too ought to give attention to the word of God for our own lives; Satan is real and he desires to tear the Church apart.  The question that is facing us today is a simple one; “do we really love God or the god of this world which is Satan?”  An outward profession without an inward guide of the Holy Spirit is what defeats us as Believers.  Let’s get real with it, do we worship things in our minds and hearts, have the things of this world become our goals and objectives?  Is it about status and rank, fame and our fortune?  If so, Satan has cast out the gauntlet and many within the ranks of so called believers have gone for the gusto; and so many of us love it to be so.  In other words; we appear to be having a happy holiday in sin.

Not only do we love in the depths of our hearts the things of this world; we have become callous towards the voice of our Lord that warns us to flee worldly lust, See; 2nd Timothy 2:22 “Now flee from youthful lust, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.”  If we actually love God and hate the world; we live in this manner in such a way that our lives truly reflect the Holiness unto the Lord.  We are not ashamed to be a righteous folk.  Our lives are governed by our Lord and not by a council of churchmen who dictate their objectives; rather our Lord who with His words and will manifested in the scriptures guiding our endeavor to serve Him.

The enemy will continue his attack on the Lord’s church.  We expect nothing less from him.  What is it that the Lord expects from us during these difficult times?  That is the question that we are faced with as the church seems to drift further and further away from the tried and trusted claims of the scriptures.  We seemed to have lost our way.  I too at times drift from the course that the Lord has patterned for me.  I call upon each of us to fully repent; turn back to God and depend upon Him for complete restoration and spiritual redemption.  I do not believe that we are ignorant of Satan’s schemes or devices that are used to muzzle Christ’s witness.  What we must do is to admit that we have been used of the enemy and to repent right now of our total disobedience.

If we do not admit these things by ways and actions we too will be cast aside by a just Lord and Savior.  I cannot believe that we as professing Christians can go on in a life of sin and somehow not affect  eternity by our actions.  I’ve thought it through.  I cannot feel comfortable in my Christian experience where continual unrepentant sin and love for this world will suffice as I compromise a loving Savior favor in my life.  How about you my friend; is it the same in your life?  Have you come to the place in your life where you are ready to put on the gauntlet and take that stand forever for Christ?  Does He matter or not?  Is the decision to follow the dictates of the bible really that difficult?  If we take the time to not only read the scriptures; but to apply them things will change in our lives.  If our private situations are in a mess; could it possibly be that we have compromised the message of the blessed word?

The choice is made individually; in that we are to look solely at what is governed by scripture alone.  Lets live out the duration of our Christian experience in the reality that we do not love this world.  Keeping in mind that there is a certain respect that we have concerning the things of this world; but that they in no way dominate our desires nor influence us towards aggression against what the Holy Spirit requires of our lives.  We must continue to think about these kinds of important discussions if we advance kingdom living as defined in the Bible.  Let’s put on the gauntlet; ready ourselves for divine service all to the praise of His glory.  Pastor John E. Coleman / Into The Word Apologetics  August 2007     "It Ain’t Necessarily So"

Pastor John E. Coleman

 It appears that the most far out, totally ridiculous statements are the ones that fly high as Christian doctrine in many of today’s churches.  I have a few questions for you.  They really are not that difficult to answer; but they will require a little logic.  Are you ready, lets go with the first question. 

(1)   Do you really think that God would have everybody on the planet rich, or even all American Christians, or even you? (in this worlds material goods such as money fame fortune land things like health happiness and the rest)

Lets deal with the first question.  Would this kind of thought work all over the world in all peoples?  In nations where they do not have a gross or net income?  What would be the outcome of world economy in every nation is everybody was rich?  What would the African American community look like here in America?  Why would anybody do business with and why would there be a need for commerce or buying and selling?  Who would require anything; and who would work for whom, who would work?  Why would any of us require pay anymore if we; especially we that claim to be Christians; why would we even have to trust in God for anything?  Do we think about these things as we attend these large halls of so called worship as we are told to claim the stuff of the universe?  My personal question is why would God of all persons desire me (John E. Coleman) to be financially filthy rich?  I have a far better question than that; why would I desire more than what He is giving me right now; am I not totally satisfied with all of His provisions in my worthless life?  Now let me restate the question again for you; do you really think that God would have you a rich person with all of the money that you could never spend in your lifetime?  No, not down here on this earth.  My friend; that sounds like a little bit like heaven, but we realize that there is no money up there right?  We will have no need for the stuff of the world; we shall see Him face to face; that is Christ; so why the need for the material?  Would it be safe to say that we as Christians are suppose to find ourselves in a state of being made ready for heaven, or wanting to be a millionaire?  

(2)   Can you really be anything that you desire to be if you just think it into reality?  (I am asking the question in terms of your speaking reality into existence.)

Many a silly church attendee accepts this statement as a matter of fact.  I cannot believe my ears these days.  You mean to tell me that intelligent persons really believe in this kind of mysticism; these New Age thoughts?  I was raised to think that hard work, consistent dedication to a discipline were the things that made persons successful in their lives.  Regardless of where they live; the color of their skin; these kinds of characteristics were the testimonies of successful persons.  It appears that many of these fake preachers just stand up in these large halls of doom and spew out the most foolish things and droves of people stand on their feet and applaud their stupidity.  Wait a minute; I am not; as a matter of fact I refuse to turn off my brain and turn to my neighbor and repeat anything that this simple Simon idiot just said.  If you are without food clothing or money in this country they have institutions that will assist you in the processes of getting back on your feet.  If you have lost material things because you made the wrong choices in your life it may take longer to get to the place where success comes your way.  We as Christians are not to use God as some magic divine super power to raise us up out of the mire of what we might have created for ourselves.  Positive thinking is eastern thought and mysticism; it is not a part of the teachings of Christianity.  If you are listening to any fake guru teachers that has suggested these thoughts to you; leave their company, get a job, work hard; stop thinking about “Plasma Screen TV’s” video games and fun and get to work.  To put it frankly; “it ain’t coming your way simply cause you think it.”  One more thing, stop embarrassing me! 

(3)   Why would we continue to believe in people that display themselves as con artist?  (a con game is played on un-suspecting un-thinking persons that have dis-engaged their minds)

Listen brothers and sisters; never allow others to put game over on you.  I am aware that many of you do not have both parents in your life.  Those were the people that were suppose to teach and guide you to understanding of how things operate in this world.  Let be become that loving parent to you while you continue to read this article.  I do not want anything from you.  I don’t want sex or money from you.  All I want is for you to be happy and to know Christ in a personal relationship.  That has nothing to do with how much money you pass on to some preacher.  (I happen to be a preacher by the way)  Never listen to people that claim to speak authoritatively when in reality they have no authority at all.  I know that this may be a difficult concept for some of you.  (keep in mind, that is what your parents should have been to you)  You may find yourself saying; “Pastor John, how do I know if they are not giving me a con job?”  First of all is there money involved?  Meaning how much is the charge for that which ought to be free?  Think it through with me on this one.  If a preacher is charging you for something that ought to be free; such as a sermon, a bible study, basic information that has been free from the beginning; you have been coned.  (I am not suggesting that you cover the cost of postage and material for the product; keeping in mind that you are Christian, and you are not seeking something for nothing) If you did not have the cost to purchase it; would they still give it to you?  Many Pastors in so called ministry are filthy rich; how did they arrive at this financial state?  Do you really think that the God of the universe would desire them to be filthy rich and you with nothing but their books and DVD’s?   Really, you would?  You have been gamed my friend.  God is not involved in the financial exchange of goods and products.  Jesus came into contact with such and cleaned house.  He said that his contemporaries had changed the house of prayer into a den of thieves.  Beware of a preacher that is always asking you to build more stuff, tithe and give more , more, more.  Ask him how many hours a week does he speak the word of God to the children of God?  Well, that is enough for you to think about for now.      

 

 

“When Growth Kills The Man Of God”

By Pastor John E. Coleman  / Into The Word Radio / Commentary For June 2007 

It is sheer joy to watch God work in the life of a young man who has been given an opportunity to do something unique for the black church.  To attend some of the first Black Pastor’s conferences, to read from the heart of a man that not only understood the need of contemporized expository preaching he was also one that taught it to other preachers in the black community.  It was also sheer joy to watch his family grow up under sound teaching as he exemplified the role of leader and Father to his children.  It was extraordinary joy to watch his wife as she stood by her husband and walked in paths that demonstrated Godliness in that small ministry in that Oak Cliff Fellowship in Dallas Texas.  I was excited as I attended one of Dr. Evans first Pastor’s Conference where he drew large numbers of black Pastors who sought to be biblical as they led the nations black congregations so many years long before T.D.Jakes started the Mega Mess Series. 

What happened to Dr. Tony Evans?  How could this first graduate from DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary) from our community with an earned PhD degree with so much promise come to the place where he is today?  What happened to the man, how could he come to this place of compromise and retreat from biblical authenticity?  My first meeting with Tony was at another’s church.  The young Kenneth C. Ulmer, Pastor of Faithful Central Baptist Church in South Central Los Angeles.  Tony was the guest speaker for a number of days at another Church on South Main Street in Los Angeles.  Pastor Ray Rogers had invited Tony to speak.  Ray’s facility was far too small to accommodate the large crowds that came to hear him speak for what I believe was a three day revival meeting. 

For the second night of the event; Ken Ulmer opened his church which was a few miles south of Ray’s church.  I mean everybody that heard of Tony wanted to hear him preach.  He was fresh, biblical and he had a way of opening the text of the scripture to black folks which I especially appreciated in that my style of preaching was about the same as Tony’s.  It was during that second night that I first met Tony Evans.  I’ve never been one to seek the spot light but Reggie Spearman a friend of mine for years; (we both worked for the city of Los Angeles) being one of Ken’s associate ministers asked me into Ken’s office to not only meet Tony but Ken Ulmer as well for the first time.  Keeping in mind that the ministry that the Lord had given me was growing and I was totally excited that we “Expositors” were finally coming together to accomplish something important for the black church.  I was thinking; finally, somebody is saying something that I could really understand.  The days of the whooping and hollering is finally over in the black church.  Or so I thought; was I being presumptuous?  It was more than a dream; I was alive to see the beginning of a brand new breed of preachers in the black community.  Tony was not only a fine example morally but a man that would hail supreme as one that acclaimed the Bible as the standard for Christian belief, and he was a black man!  It was in that meeting in my home town; right here in Los Angeles that opened the door for future meetings between Tony and Ken Ulmer that would start Dr. Evans demise as the black role model for black Expositors.

During my early years in ministry I would travel across the country.  When going into Texas, I always found the time to go by Dr. Evan’s church only to see that he had grown from that small building into a good size gymnasium with folded chairs.  Soon the gym grew too small.  I spoke to some of the staff people there at Oak Cliff and for sure, I took some of those models back to Los Angeles as I contemplated a shrinking building with an expansive church growth concept.  As a matter of fact; it was one year in particular that Ken Ulmer taught a class in the Tony Evans Conference titles; “Transitioning Your Church”.  Without thinking too much about what that title undertook; I thought that the simple meaning of the term communicated to me that I had to deal with growth and how affectively would I deal with the expansion.  Little did I expect what I witness today in both Ken’s as well as Tony’s facilities.  As difficult as it may appear to be; Kenny was talking about making a business out of your church.  The main theme was the marketing of the organization in such a way that you will never have to worry about where you place the people. 

These ideas has nothing to do with establishing and continuing with a Christian witness to Saints or Sinners; rather a systematic dismantling of what I knew the Lord’s church structure from the church’s conception to this present new age model in America.  Through subtle manipulation; through the communication of unbiblical ideas, many of our Pastors have been deceived into believing that the former methodologies of biblical church expansion through the proclamation of a biblical thesis taken from the Holy Bible; Preached to the hearts and minds of God’s elect; that church growth is produced.  Strong preaching had once been the trait by which a Pastor was elected in the local church.  The kind of preaching that was totally biblical, historical and a message that led to repentance from sin and a changed lifestyle.  There was a time when our pulpits once was a cherished place of trained minds and purified hearts.  Places where men were afraid not to speak God’s truth.  The true preacher had but one person to fear; and that being God. 

When men attempt to derive ideas that God has not ordained; those men’s work is simply that; “works of their own flesh”.  God’s means of growth has always been a singular one; “Preach The Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove; rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.”(2nd Timothy 4:2-4)  Tony and men like him; if there is any God left in them need to return to their first love.  Trust me on this one my friends.  Even I can be tricked if I take my mind and heart off of Christ.  Big has never been one of the things that I’ve had to fight.  I am never impressed by large buildings or a lot of stuff.  The only large that I see is the work that God has placed in front of my silly face.  I see large opportunities to produce something for the praise of God’s glory; never for the expansion of my territories.  (A term used by many professing Christians today)  The error of Dr. Evans and men like him is that they have sought for the popularity of the world.  It can come upon us so quickly.  

When God equips a man for ministry that service is towards God alone.  He does not desire to see himself in the picture at all.  He would not place himself out in the area of the popular arena to be seen and heard by the large crowds.  Yesterday in Christian ministry events that drew large crows were few and far in between.  Today; we address the success of a ministry by the number of people that attend and the dollar amount as we weigh the value or wo