Old-time Pentecostal Preacher

Daily insights from an Old-time Pentecostal Preacher

Spiritual Abuse

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 18•12

Recently, I commented on a pending lawsuit filed by an Oregon pastor against a former member of his church. Since then, I have been following this woman’s plight to spiritual recovery from the alleged spiritual abuse on her daily blog (Beaverton Grace Community Church Survivors). I have come to the conclusion that she indeed did suffer spiritual abuse due in part fro the information she has posted and the fact that her former pastor has defied Biblical teaching on said legal matters. Julie Anne (the former member) is not the first person to suffer spiritual abuse, nor will she be the last. Spiritual abuse is real, and it leaves deep scars.

Spiritual abuse “is the result of a spiritual leader or system that tries to control, manipulate, or dominate a person. This control is often in the form of fear.” (spiritualabuse.org) Spiritual abuse is not indicative only to cults; in fact, many a church and pastor have been guilty of committing spiritual abuse against their members. A former pastor of mine had told me that there are different kinds of pastors; one type is the militant. They attempt to control their members’ spirituality, and these are the ministers who are usually guilty of committing spiritual abuse. To be honest, I have known ministers who were guilty of said sin.

The purpose of the church is to edify and encourage people to have a deep intimate relationship with the Lord. Scripture says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13; NKJV) I have often told fellow ministers that our calling as pastors is to proclaim the truth; whether or not someone chooses to walk therein is between them and God. We cannot nor should we try to live one’s life for them or control their spirituality.

The shepherding or discipleship movement gave way to much spiritual abuse. In fact, many of the pastors who are guilty of spiritually abusing their members have bought into the “shepherding” concept. One of the tenants of the shepherding movement was the belief that disobeying one’s “shepherd,” i.e. pastor, was the equivalent to disobeying God. One of the tells of spiritual abuse is that it is considered evil persecution or a sin when the pastor is criticized or disobeyed. In fact, many pastors who are guilty of spiritual abuse have bought into the tenants of the shepherding movement and even claim to be a shepherding church. Such terminology ought to raise red flags.

As a follower of Christ, we must be careful whose ministry we sit under. I always encourage Christians who are moving to research the various churches. One needs to ask for the statement of faith of the church. There are many good churches out there; however, there are also many who would fall into the abusive category. Your eternity is worth the effort put forth in choosing a good church to attend.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 20-21; NKJV)

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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Using Spiritual Gifts Properly

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 17•12

Pentecostals are known for their usage of the “spiritual gifts.” Pentecostal lingo utilizes phrases such as “yield to the moving of the Spirit” and “don’t quench the Spirit” which are references to allowing one’s self to used by the Holy Spirit in the realm of the spiritual gifts. There are a lot of Scripture and historical references that inform us about the proper usage of the spiritual gifts. However, Pentecostals have also been known for their improper use of the spiritual gifts; some of which is due to ignorance, fanaticism, and false teaching.

How do we know if we are properly or improperly utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The church in Corinth asked the same question, so the apostle Paul wrote an epistle to address the proper usage of the spiritual gifts as well as to address other wrongs in the church. Therefore, it is to the apostle Paul’s first epistle to the church in Corinth that we must turn. Concerning all things spiritual the Scriptures must be our guide. We must remember that if something is of God, then it will align with the Word of God. God never contradicts His Word. In fact the Scripture says, “Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, ‘That You may be justified in Your words, and prevail when You are judged.’” (Romans 3:4; NASB)

To ensure that we are properly utilizing the spiritual gifts, we must understand the purpose of those gifts. Paul clarified their purpose when he wrote, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7; NASB) The Holman Christian Standard version says, “A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial,” (1 Corinthians 12:7; HCSB) while the New King James version says, “For the profit of all.” The point is that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the benefit of the whole church. Their purpose is to help the church grow both physically and spiritually.

The gifts of the Spirit were never meant for individual edification or to make someone a super spiritual Christian. I know that that sounds like blasphemy to most Pentecostals, but just quick journey through the book of Acts will revival that I am correct. On the day of Pentecost the gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy and miracles were utilized resulting in over 3000 souls being saved. (Acts 2) The gifts of knowledge, wisdom and healing were utilized by Ananias resulting in the salvation and healing of the apostle Paul. (Acts 9:10-19) These are but two of many occurrences of the proper usage of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

The problem is that those Pentecostals who hold to the position that the gifts are for personal edification are actually bordering on the edge of fanaticism. In his book, Like a Mighty Army, Charles Conn wrote:

In America, were revivals are basically evangelistic in nature, the forms of fanaticism that have followed in their wake are common enough to have been identified by William Warren Sweet as (1) controversy and division; (2) doctrinal errors; (3) shiftlessness; (4) confusion and disorder; (5) a lessening of the sacredness of worship, especially in singing; and (6) over emphasizing the emotional and underemphasizing the rational element in religious experience. (Charles Conn; Like a Mighty Army)

It was due to fanatics in the early church that many began to ignore the teachings of Scripture concerning spiritual gifts. In his book, The Story of Christian Theology, Roger E. Olson wrote about one of those fanatics named Montanus. “Montanus and his New Prophecy posed a serious threat to church unity, and the church responded harshly–perhaps too harshly in light of the sudden demise of spiritual gifts and signs and wonders in Christianity.” (Roger E. Olson; The Story of Christian Theology) Thus “cessation theology” was born. However, with the birth of the Pentecostal Movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Pentecostalism has been plagued with numerous occurrences of fanaticism.

God never meant for the cessation of the spiritual gifts; however He does expect His children to properly utilize them in accordance with His Word. As I study God’s Word, I am all the more convinced that the Lord wants to minister to His church through the manifestation of His Spirit to the whole church.

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; HCSB)

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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Insights into the Old-time Pentecostal Preacher

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 16•12

Here are a few insights into the Old-time Pentecostal Preacher.

Contemporary or Traditional:

I am definitely a Traditionalist with little Contemporary overtones. Give me an old-time hymn any day of the week. I enjoy some of the more modern Contemporary worship songs, however there is nothing like those old-time hymns.

Favorite Hymn:

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Favorite Person in the Bible (Next to our beloved Jesus):

The apostle John. I heard one minister say that John was referred to as the apostle that Christ loved because his love for Christ was probably greater than the rest of the disciples. His message might have been bold, but his character was meek. Of all the disciples, John personified Christ’s teachings more than the others.

Which Bible Verse(s) Describes Your Preaching Style:

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31; NKJV)

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech. (2 Corinthians 3:12; NKJV)

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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What Was He Thinking??

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 15•12

A recent news story that is making the headlines is where the pastor of a church in the state of Oregon is suing a former church member and her daughter for defamation concerning a bad online review of the church. It seems that after being subject to some type of church discipline the woman decided to voice her feelings online. The pastor disapproved of her actions and thus filed a $500,000 lawsuit against the woman and her daughter. Is is me or does something about this incident sound very unbiblical.

Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. (1 Corinthians 6:1-8; NASB)

According to the Word of God, that pastor who filed the lawsuit against a former member is in the wrong. We have all heard the old saying that two wrongs don’t make a right; well such is this case. Although we live in a sue happy society, what type of justification can someone have for circumventing the Word of God? There is no justification for the actions of this “man of God.” To be blunt, this man’s actions were sinful, and he needs to repent.

This man has brought shame upon his church and upon the body of Christ as a whole. It is a shameful thing when one’s sin is plastered in the headlines; but when a minister’s sin is the headline, the shame is upon the church of God as a whole. What good can come from his actions? Who in their right mind will desire to attend that church? Who will listen to the message of hope from that is to come from this church when the pastor’s actions are hypocritical? The witness of this church and many more have been compromised due to this sinful behavior.

Christians are to be imitators of Christ. Christ said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man,” (Luke 6:22; NASB) and “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44; NASB) Where does file a lawsuit against those who speak evil of you fit in the commandments of our beloved Jesus? Because our society is sue happy has the Golden Rule been negated? GOD FORBID! There was nothing Christ-like about this man’s actions.

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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A Proverbs 31 Mother

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 14•12

Yesterday was Mother’s Day! To all the mothers out there, I hope you had a wonderfully blessed Momma’s Day! God has truly blessed me with a wonderful mother. Although she is not perfect, I could ask for no better. She is a tribute to her family and a testimony to her parents and grandparents. She as followed in their godly footsteps and have passed a love for our beloved Jesus on to her children. I love you, MOM!

Yesterday, many sermons were preached concerning mothers. Proverbs 31 is a favorite Mother’s Day passage. It declares, “Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: ‘Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28-29; NASB) I have heard from many a person concerning the paths that they have followed some of which where in prison. I have not heard many talk badly about their mothers. Most have declare that their mothers were always there for them. They are Proverbs thirty-one mothers.

It is a good thing for a woman to strive to be a Proverbs thirty-one mother. To be a mother with that level of virtue, one must become a woman of the Word. Scripture is key in the life of a woman of virtue. I can honestly say that my mother is a woman of the Word. When she doesn’t know or understand something, she seeks out some sound biblical insight (usually from me).

A Proverbs thirty-one mother will also pass her love of the Lord on to her children. I can still remember my mother reading the Bible stories to me and my sister. Every Saturday while we cleaned the house, my mother would play records of the Happy Goodmans, Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, and Jimmy Swaggart just to name a few. I can honestly say that it was due to the influence of my parents that I preach the gospel today. I can honestly say that my mother is a Proverbs thirty-one mother. My mother is true a blessed woman.

I Love you, mom!

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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It’s FRIDAY!!

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 11•12

It’s FRIDAY!! A popular radio station out of Amarillo had a very unique music mix that they play in celebration of Friday; it begins with the theme of the Flintstones. In the American psyche, the weekend is highly honored time while Mondays are despised. Oh how we long for the coming weekend. Songs have been written and sung about the wonderful weekend. One might say that the weekend is worshipped as holy and sacred.

When Moses went upon on Mt. Sinai, the people cast off the restraints of the Law and began to run wild. Scripture says, “So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” (Exodus 32:6; NASB) This was Satan’s sinful counterfeit to the Lord’s sabbath. However, Scripture records that the children of Israel also suffered the consequences of their sin. This episode of children of Israel’s reveling sounds a lot like the American populace’s celebration during the weekend.

Of course, I believe the best part of the weekend is Sunday. Scripture commands us to, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11; NASB) The only part of the weekend that is holy is the day we gather in the Lord’s House and celebrate His goodness.

This coming Sunday take a trip to the House of the Lord experience His presence, goodness, mercy and grace. Scripture exhorts us, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalms 34:8; NASB) I plan on being in the House of the Lord this coming Sunday; how about you?

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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North Carolina Marriage Amendment

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 10•12

On Tuesday, voters in North Carolina overwhelmingly approved an amendment to their state constitution declaring “that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” (North Carolina General Assembly; SB 514) Although 60% of North Carolina voters voiced their approval of traditional marriage by casting their vote in favor of the amendment, there were those who voiced their disgust of the vote’s outcome. It is not a shock that GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) took a jab at those who voted in favor of the amendment.

“North Carolinians voted to write discrimination into their constitution largely because the media didn’t do its job,” said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick. “North Carolina’s media failed to educate its audience about the potential far-reaching consequences of this amendment, and as a result, polls show as many as 60% of voters didn’t know the extent of what they were voting on.” He continued, “While today’s vote is devastating to those families who will lose vital protections, we are encouraged by a steady rise in support for equality across the country.” (GLAAD)

We are in a battle for the soul of our culture. Christians have sat silently by and allowed the ungodly propagate the spirit of antichrist to the American populace for way too long. The battle for traditional marriage is but one of the fronts in this culture war. Surveys are showing that although we win a battle here and there we are still loosing the war. We have allowed the public school system to undermine our message of holiness to our children. Scripture says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6; NASB) We have also condoned unrighteous behavior by tuning into television shows that disrespect God, family and Christians.

The only hope we have at winning this war is to boldly take a stand for righteousness. We can turn off the television, contact advertisers, and teach our children “thus saith the Lord” rather than “thus saith the teachers.” Finally, we can vote for individuals who hold traditional morals and values, and when the politicians compromise those values and morals, then we can vote them out of office. We must become proactive for righteousness sake.

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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Scripture’s Tidbits

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 09•12

My mother loves her Full-Life Study Bible. In Sunday school class, she will say, “I have a note” and the proceed to read the note to the rest of the class. To be honest, she is not a lone; there are many Christians who cherish and utilize their study Bibles. A new insight or tidbit from the Word of God is always received with excitement, and it shows upon their countenance. The Word of God is full of surprises.

During biblical times, it was a common practice for everyone to memorize the Law (i.e. the first five books of the Scripture) by the age of thirteen. Those who aspired to have a rabbinical ministry would then press on and memorize most if not all of the prophetic writings. Through the years, I have committed a great portion of the Scriptures to memory but not near that much. With a majority of Scripture committed to memory, there was still yet there tidbits in the Scriptures for the Jewish people to discover.

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27; NASB)

While on the road to Emmaus, the two disciples encountered the resurrected Christ who began to reveal some of the tidbits of Scripture concerning Himself that the two disciples didn’t know. What amazes me about this encounter is that our beloved Jesus began revealing those tidbits in the portion of Scripture that every Jewish person had memorized. Those two disciples not only encountered the resurrected Christ but also the Living Word of God.

Through the years, the Scriptures have revealed numerous tidbits to me. I could outlive Methuselah and still never discover all of those tidbits in the Scriptures. Between you and me, I plan on dying trying.

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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God Still Speaks

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 08•12

How does God speak to you? Maybe the question to ask is, “Does God speak to you?” Sadly, we live in a very skeptical society. To say that you have heard from God or simply that He speaks to you most likely would be met we skepticism. However, I believe that we ought to be skeptical of Christians who claim that they never hear from God or that He never answers their prayers. Their claims are just the opposite of what Scripture teaches.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13; KJV)

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. (Jeremiah 33:3; KJV)

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. (Matthew 21:22; NKJV)

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14; NKJV)

I often hear from God in what some might call odd ways. I know some individuals who open the Scriptures, and God speaks to them through the Scriptures. God speaks to me often through His Word; however, during times of trial, distress, and tribulation, God often God often speaks to me through song. When I am earnestly praying and seeking the Lord concerning a matter, God will often give me a song in answer to what I was praying.

God speaks to each of us in different ways. Although there are those who don’t believe that God speaks much less exists, we can rest assure that He does exist, He cares, and He answers prayer. I am glad that our God is a prayer answering God.

Oh yes, the answer’s on the way this I know.
Jesus said it; I believe it, and it’s so.
Our heavenly Father knows our needs before we pray,
And we can rest assured the answer’s on the way. (The Answer’s On the Way; Rusty Goodman)

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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Influential In the Lives of Others

Written By: Old-time Pentecostal Preacher - May• 07•12

The weekend is over, and a new work week has officially begun. I hope that everyone had a wonderful time worshipping the Lord during the weekend worship services. There is nothing quite like being in the presence of the Lord. I know that some go to church because of a feeling of obligation; however, I go simply because I enjoy being in the presence of the Lord. Scripture says, “Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people.” (Psalms 84:10; HCSB)

So what are you going to do for the Lord this week? Some might object and declare that they are not preachers; however, as Christians, we each have a calling from the Lord upon our lives. Everything that we do ought to be done for the Lord! Our beloved Jesus said, “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41; NASB) More often than not, it is the small things we do that greatly impacts lives for the Lord.

I was in a recent meeting when the question was posed to us, “Who influenced your life the most for the Lord?” We each are called to impact the lives of those around us in such a way that we point people to our beloved Jesus. We ought to be the most influential person in their lives. During the Civll War, General Stonewall Jackson knelt praying at his tent and General Ewell just happened to hear it. General Ewell said, “If that is religion, I must have it.” General Ewell was saved because of General Jackson’s faith. Are we that influential in others lives? We ought to be!

Boldly contending for the faith–otpp

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