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Guarding the Gospel with Discernment
What is the greatest attack on the church today? That was the weighty question asked of the speakers at a recent conference. I promptly responded, "The greatest attack we are seeing today is on the exclusivity and purity of the Gospel." The exclusivity of the Gospel declares all other faiths are false because no one can come to God except through the atoning death of Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). The exclusivity of the Gospel also humbles the pride of self-righteous people and calls them to repentance.
This is why many pastors are compromising the Gospel. They want to make it more inclusive in order to draw a larger following, gain more influence and be loved by more people. This man-pleasing gospel
makes people comfortable in their sin but it has no power to save them.
It has become popular because it exalts man and his importance and diminishes God and His significance.
It also emphasizes God's love while ignoring His holiness, justice and hatred of sin.
Tragically those who embrace this diluted gospel are woefully deceived and remain dead in their sins. Equally tragic is the willingness of born-again Christians to put up with another gospel. Paul exhorts them to repent of such apathy with a sharp rebuke: "If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough" (2 Cor. 11:4). The only thing worse than a Christian without discernment is one who has discernment but refuses to use it to challenge professing Christians in their unfruitful lives. Those who have been deceived will not know it unless they are lovingly confronted with the truth. They must be reproved in order to become sound in the faith (Titus 1:13).
Many Christians are unaware of their responsibility to judge and test all things. Paul commended the Bereans for rightfully judging his teaching. "They received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11). The apostle John exhorted Christians to make judgments concerning doctrinal and spiritual issues: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). Clearly, all Christians are called to judge righteously by using the Word of God as the plumb line for discerning truth from error. And judge we must because the Father of Lies deals in half-truths, and his fatal lies are often coated with a thin veneer of truth to deceive the unsuspecting.
Spiritual discernment is a discipline and a privilege that only born-again Christians can exercise. Paul wrote: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things." (1 Cor. 2:14-16). The ability to make judgments is a mark of Christian maturity. "Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (Hebrews. 5:14). By practicing discernment we are able to guard and protect the Gospel for the next generation.
As we practice discernment we must make sure our motives are Christ-honoring. Our objective must be to obey God's word for the purpose of helping, healing, correcting, warning and sharing in the spirit of love. When our motives are pure, people will be encouraged to love the truth and hate what is false (Psalm 119:104). Pure motives will result in contending for the purity of the Gospel and the sanctity of our Lord's Church!
There is no more critical issue in the Church today than guarding the purity of the Gospel. It is the rudder that must guide the Church through stormy waters that have been stirred up by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). Churches that do not provide a steady diet of God's Word, will become entertainment centers for goats instead of sanctuaries for the Shepherd's sheep (Mat. 25:32). When
doctrinal truth is being withheld, ignored, denied, or rejected, it will produce fertile ground for deception. The only way people will know if they have true faith or a false hope is to discern the true Gospel from a false gospel. It is the responsibility of every born again Christian to make disciples and challenge false converts to examine their faith. If anyone would like to know more about practicing discernment we have a
message on DVD that will encourage you.
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Why Was the Reformation Necessary?
Many pastors and evangelical leaders have forgotten, dismissed or rejected the importance of the Reformation. Some are saying it was a mistake that divided the church and
are now joining hands with the pope to re-unite all Christians together again. Where do you stand of this vitally important issue? Is the Roman Catholic Church a huge mission field that needs to be evangelized or is it a valid
expression of biblical Christianity? Here Mike's message that answers that question and also reveals
the Vatican's strategy to reverse the Reformation here.
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A Test with Eternal Consequences
The most terrifying words any professing Christian could ever hear would be Jesus saying, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Our churches are filled with false converts who need to be challenged in their false professions. This is why the apostle Paul exhorted us to: "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Cor. 13:5). The best way to test ourselves is to read 1 John and see if we are passing the test.
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Catholics Continue to Exalt Mary Above Jesus
Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world have been consecrating churches to the "immaculate heart of Mary." The consecrations are being conducted as 2017 marks the 100th year since the purported 1917 apparitions of Mary to 3 children in Fatima, Portugal. "God desires to establish in the world devotion to my immaculate heart," the apparition of Mary said during one of the appearances. "To whomever embraces this devotion I promise salvation; these souls shall be dear to God, as flowers placed by me to adorn His throne."
One Catholic spokesman said, "We trust that, having given over everything we have and are to Her protection and even Her dominion, we then rely on Her to distribute merits and graces where they are most needed."
MIke's Comment: It is not surprising to see many Catholic dioceses across America falling deeper into apostasy. A major part of Rome's apostasy includes the exaltation of Mary as the 'cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race' (Catechism of the Catholic church paragraph 494). Catholics look to her as another sinless mediator who brings them 'the gifts of eternal salvation' (CCC, para 969). It is no wonder that far more Catholic Churches are named after Mary than after Jesus, the Name above all names. To suggest that Mary has divine power to protect people within her dominion and be the source of divine grace is blasphemy. Only the truth of God's Word will set Catholics free from the bondage of deception and indoctrination.
Read the entire article and Mike's interview with the Christian News Network
here.
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Letters from Around the World
As a former devout Catholic, I was interested in listening to you recently on VCY America. Several friends witnessed to me for the first time when I was in my early 20's. I eventually repented and became a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. I am now 67 years old and have become concerned about changing attitudes toward Catholicism among evangelicals. People in my church seem to think that many Catholics are saved. Our pastor and his wife send their daughters to a Catholic school. A lady in our church attends Mass and receives communion at the senior home where she lives. She says this is her way of witnessing. Our pastor has no problem with it. This is very disturbing to me, as I gave up so much in terms of personal relationships, culture, and traditions when I became a Christian. It makes me wonder why I even left the Catholic Church. My questions concern how people are saved. Some of my evangelical friends think that Catholics are saved as long as they sincerely believe in Jesus. Can a person be saved if they have repented and believe that Jesus died for their sins, but ALSO believe that they have to do good works? What if they love Jesus but just don't know any better when it comes to salvation by faith alone? C. K., Internet
Dear C.K., Evangelical pastors and leaders have been compromising the Gospel since they began signing unity accords with Roman Catholics in the 1990's. In doing, so they are either denying the exclusivity of the Gospel, or they are ignorant of the fatal gospel of the apostate Catholic Church (which is under a divine curse for distorting the Gospel), or they are simply seeking to please men over God (Gal. 1:6-10). The tragic consequence of these unity accords, which over 600,000 evangelicals have now signed, is that many Christians don't know if the Roman Catholic Church represents a huge mission field that needs to be evangelized or if it represents a Christian denomination that is made up of our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Gospel is exclusive, which means all other faiths and religions are false (John 14:6). It is also purely of grace, which means those who add anything to it stand condemned (Gal. 1:6-9; Rom. 11:6). Those who are trusting in a works-righteousness salvation must repent and trust Christ alone - His finished and all-sufficient work of redemption and His glorious resurrection (Mark 1:15). Clearly, the Jesus of the Catholic church is "another Jesus" who did not finish the work of redemption and did not do everything needed to save sinners (2 Cor. 11:4). That is why Catholics have "another gospel" to instruct them what they must do to be saved.
Mike, You blessed us this week end by delivering the truth of the Gospel. You clearly unfolded the beautiful truths of Christ and pulled back the curtain on the shameful practices of religion which has never saved one soul. Only Christ and His shed blood can do that. Indeed, the Great Harlot has taken many millions of souls into hell by deception. Thank you for stating the way things are but with a Christ-like spirit. You and your wife Jane represent your King well. We will pray for your ministry and your protection and your continued faithfulness to the Word! As we grow old, may we not veer off course as have many have done. May God keep us faithful to the end! Your ministry was well received by the church body in Toledo! Blessings, Pastor R.S., Ohio
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Two Roman Roads - One Narrow, One Wide
Many Christians are familiar with the Roman Road which uses Scripture from the book of Romans to evangelize the lost. There is also another Roman road that is a fatal distortion of the true way to heaven. It is the Roman
Catholic Road which distorts the Gospel and keeps Roman Catholics lost in their sin. Their only hope is for those who know the way to challenge them in their unbelief with Scripture.
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Protestants Favor Catholics Over Martin Luther
Five hundred years after the Reformation, many Protestants are closer to Roman Catholic theology than they are to Martin Luther's. Luther declared that justification is by faith alone according to Scripture alone. Yet today, over half of American Protestants say that both good deeds and faith in God are needed to get into heaven (52%). The same number believe Christians need guidance, not only from Scripture, but also from church teachings and traditions, according to the Pew Research Center.
Read article here.
The man most responsible for Protestants embracing Roman Catholicism may surprise you. The movement towards Rome was started by Billy Graham, one of the most admired evangelicals of the last 50 years. A well documented history of his friendships with the enemies of Scripture and the Reformation can be read
here.
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Catholics and Methodists Seek Unity
Pope Francis met with a delegation of 50 members of the World Methodist Council. In his address, Francis said that to grow in holiness we must also grow in communion with God and with our brothers and sisters. He said, after a long separation, we are like brothers and sisters who are happy to once more meet and learn about one another, moving forward "with open hearts."
Read more.
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Video Messages Available for Streaming 24/7
You can now stream Proclaiming the Gospel video messages from our website. Each message is only $6. You can have instant access from any device. The following messages are now available for streaming but not for downloading:
Evangelicals Reversing the Reformation? Order Here
True Faith or False Hope, How can I be Sure? Order Here
Why Evangelize if God Has Already Chosen
Order Here
Why Should I believe the Bible? Order Here
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We hope this month's newsletter encourages and equips you to contend earnestly for the faith of the apostles. We must fight the good fight of faith to defend the glory and honor of our great God and Savior and protect the sanctity of His Church!
Mike & Jane Gendron
(817) 379-5300
2829 Veranda Lane, Southlake, TX 76092
www.ProclaimingTheGospel.org
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