2 Timothy 1:12-14
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us."
The church is confronted with a greater attack of the enemy seemingly than ever before in our history. The sheer volume of lies and apostate beliefs that the church is combating requires all of its members to be in place and to be actively engaged at every level in the struggle for survival.
The problem is that too many of us who should be in the battle find it easier to step back and allow others to do the work, open doors and set the tone for ministry. Well, sorry to say, the Celebration of Gospel aired this February was no different.
BET and the Celebration of Gospel have "celebrated" to all times heights of flat out apostasy and a redefinition of truth and righteousness. As always, the 2008 celebration was filled with all sorts of excitement, flash and all the faupas expected of a major, highly anticipated production. Top notch worldly dancing and stage-showmanship, were eclipsed by a steady flow of Gospel music that came from singers and musicians, some of whom were even actually saved.
The most disturbing moment this year ended up being and old time Gospel song by new Gospel chart topper
Patti "Da Seductive Star" LaBelle.
Ms. Labelle was presented after a rousing stage show by comedian Steve Harvey in which he discussed the various uses, and marketing designs of the standard "church fan". He noted that on one side was a picture of late great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and on the other was a picture of a funeral home. It was a good routine and one that resounded with many church folk almost everywhere in the US.
Back to Patti…after receiving the microphone to do a remake of an old song from her new album, she soon swooned her way into the song "Walk Around Heaven". As usual for Patti, she began to ad lib and communicate with the audience. Soon she began to feel "the spirit" and while the crowed was swaying to the music and feelin’ it too she said, "and LUTHER will be there too, and we’ll walk around heaven all day." The audience clapped and cheered gleefully at her suggestion and the song continued.
Wait a minute…hold the Phone!
Luther???
At first I thought she was talking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr….but then, it occurred to me she wasn’t talking about Martin Luther. Under normal circumstance most people would have said, Dr. King or even Martin…but Luther???
Could she have been talking about the late
Luther Vandross?
Could she have been saying that Luther Vandross…An unsaved, HOMOSEXUAL, sin loving, singer, that died in his sins was going to go to the same Heaven that God has promised toHIS Saints that have overcome the wicked one by the Blood of Jesus and the word of their Testimony???
Could she have been saying that a rank, homosexual, man defiled, sinner, was gonna walk around heaven with her all day in the sweet by and by???
In other words, Patti revealed another way to heaven OTHER than through Jesus.
What's equally as disturbing is that she,
Patti- "Da Seductive Star" Labelle SEDUCED THE CHURCH FOLK LISTENING INTO AGREEING AND ACCEPTING HER STATEMENT, and bowing themselves in agreement with of a doctrine of devils, lies and hypocrisy???
ON A SUPPOSED GOSPEL SHOW???
OPENLY???
And NONE of the supposedly "anointed" Gospel people on stage or in the audience say ANYTHING???
I mean Bishops, Pastors, Evangelists, Doctors, Teachers Prophets…all on hand, and NOBODY SAID ANYTHING???
Have we lost our spiritual minds???
Or better yet…have our gospel singers celebrities, and musicians, that we have entrusted our dollars to lost theirs???
Even better, did they ever have a mind or conscience to begin with???
Now, I can understand the culture of the world and their agreement with Patti’s statement, because the world loves it’s own (Jn. 15:19)…but what I can’t understand is a room full of Christians dedicated to the cause of Christ conforming SO WILLINGLY to the world and for the love of the world sitting silently while the church's message is dematerialized before their faces. Did anyone al least declare that only the righteous would see God in peace. (Heb.12:14)
Then I thought. Have we become so bound and indebted to this world that we are ashamed to let the light of Christ shine through us and our lives? And certainly even more ashamed to take a clear stand for HIS cause.
For God’s people to sit quietly and not say anything is the ultimate form of self-centeredness and hatred toward the world and every sinner on Earth. If we know the truth, not only should we walk in it but we should help persuade others to come to the knowledge of the truth and walk in it too.
Ezekiel 3:17-22
"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."
However, when we desire fame, celebrity, associations and all the other things that come with sin...
Woe unto us!
The world is seeking to use the church as a tool to validate it's sins at all costs. What are we doing in response to this affront? Do we feel that we should do anything at all?
I was listening to a certain broadcaster one day as he addressed an issue encouraging his listening audience to allow the light of Christ to shine through their lives. Although he wasn’t a preacher or theologian by any means, he said something that is very reflective of the modern understanding of the individual relationship with Christ. When talking about the Light that we were to shine, the announcer called it a "flame". He went on to say, "don’t let anybody blow your little flame out." I thought to myself, that’s the problem, too many people are "flamin’" in their sins and unrighteousness instead of reflecting the light of Christ.
Church don’t
"Flame", Lord knows we don't need any more "flamin individuals" in the church, but let the true Saints of God SHINE the light and love of Christ all over this world.
Mt. 5:13-16
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
I am interested to know did anyone see this little add in besides me. Did you catch it? Please let me know.
Blessed!
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