THE PHARISEES PERSPECTIVE - 23 - Michel Smith

The Pharisaical perspective is a view of conforming others through THEIR law thereby becoming acceptable followers.

So incompatible were the Pharisees views from those of Jesus that when the Pharisees posed a question to Jesus, it appeared that He was answering an entirely different question. On such a completely different level were His answers that the Pharisees who did not have eyes to see nor ears to hear could not perceive the truth presented to them and they were Gods leaders of that day. Astonishingly Pharisees continue just as deaf and blind today.

Why is this?

Because the Pharisees perspective was from tradition, rules and law. They saw everything and everyone relating to THEIR religious views.

Jesus was a fierce critic of the Pharisaical system of His day, openly declaring its evil. Warning those who would hear, not do as the Pharisees or receive their leaven (teachings).

Regrettably, there is a great deal of pharisaism in the church today. Leaders that view others through the perspective lens of THEIR religious system neglecting the weightier provisions of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matt. 23:23

A modern day Pharisee fruit;

• Doing things to be seen by men.
• Love the praises of man.
• Seeking the best seats.
• Love to be seen.
• Failure to discern holy things.
• Their leading consists of ruling and not serving.
• Focussing upon external laws rather than internal change.
• Claiming righteousness with God while opposing His will.
• Exalting tradition above the commandments of God.
• Loves the seat of decision making.
• They strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
• They appear beautiful outside, white and clean like a tomb, but inside are full of dead men bones.
• KNOWS right from wrong on all matters and will set others straight.
• They go out of their way to convert a soul only to make that soul a son of hell worst than themselves.
• They pay tithes, but omit the weightier matters such as justice, mercy and faith.
• They are stumbling blocks for those earnestly seeking salvation.

Many continue to follow after or submit to these modern day Pharisees believing them to be righteous and godly men. Yet Jesus commanded us to beware of such men. Not to accept THEIR teachings. Leaven if allowed into the dough eventually leavens the whole. Beware.

Jesus said to them, Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” Matt. 16:6

Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1

The pharisaic elite need a following otherwise they have none to appear superior to, rule over or be idolized by. Open your eyes and ears to THEIR Pharisaical hypocrisy. 

The Pharisee proudly declares his leaven with, we have a law” John 19:7

The Holy Spirit affirms, you are free from the law” Rom. 8:2

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (law). Gal. 5:1

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? Matt. 7:16

(emphases mine)

~ Michael Smith 09.10.2014

THE TRAVELING SALESMAN by Michael Smith

I heard recently of a pastor who declared his city will be a gateway to a great move of God. So I felt a need to comment.

Many charismatic churches of the past are dwindling or dying as the pastors desperately try to make their church relevant again through failed procedures of the past. They have become as denominational churches fading into obscurity. If only they would seek God rather than the next move of God. Preach the cross to a self-centered and self absorbing church. Instead they pursue revival for their church through traveling salesmen rather then seeking the author of true revival. What is sad is the number of pastors or leaders that expose their fellowship to these presumptuous statements mentioned above rather than protecting them from such nonsense.

There are those who make a living off the body of Christ, not through co-laboring with them but rather through fleecing them of their hard earned money with similar false promises. Promises such as, revival is coming to this area, this church will be used mightily to bring revival, Gods anointing is here in this place like no other, your pastor has a vision of growing as to influence this county. On and on they spill. Pumping the congregations with false belief and hope. 

Yet many a charismatic pastor continue to expose their flock to the false promises of these hirelings. The problem is after a few years the people not experiencing what was prophesied or declared become disillusioned and doubtful and many will fall away from church or at least that church who presented these false truths.

Has anyone been astute enough to research what these guys say in other cities or states? I have, and it is amazing how much is repeated. Different people same prophetic word just repackage for the local fellowship.

Jesus spoke of going into the world and making disciples. Matthew 28:19 When did the Christian walk become a seminar where we seek to feel good, fall down on floors or becoming supposedly drunk in the Holy Spirit? Do we mock God? Are we now so arrogant to believe God exists for us? Is this really revival?

No where in scripture, our standard for truth, are we encourage or told to go to meetings or conferences where we are pumped up akin to some worldly rally or seminar. Of course these are held under the guise of taking our county, city or country for God. Has anyone seen this proclamation routinely given bear any fruit? Our country, county and cities are still worldly as ever. We are told to look at the fruit of these false prophets according to scripture. Are we?

Pastors have a responsibility for those they have been entrusted with and will give an account to God according to scripture. What might that responsibility be? To protect from such as these, make disciples, to teach, train and send out. Not to produce ear tickling rallies. I do not know one person who experienced lasting change from such renewals or revivals. Do you?

True revival is Godly conviction producing repentance from our lifestyle. Embracing the cross. Thats what brings lasting change. It makes men and women go out with a message desiring to make disciples. Yet those attending rallies come away pumped declaring that God was surely there and we missed it. Missed what? Has God now become non-omnipresent that we must seek a rally to be touched? Months later those pumped are unchanged and indulging sin without any conviction.

Do people realize these that travel the circuit, for thats what it is, are making large sums of money fleecing the church?  A reason they need to continue to seek out new venues or find a pastor who willingly brings them back repeatedly that they might bring “the great word” that is worth being financially supported. People wake up. This is nothing in comparison of what apostle Paul did in going to the churches. He like Jesus gave of himself not to acquire money.

If you knew of some truth or power that would set men free, heal them or deliver them from their dire situations, would you charge for that information or power? Are we so blind? Do we not realize the many people make a living and some a very good one at repackaging whats already in scripture if we will but search it? Men are not our deliverers, Christ is. 

Many major christian magazines have advertisements representing the next great line up of traveling ministers. They say it’s the feel good event of the year and not to be missed. Christians will flock to these seminars expecting to hear the next great word from God. These same people also sit in churches Sunday after Sunday waiting to hear a message from their (Moses) representative of God. After years of sitting in Sunday church where a program is centered around a 20 minute message many of these have never led someone to Christ or made a single disciple and we wonder why true and lasting revival tarries. I once attended a church who’s message was, for those who want more than a Sunday morning religion” I yearn for that. I can no longer indulge the lifeless church structures of men. It creates zombies followers without the power of Christ.

Did Christ come and die that we might sit at the feet of other men? Or take up a pew so to speak year after year at the fellowship club we belong to? Where are the men and women with real conviction? Who pursue Christ and pick up their cross daily? Are we now a bunch of impotent Christians that require being pumped up by some traveling salesman?

Michael Smith

9.6.2014