Victory

here i got this video of tye tribett live of one of my person favorites "victory" and a small write up by christian campbell on Victory.




Victory!

This past Sunday as I was racing around the house trying to get ready to go to church (why can you never find a matching pair of socks on a sunday morning??) I was watching a local ministry that is broadcast on TV. I'm not going to mention any names because I am not trying to attack any person or ministry but the teaching. This is not the only ministry that teaches this either so do not think I am attacking a particular church either. The teaching that I saw though disturbs me greatly because on one hand it can be beneficial, but on the other it can be so very detrimental. I'll explain this point in a minute. The teachings are those of leading and/or achieving a victorious life by realizing that God wants us to be prosperous, that God wants us to be victorious. Now it can be beneficial because it can help people improve their lives by seeking God. The feel good sermons brings them to church every Sunday and gives them doses of brotherly love each week. It also attracts hundreds of new members due to it's message of hope of a better life.

On the other hand there is little to no Bible teaching done, and the verses that are used in the sermon are taken out of context to fit the sermon. The teachings taking place seem to be the same that you might find at a motivational conference, and have, I'm sure, improved many life's. Is that enough? Is it correct? Does God want us to have a victorious and prosperous life?

I was a member at a church like this for a few months before I left due to a lack of Bible teaching. I was starving to learn about the Bible and there was only classes and sermons on improving your self-esteem, breaking addiction, or handling money problems. Now, I have no problems with a church offering these classes or even teaching about these types of subjects during a sermon but it should not be the main focus, and there must be correct handling of the Bible.


I can understand why the proponents of this type of church support it. They want to show the love of the Lord by helping others, and truthfully there are so many out there that are suffering that need help. Ministries like this can really be a God send to those that are looking for answers and help in improving their lives. It is so great that there are churches that take such an active role in helping them find their answers but it must be done in a balanced manner. I'll give you an illustration that I have always used to allude to these type of ministries. By eating a constant diet of feel good foods, or junk foods (Zingers, mmmm) you may please your taste buds but the rest of your body will suffer. It will not get the nutrition that you need to grow, and you will become weak and unprepared. However, if you eat a balanced diet of healthy foods you will grow strong, and have a healthy body. Maintaining a strict diet of feel good teaching may make you feel good and be easier to listen to than other churches but what will be the consequences to your spiritual growth. You will be weak and have stunted growth. A good balance of bible teaching, and life application messages are necessary for a balanced spiritual life.

So as a Christian are we going to live a victorious life? In a manner of speaking, yes. Our victory is Christ's death on the cross which defeated the sting of death. A victorious life is not success, prosperity, or happiness but freedom from the condemnation of sin and the availability of the Holy Spirit to power a Christ-like life. Because of His victory we are free to grow and mature and prosper spiritually. So, does that mean God wants us to suffer in poverty and abuse? Of course not, God loves us and hurts to see us suffer. That's why we have the church, our fellow Christians, and the promise of His imminent return. So while I applaud the efforts made by these ministries I can't help but cringe when I hear the constant feel good teaching and hope that their members will eventually be lead to sound Bible teaching. What do you think?

from

http://blogs.chron.com/thinkingchristian/2006/06/victory.html