Make Merchandise

Good day. Today we are re-posting Make Merchandise 2017-03-26 a video and writing on the topic of there being many false teachers who are fleecing the flock of God and making merchandise of them. You can also access the video and download a copy of the writing by going to the Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive page. 

Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.

​Make Merchandise
 
2Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (KJV)
 
John 2:13-15 And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (15) And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (KJV)
 
We were watching the beginning of a religious program the other day and the preacher says that the Lord spoke and taught more about finances than about salvation and faith. What?!!!!! Needless to say we turned off the program; what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit which was given to us through the pain, the suffering, the rejection, the ridicule, and eventually death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How could such words come forth from a man who says he is speaking on behalf of our Lord? Did anyone else turn off the TV or get up and walk out of that building?
 
This same preacher has done many sermons about money, riches, prosperity in the physical; in the past this same preacher was hitting up the people for money to get a new private jet. Where in the Bible does it say that the Lord had all these riches or was concerned about them? In fact when a scribe came to him and said unto him “Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest (Matt 8:19).” What was Jesus Christ’s response to him…

Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. (KJV)
 
As well when the Lord was tempted by Satan in the wilderness before He started His public ministry. Look at his response…
 
Matthew 4:8-10  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV)
 
We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus; these are the riches we should be concerned with. The love of money is the root of all evil; the love of money, a condition of the heart, not money which is a tool that we have to deal with daily in this world.
 
These pastors, preachers, ministers, teachers, false prophets who are fleecing the flock of God while promising them liberty they themselves have become the servants of corruption for filthy lucre sake, because they waxed cold against the truth of the gospel of Christ and exchanged the truth for a lie. They started out in the Spirit but then they were tempted by Satan to change the message just enough to get more people to come to their organization and support them (instead of going to God and letting Him be their source), then the beast begins to grow and they need more support for their organization, and so they tweak the message a little more, and a little more, and then before you know it the love of money has taken root in their hearts, thus they have sold out to Satan, their conscience seared with a hot iron. As well, in these last days I am sure that there are those who go into ministry because they see it as easy money; to prey on the weak just as Satan, because they are his ministers.
 
2Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV)
 
They will be without excuse when they stand before the judgement seat of Christ and have to give an account of their life, their ministry, and the many people they led astray by their doctrines. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
 
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (KJV)
 
Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (KJV)
 
Many Christians today are weak and sickly because they have not taken the time to feed themselves on a daily basis, going to God as their source and allowing Him through the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them into all truth. They are not living by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God, instead they are living off of second hand man’s traditions and doctrines. Instead of coming to know the doctrine of Christ so that they are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, being able to discern between good and evil, they are becoming dull, lazy, and stupid toward God and His Son Jesus Christ.
 
For many they are as the following scriptures...
 
2Corinthians 11:19-20 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. (20) For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. (KJV)
 
Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (KJV)
 
We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; so we too will be without excuse when we stand before God and give an account of ourselves. God has given us all: His precious Son Christ Jesus who paid the ultimate price spiritually and physically so that we could have fellowship with Him and we could call Him our Father, and He could call us His sons and daughters; His Holy Spirit, our comforter, to lead and guide us into all truth, and to help us continue in the faith and become grounded and settled in truth and righteousness for Jesus sake.
 
2 Corinthians 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (KJV)
 
Those who lay down their life for the brethren in Christ will not be looking to make merchandise of the people of God, but will instead point you to Christ in you the hope of glory, to encourage and exhort you in all longsuffering and patience as Christ be formed in you.
 
So dearly loved brethren, try the spirits whether they be of God for many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, but look to make merchandise of you. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Continue to look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which you have wrought, but that you receive a full reward. For whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. So if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
 
God bless and don’t be misled like the many today who are following those who corrupt the word of God for filthy lucre sake.