Preaching: The Call to Excellence Rather Than Success

Posted on by markwchristy
2 Timothy, written around A.D. 66, was Paul’s last epistle (cf. 4:6). At that time, Paul was imprisoned and treated like a criminal (2 Tim 1:16; 2:9). He was abandoned by all except one of the Christian brothers, Onesiphorus.[1] In this letter, he addresses Timothy who was serving in Ephesus. From both epistles to Timothy, it is clear that the Ephesians were still struggling with doctrinal issues which is somewhat surprising since Paul had ministered there for three years in the past. Sadly,...
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Should Believers Expect Blessings in Regard to Finances, Health, and Success? (Part 3 of Interaction with the Belief Statement of a Prosperity Gospel Church)

Posted on by markwchristy
While giving a sermon at a local SBC church in Shreveport, the pastor mentioned his joyful willingness to partner a local church called the Word of God Ministries. Honestly, the name alone drew my attention as it suggests affiliation with the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel movements. Given this concern, it made sense to tour their website (See link in 1st endnote) and determine whether or not grounds existed to support my suspicion. On their website, I accessed their belief statement which...
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Should Believers Expect Blessings in Regard to Finances, Health, and Success? (Part 2 of Interaction with the Belief Statement of a Prosperity Gospel Church)

Posted on by markwchristy
While giving a sermon at a local SBC church in Shreveport, the pastor mentioned his joyful willingness to partner a local church called the Word of God Ministries. Honestly, the name alone drew my attention as it suggests affiliation with the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel movements. Given this concern, it made sense to tour their website (See link in 1st endnote) and determine whether or not grounds existed to support my suspicion. On their website, I accessed their belief statement which...
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Why Does Jesus Call His Disciples Evil?

Posted on by markwchristy
“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13 NASB) When speaking to disciples and giving instructions to them in regard to how to pray, Jesus refers to them as “being evil”. Here, He is not discussing their actions but their natures. As Christ-followers, the disciples were rightfully labelled in this manner because their flesh is still a part of this world and unde...
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The Different Gospel in Some Presumably Conservative Evangelical Churches

Posted on by markwchristy
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:6-7 NASB). From these words of Paul to the Galatians, the reader is made aware of the potential for true Christians (cf. 1:2, 11; 3:3, 5, 15; 4:6, 12, 31; 5:13; 8-9) to become sidetracked by “different gospel[s]” that are not founded on the “grace of Chr...
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Should Believers Expect Blessings in Regard to Finances, Health, and Success? (Part 1 of Interaction with the Belief Statement of a Prosperity Gospel Church)

Posted on by markwchristy
While giving at a sermon a local SBC church in Shreveport, the pastor mentioned his joyful willingness to partner with a local church called the Word of God Ministries. Honestly, the name alone drew my attention as it suggests affiliation with the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel movements. Given this concern, it made sense to tour their website (See link in 1st endnote) and determine whether or not grounds existed to support my suspicion. On their website, I accessed their belief statement ...
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The Road to Dumbing Down the Church: A Review of Stephen Furtick’s Seven-Mile Miracle

Posted on by markwchristy
By Mark W. Christy, PhD Steven Furtick, Seven-Mile Miracle: Journey into the Presence of God through the Last Words of Jesus (Multnomah: 2017). In Seven-Mile Miracle, Steven Furtick offers his readers a pathway to knowing more of God (2-3).[i] Before continuing to read, the observant and informed (biblically) reader would note that one cannot know more of God. One can either know God or not. As a Christian, one can either walk in fullness of the Holy Spirit or not.[ii] Ignoring this error...
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