ENOUGH WITH THE SMOOTH SERMONS

Please study this page in connection with the following pages and you will be blessed →→ THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST
WE ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST →→ THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST →→ SAVED IN SIN OR FROM SIN? →→ FAITH AND WORKS
THE ROLE OF GOD'S LAW IN RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH →→ THE LAW IN GALATIANS

Too many of our leaders and churches are preaching smooth messages today. Messages about the love of Jesus Christ, without the conviction of sin. Yes, they tell of the 'love of God', but have abandoned the Bible truth concerning victory over sin. The messages given today from the pulpits produce no conviction of sin and appeals to the majority of the world these days.

Isaiah 30:9-10 ...'That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'

Many preachers are now saying we cannot get the victory over sin and we will continue to sin until Jesus returns. This is a lie from the devil friends!

Preachers today: "Jesus loves everyone and we should love the world like Jesus did. Love, love, love! The end!

Full Bible truth: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." (Ephesians 5:1-5)

The problem is, there are TWO kinds of 'love'. Love of self, that results in sin. And love of God, that results in obedience and righteousness. And the love that is preached in most churches today unfortunately, is love of self, not God. Hence why most people are still living lives of sin. Because sin is the result of loving self.

Many people are at ease today, thinking they need not gain the victory over the sin in their lives. They believe they need not make any effort in the cause of God's kingdom. They sit down in calm expectation, thinking that God will protect them in the last days. And many are going to be shocked when the Lord returns!

"But God will not save us if we make no effort to do the work he has committed to our charge. We must be found faithfully at our posts, watching as valiant soldiers, lest Satan shall gain an advantage which it is our duty to prevent. We should diligently study the Word of God, and pray in faith that God will restrain the powers of darkness; for as yet the message has gone to comparatively few, and the world is to be lightened with its glory. The present truth regarding the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus has not yet been sounded as it must be. There are many almost within the shadow of our own doors for whose salvation no personal effort has been made." (Review and Herald, March 9, 1911)

All the churches of Babylon preach about the 'love' of God, without the conviction of sin, because Satan has deceived the leaders into accepting a false gospel. They reject the 'everlasting gospel' which is found all throughout the scriptures, which God's remnant church is supposed to preach to the world according to Revelation 14:6.

So why are the majority of God's professed remnant churches also preaching the same 'smooth' messages as the churches of Babylon? Enough. This must stop!

Is the Bible not clear in the message it gives that we are to turn away from all sin? Is the spirit of prophecy also not clear that we are to 'perfect' our characters through the indwelling of Jesus Christ ready for the last days? Well, let's confirm the truth.

1 Peter 2:21-22 ...'For even hereunto ye were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps, WHO DID NO SIN, neither was guile found in His mouth.'

1 John 2:3-4 ...'And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.'

John 5:14 ...'Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.'

John 8:10-11 ...'When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.'

Important note: Our 'keeping the commandments' is NOT of ourselves. Our keeping the commandments is a result of walking in the love of Christ and allowing Him, by His Spirit, to dwell in us and change us.

So many people love to hold onto the words that Jesus spoke to the woman caught in adultery ..."neither do I condemn thee." ... Which reveals the love and mercy of God. But they ignore the clear instruction Jesus also attached to that statement ..."SIN NO MORE." ... You see, if the woman went away and continued living a life of sin, then the grace of God would no longer cover her. She would be lost in her sins. But the grace of God would still cover her if she went away and turned away from sin and lived a life following Jesus. This is why Jesus told her ... and the man ... to sin no more. Now don't get me wrong. We all have stumbled in sin AFTER coming to Christ. I am not saying you won't stumble now and again while you grow in faith. And God will forgive you if you repent. But the problem I'm talking about is the belief that we cannot stop sinning. As this goes against the Word of God.

Romans 8:1-2 ...'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.'

Do you see? There is no condemnation for those who do not continue in sin.

Did Jesus say anything that would even suggest we would continue living in sin as Christians? No. Did the apostles say anything that would even suggest we would continue living in sin as Christians? No. In fact, they clearly taught condemnation for those who do continue living in sin. Look ...

Hebrews 10:26-27 ...'For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.'

2 Peter 2:12-15 ...'But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin ... Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.'

Look at 2 Peter 2 above. Did you know that the whole Bible only mentions those words .. CANNOT CEASE FROM SIN .. only once? And did you know it is talking about the wicked? It is the unconverted, ungodly person that cannot cease from sin, not the Christian.

"Many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully." (Maranatha, p.254)

"Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth." (Maranatha, p.254)

Now, many people have a problem with this ... that our own effort plays a part in being a true Christian. But there need not be any issue, because it is very Biblical (2 Peter 1:5-7; Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10) and logical. I see it as a very simple concept. When a man and woman marries, they 'proclaim' their love for each other. But what if one of them took little interest in their partner and made no effort to make the marriage work? What does that show? It shows they dont' love their partner, no matter how much they proclaim it! It's the same with God. If we proclaim to love God, but make no effort to constantly improve our relationship with the Lord, then that shows we don't really love Him. God will never save anyone who has little interest in turning away from the very thing that put the Son of God on the cross ... SIN!

Please remember: Faith is the root of salvation, obedience and works is the fruit! And if you have no fruit, then you will 'wither and die' (Matthew 21:19)

"I saw that none could share the 'refreshing' unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence." (Maranatha, p.254)

"Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: 'The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.' John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father's commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble." (Great Controversy, p.623)

But is it our own so called 'perfection' that God looks upon? ... "When He sees men lifting the burdens, trying to carry them in lowliness of mind, with distrust of self and with reliance upon Him, He adds to their work His perfection and sufficiency, and it is accepted of the Father. We are accepted in the Beloved. The sinner's defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our Righteousness. Those who with sincere will, with contrite heart, are putting forth humble efforts to live up to the requirements of God, are looked upon by the Father with pitying, tender love; He regards such as obedient children, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto them." (In Heavenly Places, p.23) ... No, it is Christ's perfection IN US. We are made perfect IN CHRIST (Galatians 2:20)

"Christ 'gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works' (Titus 2:14). He made an offering so complete that through His grace every one may reach the standard of perfection. Of those who receive His grace and follow His example it will be written in the book of life, 'Complete in Him--without spot or stain.'" (In Heavenly Places, p.7)

Many will still say ..."Oh no, it's just not possible to keep the commandments and stop sinning." ... And yet the scriptures are clear that there is power available from God, through Jesus Christ, to enable us to gain complete victory over sin.

2 Peter 1:2-4 ...'Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.'

Just as Jesus in His earthly life relied on His divine Father, and was a partaker of His Father's divine nature. We too can become partakers of that very same divine nature! This is the 'promise of the Father' which Jesus confirmed He would give to the disciples in Luke 24:49. The promise to impart God's Spirit to them (and us) which would enable us to be 'partakers of the divine' and overcome sin.

Jude 1:24 ...'Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.'

2 Peter 2:9 ...'The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.'

Romans 8:37 ...'in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.'

Galatians 2:20 ...' I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'

How do we gain the victory? By submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ each and every day. By running to Him in prayer when we are tempted. By making every effort ourselves to turn from sin. Then the Lord will help us and empower us, through His Holy Spirit to overcome all sins. And we will be transformed into His own image and character. We will become 'partakers of the divine nature'.

"As an earthly parent encourages his child to come to him at all times, so the Lord encourages us to lay before Him our wants and perplexities, our gratitude and love. Every promise is sure. Jesus is our Surety and Mediator, and has placed at our command every resource, that we may have a perfect character." (In Heavenly Places, p.18)

But the Bible did warn us that there would be people in the last days proclaiming that we would not be able to get the victory over sin ... 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ...'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.'

Friends, a time is coming soon when the door of mercy will shut forever. And it will happen at a time when we will not know. And as Revelation 22:11-12 confirms, if you are still living in sin, you will remain a sinner and be lost! Oh friends, we cannot go along with the mainstream view that we will continue in sin. We MUST claim the promise of God, that we will be filled with His Spirit and made to be 'partakers of the divine nature', overcoming sin and 'being more than conquerors' through Jesus Christ. Will you claim that promise today? Are you willing to turn from your sins and give up all for Christ? He is waiting for a people in these last days who will show the world the TRUE character of God. A people who will 'follow the Lamb wheresoever He goeth' (Revelation 14:4). THEN you will be pronounced a 'saint', as Revelation 14:12 says. Someone who KEEPS the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ.'

So as we said in the beginning. Churches, pastors, leaders, ENOUGH with the smooth sermons!

Matthew 7:21-23 ...'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'

In connection with this page, please see our important page on CHRIST AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

Ephesians 6:10-11 ...'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.'

2 Timothy 2:19 ...'Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'