David John Tait, Malala Road, Webuye (2025)

16/09/2025

OBSERVATIONS OF THE CHURCH – Part 5
MINISTRY QUALIFICATIONS
A person has a revelation from God. They build up several followers, who are enamoured by the person and believe in the revelation they share.
Usually, a new denomination is formed. For example, John Wesley provided a 'method' of belief, and the Methodist movement, which later became churches, was formed.
When Wesley died, no longer having Wesley's inspiration, his followers formulated his revelation into a doctrine, with differences from other doctrines of the time. Thus, the Methodist Church of today was formed.
Naturally, as the following generations lacked Wesley's inspiration, they formed a Bible College or Seminary to teach the principles of Wesley to them.
Of course, these teaching schools presented their graduates with a certificate describing their qualification.
The denomination recognized these people as having the Church's teachings, and they were appointed as Ministers in the Methodist Church. As more graduates qualified, it became compulsory to have this qualification to lead a church in their denomination.
I experienced this personally. I was attending a Pentecostal denominational church and attended a couple of their conferences. I also ministered overseas at a conference on their behalf. After the second local conference, I received a Ministerial Appointment for the denomination in the mail.
A few days later, I had a visit from my pastor, who wanted to take my card back as I had not gone through their 3-year, denominational Bible Degree as their Assistant Pastor had just completed. It wasn't fair that I should get this without the training! I was easy about this and gave him back my card. He commented that he didn't expect it to be so easy to get it back! Six months later, the Assistant Pastor had an affair with the Office Secretary! I was amused!
God's plan for me was for all believers everywhere, so He worked it out well.
The issue, though, is that formal training is so entrenched in the church that it is more important than the character of the person and their calling by God.
Another situation I have had described to me before these people died of old age was the introduction of the Holy Spirit-led movement, which arrived in New Zealand with the meetings of Smith Wigglesworth in 1924. People were healed and filled with the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Of course, being new and strange to the existing churches and to the p***c, there was limited acceptance of the movement. These believers met in homes where those with the Godly anointing of pastors and teachers (see Ephesians 4:11-16) taught and looked after them.
The enthusiasm and godliness of these people were amazing, and similar to those of the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13), hence they were given the name, Pentecostals.
The denomination I mentioned earlier grew in the same way. It expanded, churches were formed, and pastors appointed. Then a Bible School was started and people were trained until, as you read above, a degree became compulsory to be a Pastor, by most of the churches.
Sadly, our churches have turned into businesses, where qualifications are required for senior positions. Each of us needs to prayerfully consider this situation and act, either within or outside of the church organization, to change back more towards the churches in Acts and throughout the rest of the New Testament.
Let us take particular notice of the churches mentioned in Revelation, chapters 1 to 3, where Jesus, through John, detailed the issues within the churches formed in the era AD40-100.
The church in Laodicea needs particular attention, as it is the church most similar to ours today.
May the Lord bless us with wisdom and strength to make changes, among the opposition that will surely follow.
David Tait
wwj.org.nz

28/08/2025

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHURCH - Part 4
CHURCH IS UPSIDE DOWN!
Today, we have a church, generally based on authority from above. Our hierarchy places men or women in positions above the people in the church.
Ordinary people look up to those in positions above to lead them in their Christian walk. You have the head of the denomination or grouping, who is the boss of the hierarchy below. The extent of the hierarchy levels usually depends on the number of adherents it has. Hence, the largest church worldwide, the Roman Catholic Church, has the Pope at the top, and layers of authority below him. Most other churches may have a similar system, either formal or informal.
Of course, the Reformation was intended to overcome the issue of top-down authority structures, but the reality is that they have reemerged, as this is the way the world works.
Sadly, today reminds me of the Old Testament Priesthood. A priesthood, where the priest was an intermediary between the people and God, but which Jesus came to replace. The Priesthood was to be the descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Unfortunately, by the time of Jesus, it had evolved into an annually elected position, which was bought, not inherited.
The true last descendant of Aaron was John the Baptist, and it was fitting that he should pass over the priesthood to Jesus at His baptism, the final priest who still today, and thankfully, intercedes on our behalf with God the Father.
Jesus came to bring a different way, for which He paid the ultimate price on the cruel, but victorious cross at Calvary, dying for your sins and mine.
Unfortunately, though, most of the church has slipped back into the ways of the Old Testament Priesthood.
Jesus came to bring a new way, one where we can have a personal relationship with Him. No longer are we to rely upon priests, pastors, or ministers to relate to God on our behalf. We have direct access to our heavenly Father through Jesus. Wow! Amazing! But we have to make the effort to build a personal relationship with Jesus, through the Word, prayer, listening to what God has to say to us personally, through prophecy, words of knowledge, and in other ways also.
God wants to speak to us. We have to listen to Him. Then do what He asks us to do! Scared? Don't be, for He will never ask us to do anything beyond our level of faith.
The reflection in the mirror in the illustration below shows how the church should be. Instead of the boss at the top of the inverted pyramid, the people are.
The leadership, at its various levels. It is there to serve those who belong/attend the particular church with Jesus as head.
The PRINCIPLE OF SERVANTHOOD is not very popular today, when kingship is being promoted. Unfortunately, this is not what Jesus, talking about the Gentiles lording over the people of Israel, says.......
But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark10:43-45)
There needs to be a huge change in church leadership today to serve, and not to be served, following the example of Jesus when he was on the earth.
David Tait
wwj.org .nz

08/08/2025

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHURCH – Part 3

THE CURSE OF THE CHURCH – THE PROSPERITY DOCTRINE

This insidious doctrine, grew in the 19th century, as a result of an elderly Scottish lady's dream. It was latched onto by unscrupulous preachers and teachers seeking popularity and money, Their names do not matter, for this article, except for an example, is about the doctrine, not people.

The essence of the doctrine is to give, to get. Many preachers have become very wealthy through expousing it!

It was, sadly, picked up by the Pentecostal movement in the USA, not at its inception, but as the 20th century progressed. It spread like wildfire with the introduction of TV,. Today, it has spread round the world, moving from Penteostal to most other churches, albeit in a watered down form.

The principle that you can get money and riches, or live a comfortable life by becoming a Christian, is palpably false. If this was so, everyone in the world wold become a believer! This is not the case, is it!

Jesus Himself taught that it 'is harder for a rich man to get to heaven than for a camel to get through the eye of a needle.' We see that as impossible in our experience of a needle, but at the time of Jesuus, the small gate, inside the main gate into the walled city, was called a needle. The camels of a rich man had to go down on their knees to get through, when the main gates were closed. How do we come to God? On our knees!

I first came across this doctrine as I was growing up, as a churchian, not a true believer in Jesus. This was a long time ago! LOL! It didn't make sense to me even then, through observation.

When our eldest son was getting married in Scotlnnd to a lass from the Isle Of Skye, we took our 2 youngest sons to Disneyland in Los Angeles, as it was on the way from New Zealand. On the way to our hotel, I saw a big sign. saying Keneth Copeland was taking a series of meetings at the huge Anaheim Convention Centre, We went along. Kenneth Copeland came on the stage and said he had inviited his friend Creflo J Dollar, to speak.

Creflo gave his story of giving away a very small car and being given a bigger one in return, until finally he ended up with a Rolls Royce! The people there, mainly poor black Americans, clapped and cheered. At the front was a section for pastors, and they cheered the loudest. Then people came up and started throwing money at his feet. The pastors cheered, but geve no money.

It was so sad to see poor being manipulated to make the preacher rich. Afterwards, we went down to the carpark, where we saw old jalopies, not rich mens cars!

I cried to myself. This couldn't be be God! Surely! It wasn't! Poor people were being manipulated to make a few rich!

Unfortunately, this teaching, in a milder form, has permeated most churches, around the world. Preaching is of what God will do for us financially and otherwise, rather than the sacrifces desired by the Father, up to losing our lives for Him, as the Bible teaches.

We are living in the day of the Laodicean church of the book of Revelation. People had lost their first love for Christ because of the riches they had. The Bible teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and our daily needs, not our desires, will be given to us.

True Christianity is putting aside the things of the world that distract us from Jesus and the Father, being prepared to live our lives completely for Him, even to not shrink from death.

There have been many maytrs for Jesus over the past 2000 years. Are we prepared to give our lives completely to Him today, and die for Him, if it is required?

29/07/2025

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHURCH- Part 2
COUNTRY CULTURE IN THE CHURCH
Once again I have been blessed to travel to many countries, and ministered lots of churches. The culture of each country is different, sometimes even differing between areas in a country.
Whether we recognize it or not, culture plays a big part in our churches.
My mother was born in Ireland, coming to New Zealand when she was 3. Dad's parents came from the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland. Yet my sister and I have grown up as true 'Kiwis', New Zealand's unique flightless bird, our national symbol. Other immigrants come here, from very different cultures, and assimilate within 1 to 2 generations.
Are we ebullient in our worship, as is generally found in Africa, or more reserved, as in many churches in the Western world, such as here?
Where do the congregation sit? In many countries, looking towards the front, men sit in the much smaller left side, while women are to the right. Of course the aisle is not in the middle! All over the world, there are at least twice as many women in the church as men. So sad.
In some cultures, only men are allowed to participate, while in others, it depends on the rules of the particular church. I was in one church in Nigeria where a young lady in our party spoke for a few minutes. I thought nothing of it. However, later I found out that this was a real honour, being the first time a woman had spoken publicly, in this large church.
Often we equate loud worship to Godly worship. I was caught in that trap until one day I realized that this was cultural, the ebullient nature of the people. It was wonderful to see, and participate in, but may or may not really be of the Lord. Worship in India can still be worshipful, even though the culture is less boisterous.
Speaking too, follows the same pattern. Africans are loud in their presentations, which the people there are used to. I always remember in our home church in Kenya, where we lived for 5 years building a hospital, speaking one day and becoming really forceful and loud. After I spoke, the pastor said I was becoming an African! The people laughed.
But if I did that in New Zealand I may well be not invited back! LOL! But if an African came and did it here , it would be acceptable, as they were African! LOL!
The question really is, WWJD! (what would Jesus do)? Middle Eastern culture is different again. The Bible tells us about worship in the Temple and the Synagogues, pre Jesus of course. Paul too, gave instructions for worship, but we do wonder what those early churches, house groups really, were like.
Let us remember, when we criticize other cultures, that our culture is different to them also!
May we learn to separate culture from Godliness.
David Tait
Walking With Jesus Ministries
wwj.org.nz

21/07/2025

OBSERVATIONS OF THE CHURCH- Part 1

WORSHIP

What an unusual place to start! Yes it is. But in my experience in 78 years (young!), the first key element in a church meeting, Sunday or otherwise, is worship.

Without Spirit-led worship, the meeting is just going to be an ordinary one. May be if some interest if the speaker is good, or more likely to put you to sleep, if they go on too long!

A bit radical! YES! But it is built from a pretty long lifetime of experience, both good and bad. I have been in many meetings, of all hues, over my life, as a listener or speaker. Good, bad and indifferent. From Traditional, to Evangelical, to Pentecostal/Charismatic.

I have slept in many, been interested in others, and inspired in all too few. Part of it has been my stage of walking with Jesus, of course, most of the sleepy ones, for I didn't truly give my heart to the Lord until I was 43. In the 35 years since, God has worked miracles in my life and incredibly to me, in other lives as well. Praise the Lord (PTL).

I have spoken in many countries and been inspired by God to write a number of books, with an emphasis on “the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven”.

My greatest experience of the heavenlies was in a Nigerian village. The power went off. Then the generator ran out of fuel. What did we do? Go home, or continue worshipping We elected to continue, and heaven came down to earth! It was an incredible experience! No need to share the word after that, for God had superceded it!

The essence of Revivals is worship, where the presence of God fills the building. Very little needs to be said, for God speaks directly to individuals.

Worship is not singing a few hymns, choruses, or songs. The purpose of worship is to release the presence of God in the meeting. Worspip needs to come from deep within our heart, from the Holy Spirit, yours and mine, to be effective.

Pentecostals have come up with a pattern that does work – thanksgiving songs, followed by praise songs, and finally worship. It works but it is not essential. Worship songs though, surely are. But worship ones surely are. For we should be here or there to worship our God with “all our hearts, soul, mind and strength” for that is the worship our God desires.

Again, my experience speaking and listening over all these years, has shown that, without the Lord's presence, the message will not be a truly memorable one for those hearing it.

Finally, I ask people to stay in the Spirit when I speak. For too many speakers think that their message is the most important event of the meeting, and cut off the Holy Spirit's presence, with a few words. Not deliberately, but is the reality. All who speak need to consider the worship as an integral part of the meeting, not just an add-on.

I worship you Lord, with all of me.

How about you?

David Tait
Walking with Jesus Ministries

15/04/2025

As we come to Easter we need to remember what Jesus did for us at Calvary. May this poem bring home the agony of what Jesus went through.....
SEVEN TIMES SHED FOR ME
(Matthew 27:46)"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabaacthani" He cried,
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?
On the stroke of the ninth hour he died
Rejected, cruelly nailed to the God deserted tree.
My Jesus, shedding his blood for me.
To Gethsemane he came, the holy one
(Luke 22:42) Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
Yet not my will, but yours be done.
For I’ll ever be obedient, until you set me free.
(Luke 22:44) Being in anguish he prayed more earnestly,
His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
The disciples exhausted, slept on peacefully.
Returning from his prayers, by Jesus they were found.
My Jesus, he shed his blood for me.
(Luke 22:47) While he was still speaking a crowd came up,
Included traitor Judas, with whom he did sup.
The chief priests, officers, soldiers and all,
They arrested him, for that was their call
At the chief priests house they questioned him,
(Matthew 26:67) Spit in his face and struck him with their fists.
The cup of his blood now overflowing its rim,
Grieving eyes closing, seeing through mists.
My Jesus, again he shed his blood for me.
So Jesus, my Saviour, to Pilate was now taken,
His determination to do God’s will, never shaken.
(Matthew 27:11) "Are you the king of the Jews?" Pilate demanded,
(27:11) "Yes it is as you say". My Saviour then remanded.
(Matthew 27:23) "What crime has he committed?" The people, they were consulted.
(27:22-3) "Crucify him! Crucify him!" The rabble cried out loud.
(27:26) Then he released Barabbas to them, Pilate’s feelings most
insulted,
(27:26) While he had Jesus flogged, simply to please the crowd.
A third time, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
Seven hundred years before that terrible day,
Through the prophet Isaiah my Jesus did say,
(Isaiah 50:6) "I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting",
To happen to Jesus, God’s son, was not befitting
(Isaiah 50:6) "I offered my back to those who beat me,
My cheeks to those who pulled out my beard."
With beard gone, Oh God, how could it be,
So intense the pain, more than he had feared.
Four times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
Seven hundred years before that terrible day,
Through the prophet Isaiah my Jesus did say,
(Isaiah 50:6) "I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting",
To happen to Jesus, God’s son, was not befitting.
(Isaiah 50:6) "I offered my back to those who beat me,
My cheeks to those who pulled out my beard."
With beard gone, Oh God, how could it be,
So intense the pain, more than he had feared.
Four times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
(Matthew 27:27) Then the Governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the
Praetorium.
No peace for him there, no place to rest, was no sanatorium,
(27:28) They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
Preparing my Jesus to die, out on that awful limb.
(Matthew 27:29) They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head,
(27:29) They put a staff in his right hand, for truly he was the righteous king.
They used the staff to beat the thorns in deeper and deeper instead,
(27:30) Struck him on the head again and again, making worse his
suffering.
Five times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
Under the weight of the cross, voice slurred,
(Psalm 22:15) "My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth",
Step by step weakening, as he headed south.
(Psalm 22:16) Hung on to the cross, "they pierced my hands and my
feet."
(Matthew 27:33-4) At The Place of the Skull. There they offered Jesus wine to drink.
The time was coming near, with his Father again to meet.
His blood poured out, his body near death, it began to shrink.
Six times, my Jesus shed his blood for me.
(Mark 15:33) Darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,
An ‘awe-full’, fearsome display of God’s fury and power!
(Mark 15:37) With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last,
His worldly pain, now a thing of the past.
(John 9:33) The soldiers came to Jesus and found that he was already dead,
So now there was no need to break his legs.
A lunging spear into his side, spewing forth blood so red,
All poured out, right down to the dregs.
This final time, Jesus shed all his blood for me.
Yes, seven times my Jesus shed his blood for me,
Receiving from the Father, forgiveness of all my sin.
He came to earth; he died, forever to set me free,
He opened the heavenly gates, now to welcome me in.
All because, seven times, Jesus shed his blood for me
My thanks to the late Dr Derek Prince for his insights in discovering and teaching this truth.
Free to share. Please leave the acknowedgement below on the post
David Tait
Walking with Jesus Ministries
wwj.org.nz

01/11/2024

A DAVID MUSING
Next week we have the American elections.
I live in New Zealand currently, but in spite of being so far away, there is large interest in them here also.
In the past, and currently, what happens in America, has ramifications right round the world.
No more so than in Israel, the Middle East and Ukraine.
I do note have a vote, so I won't give you my choice for President, It doesn't count. But those in America, remember that your vote affects us outside America too.
When making your decision, please look beyond the economy and immigration etc. and think of the effect on the rest of the world, in your choice.
If voting early, or on Tuesday, please take a whole world approach into account too.
The rest of the world is relying upon you!

31/10/2024

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!

Finally, we have got a really good internet connection to our country house!!!!!!! Also am recovering well from my 4 stays in hospital. So now I will be able to resume posting! Hallelujah! Enjoy - and grow in the Lord!

LOGIC v FAITH
GREEK (Western)
We attempt to explain and justify everything according to human
understanding. We apply linear logic to understanding the Bible. This can be likened to lining up dominos on their edge in a line. Push the first one over and that pushes over the next, and so on down the line. Problems arise where a domino is missing (no knowledge), or is placed outside the line (an apparent
contradiction in Scripture).
One example is the apparent contradiction of predestination and freewill.
God's order has been 'predestined'.....
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)...but we have 'freewill', through prayer, to change God's mind.....
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
Hence we get a division in the church, and church theology, between those who major on predestination (Calvinism) and freewill (Armenianism) and all shades of opinion in between that divide people, and denominations, one from another!
For we cannot accept, from our limited human understanding, that both can be, and are, correct!

EASTERN ((Hebrew)
Jews acknowledge that God's wisdom and knowledge is infinite, and is sometimes beyond human understanding. Therefore they accept that there can be apparent contradictions in our sight. They apply block logic. While all the facts within a given block are coherent, they accept that one block of facts might present paradoxes and apparent contradictions with another block. They
accept the almighty understanding of God.....
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)....that affirms that man's knowledge is finite, and limited. Solomon
acknowledged this.....
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
An interesting example of this is seen in whether God is visible or not. Most Western Christians will automatically say God is invisible, quoting.....
24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Yet God appeared to Abraham in the form of 3 men.....
The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three
men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.....33 When the LORD had finished speaking
with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. (Genesis 18:1-2,33
)... and to Moses and 73 others.....
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. (Exodus 24:9-10)
Now John would have been aware of the Old Testament Scriptures when he wrote his Gospel, but he didn't see a need to explain the difference between the scriptures, as we would have needed to do, looking with Western eyes. John knew that God, in His infinite wisdom, understood, even if John, in his human understanding, didn't. It simply wasn't an issue for John, as it is for us. ... and to Moses and 73 others.....
9 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up 10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. (Exodus 24:9-10) +
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. We must understand that God is God, is God! He understands all, even where Scripture is not able to be understood by us. This is true, even when Scripture appears to contradict itself - through our limited eyes of understanding. (A premise that is particularly hard for theologians to accept!)
2. Unnecessary divisions have arisen in the church through different
interpretations of Scriptures about which we do not have a full understanding.
We all need to repent and reconcile!
3. We must base our theology on the whole of Scripture, not just limited selections of our favourite passages that justify our desired conclusion.
4. May we be gracious and humble enough to accept that we do not have all the answers, and be tolerant and understanding to those who hold to differing viewpoints to ours.

26/08/2024

10 COMMON UNBIBLICAL BELIEFS IN THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH
PERSONAL
I am recovering from my operation well but need to take it easy for the next 2 months. For a week or so I have access to fast internet, so will start posting again.
This excellent article is not wrillen by me but is in line with what the Lord has shown me.......
10 COMMON UNBIBLICAL BELIEFS IN THE CONTEMPORARY CHURCH
6:00AM EST 1/21/2019 JOSEPH MATTERA
As an observer and participant in the broader body of Christ since 1978, I have heard many things communicated that I deem unbiblical. Many of these teachings are so commonly believed or assumed that the average Christian embraces them without examining the Scriptures.
The following are some of the more common erroneous beliefs:
1. SALVATION AND A DECISION FOR CHRIST ARE THE SAME
One of the most common misconceptions I have observed in the church today is the fact that folks think that if a person repeats "the sinner's prayer" or responds to an altar call, they are "saved." This is problematic, since we may be giving false hope to the respondent by reassuring them of their salvation, when in fact they may not really be saved.
Also, nowhere in the Bible does it say that merely saying words ensures salvation. Furthermore, the altar call is a modern development in the evangelical church that arose out of the methodology employed by evangelists who appealed to the masses to come to the altar to receive Christ (or to "walk up the sawdust trail). Though there is nothing wrong with this approach that identifies those who want to give their life to Christ (so people can get their names, pray with them and follow them up), it is not the same as salvation.
Scripture is clear that both the heart and the mouth have to confess Jesus is Lord (see Rom.10:9-10), and Paul the apostle regularly echoed the word of John the Baptist when he said to bring forth fruit proving your repentance (see Acts 26:20, Matt. 3:8). Hence, making an emotionally motivated "decision" to ask Jesus in your life is a good step, but a truly converted person will bear fruit, proving they really gave their life over to Jesus. (See also 1 John 3:9.) I used to say that "hundreds got saved tonight" when I was referring to an altar call response of masses of people; now I merely say, "hundreds made 'decisions for Christ,'" since, after all these years, I am now very careful to distinguish between a "decision" and a "conversion" experience.
2. WORSHIP IS JUST SINGING SONGS
I have learned that the mere singing of words to a song doesn't amount to worship. Jesus also said that people can honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (see Mark 7:6-8).
True worship includes blessing the Lord with all your soul (see Ps. 103) which implies that your whole heart, mind and soul—your whole being—is willingly bowing before the lordship of Christ while adoring and worshipping the Godhead. (See Rev. 4.)
True worship also implies obedience which is why Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will obey My commandments" (see John 14:15). Consequently, I have known many persons either on worship teams and or people in church who—during the worship segment of the church service—displayed exuberant praise and worship, yet their private life was anything but submitted to God.
3. REPENTANCE IS CRYING AT THE ALTAR
I have seen countless people making "altar calls" week after week, crying as they came up. The average believer thinks that this is a sign of repentance; however, the word "repentance" has to do with a mindset change, a change of thinking, more than an emotional experience. I have learned that unless a person changes the way they think about God, their hearts will never be transformed by His power. Even Esau could not find repentance, even though he sought it with crying and tears! (See Heb. 12:17.)
4 WE SHOULD SAY PRAYERS
Nowhere in the Bible does it say to merely "say" prayers. But everywhere, in both testaments, is a command to "seek God". God discloses Himself to the seekers—not just to the casual inquirers. (See Ps. 42, 63; Matt. 6:7,33; Heb. 11:6.)
5. GOD ONLY EXPECTS US TO GIVE A TENTH OF OUR FINANCES
Tithing is only a principle handed down from God to Adam and to his offspring, which is why Abel gave God a first-fruit offering (see Gen. 4) and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all gave God a tithe. This was reiterated again in the Law of Moses (Lev. 27) and in the prophets (Mal. 3) and taught in the New Testament (see Matt. 23, Heb. 7.)
That being said, when Jesus came He did not focus on a mere tithe—He commanded His disciples to surrender everything they had to Him (see Luke 14: 26-33.) This passage alone should dispel the notion that God only requires a tenth.
Nothing less than a total heart surrender of everything we are and have is expected by the Lord Jesus Christ (see Phil. 3, 2 Cor. 5:15). Consequently, although it is still important to set at least 10 percent aside to give to God, it doesn't mean you can do what you want with the other 90 percent. The earth is the Lord's, and He demands proper stewardship and obedience regarding what we do with 100 percent of our finances and possessions—not merely 10 percent.
6. THE CHURCH IS A MEETING PLACE
Christians continually refer to buildings that house church services as "the church"—which is why when going to said building, they say, "We are going to church". This in spite of the fact that Scripture teaches that His people are the church and that each believer makes up the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. 3:16,12.).
We need to change our language to agree with the reality that the building or cathedral we meet in is not the church but merely houses the body of Christ for corporate worship, biblical instruction and the Lord's Supper.
7. MINISTERS ARE ONLY IN THE CHURCH PLACE
The word "minister" simply means servant. Since we are all called to be servants of God, we are all ministers of God—irrespective of whether or not we are in full-time church ministry. Whatever job you have, your employer is paying you (whether they know it or not) to be a minister of God, representing Him to the particular entity where you work.
8. ETERNAL LIFE BEGINS WHEN WE DIE PHYSICALLY
While many believers talk about going to heaven to be with God for eternity the truth of the matter is: eternal life begins the moment somebody receives Christ here on earth (see John 3:16-19, 5:24). Consequently, we can begin to enjoy the abundant (eternal) life now while living on earth!
9. THE LARGER THE CHURCH THE MORE INFLUENCE IT HAS
The fact of the matter is, our nation has never had more megachurches, while at the same time, Christianity has never had as little impact on culture as it does today. Hence, there is not necessarily a correlation between the size of a church and its impact on the surrounding community.
There are even small to mid-sized churches that have far more impact on a community than megachurches that are only concerned with attracting their neighbors for church growth and care not about the conditions of the communities of the unchurched
10. THERE IS NO NEED FOR A CHRISTIAN TO CONFESS THIER SINS
There is an unbiblical teaching going around in some hyper-grace circles that, once a person is born again, they never need to confess another sin since Jesus paid the price for all sins, past, present and future. While it is true that Jesus paid for the sins of believers—past, present and future—we need to continually live a life of true repentance and apply the blood of Jesus to our life after we sin. Even as the apostle John told all believers "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
The apostle James also admonishes believers to "Confess your faults one to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (see James 5:16a). If anyone teaches that Christians can live the rest of their life with unconfessed, un-repented-of sin—after grieving the Holy Spirit of God (see Eph. 4:30), then I do not know what Bible they are reading, but it is not the same one as I!
DR JOSEPH MATIERA is an internationally known author, interpreter of culture and activist/theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence nations. He is renowned for addressing current events through the lense of Scripture by applying biblical truths and offering cogent defenses to today's postmodern culture. He leads several organizations, including The United Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (uscal.us). He also has a blog on Charisma News called "The Pulse." T

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