Mega Church Pastors
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore.” (Galatians 1:3-5)
I wonder sometimes at the pastors of the many mega churches who draw thousands upon thousands to their services. They are charismatic and I can see why people are drawn to their books and speaking engagements. Personally I can’t help but like most of them and I think they really eat from the same menu they are dishing out. People want to hear that all our troubles can be overcome and that all is going to be alright…and IT IS…but not NOW! The error in those messages is that God is obligated to bless us now IF we would only LET HIM or ASK HIM or be more FAITHFUL. No, the truth from Jesus, the Son of God is as follows:
“…in the world YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION…but take courage I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33)
Our hope should not be on getting blessed from the omnipotent bounty of God in this present age, although we are often blessed more than we deserve and he never leaves us or forsakes us. Our blessed hope is what follows this “present evil age” as Paul calls this time in which we live…we are to set our minds and hope on what follows this age. It is hidden, yet waiting for us in the coming ages…
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the THINGS ABOVE, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God…” (Colossians 3:1-3)
So if we or others cannot pray blessings upon ourselves and since we cannot even be sure that we have another day to live…how do we find peace in this “present evil age”?
“…live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Titus 2:12-13; Philippians 4:5-7)
I wonder sometimes at the pastors of the many mega churches who draw thousands upon thousands to their services. They are charismatic and I can see why people are drawn to their books and speaking engagements. Personally I can’t help but like most of them and I think they really eat from the same menu they are dishing out. People want to hear that all our troubles can be overcome and that all is going to be alright…and IT IS…but not NOW! The error in those messages is that God is obligated to bless us now IF we would only LET HIM or ASK HIM or be more FAITHFUL. No, the truth from Jesus, the Son of God is as follows:
“…in the world YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION…but take courage I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33)
Our hope should not be on getting blessed from the omnipotent bounty of God in this present age, although we are often blessed more than we deserve and he never leaves us or forsakes us. Our blessed hope is what follows this “present evil age” as Paul calls this time in which we live…we are to set our minds and hope on what follows this age. It is hidden, yet waiting for us in the coming ages…
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, WHERE CHRIST IS, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the THINGS ABOVE, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God…” (Colossians 3:1-3)
So if we or others cannot pray blessings upon ourselves and since we cannot even be sure that we have another day to live…how do we find peace in this “present evil age”?
“…live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Titus 2:12-13; Philippians 4:5-7)