A Timely Word!!!!

THE DOCTRINE OF JEZEBEL by David Wilkerson [May 19, 1931 – April 27, 2011] Read Revelation 2:18-29 and you will see that Christ warned the church against the doctrine of Jezebel. "Thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Revelation 2:20). The Greek word here for Jezebel is a synonym for a “false teacher.” She clearly represents false doctrines. Jesus clears it up by continuing, "As many as have not this doctrine" (Revelation 2:24). Here is a group of God's people, full of good works and charity, having a form of faith and patience. But with all that is good and commendable, something very dangerous is going on, something so seductive that Christ warns He will send judgment and make them an example to all the churches. Certain members of the church were selling out to Satan. Their good works, charity, service, faith and patience were overshadowed by a seduction of false doctrine. They were under the spell of a false teaching, a teaching that came disguised as the true Word but was, in fact, evil. It is dangerous to sit under wrong teaching and Christ does not take this matter lightly. His eyes are piercing the Church, and He has come to warn, expose and save His people from this terrible seduction. Where you go to church, who you are listening to, the teaching that has your heart is very, very serious. The mark of a seduced Christian is that he is "carried about" seeking some new, different, strange teaching. The Bible warns, "Be not carried about with different and strange doctrines" (Hebrews 13:9). This is speaking of running from place to place, seminar to convention, church to church, having no roots. The ears of such people are always itching to hear something new, something sensational, something entertaining, something pleasing to their flesh. We get them at Times Square Church: gadabouts, human tumbleweeds riding the winds of doctrines. They resemble the Athenians who "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21). Paul warned Timothy, "They will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).

The Only Way to Freedom

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Many preach that one must achieve nirvana, have good karma, follow certain principles, be knowledgeable enough, or pray a certain number of times a day in order to attain perfection. They believe that the way to freedom is working for a seat in heaven, which can lead to a lifestyle of constant fear, confusion, and anxiety. But Jesus preached differently. In the midst of these exhausting lifestyles, Jesus stands alone. In a time when many were burnt out on the religion of the Pharisees, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This promise is just as relevant and powerful to us today as it was 2,000 years ago. Many people admire Jesus but become disillusioned when they see Christians who are hypocritical, anxious, legalistic, and tired. The truth is, Jesus did not die for us to live this way—He died for us to live in freedom. In Galatians, one of Paul’s most fervent letters, Paul warned against Judaizers who were preaching that Jesus’ work was not enough. They taught that salvation was only achieved through following Old Testament laws in addition to faith in Jesus. Jesus Himself rebuked the Pharisees for trying to be perfect through their works (see Matthew 23:25-28), which is self-righteousness. So what is true righteousness? Paul’s letters remind us that “the righteous will live by faith” (Galatians 3:11, Romans 1:17, Romans 4:22). If you truly believe that Jesus gave His life for you, then His righteousness already covers you. Transformation then comes from an inward connection to Jesus, the source, changing you from the inside out. Good works are not our salvation, but they are the proof of a faith-filled life. Our works do not change us; His grace does that. Jesus did not die for us to work our way into His good graces—He became the way so that we might live in His grace eternally, starting today. This grace is so powerful that our desire to love God and others becomes greater than our desire to sin, provoking us to then do good works. Do you know that Jesus’ work is enough for you? The perfect life He lived, the obedient death He died, and the victorious Resurrection He won are enough to transform you into His likeness today. All He needs from you is an open heart.