Auto-play on YouTube can be a wonderful thing. It can also be quite an eye-opening experience, even when listening. A couple of days ago the Sunday message from a local mega-church ended up in the que.
The message was the standard “purpose-driven,” “best life now” fare, which is wrong on so many fronts. But, the real issue was not the message itself, but the “Scriptural” support for the message. On second thought, the message was, in itself, problematic.
The major premise, or big idea, of the message that we can have a glorious life by playing our role in the lives of others, rather than being focused on ourselves. Wouldn’t the goal of a glorious life be the focus on self?
Success in this life is not sinful, but to be focused on earthly success misses the “big picture” of salvation!
The base for this message was in Ephesians 1:11-14:
- In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Bible: King James Version (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 1:11–14). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
How on earth can one come even close to these verses talking about a glorious life now?
Well, you see, the Message Bible was the source of this concept (be careful for teachers who change Bible translations frequently. They are the one’s dictating what Truth is, rather than the Scriptures doing so). Here is what that abomination states:
- 11–12 It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. 13–14 It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Eph 1:11–14). NavPress.
The purpose of the Church, and Bible teaching is not to give a “Ra-ra-sis-boom-ba” message about how great you are, based on the active imagination of the teacher! The purpose is to teach what the Bible actually literally states, in context.
I do have to admit, however, that the Christian life is indeed a glorious life. Yet, this life is glorious because of the eternal purpose IN Christ Jesus, rather than the temporal promises made by so many today.
- And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
The Holy Bible: King James Version (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 3:9–12). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
The basic problem within much of the professing church is that the most important issues (forgiveness of sin, and eternal life) are cast aside for life application messages. It’s sometimes hard to differentiate what is Christian and what is secular. Try going to a bookstore (even a Christian one), and try to figure out which is which. You can do this at the grocery store check-out counter too.
Therefore, the fall is often skipped, in favor of looking at the person of Adam – before the fall. That’s us, they say! We’ve become “messy in our journey,” so we need to clean some things up, and get back to our purpose!
The appropriate response to such narcissistic tracking is:
RUN AWAY!
As a matter of fact, here is an appropriate song by Pastor Karl Coates. Not only should you run away, but you need to have a “Getaway Car” waiting:
Bob Picard Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusetts
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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