I'm late to the "game" and that's good because initial analysis can end up premature if there's a rush to judgment about it.
Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
"He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him."
Proverbs 15:28 (NKJV)
"The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
There was a men's event called "Stronger Men's Conference" and you could check out the particulars of the meeting by clicking the link for this past meeting here.
Their "purpose" is........."The Stronger Men's Conference empowering men to rise up bold and courageous standing strong and determined to live out God's purpose for their lives."
This is assumed that every man know to have repented of sin and place faith on Christ.
But this is a generic statement that’s common in many WOF/charismatic meetings, regardless of gender that’s woefully lacking the basic gospel message.
But in the advertisement, sponsored by James River Church in Missouri by pastor John Lindell, also had "entertainment."
Such entertainment that it attracted men from all corners of the globe.
As a side note, I remember years ago attending a men's event called "Promise Keepers."
Promise Keeper's was a serious event where men from around the world would attend. The speakers were varied. Denominational and non denominational charismatic WOF speakers.
In these events, the only thing that was close to entertainment was the Christian themed music and just as the Stronger Men's Event, they hired speakers.
I didn't attend this Promise Keeper's Event in 2000, but they had brought onto the stage a former female porn star who became a born again Christian and started The Pink Foundation which was an organization, designed to minister to porn stars in the porn industry.
Her name was Shelly Lubben. She passed away in 2019. You could read about her here.
Any way, she was at a Promise Keeper's Meeting and there were about 2000 men at this event in 2000. She asked "How many men watched porn before coming to this meeting?"
About 30% stood up. But she knew that it would be more.
So she asked again, "How many men watched porn before coming to this meeting?"
70% of the men stood up.
The ones that didn't stand up were either truthful or lying with probably just a smaller number that didn't or never watched pornography.
Just let that sink in.
At this Stronger Men's Event, "entertainment" would be offered.
Weightlifting, boxing, MMA, a person, performing a stunt with sword swallowing, bear chested, cars, tanks, and other attractions.
In this event, Mark Driscoll, a "friend" of John Lindell was invited as a guest speaker.
Mark Driscoll has serious issues as a believer and preacher. Some of you may recall Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church.
He must be avoided at all costs, but sadly, people will continue to flock to him and other false teachers and prophets to their own peril.
You could read about the sullied history of Mark Driscoll here.
It turned out to be a fiasco at this event.
Mark Driscoll called the event invaded by the "spirit of Jezebel." After he had done that, he was kicked off the stage by John Lindell in front of thousands of men.
John Lindell said to Mark Driscoll "You're done!"
You could read about it here.
A lot of YouTubers went flying off the handle and they were siding in with Mark Driscoll without waiting because the more clicks on your YouTube channel, the better, and you will get an audience.
That's why I try not to sensationalize my YouTube channel. I get it that it's about monetization but depending on your status, when you know the Lord, you can do without it.
I may put up pictures to make a point to draw a person's attention but the truth will stand alone.
Truth triumphs over lies and sensationalization.
But there appeared to have been a reconciliation about the issue during the Stronger Men's Conference between John Lindell and Mark Driscoll, but it probably was shallow.
Then in a service, it appears that there was texting between John Lindell and Mark Driscoll, and with John Lindell's son, David.
It appeared to be a combination of making up and then turning hostile.
You could see this here.
It turns out that even John Lindell didn't have his "facts" straight about Alex Magala, who was the sword swallower that was invited to the Stronger Men's Conference.
But Mark Driscoll accused Alex Magala of being a homosexual pole stripper. Alex is from another country and they may have a different “perspective” of "pole dancing."
But when a pole is seen in America, every man knows what it is because of the sexual immoral culture in America. Regardless of other cultural distinctions.
Alex appeared on the stage and took off his clothing with the exception of his pants which was specially made for his performance of sliding down the pole with a sword in his mouth.
But Alex’s “performance” on stage is unbecoming a true born again believer.
It was a very dangerous act.
Alex’s statement about being an Orthodox Christian is clearly opposed to the Bible regarding how one is a Christian by repenting of sin and placing faith on Christ alone.
Automatically it was deemed as a homosexual act during a Christian men's meeting.
You could read about Alex Magala here.
The reason why I'm posting all of these links is so you could get the picture and read for yourself and make a judgment based on the Scriptures.
Now the background with John Lindell is that he's a charismatic NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) false teacher himself.
He's been connected to Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Reading CA.
You could read about John Lindell here.
He too, is controversial because he claimed that a woman was healed, having her toes restored and there's no video evidence of the healing.
This is what we mean by "signs, wonders, and miracles." They advertise these things and there's no conclusive evidence that this healing took place.
With John Lindell, he misled James River Church about Alex that need to be retracted.
The foundation of false teaching and lying is deeply embedded in these organizations and they must be avoided.
When it's too good to be true, because men are involved, it's too good to be true.
2 Timothy 3:13 (NKJV)
"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."
Nothing will stop the false teacher and prophets. These are the last days and the Lord warned us that this would happen.
Matthew 24:11 (NKJV) "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many."
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV) "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."
Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
There's some men's meetings that's legitimate and I pray that they stay in Christ and His Word, and avoid the circus atmosphere to attract a big crowd. Because the "clowns are entertaining the goats," as Charles Spurgeon once preached.
There's no fear of God before their eyes. They honestly believe that the Lord will not judge them severely.
Psalms 36:1-4 (NKJV)
"An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes,
When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates.
The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
He devises wickedness on his bed;
He sets himself in a way that is not good;
He does not abhor evil."
God is merciful and He will show mercy to the ones that repent. But to the ones that continue in their folly, a severe judgment will fall upon them.
留言