The Gospel Works home page

Many in the professed church in 2021 are noticeably spiritually, morally and doctrinally sick having little interest in knowing what the Bible actually teaches. Church tradition and personal opinion have become the hallmarks of today's organized church. Intellectualism, false science and culture relativism has replaced sound doctrine. Many professed Christians believe only what they want to believe. By God's preserving grace some churches haven't bought into this quagmire of false religion. Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness and to be with those who worship in spirit and truth?

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. "Matthew 7:15

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Colossians 2:8

"But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:12-13

A hireling is a person who works for money. They are paid to do what the owner wants done.

The culture of western society has changed the structure and doctrine of the modern church. Many modern day churches have become a business with many different products (programs) to market to the general public. The need for more and diverse employees corresponds to the change in the doctrinal stance of a particular church. Relatively small churches have several employees with larger churches employing a very large staff. Staff members usually hold college degrees that match their relationship to the product/program need for which they are hired. So much has changed and so many employees have been added that the scriptural structure of elders and deacons has been replaced to make the church structure fit the modern day [sic] mission of the church/business. These changes illustrate those who judge God's word to be just another religious book subject to their opinion rather than the breath of the living God.

So what does all this have to do with the scripture? Has the scriptural mission of the church changed? No. Has the scriptural structure of the church changed? No. The simple gospel message and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in effecting salvation appears to be insufficient for the changed modern church. Making Jesus compatible and relevant to modern society seems to have become the new mission. This new altered mission is designed to appeal to worldly culture and so have the methods of fulfilling the new [sic] mission of the church/business. So many new hired hands outside the scriptural structure of the local church reflect the changed doctrinal view of the modern church. All this in the name of a zealous but distorted view of evangelism. The sad reality is the modern church/business with an altered doctrinal position cannot function without these changes. However the mission of the church to preach the gospel and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to effect salvation has not changed in 2000 years. The body of Christ, the church, can function without these changes.

Jesus said that the hired hand, who is not the owner of the sheep, flees when the wolf attacks killing some and scattering the others. Many modern church/businesses have been embarrassed and incurred legal liability when these added positions have resulted in sex offenders and other undesirables being hired. When the offenders are arrested after committing their particular perversion then the reputation of the church is damaged. The perversion practiced is usually against children. The local church does not usually recover from such events. How has this helped convert the unconverted? How have the unfavorable effects of all these modern changes helped to build up the church of Jesus?

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:9-13

Satan's minions are killing Christians
Christians are being killed every day for their faith. Some die in the United States but many others die worldwide. The direct killing of Christians is increasing each year.

Jesus warned his own, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake." Matthew 24:9

Peter also warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8

Sunday December 29 2019 a gunman entered a church in White Settlement Texas and used a shotgun to kill two church members before he was killed by church security personnel.
Source: https://heavy.com/news/2019/12/church-of-christ-shooting.

“A new report into the persecution of Nigeria’s Christian community has found that around 1,000 believers have been killed by Islamic militants during 2019 alone.”
Source: https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2019/december/shock-report-finds-at-least-1000-christians-have-been-killed-in-nigeria-during-2019.

On Christmas day 2019 eleven Christians were beheaded in Nigeria by terrorists.
Source: https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2019/december/isis-terrorists-release-gruesome-video-showing-execution-of-11-nigerian-christians

“11 Christians Killed Every Day for Their Faith”
Source: https://www.meforum.org/57925/christians-persecuted-killed

“Close to 100,000 Christians are being killed every year because of their faith, according to statistics from a Pew Research Survey and the International Society for Human Rights, a non-religious organization.”
Source: https://clarionproject.org/100000-christians-being-killed-faith-yearly-16/

Professing Christians are being attacked and killed worldwide by the workers of Satan and It seems to be increasing in the United States.

Satan and his minions disguise themselves as angels of light
"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:11

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matthew 24:24

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13

Many deceitful wolves in sheep's clothing abound in our time. They use the same language as the sheep but to them the words have different meanings. "He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." John 8:47 [KJV] They look like the sheep but their heart is that of a wolf. Outwardly they act like sheep but their heart is filled with greed and corruption. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27 [KJV] Their form of religion resembles that of the sheep but without power and joy. Their worship is mere ritual lacking spirit and truth. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5 [KJV] Their father is not the same as the sheep. "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." John 8:42 [KJV] They use the sheep as prey for their own purposes and greed. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" 2 Timothy 3:1-4 [KJV] Their destiny is not the same as the sheep. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1 [KJV])

Many churches in the United States and around the world support those who disguise themselves as ministers of Christ and scatter the sheep. They scatter by teaching false doctrine and living a lie. They stand in pulpits and proclaim that God will accept anyone including the unrepentant and unconverted. They ordain practicing homosexuals as ministers. Some officiate dressed in ornate robes in grand cathedrals, some in suit and tie in former sports stadiums, some in shirt sleeves and artificially aged blue jeans and some in modest buildings dressed in normal attire but all have in common their rejection of Christ and the teachings of the scripture. Entire denominations have accepted and embraced their lies. Avoid those who have been educated beyond faith alone, who have laid aside the plain and simple teachings of the word of God in exchange for a lie. Those who follow the false teachings of ravenous wolves disguised as servants of righteousness will also share their destiny.

The gospel truth is simple without amendments or attachments. Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27. To whom are you listening? Whose teachings are you following? What is your destiny? Are you hearing the voice of Jesus and following him? Don't follow ravenous wolves dressed in sheep's clothing into hell. Don't be lead astray by some who flaunt their education, their prosperity or influence all of which pertain to the flesh. Those who know Jesus and are known by him hear his voice and follow the word of God by faith alone in Christ alone.

New Archbishop of York says, ‘Bible has to fit the current culture’
Source: https://www.christian.org.uk/news/new-archbishop-of-york-bible-has-to-fit-the-current-culture/?fbclid=IwAR1CXD_-1T9c6JijIVIIpzXjHVg19IPUD7JNwR63ILPyx3Pwqgz3u9uwE78.

United Methodists propose a church split to allow one group to sanction homosexual marriage and ministry.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/22/united-methodist-church-progressive-conservative-split-lgbtq/4233406002/

They exchange the Christ of scripture for their own god. Their god is like themselves. Their god's standards are the same as their own. Their god thinks like a human. Their god is welcome in the culture of this world. Their god is not the God of Abraham. Their god overlooks unrepentant sin. Their god promises everyone health, wealth and no persecution. Their god is an idol fashioned without hands within their own mind. Their god wants to make the false teacher wealthy so they can then live in luxury with personal jets and a fleet of luxury automobiles. Believing in their god will lead many to hell along with themselves. Be very careful and weigh them in the balances of God's word where they will be found lacking in truth.

“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:4
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16
“They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you.” 2 Peter 2:13

Others who scatter the sheep teach a cunningly devised fable about the return of Jesus. They deny that Christ will reign for one thousand years on earth as plainly stated in the book of Revelation. They deny the "first resurrection" as found in Revelation. They declare the Bible doesn’t really mean what is written and use a pagan method of interpretation to change the word of God. They subject the scripture to their intellect instead of subjecting their intellect to the scripture. What their mind cannot understand and their heart will not accept they declare to be an allegory to make it fit their false theology. They abandon the plain understanding of scripture and distort and change the truth of God's word. Sound doctrine is found in scripture as written. False doctrine is formed from the minds of men who refuse to accept the word of God and exhibit a calloused disbelief in scripture. Such persons mishandle God's word by exchanging the plainly revealed word of God for something completely different. They are false teachers.

"having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith." 2 Timothy 3:5 - 8

What is the destiny of those who disguise themselves as ministers of Christ but deny Christ and his plain word?

Satan and his minions face eternal fire in hell
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

"And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Revelation 20:7-10

"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Revelation 22:18-21

The Gospel Works

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light