Saturday, November 22, 2008

NOT For Sale

FOR SALE -- TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER

By DR. DON JASMIN, Editor
THE FUNDAMENTALIST DIGEST
POST OFFICE BOX 489 -- WEST BRANCH, MICHIGIAN 48661
www.FundamentalBaptistMinistries.com
PHONE: 989.873.4778

All across America for sale signs dot the landscape as the American economy faces adverse times. Many of these signs include the words, reduced price at the bottom. Unfortunately, many professing Fundamentalist preachers are putting up similar signs concerning their ministries that read in effect: For Sale to the highest bidder.

Some preachers are selling themselves to men. The goal of some preachers seems to be gaining endorsements from prominent New-Evangelical figures. To gain such recognition, these men are selling out their convictions for a morsel of worldly approval.

Some preachers are selling themselves to movements. Seeking advancement on the ecclesiastical ladder, some preachers are linking up with the latest in movement. To advance their ego status, they will associate themselves with popular compromising organizations to further their ego status.

Some preachers are selling themselves to music trends. To expand crowds, some preachers are lowering their musical standards and catering to sensual worship concepts. Loud drum beats, constantly slurred notes, nearly swallowed microphones, and pro-night-club dominate their services.

Some preachers are selling themselves for Meetings. To obtain more meetings, some preachers (evangelists) are preaching only non-controversial themes, avoiding all references to popular worldly practices and soft-pedaling sin to gain more crowds.

Some preachers are selling themselves for money. While it may be necessary to engage in a secular avocation to maintain one's spiritual vocation, some preachers are abandoning their real calling, placing the ministry on the back burner and devoting themselves to materialistic oriented pursuits.

Some preachers are selling themselves to missionary agencies. Some preachers are regarding para-church missionary agencies as untouchable idols to which they give their unquestioned loyalty despite compromising, New-Evangelical hierarchical trends.

Some preachers are selling themselves to manuscripts, endorsing and utilizing the latest modern versions, despite unbiblical alterations, doctrinal deletions and numerous unreliable changes. Whatever version the carnal Christians call for is the one they will use.

There are also some preachers who will not do anything without the approval of a local ecclesiastical Fundamentalist boss or the acceptance of the school they attended.

Praise God, there is a faithful band of remnant preachers who are not for sale at any price to any group or movement. Though their ministries are unheralded and unrecognized, they cannot be bought by fear, flattery or favours.

NOT FOR SALE!

The Fundamentalist Digest editor would like to let his readers know that he is not for sale to either friends or foes. He cannot be bought, bribed or badgered into any compromising alliances.

He has already been bought! On Calvary's tree, yours truly was purchased with the precious blood of the lamb ? (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot;

and he is a bond slave of Jesus Christ ? (Romans 1:1) Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

He does recognize his great accountability to Christ (Acts 20:24) But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.,

the Great Commission Mandate (Matt. 28:18-20) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.,

and God's inerrant Word (2 Tim. 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.,

his need to ardently love his wife (Eph. 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Also to live with a conscience that is void of offense toward God and toward men (Acts 24:16) And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.,

as well to fulfill his responsibilities to a local New Testament church (1 Timothy 3:16) And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.,

to which he gladly submits himself within the exercise of his soul-liberty convictions. His earnest desire is to owe no man anything, but to love one another (Rom. 13:8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.


From an email by David Mc.

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