Worldly Gains And Following Jesus

Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. (Luke 22:24 NLT)

When the apostles first joined Jesus, they were looking for worldly gains. They hope that they will become somebody great. James and John wanted to be seated at His left and right hand (Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 20.20-28). Instead, Jesus was crucified.

To their credit, the apostles were transformed after seeing the resurrected Christ. They were no longer self-seeking individuals. Instead, they were all martyred for their faith, looking forward to the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14) looking forward to cast their crowns before the Saviour (Revelation 4:9-11).

Would you continue to follow Jesus if you do not get health and wealth in this life? Or are you looking forward to the city that is to come?

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV)

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. (Hebrews 13:14 ESV)

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne and say, Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created. (Revelation 4:9-11 CSB)

The Sign Of Jonah

But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Matthew 12:39 ESV)

The Pharisees in Jesus days loved money. They expect a spectacular sign from Jesus to prove that He is the messiah before they were willing to give up their love of money. But Jesus refused to provide any sign except that of His resurrection.

Today, we have many Christians, who are lovers of money and they expect many signs from their pastors. Those pastors who cannot produce signs but preach the resurrection of Christ are despised.

The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. (Luke 16:14 ESV)

Can God Choose Not To Perform Miracles?

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. (Matthew 17:14-20 KJV)

I come across this blog on the internet speaking of unbelief.

QUOTE
Imagine you had a successful ministry that saw you healing the sick and casting out demons everywhere you went. Then one day a father brings his son to you, the boy has a seizure right in front of you, and you can't heal him. How would you react? Would you;
(a) conclude that it's not God’s will to heal all the sick?
(b) tell the father that God can heal but He is not going to heal your son right at this moment - maybe in eternity?
(c) speculate that the son has some unconfessed sin in his life?
(d) declare that the boy is healed even though he is still writhing on the ground?
(e) be puzzled?
If you chose (a), then you've built a theology based on your experience that is contrary to the promises of God (Acts 10:38, 1 Peter 2:24). If you chose (b), then you've joined the ranks of those false comforters who say things like, "God used to heal in the Bible, but now He’s on a break." If you chose (c), then you're saying sin can stop the power of God, which it can't – otherwise no sinner could get saved. If you chose (d), the father would think that you're nuts. If you chose (e), then your reaction is the same as the disciples' when they were confronted with this situation.
UNQUOTE

The writer is quite obviously coming from a Charismatic view point. He went on to conclude that the reason why healing miracles do not happen is because of our unbelief.

I do agree that God does heal miraculously, but must He always do that? Can He do it through doctors? Can God choose not to perform miracles? Must God always heal, based on Acts 10:38 and 1 Peter 2:24?

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38 NASB)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

I read and read Acts 10:38 and 1 Peter 2:24, but I cannot see any support that God must heal, or He must perform miracles. Faith can move mountains, but it is subject to the sovereignty and the will of God.

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14 NASB)

God can perform miracles, but He is not obliged to perform it on call, like a performer. He is not our servant, He is our Lord. He does not always appear in an awesome earth shattering manner. He does not always heal in a dramatic way.

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-20 KJV)

Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean." But Naaman was furious and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.' Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?" (2 Kings 5:10-13 NASB)

God is glorified, both in miracles and the mundane.

Signs of a True Apostle

The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. (2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV)

Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:8 ESV)

The office of the Apostles were held by the Twelve and Paul.
The important qualities of the office of Apostles that do not any succession:

1. Chosen by Christ;
2. Eye-witnesses of Christ;
3. Writers of New Testament.

Taken from this website "Is God restoring the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today?":
There was also a spiritual gift of apostle (this is not to be confused with the office - they are separate). Among those who had the spiritual gift were James (1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19), Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14; 1 Corinthians 9:6), Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7), possibly Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:7), and Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic "office" conferred upon the Twelve and Paul. Those who had the gift of apostle, then, were those who carried the gospel message with God's authority. The word "apostle" means "one sent as an authoritative delegate." This was true of those who held the office of Apostle (like Paul) and those who had the spiritual gift (like Apollos). Though there are men like this today, men who are sent by God to spread the gospel, it is best NOT to refer to them as apostles because of the confusion this causes since many are not aware of the two different uses of the term apostle.

Taken from this website "Apostles & Prophets":
Paul sometimes uses the term "apostle" in a broader sense for a messenger like a legate (2 Corinthians 8:23; they are called apostles of the church)", a non-technical term with a general meaning. There is a difference supported in scripture to be an apostle of the Lord, personally chosen and sent by him; and an apostle of the church, sent out by the body of believers. This broader usage made it possible to include others who would be considered false apostles, messengers (2 Corinthians11:14; Revelation 2:2). Paul also uses the word for a group of witnesses who had seen the risen Lord before him and had received a specific call to an apostleship. This group was larger than the Twelve.

Warning Against False Prophets

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12 ESV)

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Romans 16:17–18 ESV)

Jesus's Authority Verified By Miracles

And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the paralytic - "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" (Mark 2:1-12 ESV)

It is quite amazing that I have read this passage countless of times, always puzzled as to what exactly was my Lord Jesus comparing when He said, "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?" I always thought it was the number of words, or complexity of the syntax of the sentences. But somehow, I never bothered to check further.

Today at the Sunday services, Dr Tim Berrey explained that it is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven" because there is no way to verify it. But when you say to a paralyzed man, "Rise, take up your bed and walk", you will be proven false if the man cannot do what you say. This website also gave the same explanation.

Dr Berrey also pointed out that the crowd's reaction was somewhat unsatisfactory. They were amazed at the miracle but did not notice the point which Jesus was trying to prove, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" (Matthew 9:4-6 NLT)

False Teachers Are God’s Judgment

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV)

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 ESV)

"False teachers are God’s judgment on people who don't want God, but in the name of religion plan on getting everything their carnal heart desires. That’s why a Joel Osteen is raised up. Those people who sit under him are not victims of him but he is the judgment of God upon them. And they want exactly what he wants, and it’s not God." - Paul Washer

The False Doctrine Of The Believers Authority

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:24-25 ESV)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? (Psalm 50:10-13 KJV)

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV)

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 ESV)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5 KJV)

Kenneth Hagin told of a 1952 incident when Jesus and he was having a conversation. A hairy demon came to interrupt. He could not hear what Jesus was talking but Jesus did not do anything. In desperation,  he commanded the demon to stop in the name of Jesus and the demon went away. Then Jesus said to him, "If you hadn't done something about that, I couldn't have."

Kenneth Hagin was using this incident to teach the false doctrine of the believers authority. In this false doctrine, we are told that God and believers are in a symbiotic relationship, where God has all the power but cannot act, and believers can act but have no power. Thus God and believers must act together to get things done.

Here is the actual quote of the incident taken from the book "The Believers Authority" by Kenneth E Hagin, found in page 35.
QUOTE
In 1952, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to me in a vision and talked to me for about an hour and a half about the devil, demons, and demon possession. At the end of that vision, an evil spirit that looked like a little monkey or elf ran between Jesus and me and spread something like a smoke screen or dark cloud. Then this demon began jumping up and down, crying in a shrill voice, "Yakety-yak, yakety-yak, yakety-yak." I couldn't see Jesus or understand what He was saying.
(Through this entire experience, Jesus was teaching me something. And if you'll be attentive, you'll find the answer here to many things that have troubled you.) I couldn't understand why Jesus allowed the demon to make such a racket. I wondered why Jesus didn't rebuke the demon so I could hear what He was saying. I waited a few moments, but Jesus didn't take any action against the demon. Jesus was still talking, but I couldn't understand a word He was saying—and I needed to, because He was giving instructions concerning the devil, demons, and how to exercise authority.
I thought to myself, Doesn't the Lord know I'm not hearing what He wanted me to? I need to hear that. I'm missing it! I almost panicked. I became so desperate I cried out, "In the Name of Jesus, you foul spirit, I command you to stop!" The minute I said that, the little demon hit the floor like a sack of salt, and the black cloud disappeared. The demon lay there trembling, whimpering, and whining like a whipped pup. He wouldn't look at me. "Not only shut up, but get out of here in Jesus' Name!" I commanded. He ran off.
The Lord knew exactly what was in my mind. I was thinking, Why didn't He do something about that? Why did He permit it? Jesus looked at me and said, "If you hadn't done something about that, I couldn't have." That came as a real shock to me—it astounded me. I replied, "Lord, I know I didn't hear You right! You said You wouldn't, didn't You?"
He replied, "No, if you hadn't done something about that, I couldn't have." I went through this four times with Him. He was emphatic about it, saying, "No, I didn't say I would not, I said I could not." I said, "Now, dear Lord, I just can't accept that. I never heard or preached anything like that in my life!"
I told the Lord I didn't care how many times I saw Him in visions - He would have to prove this to me by at least three Scriptures out of the New Testament (because we're not living under the Old Covenant, we're living under the New). Jesus smiled sweetly and said He would give me four. I said, "I've read through the New Testament 150 times, and many portions of it more than that. If that is in there, I don't know it!"
Jesus replied, "Son, there is a lot in there you don't know." He continued, "Not one single time in the New Testament is the Church ever told to pray that God the Father or Jesus would do anything against the devil. In fact, to do so is to waste your time. The believer is told to do something about the devil. The reason is because you have the authority to do it. The Church is not to pray to God the Father about the devil; the Church is to exercise the authority that belongs to it.
"The New Testament tells believers themselves to do something about the devil. The least member of the Body of Christ has just as much power over the devil as anyone else, and unless believers do something about the devil, nothing will be done in a lot of areas."
We believe that certain people have power. No, Jesus said the least member of the Body of Christ has just as much power over the devil as anyone else; and when we start believing that, that's when we're going to get the job done.
Jesus continued, "I've done all I'm going to do about the devil until the angel comes down from heaven, takes the chain and binds him, and puts him into the bottomless pit [Rev. 20:1-3]."
That came as a real shock to me. "Now," He said, "I'll give you the four references that prove that. First of all, when I arose from the dead, I said, 'All power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth' (Matt. 28:18). The word 'power' means 'authority.' But I immediately delegated my authority on earth to the Church, and I can work only through the Church, for I am the Head of the Church." (Your head cannot exercise any authority anywhere except through your body.)
The second reference Jesus gave me was Mark 16:15-18: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
He said, "The very first sign mentioned as following any believer—not any pastor or any evangelist - is that they shall cast out devils. That means that in my Name they shall exercise authority over the devil, because I have delegated my authority over the devil to the Church."
The next reference Jesus gave me was James 4:7: ".. .Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (the understood subject of this sentence is "you".)
After that vision, and after Jesus gave me that verse from James, my spirit told me the word "flee" was significant. I looked it up in the dictionary and found one of the shades of meanings was "to run from as if in terror." The devil will run from you in terror! Then I knew why the demon in my vision had begun to whimper and cry - he was terrified.
Since then I have seen other demons quake and quiver in fear as I exercised my God-given authority over them. They were not afraid of me, but of Jesus, whom I represent.
UNQUOTE

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13 ESV)

Destined To Reign?

I love it when Joseph Prince preached about grace. I wished many more pastors would preach like that. But the problem is Joseph Prince latched to the Gospel of grace the false doctrine of Word Faith theology. According to Prince, we are saved to achieve worldly success. Our worldly success demonstrate our faith in God and glorifies Him.

QUOTE
You are destined to reign in life. You are called by the Lord to be a success, to enjoy wealth, to enjoy health and to enjoy a life of victory. It is not the Lord’s desire that you live a life of defeat, poverty and failure. He has called you to be the head and not the tail. If you are a businessman, God wants you to have a prosperous business. If you are are a homemaker, you are anointed to bring up wonderful children in the Lord. If you are a student, God wants you to excel in all your examinations. And if you are trusting the Lord for a new career, He doesn’t just want you to have a job, He wants you to have a position of influence, so that you can be a blessing and an asset to your organization!

Whatever your vocation is, you are destined to reign in life because Jesus is Lord of your life. When you reign in life, you reign over sin, you reign over the powers of darkness, and you reign over depression, over poverty, over every curse, and over every sickness and disease. You REIGN over the devil and all his devices!
UNQUOTE
"Destined to Reign" by Joseph Prince, page 1

"You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? (Matthew 5:43-47 HCSB)

If we glorify God only when we have success, how different are we from those who worship the idol Money God?

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 NASB)

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18 NASB)

Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face! (Job 13:15 NET)

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

Unmerited Grace

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time--to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT)

Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6-7 HCSB)

Joseph Prince stressed a lot on grace. Unmerited grace. I have no problem with unmerited grace. I believe in it. I love his slogans "law demands, grace supplies", "believe right, live right". I believe it should be preached because so many people find it difficult to accept. But I take issue with Joseph Prince on when he preached that this unmerited grace will bring us worldly success, health and wealth. Why be so concern about health when we are going to die? Why be so concern about wealth when we cannot bring a single cent with us when we die?

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27 KJV)
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: (Job 1:21 KJV)
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15 KJV)
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7 KJV)