Eagle LifeChurch

Helping People Experience Jesus in a Life-Changing Way

Are Pentecostal & Charismatic Leaders False Prophets | Strange Fire Response

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This past week, Pastor John MacArthur, noted theologian and local church pastor at Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA, received quite a bit of media attention when he called out Pentecostal & Charismatic church leaders as false prophets.

What is a Pentecostal or Charismatic?

A so-called Pentecostal or Charismatic person is, a follower of Christ, who believes in, and practices the manifest gifts of the Spirit as described in the Bible’s New Testament book, The Acts of the Apostles.  They follow the teachings of  the Apostle Paul, in the book of 1 Corinthians 12-14 , about how these gifts should be used in the congregation.

Called Out

The leaders John MacArthur mentions by name during his recent Strange Fire conference tend to be the more controversial leaders of large Prosperity Gospel churches.  These are not representative of the whole Pentecostal or Charismatic movement, and these same leaders are often challenged by biblical teaching from other movement leaders.

Response

In response to Pastor MacArthur’s strong words and direct challenge to the gifts of the Spirit, I wanted to re-post a two part sermon I preached earlier this year at Eagle LifeChurch, on the Manifestation Gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14.  Please listen so that you will be prepared to answer any questions you may get from friends, co-workers, or family who may have questions during this time of media attention.

Please listen to Manifest Gifts Part 1 here

Please listen to Manifest Gifts Part 2 here

Empowered Living | Manifestation Gifts Pt. 2

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This sermon is part 10 of 3 in the Empowered Living

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  He asks us to bring light and God flavors into the dark and flavorless hearts of our neighbors.

He knew this assignment would be impossible without power.

The invisible powerful presence of God is available to strengthen, comfort, energize, and lead us to accomplish His purposes.  He gives different gifts to each one of us, that work together to build up, encourage, and equip us  for being His hands and feet, serving the world.

We learn many things from the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.  We see them experiencing miracles, speaking in strange languages or tongues, and healing diseases.  Many of the apostles or followers of Christ experienced visions, dreams, or encounters with angels that lead them to act, change plans, or behave in certain ways.

During the first century, these common occurrences, were quickly spreading the Good News about Jesus around the world.

Manifestation Gifts Part 2

This week, Pastor Brad continues a study of the Apostle Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 12 -14 about the Manifested Gifts of the Spirit that are present today and how they should and shouldn’t be exercised in the church.

Now to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
– 1 Corinthians 12:7

In Part One we learned that God hasn’t asked you to do everything, but he’s gifted you for something.

This week we discuss the following outline:

  • The Gifts are Manifested of the Spirit, and Jesus is the perfection of each of the gifts
    • Prophecy
    • Tongues (Personal Use)
    • Tongues (Public Use)
    • Interpretation of Tongues
    • Discerning of Spirits

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
– 1 Peter 4:10

Listen to Empowered Living | Maniefest Gifts – Pt. 2
July 28, 2013 | Pastor Brad Murphy
1 Corinthians 12 & 14

What is Prayer?

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The Bible is often compared to food, because it gives nourishment and strength to our spiritual lives just as vegetable, fruit, meat, and candy give nourishment and strength to our physical lives.  We sing the lyrics of this song at Eagle LifeChurch, “This is my daily bread, God’s very word spoken to me.”

Prayer then could be compared to breathing.  As breath gives life to our bodies and carries oxygen to every organ, system, and cell in our body; prayer brings life to every part of our lives and welcomes the Spirit of God into every moment of our day, every meeting, every meal, every business deal, every personal interaction.  Prayer is how a believer’s faith is oxygenated.

When you take a breath you inhale the power of oxygen that will give life to your body.  When you exhale you expel the poisonous carbon dioxide that will kill you if you breath it back in. Inhale. Exhale.  That’s the rhythm of breathing.  It takes both to sustain life.  If all you do is exhale, you will die.  If you inhale and hold it, you will die. Exhale. Inhale. Again.

Just as breathing is a pattern of exhale and inhale, so too is prayer.  When we exhale in prayer we are doing what scripture teaches in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.”  We talk to God in prayer about our lives, about our anxieties, about our day.  We release the poisonous toxins of stress and worry and he takes care of us.

If all you do is exhale, you will die.  You must also inhale.  In prayer inhaling is taking the time to listen to God as he speaks to you. Psalm 46:10 teaches us, “Be still and know that I am God.”  We can enjoy the times of praise and music.  We can be refreshed as we cry out to God, but we also must take care to spend time inhaling from him.  What is God’s wisdom for your situation or a particular circumstance?  What is His Spirit trying to reveal to you during this time?

Prayer is like breathing.  Through prayer we invite the presence of God into our lives, we exhale our worries and inhale His peace.  Take time today to spend time in prayer to the Father, through the Son, and in the Spirit.

 

What is the rapture and what does it mean to me?

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What is the rapture and what does it mean to me?

Much has been written and discussed about the rapture of the church.  Of course, there has always been that confusion that has arisen between the timing of the rapture and His second coming.  They are two different events, probably separating by a period of seven years.  What about the rapture?  What is it, and what does it mean to me?  These and other questions have been asked down through the centuries.  Paul probably says it best in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever.  So comfort and encourage each other with these words.” This even is approaching this world very quickly. The world is about to lose several millions of people.  The Christians will be caught up in the air.  There will be incredible confusion here on earth when the rapture does take place!  For the Christian it will be a time of great joy!  This is what we’ve been waiting for! In closing, let me quote the last verse above, “So comfort and encourage each other with these words.”  And, as the Apostle John wrote as he finished his last book, “Amen, come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

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