James MacDonald Explaining Four False Gospels

[TheSupermom0206]

James, what's with this power message presented here where you call a spade a spade, but then you inviting TD Jakes to Elephant room who preaches health and wealth.....and at the end of the day you all agree to disagree? And set up shop to do another one with same guess?

[mamainmancj]

He also came out of heaven took in our shame got beaten and striped of His flesh got spat on took on the crown of thorns and got nailed to the cross and got Gods full wrath poured out on Him. What an awesome God.

[Rawk4Life]

Also, the "Reasonable Gospel" does not exist. I'd like to know what preachers used that method because I've heard several and none of them use the so called "reasonable" method.

[Rawk4Life]

I don't see the problem with the "relevance Gospel." For the record, the number of Hollywood celebrities that are not Christian outnumber the Hollywood celebrities that are Christians. Why? Because the majority of Hollywood follows the ways of man, not the ways of God. So why is it so bad to hear of celebrities that love Jesus?

[zeph317]

@toriie617  - thanks - FINALLY someone on here who seems to understand where I am coming from pertaining to this issue. Jesus' last prayer was that we would be unified. Calvinism is a divider not a unifier. Throw it out and let us show the world that we are united: united in love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, hope and faith as shown to us by Jesus Christ; God-in-the-flesh!

[zeph317]

You thank God for not being unchosen and REALLY wretched! Sounds nice at first but once you delve into what you really are saying, you see poorly thought-out, unbiblical theology. This thinking does not unite! You are exclusive. How are we to be united when you believe that I am unchosen? Or how can we be united when you tell people that God supposedly loved you by irresistibly choosing you - love is not FORCED. Why did God allow free-will if we couldn't resist?

[zeph317]

John 3:16 CLEARLY states that "WHOSOEVER believes" - does it not? How can you believe in God choosing some and rejecting others based on this passage? How do you know you are "CHOSEN"? By your works? That is what I am describing as arrogant - that you are first of all CHOSEN and secondly are doing GOOD WORKS - that is what I see, hear and read about from Calvinists. Of course, you know the company line: we give God all praise and glory, but you are merely the Pharisee who thanks God . . .

[zeph317]

GIving God "all the glory" and saying that "we have nothing good in us" sounds spiritual and even biblical to some extent, but it is very misleading and poorly thought out. Unless you heard this theology from someone based in Calvinism, you would NEVER come to such a conclusion! If I am drowning and scream for help, when help saves me - I don't pat myself on the back!!! I give the rescuer ALL the praise! I am no better than the others just because I realized I was drowning!

[zeph317]

@thecrownedone - your ineptitude in understanding is so frustrating just as Mormons are in their irrational beliefs. We can do nothing? So God is responsible for sending all to hell - then why are we judged according to our deeds? If God just picks some cretins and allows others to go to hell then He cannot judge them for rejecting Him! Until my last breath, I will stand against this unbiblical, irrational, pride-producing, argue-starting heresy! Choose this day whom you will serve!

[toriie617]

@zeph317 AMEN!!!!!!!!!!

[zeph317]

@jtremaine23 - you are totally missing the point! Yes, Jesus would have come if only for me or you, BUT, Calvinism states that He chose us and that we have nothing to do with salvation nor can we resist if we are chosen. SO, my question still stands: why did Jesus need to come? If God just chooses us, then the whole NT is not needed, other than to convey the Calvinistic garbage, i.e. God chose some to heaven and some to die and we cannot resist nor change this fact; we have nothing good

[zeph317]

in us that can choose God - (choosing God or needing a savior do not equal earning ANYTHING - that again is a lie; a twisting of truth spawned in hell! No one yet can answer any of my questions nor counter anything I have said, except to continue spewing the same rhetoric they hear in their particular church or some book they read. John 3:16 clearly states that we have a part in it - that is NOT saying that we earn salvation - that we all agree on. But to say we cannot resist is unbiblical

[zeph317]

. . . And what is the point Jesus makes in the parable of the sower? Some SOIL is GOOD ground! Does this mean some PEOPLE are good and they receive the Gospel? No, we know this from the context of other verses. But does it mean that the sower does everything and He chooses to plant only in the bad ground that He chooses and miraculously a plant springs forth from this bad soil? Of course not, He plants in ALL soil and WE are the determining factor in whether or not growth takes place!

[thecrownedone]

@zeph317

Some soil is meet for the growth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto the bearing of fruit, but the soil does not grow the seed - God does. There is nothing good in which we can glory. All glory is unto God alone. We who were dead in sin were quickened by God through the work of Jesus Christ, given ears to hear, eyes to see, a heart and mind to believe, and a mouth to confess Jesus as Lord unto salvation, but it is all God's work from beginning to end. All glory is God's. All of it.

[zeph317]

I agree with strephanash - "hell fire terrorism" is indeed messed up but Calvinism is worse. The aforementioned terrorist preacher tells the truth at least - that some will go to hell so repent - not that I think that is the way to preach - thus I agree with you. But Calvinists are worse in that their teaching leads to us not really knowing if we are saved and thus that scares the crap out of people - even those who are saved. That opens up a can of worms out of hell; causing doubt and fear.

[glubrani]

The Ethiopian man, Act 8. There is no mention of this man having to go through a heartbreak before he could accept the gospel and be saved. Philip simply explained who Jesus was (in Isaiah 53, the cross, the resurrection). The Ethiopian asked, "is there anything to prevent me from being baptized?" and Philip says, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." Believe what? Believe that Jesus is God, pick up your cross and follow Him. The Ethiopian is baptized and goes his way, rejoicing.

[Strefanash]

There is a FIFTH false gospel: HELL FIRE TERRORISM. Get them so terrified that thye dare not leave the church they have run to, and break them so brutally that they think that it is godly and actually look for it again and again, and then blame them if they despair.

nasty brutal and sounding an awful lot like this man's ranting

[zeph317]

Glorifying God as you say, is to say that we cannot accept Christ. Therefore, if I do say that I accepted Christ, I am not "glorifying" God but myself. Thus, you think you are better; closer to the truth; more mature; etc. That is the problem with Calvinism: it creates division where none should be! If God chooses and is all responsible for those in heaven and hell, then why allow us to sin? Should we not repent then - it is all Him so He is responsible!? Calvinism is so flawed!

[dogfacesoldier]

JESUS STRONG!

HOOAH!

[cosmosmama]

Who are we to judge how anyone come to know jesus?

[ChrisHobeck]

@cosmosmama We are to judge all things (1 Corinthians 2:15), test spirits to see if they are of God (1 John 4:1), and examine the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

[zeph317]

Why call yourself anything other than a Christian? How do you know that you are reformed as opposed to non-reformed without reading Calvin's writings? That's like saying you are an outdoor enthusiast but have never been outside. And yeah, you can find several passages that SEEM to back up Calvin, but remember the KKK uses the Word too. We need to look at all Scripture in context. If you do so, you will see that there are seemingly conflicting passages on the elect or free-will, . . .

[zeph317]

@zeph317 - therefore, to stand on one side or the other is forcing yourself to ignore many other passages. We cannot KNOW, definitively, what is going on here, so rather than argue about such things, let us focus on what we KNOW - love your neighbor, do good to others, walk the extra mile, act like a sheep, share our hope in Him, study the Word in order to know Him more, worship God, pray for others, fight sin, fight the enemy, etc.

[zeph317]

@zeph317 - if i choose to go outside - which I can do - and I see Mt. Rainier. Do i pat myself on the back for creating it? Do I think that I chose to have eyes that can see and a mind that can appreciate such beauty? No, I praise God for all such things . . . but I did have to go outside. This whole insane ideology that some pastors are ranting about: you-are-worthless-and-evil-and­-therefore-cannot-accept-or-re­ceive-Christ, is lame. Just because someone who is drowning cries out for help

[zeph317]

@zeph317 . . . doesn't mean that he has done something worthy of saving. It just lets the savior know that he wants to be saved. Many are drowning and don't even know it. Each person has the ability to accept or reject Christ. Therefore, each person has no excuse when they face God at the judgment. Calvin's scenario: person that wasn't "elected" stands before God and God says - you had no way to choose me nor reject me, but because I didn't choose you, you must go to hell for all eternity

[zeph317]

Calvinism is wrong for lots of reasons: 1st - we are not called to follow man, but Jesus. The Apostle Paul constantly had to divert attention away from himself and get it clear that he is not the source. 2nd - "For all have fallen short of the glory of God" - why make this statement if God just chooses some? "For God so loved the world . . . " Yet He chose only a few and sent the rest to hell? No, that is not what it says. Calvinism leads to arrogance. "We are the elect" and the rest?

[ChrisHobeck]

1) Calvinists follow men? I would call myself reformed/Calvinist, and I haven't read one book of Calvin's.

2) Paul also wrote in the same book, "You will say to me then, 'Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?' But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?' Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?" (Rom 9:19-21)

[gdoggydog05]

@zeph317

ive never heard a calvinist speak of this.....in fact its usually calvinists who seem to try to glorify God the most with a passion ive never seen. they dont talk about calvin. they might say "im a calvinist...." as in "my doctrine and interpretation of the gospel gives all the glory to God and zero to man....but i still will evangelize like theres no tomorrow" and james mcdonald is a calvinist. im not a calvinist. Im a Jesus-ist. my doctrines happen to line up with theirs though

[curvalecce]

@zeph317 Okay - First, can you show mere where Sola Scriptura involves following man's ideas rather than Scriptural ones?

Second - the T of TULIP stands for Total depravity, thus Calvinists do not believe some are inherently better than others. Read Romans 9. God chose Jacob and not Esau because he loved Jacob. Read Ephesians 1. God chose His elect before the making of the world. God's love DISCRIMINATES just like human love.

Third - election is purely from God. Nobody KNOWS their status.

[zeph317]

@curvalecce "nobody knows their status" - my point EXACTLY - dude, do you really NOT know that you are saved? That is the good news that we CAN know - right now - TODAY! If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:9. There are countless other verses that clearly show that we can KNOW. That is one of the main problems I have with Calvinism - it leads to that thought: that no one can really KNOW. That is a lie from hell!

[curvalecce]

@zeph317 Have you never heard of people who have confessed their sins, weeping passionately, but have later fallen away from the faith? Sin is ongoing - 1 Jo 1:9 is NOT depicting a once for all cleansing based on human choice, but the work of the Holy Spirit working on the hearts of those inside Christ.

For me KNOWING my status as elect or non-elect is secondary to loving my Savior, to loving and trusting the All-Mighty. None deserve Salvation, and yet Jesus will save His beloved (John 6:39)

[Atonecc]

@zeph317 Romans 9.11 kinda opposes your latter point I'm afraid. . . and also What part of Calvinism suggests that it is man centered?

[thecrownedone]

@zeph317

1) I Cor 4:16 - Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

I Cor 11:1 - Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Phil 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

2) Rom 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 11:7-11

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded...

See also John 6:36-40 and Rom 9:21-24

[CanadianArchon2011]

@zeph317

I keep hearing people argue that 'Calvinism is arrogance' and am confused. If GOD calls, GOD saves, God replaces my heart of stone with a heart of flesh, GOD, sanctifies, GOD sends the Holy Spirit to seal us, that's arrogance, but if I do everything by MYSELF, that's humility? As to the Calvinists follow men, that's just plain wrong. As a 'Calvinist' I believe in God's absolute sovereignty. God is perfect, man is sinful.

[rodelliot]

@zeph317 Zeph; God destroyed everything and everybody aside from Noah and his immediate family. God hardened Pharaoh's heart and because of Pharaoh's hard heart, many children and others died in the plagues on Egypt. Read Habakkuk. God "raised up" the Chaldeans for the sole purpose of being a punishment to the Jews, yet God said that once that mission was accomplished, the Chaldeans would be destroyed by the Jews. There are so many more examples. God's ways did not change with the New Covenant.

[zeph317]

Witness of the FALSE truth - your Calvinistic leanings lead to confusion, apathy, hatred and arrogance. I stand against such messed up thinking. I am hopeful that most on here see the error of your thinking and focus instead on that which we know to be true, such as the import of reading the Word in order to know Him, serving others, loving others, worshiping God, praying continually, etc.

[apologetist]

@zeph317 why is Calvinism wrong and please use the Bible alone.

[zeph317]

But sadly, some reject this. That is why they go to hell. Do you REALLY think God created ALL OF THIS, for Him to just choose some to be with Him and choose the rest to burn in hell? Why did He need to die on the cross for? If He was just going to choose some, then why go through all that? MAKES ZERO SENSE and does not match up with a plethora of Scriptures! What kind of a God is that?

[zeph317]

@zeph317 Not a loving one - not the God I read about throughout Scripture. To believe what you believe, you MUST twist and contort Scripture to fit your agenda; your doctrinal position. Woe to you - for you stand in the way of REAL ministry!

[jtremaine23]

@zeph317 Christ would have came to earth & died even if you were the only person that lived and sinned (just to clear that one thing up) that's how personal and holy God is! As far as the questions you asked...there are alot of questions that could be asked also ex: Why did God create Satan if He knew he would turn against Him? Why did He create the tree in the garden if He knew Adam and Eve would eat the fruit? I could go on and on but not everything makes sense that we agree on!

[zeph317]

@WitnessoftheTruth - Woe to you! How dare you claim to be all-knowing and all-understanding! YOU do not know the mysteries of God - i.e. how one is saved. Stick to what we can KNOW. Whether you or your pastor likes it or not, Christ did indeed die for EVERYONE - theoretically, all can be saved. That is the true Gospel - GOOD NEWS! All sin is paid for - all sin is forgiven!!!!

[WitnessoftheTruth]

False gospels are everywhere today. You can add, 'accepting' Christ to become saved, to the already long list. Christ does 100% of the work, to save those He CHOSE to save. You cannot save yourself.

Biblical Truth starts with Christ getting ALL the Glory. Claiming you have done something to obtain Salvation (accepting, believing, repenting, responding, etc.), is robbing Christ of His Glory. The Elect in our day, stand on Christ (Bible) ALONE! Not even the church can be trusted!

[alanobutz]

Amen bro.

[steelwife]

Pastor James is WONDERFUL!! We need more teachers like him!! God Bless!!

[jeanlenor]

I enjoy listening to james

[2Timothy4vs5]

2Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

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.But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)

[lordbemylight]

Sad but true.

[2Timothy4vs5]

I am a Pastor, and really enjoy james Macdonald's preaching. he has a great energy and passion that really fires me up.

I dont agree with him on every issue, but I do more than not.

[yashuareigns]

Amen Amen!!! James McDonald is an excellent proclaimer of truth. Just as Jesus did, he makes his teaching clear and understandable without compromising the integrity of God's Word. Praise God for Pastor's like him.

[sanch1968]

In a day where God & the message of Jesus & Bible is becoming more and more rejected, we as a nation need pastors like James who will teach the gospel as the truth it is. Not dressed up or done as to what people want to hear. We need to hear the true message of the Bible. God is the creator, Jesus Christ is his Son, who was born and died for all humanity. We need to know we are sinners and can't make it to Heaven on our best day without Jesus. We need pastors like James who teach the truth.

[lordbemylight]

Amen and Amen! It's a shame that there are false gospels out there devaluing the truth. We need this nation to return to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and I pray that this nation would. I cannot agree with you more. God bless you in your ministry. :)

[WitnessoftheTruth]

@san, Christ did NOT die for ALL humanity! Christ only died to pay for the sins of His Chosen One's, the Elect. Most folks are non-elect, and will have to pay for their own sins. The payment? Death, body AND soul. The time? Judgment Day, May 21, 2011.

[walksbyf8h]

Thank you - excellent message.

[RPM11111]

=) much food for thought. Phil 2:12

[pianohbc]

Amen to that

[speaktruth10]

Our local Christian radio station plays James MacDonald everyday! Good stuff!

[jemimahmercy]

Good message!!!

***** plus!

[Ahouseisnotahome]

I agree 100% thanks for the link :)

[jeanetteaw]

Thanks, this was great!!!

[BARNUMandBENTLEY]

Thanks for sending!