Sermon The Power In Church Membership

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[2] The title of the sermon: “THE POWER IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.”

Do Churches That Preach The Gospel Truth Require Membership?

• Today, we’re going to talk about church membership.
• Take a look back in your life now that you know the truth of the Gospel.
• “What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
• There are hundreds of Scriptures that are the basis of salvation. Believe on Jesus Christ.

Now, how about all the false churches with a false gospel and their church membership requirements?

• Did they talk you in to “joining” their church and becoming a “member” of their church?
• Most likely they did. I’ve seen it before. There’s power in church membership.
• If you can have someone stand up in front of a lot of people and give their word in church, it’s a little tougher to leave that church.

What did these people require for membership in their church?

• There’s all these requirements churches have now so you can become their property.
• They own you. They make you sign things. They make you take oaths to them. They do.
• “When are you going to come forward and join the church?”
• “Well, I didn’t know I needed to come forward and join the church.”
• “Oh yes, you need to.”

Did you know there is no long list of church membership requirements within the entire Bible?

• God doesn’t require us to join a church and to become a member in a specific church.
• We should go to church and be a part of a church that actually teaches the Bible.
• But the churches who supposedly represent God force you to become a member.
• They put lots and lots of pressure on you to take an oath in front of the church.
• But they can’t give you one Scripture that says you need to do something like that.
• They will attempt to twist Scriptures to make them sound like they are talking about church membership.

[3] Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

• In Hebrews Chapter 13, the Bible talks about remembering those which have the rule over you.
• These are those people who have spoken unto you the word of God.
• Follow their faith in Jesus Christ. A good leader will lead by faith in Jesus Christ.
• A good leader will teach you exactly what the Bible says and won’t twist the Scriptures for power.

The churches who want power over people will attempt to take these Scriptures in Hebrews Chapter 13 and twist them so they can have power over you.

• And yes, I know what they’re doing. There are some very abusive people out there who want this power.
• When you have a church filled with thousands and they all think they must obey you, this is power.
• You can write a book, tell everyone they must have a copy to study, and force them all to buy your book.
• This is just one example. This is called abuse of power.
• They say, “Remember them which have the rule over you.”

Are these so-called “pastors” actually teaching you the word of God? Are they obeying God?

• Or, do they believe they don’t have to obey God. It’s just you that must obey them.
• This is what they really think and really believe. They are false preachers.
• They are on the best sellers list because their church members were influenced to purchase their books.
• “You should support your rulers through purchasing their books.” They will command this.
• They don’t want you reading and studying the Bible. They want THEIR WORDS to live within you.
• They don’t want the words of Jesus Christ within you. They want their version of His words within you.
• Why? Because this is power over you. They want to rule over you in their own way.

[4] Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

• There are people who have rule over you. There are many, many people who rule over you.
• Does this mean you should submit yourselves to everything these rulers tell you to do?
• No, this is not what this means. You do not submit yourselves to evil and wicked rulers.
• If something goes against the word of the Lord, or is questionable, don’t submit yourselves.
• If there is a good pastor who is following the Lord, then he’s simply asking you to follow the Lord too.

We Are To Submit Ourselves To The Lord

We submit ourselves to the Lord. The good rulers submit themselves to the Lord.

• And then you’ll know you’re following the Lord and not submitting to something evil.
• Don’t be deceived by false preachers who act as if they know and follow the Lord.
• This is why it’s very important for you to know the Bible very well.
• How will you know if a “pastor” like Kyle Idleman is following the Lord? You won’t unless you know Jesus.
• This is why Kyle Idleman wants you to read his books versus the book that Jesus wrote.
• If you read too much of the Bible, you’ll have him figured out too easily.
• You won’t fall for Kyle Idleman’s trash. And yes, what he says and writes is pure trash.

[5] Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

• Obviously, Hebrews Chapter 13 is talking about truly spiritual leaders that have the rule over you.
• Kyle Idleman, as an example, shouldn’t be one of those. Why is that?
• Because he doesn’t understand God’s words. He makes up trash that doesn’t match the Bible at all.
• You do not want him ruling over you. He has a false gospel. He adds works to salvation. He’s evil.

Don’t salute him, worship him, and idolize him like all of those people at Southeast Christian do.

• And he loves it. And he profits from the power he holds over those people.
• He has their bank account numbers.
• Tithing is a part of church membership according to Southeast Christian.
• I must have missed that part in the Bible. It’s not there.
• “Thou shalt tithe to become a member in a church.” It’s not in the Scriptures.
• But, since some so-called church “leader” said it and made the rule, then we MUST OBEY them.
• WRONG. This is not what the Scriptures mean. This is not what the Scriptures say.

You can submit to a ruler in church and not have to meet all of their church membership requirements.

• You get to decide if the preacher is teaching the truth and decide if you’re going to submit or not.
• But these other churches don’t want you to have that choice.
• They want to have the power over you whether they are right or wrong. They want your loyalty.
• No matter if they are right or wrong, you MUST give them your loyalty.
• The only loyalty you should have is to God and God alone.
• If a pastor is following Jesus Christ, you should be there too because you are following Jesus Christ.

For example, if a pastor says: “You don’t need to read the Bible. You just need to listen to me.”

• That so-called pastor is evil. You need to get away from him or her.
• Another example. If you have a woman pastor, obviously, you do not follow her.
• She isn’t following God’s words herself.
• Why would you submit to her when she obviously doesn’t submit to the Lord Jesus Christ that she “PROFESSES” to follow?
• These people will attempt to twist God’s words to have power over you that God didn’t give them.

[6] Romans 13:1-3 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

[7] Romans 13:4-6 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

• We are to all obey the higher powers that are obeying the Lord God Almighty who is the highest power.
• We do not obey rulers who are evil and this includes pastors who teach a works based salvation.
• If a pastor is actually following the Lord, then it’s good to obey that pastor.
• But the pastor is not perfect. When he guides you the wrong way, you don’t go that way.

The Pastors Aren’t Obeying God

When that pastor isn’t obeying God, he or she isn’t being subject unto God.

• For example, a woman pastor isn’t subject unto God as she is breaking God’s commandments.
• There are many examples within the Bible of people not obeying the rulers and God was happy with them.
• Preaching a works based salvation is not OBEYING the higher powers.

For example, the Southern Baptists have turned the truth of God into a lie with their works based salvation.

• Pentecostals have turned the truth of God into a lie with their works based salvation.
• Can you think of examples in the Bible where Godly people did not OBEY their rulers?

[8] 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

• The first king of Israel, king Saul, commands the footmen to slay the priests of the Lord.
• But the SERVANTS of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.
• And this was clearly THE KING and these men were clearly HIS SERVANTS.
• But they wouldn’t do such an evil thing. Did they do the right thing by disobeying king Saul. Yes they did.

[9] 1 Samuel 19:1-2 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:

• Jonathan’s father and king who was Saul commanded Jonathan to kill his friend David.
• David was not an evil man so Jonathan didn’t OBEY this command.
• Jonathan sure slew the Philistines because they were evil, but David was not. So he didn’t do it.

[10] Exodus 20:12-13 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill.

• The evil Scripture twisting pastors out there who pick and choose the Scriptures they want will convince you that Jonathan should have obeyed king Saul.
• “This was his father and he should have obeyed his father.”
• “This was his king so he should have obeyed his king.” But the Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill.”
• We do not honor a commandment to kill. King Saul was braking God’s commandments.

What about Moses and the children of Israel? They were the servants in Egypt. Pharaoh had the rule over them.

• He was their ruler while they were in Egypt. But they fought back and obeyed the Lord over Pharaoh.
• So, obviously, OBEY YOUR RULERS doesn’t mean that you just do whatever they say all the time.

[11] Exodus 1:15-16 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

[12] Exodus 1:17-18 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

[13] Exodus 1:19-20 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

• God rewarded the Hebrew midwives because they feared God above Pharaoh.
• This means we are to obey God above man.
• We do not OBEY every ruler when they break God’s commands.
• False preachers are ROOTED in a false gospel, and we are NOT to obey them as rulers in our life.
• If you have submitted to a false church with a false gospel, you are not submitting to God.
• What about Elijah and Elisha? They didn’t OBEY their so-called rulers.

Elijah and Elisha Didn’t OBEY The Evil Kings

[14] 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

• The king of Israel who commanded Elijah to come down was the evil king Ahab.
• Did Elijah obey this evil man? “The king hath said, COME DOWN!”

[15] 2 Kings 1:10-11 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.

• Let’s make the story shorter here. Elijah didn’t come down. Fire came down from heaven.
• He didn’t OBEY the king. Why is that? Because that king wasn’t obeying the King of all creation.
• You can’t obey evil rulers and obey God. There’s many examples of this throughout the Bible.
• The prophets didn’t obey the evil kings and evil laws.
• Isaiah preached against them. Jeremiah did the same. Daniel didn’t obey the law to stop praying.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t obey an evil order to worship a false god.

[16] Exodus 20:4-5 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

• God’s commandments are clear. We do not bow ourselves down to anything or anyone but God.
• False preachers want you to bow down to them. They love the altar calls where they are above everyone.
• And everyone is out in the crowd bowing down to them. They love when people bow down to a cross.
• A cross is a graven image. And they love when people bow down to that cross.

[17] Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

• Nebuchadnezzar was a furious king, but he doesn’t have fury like Jesus Christ has fury.
• Again, we do not OBEY rulers in churches who aren’t following God.
• Is there a direct example of this within the Bible? Yes, there is. There were religious leaders in Jerusalem.
• They said that they followed God. They said that they were righteous rulers. Let’s see what happened.

[18] Acts 5:26-27 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

[19] Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

• These religious leaders, which are similar to pastors today, command the apostles to stop teaching Jesus.
• “You shall not teach in the name of Jesus.”
• Did you know I’ve preached the truth in church before and told that I couldn’t speak any more?
• That sermon that was given is titled “FALSE GODS” and is on our website.
• The pastor said I couldn’t speak anymore in church after giving that sermon.
• Everything was straight from the Holy Scriptures of God. They came from God.
• The so-called pastor didn’t like it. These religious people in Acts Chapter 5 didn’t like it either.

[20] Acts 5:29-30 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

• We are all 100% commanded to OBEY GOD and not men.
• If a man goes against God, you don’t have to obey that so-called ruler over you.
• For example, when that false preacher told me I couldn’t speak any more, what do you think happened?
• I didn’t stay there. The word of God increased because I didn’t stay there and obey my so-called pastor.
• He wanted me to shut up because he was the only one that anyone at church should listen to.
• He thinks he is closer to God and on a higher rung that anyone else.
• When, in reality, he knows absolutely nothing of God or the Scriptures. NOTHING.
• Let’s go back one chapter in the Book of Acts. Let’s go to Acts Chapter 4.

[21] Acts 4:18-19 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

• False preachers LOVE when false teaching is spread.
• That’s why they love for you to buy their books and teach their books as a so-called “bible” study.
• They love when a woman buys their book and organizes a “Bible” study with their book.
• Let’s be clear. If you are a woman, you shouldn’t be teaching ANYTHING in church.
• “But I teach the children.” Yes, you teach them the WRONG THINGS. What are you teaching them?
• You’re teaching them it’s okay to ignore God’s words. That’s what you’re teaching them.

[22] 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

• What do you tell the children you’re teaching when they read that Scripture?
• You’re telling them that it’s okay to break the Scriptures and sin against God.
• “But my pastor thinks it’s okay for women to teach in church.” So you obey man over God.

It Doesn’t Matter What A Pastor “THINKS” Is Okay

[23] Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

• Have you not read the story of Adam and Eve? Eve hearkened unto the voice of a serpent.
• Adam hearkened unto the voice of his wife. They ignored God’s words and did what they wanted.
• So, whose voice will you obey? Are the so-called pastors in the churches today worthy of your obedience?
• These pastors don’t even OBEY THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ.

[24] Romans 10:12-14 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

[25] Romans 10:15-17 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

• A pastor from God will use the word of God to teach you. That pastor will obey the word of God.
• “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.” Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
• How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
• What must I do to be saved? BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and thou shalt be saved.
• That’s not what the churches are preaching. They aren’t preaching Jesus Christ. They preach themselves.
• They want you to OBEY THEM in everything. There is great power in church membership.
• And they use it for their gain. Their church membership requirements are not there to glorify God.

[26] Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

• They are fools. Why would a pastor not want to obey the truth? They teach the opposite of the Bible.
• Faith alone isn’t enough to save you according to all these fools out there.
• God says that it is hundreds of times. God says faith alone saves you CLEARLY.
• But they won’t obey that. This means that you don’t obey them. If so, you’re obeying Satan.
• You might think you are obeying God, but you aren’t. You’re hearkening to other voices.
• Don’t allow false preachers to twist Scriptures

So, let’s talk about God’s requirements to be a member of the body of Christ.

• What must you do to be a member of the body of Christ? The Bible talks about this over and over again.
• You must have faith in Jesus Christ. What are the membership requirements in the kingdom of heaven?
• You simply must believe on Jesus Christ to be saved. The thief on the cross went to heaven.
• So, you are forgiven of all your sins and your soul is made perfect through faith “IN” Jesus Christ.
• God’s only requirement to make it to heaven is faith in Jesus Christ.

Why is this not good enough for the churches in today’s world? Why do they add all of these other requirements?

• They add tithing, water baptism, membership courses, repenting of sin, obeying God, moral conformity.
• They say that you must have turned from all your sin to become a member in our church.
• But they don’t even understand that we will never turn from all our sin as long as we are in this flesh.
• Should we do our best to stop sinning? Should we be sorry for our sin?

When Will I Be A Good Enough Person For The Pastors?

Yes, but how are you going to measure that and tell me when I’ve done a good enough job to be a member in your church?

• This is not a church membership requirement that you’ll find in the Bible.
• Should you be baptized in water? Yes, you should. This is a command from God.

Did you know that there are a large number of churches out there that require you be baptized in front of their congregation to become a member of their church?

• It doesn’t matter if you’ve been baptized before.
• You must prove yourselves to them and the church members.
• “You can’t be a member here unless you get baptized again in front of THE CHURCH.”
• Does this have any Scriptural basis at all? No, it doesn’t. You can twist some Scriptures around.
• You don’t even have to be baptized in water to make it to heaven.
• But your word that you’ve been baptized in water before isn’t enough for these churches.
• You should be VERY CAREFUL of any churches that have requirements like this.
• I am not saying 100% for sure they are evil, but I would be very careful.

Other churches want your bank account number, and you must tithe WEEKLY to be a church member there.

• Are there any Scriptures to support tithing for church membership? Of course there isn’t.
• But this helps the false churches grow their kingdom here on earth. It’s not God’s kingdom.
• For example, if your church is building basketball gyms, is this what God wants?
• If your church is building coffee shops, is this what God wants?

“You must give your tithe every week so we can buy more basketball goals.”

• Do you really think God wants more basketball goals? Smoke machines? Flashing lights?
• If so, maybe you should actually read the Bible. He doesn’t care for basketball goals.
• “But it brings more people so we can win them to Jesus Christ.”
• A false gospel doesn’t win people to Christ.

Another church membership requirement in many churches is for you to take their membership class.

• There’s some foul spirit in all of those churches because their class content is vomit worthy.
• Within their membership classes, they glorify themselves over and over again.
• It’s propaganda that they want you to fall for. They want you to believe in them and not Jesus Christ.
• Hey, what if I just want to hear and learn the word of God as I am supposed to at church?
• What if I don’t want to hear how great your church is?
• What if I don’t want to hear your evil marketing schemes?
• “No, you must take our membership class.” Let me be clear.
• If a church requires a membership class, you should run the other direction.

They will tell you that you MUST have knowledge of the Bible, agreement with their doctrine, moral conformity.

• How much moral conformity is required at your great church?
• When I was researching for this sermon, I come across a man who has 6 honorary doctoral degrees.
• He is the dean of the school of religion at Liberty University which he founded.
• This man is the founder of Liberty University. You can’t make this up.
• LIBERTY University. Maybe he doesn’t realize what liberty happens to be. He has all types of degrees.

He says this for church membership: “A person must repent of those sins that he knows and must meet the minimum standard of the Christians in his new local assembly.”

• This man is supposed to be smart.
• He just makes up anything he wants and, of course, has no Scriptures to go with it.
• But he says that a requirement for church membership is to meet the minimum standard of the “Christians” in his new assembly.

“If You Are Above The Person Sitting Next To You, Then You Are Good Enough.”

As an example, if you go to Southeast, as long as you’re above the next person, you’re doing okay.

• Is this what we do? Do we look at the person next to us and think: “Well, I’m doing better than him.”
• “Well, I’m doing better than her. Look at her. She’s a mess. But look at me!!! I am amazing.”
• Are most so-called “Christians” following this method to see if they are good enough? Yes they are.
• “Well, I don’t want to go to that church because there’s no one there that is lower than me.”
• “I need some low life’s so I will feel better about myself.” This is what this guy teaches.
• And this is what pastor’s everywhere are teaching because you have so-called pastors like that man teaching his trash doctrine at his school while he becomes rich.
• He twists the word of God so he can make money from God.

Churches everywhere are twisting God’s words so they can make money and have power over people.

• But, in Jesus Christ, there is freedom and actual LIBERTY.
• The founder of LIBERTY university doesn’t understand LIBERTY.
• He makes up rules for church membership that God didn’t create. God gave you liberty.
• God doesn’t bring you into the bondage of all these membership requirements.

You are free in Jesus Christ. Now, you SHOULD go do what God says but His laws are not grievous.

• We don’t look at others and think how much better we are than them. We know that we aren’t good.
• The only righteousness we have is through Jesus Christ ALONE.
• We don’t have to be restrained by church membership requirements.

[27] Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

• We proclaim liberty and freedom to the captives. We don’t have rulers who bring us down into bondage.
• But that’s what these churches want. They want their own personal servants and slaves.
• The last pastor I had was free himself to do whatever he wanted but he had his servants for himself.
• He would say, “I’m just the facilitator. You all do the actual work.” And that’s what he would do.
• He was a lazy bum. That’s what he was. He had sit on his butt for so many years that he wouldn’t do anything.

And he especially wouldn’t study the Bible. He would say, “I am led by the Holy Spirit. I don’t need to study.”

• And then he went on to quote Luke Chapter 40.
• As a pastor, I hope you know there are not 40 chapters in ANY book of the New Testament.
• There aren’t even 30 chapters in any book of the New Testament.
• If you think so, you shouldn’t be a pastor at all. The Holy Spirit doesn’t lead you.
• Some other evil spirit is leading you. And these evil spirits don’t want you to be free.

[28] Jeremiah 34:8-9 This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; 9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother.

[29] Jeremiah 34:10-11 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. 11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.

• The pastors don’t want you to be free as God wants you to be free. They don’t want liberty for you.
• This country was supposed to be the land of the free.
• The pastors are just following what they are accustomed to.

We can’t even walk out our front door any more without breaking some law.

• You can’t even go to a church without the church wanting all of these things from you.
• “YOU MUST MEET OUR MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS!!!”
• I can’t preach the word of God any longer without breaking some law.
• They want to turn to the free and bring them back into subjection. Let’s see what God thinks about this.
• Let’s move just a little further down in Jeremiah Chapter 34.

[30] Jeremiah 34:15-16 And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name: 16 But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.

• God wants you to have liberty and freedom through Him. It’s so great to be free.
• God says that we do right in proclaiming LIBERTY to every man and to every neighbor.
• But these people turned and polluted HIS NAME. Is that what you want to do, pastors?
• Do you want to pollute the name of God? Do you want to bring people back into your bondage?
• The Son of God has set us free, but that’s not good enough for you, right? You need more rules.
• Your rules are rules that God didn’t make or set for the church of God.
• This means you must have some other church that is not the church of God.

Are You Sure You’re Attending A Church That Worships God?

[31] Jeremiah 34:17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

• God says, “You have not HEARKENED unto me!!!”
• Hey, listen, He’s not happy with your made-up church membership requirements that give you power over the FREE.
• When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. But the evil pastors want people UNDER them.
• So God says, “I proclaim a liberty for you. TO THE SWORD, TO THE PESTILENCE, AND TO THE FAMINE.”
• “I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.”

[32] Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

• Why can’t we just preach the word of God and shut up about us?
• Why can’t we just set at liberty them that are bruised? Why can’t we just preach Jesus Christ?
• We should follow God’s laws, and we’re going to teach His laws here.
• But we won’t add laws to God’s words and His church. We don’t need more laws in this country.
• We don’t need more laws in this church. The laws from God Himself are perfect.
• And we’re going to do our best to follow those laws here.

[33] 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

• We don’t exert power over each other and attempt to twist God’s words to have a hold over people.
• We don’t require that people take oaths to us.
• When we have the Lord’s Supper here, we simply make sure that people believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
• If they do not believe 100% on Jesus Christ, we ask that they do not participate.
• The choice is up to them. We don’t leave them out if they want to remember Jesus Christ.
• So many churches and pastors are abusing the power that they have created over people.

On Father’s Day many years ago, the church we attended taught my children to choose their friends first.

• “Don’t choose your family first. Choose your friends first. And I am your friend.”
• These Sunday school teachers teach heresy to the children and end up abusing the children.
• “Don’t trust your Dad. Trust me, your Sunday School teacher.” OBEY ME. I AM YOUR FRIEND.
• And what ends up happening? The children are abused. Get your children out of Sunday School.
• Your children should be with you in church learning the word of God with you.
• Some churches will even DEMAND that the children be taken out of the service and put in a class.
• “If you’re going to be a member of this church, the children are not allowed to learn the word of God.”
• Does this not sound suspicious to you at all? WAKE UP PEOPLE.

[34] 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

• Yes, there are commands within the Bible that talk about people that are over you in the Lord.
• This is what a pastor should be like.
• He’s not above you, but he’s doing his best to teach you the right ways.
• “And be at peace among yourselves.” Let’s learn and just do what God says. Then we have peace.
• Be very careful with these churches and pastors that have all of these requirements.

Why All The Rules And All The Bondage?

For example, Christian colleges make all of these rules. Let’s be clear, Christian college is not Biblical to begin with.

• “Men’s hair must be neatly combed and tapered and may not come over the ears, eyebrows, or collar.”
• “All facial hair must be groomed to remain defined and of uniform length at all points of growth.”
• “Mustaches, goatees, and bears must be fully grown in between ¼ and ½ inch in length.”
• “There must be clean lines and trimmed an inch above the Adam’s apple.”
• “Any hairstyle should be neatly combed and managed and may not exceed 1.5” above the scalp.”
• “Undergarments should be worn but not seen.”

You should be going to a church. You should find a good church and attend that church.

• You’ll know when you find a good church because God’s words are magnified in that church.
• You should have good leaders in that church that know the word of God and teach His words.
• You should OBEY GOD’S WORDS and nothing else. A good pastor will want you to obey God.
• A good pastor will not act as if he is God.
• A good pastor will not make up all these rules for church membership.
• A good pastor will not attempt to control everything you do.

To finish, God clearly listed out the requirements for entry into His Kingdom of heaven.

• Have faith in God and your pass to heaven is given.
• To become a member of the body of Jesus Christ, God lists FAITH as the only requirement.
• Evil pastors and so-called church leaders have made up all the other requirements.

[35] Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

• Did God give you these so-called pastors that aren’t feeding you anything but lies? No, He didn’t.
• You don’t have to OBEY these evil pastors.

[36] Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

• Evil pastors and churches walk after things that DO NOT PROFIT.
• Basketball courts, gyms, fitness centers, coffee shops, and donut shops do not profit God.
• But they are all walking after these things and using their power in the church membership to do so.
• The churches have become all about the profit of money. They use the money for useless things.
• They do not use the offering to glorify God or to increase His words in this world.
• They won’t even preach His words in the churches. They transgress against the Lord.

Now, if a pastor is FEEDING you with knowledge and understanding, then you know God sent that one to you.

• You can support that pastor, but you must always ensure he is teaching the word of God.
• That’s his job. A woman cannot do that job because God says so in His words.
• Don’t allow a false pastor to exert his or her power over you through church membership.

[37] Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

• Let’s pray.