RECAP
The cost of gambling upon gambling addicts and their families is inestimable in terms of human misery and suffering.The NHS report that there may be as many as 450,000 problem gamblers in the UK. They also report that there is a link between gambling and alcohol abuse since many gambling addicts are also addicted to alcohol. Rates of depression and attempted suicide among gambling addicts are around double the national average. Gambling addicts are also more likely to go to prison as a result of criminal activity due to theft and fraud. http://www.nhs.uk/
The Bible calls covetousness idolatry:
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5/5) Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. (Proverbs 13/11)
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6/9-10)
From an ethical point of view, to use the proceeds of human suffering on one level as a form of relief for human suffering on another level is an oxymoron. For a supposed fundamental Christian church to take advantage of the human misery of gambling is outrageous - it goes against all Christian principles. If the church gains by the proceeds of gambling, they give gambling their stamp of approval and their hypocrisy brings the way of truth into disrepute (2 Peter 2/2). Apart from the obvious witness to the outside world, Christians who may be tempted by gambling and other related sins may compromise due to the bad example of a backslidden church.
A so-called church seeking to gain lottery funding must DEMONSTRABLY “believe and abide by” secular equality values. Here we have a disastrous situation with untold implications for the Christian witness. Secular equality values are the world's values and are the very opposite of God's values as revealed in the Bible. Critically, secular equality values are an affront to the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as Lord, the only way of salvation biblically (John 14/6). Secular equality values endorse the sexual practices of the LGTB community, whereas the Bible condemns divergent sexual practices (Leviticus 18/22; 1 Corinthians 6/9-11 etc.) To believe and abide by equality values is in fact to deny the Lord Jesus Christ! Christians are commanded not to love the world (1 John 2/15).
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4/4)
TLC cannot claim to represent the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible and at the same time believe and abide by secular equality values! TLC's Open Hands material is saturated with the “lucky” crossed fingers/evil 666 lottery logo. The satanic implications of this logo are unmistakable.
If this is not a huge red flag to TLC attendees then something is very wrong.
THEOCRACY
Theocracy is derived from the two Greek words (theo = God, cracy = government). It is a government operated under divine rule, or the pretence of divine rule. Theocracy was a word first used by Josephus to denote that the Jews were under the direct government of God himself under the ancient Hebrew constitution and the role of Mosaic law.
If you question any unsound decisions made by the leadership of TLC you will probably get the rebuttal that the church is a “theocracy”. TLC say this in order to legitimise their heavy top-down type of leadership. One example of this is the way that people are appointed to leadership positions. The underhand way in which the previous assistant pastor at TLC was usurped by David Hind is a case in point. Hind's appointment as pastor of TLC was a fait accompli without any reference whatsoever to the congregation. THE WHOLE CONGREGATION was extremely unhappy when the previous assistant pastor was rejected by just three elders, and yet these arrogant men would not humble themselves and reconsider! Those of us who questioned the way that this happened were told that the church is a “theocracy”; that is to say that major decisions are made by elders because they are [supposedly] the spiritual authority, and that the congregation must abide by their decisions. Had the decision been made along biblical principles, there is no doubt in my mind that the outcome would have been very different. It was not very long after Hind's arrival before cronyism set in and a friend of Hind was appointed as Musical Director - no one at TLC had even met this woman appointee! Theocracy - rule by priesthood, is a very close relative of synarchy which is generally secretive and totalitarian. The theocracy argument is often used by cultish super-apostles whose motives are to “run the show” and to subtly elicit submission by misuse of Bible texts out of context. Biblically however, the issue is not black and white - theocracy is only legitimate when it agrees with the Word of God, otherwise it dishonours God and is abusive. There will of course be a perfect theocracy when Jesus Christ returns during his millennial reign, but until then the church is to be run along New Testament biblical lines.
In the New Testament, the selection of leaders is a varied process and there is no clear model for guidance. The appointment method by existing leaders and congregational selection often coexisted. Those wanting to circumvent the congregation claim that it is exclusively a leadership role to make major decisions, however, they are mistaken as the New Testament demonstrates. Timothy and Titus were instructed by Paul regarding the selection of elders. Titus himself had been ordained earlier, when “he was chosen by the churches” (2 Corinthians 8/19). In this case the ordination of elders involved the whole congregation, not just the apostles. The Greek word used in 2 Corinthians 8/19 for Titus’ appointment and in Acts 14/23 for the choosing of the Galatian elders literally means chosen by a show of hands.
The original meaning of χειροτονέω is "to stretch out the hand" and the substantive χειροτονία is used in the LXX. Of Isaiah 58:9 for "the putting forth of the finger" of the A.V. But the common meaning of the verb is "to vote by stretching out the hand" and hence "to elect" by a show of hands (2 Corinthians 8:19) http://biblehub.com/
…..the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them”, Later we discover the letter they wrote said, So we all agreed to choose some men and send them..... (Acts 15:13-29). This passage reinforces the model where the whole church are involved in decision making.
An interesting article to read is: http://www.cultwatch.com/churchleadershipauthority-html.html
Trinity Life Church was already deteriorating prior to David Hind's appointment. However, after his appointment, the congregation were obliged to endure more and more silly games and rock music instead of worship, worldly presentations in place of bible teaching, less and less bible reading and sound teaching – in fact anything and everything instead of true worship and doctrine. The slide has obviously continued to the point that the leadership have actually denied Jesus Christ Himself by bowing the knee to secular equality values which are the antithesis of biblical principles.
NEPOTISM!
“Nepotism is favouritism granted in politics or business to relatives. The term originated with the assignment of nephews to cardinal positions by Catholic popes and bishops. Nepotism is found in the fields of politics, entertainment, business and religion.” http://en.wikipedia.org/
When a person is employed due to their familial ties it is an act of favouritism. It is often seen as unethical in business, and prospective employees are usually required to disclose any familial ties they have within the organisation. A common argument against nepotism in employment is that the emotional ties between people who are related may negatively affect their decision-making abilities and professional growth.
“Nepotism is favouritism granted in politics or business to relatives. The term originated with the assignment of nephews to cardinal positions by Catholic popes and bishops. Nepotism is found in the fields of politics, entertainment, business and religion.” http://en.wikipedia.org/
When a person is employed due to their familial ties it is an act of favouritism. It is often seen as unethical in business, and prospective employees are usually required to disclose any familial ties they have within the organisation. A common argument against nepotism in employment is that the emotional ties between people who are related may negatively affect their decision-making abilities and professional growth.
Nepotism is not only often considered wrong by worldly standards, it is biblically unsound. The New Testament does not affirm nepotism as a model for church government. When someone gains a leadership position based on familial ties rather than on objective evaluation of their gifting and calling, it demonstrates a fleshly bias which is very damaging. As a result, the whole body suffers and the church becomes an institution of men where family loyalties trump doctrine. It is natural to favour ones close relatives above others, but this is likely to cloud our judgements. Nepotism should be decisively rejected as a work of the flesh.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8/5-7)
The very definition of nepotism is favouritism or partiality!
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. (1 Timothy 5/21)
To show partiality is not good..... (Proverbs 28/21a)
So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality..... (Acts 10/34)
There are now THREE members of the Hind family owning the title of "pastor" at TLC following David Hind's appointment in 2007!
ROCK MUSIC OR WORSHIP!
David Hind's son, Tom Hind is employed by TLC as Children's Pastor and Worship Coordinator. The worship is something that I have huge issues with at TLC. Ear splitting religious rock music from a so called “worship band” is, in my opinion, demonic. When I attended TLC this was a regular occurrence especially on a Sunday night when the majority of attendees were young people. The purpose of music in the church is to glorify and praise God. This is a huge subject which I will not go into here. A good article to read is: http://www.av1611.org/crock.html
David Hind's son, Tom Hind is employed by TLC as Children's Pastor and Worship Coordinator. The worship is something that I have huge issues with at TLC. Ear splitting religious rock music from a so called “worship band” is, in my opinion, demonic. When I attended TLC this was a regular occurrence especially on a Sunday night when the majority of attendees were young people. The purpose of music in the church is to glorify and praise God. This is a huge subject which I will not go into here. A good article to read is: http://www.av1611.org/crock.html
COOL
OR REAL?In recent years there has been a trend of churches planting satellite “campuses” that remain part of the original church. We see this taking place in false churches like Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill Church, Bill Hybels Willow Creek Church etc. This also is the pattern that false teacher Richard Taylor (Welsh Outpouring) has followed at Victory Church in Cwmbran. It is all part of the megachurch culture and CEO pastoral model, but it is not biblical.
These so-called churches have multi-site “campuses”; they “connect” and are hip, cool and savvy. Image is everything; the pastors are hip, the music is cool, and the doctrine is false, weak or non-existent! Campuses make the founding church central and facilitate egocentric pastors who are free to extend their tentacles of control in all sorts of ways, spiritual as well as financial - a bit like Rome really!
The “multi-site” model looks more like a “mini-denomination” than a biblical model for a growing church. The New Testament does demonstrate the existence of multiple local churches, but they never followed this “multi-site” model.
The New Testament model is for relatively small autonomous congregations; the local church is to function like a body and its members are accountable to each other in love (1 Corinthians 12/12-28; Galatians 6/1-2; Hebrews 10/24-25). How can this truly be accomplished when people in the same “church” do not have close relationships and regularly assemble together? Biblically, each individual local church is to represent a community of God’s people, shepherded by elders and served by deacons (Acts 2/42-47; 14/23; Philippians 1/1). We do not see a system in the New Testament where elders have oversight of more than one local congregation at a time. There are those who argue that these are different times and that the biblical model is old-fashioned and irrelevant etc. Do these so called “pastors” know better than God? Fads come and go, but God's Word is eternal i.e. it is outside time and culture. If the biblical model is for small autonomous churches, then we have to believe that this is the only way that the church will really be healthy effective and grow according to God's will. Didn't Paul say to emulate him as he emulated Christ (1 Corinthians 11/1)? What really is the point of emulating false teachers and false megachurches?
The apostle Paul planted churches and then moved on, he released the new elders to autonomous leadership: When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia.… (Acts 14/23-24)
The New Testament model is for relatively small autonomous congregations; the local church is to function like a body and its members are accountable to each other in love (1 Corinthians 12/12-28; Galatians 6/1-2; Hebrews 10/24-25). How can this truly be accomplished when people in the same “church” do not have close relationships and regularly assemble together? Biblically, each individual local church is to represent a community of God’s people, shepherded by elders and served by deacons (Acts 2/42-47; 14/23; Philippians 1/1). We do not see a system in the New Testament where elders have oversight of more than one local congregation at a time. There are those who argue that these are different times and that the biblical model is old-fashioned and irrelevant etc. Do these so called “pastors” know better than God? Fads come and go, but God's Word is eternal i.e. it is outside time and culture. If the biblical model is for small autonomous churches, then we have to believe that this is the only way that the church will really be healthy effective and grow according to God's will. Didn't Paul say to emulate him as he emulated Christ (1 Corinthians 11/1)? What really is the point of emulating false teachers and false megachurches?
The apostle Paul planted churches and then moved on, he released the new elders to autonomous leadership: When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia.… (Acts 14/23-24)
MARK STIBBE EX LEADER OF THE FATHERS HOUSE TRUST
I have already written in depth about Mark Stibbe and his visit to Leicester in 2011: http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/A-CRITIQUE-OF-MISSION-SHAPED-COMMUNITIES-HOLY-TRINITY-LEICESTER
TLC
was the main player in hosting false teacher/wolf in sheep's clothing
Stibbe, the previous
vicar at St Andrews Church in Chorleywood and founder of The Fathers
House Trust. The
other two churches involved in his visit were Holy Trinity Church
(Anglican) and Knighton Evangelical Free Church. Together the
leaders of these three churches exposed the body of Christ to a man
who was well known to have been closely involved in all manner of
apostasy.
Stibbe was an integral part of the infestation of false teachers
associated with Toronto and was closely involved with Todd Bentley.
He supported the heresy of Todd Bentley’s so called “healing
angel” named
“Emma” amongst other questionable manifestations. Stibbe also
promoted the infamous “third
wave” Toronto
“blessing” at Chorleywood.
Stibbe has since stepped down as the leader of FHT due to his: “decision to enter into an inappropriate relationship with someone other than his wife.”
Stibbe has since stepped down as the leader of FHT due to his: “decision to enter into an inappropriate relationship with someone other than his wife.”
All this speaks volumes about the discernment of the so called “church leaders” in Leicester.
DAVID HIND'S ENDORSEMENT OF PROVEN FALSE PROPHET AND NECROMANCER BENNY HINN IN JANUARY!Benny Hinn is very well-known and a proven false prophet and necromancer; he is ecumenical having strong connections with Roman Catholicism. His so-called “anointing” is received from two dead people (supposedly - though actually demons), Kathryn Kuhlman, Aimee Semple McPherson and allegedly the Old Testament prophet Elijah. His visit to Leicester in January was endorsed by TLC, All Nations Church and Holy Trinity Church.
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-circus-comes-to-town-false-prophet.html
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5/1-5)
BREAKFAST ON THE 10TH MAY- ST MARTIN'S HOUSE LEICESTER!
http://www.churchestogetherinleicestershire.org/index.php?module=pagesmith&uop=view_page&id=136
Ecumenism is working to achieve a satanic New World Order. The ultimate aim of ecumenism is to unite all religions into one apostate church which will worship the Antichrist. Essential Christian doctrine such as creationism, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, a literal hell, the inerrancy of the Bible are all denied by the ecumenical movement. The ecumenical movement mutes the message of sin, repentance and personal salvation and replaces it with a "social gospel" of secular political activism around mostly liberal issues such as social justice, ending poverty, opposition to war etc.
The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand." (Ezekiel 33/1-6)
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (Luke 11/23)
TLC have now reached a critical point. They have publicly endorsed secular equality values in their pursuit and acquisition of lottery funding. They have turned aside after lucre (1 Samuel 8/3; 1 Peter 5/2 etc.) To do such a thing is a denial of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The judgement of God is not only upon wicked leaders, there are also grave consequences for their followers:
Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you. For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word,or who has paid attention to his word and listened?” (Jeremiah 23/16-18)
JESUS CHRIST IS THE WORD OF GOD – THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF JESUS CHRIST.
Those
who claim to be followers of Christ but who will not turn from
disobedience to the Word of God do not love the truth
(2 Thessalonians 2/10). This is a time of testing for all those who claim to be
Christians. Those who cannot tolerate the truth have no part of Christ.
Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15/14)
Jesus Christ said “Let them alone” or “leave them”. It is not only the blind guides it is also their followers who will fall into a pit!
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2/1-3)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4/3-4)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3/1-5)
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading. (Lamentations 2/14)
Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15/14)
Jesus Christ said “Let them alone” or “leave them”. It is not only the blind guides it is also their followers who will fall into a pit!
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2/1-3)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2 Timothy 4/3-4)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3/1-5)
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading. (Lamentations 2/14)
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues.....” Revelation 18/4)
RECOMMENDED TEACHING
The challenge to those who say they are followers of Jesus Christ is to test everything by the Word of God and to repent (1 Thessalonians 5/21). Below are a few exceptional Bible teachers I have come across in these days where there is a famine of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8/11). These teachers give sound comprehensive Bible teaching and clarity for anyone seeking discernment in these perilous times (2 Timothy 3/1).
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8/31-32)
UPDATE:
27th January 2017
My more recent posts address the issue of TLC's unmissable association with the number 666, the number of the Beast! (Revelation 13:18). The Bible teaches us to abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). On the contrary, Trinity Life Church in Leicester is the ticking time bomb on its hapless journey towards destruction. It is anyone's guess what they will do next!
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/trinity-life-church-leicester-and-open.html
https://standfirminthelord.wordpress.com/category/deception-in-the-church/
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/george-o-wood-assemblies-of-god.html
