K024. To preach the gospel that Jesus preached, we do not preach positively at all the time to all the people

Of course, most of us do not like to preach negatively; but sometimes, we have no choice, when we have to confront the false prophets and expose their 'gospel'.

Jesus has said it very clearly: we cannot please everyone, especially when there is opposition. We have seen how Jesus had faced physical and violent opposition from all walks of life, in fact the whole country, until He was crucified. However, many radical grace preachers preach grace and favour with the illustration of how Jesus had favours from the people and became the friend of all sinners. No, He did not become all people's favourite although He had some sinners who believed in Him. He wanted to be truly and only a friend of the sinners who would repent. Hence, He had to reproach them (not just a few sinners; but the whole cities) because they did not repent:
Mat 11:16-20 KJV  But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,  (17)  And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.  (18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.  (19)  The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.  (20)  Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Luk 13:2-5 KJV  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (4)  Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  (5)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Today we don't upbraid or reproach the Pharisees or the Jews who opposed the gospel of Jesus Christ. But we do have false prophets who still oppose the gospel. They may not oppose Jesus and His doctrine directly or violently; but they oppose subtly with their perverted reasoning and false doctrine. They claim that they are the true believers of grace because of what Jesus did for them. They claim that they have received 'radical grace' (eg. healing, deliverance, and many mighty miracles), and therefore, this 'grace' which leads them to repentance cannot allow them to fall. And therefore, they preach the same promise (lie) to everyone who listen to them too, while they keep denying the teaching, doctrine, and commandments of the Lord. But we know that they have no doctrine, no law, and no commandment of the Lord in their hearts and minds. By this (and by their fruits), we know that they are not the true believers. Jesus said that only those who keep His commandments are truly His:
Joh 14:15 KJV  If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 6:13-14 KJV  Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.  (14)  Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world .. .. (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.  (25)  And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?  (26)  Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.  (27)  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed .. .. (59) These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.  (60)  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  (61)  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  (62)  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  (63)  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  (64)  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  (65)  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  (66)  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

We are not shocked to know that many so called 'disciples of Jesus' (who were healed, prospered, or given grace to partake from His table) have walked no more with Him because they cannot accept what He preached too. They are like the Jews or the disciples who said, "This is of a truth" when they saw His miracles (v14), but later changed their minds and said, "This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" when they could not accept His doctrine. Of course, today we don't find many disciples departing from Him (physically) but we do find many who have departed (spiritually), and who will still behave or change their minds like 'lukewarm' believers. They may still stay in our churches, partake the Lord's supper with us, and even preach the gospel convincingly. But by their fruits, we know that they are not preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ; they are preaching their own 'gospel' !
Mat 7:13-24 KJV  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ..  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (24)  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

The early churches during Paul's time faced violent opposition from the world. Hence, they would encourage one another always with the grace and the love of God amidst their suffering and persecution from the Romans. As the gospel was not well accepted by the people, there were not many false prophets who could capitalize on the gospel to deceive the people. However, today the scenario has changed: The gospel are now 'well accepted' by the world; so are the false prophets. This will breed more and more false prophets who would please the people with their own doctrine under the disguise (or the name) of the gospel, grace, or God. However, the truly false prophets do not come from the world; they come from the churches and it has been prophesied repeatedly in the Bible:
Mat 24:10-12 KJV  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  (11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  (12)  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Act 20:28-31 KJV  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (29)  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  (31)  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
1Jn 2:18-20 KJV  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.  (19)  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.  (20)  But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

When we are living in such a time which is different from Paul's, we don't just preach grace or positive words; we preach the 'sword' that will 'dissect and cut':
Heb 4:12-13 KJV  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Of course, when we preach the word of God, we should be prepared to face opposition and criticism from the false prophets. Of course, most of the time, the false prophets can only say the followings when they cannot find any word of God on their side:
"You are jealous .."
"You have misunderstood us .."
"You are the accusers of the brethren.."
"You are the elder brothers .."
"You are the old covenant preachers .."
"You are the Pharisees .. "
"You are negative and cynical like the law preachers .."
"You are the condemning preachers who love to 'persecute' others .."
 ..
 ..
Yes, the false prophets are right to say that there are many condemning voices who speak rubbish and openly accuse them and others insanely in the internet. However, I am not shocked to know that most of 'these condemning preachers, accusers, or straw men' were all fictitiously created by themselves to show how well they have been 'persecuted' by others. But, of course, they know that God's preachers and we would never go around accusing them like a mad man. Hence, they know that they themselves are the false preachers because they have to continue to do this shamefully, radically, deceptively, and insanely to protect themselves and maintain their 'false reputation'. They know that if God's preachers and we were to upbraid or reproach them, we would never use the old law (Moses' law) and speak radically; we would use sound doctrine ! That's why they are very afraid of anyone who speaks and reproaches with sound doctrine ! They know that sound doctrine is their greatest enemy ! It is because sound doctrine teaches the absolute truth which is unwavered by men's words.

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