Sometimes it’s so easy to pick apart John K. Jenkins’ sermons it’s almost unfair. It seems as if I am picking on a child who simply doesn’t know any better and can’t defend himself. Sometime though, the picking isn’t because of any grand error. SOmetimes, like today, it’s to make a general observation about the techniques some of the pimps use.
John, like Copeland and a host of others, tend to decide what they want to say and then insert into the Scripture the meaning they want it to have. That, of course, then controls the applications they can promote (usually things like taking care of the man of God, supporting the vision of the man of God, and bringing your money to the house of the man of God). It doesn’t matter that the meaning isn’t in there. They will, by various manipulations make it say what they want it to say. Creflo, for instance, uses the Amplified Bible, picking out the “amplifications” that support his heresies and his desires.
Some of them, like Jamal “Mister Twister” Bryant, make up stuff out of whole cloth, engaging in socio-relational flights of fancy, daring the audience to object to the twisting.
John, on the other hand, often picks out the words and definitions of the words that let him say what he wants to say. Sometimes they’re good things and sometimes not. But the common thread between Cref, Jamal, and John is their willingness to put their thoughts INTO Scripture rather than seeking to get God’s thoughts out of it. The fact that they feel comfortable doing this shows what I believe to be their contempt for the very people they are there to feed.
I was listening to one of John’s sermons this morning (Sunday on cable) as he preached on Martha and Mary. He had a lot of fluff in it, but one thing that caught my attention was a statement he made. He was telling us the story of Martha and Mary and the fact that Martha complained about Mary sitting around while Martha worked her tail off.
John quotes Jesus as saying “Martha you are careful and troubled about many things.” (Luke 10:41)
John then explained to us that he looked up that word “careful”. It turns out, according to him, that the word means to have an agenda. In other words, Martha had an agenda, a selfish, self-promoting agenda. John then went on to use that verse to fuss at people for having ulterior motives for doing things. You sing in the choir not because you want to praise God but because your agenda is to “get discovered.” You do good things for the wrong reasons. You do good things so you can get something. You have an agenda.
I know John, and I know how he likes to make things up. We won’t even talk about what he and the rest of the pimps did with the word “shabach.” And ask me to tell you someday about his method of identifying Godly music.
Anyway, after he made the statement about the meaning of the word “careful”, I went to my concordance and looked up the word “careful” for myself. Here’s what it said:
From Strong’s Greek Lexicon:
3309 μεÏ?ιμνάω [merimnao /mer·im·nah·o/] v. From 3308; TDNT 4:589; TDNTA 584; GK 3534; 19 occurrences; AV translates as “take thought” 11 times, “care” five times, “be careful” twice, and “have care” once. 1 to be anxious. 1A to be troubled with cares. 2 to care for, look out for (a thing). 2A to seek to promote one’s interests. 2B caring or providing for.
Notice that it does say, way down at the bottom of the list of uses, that the word can have the meaning of “…seeking or promoting one’s interest”. This is something that could be taken as “having an agenda.”
Let me say up front that John’s reproof was certainly valid. People should work for the Lord from a pure motive, not with the idea of growing a business, or moving up in the pecking order in the church structure, or making a name for themselves. The trouble is, his method for supporting a good thing did two things.
First, it did violence to the passage. He made the verse say what he wanted it to say. There is not much worse that a teacher or preacher can do while plying his trade. Once the teacher does that, he is no longer proclaiming the oracles of God, he is proclaiming his own oracles. He is no longer accurately presenting the pure milk of the word. Instead he is presenting rotten meat.
Second, he “helps” the congregation become that much more accustomed to accepting whatever he says as truth.
If any of you can, please show me from the surrounding text where you can get the idea that Martha had an agenda she was trying to implement. Is there any indication that Martha was trying to impress people with her culinary and housekeeping skills?
Jesus does tell Martha that she needs to listen to what He had to say. But try as I might, I can’t see in that section that Jesus was fussing at her for having her own agenda.
John made this and other statements, reading his meanings into the Scripture. The silly goose congregation simply followed along, not bothering to see if what he was saying was in fact so.
A word of advice: Any time a teacher tells you “in the Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic this word means…” take note and when you get home, look it up. If what he says isn’t supported by the tool, call him on it. It’s possible he made a mistake and you would be doing him a favor with the feedback. Remember, it’s not that hard to get this stuff right. And if the teacher/preacher is not willing to do even the easiest part of study and sermon/lesson preparation, it’s likely the person will eventually lead you astray. John Jenkins is an example of exactly that.
Of course, it’s also possible he was doing it on purpose, in which case you will be doing yourself a favor once you discover he is willing to make the Scripture say whatever he wants it to say.
Either way, you benefit. And either way, you develop a pimp-proof shell to help you safely navigate the currents of life and the parade of pimps.
Hey MJ - I use the NASB. Will the Strong’s Greek Lexicon work with it or should I hunt up another one?
Thanks.
(MN: I would suggest a couple of books/tools:
1. The Word Study New Testament (The New Testament keyed to Stong’s concordance)
2. A companion book The WOrd Study Concordance - It lists the Greek by the number in the Word Study New Testament.
The WS Concordance lists all the places a specfic Greek word appears and gets rid of the step of having to filter through the Stong’s numbers in the exhausitve concordance.
The Lexicon provides Greek to english so the Bible translation you use doesn’t matter.
Of course you should use the NASB anyway since it is the perfect translation
)
TO MN & walkbyf8h: I, too, use the NASB as my primary study Bible. If I may suggest to walbyf8th, there is in print, a NASB Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible w/Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Dictionaries at the back along w/their English counterparts. The publishers are Broadman & Holman in Nashville, TN. The ISBN is 0-87981-197-8. Sorry, I can’t remember where I purchased it about 11 yrs ago. It is a h-u-g-e hardback book: 9.5″ x 11″ and 2.5″ thick. It was a real “find,” as I wasn’t looking for one nor had any idea it was available and cost under $15. If push comes to shove, you may have to call the publishers if you can’t locate it locally. God’s speed! B
Well Beryle, I just got off the phone with B&H publishers and they’ve never heard of their own book. I even gave them the ISBN and confirmed that they were in fact, Broadman & Holman, located in Nashville, TN. I never thought I’d see the day when the manufacturer didn’t know that they’d created an item. lol Oh well, I continued my search and located the following. Please confirm if they are the correct books and I’ll see about ordering:
Word Study -
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Wordstudy-Testament-Word-Study/dp/0899576516
Word Study Concordance -
http://www.amazon.com/The-Word-Study-Concordance/dp/0842383913/sr=1-1/qid=1171388151/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6898258-7827912?ie=UTF8&s=books
NASB Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible -
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=681365978&searchurl=isbn%3D0879811978
here’s a pic of the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Exhaustive-Concordance-Hebrew-Aramaic-Dictionaries/dp/0879811978/sr=11-1/qid=1171388317/ref=sr_11_1/104-6898258-7827912
————————————————–
Did I find them? Let me know and thanks, siblings. I really appreciate your help.
(MN: Yep - the exact same ones I was referring to. Excellent resources. They make you virtually pimp proof. )
Hi Sibling (walkbyf8th): I LOVE IT—siblings—I love it!
You said: “here’s a pic of the book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Exhaustive-Concordance-Hebrew-Aramaic-Dictionaries/dp/0879811978/sr=11-1/qid=1171388317/ref=sr_11_1/104-6898258-7827912”
This is the one! Robert L. Thomas, TH.D is the General Editor and it has the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Dictionaries. O Happy Day! You’ll love it too. HLAM, Beryle
Recently (1/07) purchased “The Strongest Strongs” concordance (at Barnes and Noble). Appears to be pretty good reading/research supplement for study in the Word…..Love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Strongest-Strongs-Exhaustive-Concordance-Bible/dp/0310233437
Good post, Melvin. Here’s an example of how this method of interpretation can be applied to pretty much any text: Mary had a little lamb. … You see, Mary, which comes from Hebrew “Miriam,” means “sea of bitterness” and “rebellious.”
Mary was tending sheep, but she was strugglin’ with bitterness and hatred, which manifested itself as rebellion. The problem is that God had given Mary a lamb. Now the dictionary tells me that one meaning of the word lamb is “a person who is easily cheated or outsmarted, esp. an inexperienced speculator.”
So, this wasn’t a real sheep–no, it was a person, a “lamb-like” person. [Slap your neighbor and say “lamb-like”.] Now, Mary was responsible for this inexperienced person, and also, we can see that this person was “little”. Now the dictionary tells me that “little” can also mean “amusingly small.” You see, this person Mary was responsible for was blessed with joy–he was amusing to Mary. [Slap somebody and tell them you’re amused right now, bless God.]
Now, this amusing and inexperienced person Mary was responsible for was in possession of a fleece–bless God, not just any fleece, but a white fleece. Now my dictionary tells me that “white” can mean “morally pure; innocent.”
Glory. Now, was this really a fleece? Well, my dictionary tells me that the word fleece means “to deprive of money or belongings by fraud, hoax, or the like; swindle”. Now, while we’re on that topic, I need you to reach into your wallets and release a divine transference of wealth that will launch you into a new dimension of prophetic prosperity. [Slap somebody and say “prophetic prosperity.] …
(MN: You better copyright this before one of the pimps sees it and uses it in his next sermon. )
Eucatastrophe: I agree in earnest w/”Meville.” This is a jewel. In fact I’m printing/saving for posterity just as soon as my sides stop hurting!
:-) 
B
LOL I’d best move to the next chair before folks start slapping each other. The exit door is probably a safer bet!
LOL!!!Somebody throw some oil on this brother. You Crazy!!!
It is a shame that John K. Jenkins did not use scripture that actually fits the point he was trying to make. He abused the words of Christ and poisoned the view his congregation will have of Martha.
If he had based such a sermon on scripture like Acts 8:9-24 it seems to me that would have worked so much better and been a sound sermon, from what you’ve mentioned.
But what do I know? I don’t have the titles, big church and people giving me money in the name of “Jesus”. I’m just hoping to be a big fool for Christ, that reads the Bible and attempts formulate my own thoughts based on that. Since it’s my own soul I’ll have to account for.
(MN: Another effective one would have been Ananias and Sapphira. But I don’t think the objective here is to be effective. After all, that would have brought conviction and discomfort. This way he gets to sound like he’s serious and still be entertaining, requiring nothing of the listeners. )
Melvin said, “then insert into the Scripture the meaning they want it to have.” You said, “He abused the words of Christ and poisoned the view his congregation”. Good points.
Unfortunately, that’s a normal practice of all Eternal Security and Calvinists teachers. They commit what’s called “eisegesis” of scripture. That means to read into a text something that is NOT there. That’s why false doctrines have so-called “proof text”. The average church member lacks the discernment needed to recognize misuse of scriptures.
False teachers never prove anything other than their ability to continuously MISINTERPRET the bible.
Melvin are you listening to Jenkins sermons in hope of finding defects? If you are, I underestimated your purpose. If you are no longer a member, why devote so much time to him. I mean your website is the church’s name. I guess I was wrong about who you really are!
(MN:
1. Do I listen hoping to find defects? No, I listen hoping to see improvement. Alas, I have been terribly disappointed over the last 6 years. His preaching is as childish (lacking in content) as it was when I left.)
2. Why do you devote some much time to him? He gets no more time than the rest of the pimps. This is the first posting dedicated to him in quite a while. And even then, I apply what I say about him to the rest of the pimps.
3. I mean, your website is the church’s name. Check the address in the little box at the top of your browser. You will see that the site name is Pulpit-pimps.org. My vastly overpriced webmaster grabbed several other domain names (fbcglenarden.com being one). When you type in those names, your browser is taken to my site - which is named Pulpit-pimps.org.
I have no idea who you thought I was. I’ve always been Melvin Jones. Well, a while back I was Arthur Blythe Pennington III. But generally, I’ve always been Melvin Jones. )
I typed in fbcglenarden.com by mistake and got this site! I am looking for a new church and I have been there to visit and I like it! Your crazy!
You mean “You’re” = You + are
Sorry, I was typing fast.
Maybe it wasn’t a mistake. Is it a coincidence that you are just now looking for a church, pick Glenarden, then come across a site warning you against it using the very words of the pastor??
Good Grief!! Does Jesus have to actually come down and stand behind the pastor during the sermon and make devil horns behind John’s head??
(MN: I almost choked when I imagined that. )
lmao. Maybe we should build all of these wof/prosperity people an ark and let them float away.
Sorry, no mistake, I like the church and I want to give the church a chance. I want to figure things out for myself. I’m no puppet!
(MN: An excellent decision. You should indeed decide for yourself. Um, what exactly are you going to use to make that decision? You know he has T. Dexter Jakes as his mentor. And you know the stuff Jakes “stands” for. You also know John has had, and still has dealings with other Word of Faith preachers. So what, exactly, are you looking for and how will you know it when you see it? )
2007…..seek the Lord. Ask him to reveal what it is that needs to be known, and for the wisdom and courage to stand, when needed.
All too often we go into matters in our own strength and wisdom….looking for something “right” to be said.
That will come early and often….but just continue to examine the scriptures (for yorself) and these matters will come to light…the more you feed yourself and resist on being dependent on being spoon fed as many do.
Just think about it, when we have eaten something sweet….and then turn around and eat something substantial…the sweet aftertaste remains……so the “healthy” food doesn’t appeal to us with the sweet aftertatse remaining with us, but the sugary food continues to have its appeal.
Like Neil said….there are great “health” risks associated with a bad diet. There needs to be no balance…..pray for more meat & milk of the Word, not melting ice cream.
Thats funny!
How hard do you think one has to search to find the errors and distortions?? Trust me, it isn’t time consuming at all if you have even a passing acquaintance with the Word.
Now, the REAL question is………..how come YOU don’t see it, or if you DO see it, why are you still there??
Oh no here you go again hating on John K.!! He is a excellent preacher and you just mad at his prosperity just as you are of all the other so called pimps. Hey do me a favor and look up the word pimp in your concordance. Hater!!! Go John Go!!!
(MN: I did. The Interlinear Greek-English dictionary says the following:
The Greek word PIMPONITICUS is tranlated as pimp in both the Septuagint Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the original Greek the word means:
1. Any one who makes money off of women who have sex for pay
2. To walk with a slight, yet smooth motion, usually involving a slight rotation of the shoulders and an exaggerated or stylized limp on either leg.
3. Any pastor who makes Scripture say what he wants it to say and who place himself in a position to benefit financially from the inate stupidity of the congregation.
Now, you can either take my word for it the way you do with John, or you can check it out yourself, the way you should with John or any other preacher. )
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!!
(MN: Yes! I’m glad you realize that!!! Now if only you could see that his henchmen are liars as well.
By the way, is “The devil is a liar!” a standard “haven’t a clue” response? It doesn’t really seem to address anything contained in the posting or the comments made in response to the posting. )
“The devil is a liar!” is the standard response that I have chosen to address your entire rhetoric. You choose your words skillfully and deliberately, but you speak not of the Truth.
By the way, do you know what the Truth is?
(MN: The response doesn’t address anything. It simply makes a statement. If you are saying I am lying, it would be more useful to tell me what I have said that is not true than making a thoughtless shout.
Truth - stating that that which is is.
Or, in the words of Jesus, talking to the Father - Thy Word is truth. )
If he supports the Pimps, he couldn’t really be more than JoggingfromSin…………trotting really.
Perhaps a BriskStrollfromSin??
Nothing to do with doctrine but what is up with the Mardi Gras costumes and backround? I was so close to New Orleans that I can spot that Mardi Gras spirit in a minute.
……”A word of advice: Any time a teacher tells you “in the Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic this word means…” take note and when you get home, look it up. If what he says isn’t supported by the tool, call him on it. It’s possible he made a mistake and you would be doing him a favor with the feedback. Remember, it’s not that hard to get this stuff right. And if the teacher/preacher is not willing to do even the easiest part of study and sermon/lesson preparation, it’s likely the person will eventually lead you astray”…..
Excellent advice. Berean Church, anyone?
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The Apostle Paul’s words were not above reproach, and he wrote 2/3 of the New Testament. Let that be an example of ALL men.
GRID: This is excellent advice for all members of God’s family especially. We, and those outside the Body of Christ, do well to remember that all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. BTW, if any of you siblings of mine catch error in my under-standing and relaying of ANY part of the Word,
p-u-h-l-e-a-s-e correct me with the Word immediately! Afterall, I’m hear to listen, learn, do, and share. Luv ya’ B
Amen, Beryle. You are correct on that. None of us are above reproach.
(Beryle: “BTW, if any of you siblings of mine catch error in my under-standing and relaying of ANY part of the Word,
p-u-h-l-e-a-s-e correct me with the Word immediately! Afterall, I’m hear to listen, learn, do, and share. Luv ya’ B”)
Trust me, Mrs. Beryle, that won’t be a problem…..and the same standard would go for the rest of us as well! Later, Oracle….
Only thing is most of these people have been so brainwashed by their leaders, they are too afraid to challenge them. I remember challenging my ministers board in the C.O.G.I.C. on the subject of tongues, and the subject of eternal security. I was almost burned at the stake, the funny thing was most of the ministers I served barely had surface knowledge of scripture, and their study consisted of listening to whatever our pastor said on sunday. So we need to educate the people on how not to be afraid to stand for truth over anything else.
binks
Who are you to question and pull apart piece by piece a person’s sermon or teaching? This is definitely not God behind this.
(MN: I am Melvin Jones, child of God, same as you (except of course your name is Shaking My Head.) And just like me, you have a responsibility to “pull apart piece by piece a person’s sermons or teaching. God seemed to think an awful lot of the Bereans, so why would say God is not behind it? Take a look at Acts 17:11 which says:
So what indication is there that God disapproved of what the Bereans did?)
TO Shaking my head:
Acts 18:24-26—Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; AND HE WAS MIGHTY IN THE SCRIPTURES. (25) This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; (26) and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aqui8lla [Melvin Jones] heard him, they took him aside and explained to him [the Body of Christ] the way of God MORE ACCURATELY.
2 Timothy 3:16-17—ALL Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; (17) that the man of God may be adequate, equipped FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.
Any blind man/woman can see from these Scriptures and Galatians 2:11-14, that God is indeed “behind” the earnest and honest teaching of HIS word. He instructed HIS family, through Apostle Paul AND Melvin Jones AND the Bereans AND whosoever will to try the spirits—question and pull apart—”a person’s sermon or teaching.” These sermons/teachings usually are NOT mighty in the Scriptures but just that—a PERSON’S sermon or teaching, NOT what thus says the Lord. Please study to show yourself approved unto God before you blindly criticize Someone Else’s servant.
You and Wacksite must be part of the pastor’s loyalty-screw. So which service do you attend on Sundays, huh?
If you were spiritually birthed in FBCG, you won’t know any better. Even if that wasn’t your spiritual initiation point, it doesn’t matter. Once you receive errors, your mind gets programmed to accept whatever Pastor says. I know people who went there indoctrinated one way and changed their beliefs to the way of ERROR!
You’ll continue believing everything you hear and miss the boat.
Melvin, only a person who hangs on every word of the pastor instead of what the word of God says, would say something crazy like that. God reponse from you and Beryl.
Hello Melvin Jones. I’d like to say that I’m definitely not the average Christian and have never taken anything at face-value. I have been disappointed by some clergy and the lack of what I believe to be authentic teachings and/or a true, righteous lifestyle by those in church leadership. I thank you for being as fastidious as you’ve been (at least from what I see so far) in picking out the truth and untruth, however vulture-like it may seem. It does concern me slightly, however, as another person of high intelligence, which it seems you are, that you almost annihilate others with your well-versed and clear answers. My question to you, if you don’t mind, is what do you choose to accomplish with this. Is there a higher level to be reached once we realize we’ve been possibly funding some who are manipulating the word of God to their advantage. As I ever search to enlighten myself mentally and spiritually, I find your tenacity for truth refreshing. I would love to speak with you more, via email, message board or whatever. I was attempting to open FBCG’s web site, but instead somehow came here. I have to wonder why?
Miss Theresa
(MN: You ended up here because you typed in http://www.fbcglenarden.com. I own the name and my vastly overpriced webmaster arranged for that name to come to http://www.pulpit-pimps.org. I tried to get dot coms for some of the other pimps but they had already covered themselves.
My primary purpose in the site is two fold: expose the pimps and equip people like you to escape them. I don’t try to warn the pimps because my experience with some of them is that they don’t want to be warned. They know exactly what they are doing.
You have my e-mail. )
Go John Go!!! And I think you should check out some of the people who are commenting on here Melvin such as GSRH he says “lmao” do you know what that means? Maybe you should look that up so you can tell people about his or her foul mouth!! Go John Go!! He is a excellent preacher!! So are a lot of the others on here!! Not all of them are good but I can stand up for John k. He is the man!!! hate if you want I don’t care!!
(MN: IMAO means, according to Wikipedia, In My Arrogant Opinion. Why is this so foul? Actually, John is at his best, a second rate preacher. When I first arrived at FBCG he was trying to be a conservative preacher and he did a fair job or it. Sure he had some weaknesses here and there. Who doesn’t? But once the church moved to the present location, he fell in with the WoF pimps rather quickly, starting with Tim Storey and ending up with T. Dexter as his “mentor.” He even tried to defend Benny Hinn when Hinn made the cover of Christianity Today for his heresies.
Financially, John is certanly a winner. Theologically, I fear he is a loser, and not a very interesting one at that. And unfortunately, when he faces Jesus Christ at the Bema Seat of Judgment (assuming he is actually saved), he will have to give an account for his behavior and choices.
Tell you what, if you can get to your pastor, ask him is he wants to write a posting for this site, explaining why he does the things he does. Oh wait - you have to put in at least 6 months ahead of time for an appointment to see him. Okay, then go to one of his ministers, reverends, elders, or deacons and see if any of them are able to put together a posting defending his behavior and teachigns. However, I would advise you not to hold your breath waiting for it to happen. I doubt any of them have the stones [not even the females], to actually try to defend his foolishness. Go John! Go! [Which of course is interestingly similar to “Run Forrest! Run!])
First of all he is a she (naturally). Secondly, I don’t pretend to be something that I am not. Thirdly, LM*O
(MN: My mistake. That WAS an “L” and not an “I”. GSRH, censor yourself please. )
Dag Melvin, I do tense a little anger and jealously. First Baptist Church of Glenarden has lot of members I hear, and I don’t think that 10,000 people are that stupid! This man has 5 services on Sunday, count it 5. What’s up with that! I agree with Wacksite, Go Jenkins, Go. Any man that can preach 5 times on a Sunday has my respect. The members love him and he is highly respected.
(MN: And 100 billion flies eat dung. That doesn’t make dung eating a good thing to do. The Crystal Cathedral has thousands of members. So does Saddleback. So does Creflo. In fact, Cref has a huge church in Atlanta and another group in New York. Fred Price has a church in Los Angeles and a little something on the East Coast. Hilliard has several churches all around Houston. They are still pimps and the people who follow them are pimped. Stakes within Mormonism vary anywhere from 400 to 1200 people. And don’t forget, a couple of thousand people followed Jim Jones. Over a thousand followed him to Guyana. Almost a thousand followed hiim (some kicking and screaming) into death. Scientolgy has bunches of members. But it’s still a bogus system. Again, numbers don’t count. What is important is what the preacher preaches, not how many people are dumb enough to follow him. )
“Gain is godliness.”
1 Tim 6:5-8
5) Perverse (useless) disputings of men **of corrupt minds, and destitute (without) of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (Withdraw - meaning leave from them)
**of corrupt - (Gr. “diaphtheiro” - to change for the worse, to corrupt minds, or morals, to destroy, to ruin, of the WORM or MOTH that eats provisions, clothing, etc.)
6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7) For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.
9) But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful LUSTS, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Gain is NOT godliness, in fact it is the exact opposite. It leads to discontentment and a stronger, more insatiable lust (as the Word states)…..it leads men to (eventual) DROWNING in destruction and perdition.
How can so many be wrong? Jesus was left practically alone when being led to the cross, accused by a HUGE crowd, were they correct?
The children of Israel were against Moses time in and time out while wandering in the wilderness, were they correct?
Jobs closest friends all assessed that some from of sin was a result of his suffering. Were they correct? What appeared before them was atrocious, so it had to be Job’s sin…right?
A Pastor/Elder/Overseer should have your respect for FAR more than merely preaching 5 services on a Sunday. How many offerings per service is that? Hmmm….some good math needs to be done here.
For a possible agenda in raising more money to pay for the huge structure, what would anyone else do? Contrast this to a workaholic. Hey, if I needed to pay for some matters, I could put in the extra time to account for the need.
There may be a severe agenda you are overlooking. You are there first hand, so it is time to examine. If you choose to remain in the state you are in with eyes closed, the true allegiance is being revealed. To man, not God. Ask God to reveal, and be prepared for results….if that is what you really desire to see and know.
Is he training you to stand on the meat and not the milk of the Word of God?
Are you scanning the Word and not examining it for what it says vs. what you are being taught?
1 Timothy 5:11 sums the matter up:
But thou, O man of God, {FLEE} these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
The instruction is to flee the matters of 1 Tim 5:5-10….and follow after that which is spoken of in 1 Tim 5:11 .
If that is not present where you are being taught…the commandment is to flee.
Gee Melvin, XYZ sounds blind to me!
The greatest amount and most dangerous FALSE teachings stem from the large and mega size churches. The perfect examples are Charles Stanley, Jakes, and the prosperity/WOF preachers.
Pastor Jenkins is NOT a prophet of God. Yet for the sake of example, I’ll relate pastors to the passage in Luke. In Luke 6:26, the bible said false prophets were popular and were well thought of. Therefore, pastors can draw crowds and become popular (even though their biblical teachings are incorrect).
This is the era whereby people have “itching ears”. “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; [2 Timothy 4:3]
People are often drawn to large churches not by the spirit of God but by their ITCHING EARS. You’d be surprised by the number of people attracted to popular ministers because of their usage of humor.
If they totally dropped the humor and preached REPENTANCE non-stop (as Jesus instructed), their churches wouldn’t be half as large.
TO Truth Hurts: You said “If they totally dropped the humor and preached REPENTANCE non-stop (as Jesus instructed), their churches wouldn’t be half as large.”
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Again, I say one cannot preach or teach what one does not know. These wolves don’t truly KNOW God’s word! Why? The Bible says it’s because THEY have closed their own eyes, and THEY have stopped their own ears to the truth! These false profits would rather be a SIGN (stench in God’s nostrils) to their stupid defenders and followers than to send up the sweet aroma of God’s word back to Him who freely gave it.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 says it best—Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
Back up now….what was up with Charles Stanley?
Hey Melvin, that statement doesnt even warrant a response. If the mark of a man of God is how many members he has, then lets not forget the new man on the block mr. miranda himself, who calls himself Jesus, or better the anti Jesus, yet he has thousands of followers, and they are tattooing themselves, So surely he has to be a mand of gawd, Immature christians drive me crazy..
That’s the dumbest marker for a man of God. No christian worth his salt would ever make that statement, knowing church history, Knowing the bible said that in the last days that man would rather believe a lie than the truth, and that they would heap unto themselves teachers.
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 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;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
I dont know how many times this passage of scripture has to be posted before these people will listen, it’s just crazy, and why do people have to be jealous, just because they point out faulty teaching. That is so immature.
Here is another, soak these up people.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Wake up people, the bible didnt put this stuff in there to be a more entertaining book. It’s happening before you, and you can’t even see it.
binks
Melvin:
I don’t know who you are, but you are a one “sharp brother”. (MN: Take a look at the “About Me” page to the right of these postings. I attended FBC Glenarden for about seven years, taught in the Bible Institute and even taught Bible study on a couple of Tuesdays. My wife and one of my kids ended up staying as well. ) I HAD been attending FBCG since I was 14-yrs old (I am now 40).
About 5 years ago, I too noticed the lack of spiritual content in John’s teachings, you can feel it in your bones that a lot of the stuff he is saying doesn’t make sense. It’s so obvious. My entire family still goes except me (although I did go to see Jeffrey Johnson on the Sunday before last). I have been looking for another church (because I, like many others, have been told that if you don’t go to church, you will go to hell) but am afraid that I will find more of the same thing. They all seem to hang together. (Like Jeffrey Johnson said last week “all dogs hang in packs”).
Anyway, I just want to let you know that I support everything you are saying and am very proud to see that you have started this site. I am not one of the “new” members at FBCG, I am an “old head”. I was around when we were at the little church down the street, so no hating here.
Side note…I believe that most of the people that attend FBCG of Glenarden are good people, but they are on some kind of status thing. They, like many other PG county folks and black folk period like to kinda throw around the fact that they are members, like it’s the “in place” to be. Forgetting all about their souls. It’s sad
hi mel, just reading your response to ws- reminded me of a former congregation i was once a “member” of. the pastor was so dictatorial and acted as if he was The Man. he would belittle the other men and bash them as being so weak ( which obviously they were since none of them had the -let’s see, how’d you and gary put it, the stones, the ‘nads. i prefer heart-yes, heart is a better choice for me) so anyhoo, none of the men had the heart to confront him for fear of being excoriated from the pulpit. he once blasted the male ushers for not marching right during the offering. it was so humiliating to see these men being scolded by another man for something as trivial as marching! he made them go back to where they started and do the march all over. he explained to the visitors that the men know how to do the march right ( the head usher deviated a little, and instead of marching very fast- he slowed it down a bit to a 2-step- no biggie) it was so petty for the pastor to call them on that.
i said all this to say, that when you mentioned that the elders, deacons etc. at fbcg defend their pastor instead of challenge him, it just makes me wonder why are these men willingly becoming eunuchs to their pastors. so afraid to stand up to them for what’s right. why do they stay? why is it so hard for them to leave?
(MN: When I spoke with a couple of them, they said they were there because their wives liked it. )
That is interesting. This appears to be a strategy (at least from what I have viewed of many Black Preachers) in which they encourage the women to extreme levels, the men (once they are regulated) are kept in the box.
The men wouldn’t dare leave the women (their wives, etc) behind for fear of losing them totally. They have already been placed in submission by allowing the women to freely express themselves outside of the bounds in which God ordains husband and wife, male and female.
The problem is that God’s order is not being upheld because there are other ($$$, power, recognition, esteem - men believing they are “gods”) motivations at hand.
God’s laws are not grievous. Man’s interpretations of it are. If we walked in childlike submission in God’s ordained order, then much confusion would not exist. Many “ministries” would not exist. Many wealthy individuals would not exist.
For reasons such as this is why we have so many storefront churches, so many churches preaching messgaes to appease individuals. No submission. In turn we have become as rebels prancing around as Christians. Is this the way God set it to be?
But yet, scripture must be fulfilled. God always has a remnant….in every time there has been one. The cause for alarm should not be above being remotely shocked.
God’s standard shall be established in those whom really love him.
who is really leading the people astray melvin or pastor jenkins? melvin says u have 2 set an app. to see pastor. pastor jenkins preaches 5 sermons every sunday and stays after each services so that he can answer any questions or concerns.
after bible study there’s at least 4 mics setup 4 anybody to question pastor. furthermore his sermons are now live on the internet ever week. if any person having a problem about what pastor jenkins is preaching and teaching why not confront him at one of these appointed times? this includes u 2 melvin, or is it easier to hide behind your computer and make these wild accusations?
people often calls melvin a liar and responds by saying show me the lie. i just showed u 1 melvin, he is approachable. when melvin left the church his family stayed including his wife. but im goin leave that 1 alone because a lot can b said about that. she rather follow pastor jenkins 2 hell than 2 follow her husband 2 where ever he is going.
melvin predicted 1st lady would be co pastor by now, what happen melvin? melvin you ever thought about what will happen 2 u if you just happen 2 be wrong about he man,the questions u would have 2 answer?
if u have really been called 2 this work why not grow some balls and approach the man your self, or grow some balls and tell your wife that mess aint comin in my house. and 2 anybody else who reads this, listen 2 pasor your self, not looking 4 wrong but how u 2 can b changed and if u here something wrong do what u think is right 2 do.
(MN: First thing - you really have 2 work on your anger issues…and your capitalization skills.
Actually, I used 2 talk 2 him after service. However, I generally didn’t want 2 say or ask things that would embarass him in front of folks. But not only that, there simply is not enough time 2 pursue anything. Remember, you get 2 stand in line for twenty minutes before you actually get 2 talk 2 him. And how much of a diagreement do you really want 2 have in front of the other folks milling around?
The last time we talked he made it clear that he was not interested in principal, only control. And this is to the detriment of my wife. I believe I commented on this when another fellow brought up the fact that my wife still attends FBC Glenarden.
We met a couple of times at lunch. He again showed his poor grasp of Scripture. Our disucssions usually ended with his limp-wristed declaration that “we just interpret Scripture differently. Besides, I’ve been ministering for 25 years.”
The microphone thing is a non-issue. The last time I saw someone disagree with him in public, not only did he work hard at minimizing the person, but the people in the auditorium behaved as if the person at the microphone was a cross between a child molester and a rapist.
Besides, don’t you and yours say we are supposed 2 correct a brother in private? Using one of the microphones, in front of the church, doesn’t seem 2 be much in the way of privacy.
And remember - the polite terms for mixed company are “‘nads” or “huevos”, not “balls”.
By the way, how were you changed? )
all this genitalia talk….
definitely a man thing.
lol
Is your wife still a member? Just wondering!
(MN: Yes, she is. In fact, she made a special effort to get out there this morning to attend the grand opening. Why do you ask? )
Are you still so blindly ignorant of the Bible that you defend this guy, even giving your cash to support his monument to himself?? Never mind. We know.
(MN: Folks, please note that Wacksite stopped talking about the bad doctrine. She has moved on to things that aren’t even peripheral issues. )
Oh wow all you have to say to GSRH is censor yourself please. Well what does that say about you as the leader or head of this site. You speak of how these preachers preach bad doctrine well what does that say about what you are teaching. You clearly should have more word then just “censor yourself please” come on Melvin tear into her like you do al of the other pimps. I don’t go to FBCG I have been there before and I loved it. The next time I am in the area I will go there again. Thirdly you claim that these preachers are taking the saints money. Just because you think they live rich and healthy lives. I didn’t know that was a sin. I mean they may be rich in your eyes but who is to say that it is rich and that they are taking the peoples money. You may be considered as rich to me. I mean what makes it rich the car, the house, the clothes, or what? Secondly I can defend Pastor Jenkins because he is none of what you speak of him on here. Ok maybe you didn’t like some of the people that he let come and speak. But He definately is not about money. Never have I ever heard him say “go into your pocket and get a $70.00 seed.” Never he will push you to pay tithes but then again that is in the bible. The problems you have with John I think are personal and you try to make it seem as though they are not by tearing into everything he does. If you go to FBCG everyone benefits from the church. Not just the pastor. And you said that I would have to give a 6 months notice to talk to him. Well I don’t believe that it is the pastors job to meet and talk to everyone and there mama. That is almost impossible. Even Jesus didn’t get his hands on everyone. But at that church they have many people in place to help out with whatever needs people have. They are not perfect and again no church is perfect but you are just being a little rediculous about him and some of these other people you speak of on here. I am going to try to get a copy of the message that you speak of on here… wait a min no I am not I believe John is on point and he may have many flaws just as we all do “GSRH” but he is only human but for the job that he does he does a great job at doing it. Holla at me with your rediculous response…
Melvin knows that I am mature enough to bridle my tongue when appropriate. I have many flaws and I work on them. Melvin, I give you permission to cut off my access to TBN for a month as a form of punishment. That’ll teach me.
The fact is, lm-o is simply a universal acrostic for laughing on the ‘net. It’s seen so much that it’s easy to forget what the particular letters stand for.
It’s not like he’s supporting pimps and Bible twisters like………….YOU Wacksite.
Wacksite. Now, you stated that …..
“But He definately is not about money. Never have I ever heard him say “go into your pocket and get a $70.00 seed.”
Whay would he have to say it? His mere association with TD Jakes (a Oneness Pentecostal Preacher) and Jakes statement of AIDS not being in the Bible, & a “dumbfounded” approach when queried on the radio by a Muslim woman of whom will go to heaven …….
….”When it comes to Heaven, I try to leave that up to God. I certainly believe that Christianity is right, but when it comes down to the final test–who goes and who doesn’t go–Jesus said, Other sheep have I who are not of this fold. Them also must I bring. I’ll let Him identify who those sheep are and I stay out of the conversation.”
(http://doctrinematters.blogspot.com/2006/05/td-jakes-and-joel-osteen-on-heaven.html)
(http://www.gcts.edu/ockenga/semlink/bb/viewtopic.php?pid=18824)
Now, according to the Word of God what are we to do? Have fellowship with individuals who blaspheme the Lord’s own words? This scripture is obviously speaking of Gentile believers in addition to Jews.
What would be fruitful in regard to the mere association with an individual such as he? Not only that, but allowing him to speak to your congregation? He is obviously not a novice, he has been at this for a while.
2 Peter 2:2
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
The truth (God’s Word) being spoken evil of (stating that God may have missed AIDS, essentially that the Bible is not sufficient to deal with it).
Who is right, God’s Word or man’s word?
TD’s (see no evil, hear no evil) approach keeps him relevant. Men want to attain the same. So if Mr. Jenkins calls this man his “mentor”, then there is much that you don’t know that he knows you aren’t aware of, nor desiring to see for yourself.
In Revelation…the end times….the church of Laodicea will be in bed with the government. TD is apart of an “inter-faith” council for the world..
And to clear the matter, I don’t know John K. Jenkins. The reference here is with regard to to a man in whom would confide in TD as a role model, or “mentor”. So for the record, the impression for never having seen or heard the man is already tainted, but yet his mere association with TD paints an OBVIOUS picture. RUN AWAY.
If I may, Grid, might wish to add that the need for caution in veryfing we’re following the right teachers/leaders is because will go no farther than they do.
Luke 6:39-40
39He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Ms. Wacksite, to say that one’s doctrine/teaching is inconsequential is no small matter. Have you considered what Matthew 15:13-14 says?
The Pharisees (considered “Men of God” in their time) CHALLENGED the Lord because of what they perceived to be erroneous judgement (Matthew 15:1-2)
They acted very religious, claiming honor for God with words, knowing much about the Lord (as many preachers/teachers do today), studying Scripture, and doing much good in the community.
That, however, didn’t matter in God’s Eyes because their hearts were not right with the Lord/His Ways (Matthew 15:3-9)…..Blind to the truth they were, and Jesus made it very clear that anyone who listened to their teaching would risk becoming the same.
The standard still hasn’t changed…..
CHARACTER AND the CONTENT of their Teaching, not their CHARISMA ALONE, is the basis for credibility before God (Concerning Jenkins/Jakes, though I don’t know them personally, the content of their public actions are enough for concern)
All must verify that those we listen to/learn from are possess good spiritual eyesight……that is, those who teach and follow the principles of Scripture. To question/give thought is wise on our parts (Proverbs 14:8, Proverbs 14:15)
Doing otherwise is dangerous……and to even tolerate someone choosing to “Bless Mess” would mean we’re sharing in the damage they do (II John 1:7-11)
Pray it helps it helps a bit, ma’am…….
Excuse me Wacksite. You are delusional. I can see your alliance is with men. You would much rather defend mortal men than contend for the Faith as the bible instructed us too. Can I ask you a question? Are you a student of the Word?
It’s pretty obvious to most it seems like with you and others. If it sounds good it is good. It grieves me to see that majority of the church in this day are looking for a tickle me, feel good or goose bump experience. You can never evaluate the work of a “Pastor” by the number of members or services he has on Sunday. Paul said he counted his worth in ministry in bonds and afflictions. Where is the suffering or humility in Christ that He talk about and His True Apostles? Many of the so-called superstars or stuporstars in the Modern Church brag of their prominence and wealth. It’s people like yourself who help give them an arena to serve their poison. I assure if you study the Word in it’s entirety and get a fruitful understanding the scales will by the Will of God be remove from you eyes. I’m praying you and others like you. Let the Word of God be our final authority
Wacksite: You are not interested in the truth. Your words sound very immature. You post here like a little child rambling with kids in a street fight. Jenkins is a grown man let him defend himself. He’ll never spend this much time defending you.
Go read the Bible. Come back with scripture to defend the doctrine of Jenkins and the people you believe teach the word of God. Nobody really cares that you “like him.” Get in the word and come out of the rain.
(MN: I’ll give her a couple more postings - assumingthey aren’t too long. I hope you folks notice that the defense of John is on a purely emotional level, no discussion of facts or the real issues. If you have people in places like FBC Glenarden, you have to recognize that they are