The Church in Truth

 

Brothers and sisters, I need to say something that may feel heavy, but I say it because I love the body of Messiah.

When we talk about the messiness of ministry, we cannot treat it like an abstract idea. Scripture does not treat it abstractly. It addresses it directly, and so must we.

The Torah establishes Shabbat clearly in Exodus 20:8–11. The seventh day. Not the first. Not a flexible substitute. The seventh. It is called holy because God sanctified it. Leviticus 23:3 calls it a holy convocation. A gathering. On the seventh day. Shabbat. Not the first day of the week called “Sunday”

So when we move that rhythm aside for convenience or tradition, we have to be honest about what we are doing. We are adjusting what God established. Whether we inherited that adjustment or defended it later, it is still an adjustment. That should sober us. Because once we teach that one command may be reinterpreted, we subtly teach that others may be as well.

That is not an accusation. It is an observation. And it deserves examination.

Now let me speak to shepherds and teachers, because Scripture does.

James 3:1 says teachers will be judged more strictly. That verse should never be skimmed over. It should make anyone who stands behind a pulpit pause. Teaching is not a platform for personality. It is stewardship of truth.

Ezekiel 34 rebukes shepherds who feed themselves instead of the flock. That passage exists for a reason. God cares deeply about how leaders handle His people. If leadership becomes self-protective, image-driven, or financially indulgent, something has shifted from service to self-interest.

And that brings us to money.

The Torah gives structure to the tithe in Numbers 18 and Deuteronomy 14:28–29. Provision for Levites. Care for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. It was never designed to elevate leaders into luxury. It was designed to sustain ministry and protect the vulnerable.

So when modern churches handle large sums of money, transparency is not optional. Accountability is not distrust. It is biblical stewardship. If giving is sacred, then handling those funds must be equally sacred.

In the New Testament, 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us giving is to be voluntary and cheerful, not coerced. That alone should eliminate all the manipulation I’ve seen and heard. And Acts 5 reminds us that dishonesty surrounding offerings is not treated lightly by God.

We cannot preach generosity while resisting transparency.

Now I want to turn toward the congregation as well.

Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans because they examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what they were being taught was true. They did not outsource discernment. They did not assume correctness. They searched.

If false doctrine spreads today, it is not only because teachers distort. It is also because listeners do not test.

When prosperity is emphasized without obedience…
When blessing is promised without repentance…
When grace is presented without holiness…

We must ask: is this consistent with the whole counsel of Scripture?

Galatians 1:6–9 shows Paul taking doctrinal distortion seriously. That is not divisive. That is protective. Truth guards the family.

Conflict in church does not surprise me. Scripture is full of it. Paul and Barnabas disagreed. Peter was corrected publicly. The Corinthian church was fractured. Messiness is not new.

But there is a difference between human weakness and institutional compromise.

Human weakness confesses and grows. Institutional compromise defends itself.

If we are going to speak honestly about reform, it begins with humility. Not outrage. Not rebellion. Humility.

We must be willing to ask:

Are we honoring what is written? God
Or are we defending what is familiar? Mankind

Are we stewarding resources according to biblical priorities? God
Or according to modern expectations? Mankind

Are we testing teaching by Scripture? God
Or by how it makes us feel? Mankind

This is not about attacking the church. I love the church. Messiah gave Himself for her. That alone should make us careful how we handle her.

But love does not ignore drift.

In 2 Kings 22, when the Book of the Law was rediscovered, Josiah did not excuse the nation. He tore his garments. Not because he hated Israel. Because he realized they had wandered.

That is the posture we need. Not defensiveness. Not denial. Reverent examination. Reform is not loud. It is thorough. Awakening is not theatrical. It is personal.

If leaders return to trembling before Scripture…
If congregations return to searching Scripture…
If Shabbat is honored as written…
If stewardship reflects covenant care…

Then the church does not need rebranding. It will regain credibility through obedience.

The goal is not to win arguments; The goal is to align with what is written. And if that requires adjustment, then let us adjust. Not angrily. Not arrogantly. But faithfully. That is how discipline becomes restoration.

NOW… The HOW TO’S

 

1. Shabbat — Stop Playing Around - Worship on Shabbat (Saturday)

Do not call it flexible. Do not pretend it’s cultural. Stop substituting Sunday. Shabbat is from sundown Friday evening until sundown Saturday evening. Period!

  • Observe the seventh day, every week, without excuse.
     Exodus 20:8–11; Leviticus 23:3

  • Teach it clearly. Do not water it down. Do not say, “It’s the principle, not the day.” The principle is obedience. The day is commanded. 

  • Stop rewarding disobedience. If your flock complains, let the discomfort of truth shape them.
     Isaiah 58:13–14

Leaders: You cannot model casual observance. Your practice – your life - MUST match your preaching.

2. Tithes and Offerings — Stop Stealing God’s People

Stop hiding financial records. Stop your extravagant lifestyle funded by generosity that is meant for the poor, elderly and vulnerable.

  • Return tithes and offerings to their intended purpose. Levites (true pastors and teachers), widows, orphans, strangers.
     Numbers 18:21–24; Deuteronomy 14:28–29

  • Be transparent. Publish accounts. Let the people see where the money goes.
     Malachi 3:8–10; 1 Corinthians 4:2

  • Repent for mismanagement. Do not rationalize. Acts 5:1–11

Congregation: Stop giving to ministries that refuse accountability.

3. Doctrine — Stop Lying, Stop Compromising

False teaching is theft of souls.

  • Preach only what is in Scripture. Test every sermon and lesson.
     Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Jeremiah 23:16

  • Stop justifying compromise. “It’s for growth” is not acceptable.

  • Correct publicly when necessary. Galatians 2:11–14; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5

Congregation: Examine everything. Reject comfort in favor of truth.

 

4. Shepherding: to Pastors, Teachers — Stop Serving Yourself

Leaders, quit padding your ego. Quit seeking applause over obedience.

  • Feed the flock, do not feed yourself. Ezekiel 34:2–10

  • Tremble before teaching. James 3:1

  • Step aside if unaccountable. Accountability is obedience.

  • Do not protect reputation over the sheep. Protect the covenant.

Sheep: Pray for shepherds. Hold them accountable. Do not ignore deception.

 

5. The Flock — Stop Being Passive

You are not spectators.

  • Study Scripture yourself. Acts 17:11

  • Do not reward charisma over obedience.

  • Obey God over men.  Romans 3:4; Matthew 23:23

6. Discipline — Stop Softening the Word

  • Confront sin in your community. Matthew 18:15–17; Galatians 6:1

  • Reform practices that drift from Scripture. Stop excuses.

  • Restore covenant practices. Shabbat, tithes, doctrine, reverence.

Hosea 4:6 — Ignorance destroys.

 

7. The Heart — Stop Pretending

  • Examine motives. Pride, fear, comfort, greed — root them out.
     Psalm 139:23–24; 1 Corinthians 10:31

  • Return the opposite of what the church gave you. Fidelity, transparency, Scripture, vigilance.

8. The Outcome — Stop Accepting Lesser

  • Aim for covenant restoration. Reverence, obedience, humility, truth.
     Hebrews 12:28–29; John 13:35; 2 Corinthians 13:11

  • The remnant will awaken. Leadership will tremble. Sheep will grow in discernment.

God’s Word is not optional. His covenant is not negotiable. Follow these instructions. Stop softening them. Stop excusing them. Stop tolerating what God does not tolerate. Obedience is necessary and commanded.

I hope these messages and the artwork bless you. If so, please leave a comment! I look forward to hearing from you. I do not take credit for (most of) the pictures here on the TEACHINGS BLOG part. Those are either AI generated or found on free image sites on the web. However there are a couple that I personally did, and will be marked as such.The ones on the art pages, ARE work that I did myself.

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