October | 2020 | PEACEMAKERS

This morning I listened to a sermon online. The message was about judging our brethren in Christ, and speaking a word of correction in love.

1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

In a nutshell the sermon was about not being condemning or pharisaical when we minister to one another. We should minister in love, humility and brokenness.

2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

So far so good.

But then the pastor spoke about the recent announcement by Pope Francis regarding same sex civil unions. He said at first he was upset when he heard about it, but after speaking with one of the other pastors he calmed down. Later in the sermon he mentioned a book about Pope Francis, and he said that the Pope was a very compassionate man, and maybe Pope Francis would see something in him, the pastor, that needed correction. I was grieved. How can an Evangelical pastor say such things when Pope Francis preaches a counterfeit gospel. Why not tell the people that Rome preaches a counterfeit soul damning gospel?

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

This was the first time I heard this pastor preach, and although the pastor did say the Pope doesn’t have a lot of truth I felt there was a subtle validation of Roman Catholicism in the pastor’s sermon. And while it certainly is true that we are to pray for all and to minister in love, I believe the example he gave regarding Pope Francis was inappropriate, ambiguous and a subtle twisting of Scriptural truth. It sends a very wrong and dangerous message. I know that if my dad were alive and listening he would probably have taken the sermon as an encouragement to continue in Rome. My dad knew that Billy Graham had no problem with Rome, and that was a hindrance when I witnessed to my father.

Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

People need clarity from the pastors and they’re not getting much of that these days of rampant ecumenism.

1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

My Sunday morning sermon disturbed my spirit. I said to my husband, after all these years of knowing about the ecumenism in the Evangelical church it still bothers me when I hear such things. He said, you need to worry when it stops bothering you.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Our Evangelical churches, for the most part, are compromised.

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.