Have The Preachers Been Seducing The Flock? by Larry W. Robinson
Today I am reposting comments from Larry W. Robinson’s Facebook page. My Pastor, Bishop John Fonzer, shared this with me and encouraged me to share this with my kleverkathy readers. Honestly, it didn’t take much convincing as I, a PK and church goer all my life, have heard every single one of these statements, and have experienced each and every one of the thoughts and emotions regarding the hyped up, sparkling promises preachers make to their eager audiences that Larry W. Robinson speaks about. I’m sure this will spark controversy as we all come to revelation and faith different ways and at different times in our walk. Sometimes popcorn and pink shoelace dreams are all that gets us through the hard times and valleys, but when reality of God, His methods and fulfillment of His promises sinks in, maybe we will all jump on the Larry W. Robinson bandwagon and require more of ourselves and less of God! (don’t take that the wrong way. Read on and you’ll understand what I mean)
Has this Preacher been “Seducing the Flock”? By Larry W. Robinson
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 9:46am
Ok, is it just me or are we hearing the same old sermons with different titles. Recently, and reluctantly, I went to a revival and for 5 nights I felt as though I’d heard the same sermon, but with different speakers and titles. And like clockwork people danced and shouted at these same old phrases:
“Your breakthrough is coming”
“You are next in line”
“Deliverance is on the way”
“You are going to the next level”
“Your blessing is on the way”
“Your money is coming”
“Your miracle is on the way”
“God is about to bring you out”
“Your delay is not a denial”
“God is getting ready to turn it around”
“We are getting ready to take back everything the devil stole from us”
Now don’t get me wrong, I love good preaching just like the next person, but my question is WHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Exactly WHEN will God do all that? I have been to literally thousands of conferences, crusades, revivals and breakthrough services; and truthfully, I felt as if they were all the same.
Now is it me, or hasn’t God already DONE what He said He was going to do? Could it be that WE are holding back our own progress? Could it be that WE have been in the wilderness because of our own disobedience, poor planning, and not being a good manager of the gifts, talents and resources that God has given us?
Most recently I was invited to a breakthrough service, and I declined the invitation. When the person inviting me wanted to know why, I simply said, “I am ALREADY blessed! And if you really want to know the truth God has already blessed YOU! Now the question is what are YOU going to do with the blessing?”
But hey, these are just my thoughts. What do you think?
Striving to please an Audience of ONE,
Larry W. Robinson
PS. I am not saying that “every preacher” is doing this. I am just stating my experiences. And of course this is my face book page, so I thought I had the freedom to express myself. LOL. Thank you for your feed back. And remember you are ALREADY blessed, now walk it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What do you think about this? We’d LOVE to hear how you react to being told over and over your blessings are around the corner and no matter which way you go, life continues status quo. You ask yourself, was I on the wrong street to begin with or are MY blessing avoiding me for a reason? Holla Back!
Good Morning. I agree with Larry Robinson!!! God is not watching us go thru our test and trials, ups and downs, good and bad days and THEN making a way of escape for us. It’s already done! He’s already done EVERYTHING He is going to do. He did that way back in the beginning. He knows what’s going to happen to us next week and has already made provisions for us. All those old phrases are true. My blessing is on the way. I know this because He has blessed me tremendously in the past so I have the faith and confidence in Him to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will continue to bless me. If He told the bird take no thought for tomorrow and he loves me much more, I don’t have to worry about anything. I think we (generally speaking) are lazy and are not living the way we could be living. If we all understood Kingdom principals and lived like we KNOW we are the righteousness of God…..we (I) would be living a different life.
As my brother says, Pray my strength in the Lord.
Karen, I think this is the first time you have gotten in line for a love offering! Alright!
My take on it is that all of those statements can be true for those that are willing to do what God requires of anyone that wants to go to those places in him. Are you a biblical tither and giver without fail? Does your hunger for God surpass your commitment to your favorite TV show(s)? Are you living a fasted life? Is your prayer life a second thought or a priority? Do you really study your word daily – not just read it? Do you truly love your neighbor, your family, your spouse, your co-workers, your church pew sharer as yourself and let the love of God flow through you at all times? Do you truly believe without doubting that these blessings are for you so you can use them to advance the kingdom, not just yourself? Do you refrain from mumbling and complaining like the children of Israel in the wilderness? If you can say yes to all of these, then I’d say you understand what it really takes to get those breakthroughs and blessings. It’s not just rhetoric, but to whom much is given, much is required. Status quo Christianity results in status quo blessings. And if you’re not even up to the status quo, you’ll live beneath your privileges, as they say. But if you are walking the walk and doing it the way God requires of us, you will not only achieve these blessings and the blessings of Deut. 28, but it will be more than you can hope or dream according to the power that works in you. Personally, I’m still getting there, but I do receive the blessings as I continually do more and more of what I know is required of all of us. You will too!
Sup, watch your mail! Your love offering is on the way! Alright (a combination of) James and Wanda Jr!
You broke it down. Put me to shame… (did all my readers hear that?!, put me – Kathy – to shame! I am not perfect!) I need to step up my walk.
Oh Lord, have mercy on us and give us right now blessings until we get to the place in You to be capable of handling our ultimate blessings!
Kathy, you’re just funny! Don’t feel shamed. I admitted that I’m still getting there too. Most preachers or orators of the word have to preach it to ourselves first, which also makes us responsible for the words we speak. If we don’t believe what we’re saying, others won’t either.
I understand the question in today’s blog and where you’re coming from Larry. As my Bishop, John Fonzer has taught me, we need to put our praise, worship and “Good Word” from sermons preached in our spiritual bank. We might not need that word or that praise right at the moment but there will come a time when we will need it to withdraw it from the bank. From the perspective of an alcoholic or an addict, we need to here positive, motivational, inspiring, insightful phrases over and over to give us hope that we can recover and stay clean and sober. The serenity prayer is a good example. I believe that’s why within God’s Word, words and phrases are mentioned repeatedly for a reason. God loves the sound of our praise. I believe God works in confirmations. Maybe someone who is not a BK, who has never experienced God and His Holy Spirit might here one of those sermons about your breakthrough is right around the corner. That simple phrase can change their life. It did mine. In fact Eld. Steven Baker said one day, “God has already made a way so thank Him in advance”. That phrase changed my faith, my walk and how I pray. How many times do we end our prayers in Jesus Name? How many times do we repeat the same prayer over and over expecting different results or a different answer from God? Repetition is not a bad thing. Speaking what God will do into existence over and over can strengthen our faith. I believe what Karen said that he already knows what we go through. He has already made a way. But I will hold on to His Word for its His Word that strengthens me. Hope is very powerful. Our breakthrough is in our praise, God is my source of Strength, He has already made a way, thank Him in advance, Glory to God, I will Bless the Lord at all times, these phrases keep me going in times when I don’t feel worthy enough to serve Him. I will continue to repeat these things until I meet God. Once we get to Heaven, we will be repeating praises to Him on a daily basis. God is getting ready to turn it around, that’s my faith telling me this. Because I know without a doubt that it’s already done just thank Him in advance.
Not orators Suppie……. :0)
If you do not know where you Stand with God (sometimes you do know, and you just don’t want to Stand) and do not read his word for yourself, you will not know as Kathy put it “I am already Blessed”
One can not be Seduced if they are in the Word and at One with God knowing his Voice. (Matthew 24;4 – do not be decieved) God will deal with Men & Woman who have taken on the role of feeding his sheep and they not be clear or honest when delivering the Word. (if this is the case.)
If you go up to the Laundry list at the top, all of the phrases deal with THINGS COMING DOWN FROM GOD this is why it is persuasive, appealing and seductive(we like to get things, as do I).
Some do not get as excited about what we should send UP TO GOD (ie., Praises, How we Live, What we say and Don’t Say, and More Praises (to name a few). Do we have all these things listed from the list at top? Yes we do, but it is up to God when it is released in your life. A time and a season…..
But if you are not sure about if a blessing is for you when it comes over the pulpit, check your motives and then go to Monique’s Gutt Check List for Christians!
Monique could not have said it better and I have place them in order for myself so that I can do a GUTT Check on me today. (As no one on this earth has attain the complete mind of God)
1. biblical tither and giver (consistantly)
2. hunger for God surpass the worldly things & commitment to Him
3. a fasted life
4. prayer life priority
5. study & read your word daily
6. Living the Commandments
7. Having the Love of God (Walking in Love)
8. truly believe without doubting these blessings are for you and use them to advance the kingdom
9. refrain from mumbling and complaining
10. Intimate Relationship and know his voice not yours (my add on)
Amen Monique!!
When we go thru things we have to remember I am His and He is mine. Nothing takes God by surprise. He’s not conjuring up our deliverance. It’s already done!
Karen, I say orators because all of us are not called to preach over the pulpit or to a camera, but we all are commissioned to go into all the world, the highways and byways and preach the gospel to every creature. We can only do that if we have studied to show ourselves approved unto God and are able to rightly divide the word of truth. It is our responsibility to know the word as much as those that are called to preach so when we do proclaim the word to the unbelievers we’ll know what we’re talking about and can speak with enough power behind our words to convince them that it’s not only true, but to make them want to know more about the Lord. And because I know the word I can declare that the blessings and the favor of the Lord are upon me because it is His will that I prosper – and he takes good pleasure in giving us the Kingdom. These promises are not only mine but for all that live a committed life for him. I encourage everyone to declare God’s word daily over your lives. By the word of God the world was framed and he’s given us that same power to frame our worlds through His spoken word in the name of Jesus! Seek out His promises and speak them as you live an overcoming life and I guarantee you the blessings will overtake you. God’s word does not fail. Now somebody bring me a hankie and some juice.
Sup, you’re right. Plesae get my Pastor’s latest book. Don’t Make Me Preach, I’m An Exhorter.
ROTFL GO HEAD SUPPIE!!! Here I come with your hankie, juice and a fan. What in the world! You are certainly NOT an orator! Did you take a breath in your mind as you typed? I could tell the anointment was all over you and your keyboard. Gurl…….have you preached your trial sermon yet? You took it home. What’s your address so we can send you a love offering.
The Alter is now open……..
Ooh gurl, I feel it. And that juice hit the spot. Now who wants to be saved?
Wowwwwwwww I’d really like to touch the hem of Larry’s garment!! Didn’t know anybody else felt that way!! Sometimes those statements are needed ’cause er’body’s going thru something. But alot of times I feel they are “incite to riot” statements…the preacher hasn’t studied nor bowed before God and asked for a true WORD for the people. So those kinds of sermons are an easy platform and tend to make folks jump and shout…like kids when you say, “who wants ice cream.” I don’t belittle any of that but sometimes one does hunger for a bit more of Christ. I believe God still moves in our lives the Bible is His Word and promise that illustrates all that he is capable of and more…Right now, I am trusting God to heal me and help me pay this thick stack of several thousands of dollars of bills with my name on them….I know that He can and if He chooses, He will but my faith is based on WHO he is and WHAT He does is a plus. He’s still the King of kings!! Meanwhile, I can sit thru some of the seducing while they learn how to come before the church with a genuine message. Age brings about changes, even in me!!!
My Good Lord!!!! I’m surrounded in the famuly by all kind of preachers. How bout I send you all a love offering Kathy, Karen, and Monique. You all put it out there and my what a word. I can only add that I have a new revelation on the scriptures that tell us we are Sons so I live my life DAILY knowing that I have an inheritance. If I folow what my Daddy tells me I can have whatever I want because I am a part of the family. I DO, know, however that I have to be obedient and do what is required of me for my inheritance. I feel all the time that what has to happen in 2009 is that we go into any service with ours minds open for the Lord to give us an “Open and receptive mind” to receive something because there is FAR TOO much turn to your neighbor and cliches to get a lot out of many messages these days…..but Saints…..there’s still a WORD and we have to listen for what the LOrd has to say to us individually!!!
I feel as a young person it is easy to say God will take care of it, because that stops the finger from pointing at us. I believe that only when we are living right and a good steward of what we have….good results come. We must daily exam ourselves and say “Is it well wyth thee Lord”.
@Kathy – Amen until we are in line with the word all we get is hand me down blessings.
I’m so sorry I haven’t been commenting; the job is giving me the midnight blues and the site is blocked from work.
Here is my take quickly. A lot of preachers follow a formula: they read a scripture, break the scripture down and then start to say all these familiar sayings to get the crowd going. End of sermon.
I think this happens, in part, because being a preacher has become a career choice instead of a calling. If we were to look at things honestly, we would admit that more people than ever are being called. Jokingly, God must have a huge cell bill with all the calls he is making!
Monique is right on it too.
I have heard so many times, “2008 is the year of breakthrough”, “You are going to turn it around in 09″, etc. Be honest, all of this is said, but nothing is said about doing anything other than giving an offering to do it. We have to listen to God and do things to help ourselves; something many preachers aren’t saying. Jokingly again, if they aren’t going to tell you anything else you should be doing to help yourself – besides more offerings – the least they can do is tell you to play Powerball!
Tom Sawyer’s last blog post..Leno Set To Do His Last Tonight Show – O’Brien Taking Over
LOL!!!! Yeah, they do exactly what you described Tom. What about all the ones who say something about the Lottery and “Don’t say I told you to play but make sure you bring your tithes to the church” what in the world!!!!
I understand the reasoning why they repeat the same things over and over….Some people haven’t been raised in the church and they need hear that message. Whats old and redundant ot you is new and fresh to someone else who hasnt been exposed. Plus, people need to hear an encouraging word to get them through whatever tribulation theyre facing. It should never get old all you have to do is think about a time when your God has shown himself ot you and you will appreciate the message.
You are right Nephew. You have a good point. We have to have an open mind and realize we haven’t all come to the church the same way!
Naw, they ain’t seducing the flock—they’re just gettin’ on our last nerves!
If I hear one more preacha say:
“Go slap three people and tell ‘em God ain’t thru with me yet!”
OR
Nudge your neighbor and ask ‘em, “Are you saved?!?”
OR
Go high-five three people and tell ‘em, “I’m going back to the devil’s camp and gettin’ my stuff back!!!”
OR (My all time favorite)
Hug your neighbor and tell ‘em, “Jesus loves you and so do I!!!”
Stop the madness. I just wanna go to church, hear a thought-provoking word that will challenge me to come on up a lil’ higher, drop a couple of dollars in the offering plate and go home—without all the drama…
@Common Cents – lol. I hear ya! But as Barry said, we that have been in this way a long time have to understand, God gives them (the preachers) a word for the new hearers and the doubtful hearers and the one that is going through that needs that exactly word at that exact time. You and I might not need it but reiteration, when it comes to God and His word, is never wrong. But I too wish I could just sit and hear the word without all the interaction with my neighbor!!!