I want you to consider these scriptures:
Jesus tossing the money changers out of the temple:
John 2:13-22 (New King James Version)
13) Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14) And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15) When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers? money and overturned the tables.
16) And He said to those who sold doves, ?Take these things away! Do not make My Father?s house a house of merchandise!?
17) Then His disciples remembered that it was written, ?Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.?
18) So the Jews answered and said to Him, ?What sign do You show to us, since You do these things??
19) Jesus answered and said to them, ?Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.?
20) Then the Jews said, ?It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days??
21) But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22) Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
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Now, we who believe on the Lord Jesus, the saints are the body of Christ. With the Lord Jesus Christ as the head we follow. The temple is the body of Christ, the saints, the church. See: 1 Corinthians 3:16 and Hebrews 9:11-15.
The apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ named Paul, proclaiming that he and those with him DO NOT peddle the word of God, that was given to them freely. They did not make merchandise of the truth they freely received.
2 Corinthians 2:17 (New King James Version)
17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
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The Lord Jesus Christ notes that we should not worry about earthly gain.
Matthew 6:25-34 (New King James Version)
25) ?Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26) Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27) Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28) ?So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31) ?Therefore do not worry, saying, ?What shall we eat?? or ?What shall we drink?? or ?What shall we wear??
32) For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
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Christ made it clear that we are to seek heavenly rewards, the “money bags which do not grow old” noted in Luke 12:29-34.
Now knowing the truth that is clear in scripture, read the following article and Lord willing, the problems with the mentioned event will be obvious to you.
International Gathering of Champions Expects 160,000
Thousands of people will gather in East London this month to attend one of the biggest Christian events of the year
Hosted by Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the International Gathering of Champions (IGOC) will take place at the church?s head quarters in Hackney.
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This year?s Conference, entitled ?The Heavens Opened?, will focus on the potential each person has to achieve success in their family, career, finances and personal lives.
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Host Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo says: ?We are excited about IGOC 2007 and we believe God will make it memorable as we experience good changes in our lives and our circumstances.
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The eight-day conference will bring together speakers from all across the globe, including Bishop Eddie Long, Dr Cindy Trimm, Dr Mike Murdock, Pastor Robb Thompson, Dr Marcus Lamb, Dr Bill Winston and Pastor Jamal Bryant all hailing from the US. Also featuring in the conference this year will be renowned Gospel artists Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Minister Israel Houghton, KICC Mass Choir, Minister Byron Cage and Judy Bailey.
The conference will also feature an impressive exhibition area with over 130 exhibitors, including many of the leading Christian services and product retailers all under one roof.
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Notice, big names, merchandise for sale, no mention of Christ. And that article was from the publication “Christian Today”, so the report is not from an outlet that claims a secular title. If the meeting had a focus on the truth of Christ instead of money and wealth, I’m sure it would have been appropriately noted. Most of the people attending are from the Western world, the wealthiest nations on earth. Looking for improved lives? Excuse me, but the speakers and attendees are FAR from wondering where their next meal will come from.
Consider how saints in dire circumstance received relief:
Hebrews 10:36-39 (New King James Version)
36) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37) ? For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38) Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.?
39) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
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Notice, the promise of the coming of the Lord and hope in their souls being saved.
I won’t say anymore. I can only pray that the Lord has opened eyes and hearts to the truth presented here. Those the Lord has opened the heart of will receive it. Those with hardened hearts…well I guess you’ll either attend or hope to attend IGOC 2007.
August 24th, 2007 at 6:49 am
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