Recently I was present to hear a pastor from another denomination speak. One of the points he discussed in his sermon was about Jesus feeding the 5,000 from Matthew 14:15-21. Here is a fair representation of what he said about that passage…
The miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 was not that he supernaturally multiplied the fish and bread the young boy had as much as the love that transformed the hearts of the people listening so that they took out food they had brought with them to share with one another. Which is a greater miracle… multiplying bread or people’s heart being changed? (Emphasis mine)
What did bless me is that I got an email the next day from a member of the church who wrote that she did not agree with what he said about feeding the 5,000. It blessed me that this dear lady was listening close enough to catch the error in what the preacher said. It wasn’t that he made an innocent mistake, but he deliberately misrepresented Scripture… and she caught it!
Not only did he misrepresent the scripture, he made God less than the all powerful being He is. If the church allows this man to continue, they will be accountable someday. He should not be preaching anywhere. I’m sure this is not his only misrepresentation. Many young people could be deceived by this kind of falsehood.
This happens all too often…
I’m thankful that I know Scripture well enough or have the needed discernment to recognize when preachers/evangelists stray from the truth. And I am not afraid to challenge them, which doesn’t keep me on their most favorite list. That’s okay, I want to remain on the Lord’s list, where He knows the name of each & every sheep.
I especially get angered when verses are placed on the screen- TV, computer or in church- inaccurately or out of context. As a writer, I am careful to pray for guidance so that I can heed the warnings in Revelation 22:18-19 & I never quote Scripture from memory. I always cut & paste from Bible Gateway or similar sites.
One of the joys of retirement, is the time to study Scripture & to learn Hebrew. If I’m given enough days o this earth, I’ll study Greek, also.
It is a responsibility we all have – we should never accept whatever is spoken or written as truth unless it complies with Scripture. Therefore, know your Bible. It’s lifetime challenge, which reaps great rewards.