It is tragic, it is disgusting, it is so wrong it’s difficult to comprehend why anyone would do it, it is another glaring sign of the times, those times being the end of time as it has been known swiftly coming. It is a growing affliction, it is a clear sin, an abomination before the Lord and against all things holy and Scriptural.

It is the rise of the famous, star, celebrity pastor who by the fruit they bear, how they live reveal that they are not at pulpits due to a calling from God but they are at pulpits due to a calling of accolades, fame, earthly pleasures, and material riches. Putting themselves and those who follow them at eternal risk.

Many false gospels have arisen with the rise of many false teachers. Some can be seen loving the glare of the lights and the attention they receive. Some never mention sin, salvation, or the Person making the forgiveness of sin and salvation possible. His very name means Salvation.

Jesus. Yeshua Hamashiach. Of Nazareth. God came to earth in the flesh as the Sacrificial Spotless Sinless Lamb of God making it possible for lost sinners to find, to hear, to turn to, and receive the gift of grace and eternal life.

Too many of the pulpits are putting forth a false message making too many false teachers wealthy and famous in this life…

…but what of the life to come?

Only in the latter 20th century and more so in the 21st century have pastors, preachers ever lived in $10,000,000 homes, owned fleets of high-end vehicles, owned private jets, expensive hand-tailored custom suits and clothing, and decked out in the finest finery with PR firms running their ministries and schedules, being in demand as speakers on cruises in which some of the cabins cost $30,000 on the luxury ship for the week of “Following in the Footsteps of Paul,” on the Mediterranean.

I say, so, you want to follow in the footsteps of the apostle Paul? Then get aboard a first-century A.D. sailing vessel, have it shipwreck, and spend days in the water clinging to a piece of lumber, praying fervently the whole time. Go around and get thrown out of a city by an angry mob after preaching the gospel of salvation to them, having them stone you to the point you are taken for dead. Be put in chains and stocks in a Roman prison writing the most searing, godly letters of faith in THE FAITH being led by the Holy Spirit as you’re about to face death and looking forward to it.

Suffering for Christ

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

2 Corinthians 11:22-33

Not going around in such luxury, eating like an epicurean and the most discomfort you face might be the air conditioning isn’t working one day someplace, or the queues at certain places are longer than you can tolerate. Or the fish you ordered isn’t cooked to your liking.

Yes, many false teachers have arisen. Many seek fame and fortune from pulpits.

Do not be deceived.

For these are the last of the last days and the Church is being greatly tested and divided.

Know which side in this spiritual war is the right side and if not on it run to it and abide in it. And to know this one needs to know and turn to Scripture, be fervent in prayer, and know a sound message from a feel-good one, a sound doctrine message from an unsound one.

It’s easy if you try. It’s easy if you’re sincere in the faith, in the pursuit of God, in the pursuit of living the truth and working out your salvation.

A sure sign of these being the last of the last days is what has transpired in churches and denominations, which it transpiring. What gospel is being taught?

And if following the wrong one? God is not deceived as He knows every heart, every thought, and even exactly how many hairs are on the heads of all the false teachers in it for the fame, the being noticed, for the money.

Listen on, as the following is in audio form and worth hearing…

Ken Pullen, Sunday, September 8th, 2024

Challenging Conversations: The Dark Side of Fame-Hungry Pastors

What does the Bible say about pastors, ministry, and serving others?

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

By  Jason Jimenez – Higher Ground Partner

Reprinted from Higher Ground of The Washington Times

AUDIO

We live in a time when the line between ministry and business has become increasingly blurred. From lavish lifestyles to questionable financial practices, many ask, “Is this what Jesus intended when He called us to serve?” In this episode, we will discuss troubling concerns, their impact on the church’s influence, what the Bible teaches about honest ministry, and how we can pray for churches and their leaders to embrace true biblical servanthood.

Challenging Conversations: The Dark Side of Fame Hungry Pastors