Nathan Leal
September 1, 2010
America is intoxicated. She has become drunk with thoughts of make-believe.
She has become littered with fables of pretend, heaped upon her by her villagers.
America is now the land of pretend, populated with citizens who shelter themselves with darkness and become angry at those who share the light or make a righteous challenge.
She is a land wrapped in denial and full of gluttons who have an appetite for pleasure, purchases, and possessions…
…and who are in a hurry to go "nowhere!"
They walk about in a trance with no concern for the future, because their idol is the "golden calf" of now!
The futility of - "Now!"
Their celebrations must occur - “Now!”
And their wills must be satisfied - "Now!"
They seek to eat, drink, and behave with no regrets, and take a bite out of the fruit that they purchased from the “caterer of deception!”
"Serve us a meal of make-believe!"… is their song…”for we will never see sorrow!"
"We will never be accused by the God above, for we are children of confidence and our garments will hide our shame!"
Unfortunately, they are wearing, "garments of delusion” and these clothes have removed their ability to know their appointment.
If the pretenders could see the approaching train, they would deny its arrival.
And to all that will listen! Please know! Please be aware!
And please prepare, for the arrival of the train of God’s judgment! It will arrive without delay. For this land has an appointment!
But there is resistance. The pretenders argue and say, "These things are not true! We deserve food and wine and peaceful days that will not end!"
Their denials did not satisfy. They wanted more!
The Lords of Pretend!
So in the valley of pretend and make-believe, the villagers rummaged through their own people and they found for themselves; priests and prophets to remind them of their glory!
The priests rose up and erected for themselves beautiful tabernacles and towers that reached into the sky. They created carpeted stages to perform for the cameras. They learned to dress, "hip" and "cool."
They become, "royal stars" in the land of pretend.
In their mission, they were showered with wealth and built for themselves palaces. They erected totems to honor their names and willingly, the people paid "homage" to them with gleaming adoration.
So the priests opened their mouths and presented cleverly crafted charms. The people were overwhelmed. The people loved their “words!”
In return, the villagers made the priests their, "Hopeful Lords."
And now, the land has been overwhelmed with schemers who have become, "The Lord's of Pretend!" And the people throng to them. They assemble and gather to hear their "gilded phrases.”
And what is their message? Do they deliver words that teach the people to wrestle with their sinful ways?
No!
Are they words recruited from Heaven above?
No!
Are they oracles obtained from the Throne Room of God?
No!
The Gospel of Make Believe!
Instead, the priests of pretend have fashioned and presented a gospel of make-believe and fantasy.
They have created a new version of God not found in the Holy Book. They have showered the people with happiness and stories of a God that answers all requests for fame and fortune.
And from the “podiums”, they motivate the people and tell them how magnificent they are.
They invoke words that speak to the wind, "You are a champion! God wants to funnel you with wealth, beauty, and gold dust!"
And the people love it. They have no clue that they are hearing the words of charlatans!
The Lords of pretend have become drunk with their own fame. They are “Pied Pipers” who deliver shadowed promises of an empty drink.
"You are little gods!" They tell the people.
"You are special and must be rewarded!"
"Trials are not meant for you because you deserve better, so refuse them and send them away!"
And it goes on…
"Champions deserve a prize, so smile to yourself and take yours! And in spite of that circumstance, be happy!”
“God is happy with you; you must think positive thoughts and though you are struggling, and even though your pantry is empty with no food and your lights are about to be shut off, don't worry! You’re special. So congratulate yourself! “
“…Now there,… don't you feel better …already?"
And so, all of the people who attend these gatherings and listen to the empty words of confidence, leave the assembly, still in spiritual captivity!
Unhealed
They leave unhealed, and they return to their homes in bondage.
…In bondage to addictions!
…In bondage to the vain imaginations and nightmares!
…In bondage to their failures!
My friends, this is a catastrophe!
Today's church is mired in confusion. There is a famine for the real Word of God throughout this land! People are starving for the truth. They need spiritual healing! They need their chains of bondages to be broken!
Today's lukewarm gospel has made God into a "Cuddly Little Easter Bunny" just waiting to hand out baskets of candy at our beckoned calls!
But that version of God is an "ear tickling doctrine of demons!”
Our God Jehovah, who dwells in the Heavens, does not answer to any man! He cannot be fashioned by man. He cannot be molded and folded by man's hand!
The Lord God is not "origami art!"
He does not exist based on the utterances of silly men!
No man can say, “To me God is this or that!” Because it does not matter what you or I think, God already IS! And He was around before you were born!
The priests of pretend imply in their words of “bile” that God comes running towards us like an excited little puppy, waiting to grant our carnal wishes.
Ichabod and Undone!
To that I say, “Ichabod!”
The glory of God is not in those words!
The glory of God is not in that doctrine of lies!
The glory of God is not in those deceptions!
The glory of God cannot be found in vain thinking , placing men above God and minimizing sin!
The glory of God cannot be revealed to hearts inflamed with their own desires and their own wanting! For who can approach God, my friends, when their thoughts are in the bunker of evil?
Can God be glorified, with lips that offer a sacrifice of praise to Him, but then minutes later, these same lips are fouled with plans that describe evil living?
…Fouled with celebrations to the flesh!
…And fouled with words of hatred…
… or with words that are putrid?
No my friends! And in today’s mega churches, the people are not taught to be ashamed of their undone souls and their hearts that are hardened against God.
The people of pretend attend these gatherings, they leave empty handed of words that do not remove their chains.
Today’s mega church pastors are not praying! They are goofing off and they are pretending!
And my friends, please be warned, please be aware, and please know with discernment, that some of these people, some of these “Lords of Pretend” standing behind pulpits are not even redeemed souls!
They are not even a part of the brethren! They are unconverted souls standing behind "podiums" leading the blind with their own blind eyes.
Full sermon HERE
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