Judgment of God-American Church, Part Two

Judgment of God-American Church, Part Two | Celebrity Leaders |

A portion of the American Church is consumed with the ‘worship’ of celebrity pastors, celebrity leaders, and celebrity ministries. The end result is free passes are handed out-they can do anything and everything and get away with it. They are untouchable.

WOW! Some strong words. Celebrities, worshipped, free passes, get away with anything. Are these just words I am throwing out or is there some truth to them. Let’s first look at definitions.

Celebrity
What do I mean by the word celebrities? Let’s look at some definitions of the word celebrity.
The state or fact of being well known, widely discussed, or publicly esteemed. Personal fame or renown as manifested in (and determined by) public interest and media attention. A condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports or the entertainment industry, their position as a political figure, or even from their connection to another celebrity. The state of being famous.

It should be clear to every reader that there are Christian leaders and ministries that have celebrity status in America. They are famous for their churches, ministries, events, books, worship songs, etc. They have huge followings. Interestingly almost all of these individuals/ministries are also known for their extensive wealth.

Worshipped
What are the definitions of worship? Normally it points to deity, but in the American Church it can point to individuals. Defintions-the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration; formal expression of reverence’ to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor devotion; extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.

It should be clear to every reader that there are Christian leaders and ministries that are being worshipped. They are put on a pedestal. They have a fully devoted following that questions nothing. That leads to free passes.

Free Passes
What does it mean to have a free pass? Free pass-toleration of bad behavior or performance; complete freedom to do something; immunity from criticism; exemption or permission granted to someone, allowing them to bypass rules, guidelines, or penalties that others are subject to.

It should be clear to every reader that there are Christian leaders and ministries that are getting free passes for the words they speak, the things they do.

The Charismatic Movement
Sadly, much of the celebrity status, worship, and free passes occurs in the Charismatic Movement. It is unbelievable what can take place under the guise of Christianity, that is from the pit of hell, and it is accepted by many within the movement. The proof is the fact that the words, actions, behavior of these celebrities is not only tolerated, but defended, free passes given. (I identify as a Charismatic Christian.)

But history shows it is not only within the Charismatic Movement. Entire non-charismatic ministries/denominations have covered up massive sexual abuse among its leaders. There has been emotional and spiritual abuse of church members that has been allowed to take place, even preached under the guise of submission and honoring the leadership.

Celebrity Status of Christian Leaders and Ministries
No one has a problem with an actor having celebrity status, gaining wealth, having a branding campaign with products, and being ‘worshiped’ by their fan club. It all comes with celebrity status. But there is something wrong when pastors, Christian leaders, ministries look like the world. If they are like the world they are no longer salt and light in the midst of darkness.

Think of the ‘celebrities’ in the Bible. Think of Moses, Samuel, Esther, Deborah, King David, Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, Apostle Paul and Peter, Ananias and Saphira. They certainly had a form of status, some had some wealth, some were highly respected by some. BUT their goal was far from having fame and wealth. Their goal was to be men and women of God. If they went sideways it was not condoned, it was confronted. They were not given free passes. I will cover that in a moment.

The ‘Worship’ of Christian Leaders and Ministries
Not a single Christian would admit they worship any pastor, Christian leader, Christian musician, or ministry. They would say they just appreciate the leader or ministry. They would say they just honor the leader and ministry. If that is all it is, there is nothing wrong with it. But is that all it is? For many yes. But when a Christian leader or organization is given celebrity status, it can go way beyond that. It can become idolatry, it can become a dysfunctional mindset. It can become an identity-I am defined not as a follower of Christ but a follower of the organization.

This is how you will know if honor and respect turns into celebrity status and worship, the individual or ministry is given a free pass. It should become obvious there is ‘worship’ when leaders and ministries are blatantly teaching false doctrine, living ungodly lives, condoning the sinful behavior of other celebrity leaders, and they are not held accountable. Invariably this phrase comes up “Do not touch God’s anointed”.

Free Passes
Famous celebrities of our time are given free passes all the time. They can live immoral lives and it does not matter. It has no negative effect upon them at all. Does not affect their celebrity status. There is a major problem in the American Church when there are Celebrity Leaders and Ministries that are seen to not do any wrong even though what they are doing is blatantly against Scripture and is blatant, unrepentant sin. These ministries are not held accountable, funds to build their kingdoms keep on flowing, growth attendance continues to happen, and anyone who speaks against the evil is marked and labeled as the evil.

Cancel Culture/Cover-Up Culture/ DARVO
The Free Pass Mindset goes very deep and evil. How many times has God Himself allowed the unrepentant wickedness of individuals and ministries to be exposed and the guilty parties instead of defending victims, go down the path of Cancel Culture-trying to cancel what the victims and the victim advocates have to say with clear evidence? When Cancel Culture does not work they resort to Cover-Up Culture, they try to hide any evidence, to protect the perpetrator. If that does not work they go into complete DARVO mode. Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. Saving the ‘celebrity’ becomes the most important thing. Sadly the ‘worshippers’ of these ministries defend these actions because they buy into the lies of the ministry. It is clear when there is ungodly worship there are blinders.

End of Celebrity Christianity
The Sovereign Lord is calling an end to Celebrity Christianity. That should be obvious by all the exposures of fraud, deception, fakeness, hypocrisy, evil within the Celebrity Culture of Christianity. Unrepentant sin, no matter how much in the past is being exposed. Light is being shed in the midst of the darkness. There is going to me more and more exposure.

God’s Judgment
It should be clear that the Sovereign Lord is bringing judgment upon individuals and ministries. It should be obvious that Holy One is saying ‘enough’! The problem is there are still many within the American Church that refuse to say ‘enough’. They continue to justify, excuse, and defend ungodliness among Christian leaders and ministries. They may not say enough but that will not stop GOD saying ‘enough’. He will turn up the heat and turn tables over until there is repentance.

Take Heed
If any Christian thinks that God is only going to judge Christian Celebrities they are very deceived. He is going to expose your own secret sin if you do not repent. He is going to allow your life to ultimately fall apart if you do not repent. Why? Because Jesus is coming for a bride without spot or wrinkle. Because God is looking for a Church that reflects His character. A Church that reveals the glory of God, not the character of Satan. Because judgment starts in the house of God.
1 Peter 4:7 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Cleanse Your Heart
You have no control over Celebrity Ministries other than not to worship them, not support them, not give them free passes. BUT you have total control over your own heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to cleanse your heart, to purify it, to reveal it to you. Be willing to go through the refiners fire as He purges sin out of your life, purges ungodly/unhealthy mindsets. Go through the journey of humility. Go through the journey to be molded into the image of Christ. Ask yourself if you are truly born again. Clean up your side of the street. Seek righteousness. Seek Christ Alone, not kingdoms of men.

SPEAK OUT!
Speak out against Celebrity Christianity. Speak out against Cancel Culture, Cover-Up Culture, DARVO. Hold leaders accountable when they blatantly sin and do not repent or when they are teaching false doctrine. Do not give free passes to those who are of your political persuasion. That is an entirely other topic we will cover in a later article. It is a major problem in the American Church, it comes from the Far Left and Far Right and is the nature of Christian Nationalism.

Decision Time
It is time to make a decision if you want to be part of the Bride of Christ, to be part of the Remnant. It will be counter-culture. Yes counter to the culture within the American False Gospel and the culture of society.

Judgment of God-The American False Gospel Series

Judgment of God-American Church, Intro | False American Gospel |
Judgment of God-American Church, Part One | False American Gospel |
Judgment of God-American Church, Part Two | Celebrity Leaders |

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