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Pope: "Don't Proselytize to be Happy"
In an interview published by the Argentine Weekly "Viva", the pope listed his Top 10 Secrets for Happiness. One of them was quite shocking in view of the Great Commission given to the church by our Lord Jesus Christ. Pope Francis disagrees with the true Head of the Church in saying that we should not proselytize. He said we should respect others' beliefs because "the worst thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes." The word "proselytize" means to try to convert somebody to a religious faith. The pope said "t he church grows by attraction, not proselytizing."
Mike's Comment: The pope's church does indeed grow by attraction to its "smells and bells." Catholicism has always appealed to the flesh with its pagan rituals, including the solemn worship of the Eucharist, the flowing priestly robes, the flicker of the candles, the smell of incense, the pomp and pageantry of idol worship, and sacrifices for the dead. The influence of the secular media also encourages the world to love the "humble" man in white who declares himself to be the "Vicar of Christ" and "Holy Father." It is no wonder the Lord Jesus declared, "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you" (Luke 6:26). Why wouldn't the world love this pope? He says atheists and homosexuals can follow their conscience into heaven. It is no wonder the pope says "the worst thing of all is religious proselytism." He thinks everyone who has a conscience will make it through the pearly gates.
The Lord's church does not even resemble the pope's church. God's Church is the body and bride of Christ. It is His purchased possession. It is the Church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven (Heb. 12:23). This is the Church to which the Lord Jesus promises "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matt. 16:18). Every member of the Lord's church has been evangelized with the glorious Gospel of grace. After they heard the word of truth and believed in the Lord Jesus, they were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of their inheritance to the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:13-14). Every member has been born again as a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). This is the only Church of which no one member can perish; they are safe in the hands of God for all eternity. The calling of God the Father, along with the continual intercession of God the Son, coupled with the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, protect all who have been divinely chosen. They joyfully proclaim the voice of the Good Shepherd so His lost sheep will hear and follow Him (John 10). They are not citizens of this world because they are only passing through on their way to heaven. This church will be presented without spot or blemish before the Father's throne. To God be all glory, praise and honor!
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Vatican Says Jews No Longer Chosen People
Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, named by Pope Benedict to represent the Vatican in the Jewish State, declared that "Israel's existence as such has nothing to do with the Bible." The synod's document said, "We Christians cannot speak about the Promised Land for the Jewish people. There is no longer a chosen people. The concept of the promised land cannot be used as a base for the justification of the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of Palestinians." Read more. |
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Italian Evangelicals Unite Against Catholicism
What happened on July 19 is a landmark in 150 years of Italian evangelicalism. For the first time ever, nearly 100 percent of Italian evangelical churches signed a common statement reinforcing our evangelical commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One part of the statement reads: "it is incompatible with the teaching of Scripture to have a church that operates as mediator of salvation and that presents other figures as mediators of grace since God's grace comes to us by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone." Because of the theological differences, "they cannot initiate nor advocate for ecumenical initiatives with the Roman Catholic Church. Read more.
Mike's Comment: We praise God for the discernment of Italian Evangelicals in their united stand against the apostate Church of Rome. We can only wonder if any American Evangelicals who have signed unity accords with this false religion will ever repent. |
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Letters From Around the World
One of your flock handed a pamphlet True Faith or False Hope to my son and she should be relieved to have left before I arrived. My opposition to your deplorable practice of proselytizing probably won't change your tactics. I am proud of my son for ignoring your offer of "salvation," but I will NOT be this polite if we encounter one of your street corner missionaries in the future. They aren't much different than unrelenting drug dealers selling drugs to kids. Please keep this stuff to yourselves, or you will see MY "freedom of speech" in action. J.H., Facebook
Dear J.H., Your opposition to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ is duly noted. The nature of deception is such that no one knows they are deceived until they are confronted with the truth of God's Word. For you to be proud of your son for rejecting the salvation of his soul shows how unfamiliar you are with God's character. He hates and opposes pride (Prov. 8:13; Jas. 4:6). Pride is what got Satan kicked out of heaven and pride is what Satan uses to blind people from the light of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). For you to compare sowing the seed of God's imperishable Word to selling drugs to kids is deplorable. May God grant you repentance so that you can come to your senses! I want to thank you for your book Preparing for Eternity. I've read each chapter twice trying to take it all in. I wish you could see my book; the first six chapters are dog-eared and highlighted on nearly every single page! There is so much information. It has been an excellent resource for me as I have been defending the Gospel of Jesus on a Facebook thread. My heart breaks for him. I was able to use your book to point him to the truths of the Gospel and how Rome adds to the Gospel. So, thank you for your book. I look forward to reading it each night and I know it will always be a valuable resource for me. I do not think I would have ventured as far into my spiritual journey had I not discovered you providentially on YouTube.
In Christ, T. H., Grandbury, TX
We are glad to hear that you will be training pastors in the Philippines and Mexico for RC evangelism. Those are two areas where your ministry will be of great help to the church. We will continue to pray for your physical and spiritual protection, as well as your fidelity to the Lord's calling. You are correct, the compromising is becoming worse and worse as the days pass. Sadly, many pastors are following the teachings of men who do not rightly handle the word of God. Anyone who dares point out error these days, is called a "pharisee". Once faithful churches are now being leavened, and saints that want Biblical teaching either have to flee, or if they stay and try take a stand for sound doctrine, they are marginalized, or worse - asked to leave! Yet the pastors who are going astray don't even seem to realize what they are doing. It is both astonishing and yet expected at the same time. We know the word of God says things will wax worse until the trumpet. May the Lord hasten that day. Until then, may He help us keep reaching souls. In Christ, C. and M. B., Middleport, NY
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Is Rick Warren a Closet Catholic?
The Eternal Word Television Network, a Catholic station conducted an interview with Rick Warren that reveals how much he embraces the Roman Catholic religion and his push for ecumenical unity.
During the interview, Warren praises all the Catholic mystics and the Pope over and over again. At the 24:20 mark, Warren says "he watches EWTN more than any Christian channel." He said if you don't understand the roots of your faith you're like a tumbleweed. One of his favorite shows on EWTN is " Chaplet of the Divine Mercy." After a stressful day, he comes home and watches it with his wife Kay. He said "I sit back, relax and worship." He said one episode was a Catholic prayer service in front of the Monstrance.
About the 25:30 mark, the interviewer says he was struck by three images in Warren's office - Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King and Billy Graham. Warren said the only one missing was Pope John Paul "because those four people were the greatest influences on the 20th century" and he has tried to learn lessons from each of them. Watch the interview here.
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Catholic Bishop Prays at Graham Crusade
Roman Catholic Bishop David Zubik of the archdiocese of Pittsburg gave the opening prayer at Franklin Graham's Three Rivers Festival of Hope on Aug. 15th at the Consol Energy Center. During the bishop's prayer he implied Protestants and Catholics are all part of the same church. This type of ecumenical unity with the apostate Roman Catholic Church is a continuation of the unbiblical practice his dad started in the 1960's. Catholics who responded to Graham's invitation to make a decision for Christ were given the opportunity to go to Epiphany Church - a Catholic Church, across the street from the festival, for the sacrament of reconciliation. Read more.Mike's Comment: Evangelical leaders who embrace Roman Catholicism as a valid expression of Christianity are implying that the Reformation was a mistake and the martyrs should not have given their lives to defend the Gospel. |
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Archbishops Live in Lavish Mansions
A CNN investigation found that at least 10 of the 34 active archbishops in the United States live in buildings worth more than $1 million, according to church and government records. Among archbishops, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York leads the pack with this 15,000-square-foot mansion on Madison Avenue, in one of the priciest corridors of Manhattan worth about $30 million. Chicago's Cardinal George's mansion has 19 chimneys and sits on 1.7 acres of prime real estate in Chicago's ritzy Gold Coast neighborhood. It's worth $14.3 million "as is," but the property could fetch far more, appraisers told CNN. See the mansions here. |
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Convert to Islam or Die in Iraq
A Catholic priest hailing from what used to be Iraq's largest "Christian" city has lamented the exodus of over 100,000 Catholics from the city, many of whom are fleeing on foot with no food, money or water. The Islamic State in Iraq (ISIS) forces non-Muslims to convert or be put to death. According to reports from BBC News, the ISIS militants have taken down crosses and burned religious manuscripts. Read more. |
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Catholic League is OK with Irreverent Jesus
The Catholic League said the "Black Jesus" character on the Adult Swim network may drink, smoke and try to pick up women, but that he has some redeeming qualities, nonetheless, and the show could actually draw viewers to the spiritual light. The group's president, Bill Donohue, in a statement reported by Newsmax said, "The Jesus character in this show is a mixed bag: He is irreverent and can be downright crude, but he also has many redeeming qualities." Mr. Donohue said the portrayal could actually lead some watchers to consider a more biblical walk. Read more.
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Pope Celebrates Bodily Assumption of Mary
Pope Francis began his homily with these words, "In union with the whole Church, we celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady, body and soul, into the glory of heaven. Mary's Assumption shows us our own destiny as God's adoptive children and members of the body of Christ." He referred to the great sign" of a woman clothed in the sun and crowned by 12 stars in Rev 12:1 as Mary enthroned in glory beside her divine Son. Read more.
Mike's Comment: This misinterpretation of Revelation 12 is consistent with many other misinterpretations of Scripture by the RCC. The woman referred to in Rev. 12:1 cannot be Mary because she was never persecuted, never fled into the wilderness and was never cared for and protected for 1260 days. That description does fit the nation of Israel and the 12 stars would represent her 12 tribes. The Apostle John's use of the term "woman" for Israel is consistent with its frequent reference to Israel in the Old Testament. |
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Evangelical Anglicans Seek Unity with Pope
The leaders of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC) articulated their vision for what they say is "organic unity, not corporate unity" among Christians worldwide that is based on the Nicene Creed and the Great Commission. "We want to try to emulate what Christ left the world," said David Scott the General Secretary for the CEEC International House of Bishops. This convergence or unity movement received a dramatic boost when one of its bishops, met with Pope Francis to record his greeting to a group of American evangelical leaders. Read more. |
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Ministry Under Fire for Preaching about Sin
The Portland chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship is facing resistance from area residents for teaching kids the biblical doctrine of sin and eternal judgment, in addition to sharing about the love and mercy of God. The ministry, which conducts bible studies after school and at summer camps, teaches children that each person is a sinner in need of the Savior. Read more.
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Eucharistic Christ Saved from Satanic Ritual
The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma dropped a lawsuit against a Satanic church after it returned a consecrated host that Satanists planned to use in a "black mass." A priest reported, "I am relieved that we have been able to secure the return of the sacred Host and that we have prevented its desecration as part of a planned Satanic ritual. I remain concerned about the dark powers that this satanic worship invites into our community." Read more. |
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May our great God and Savior be glorified as we share His Gospel. Let us know how we can serve you.
Mike Gendron (972) 495-0485 PO Box 940871, Plano, TX 75094 www.ProclaimingTheGospel.org |
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Steeling the Mind
Bible Conference
Parker, CO
Sept. 20
The conference will be held at Parker Bible Church,
4391 East Main St,
Parker, CO.
Speakers include Mike Gendron, Andy Woods, Brian Thomas, J.B. Hixson, and Pastor Kirk Youngblood.
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Chiesa Biblica di Messina
Sicily, Italy
Oct. 5
Mike will preach the Sunday morning service at 11 am as a guest of missionary Johnny Gravino and the Italian Theological Adacemy.
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Corinth, Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos, Rhodes, Jerusalem and Galilee
Oct 7 -14
Mike will teach where the Lord Jesus and the apostles taught in a 3-dimensional Bible Study throughout the Holy Land.
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Lighthouse Baptist Church
Hillsboro, WI
Oct. 25-27
Mike will speak 5 times during the 3rd Annual
Just For the Gospel conference.
For more information call 608-343-0851
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DVD of the Month
This DVD is an excellent resource to give to unbelievers. It has two messages: Where Will You Spend Eternity and
Why Should I Believe the Bible?
Available at a 45% discount during the month of September.
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The halls of church history are covered in the blood of countless martyrs who have given their lives to defend, proclaim and preserve the very same Bible that we hold in our hands today.
has joined the ministry as it begins its 3rd year. We highly recommend
Truth Remains,
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Help Your Catholic Friends Prepare for Eternity
This book pleads with Catholics to work out their salvation with fear and trembling by examining the biblical requirements for salvation. After years of experience in witnessing to Catholics, author Mike Gendron answers over 100 commonly asked questions by Catholics. Each question is answered with the power and confidence of God's word. Any Catholic who is earnestly seeking the truth will welcome a copy of this book (also available in Spanish). Order here. |
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The Supremacy and Sufficiency of our Lord Jesus Christ
God's Gospel reveals all the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished to save sinners from the power, punishment, and ultimately, the presence of sin: righteousness had to be perfected, divine justice had to be satisfied, blood had to be shed, redemption had to be paid, sins had to be forgiven, reconciliation had to be achieved, death had to be conquered, and salvation had to be secured.
What a glorious Savior we have to proclaim to those who are in bondage to sin!
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Invite
Evangelist
Mike Gendron
to speak at your
church or event.
Call 972-495-0485
or click here.
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Our periodic broadcasts include discussions on current events, contrasting theologies, and questions from Catholics.
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How Can I Be Sure?
Churches are filled with professing Christians who have never been born again. They are living with a false hope. This tract encourages Christians to examine themselves to see if they have true saving faith.
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Our mission
is to glorify
the Lord Jesus Christ
by encouraging
the saints
to faithfully proclaim
His Gospel of grace
and to
contend earnestly
for the faith.
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Archived Monthly Newsletters
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