WesleyGospel Ministries

This was one of Leonard Ravenhill’s favorite sermons. –J.B.

Whereas, that non-denominational charismatic churches are operating in fourfold ministry: apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers–but not fivefold ministry, which includes evangelists (Eph. 4:11).

Whereas, that Harry Potter pastors are even in the charismatic churches; and charismatic witchcraft / prophetic manipulation / control spirits are rampant within them (1 Sam. 15:23).

Whereas, that cheap grace antinomian views of salvation exist within these churches under the name of “sonship,” where only the doctrines of justification by faith alone and adoption are part of the gospel presentation, and Biblical holiness is consciously ignored (Jude 1:4). And that anyone who believes in lordship salvation has an “orphan spirit.”

Whereas, that coverings / covenant relationships / shepherding movement are all over those churches, where pastors “lord it over the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Whereas, that charismatic pastors are not willing to let two or three prophets speak and have their words judged, because they’re afraid of being controlled by them, all the while they continue to prophesy words to others (1 Cor. 14:29).

Whereas, that pastors tend to embrace the capitalistic idea of “competition,” with regard to other preachers, evangelists, teachers, pastors, and prophets; and get themselves isolated from other men of God, by putting themselves into a godless preacher competition, so that they have no real camaraderie with others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Whereas, that Wesleyan-holiness preaching and concentrated charismatic worship are essential for people to feel the manifest presence of God (James 4:8).

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MINISTRY RESOLUTIONS

1. Be it resolved, that God wills for non-denominational charismatic churches to operate in fivefold ministry, with special attention given to the role of the evangelist and Gospel preacher (Eph. 4:11).

2. Be it resolved, that Harry Potter and every form of occult entertainment and activity should be utterly rebuked as a real sin, as rebellion, and as the sin of witchcraft, just as much as charismatic witchcraft / prophetic manipulation / control spirits within charismatic and prophetic ministry (1 Sam. 15:23).

3. Be it resolved, that Harold Lindstrom’s Wesley and Sanctification, The Works of John Wesley, and Thomas C. Oden’s John Wesley’s Teachings, be at the center of my ministry message and response to God’s calling to preach (Mark 16:15).

4. Be it resolved, that once a church building is purchased by us, that I will study and review Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor, Thomas C. Oden’s Pastoral Theology and Classical Pastoral Care Series (3 vols), and John MacArthur’s Pastoral Ministry. And that I will study to refute shepherding movement ideas by reading through S. David Moore’s The Shepherding Movement (1 Peter 5:3).

5. Be it resolved, that I not only teach but encourage two or three prophecies to come from church members every Sunday service (1 Cor. 14:29).

6. Be it resolved, that I will make it a point to preach against competition, especially against competition with other pastors. And instead I will encourage lay preachers, lay prophets, and lay evangelists to witness, preach the Gospel, and pull people into the church; and to fire them up and join them in their efforts, and develop camaraderie with them around that (Philippians 2:3-4).

7. Be it resolved, that I will make it a point to make John Wesley sermons and Charles Finney sermons the primary resources when preparing my Sunday sermons. And that I will annually teach a series on charismatic worship (James 4:8).

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Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers. –Ephesians 4:11

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. –Mark 16:15

Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. –1 Samuel 15:23

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. –1 Peter 5:3

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. –1 Corinthians 14:29

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. –Philippians 2:3-4

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. –James 4:8

LEARN FROM OTHERS’ MISTAKES:
NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHARISMATIC CHURCH ESSENTIALS

Matthew Green, ed. Understanding the Fivefold Ministry, esp chs. 12-17.

Harold Lindstrom, Wesley and Sanctification.

Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged (2001).

S. David Moore, The Shepherding Movement.

Jack Deere, Why I Am Still Surprised by the Voice of God.

R. Loren Sandford, Purifying the Prophetic.

Arthur Gish, Beyond the Rat Race. (against competition).

The Works of John Wesley. (esp. sermons).

Charles Finney, Lectures to Professing Christians, etc.

Don Williams, “Charismatic Worship,” Exploring the Worship Spectrum.