Is Jesus just your Comfort Toy: Awakening the Church from a Powerless form of Christianity

​Is Jesus just your Comfort Toy: Awakening the Church from a Powerless form of Christianity

I pray that the spirit of wisdom and revelation floods the spiritual eyes of the church so that we can get up from the powerless form of Christianity and start walking in the victorious life that God planned for His children!

““And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you. Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” (Revelation 3:1-4 WEB)

Recently I received feedback from some other Christian bloggers that the things I write are too radical and they feel uncomfortable about it. 
This is a good chance to share what God’s word says about the life we’re supposed to enjoy as believers. 

In the early church, Jesus spoke to the church of Sardis through the Apostle John, rebuking then for their works which appeared holy and spiritual to men, but was actually dead in God’s eyes. 
There is a type of Christianity today that believes in Jesus’ ability to save from hell and then nothing else. 

People who adopt this approach to their faith treat Jesus like their cute and cuddly comfort toy - when they get bruised by the trials of life, they hug little “Jesus” while crying in their bed, and when they feel better, back into the bed “Jesus” goes, until the next time it’s needed like a bandaid on a wound. 
It’s like they take a shrink gun and - ZAP, a mighty lion shrinks to the size of an adorable kitty. 
Then they proceed to kill it and stuff it, allowing it to retain the outward appearance, but it has become completely lifeless. 

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” (Matthew 23:25-28 WEB)

During Jesus’ time on earth the scribes and Pharisees were doing exactly that. 
They shrank God’s commandments and ordinances into a perverted, manageable version. 
It seemed to be religious but it lost all the original meaning, purpose and power. 

Today, we have Christians who just want to share the positive, ‘feel-good’ things about God and Jesus in sermons, on social media and in person, but totally reject anything miraculous or supernatural about the Gospel. So apparently according to their beliefs, Jesus’ death at the cross allows us to receive salvation (which they think can be lost if one sins), but not provision, not healing, and not spiritual gifts. 

They say “God bless you” to appear pious, but they’re just acting polite and cordial. 
The blessing is more for themselves to look good than for anything good to happen to the recipient of those words of blessing. 
They say “Praise the Lord” to sound holy, not that they’re really thankful to God or want to involve Him in anything more than the one hour gathering on Sundays where they put on a mask to “grin and bear it”, acting as though they’ve got everything in life under control. 

The nine spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today

“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For God’s Kingdom is not in word, but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:19-20 WEB)

The Apostle Paul wrote the statement above, which is a concise summary of the nature of the Gospel: it’s meant to empower us to effect actual change and transformation in the name of Jesus, and not just about making people feel good with nice-sounding, eloquent words. 

Gospel means “Good News”. The good news is really that good because Jesus came so that we would have life more abundantly: through His finished work at the cross, we can receive healing, health, provision, spiritual gifts, spiritual authority and deliverance from every yoke of bondage. 

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (I Corinthians 12:7-11 NKJV)

The nine spiritual gifts in the passage above are all supernatural gifts which can’t be reasoned away to become natural. 

The 3 knowledge gifts: 
Word of wisdom: God supernaturally gives you a piece of knowledge about the future. 
Word of knowledge: God gives you a piece of knowledge about the past or present that you wouldn’t have known unless it’s supernaturally given. 
Discerning of spirits: God allows you to supernaturally distinguish between something from God and something that's a doctrine of demons.  

The 3 communication gifts:
Different kinds of tongues: This is what people refer to as praying or speaking in tongues. It’s a divine language that only God understands. Through this language, the Holy Spirit helps you to pray perfect prayers that are aligned with God’s will. 
Interpretation of tongues: God supernaturally gives you the understanding of what a person is saying when praying in tongues. 
Prophecy: Divinely-inspired plain language that edifies (builds up) a person. Through this gift, God is able to speak to you or another person through the words that you speak.  

The 3 power gifts: 
Gifts of healings: God allows divine healing for specific conditions to flow to yourself and others through you. That’s why it’s called “healings” because it’s healing for specific types of sicknesses and diseases as the Holy Spirit wills. 
Working of miracles: Supernatural works of God. For example, a short arm growing out to the correct length. Teeth cavities sealed with gold, etc. 
Faith: Supernatural and perfect faith that has no trace of doubt or unbelief. Allows for great miracles to occur such as raising people from the dead. 

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:8-12 WEB)

The nine spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are still active and real today - they have not ceased. 
The passage above is not talking about the Bible when it says “that which is complete has come”. 
See what Paul goes on to say. “For now we see in a mirror” refers to the mirror of God’s word (See James 1:22-25and 2 Corinthians 3:18). 

So now we have the Bible, but “face to face” is talking about the day when we see Jesus face to face in heaven, when the Rapture happens in the future. 
Paul is saying that we still need the spiritual gifts now on earth because we only have partial knowledge of the spiritual realities of this world, but we won’t need them anymore in our immortal, spiritual bodies because at that time we will know fully. 

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The church is on the offensive - Jesus has equipped us with the authority

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” (Mark 16:17-18 NKJV)

For whoever that thinks that praying in tongues has already ceased today, Jesus said that those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior will speak with new tongues. 
This is talking about the spiritual gift of “different kinds of tongues”, not just learning another human language. 

If it were only natural, then it wouldn’t be a sign of a believer because anyone can learn another human language just by studying and practicing it. 
Notice that all the other signs that Jesus listed are supernatural: casting out demons, taking up serpents safely without being bitten or attacked, not getting harmed by consuming poisonous substances and divine healing. 
Likewise, speaking with new tongues is a supernatural sign as well. 

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us after He ascended to heaven because He didn’t want to leave us helpless and weak in this world. 
There is a real spiritual war going on in the spiritual realm between the forces of God and the forces of the devil.
Both sides are fighting for the salvation and damnation of human souls respectively. 

All believers are children of God, and the Holy Spirit leads and teaches us how to go about our Heavenly Father’s business (Romans 8:14, Luke 2:49). 
In order to be effective in this spiritual war, the Holy Spirit equips us with His spiritual gifts, the name and blood of Jesus, as well as the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18). 

Dear brother or sister in Christ, you have been given so much spiritual power at your disposal to effectively expand God’s kingdom on earth and to drive back the forces of darkness. 
The devil wants to keep Christians ignorant of the power and authority that they have in Christ because the day that the church fully awakens to this truth is the day of the collapse of the devil’s kingdom of darkness. 

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 NKJV)

Did you see that? The church is on the offensive against the gates of Hell. But the church still thinks it’s on the defensive today. 
Jesus’ death at the cross has fully disarmed the devil so that he only has tricks of fear, intimidation and lies left to try to appear as strong as he was before. It’s like he’s the Wizard of Oz - just a weak man hiding behind a curtain, using tricks and illusions to appear more powerful than he actually is. 
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The devil’s kingdom is just a house of cards, sitting on thin ice today. I pray that the spirit of wisdom and revelation floods the spiritual eyes of the church so that we can get up from the powerless form of Christianity and start walking in the victorious life that God planned for His children! 

Sandcastles Don't Last Forever

$14.99 $9.99

This is the eBook version.

If you prefer to get the Paperback version (physical copy), you can get it on Amazon here for US$15.

About the Book:

​

One day when I was singing praises to God, an image floated up in my spirit: a big and beautiful sandcastle being washed away by the waves from the sea. God was teaching me the futility of holding tightly onto worldly possessions because like the sandcastle, they won't last, and one day will cease to exist.

He taught me from His word to focus on Him and by doing so, I would reap great eternal rewards before Jesus' throne at the start of the Millennium. These rewards will last forever and can't be destroyed or stolen. 

It is my prayer that the revelations in this book will help you to live with a focus on the things above where God is, fulfill your God-given calling in life, be happier and to accumulate more eternal rewards to your account.

In this Book, you will learn about:​

- Heavenly investment advice and the futility of worldly pursuits from a trillionaire in the Bible

- Why God has to reward us in order to be righteous

- When and how God will destroy the current earth and sky to make way for new ones

- The types of fireproof works that earn eternal rewards at the end of time

- The abundant rewards of doing good works while abiding by the non-disclosure agreement between God and you

- The difference between the temporary places of torment: Sheol and Abaddon

- Who is the Antichrist and his name revealed in the Bible

- What is the Mark of the Beast and why it disqualifies its recipients from receiving salvation

- The different judgments at the throne of Jesus Christ and what it means for you as a believer

- How to fulfill your calling and maximize your gifts to receive the best eternal rewards 

Testimonials about the contents of this book:

"Sandcastles Don't Last Forever is very well written, its message loud and clear. Milton Goh gives common-sense insight on often confusing Scripture, which is much appreciated in these troubled times. My understanding of the Bible has definitely improved."

- Mike Garrett, first Editor/ Publisher for Stephen King and Author of Christian Novel "Innocence Denied", from USA

"This book is absolutely breathtaking. We don't work to be saved but were created to do good works. I am so energized and excited to know God values our works and we will be rewarded. This is all Glory to Jesus... I cant wait to throw my crowns at his feet and thank him for saving my life!" - Evangelist Michael Clark from USA

"Dear Milton Goh, I truly thank our Abba, Father for the revelations in this book. It is so amazing how I begin to discover important verses in the Bible that I have never read. That instead of following riches, with sleepless nights, and actually shortening our lives, we are just to 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ', and 'Love one another'. How beautiful to find out that actually in the Bible there is both 'Earthly or Worldly Investment Wisdom' and 'Eternal Investment Wisdom' according to the revelations here from Ecclesiastes 5:14-17 WEB)!; “It seems like Solomon was not only wise at earning material riches but also at earning eternal riches.” All the glory to our Lord Jesus Christ! God bless you Milton Goh for such a wonderful book!" - Nitta Nierra from Belgium

“Thank you Milton. I have just finished reading “Sandcastles Don’t Last Forever”. It’s such a good book that's filled with God's word. I love it very much. Might read again if I have the time. Thanks so much!” - Mally Chai from Singapore

"I'm reading this book and loving it! The revelations of the Gospel truth shared and it's life applications are absolutely amazing! I give glory to the Lord Jesus for my dear brother Milton for this exceptional resource. I'm gonna keep feeding on its contents and believe God for supernatural breakthroughs as my mind is renewed in Christ!" - Terence from Tombel, Cameroon 

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“Excellent book!! I enjoyed reading it so much and definitely recommend it! Milton is so gifted and all his teachings have blessed me tremendously! I thank God for people like him. Get this book, it will be worth it!” - Madeleine from SA, “Unmerited Favor” tier patron

* The PDF file of this eBook will be sent to you via email manually after your purchase is confirmed. Look out for a separate email from the order confirmation email, within the next 24 hours.

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Pinterest Pinnable Image. In the early church, Jesus spoke to the church of Sardis through the Apostle John, rebuking then for their works which appeared holy and spiritual to men, but was actually dead in God’s eyes. There is a type of Christianity today that believes in Jesus’ ability to save from hell and then nothing else. People who adopt this approach to their faith treat Jesus like their cute and cuddly comfort toy - when they get bruised by the trials of life, they hug little “Jesus” while crying in their bed, and when they feel better, back into the bed “Jesus” goes, until the next time it’s needed like a bandaid on a wound.

I hope that you have been blessed by reading this post on "​Is Jesus just your Comfort Toy: Awakening the Church from a Powerless form of Christianity".

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• Did Jesus descend to hell after His death on the cross?  (5 commonly misunderstood verses explained)
• Why Human Gene Editing is Evil and What is the Mark of the Beast
• How to Read the Book of Proverbs Correctly: Who are the Righteous, Wicked, Wise and Foolish? 
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• Diary of a Leper - Imagining how Jesus Healed the Leper​
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• What is the Purpose of Water Baptism? 
• A Year of Bible Study on the Book of Proverbs - The Hesed Wisdom Challenge
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Check out our free archive of more than 100 Pastor Joseph Prince Sermon Notes here.

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Be blessed and walk in divine favor,

Milton Goh
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