Tag: Evil

The Devil Can Preach a Great “Biblical” Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ 4 Comments

Jas 2:19  You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

2Co 11:14-15  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  (15)  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

More than once I have spoken with domestic abuse victims whose abuser spouse was a pastor or missionary or some other “Christian” worker. And  not only so, but an able preacher whose sermons seemed to edify the church and lead people to Christ!  Recently Todd Wilhelm posted a letter from a fellow who had been a member of the notorious Tom Chantry’s church (Chantry you will recall is a convicted serial child molester who abused and molested children in the church he pastored).  This man said:

Thomas Chantry had the ability to exposit and make Scripture come alive. I learned much from his preaching and consider him one of the best preachers I have ever heard. That ability is what fooled many, including myself.

There were other signs however that served as warnings about Chantry’s true character but it would be years before he was fully exposed for what he is.

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Many Christians Do Not Seem to Know Whose Side they are on or Who the Enemy is

~ Jeff Crippen ~ 6 Comments

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

I have been a pastor now for nearly 36 years, but prior to this I was a police officer for 14 years. I have always missed those police days, and I want to tell you the chief reason why — we were all certain whose side we were on and who the enemy was.

When I became a pastor I found that certainty and the unity it produces to be largely non-existent in many if not most local churches. Christians do not seem to be on the same side. They do not recognize the enemy. They have foolishly allowed the enemy to infiltrate them. They are not united and lack a sense of “we all wear the same uniform here and have the same badge.” So when the enemy comes along he is not faced with a united team standing together but rather a bickering, doubting, confused group that is rather easy to conquer.

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A Church in which Evil is Justified

~ Jeff Crippen ~ 1 Comment
Rom 6:1-2  What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?  (2)  By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

My good friend Phoebe who grew up in our church and who is a genuine Christian is a student at Portland State University (she is studying to be a physical therapist). She visited a “church” in Portland yesterday mostly just because a fellow student invited her to go.  She gave me this report last night.  This is very, very typical in these false churches today and I thank Phoebe for her analysis and discernment. By the way, this “church” is Bridgetown Church in Portland.