Burning The Dross
Last Call Ministries 

II Kings 18:4 


He removed the high places and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: For unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it. 



Numbers 21:8
And the Lord said unto Moses, make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looks upon it, shall live. 



The children of Israel instead of worshipping God and giving him praise for their healing and deliverance rather, worshipped the serpent statue. (The symbol of a defeated enemy at the hand of God)
Today in the body of Christ many similar practices go on. These practices are taught as if God ordained them, when in fact they are the commandments of man and doctrines of the devil. For example: some would say that for periods of time and on certain days , that you are required to abstain from certain foods, items and activities in order to find favor with God. 



Certain organizations require that their ministers not marry saying, "This is so their ministers devote all their attention to God." These groups even go as far to say that Jesus acknowledged this practice. For one to personally choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of God is a matter of personal choice, however, to require it as a church doctrine is in error.
In Matthew 19:12 Jesus says, "For there are some Eunuchs which were born from their mothers womb; and there are some Eunuchs, which were made Eunuchs of men (Required by man) and then there are Eunuchs who have made themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of God's sake." Let us also remember that it is Jesus who made the woman out of the man to be the perfect mate for man. It was God's intention for man and woman to be together and a minister should not feel ashamed or feel like they have somehow failed God by marrying or having that desire. 



In 1st Timothy 4:1-4 Paul says specifically under the direction of the Holy Spirit, "Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocricy having their conscience seared with a hot iron. ( Knowingly teaching false doctrines to control people) Forbidding to Marry and abstaining from meats (Foods) which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused." Hey that's Paul talking folks!
I know that there are many who are familiar with the false teachings that Paul exposes here in this passage and that you believed that it was a commandment of God. You felt guilty for failing or maybe you thought God was being unreasonable when in fact it wasn't God's teaching at all. These false teachings are designed to push you away from Jesus, to cause you to give up or even plant the seed of how ridiculous some of these teachings are. Anything that would cause you to stumble and put distance in your heart towards Jesus is exactly what your enemy the devil wants and let me tell you this, the devil comes to church and sometimes wears a robe. 



In Luke 1:28 The Angel Gabriel visits Mary with good news. She is chosen to be the vessel for which God will bring the Messiah into the world. "Hail, thou are highly favored , the Lord is with thee, blessed are you among woman." The greeting the Angel gives Mary "Hail" means to surrender, give yourself over to the will of God. It was not an act of worship on the part of Gabriel. 
Jesus came and redeemed man. He was beaten, spit upon, humiliated and nailed to a cross. Yet, many adore Mary as if she were the Savior as if she was sinless. Yet the Bible teaches that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) All includes Mary. Just like the snake of brass in 2nd Kings 18:4 people worship the created rather than the Creator. Jesus doesn't want you to ask Mary to pray for you at the hour of your death either. People who do that have no idea what Jesus has done for them or what the crucifixion was about. The moment you receive Jesus into your heart, all the sins you have committed and all the sins you will ever commit have been wiped away. A change takes place in your heart that causes you to be filled with a love and a desire to serve Jesus. It just makes you want to treat people right. Yet because we live in this corruptible fleshly body we do sin from time to time. I used to beat myself up over it, until I learned that all my sins were cast as far away as the East is from the West and remembered no more. (Psalms 103:12) Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Peter says in Acts. 4:12 , "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Mary cannot save anyone, she is just as much in need of redemption as you or I. 

Some would say the woman in Revelation 12 is Mary. They that say this do not rightly divide the word of truth. The woman wears a crown of 12 stars clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet. This woman is the remnant of Israel. Twelve stars represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The term "Clothed in the sun" is symbolic of the Glory of God and his imputed righteousness. She stands upon the moon showing her authority over the devil (The Lesser Light) And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. (Rev. 12:5) Jesus came from the Jewish nation. The whole passage is referring to the last 7 years of the tribulation when Jesus primarily uses the remnant of the Jewish nation to deliver the gospel to the world. 



In some churches, it is taught that Christians can be possessed by demon spirits. These churches teach that if a Christian does something wrong then surely that person must have a devil. That is one of the most damaging teachings I have ever heard. A Person born of the Holy Spirit cannot be inhabited by a devil.
Jesus said in Mark 3:27,
"No man can enter into a strongman's house and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strongman." Jesus was saying that in order to possess the Christian you must first overcome the Holy Spirit. It is impossible for a demon to possess God's property. Face it folks, all of us have sinned. I say Thank God for Jesus! "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God. For if Righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
(Galatians 2:20-21)
I can accept forgiveness. Not that I want to sin, but because I am in this flesh, sometimes I make mistakes willingly and unwillingly. Rest in the grace of God that is found in our Lord Jesus Christ and as you rest then it is like saying, Jesus, I can't do it! I'm not able in my strength or my ability to change. Then you will learn that it is the wonderful love and peace that Jesus brings that transforms you. But as long as your in this flesh you will always fall short in yourself of Gods glory, so again I say, Thank God for Jesus! 





He's not looking at my short comings so why should I ? Jesus covered them up and in God's eye's they don't exist. Amen! That's Good News!



You cannot come to God in the strength of your Good deeds, that is the righteousness the Pharisees tried to approach Jesus with and he called them hypocrites. When you rest in the fact that you are eternally forgiven, then the Holy Spirit fills you with joy and love, and this will cause a transformation in your life, and by this love you will find that you do not want to do things that harm others whether it be talking behind their back or hitting them in the back. The sword of revenge is replaced with the blanket of forgiveness and it feels so good and you just know it is right.
Ezekiel 11:19, "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them, and they shall be my people."
Jeremiah 24:7 "And I will give them a heart to know me, that, I am the Lord." 




In Acts we read where the Apostles are altogether in one accord in prayer, before the Holy Spirit was given. Peter stood up in Acts 1:16 and did what most churches do today. He thought he was going to help God out. He must have been looking around at all the prayer going on not really understanding what was soon to happen. He stood up and wanted to do something holy, so he speaks to the people gathered and says," This scripture needs to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spoke concerning Judas, which was the guide to them that took Jesus." Then in Acts 1:20 he says, "For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell there: and his bishopric (Apostleship) let another take." So in Acts 1:23 they choose two men, prayed to Jesus and said to show us which of these two men you have chosen to replace Judas. Then the group cast lots (Voted). I have a question for you: What if God didn't choose either one? Well in fact Jesus didn't choose either of them. Peter didn't know that Jesus had already chosen Paul. Peter was trying to fulfill in his carnal understanding God's preordained plan. If Peter had been doing God's will then he wouldn't have needed to vote for the replacement of Judas but rather would have known who the replacement was. The Day of Pentecost was going to come either way, in fact the only commandment Jesus gave them concerning this matter was to wait for the Promise of the Father. 



Today churches vote for leaders, vote for policies to be instituted by their group. Rather, they should be led by the Holy Spirit. But you have to be born of that first. They're always trying to help God out with their programs, Chicken dinners, Bingo, Flea markets etc. God instituted the free will offering, and God loves a cheerful giver. Cheerful givers know where the blessings come from. Giving is an act of worship as well as an act of faith. 



It has been said by some churches that the Bible directs us to invoke those in Heaven to intercede on our behalf before the throne of God. I am referring specifically to the teaching of "Praying to Saints" Ultimately, Jesus must be the final authority on all things and rather than misquoting scripture to justify a particular doctrine of the church, you should rather cast that false teaching into the trash and hold to your heart the truth which Jesus will see and he will draw you into a closer relationship with himself. "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him." (John 14:23)
In John 16:26 Jesus says, "At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you that I will pray (ask) the Father for you: For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and believed I came forth from the Father." Jesus is saying, "When I intercede and pay the price for the sins of the world (Already Done) you can directly ask the Father in my name. Jesus doesn't want you to ask in any other fashion ever. Whether it be Mary, Peter, James or John, Jesus says he doesn't want you to ask anyone who is passed on into Heaven to intercede for you. He has already done it.
Just in case you still have some question in your mind, hear what Paul says in Romans 8:34. "It is Christ that died yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."
Jesus promises us a personal relationship with himself. The gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. In John 16:14 speaking of the Holy Spirit Jesus says, "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." Let the Holy Spirit be your teacher. The Holy Spirit is Jesus and the Father in us. "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has learned (taught) of the Father, comes unto me." (John 6:45) 



"I am the Good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John 10:14) "And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." (John 10:5) 



I was compelled to cast God's light on false teaching so that you can cast aside these hindrances and be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus. I know that many who read this can feel the pull on their heart as a testimony to the truthfulness of this teaching, it is simply the Spirit of God bearing witness to you. 



Father open the understanding of your people, in the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.