Is Forward Church Of New Tampa A Prosperity Cult?

Is Forward Church Pastor Darius Arnold in New Tampa Just another prosperity cult salesman? 

First lets define our terms...

What is wrong with ‘prosperity gospel’? 

Before answering the question, it is good to put the record straight that the "prosperity gospel’ is no gospel at all. 

The Bible is clear that there is only one Gospel (Galatians 1:6-8)and if I were to take at least one verse that everyone has heard, that summarizes this Gospel, I would go for John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This is the Gospel. Anything that adds or subtracts from it is no gospel at all.

If you add to the gospel it is no longer the gospel 

In light of this, Apostle Paul warns us of ‘other gospels.’  

His words in Galatians 1:8, 9 echo with great emphasis: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (ESV)

Now, what is wrong with ‘prosperity gospel?’

 First, it misses the mark on God’s chief plan for a sinner. It emphasizes that one should come to Christ in order to get material blessings, healthy physical bodies,  popularity among men. etc.,, 

not what is big in God’s plan of salvation namely repentance and eternal life.

Does Darius Arnold give another gospel? 

Link 

  http://youtu.be/j2EmtVUDWiY

Another Pathetic Sermon By Darius Arnold

More Errors In The Confusing Messages of Forward Church Pastor Darius Arnold 

He's arguing that Jesus number

 1. Knew about the need (we agree) but did not act based on that knowledge 

And

2. then So he says "need" doesn't move God, rather "faith" moved God. 

Really??

First of all, We don't move God, he moves us. Any theologian will agree and affirm that again and again. 

Second. Think Of Theology Like a House

 You have the foundation, walls, and the roof. 

If the foundation is on soft clay or sinking sand; the walls nor the roof hold up. 

Thus this message falls under its own errors! 

Link to pastor  Darius sermon below

http://youtu.be/Ei3ea1zauQQ

  

Problems for Forward Church In Tampa

Problems for Forward Church In New Tampa

There is a church in New Tampa a suburb of Tampa Florida called "Forward Church"  that has received a number of complaints by Christians as of late due to a two minute and 30 second sermon youtube clip. Senior pastor Darius Arnold (picture above) was preaching a sermon on Mark 2 that has sparked controversy. 

Let me be clear

Now I want to be very clear here. It is not my goal here to belittle, or make fun of, or tear down pastor Darius Arnold.  I do not know the man. Nor am I trying to embarrass anyone from Forward Church. Nor, would I want to behave in anyway that is rude, or spiteful. My purpose and interest in this is a theological one. And not only that, this was brought to my attention through a lot of people on Facebook. And since this video was  publically put out there. We also have a responsibility to publically critique it in a loving way! 

Complaints about the message

The complaints about the sermon by Forward Church's Darius Arnold; mainly through Facebook was his rendering of scripture on Mark Chapter 2. 

Mark chapter 2

Is about several main people in this passage. And a major theological, and spiritual divide, that was happening in that day. Between the people's understanding of law,sin, and grace! Here are the key people involved. Jesus, a paralytic man, and religious scribes. 

Here is the passage. 

Mark 2. 1And when he returned toCapernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. ² And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. ³ And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. ⁵ And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic,“Son, your sins are forgiven.” ⁶ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,⁷ “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” ⁸ And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them,“Why do you question these things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— ¹¹ “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” ¹² And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Forward Church's Darius Arnold said that the passage to him is about "the huge crowd of people that centered 

around Jesus," and he couldn't help but think back, how when Jesus was being born there was no room for him at the Inn. 

And now, look at how many people are swarming around Him in this passage. 

Then Darius Arnold goes on to twist make the passage about you and me. That is, if we have not been well recieved

in the past by others basically we are going to have gigantic popularity and people will swarm around us as well. 

There's the main problem 

There is no mention of the sins of the paralytic being forgiven. Nor the major and sole point of this passage. And that Was, Jesus had not only the power to heal. But also the power and authority to forgive sins. Not only that, the passage tells us that Jesus Christ being omniscient he could read minds and hearts of men. Verse 8. And not only that, the paralytic man was now healed, and set free by Jesus verses 10-11. 

Furthermore, there is no mention of why Christians are hated and unpopular with the world to begin with! 

What's wrong with the message here?

The point of this passage is "not" for you and I to obtain popularity, success, status, or admiration from the people we've met in life.  

Mark 2:1-12 is about sins being forgiving by Jesus Christ. It's about Law, Sin, and His grace. It's about how our correct response should be  to glorify God verse 12 by sins being forgiven, and freedom in Christ Jesus. Be sure it's about Christ not man, or man's popularity! 

Here are what many Christians are saying about Darius Arnold's treatment of the gospel of Mark chapter 2 and link to video below 

Link 

http://youtu.be/j2EmtVUDWiY

Seven Inspiring Ways to Leverage Your Work For The Kingdom of God

Seven Radical Ways to Leverage your work for God's Glory

In the book "Follow Me" by David Platt, tells a story of Missionaries that encompass the Scripture "Wise as Serpents and harmless as doves"

By leveraging their work. Now these three Missionaries are also small business owners that have a burden to reach Muslims for Christ. 

Now these three missionaries could very easily have a successful, comfortable, and laid back career in the United States or Canada, or The U.K but they have moved their business into a heavily Muslim country where it's against their law to Preach the gospel. 

How ever I think they found a loop hole in the law that says conversations from bosses to employees about religions are permissible. Thus opening up the door way for Christ'sKingdom 

Here are some very wise and Inspiring ways one could Leverage their work and every good endeavor 

1) Relocate your business to a country that you have a burden to love, to reach, etc... (It doesn't have to be a muslim state) if you are called (Have a heart to reach a nation for Christ and burden)  It doesn't have to be a muslim state. And it doesn't have to be a country where you won't make any money! (The three missionaries are making plenty of money) one of them even believes they are most likely making more money there in there business than in The U.S due to Christ using this a a vehicle to Save souls! But more importantly; If you don't have a burden in your own heart, you'll never lift a burden off anyone else! 

2) If you don't own a business but work for someone, ask for ways in which to take on much greater responsibility at the company. People will soon see you as a leader. (Lead through Christ like character)true Leaders never just play it safe at a company. Or do just enough not to get fired. (Tell people that you lead about how Christ has transformed you, changed your life, your family, gave you life, peace, hope, Salvation) 

3) Do your job to the very best of your ability so that people will "see your good work and glorify your Father in heaven" Never stop improving on your job. Tell people why you "strive for excellence" and who you're grateful to everyday for your job. 

4) Do not Ever be lazy, Pray for your company, bosses, employees. Believe that God desire for every person at your job to be saved that none should parish. Ask God to send you souls at work. And, (believe that it's God's responsibility to save them) 

5) Don't evangelize like an Atheist.. Meaning; When we talk about God; talk about Him as someone you "KNOW""LOVE" and "WORSHIP"  not like some abstract argument that's built on premises only! There is a time and a place for those types of discussions, and they May even be at your office. You can use both! 

But, don't forget to talk about God like he's your Father that you have breakfast with every morning and dinner with at night. And what he's done on the cross, in you, and for you! Think of it as Aplogetics of the God you know personally!

6) If you're a leader at your job already, 

try to hire people that have a national reach. Like if you can hire Indian workers that you know travel back and forth to their native country every few months. And you have an opportunity to make disciple makers here. Do it! The goal here is Matt 28: 18-20 Make disciples if all Nations. 

7) Try to find other Christians at work that will help you serve your coworkers. Through parties, after work get togethers, bible studies. Invites to church. The goal is always the same. Make disciples who make disciples who make disciples etc..

Think about Scriptures that you will design this endeavor around. Like 1st Peter 3:10-16 and Matt 28:18-20

Get to work because the harvest is ripe but the laborers are few. If not you, who? If not now when? 

Luther Conigliarro is a Christian Philosopher and teacher, blogger, speaker, and host of Battle ideas, think deep, AndEquilibrium podcast