Lie 1: The Lie of Prosperity
EPISODE 1
Have you ever felt that nagging sense that if you just had that next big thing, you'd finally be happy? Maybe it's a new house, the latest smartphone, or that dream vacation. We've all been there, chasing after the next shiny object, hoping it will fill that emptiness inside. But what if I told you that this pursuit is actually a dangerous lie?
UNMASKING THE LIE OF PROSPERITY: FINDING TRUE FULFILLMENT IN CHRIST
Let's be honest: we live in a community blessed with abundance. Mansfield offers great restaurants, sports, fine arts, and excellent schools. We have so much to be thankful for. But it's precisely in this environment of plenty that the lie of prosperity can take root.
Here's what I've observed: at the heart of this lie is what I call "the lie of the next." It's the belief that the next thing will finally make us happy. I remember thinking as a kid, "If I could just make it to fifth grade, I'd be the happiest person in the world!" Sound familiar?
The problem is, prosperity is often like a mirage. You think you see it in the distance, but when you get there, it vanishes. It wasn't real. We keep running after things that look like they'll make us happy, but they never truly fulfill us...
Episode 2
Is it possible that what some Christians call “faith” is actually a misunderstanding of what Jesus really promised? Have you ever been told that following Jesus guarantees a life of wealth, health, and success? What if that message isn’t just misleading—but dangerously unbiblical? Let’s explore why this distorts God’s promises, and call believers back to the true hope found in Christ alone.
The Prosperity Gospel: A Dangerous Deception
Have you ever been told that following Jesus guarantees wealth, health, and success? If so, you may have encountered the Prosperity Gospel – a dangerous lie that's infiltrating churches worldwide, including right here in Mansfield.
As a pastor, I've witnessed firsthand the damage this false teaching can cause. Today, I want to expose the Prosperity Gospel for what it is and call us back to the true message of Jesus Christ.
What is the Prosperity Gospel?
The Prosperity Gospel is a false teaching that claims "Jesus came to not only rescue you from your sins and give you new life experiencing forgiveness, but he also came to rescue you from poverty and sickness and to give you a life of health and wealth." Simply put, it teaches that if you believe in Jesus, you'll get material blessings in return….