In a previous article, we posted a transcript that revealed Phil Pringle allowing Pat Mesiti to financially con people to give money to Phil Pringle’s ministry. In this con, we pointed out that Pat Mesiti misleads and manipulates people to part with their finances.
Phil Pringle & Pat Mesiti Conning C3 Church To Give Cash
Here is another transcript that further reveals Phil Pringle endorsing Money-Magnet Mesiti to preach on money again at C3 Church in 2006. This critique should highlight how dangerously cult-like the C3 Church movement really is. In this sermon, Mesiti mangles or misses the point of every scripture. He even claims to speak on behalf of God, (thus elevating himself to the status of infallibility). At the very bottom is transcript. Below is the critique.
IT’S ABOUT MESITI GETTING YOUR MONEY
Below, Pat Mesiti was invited to do an offering talk. That means, Mesiti was invited up by Phil Pringle to financially manipulate people into giving. Mesiti does a brilliant job in selectively replacing the words of God to get people to give money.
Here are some examples.
SAMPLE 1: JESUS WANTS YOU TO DO WHAT HE SAYS: TITHE
Mesiti says, “Jesus said this, that if you love me, do what I say… In Malachi Chapter 3…”
Jesus in a number ways says in John 14, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”.
The difference is significant. By changing that one word, Mesiti has essentially:
1. taken Jesus’ statement out of context
2. turned Jesus’ statement around to apply something un-Christian so Mesiti can get Christians to do what he wants them to do.
Jesus says the above command FOUR times in this discourse, (John 14:15, 21, 23, 24). It becomes evident, that the disciples at that time had to hear Jesus’ instructions and teachings. Why? They were entrusted with his teachings and commands while he was on earth with them. The word for ‘keep’ in the original Greek in these four passages are tērēsete (14:15), tērōn (14:21), tērēsei (14:23) and tērei (14:24). Each essentially meanin the same thing: ’to watch over, to guard’. Jesus was telling HIS disciples, “If you love me, you will WATCH OVER AND GUARD my commandments/teachings.”
In context, Jesus later explains (emphasis ours),
“Whoever does not love me does not keep my words (logous). And the word (logos) that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:24-26
This instruction was given to the Apostles not us. This is why the Apostles wrote the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and their epistles. Pat Mesiti has twisted the words of Jesus for his own un-Christian agenda. Jesus did not say, “if you love me, do what I say” so Mesiti can preach that we are to tithe.
SAMPLE 2: MESITI CURSES CHRISTIANS AT C3
In Malachi 3:8, Mesiti chooses to say, “will a man restrict, will a man block God”. In his attempt to convince people that the tithe is grace orientated, Mesiti tries to convince people that to tithe is to unblock God’s grace. This is backwards Christianity. If a Christian is to work at unblocking God’s grace, then how can one receive grace in the first place?
If Mesiti is elevating the giving of the tithe to unblock God’s blessing/power over his people, than Mesiti’s god is an incompetent god. A powerless god that is dependent on our works. So how can Pat Mesiti say this?
“the tithe, literally is a sign that God is really Lord and master over all. That is the symbol of the tithe.”
To teach that we can UNBLOCK God in our lives through tithing and then teach that the “tithe, literally is a sign that God is really Lord and master over all,” is double speak or double mindedness. The tithe is NOT a Christian teaching. This is heresy. This is legalism.
Furthermore, Pat Mesiti reveals how conniving he actually is to get people to give money. He lets his listeners know that Christians have issues with the teaching of Malachi 3:8-10.
“Now some people might say, ‘yeah, that’s Old Testament that’s under law.’”
Rightly so. Mesiti later refers to Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek prior to the Law, saying this proves that the tithe… is not of the Law? But Mesiti cannot have it both ways. You can’t convince an audience that people ate fish ten years ago by eating bananas. Similarly, Mesiti can’t preach the tithe under the Mosaic Law and then say it never was.
In regards to Abraham’s tithe, God blessed Abraham FIRST and Abraham tithed ONCE. Yet Mesiti is trying to con people to tithe FIRST and CONSTANTLY so they can UNBLOCK God to receive blessings from His hands. According to Mesiti it is the tithe, not God, that “brings you protection” and “opens up the windows of Heaven”.
Has Mesiti not read Malachi 3:8-11? Last time we checked it was GOD who opens the ‘windows of heaven’ and protects us by ‘rebuking the devourer’ not the tithe. (Emphasis ours.)
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:10-11
It should be clear that Mesiti can’t even read the bible let alone notice his eyes are not on God but on money. He seems convinced that tithing money into a poker-machine-god will result in unblocking the chambers and receiving it’s abundant cash flow and supernatural protection. In this instance, this scriptural rebuke from the Apostle Paul applies to ‘restored pastor’ Pat Mesiti AND Phil Pringle for peddling this shameful message. (Emphasis added.)
“You foolish [pastors]! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you [Pringle and Mesiti]: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing?” Galatians 3:1-4
This then makes us question what Pat Mesiti means when he says, “I want to see people saved.” As a ‘restored pastor’, how can he wish to see people saved if he has no idea what the foundation of Christianity is? He has done a better job cursing and condemning Christians using God’s Law than pointing believers to the saving work of Christ. Mesiti is either lying on stage or he has no idea what he is doing as a ‘restored pastor’ (thanks to Phil Pringle’s mentor-ship).
MESITI MISSING THE POINT
Even every single scripture Mesiti even refers to in this sermon, he misses the point completely. Mesiti says,
“God doesn’t get that concept [of 'just enough'] …because wherever God does a miracle…listen to me church, the loaves and the fishes, there’ll be 12 baskets left over…for everybody.”
Unfortunately, that miracle wan’t their to demonstrate that “God doesn’t get that concept” of ‘just enough’. The Apostle John explains why he recorded the loaves and the fishes miracle.
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31
Mesiti also missed the point when he referred to the widow of Zarephath. She did not receive the blessing because she tithed or had a ’God-is-more-then-’just-enough’ mindset. In Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter), she is obscurely mentioned in verse 35. Hebrews teaches us that “By faith” “Women received back their dead, raised to life again.” This was a woman that put her faith in God through God’s famous prophet Elijah in ancient Israel. Her household was spared from death that fateful day. Later when her son did die, it was by faith that her son was raised from the dead. It wasn’t by works but by faith God favoured her. It was by God’s grace that Elijah was sent by God to her house. It wasn’t by works but by grace and faith she was saved. Mesiti teaches likewise.
From the bible’s perspective, Pat Mesiti is not at all qualified to be restored to be a pastor.
MESITI LIES ABOUT GOD AGAIN
Mesiti twisted the words of Jesus to guilt people into giving money to Phil Pringle and his C3 Organisation.
His constant misuse of scripture leads to this lie of a conclusion:
“We are bringing out tithes, the bible says, unto Jesus.”
This is a lie. The bible does NOT tell Christians to tithe to Jesus. Jesus never tithed. So Jesus could never have taught Christians to tithe. His Apostles never tithed. So His Apostles could never have taught Christians to tithe. How can the scriptures call us to imitate Paul, the way he imitated Christ, if neither of them tithed?
MESITI BLASPHEMING GOD
Pat Mesiti also revealed that the ‘Holy Spirit’ he heard was not of God:
“here’s what I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit about.
“Tell my people, I don’t understand the concept of ‘just enough’.”"
Really? God spoke to Prophet Pat? Yet the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, taught this amazing truth from God to believers:
“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
Isn’t it odd that Paul was thinking in advance AFTER the Corinths were to give money to the poor church in Jerusalem? Paul says that in the future, the Jerusalem church in their “their abundance may supply your [the Godly givers] need, that there may be fairness.” Fairness? According to Mesiti, they should have more than enough not “just enough”.
The above scripture portrays that Christians are to give freely to brothers so that all may have enough and vice versa. This then fulfills Paul’s use of the old testament scripture above. You will not find Paul teaching the church to tithe or to seek abundant material blessing. Nor will you see Paul teach that what you give, God will be unblocked to bless you back.
Furthermore, Paul says,
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:10-13
How could Mesiti pit the Holy Spirit against the Holy Spirit who wrote the scriptures? It is of our opinion that Pat Mesiti is blatantly lying to the C3 Church members. How else could he say the following, speaking on God’s behalf?
“and God says ‘I’ll pour open Heaven’ ’I don’t understand the concept of just…..I wanna pour out abundance.’ But don’t restrict Him.”"
Either way, this is serious slander against the character and teaching of God and His Holy Spirit. Mesiti is restricting God by telling people they can restrict God if they don’t give C3 their money. Furthermore, by claiming that God spoke to him or that he was speaking on behalf of God is incredibly dangerous. The fact that he spoke lies against God while claiming he was hearing from God should have made Pringle stand up and tell Mesiti to sit down.
The scriptures say that people like Mesiti and Pringle “in their greed … will exploit you with false words.” The ASV says false teachers in their greed “with feigned words make merchandise of you.” Is this not an accurate desciption of what Mesiti and Pringle are doing?
Don’t you think it is evil that Phil Pringle has ‘restored’ Pat Mesiti back into ministry, yet allowed him to lie about God’s word and slander God’s character? All for the sake so people can give money to Pringle’s church? Why didn’t Phil Pringle stop Mesiti from preaching? Why did he put up with this and endorse this message?
There is much more we could have focused on in this transcript. After reading the transcript below, feel free to comment on other points we missed.
Everybody say “10%”
Monday 02 October, 2006 – 15:10 by Hill$ong Squad in Default
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Christian City Church
Sunday 1 October 2006
Pastors Phil Pringle and Pat Mesiti
(Phil Pringle) ….So now we’re going to receive our tithes and offerings ….so I want you to get ready to give.. this morning…and if you need an envelope because you use a credit card for giving.. just raise your hand ..otherwise on a newsletter, there’s a tear off strip…you can fill out your details on that. We have an EFTPOS machine up the back…of if you’re on the internet you can give through the web page there.. up on the right hand side..you’ll find an area there for giving.
I’m going to ask Pat Mesiti just to come and share around the offering this morning. Amen. Give Pat a big hand would ya? (applause) In fact next Sunday morning, I’ve asked Pat to preach here, he’s going to preach about reaching the world. Amen. God bless ya.
(Pat Mesiti) Amen church. You love the Lord? Oh good …(inaudible) You love the Lord? (‘Yeah’)
Jesus said an interesting thing in the bible. I’ll have to give you a little bit…what prompted that thought.
Little while ago I was talking to someone ..and they said…they said, ‘Pat, I’m a Christian.’
‘And so, well, how do you define if you are a Christian?’
And they said ‘well, you know, I kinda go to church.’
And I said, ‘well that’s really cool.’ But, people ..don’t read the bible say really dumb things. And you would agree with that.
Jesus said this, that if you love me, do what I say.
Obedience is really the sign that we are lovers of Jesus. Can I get an ‘Amen’? How many of you are married? Raise your hands.
How many of you husbands have learned to obey your wife? (laughter) We Italians have got it figured out. we say ‘the man is the head, but the woman is the neck that turns him around’. (laughter)
In Malachi Chapter 3, come with me to this awesome passage of scripture. Pastor Phil is a modern day revivalist, would you agree with that?
I really believe that….can we give our pastor a hand, he’s a modern day revivalist. (applause)
And one of the keys to the outpouring of heaven ….we’ve had a lot about prayer ..and today we’re gonna hear about something else and next Sunday I want to really share about getting the salt out of a shaker and making a difference in our world..and can you please bring friends.
I want to see people saved.
But here in Malachi Chapter 3…it shows us this incredible insight into opening up the windows of Heaven.
Not just prayer and telling people and acts of mercy, but God right here says this…he says ‘will a man rob God?’
Now the first thing is ..how do you take away from God?
It isn’t that we go to God ..and take that…because in actual fact, God really enjoys it when you take something of Him into your world.
When you take grace from His throne ..into your world…God enjoys it… can I get an Amen? (‘Amen’)
But here’s the concept…if you look at the Hebrew scripture …it is a picture of a goblet with a lid on it. And the way we rob God is we put a restriction on what God loves to do. Which is what? Blessing.
And it says, ‘will a man restrict, will a man block God.’
Here you say, how have you robbed me? And God says ‘in tithes and offerings’.
And then He says this, ‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.’ Everybody say ‘all the tithes’ (‘all the tithes’)
Everybody say ‘all the tithes’ (‘all the tithes’)
What is a tithe? Let me explain. The tithe…is 10 per cent. Everybody say ’10 per cent’ (’10 per cent’).
10 per cent.
God says, ‘Bring me what’s mine …bring me that 10 per cent.’ If you’re in a business deal…and someone said to you, ‘you know what….I’m going to let you keep 90 per cent, just give me 10, how many of you think that would be a great business deal?
And God says ’10 per cent’.
Now some people might say, ‘yeah, that’s Old Testament that’s under law.’ Oh, no, no, no, no.
This is pre-law, this is under the Malchizadek priesthood, who is a type of Jesus.
We are bringing out tithes, the bible says, unto Jesus.
10 per cent. Now why 10 per cent?
You see, if God set an amount, it would not be fair, correct? It wouldn’t be fair if God said ‘bring a thousand dollars to the storehouse every week.’ It wouldn’t be fair.
But God is a God who is a just and righteous God.
He said, ‘bring a percentage’, so that the person who’s earning a thousand dollars a week or a hundred thousand dollars a week …I had a gentleman in Malaysia one day say to me this…he said ‘if I bring my tithe to the church every week’ …he said (inaudible) …he said ‘I’d have to be bringing ten thousand dollars a week into the tithe’.
And I said ‘would you like me to pray that you only have to give a hundred dollars a week’? (laughter)
It’s all relevant. Say ‘Amen or ouch’.
See, and here it is, it’s not my tithe, language is so important, it’s His tithe, and the tithe, literally is a sign that God is really Lord and master over all. That is the symbol of the tithe.
Three things it does to you, it brings you protection.
Second thing it does, it opens up the windows of Heaven.
Listen to what it says here. Look at this church.
‘If I will not open up for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you such a blessing, there will not be room enough to receive it.’
You know as I was driving to church this morning, I always try and prepare my spirit for the offering message, just in case.
I always say honestly every Sunday when I’m in church …I always do ..because…I know Pastor Phil.
But you know I was just preparing my heart, and I said, ‘Lord, if I were to do the offering this morning, what could I say that would encourage people?
And here’s what I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to my spirit about.
“Tell my people, I don’t understand the concept of ‘just enough’.”
God doesn’t get that concept …because wherever God does a miracle…listen to me church, the loaves and the fishes, there’ll be 12 baskets left over…for everybody.
When he taught out from the widow’s miracle ..of the widow’s oil …there..they filled the jars ..and there was so much there…she could have kept pouring today if she was alive. What an amazing thing.
When God does it, He’s a God of more than enough, his name is El Shaddai, the God of plenty, not El Cheapo, the Lord, the Tightwad. (laughter)
How many of you thank God for that?
And I want us to understand that this morning.
Let’s bring all the tithes, not half of it, a quarter of it, all the tithes ..and God says ‘I’ll pour open Heaven’
‘I don’t understand the concept of just…..I wanna pour out abundance.’ But don’t restrict Him.
Father, we thank you for our ability to be able to give to you. I thank you for this House, I thank you for what you’re doing. I thank this House, your building, we’re working with you.
Lord I ask you to bless every tither, every obedient tither …as they bring your store out of every offering, in Jesus’ name.
If you need an envelope this morning, please raise your hand.
If you want to give by credit card, at the back of the room there is an EFTPOS machine there, if you’d like to give through EFTPOS machine.
If you’re writing out a cheque, please make it payable to Christian City Church.
God bless you church as you give.”
Length of offering sermon..7:05min
Source: Hill$ong Squad, Everybody say “10%”, http://hillsong.bigblog.com.au/post.do?id=75194, 02/10/2006. (Accessed 14/11/2011.) *Cached link: http://web.archive.org/web/20070430064824/http://hillsong.bigblog.com.au/post.do?id=75194.