Piers Morgan suggest we amend the Bible?

Rick Warren does an OK job of defending the Bible against a call to amend it to accommodate modern thinking on controversial issues. I particularly like his assertion that it is human opinion on issues that changes, not the truth!

Paul Washer on "Dying to Self"!

What does the Bible teach about the eternal destination of those who die in infancy?

I get a little squeamish when I here people declare that all young people, children or babies go to heaven. I have always held that Abraham's petition for Sodom to be spared, "shall not the judge of all the earth do right" (Gen. 18:25), is a safe response to these questions regarding God's judgment of mankind, no matter what their age.

I have also read several un-biblical views on the eternal state of young people that left me even more cautious. However, in this blog written by Al Mohler, I believe he makes a good case for all infants going to heaven. I still see the need for caution as some might try to justify abortion based on this doctrine and even more caution as we don't really know when we become morally culpable for our sins.

I can say that as soon as I knew I knew anything, I knew some things I did were wrong. With that said, it behooves us to make sure that we have been forgiven our sins by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, as soon as we are old enough to understand the words needed to communicate it.

I hope you will read it and comment that it might lead to a mutual learning opportunity.

Dr. James White on the Connecticut school shootings and evil in general.

Dr. James White offers a biblical lens through which to understand the evil events which fill our news and impact our lives.

Follow link to media -

Responding to evil and suffering, by Dr. James White

Why such attention to an alleged myth?

I read two very good articles about attacks on the faith today. The first describes billboards bought by an atheist group encouraging people to keep the good things about Christmas, but not Christ! Ironically they are encouraging people to dump the myth, but by that they mean Christ, not Santa.

Another article attacking the historicity of the New Testament was published in Newsweek. Al Mohler does a fine job of critiquing this article which was written by Bart Ehrman. In a bizarre twist of logic, once professing Christian, but now agnostic Bart Ehrman, suggests that thier is spiritual benefit, even freedom in seeing the New Testament as less than historically accurate. My question is, what is the point of talking about the spiritual the benefits of things, if you are an agnostic?

Why do those who say they don't believe in Christ, feel so compelled to attack Christ, but not Buddha, Mohamed or the many God's of Hinduism?

Maybe I should not be surprised....

Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 "Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

I watched and I wept!

 

 

Why was Jesus born?

Matt. 1:18 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Why was Jesus born?

Not, to save people from all their problems, to make them wealthy, or to make everyone like them. 

No, that is not why Jesus was born.

Nor was Jesus born to try to save His people, in hopes of saving His people, or to make His best effort to save His people!  

The truth is, Jesus came to absolutely save His people from their sins! In response, His people should live for His glory, in a world that is still full of difficulties, especially for His followers!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

San Fransisco's recent vote on allowing full public nudity!

San Fransisco's Board of Supervisors recently voted on allowing full public nudity. Please see the article linked below for good insight into the motives behind this issue -

dennisprager.com

"The Lord God Omnipotent reigns!"

Quote in context:

Rev. 19 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” 3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

6b ..."Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us rejoice and give Him glory..."

Enough said!


"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Encouragement for those facing opposition!

Consider these blessed words -

John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Not that any of us are Jesus, but He did say that we would suffer persecution for He and His word's sake. So remember, it is not that they have a problem with you, they have a problem with Him!

Pray for them and keep the faith!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

How will Barack Obama respond to being referred to as "lord and savior"?

I was shocked to receive a link to a story in which Jamie Foxx refers to Barack Obama as "our lord and savior" at the Soul Train Awards.

Click on the link below to view the story and video -

Obama as lord and savior?

How has God dealt with leaders who accept the worship of men in past times?

Acts 12:20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country. 21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Oprah and Joel, together in heresy!

Wretchedradio.com had this posted on their site. It is one of the worst cases of taking scripture out of context and then teaching something totally at odds with the text that I have ever seen.

 

 

 

Christianity Today - Modern Liberalism and Theological Ignorance!

I read an article in the November issue of Christianity Today written by singer, songwriter and author, Carolyn Arends. The article, God Did It, was a retelling of a discussion between the author and her son as he was considering what college to attend. The young man was interested in attending a Christian college to avoid the teaching of evolution, while his mother suggested that may not be best. Her reasons for encouraging him to consider a secular college were rooted in her belief that evolution may be true and the Bible/Christianity can still be true if it is. The issue of whether evolution is true is not something I am prepared to discuss at length here, although I believe the six-day creation story of Genesis is literal and has not been refuted by scientific data. What I take great exception to is the author’s suggestion that evolution and the Bible/Christianity could be reconciled and her lack of theological understanding regarding the implications.

Her reasons for accepting the possibility of evolution being true in the article are not a discussion of whether science has proven it, but centered on other issues. The first reason given for why evolution and the Bible/Christianity may be compatible is that Billy Graham once said he would see no problem for the Bible/Christianity if evolution were true. The quote she shared with her son, from 1964, from such a well known Christian, led her son to respond, "Maybe you’re not a total heretic". Is Billy Graham a famous evangelist? Yes! Is he a theologian who is known for his deep and thorough understanding of theology? No! Just because someone is well known does not make them an expert. The place to go to see if someone is a heretic is the Bible!

The second reason given for saying evolution and the Bible/Christianity may be compatible is the teaching of some un-named Hebrew scholars, who are said to believe in the authority of Scripture, but have no problem with seeing the Genesis creation account as less than literal. I have several problems with this, not the least of which is, who are these scholars and what do they mean by authoritative? The reasons specifically given from these scholars for the non-literal/non-scientific reading of the creation account is that the Bible was not written to us as the original audience, so we can't know what it is teaching us, unless we are sure what it meant to them. This is a reasonable hermeneutic principle, but should we not err on the side of believing it was teaching exactly what it says, unless given strong evidence from the Bible to think it is teaching something different?

The next reason attributed to the Hebrew scholars is that "the Bible is not a book", but rather a collection of books written at different times and in different genres. Somehow this means that what is in Genesis can be misleading and totally contradictory to reality, and that is somehow okay because it is a genre that was used in that time by that author. When considering genres in the Bible, it is sometimes easy to see or suspect it is using non-literal language based on the context. However, when you see things presented with very specific time frames and given as God's direct words/actions, as we see in the creation account, it is hard to believe any God- fearing person/people would have felt comfortable proclaiming such things so specifically, unless they believed it was literally true.

However, even though the author presents these reasons for the possibility of reconciling the Bible and evolution, I think her real motive comes out in her last argument, which is not scientific or biblical, but pragmatic. Following a brief discussion of why young people are leaving the church, it is said, "the cognitive dissonance between the empirical data and what we are asking them to believe is too great". So, is this a search for truth from the Bible and true science? No, it is a capitulation to the culture out of fear of losing people from the church.

Much like the liberals of old, we are being told to bring our beliefs in line with those of the age we live in. As John Shelby Spong suggested we must ditch the violent God of Jesus and the crucifixion if Christianity is to survive, Carolyn Arends’ bottom line is that we must be willing to reconsider the creation account's truthfulness, if we are to keep people, especially young people, in the church.

This is a grave error!

You can't have it both ways. You can't remove the offense of the scriptures to get or keep people in the church and still have the subject of the scriptures and the basis of the church, Jesus Christ, end up in His true and proper place. Spong’s liberalism makes the cross a fairytale, while Carolyn Arends’ liberalism leaves us with a Jesus who comes to redeem a people with no literal Adam, Eve, original sin or fall from which to redeem us. The reality is that the Bible is one book. Yes, it was written over thousands of years, by many authors and contains different literary genres, but it is one story, with one subject and everything in it points to Him, including the events surrounding creation!

I am very concerned that Carolyn Arends and her publishers at Christianity Today would feel comfortable publishing this article. She says she still believes the creation account, but wants to be sure we aren't being too dogmatic in case it isn't true, and so we won't loose young people from the church. OK, but if the creation account has not been proven wrong, do you really want to be telling the world, especially our young people, that there are good reasons for rejecting it? Dare anyone named a Christian handle God's Word so lightly?

Why does the government not want to call terrorism, terrorism?

This video below was on the Wretched Radio Blog. It seems weird that the U.S. government was slow or reluctant to call the attack on the embassy in Libya terrorism and even weirder that they would refuse to call the Fort Hood massacre terrorism.

Why, I don't know, but watch this video and be shocked!

Stoned, but not dead!

No, I am not talking about the residents of Colorado and their recent vote to legalize marijuana. I am talking about the apostle Paul.

Acts 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

A multitude at Lystra was manipulated into killing Paul, by a few influential people from out of town who saw him as a threat to their way of life.

However, Paul was not dead!

What those who attempted to murder Paul and silence his message didn't realise, is that Paul could not be killed until God was finished with Him on earth. Paul, like the church as a whole, is safe eternally and only suffers what accomplishes God's plans on earth now.

God is not dead, we are His in Christ, and there are other believers who care about us! So, until God takes you home - get up and continue His work!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

James White, post election thoughts.

Shocking! John MacArthur shares insight into the political party platforms.

I saw this on Wretchedradio, pay close attention to the quote from Planned Parenthood and the statistics on abortion. Incredible!



Is "bait and switch", an acceptable church growth practice?

What do I mean by "bait and switch"? I am referring to the age old marketing ploy where you offer something much desired at an irresistible price to get people into your store, but once they arrive to grab the great bargain, you surprise them by pushing a different product, the one you intended to sell them all along.

Is this practiced in some churches? I think we would have to say yes. Many churches offer programs that are intended to get people into the church, so they can hear the gospel and hopefully get saved. I know folks have been saved through sports programs like Upwards and although I have never heard of an actual instance, I would assume at least someone has been saved at one of the thousands of "Fall festivals" held at churches over the Halloween holiday.

Also, music is certainly used to attract people to churches in hopes that they will stay and hear the word. I have seen several examples of rock concert type church services lately and have even heard it suggested that they are necessary if you are going to get folks into your church, especially young people. Have folks come to see the show and stayed to hear the gospel and get saved, I would assume so.

Here is a possible example of giving in to worldly music preferences, as a church celebrates its tenth anniversary -

Finally, sermons are often crafted to be as engaging to the unbeliever as possible. This is done by including much reference to pop culture, cleaver videos, humor and topics which even the lost might see as helpful, such as money management. Do people ever come to a church services to hear a message crafted to get folks in the door, hear the gospel and get saved, it is certainly possible.

Here is a sermon that I received a direct mail flier for at my house (aimed at getting new folks to their church) and then watched online, it is based on a popular movie - Avatar sermon

So what is the problem with using non-spiritual things like sports ministries, music that mostly entertains and messages that are aimed at getting people in the door, so the gospel can be shared with them? I would suggest at least two. First, all too often I have listened to messages meant to get people in the door that never got around to the gospel, let alone having the proclamation of the word be prominent (Avatar sermon above for example). Also, even if the gospel is touched on during the message, does the tendency to emphasise everything but the scripture, create church attendees that are hungry for the word or hungry for more of what got them in the door in the first place?

Scripture says -

1 Pet. 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,  3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (NKJV)

Does the seeker oriented church, with it's programs, entertaining music, and relevant sermons, tend to promote a desire for the word or a desire for more of what the people got last week?

If you look at what is happening, it probably isn't a case of "bait and switch" at all. In reality the church is offering what people want on the first day they attend and continue to offer it on an ongoing basis. If lost people want a church experience that isn't structured around teaching the word and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-16), then you can certainly do church in a way that is more appealing to them, the question is, is that the church? 

2 Tim. 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (NKJV)

How far should a church go to get folks in the door? Maybe that is the wrong question, maybe we should ask, how can the church teach the whole counsel of God, equip the saints for the work of the ministry and then send them into the world to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and bring others to salvation?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Identifying a disciple!

The Pyromaniacs Blog has been discussing discipleship recently. The following two paragraphs are from a current blog post by Dan Phillips. Read them and I assume you will want to read the rest at the link above.

A disciple never feels he knows his Bible well enough. A disciple knows that he is on a learning-curve that literally has no upper extremity. A disciple never forgets that God has expectations, that privilege obliges, that he is morally obligated to be heading to the point where he himself both practices and can explain the deeper truths of God (Heb. 5:11-14). Further, he is vividly aware that it was failure to advance in just such a way that gave birth to one of the most terrifying passages of Scripture (Heb. 6:1ff.).

"I will never need to know that" is the thought of a non-disciple. It means, "This doesn't interest me right now, so I won't make any effort to strengthen my grasp of what the Word says about it." It signals a willful ignorance of the implications of passages such as Prov. 2:1, that wisdom requires that we treasure up what we are taught right now, even though the application may not be right now. The disciple is like the hardworking, forward-looking ant (Prov. 6:8), not like the aimless sluggard (Prov. 20:4).

Sinless perfection in this life - really?

I was asked by a reader to discuss the doctrine held by some denominations that basically says: "It is possible to reach a state of sinless perfection in this life". After researching this a bit, it is clear that some who's theology find its roots in the Wesleyan tradition, such as Seventh Day Adventists, as well as some Pentecostals, would affirm this statement. It is also clear that this is not a doctrine that is held by all who claim affiliation with these denominations.

The issue at hand is the biblical doctrine of sanctification. In looking for information on who held to the notion of  "sinless perfection in this life", I came across an article that gave great insight into who holds to this doctrine and also evaluates it along with other commonly held views on sanctification.

I have placed a link below to the article. I personally believe the positions presented as "The Reformed View" and the author's view, referred to as "My view", have much merit in terms of properly understanding the biblical doctrine of sanctification.

Read and decide for yourself!

5 views of sanctification

A Jesus quote to ponder!

Jesus prays this to His Father, regarding His disciples -

John 17:18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

If Jesus has sent us "as" He was sent by the Father, what might we expect our lives to look like?



Bonus - another Matt Papa song!

 "Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Matt Papa - Open Hands!

A Great Quote on Evangelism and Missions!

In regard to doing evangelism and missions, authors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, in their book Everyday Church,  suggest that the Bible's prescribed way of reaching the lost is not primarily by inviting people to evangelistic events, but rather:

"Our lives are the evangelistic events. Our life together is the apologetic."

They are not advocating a wordless gospel that expects people to comprehend the truth simply through seeing our good works. What they discuss at length in the book is that Christians should live a very different lifestyle, individually and collectively, which actually gets the attention of the lost as it displays the power of the gospel we proclaim.

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

In a time when Christians are often quick to complain about the state of the world and how we are treated by it, it is no wonder that we primarily rely on events and programs to present the gospel. If we were to make our individual and collective lives the main means of witnessing to the world, we might tend to make the gospel less believable, as our often self-centered lifestyles and lack of unity as Christ's church, would hardly seem to confirm the truth.

By God's grace, may we seek to be His witness and His church, as we interact with each other and the world throughout our daily lives!

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Seperating faith from life is impossible!

A well know writer was shocked to find that Paul Ryan believed a person's faith will make an absolute difference in their life, including their political decisions. I think many people are able to hold the beliefs of their church or religions separate from their lives and decisions, but only because they aren't what they personally believe. What we really believe (about God and everything else) will absolutely affect what we think, say, feel and do. Paul Ryan's democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, who is a Catholic as is Paul Ryan, is a good example of this. His church officially believes abortion is wrong, but Joe Biden believes it is perfectly acceptable. Has Joe Biden separated his beliefs from his public/political life? Not at all, he is acting on what he believes personally over what his church believes officially.

I would suggest that everyone does what they think is best according to what they believe every single time without exception and I challenge anyone to give an example to the contrary.

If you ever find yourself thinking that you acted against your beliefs, you need to reconsider if you really believe what you think you do or why even for a moment, you chose to believe otherwise and act accordingly.

Here is Al Mohler's original blog article -

Of Babies and Beans

Great Message from Voddie Bauchum

I saw this video posted on the Truth Matters blog and just had to re-post it! Voddie Bauchum does a great job of exegeting Acts 17 and demonstrating Paul's willingness to confront the culture, rather than adapt to it.

 



I may just be jealous, but your opinion is welcome!

I was out of town this past week to be with family after the death of my wife's father. I had the opportunity to speak with the pastor of a much larger church than the one I pastor (hence the possibility that I am just jealous), but I am curious how others might see one comment he made. While I can't remember the exact words, his comment was essentially this, "all the growing churches provide great worship experiences". He did offer one exception, a church he knew of that has a very famous pastor, but as a whole he felt the worship experience was of utmost importance if a church is to grow.

I realize how you define "worship experience" could have great impact how this comment is understood. However, I would love to have some feedback on this topic, such as:

Is this emphasis on "worship experience" what we see emphasized in the Bible for church growth?

Does the emphasis on "worship experience" potentially de-emphasize other important things such as learning the word, commitment to the fellowship, service to the body and evangelizing the lost?

What makes the worship of our Lord meaningful, is it something visible/external or invisible/internal?









.

A free will vs. a bound will?

I hear many people get confused when they hear others affirm God's sovereign election of people to salvation. The misunderstanding usually comes in the form of thinking "free will" is all people having the capacity and choice to obey God unto salvation vs. "election", which they feel means some people are kept from salvation who want it, while others may be forced to believe, like some kind of robots.

In reality, the situation is well described like this:

Before the fall, Adam and Eve were able to sin or not to sin. They had absolute freedom of choice when it came to obeying or disobeying God. Of course we know they used their freedom to sin.

After the fall, man's will is said to be in bondage to sin (Gen. 8:21, Rom. 3:9-18, 8:6-11, 1 Cor. 2:14-16). We have the freedom to choose, but we use that freedom to choose against God. So, practically speaking, fallen man is not able not to sin, he won't choose to love and obey God. However, we must remember, this is what we want, we are not being forced to sin like robots.

Once regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to sin or not to sin (2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 5:16-26, Eph. 2:1-10, 1 John 1:5-2:1). Here also, we are not robots and still may sin, but we also freely desire to obey the Lord we love from our new nature.

Once we are glorified and the fleshly nature is gone, we will live forever with Christ and be not able to sin (1 Cor. 15:50-53, Rev. 21:22-27).

All glory is to Christ as He redeems His people by His plan and power!

OK, I know this may be controversial, but can AA teach the church a lesson?

I would like to offer for discussion the 6th Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In case you don't know what I mean by that, I offer this very brief explanation. AA has what they call the "Twelve Steps". These steps are the recovery program AA recommends for those recovering from Alcoholism. Less known is AA's "Twelve Traditions", these are principles that deal with AA governance, affiliation, etc. and seek to keep AA from getting off the primary purpose for which it exists.

OK, before I ask for input on this one particular tradition, I ask you not to jump to conclusions that I am anti-church property. Just read the tradition and consider any parallels with the church. 

Tradition 6. Problems of money, property, and authority may easily divert us from our primary spiritual aim. We think, therefore, that any considerable property of genuine use to A.A. should be separately incorporated and managed, thus dividing the material from the spiritual.....

You can read a full text of this and the other traditions here: Twelve Traditions

My questions are these -

Do you think the modern church has allowed the "problems of money, property and authority" to "divert us from our primary spiritual aim"?

Does the Bible promote churches owning property?

Does the Bible forbid churches owning property?

Are there principles in the Bible that might guide us in this area?

What might be lost if a church had no permanent building?

What might be gained if a church had no permanent building?

I am very interested in having some biblically supported answers and dialogue, so please participate if you can!

The Silencing of Christians, not in Iran, but Jersey City?

Wow, more and more cases of public officials attempting to silence any public proclamation of the Gospel. Take a look at the New Jersey case here: Christians arrested for evangelizing in public park

Also, see a similar story here: Christians arrested for evangelism after sunset in New Orleans

Acts 4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Glory!

Rom. 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Justification!

Pride and our call to reach the lost!

Jesus set an example that few of us imitate.

Mark 2:15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Further we read, lest we get all self-righteous!

Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

All need the great physician, all need Jesus' sacrifice applied to them to be saved, and all need to hear the message of the gospel and repent to have eternal life. But, do we allow our pride or a desire to not get involved with "those people", keep us from bringing them the message that saved us? Are they scary, dirty, do they have weird habits, is spending time with them optional?

Consider Jesus' prayer to the Father.

John 17:15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

Have we been sent to do as Christ did?

Is it more likely we will be calling sinners to repentance if we hang around with church folks or by eating with tax collectors and sinners?

Who are the tax collectors and sinners that you could be spending time with? 

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Link to 9Marks sermons

The 9marks Conference at Southeastern Seminary was most excellent. If you didn't get to attend, follow this link to hear what you missed - SEBTS

Great quote!

I actually saw this quote in a book I am reading now, Everyday Church, by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. I highly recommend their book as it not only addresses many of the reasons we aren't reaching the lost, but also a clear path forward based on an exegesis of 1 Peter.

I do think this quote by Os Guinness hits the mark -

"By our uncritical pursuit of relevance we have actually courted irrelevance; by our breathless chase after relevance without a matching commitment to faithfulness, we have become not only unfaithful, but irrelevant; by our determined efforts to redefine ourselves in ways that are more compelling to the modern world than are faithful to Christ, we have lost not only our identity but our authority and our relevance. Our crying need is to be faithful as well as relevant" (Prophetic Untimeliness, p. 15).

A truly weird phenomenon

It has been a real push among myself and other church leaders lately to shift more of the responsibility for discipling children and youth to the parents, something clearly taught in scripture.

Deut. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

We can see that Israel did not take this command serious and their future generations would suffer much for their faithlessness to teach their children to love and obey God.

Judges 2:7 So the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel. 8 Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years old. 9 And they buried him within the border of his inheritance at Timnath Heres, in the mountains of Ephraim, on the north side of Mount Gaash. 10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.

This need to live out and pass on the faith to our children/youth is stated specifically in the New Testament.

Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

The general call to live out an authentic faith, which certainly includes before our family, is clear throughout the New Testament as well.

Matt. 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Consider the frequency with which our young people and all believers need to be given spiritual guidance and instruction.

Heb. 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

I hope we don't expect a youth leader to come by every day to disciple our children!

OK, so what is the weird phenomenon I mentioned?

It is that when I suggest to Christian parents that equipping them to do what God has called them to do, is more important than the children and youth having ample time with other young people and a youth leader, I get very stranger objections, like:

1. What about parents who aren't mature enough to disciple their children?

Seriously, if they are Christians that is the whole reason we need to adjust to equipping parents! Having a youth leader disciple their children/youth has not pushed them to become equipped evidently, or that objection would not even exist.

2. What about the children of lost parents?

Did God tell us to prioritize teaching other people's lost children or our own children? Israel did not disciple their children and the future generations ended up worshipping the pagan gods around them. Are we sure this isn't just an excuse to not take our own call to disciple our children serious? Also, why not make reaching some lost children a family effort, show your children you are concerned enough to get involved in other's lives, not just have others do it for you.

3. What will keep youth and children engaged if they don't have fun things like youth group to attend?

First, I suspect both Israel and the NT church throughout most of history, had less “fun” than the pagan cultures around them, but those having all the "fun" generally died and went to Hell, so not such a great deal. Further, they and we are not taught to drag our children to a boring place or a fun place to be discipled, but to love the Lord with all our being and teach them why we do and why they should! It is only when and if they embrace the love for Christ, His word and His church that they will be truly attached to the church for themselves.

4. I was dragged to church when I was young and I left as soon as I could, won't our children/youth do the same if church isn't fun for them?

Yes, of course they will leave if they never come to love the Lord, His word and His church, they will leave and we should have no shock about it. We will not compete with the fun the world offers, even if we try real hard, and of course we are never told to do such things in the church in the first place.

The question is how do we best bring our children and youth to love the Lord, His word and His church?

If that is what you want, if that is what you are asking, then the question you must answer is - what does the Bible teach about how to accomplish it?

It is a bit weird for believers to not want to go to God's word for instructions on how to do ministry - isn't it?

I can't guarantee that your child/youth will get to where you want them spiritually, but I can promise you that God expects you to do it His way and trust Him with the results!

Let me repeat the wisdom found in Deut 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

It would appear that our own love for God and how that overflows into our daily lives and the way we raise our children/youth is what God says is most important, if we are to obey Him!

Do your children see you as someone who loves the Lord, His word and His church? Does this love overflow in real ways throughout your daily life before your children and others? Are you always intentional about speaking God's truth into the lives of your children/youth?

If not, then let's agree we need to and get equipped to do so!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Jesus' wife - really?

If you have heard of the ancient text fragment that some say shows Jesus had a wife, you would do well to read this story by Al Mohler: albertmohler.com

The unifying mission of God's people!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (NKJV)

Chosen to do what?

Recognise our relationship to God and each other through Christ, and praise Him!

Supposed to live how?

Live like this world is not our home,  like we are aliens/visitors, rejecting the desires of the flesh, in order that we might display the glory of God to those who don't know Him!

Does this sound like our own walk with God?

Does it describe the corporate life of our church?

Could many years of, "God is just so happy if you accept His Son" type messages, have led us to a point where many just can't conceive of God asking any more of us as His people?

The truth is, if we realise we were in darkness and we have been brought into His marvelous light, totally by His mercy, we want to praise Him and live for His glory. Could it be that many may have responded to those "God is just happy to have you messages", without ever recognising the darkness they were in and truly coming into His light?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

A little musical encouragement!

Why is having believers of all ages and interests meeting together, so controversial in the modern church?

Did the idea that a good church must separate everyone by age and interest come from the Bible or elsewhere?

The Bible says:

Eph. 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one  God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

If we are one family of God, united by His Spirit and we told to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit, why is the first question people ask about a church usually something about what programs they have to separate believers?

Do you have a good children's ministry?

Do you have a good seniors ministry?

Do you offer a sports ministry?

Do you have a ministry for....

Ok, how about: Do you have a time when those who believe, of all ages, "The Church", can be together to worship, pray and learn God's word?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

God saves His people, for His name's sake!

This prophecy of Israel's future is quite amazing. God promises that in the future, He will give them a new heart/Spirit, resulting in their walking in His statutes and obeying Him. He does not promise to do this because they suddenly got faithful to Him, but because He is faithful to His own reputation, honor and glory and will save His wayward people "for His name's sake"!

I realize that I am not Israel, but I get much comfort from the fact that, like them, my deliverance from sin, doesn't ultimately rest with my comitment to God, but God's comitment to His own glory, purposes and people!

Ezek. 36:16:Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds; to Me their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity. 18 Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it. 19 So I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed throughout the countries; I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. 20 When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ 

21 But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

33‘Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. 35 So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. 38 Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’”

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Christian parent "get real"!

Luke 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

It would be interesting to take this parable and replace the Pharisee with oursleves, especially if we are a parent. Too often we act like our children/youth are the sinners and we have got it all together. They know we don't, but they need to see is us boldly seeking God's grace through Jesus and His work in response to our sin. That is how we are justified and find strength from God and what they need us to model for them, not us pretending we have sin conqured.

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Will the Muslims who say their religion is tolerant and non-violent, please take a stand for freedom and against murder?

I always here on the news after terrorist attacks or murders of innocent people like the American diplomats killed yesterday, something like this: "those who kill people for saying bad things against Islam aren't expressing the true religion, they are just some misled extremists."

Ok, if that is true, would all the "real" Muslims, who are tolerant and non-violent, please make a clear and public statement that they condemn all attacks against people for expressing negative views about Islam.

The silence will speak loudly, until it is replaced with your words.

911

I am not wanting to draw too much of a parallel between the Twin Towers falling and end times prophecy. However, the tendency to put our hope in the things of the word, rather than in eternal things is real. Therefore it is worth considering how all earthly centers of hope will fare in the end.

Rev. 18:9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’

19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’ (NKJV)

However, by contrast:

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

What is our hope in?

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

Questions on Mormonism?

 

Christian apologist, James White, gives a very thorough overview of Mormon beliefs, well worth your time!

 

 

 

 

The Starkest Political/Moral Contrast Possible!

Please take time to read this article by Albert Mohler on the 2012 political party platforms:

albertmohler.com

I have probably posted this before, but worth another listen!

 

 

This is pretty old, but John Piper's message remains consistent - don't waste your life!

 

 

Interesting Quote!

"God has often forgiven sinners, but He never forgives sin; and the sinner is only forgiven on the ground of Another having borne his punishment; for 'without shedding of blood is no remission' (Hebrews 9:22)."

-A.W. Pink

Heal our land or heal our church?

After the dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, God gave this warning of Israel's future disobedience, His righteous punishment and the way His people could find relief.

2 Chron. 7:12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

This passage is often applied to the United States, as if our country was made up entirely of God’s people. These promises were specifically for God's people Israel under the Old Covenant, but surely God’s people today “the Church”, could expect God to act on our behalf if we follow the same principles.

If we are concerned about the state of our local church body, and we always should be, should we come together, humble ourselves, pray, seek His face/will and turn from our wicked ways? If we did, would He set right whatever needs to be set right?

You may be asking, what have we done wrong that we need to humble ourselves, what sin do we need to turn from and why is doing this as His church important today?

Well the easy answer is this: Most churches/Christians spend far too little time coming together as His people to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face/will and turn from the sin of self sufficiency that surely lies behind our unwillingness to take these most basic spiritual principles serious!

 

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."