Sunday, August 31, 2008
One Cry Away...
When I was a young boy, I spent a whole summer vacation with my cousins on their farm in South Dakota. That was an adventure I will never forget.
One of our favorite hot summer afternoon pastimes was to cool off in the stock tank. One day, while we were taking a dip, a lone, yearling calf came in from the pasture to get a drink. Like most boys, we had some mean streaks in us and decided not to share our water tank with him.
But it was hot and he was thirsty and persistent. In spite of his every effort to get near enough for a quick drink, we were determined not to let him; we kept him at bay by yelling and throwing dirt clods. Pretty soon he started lowing and so we began to mimic him. He got louder and we got louder. Then his mooing turned to a sound like I had not heard before. It was almost as if he were wailing but we just kept on tormenting the crying calf. We were having great fun until, suddenly, I looked up and there, on the crest of the hill above us, stood every bull and steer in my uncle's herd. They were lined up like Indians in an old western movie. All at once, they started charging down the hill toward us.
We grabbed up our clothing and scrambled for the fence. I just barely made it over. All of them were snorting and pacing along the fence line almost as if to dare us to come back over. I think back at that event and realize that although that little calf was intimidated, he was never really in danger. Why? Because just one cry away he had resources.
If God's creatures are that responsive to the cries of their own, how much more responsive must God be to the cries of His own? Just one cry away we have unlimited resources.
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry” Ps. 34:15
Ralph M. Petersen
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Saturday, August 30, 2008
WOTMR - Carnal Christian = Antinomianism
1. In I Cor.1:2-5, Paul addressed his audience as "sanctified in Christ". So are they sanctified or carnal? In I Cor.2, Paul divides men into "natural" and "spiritual," i.e. un saved and saved. By labeling some Christians as "carnal," Paul would be introducing a third classification of humans. Furthermore, this would violate every other presentation in Scripture that there are only two classes of people: children of God or children of wrath.
2. The new covenant of salvation includes two inseparable blessings at salvation: justification and sanctification. Carnal Christianity teaches you will be justified upon conversion, but sanctification is optional.
3. The Bible presents two types of faith: saving faith and spurious (false) faith (Lk. 8:13). Carnal Christianity does not recognize spurious faith. What a false assurance we allow the unregenerate to possess if we allow them to think their faith is valid when the Bible teaches it might be a false conversion.
4. Carnal Christianity excludes a necessary component of salvation: repentance. The unconverted sinner can just "ask Jesus into his heart" with no requirement to forsake sin.
5. How does a person know he is saved? Fruit in keeping with repentance. We are told to examine ourselves to see if we are in the truth. What a beautiful gift to the believer. If we can be carnal, how can we know we are saved? Carnal Christianity robs us of assurance.
6. Carnal Christianity may be a relatively new name, but it is merely a new moniker for an old false teaching: anti-nomianism. "Should we go on sinning that grace might more abound?" Carnal Christianity says, "Sure."
7. "Carnal Christian teaching is the mother of many second work-of-grace errors in that it depreciates the Biblical conversion experience by implying that the change in the converted sinner may amount to little or nothing." Dr. Reisinger goes on to point out that a second step is required to make a man a "spiritual Christian."
8. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, right? (Lk.2:11) Carnal Christianity divides Jesus and allows Him to be Savior but not Lord.
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THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN AMERICA NEEDS TO CHAMPION SLAVES NOT SEEKERS!
The idea of the Christian as a slave and Christ as Master is almost totally missing from the vocabulary of contemporary evangelical Christianity. Not only is slave a bad word loaded with political incorrectness, but our generation also loves the concepts of freedom and personal fulfillment. Modern and postmodern people crave autonomy, and as the church has become increasingly worldly, the biblical truth of our duty to Him as our absolute Lord and Master has all but disappeared from the evangelical consciousness. The church in our generation has reduced all of saving faith and Christian discipleship to a thoughtless (but more politically correct) cliche: "a personal relationship with Jesus." The ambiguity of the phrase reflects the destructive vagueness with which evangelicals have been handling (and mishandling) the gospel for the past several decades. As if Christ could be someone's intimate friend without being that person's Lord.
That is, after all, the whole gist of the no-lordship message: you can have Jesus as Savior and Friend here and now and decide later whether you really want to submit to His authority or not. It is hard to imagine a more disastrous twisting of what it means to be a Christian. Remember that among the original twelve disciples, only one wanted to be seen as Jesus' "friend" without ever really bowing to His authority as Lord and Master-and that was Judas. A lot of people (and Satan as well) has some kind of "personal relationship" with Jesus during His earthly ministry without submitting to Him as Lord. But as we shall shortly observe, His only true friends were those who did what He said (John 15:14).
The lordship controversy would have been much less significant-and the no-lordship doctrine surely would have to face an insurmountable obstacle-if those who first began to flirt with the concept had grasped the implications of the word "doulos" and its necessary connection with the word "kurios". In fact, a host of contemporary evangelical aberrations would have been averted if Christians of the past few generations has retained some basic understanding of what it means to be a slave of Christ.
Consider what this truth would mean for the prosperity gospel, the idea that Christians have the power to create health, wealth, and material success with their own words; or the market-driven philosophy of church growth, which promises the fulfillment of felt needs and achievement of personal satisfaction as incentives for responding to Christ; or the elusive quest for a brand of faith that guarantees "Your Best Life Now"; or the postmodern concept of truth as something we each get to define for ourselves. All of these ideas are at odds with the biblical principle that Christians are slaves who are totally subject to the will of another-namely, Christ, who is their absolute Master.
We need to let Scripture speak for itself, and it is time to face squarely the reality of this difficult truth. Slavery to Christ is not a minor or secondary feature of true discipleship. This is not merely symbolic or illustrative language devoid of any literal sense. It is exactly how Jesus Himself defined the "personal relationship" He must have with every true follower (John 12:26; 15:20). And that fact is underscored throughout the New Testament. It is significant that the opening words of several New Testament epistles include their various author's own confessions that they were but slaves of Christ (Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Rev 1:1). Every true disciple in the apostolic church understood this truth completely, because if all the apostles confessed that they were Jesus' slaves, those under the apostles' oversight certainly had to be slaves of Christ as well.
As a matter of fact, the fundamental aspects of slavery are the very features of our redemption that Scripture puts the most stress on. We are "chosen" (Eph. 1:4-5; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9; "bought" (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23); "owned" by our Master (Rom. 14:7-9; 1 Cor. 6:19; Titus 2:14); "subject to the Master's will and control over us" (Acts 5:29; Rom. 6:16-19; Phil. 2:5-8); and "totally dependent" on the Master for everything in our lives (2 Cor. 9:8-11; Phil, 4:19). We will ultimately be "called to account" (Rom. 14:12); "evaluated (2 Cor. 5:10); and "either chastened or rewarded" by Him (Heb. 125-11; 1 Cor. 3:14). Those are all essential components of slavery.
"The Gospel According to Jesus" - John MacArthur
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Jim McClarty - What Did Jesus Accomplish On The Cross?
From Lane's Blog: What did Jesus accomplish? Some say He came to make it possible to be saved. Others say that He came to save every single person who ever lived from Hell. What does the Bible say, though? What was Jesus's mission as told by the Bible? Listen to Jim McClarty explain from the Scriptures what Jesus accomplished.
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Friday, August 29, 2008
Paul Washer - The True Gospel
Please take 4 minutes and listen to THIS testimony of a 23 year old person who was saved as a result of seeing the video below.
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Mark Driscoll - Death By Love
Your thoughts? Please leave a comment...
You can read more about the book HERE.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008
While We Were Enjoying the Olympics...
On August 6, just two days before the Olympics began, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan was arrested, along with his wife and a coworker. In response to these arrests, The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association have launched a petition drive to free these three Christians and to let the Chinese government know that the world is aware that these Christians are being detained.
Pastor Bike(left) standing with Anna, an orphan girl who has also been persecuted by the Chinese government.
Pastor Bike, as he is affectionately known, is considered to be one of the most outspoken evangelists in China. He is a bold believer willing to cross borders, hand out Christian literature and Bibles, share Christ with those under age 18 and lead thousands to Christ. All these actions are considered "illegal," in communist China. Earlier this year, Pastor Bike pleaded with VOM staff and China Aid Association to create the China Prayer Bands so that Christians in the free world could know more about persecution of Christians in China.
"Pastor Bike is willing to do everything that the state church won't do," says Tom White, executive director of The Voice of the Martyrs. "The love of Christ is evident in his outreach and his passion for souls. He stands for everything we believe in and has been mercilessly persecuted by the Chinese government."
About one minute into this video report by the BBC on China's crackdown on dissidence, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan is seen being forcibly detained by Chinese authorities. He was released shortly after the incident but was arrested again on August 6, two days before the Olympic Games opening ceremonies.
Continue reading and sign the petition to free Pastor Bike HERE.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Our Total Dependence On God
Father of Mercies, Hear me for Jesus’ sake. I am sinful even in my closest walk with thee; it is of thy mercy I died not long ago; Thy grace has given me in the cross by which thou hast reconciled thyself to me and me to thee, drawing me by thy great love, reckoning me as innocent in Christ though guilty in myself.
Giver of all graces, I look to thee for strength to maintain them in me, for it is hard to practise what I believe. Strengthen me against temptations. My heart is an unexhausted fountain of sin, a river of corruption since childhood days, flowing on in every pattern of behaviour; Thou hast disarmed me of the means in which I trusted, and I have no strength but in thee.
Thou alone canst hold back my evil ways, but without thy grace to sustain me I fall. Satan’s darts quickly inflame me, and the shield that should quench them easily drops from my hand: Empower me against his wiles and assaults. Keep me sensible of my weakness, and of my dependence upon thy strength. Let every trial teach me more of thy peace, more of thy love.
Thy Holy Spirit is given to increase thy graces, and I cannot preserve or improve them unless he works continually in me. May he confirm my trust in thy promised help, and let me walk humbly in dependence upon thee, for Jesus’ sake.
- The Valley of Vision
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Monday, August 25, 2008
Kerrigan Skelly Denies Original Sin And Total Depravity
I found this very disturbing video of Kerrigan Skelly teaching young children that Total Depravity is unbiblical. Compare his 10 part video series to James White and Paul Washer's videos. Dr. White and Paul Washer are clearly teaching Biblical Truth while Skelly’s teachings are complete heresy. Pray for this man and all those young children that are listening to him.
Paul Washer - Total Depravity - Take The Test
James White - "What Does 'Total Depravity' Mean?"
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Sunday, August 24, 2008
WHAT HAS REALLY BEEN REVEALED AT GRANGER COMMUNITY CHURCH?
Last week I read Tim Stevens's Response regarding the results of the REVEAL study at Granger Community Church. I thought it would be interesting to compare his statements to the statements of men like MacArthur, Armstrong, Washer, Spurgeon, etc. with a few of my own comments in the mix...I think you will find it quite "revealing".
But I can think of some worse statistics. I would much rather be in a church where 57% don't believe in the Bible than in a church where 100% of those attending do believe in the Bible. That would be awful! - Tim Stevens, Granger Community Church(GCC)
Imagine a church that was completely filled with those already convinced...where no one invited an unchurched friend...where the Christians had grown stagnant in their pursuit of knowledge and stopped putting the gospel into practice...where the church had made Jesus so unattractive that no one on a search for purpose or meaning would consider coming. If I found myself in such a church, I would be weeping. - Tim Stevens, GCC
I will cringe if the day ever comes when only the church gathers on the weekend...or when the supposed mature Christians stop inviting their friends to hear the good news...or when we have a church filled with people who ace their theology exam but flunk their practice-ology test. - Tim Stevens, GCC
The whole "seeker sensitive" approach presumes that the Lord's Day church gathering is principally for recruiting the unchurched, or evangelizing the lost. This idea can be traced to the "revivalism" of 19th century American experience, where the focus during this era was then moved from the church gathering to worship God, to be edified, to receive the sacraments and to enjoy fellowship with Christ and one another, to "drawing the net," or getting decisions from the lost. This new "seeker-sensitive" approach is just a sharper and more carefully defined (dare we say, "neatly packaged") version of the same approach. It is clearly not Reformational, but even more importantly it is clearly not Biblical.
While we try to entice the world to come to church to hear the Gospel, the New Testament proclaims a powerful church worshipping God going out into the world in order to reach lost (cf. The Book of Acts). True revivals have historically proved again and again, if they prove anything at all, that a revived and healthy church reaches a dying and lost world through its own awakened people. The real problem is that we have a dying and sadly unhealthy church in the late 20th century and we are trying something, it seems at times almost anything, to bring back life. The new way to do this is to attack the "traditional" church and suggest that our problem is to be found in what we do on Sundays. It is argued, "Contemporaneity will bring back the crowds, thus the life of our church." The real problem, however, is not what we do (i.e. in the so-called traditional service), but that we do what we do without power, without careful thought, and without integrity and passion. But a very important question begs to be answered: What really is the biblical reason for the church to gather in public meetings on the Lord's Day? A simple reading of the Scriptures gives an unmistakably clear answer--God-centered, Scripture-directed worship. The New Testament plainly teaches that our corporate worship is for God. - John Armstrong
The apostle Paul wrote of “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). More than any other institution on earth, the church is where the truth of God is upheld. The church is called to lift up the truth and hold it high. Employing the truth as a weapon, we are to smash the ideological fortresses of Satan’s lies (2 Cor. 10:3-5). And it is in the pursuit of that goal that the church will ultimately realize her greatest triumph. - John MacArthur
There’s a lot of talk these days about “user-friendly” churches. Church growth experts counsel church leaders to try to provide an atmosphere in which “unchurched” people can feel comfortable and at home. That strikes me as an utterly wrong-headed approach to the church. “Unchurched” people who come into our fellowship out to leave saying to themselves, I have never seen anything like this on earth! If they walk away thinking, Ah, that felt comfortable. That was familiar—then something is seriously wrong. The church should be like a preview of heaven. - John MacArthur
Our survey found that 56% of those attending Granger do not believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life. We aren't happy with that, and we are making some changes to bring that percentage down. But you know what? If it decreased all the way to 0%, we would be much less happy than we are today. If we make all these changes, and the end result is that one year from now we have a church where 100% of our people believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life--we will have failed miserably. No, we aren't happy that 47% of those attending don't believe in salvation by grace. But in a community steeped in Catholic traditions, we're pretty jazzed that hundreds are coming and learning and taking steps. Yes, we want to see that percentage come down, but we'll be very sad on the day that we find everyone at Granger comprehends the grace of Jesus. - Tim Stevens, GCC
Sin – in any form that the church tolerates, whether it is in the members or the leaders. Tolerance of sin begins the cycle; then comes the tolerance of unbelievers in the church until no one cares who is a believer or an unbeliever. The end comes when the man who runs the church isn’t a believer. Sins of commission and omission kill a church little by little. When that happens, Christians become carnal. Soon afterwards, unbelievers come into the church, and then a total tolerance for sin exists. The church begins to die, and the people who really love Jesus Christ leave only to be replaced by people who don’t know Him.” - John MacArthur
Remember, too, that error in doctrine is not only a sin, but a sin which has a great tendency to increase. When a man once in his life believes a wrong thing, it is [incredible] how quickly he believes another wrong thing. Once open the door to a false doctrine - Satan says it is but a little one - yes, but he only puts the little one in like the small end of the wedge, and he means to drive in a larger one; and he will say it is only a little more, and a little more, and a little more.
The most damnable heretics who ever perverted the faith of God erred by littles and littles; those who have gone the widest from truth have only gone so by degrees. Take care, Christians, if you commit one error, you cannot tell how many more you will commit.
"Hold fast the form of sound words," (that is what the apostle Paul commanded Timothy) because error in doctrine almost inevitably leads to error in practice. When a man believes wrongly, he will soon act wrongly. Faith has a great influence on our conduct. As a man's faith, so is he. If you begin to [hold to] erroneous doctrines, they soon have an effect on your practice. Keep fast to the bulwarks of your fathers' faith. If you do not, the enemy will make sad havoc with you. "Hold fast the form of sound words which was delivered unto you." – C.H. Spurgeon
It seems that for the most part, impassioned preaching has gone out of style. It has been deemed by many to be lacking the refinement and sophistication that are necessary to be effective in this modern era. The passionate preacher proclaiming truth boldly and unapologetically is now considered an obstacle to post-modern man who prefers a bit more humility and openness to other points of view. The majority argument is that we simply must change the way we preach because it just looks foolish to the world.
Such an attitude toward preaching is proof that we have lost our bearings in the Evangelical community. It is God who has ordained the "foolishness of preaching" to be the instrument of bringing the saving message of the Gospel to the world (1 Corinthians 1:21). That is not to say that preaching should be foolish, illogical, or outlandish, but the standard by which all preaching should be compared is the Scripture and not contemporary opinions of a fallen and corrupt culture that is wise in its own eyes (Romans 1:21).
The theory is often put forth that our present culture cannot tolerate the type of preaching that was so effective during the great awakenings and revivals of the past. The preaching of George Whitefield, John Wesley, and other like-minded preachers would be ridiculed, lampooned, and laughed to scorn by modern man. Yet, this theory fails to take into account that these same preachers were ridiculed and lampooned by the men of their own day! True Gospel preaching will always be "foolishness" to every culture. Any attempt to remove the offense and make preaching "appropriate" diminishes the power of the Gospel. It also defeats the purpose for which God chose preaching as the means of saving men-so that men's hope might not rest in refinement, eloquence, or worldly wisdom, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:27-30).
We live in a culture that is bound in sin like bands of iron. Moral stories, quaint maxims, and life lessons shared from the heart of a beloved pulpiteer have no real power against such darkness. We need preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who knows the Scriptures and are enabled by the grace of God to face any culture and cry out, "Thus saith the Lord!"
"For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ". (Galatians 1:11-12). There is only one true Gospel. It was born in the heart of God and handed down to the church through the Apostles. These men, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were quite clear regarding the content of their gospel and its immutability. It was not to be changed or adapted to pleas the palate of differing cultures or epochs, but was to be held in the highest regard as absolute truth. We who have become recipients and stewards of this Gospel would do well to listen to their admonitions and handle the Gospel with the greatest caution, even fear. Jude exhorts us to contend earnestly for this faith which was once for all handed down to the saints, (Jude 1:3). Paul admonishes us to guard it as an entrusted treasure, (2 Timothy 1:14), and even goes as far as to pronounce a curse upon a manor angel who would adapt the Gospel message to any preconceived notion of culture or religion: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:8-9)
We, who have received the Gospel, have a fearful obligation to deliver it. This obligation is not only to God, but also to our own generation and the generations to come. Although the Gospel can be corrupted in an instant, it may take the Church years, even centuries to recover it. If Church history teaches us anything, it teaches us that though heretical movements abound, there are few genuine reformations. There is something worse than holding our silence while the lost world runs headlong into hell. It is the crime of preaching to them a watered down, culturally carved, truncated Gospel that allows them to hold to a form of godliness, while denying its power, (2 Timothy 3:5), to profess to know God, while denying Him with their deeds, (Titus 1:6), and to call Jesus "Lord, Lord", while not doing the Father's will, (Matthew 7:21). Woe to us if we preach not the Gospel, but even greater woe if we do so incorrectly! (1 Corinthians 9:16). - HeartCry - Gospel 101
Conclusion
The answer to this movement is to abandon it altogether and return to biblical truth, biblical living, biblical preaching and biblical church principles. The idea that these new ‘man-centered’ methods will restore the power of God in our midst is a red herring. Tim might just as well say that if only instead of being a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet 2:5)... if Noah had done some simple market research and built a ‘meet their felt needs ark’, more than eight people would have come aboard. When holy living, Spirit empowered preaching, loving unity and faithfulness to truth doesn’t seem to bring ‘results’, turning to the new methods advocated by Granger will only spell disaster. There will be results – but all of the wrong kind. A generation ago A.W. Tozer wisely said, “One of the most popular current errors, and the one out of which springs most of the noisy, blustering religious activity in evangelical circles, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them.” Since faithfulness to God’s word, as opposed to what evangelicalism calls success, will be the standard of reward at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor 2:4-5), obedience to the command to preach and teach, without trimming our sail to the wind of the world, is the most pressing need of the hour.
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Saturday, August 23, 2008
C.H. Spurgeon - The Rejection Of The Gospel
When the gospel was first preached, instead of being accepted and admired, one universal hiss went up to heaven; men could not bear it; its first preacher they dragged to the edge of the cliff, and would have sent Him down headlong; yes, they did more-they nailed Him to a cross, and there they let Him spend His dying life in agony such as no man has borne since. All His chosen ministers have been hated and abhorred by the worldly; instead of being listened to, they have been scoffed at; treated as if they were rubbish, and the very scum of mankind. Look at the holy men in the early days of the church, how they were driven from city to city, persecuted, afflicted, tormented, stoned to death, wherever the enemy had power to do so. Those friends of men, those real philanthropists, who came with hearts big with love, and hands full of mercy, and lips pregnant with celestial fire, and souls burned with holy influence; those men were treated as if they were spies in the camp, as if they were deserters from the common cause of mankind; as if they were enemies, and not, as they truly were, the best of friends. Do not suppose that men like the gospel any better now than they did then. There is an idea that you are growing better; but the heart within is still the same. The human heart of today dissected, would be just like the human heart a thousand years ago; the gall of bitterness within that bosom of yours, is just as bitter as the gall of bitterness of Simon of old. We have in our hearts the same inherent opposition to the truth of God; and hence we find men, just as in the past, who scorn the gospel.
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Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
James White - Mormonism and Romans 12:1-2
James White's presentation on Mormonism.
Romans 12:1-2
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More On Granger Survey - WHO IS THE SHEPHERD? - A Must Listen To!
Who is the shepherd of the local church? Who is responsible to "feed and guard the sheep"? Listen to how Mark Beeson takes no responsibility and blames the people and then describes the "changes" that will be made.
This is a must listen to! You have to listen to it yourself to "appreciate" it.
From the 37:45 - 52 minute mark...
http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/podcast/2008/08/20/august-20-2008-hour-2/
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John MacArthur - Thinking Biblically
In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically.
First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer — it is required. The key to living an uncompromising life lies in one’s ability to exercise discernment in every area of his or her life. For example, failure to distinguish between truth and error leaves the Christian subject to all manner of false teaching. False teaching then leads to an unbiblical mindset, which results in unfruitful and disobedient living — a certain recipe for compromise.
Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They exhibit little ability to measure the things they are taught against the infallible standard of God’s Word, and they unwittingly engage in all kinds of unbiblical decision-making and behavior. In short, they are not armed to take a decidedly biblical stand against the onslaught of unbiblical thinking and attitudes that face them throughout their day.
Discernment intersects the Christian life at every point. And God’s Word provides us with the needed discernment about every issue of life. According to Peter, God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). You see, it is through the “true knowledge of Him,” that we have been given everything we need to live a Christian life in this fallen world. And how else do we have true knowledge of God but through the pages of His Word, the Bible? In fact, Peter goes on to say that such knowledge comes through God’s granting “to us His precious and magnificent promises” (2 Peter 1:4).
Discernment — the ability to think biblically about all areas of life — is indispensable to an uncompromising life. It is incumbent upon the Christian to seize upon the discernment that God has provided for in His precious truth! Without it, Christians are at risk of being “tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). - John MacArthur
HT: Symphony of Scripture
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Alberto's Baptism
Alberto expresses repentance and faith in Christ and desires to be baptized. Pray for Alberto...that his profession of faith is genuine and pray that he will now begin to grow and mature in his walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and that he would persevere until the end.
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Monday, August 18, 2008
Live Like the Gospel Is True
If Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is at hand, and I believed it, would it be possible for me to proceed upon ambitions and desires that were more important to me than the ushering-in of that Kingdom?
If God loved me so much that He sent his only Son to die for me, and I believed it, would it be possible for me to live in fear of God's or man's opinions about me?
If Jesus rose from the dead and showed his followers that death has no hold on Him, and I believed it, would it be possible for me to be afraid of dying, or of suffering, to manipulate my life so as to delay the one and minimize the other?
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
John Piper - Test Revival with Doctrine
Lee Grady, the editor of Charisma, one of the main charismatic magazines, has written a lament and critique of the Lakeland “revival” which is now in a tailspin over the leader's announced separation from his wife. Grady’s summons to pray for the church and our nation is right, and among his commendable questions and observations are these:
"Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs and wonders than have a quiet Bible study. Yet we are faced today with the sad reality that our untempered zeal is a sign of immaturity. Our adolescent craving for the wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It’s way past time for us to grow up."
"True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland."
"A prominent Pentecostal evangelist called me this week after Bentley’s news hit the fan. He said to me: “I’m now convinced that a large segment of the charismatic church will follow the anti-Christ when he shows up because they have no discernment.” Ouch. Hopefully we’ll learn our lesson this time and apply the necessary caution when an imposter shows up."
Charismatics will not be the only ones who follow the Antichrist when he rises. So will the mass of those who today in thousands of evangelical churches belittle the truth of biblical doctrine as God’s agent to set us free (John 8:32).
Discernment is not created in God’s people by brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance. It is created by biblical truth and the application of truth by the power of the Holy Spirit to our hearts and minds. When that happens, then the brokenness, humility, reverence, and repentance will have the strong fiber of the full counsel of God in them. They will be profoundly Christian and not merely religious and emotional and psychological.
The common denominator of those who follow the Antichrist will not be “charismatic.” It will be, as Paul says, “they refused to love the truth.”
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a “love for the truth” and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed?
End of post.
Friday, August 15, 2008
C.H. Spurgeon - Judas Was A Preacher
Judas was a preacher; nay, he was a foremost preacher, “he obtained part of this ministry,” said the Apostle Peter. He was not simply one of the seventy; he had been selected by the Lord himself as one of the twelve, an honourable member of the college of the apostles. Doubtless he had preached the gospel so that many had been gladdened by his voice, and miraculous powers had been vouchsafed to him, so that at his word the sick had been healed, deaf ears had been opened; and the blind had been made to see; nay, there is no doubt that he who could not keep the devil out of himself, had cast devils out of others. Yet how are you fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! He that was as a prophet in the midst of the people, and spake with the tongue of the learned, whose word and wonders proved that he had been with Jesus and had learned of him — he betrays his Master. Understand, my brethren, that no gifts can ensure grace, and that no position of honour or usefulness in the Church will necessarily prove our being true to our Lord and Master. Doubtless there are bishops in Hell, and crowds of those who once occupied the pulpit are now condemned for ever to bewail their hypocrisy. You that are Church-officers, do not conclude that because you enjoy the confidence of the Church, that therefore of an absolute certainty the grace of God is in you. Perhaps it is the most dangerous of all positions for a man to become well known and much respected by the religious world, and yet to be rotten at the core. To be where others can observe our faults is a healthy thing though painful; but to live with beloved friends who would not believe it possible for us to do wrong, and who if they saw us err would make excuses for us — this is to be where it is next to impossible for us ever to be aroused if our hearts be not right with God. To have a fair reputation and a false heart is to stand upon the brink of Hell.
End of post.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
John Piper Quote
"In other words, God’s plan that there be sin and wrath in the universe was ultimately to bring about “the praise of the glory of his grace” in the death of Christ (Ephesians 1:6). What is at stake in the sovereignty of God over sin is the ultimate aim of the universe, namely, the exaltation of the Son of God in the greatest act of wrath-removing, sin-forgiving, justice-vindicating grace that ever was or ever could be. The praise of the glory of God’s grace in the death of Christ for sinners is the ultimate end of all things.
Christ is the aim of all things. When Paul says, “All things were created . . . for him” (Colossians 1:16), he means that the entire universe and all the events in it serve to glorify Jesus Christ. May the meditations of our hearts take us ever deeper into this mystery. And may the words of our mouths and the actions of our hands serve to magnify the infinite worth of Jesus and his death. This is why we exist."
End of post.
William Guthrie - The Christians Great Interest - Conclusion
Question 1. What is the great business a man has to do in this world?
Answer. To make sure a saving interest in Christ Jesus, and to walk suitably thereto.
Q. 2. Have not all the members of the visible church a saving interest in Christ?
A. No, verily; yea, but a very few of them have it.
Q. 3. How shall I know if I have a saving interest in Him?
A. Ordinarily the Lord prepareth His own way in the soul by a work of humiliation, and discovereth a man's sin and misery to him, and exerciseth Him so therewith, that He longs for the physician Christ Jesus.
Q. 4. How shall I know if I have got a competent discovery of my sin and misery?
A. A competent sight of it makes a man take salvation to heart above anything in this world: it maketh him disclaim all relief in himself, seen in his best things: it maketh Christ who is the Redeemer, very precious to the soul: it makes a man stand in awe to sin afterwards, and makes him content to be saved upon any terms God pleases.
Q. 5. By what other ways may I discern a saving interest in him?
A. By the going out of the heart seriously and affectionately towards Him, as He is held out in the gospel; and this is faith or believing.
Q. 6. How shall I know if my heart goes out after Him aright, and that my faith is true saving faith?
A. Where the heart goes out aright after Him in true and saving faith, the soul is pleased with Christ alone above all things, and is pleased with Him in all His three offices, to rule and instruct as well as to save; and is content to cleave unto Him, whatsoever inconveniences may follow.
Q. 7. What other mark of a saving interest in Christ can you give me?
A. He that is in Christ savingly, is a new creature; He is graciously changed and renewed in some measure, in the whole man, and in all his ways pointing towards all the known commands of God.
Q. 8. What if I find sin now and then prevailing over me?
A. Although every sin deserves everlasting vengeance, yet, if you be afflicted for your failings, confess them with shame of face unto God, resolving to strive against them honestly henceforth, and see unto Christ for pardon, you shall obtain mercy, and your interest stands sure.
Q. 9. What shall the man do who cannot lay claim to Christ Jesus nor any of those marks spoken of it?
A. Let him not take rest until he make sure unto himself a saving interest in Christ.
Q. 10. What way can a man make sure an interest in Christ, who never had a saving interest in Him hitherto?
A. He must take his sins to heart, and his great hazard thereby, and he must take to heart God's offer of pardon and peace through Christ Jesus, and heartily close with God's offer by retaking himself unto Christ, the blessed refuge.
Q. 11. What if my sins be singularly heinous, and great beyond ordinary?
A. Whatsoever thy sins be, if thou wilt close with Christ Jesus by faith, thou shalt never enter into condemnation.
Q. 12. Is faith in Christ only required of men?
A. Faith is the only condition upon which God does offer peace and pardon unto men; but be assured, faith, if it be true and saving, will not be alone in the soul, but will be attended with true repentance, and a thankful study of conformity to God's image.
Q. 13 How shall I be sure that my heart does accept of God's offer, and does close with Christ Jesus?
A. Go make a covenant expressly, and by word speak the thing unto God.
Q. 14 What way shall I do that?
A. Set apart some portion of time, and, having considered your own lost estate, and the remedy offered by Christ Jesus, work up your heart to be pleased and close with that offer, and say unto God expressly that you do accept of that offer, and of Him to be your God in Christ; and do give up yourself to Him to be saved in His way, without reservation or exception in any case; and that you henceforth will wait for salvation in the way He has appointed.
Q. 15 What if I break with God afterwards?
A. You must resolve in His strength not to break, and watch over your own ways, and put your heart in His hand to keep it and if you break, you must confess it unto God, and judge yourself for it, and flee to the Advocate for pardon, and resolve to do so no more: and this you must do as often as you fail.
Q. 16 How shall I come to full assurance of my interest in Christ, so that it may be beyond controversy?
A. Learn to lay your weight upon the blood of Christ, and study purity and holiness in all manner of conversation: and pray for the witness of God's Spirit to join with the blood and the water; and His testimony added unto these will establish you in the faith of an interest in Christ.
Q. 17. What is the consequence of such closing with God in Christ by heart and mouth?
A. Union and communion with God, all good here and His blessed fellowship in heaven forever afterwards.
Q. 18. What if I slight all these things, and do not lay them to heart to put them in practice?
A. The Lord comes with His angels, in flaming fire, to render vengeance to them who obey not His gospel; and thy judgment shall be greater than that of Sodom and Gomorrah; and so much the greater that thou hast read this Treatise, for it shall be a witness against thee in that day.
End of post.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Dark Knight…
- By Jay Wingard
http://www.jaywingard.com/
This is not usual for me to post on my blog about "culturally relevant" things but as I was browsing some blogs this evening I came across a couple of Christian blogs that are talking about the latest Batman movie called "The Dark Knight". Some of the blogs are using the content of the movie to describe the condition of man and assessing the evil of evil through the character "Joker" played by the late Heath Ledger.
Before I begin to rail on movies in general let me start by saying that I love to watch movies. I believe there are some fantastic movies out there that get us thinking. For example, John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" was recently made into a feature length film and it is outstanding. The story is true to the book and the acting is wonderful and of course it is Christ exalting and causes us to use our mind to reflect on God and His mercy and grace. However, I draw the line with many of the movies out today and refuse to sit through several hours of a film that attacks Christianity or worse blasphemes Christ.
Here is where I have a major issue with films like "The Dark Knight". It's the number one movie right now outselling just about every other major length film and Christians are raving about it. I am amazed at the way believers have become so desensitized to things they allow their eyes to see and ears to hear. (Job 31:1) For example, according to Gospelcom's Family movie review, this film misuses Jesus' name at least three times. Most of the Christian movie review sites are more concerned with the violence of the film and could care less about the violence done to the "Name above all names". Many professing believers will pay money to sit through a three hour film that repeatedly takes the name of our Creator, our Savior, our Eternal Father, our Prince of Peace, our Almighty God and Sustainer of all things and use it as a four letter filth word. I am amazed at the movies professing believers go to despite the horrible way the actors blaspheme God and mock His glorious Name. It doesn't seem to phase the Church. May I humbly ask those reading this post if this same movie used your mother's name as four letter filth word would you watch the film? Would you continue to sit through it and not walk out?
As a Bible teacher I am constantly amazed at the constant viewing of clocks during a sermon or Bible study. We will give up roughly one hour a week to sit through a sermon and attend a 20 minute Bible study and if the preacher or teacher begins to go over or it looks like it will cut into lunch people start complaining and squirming in their seats. Yet the only clock-watching many endure at a theater is the constant checking of the watch to see when the movie will start and never again to look at that watch while intently engrossed into two to three hours of visual and audio candy. Again, I want to stress that I am not knocking all movies - there are many great movies that a Christian could watch that allow us to grow in our knowledge of God and cause us to reflect on His greatness.
The issue at hand is just how desensitized to sin we have become and the complete lack of discernment and control in the life of a believer to protect the things which enter our eyes and our ears. The thought of using my Savior's Name as a four letter filth word crushes me. The fact that most people who profess Christ would be more concerned if a movie producer used their mother's name as a filth word than Christ's is alarming to say the least. The fact that most professing Christians complain if a Bible study extends more than 30 minutes yet can sit through a three hour movie or a football game without a single complaint often reveals where the heart truly is. Can you honestly say you have more joy in worshiping God at church than attending a football game or a movie theater?
This desensitization of sin has permeated most of the American church as well. Pulpits today are more concerned about using "relevant" sections from popular worldly movies as what I like to call "lame sermon illustrations". Think about it - a church today who seeks to be "relevant" might use a movie like "The Dark Knight" to call attention to certain Biblical truths and in essence be promoting a film full of violence and worse a film that drags the Name of the one true God they should be proclaiming behind their pulpits through the mud! It is why I commend churches that focus on expository preaching and teaching. (Again, the elements of multimedia in church are not in themselves wrong - in fact, the showing of "Passion of the Christ" and other Christian films to assist in teaching are commendable.) The living Word of God is infinitely more exciting than the most visually stunning movie out there. The actions of many churches today clearly show that they have little faith in God's Word alone to captivate, convict and convert the congregation.
For me personally, I have allowed the examination of popular "worldly" movies in this post to cause me to examine myself in all aspects of my life - not just my movie going habits. Frankly, if I were to add up the amount of time I spend in worship, prayer and Bible study alongside the amount of time I spend in mindless and worldly endeavors I would be very ashamed to show you the results. Jesus tells us that "the eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. Bit if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matthew 6:22-32) May we heed our Lord's words greatly! May we not only examine the movies we attend but all aspects of our lives as Christians.
I know that in writing this I will most likely get some ill comments from visitors to my blog, however I stand strongly by my position of upholding the worthiness, value and honor of the Name above all names. May we consider greatly the images and sounds we allow to enter into our minds. We are called to "set our minds on things above and not on things of the earth" (Col. 3:2) as well as set our minds on "whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." (Phil. 4:8) I'm sorry, misusing the Name of the One who died for Me and now sits at the right Hand of the Ancient of Day constantly making intercession for me (Heb. 7:25) is not setting my mind on anything listed in Philippians 4:8. May we also be strongly reminded that "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Ex. 20:7)
Lord, forgive us of our foolish ways and our idolatry. Grant us repentance from our lack of care and concern for your Name. May we seek to honor and glorify You as we seek to be conformed more and more into the image of your precious Son. Grant us grace that we may be holy as You are holy and give us strength to mortify sin and protect our minds from wordly abominations - always looking to the One who is strong to save. Amen.
Resources: For checking on a movie before seeing it visit either Hollywood and God or Preview Family Movie Review. Both of these online resources are excellent.
End of post.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Paul Washer - The Greatest Words in All of Scripture
"Tom" left a comment referring to this video(below) comparing it's introduction to the superman introduction. I posted this video a while back and I am reposting it since it was brought back to my attention. It is an excellent, edifying video! A must watch!
End of post.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Today's Quote
"Everyone wants God to take them just as they are; but no one wants to take God just as He is. Modern evangelicals, in particular, commit blasphemy against God and stumble headlong into idolatry by spending more time examining their personal experiences -- trying to make sure God belongs to them -- and less time examining the Scriptures to make sure they belong to Him." - Alex Burroughs
End of post.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Todd Bentley Revival - Professing Believers Do Not Want To Hear The Gospel
From http://wayofthemasterradio.com/ :
Tony Miano and a team of more than a dozen people went to the Galen Center (USC), on Sunday, 07-27-08. The purpose of the trip was to bring the Law and the Gospel to those waiting in line to hear from the false prophet, Todd Bentley.
Listen to how professing Christians shout down the proclamation of the Law and the Gospel. To Listen, click the small "play" button below.
Two attendees pray to silence the preaching.
The Law Man gets (mock) worshipped.
End of post.
Reformation Now! Reverence For God: What's It All About?
Dear Friend,
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US for a free half-day conference as we explore the topic of reverence as it relates to the modern church and our own individual lives as Christians who are to be in the world, but not of the world.
Date
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Time
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location
Truth Chapel, 3417 Main Street, Morgantown, PA 19543
Phone
610-994-2313
Attendance is Free!
Understanding the financial burden on many people today, Truth Chapel will assume all of the costs for this event. This includes refreshments as well as a conference gift. Transportation to Morgantown, PA if needed, is your only cost.
Materials
Christian books and Cross TV Materials (DVD's) will be available for purchase during the conference, so please bring your checkbook. VISA and Mastercard will also be accepted.
More Information is Available
http://www.truthmattersinc.org/
Conference Speakers
Rev. Charles J. Paul is the Senior Minister of Preaching and Teaching at Truth Matters, Inc. and Truth Chapel, both headquartered in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. Pastor Chuck has a passion to teach God's Word and counsel with God's people. He envisions a modern day Reformation, where believers are both set free by and bound to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This reformation must begin in Worship to our Sovereign God - an experience during which we pass from the secular to the sacred, from the common to the uncommon, from the profane to the Holy. In order for such a reformation to take place, Pastor Chuck believes that there must be a groundswell of interest and activity around which God's Word is sought and shared with the world. He envisions founding a Christian Education and Conference Center where people from all walks of life can come, hear the truth of God's Word, and witness and/or participate in discussion, training and debate on all matters of Christian faith, life and perspective.
Joseph J. Morrison, Jr. is the Executive Minister of Truth Chapel and is currently responsible for providing hands-on executive management for all aspects of the ministry. Mr. Morrison manages the administrative life of the chapel and assists with the liturgy and music for worship at the Chapel. In addition, he serves as program host for the Internet interview broadcast, Truth Matters. His background, which includes serving as Youth Director and Pastoral Assistant for Memorial United Methodist Church in Lebanon, PA and Executive Director of Interfaith Housing Development Corporation and Deputy Director of Habitat for Humanity in Bucks County, PA, provides him a wide range of skills and experiences from which he draws his leadership and communication styles. Mr. Morrison holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Lebanon Valley College, where he earned the David E. Long and Abram M. Long Memorial Ministerial scholarship for most promising student in the Department of Religion.
We hope you will join us as we proclaim God's Word and discuss the reverence that is due our Holy God!
Although walk-ins will be accepted, would would appreciate an RSVP through this simple registration form. Participation in this half-day conference is FREE.
We pray for your spiritual growth and that you would follow God's leading as He draws you closer to Himself.
End of post.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Thomas Watson
“Let me die the death of the righteous!” Numbers 23:10
This was Balaam’s desire. The hypocrite, when he is about to die and can keep his sins no longer — now he desires a passport to carry him to heaven! Such desires as these are found among the damned. Hypocrites have desires—but no endeavors. They would like to go to heaven—but they will take no pains. But true desire is always quickened into endeavor. The hypocrite would have...heaven—and his sins too, heaven —and his pride too, heaven—and his covetousness too. “They have gone astray and have followed the path of Balaam—who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15. The true Christian says, “Give me Christ on any terms. Let God propound whatever articles He will — I will subscribe to them. Would He have me deny myself? Would He have me mortify sin? I am content to do anything—just so that I may have Christ!” Hypocrites would have Christ — but they will not part with their beloved lust for Him! The hypocrite does not desire grace for itself. He desires grace — only as a bridge to lead him over to heaven. He does not so much search after grace—as glory. He does not so much desire the way of righteousness—as the crown of righteousness. His desire is not to be made like Christ—but to reign with Christ. This is the hypocrite’s desire. But a child of God desires grace for itself, and Christ for Himself. To a believer, not only is heaven precious—but Christ is precious, “Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!” 1 Peter 2:7
-Thomas Watson
End of post.
