Throughout the New Testament the apostle Paul teaches on spiritual gifts a believer will receive from Jesus by the Holy Spirit. In Romans chapter 12 and 1 Corinthians chapter 12 we see gifts individual believers will receive. In Ephesians 4 we see people with gifts God will gift the church with. Are their more spiritual gifts than are listed in scripture, that is a matter of debate, but what cannot be denied is that if we are a member of the body of Christ, we have received at least 1 spiritual gift.
A gift that is gaining more attention, and in my opinion is seriously lacking, in the church today is discernment. 1 Corinthians 12:10 refers to the gift of "discerning of spirits." The reason the gift of discernment is growing in the attention it receives is because of a growing on-line ministry dedicated to examining the church today and calling out teachings that conflict with the bible. Their are currently many such ministries, several of which you can link off of this blog, that are growing not only in popularity, but influence.
Paul warns Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." Their are many who claim these ministries are overly critical and are the "new Pharisees" seeking to make faith in Christ about a set of rules, saying it's legalism. With these people I respectfully disagree. Obedience to God is not legalism, it is obedience. An express command of God and a demonstration of our love for Jesus(John 14:15, 23).
These who battle against these so-called discernment ministries claim many things about the church today need to change, and that they, through the revelation of God are the instruments of change. Now, I do agree we need change within the body of Christ. However, this change, cannot include the abandonment of sound doctrine which we are exhorted to expound throughout God's holy scriptures. Doctrine is not evil, it does not impair our ministries, doctrine is the will of God. And only through sound doctrine can we communicate the truth God wishes each of us to know. The change that needs to occur in the church is not doctrinal, but spiritual. The church needs a broken heart surrendered to Christ in obedience and love, not a new way and new doctrine.
If we read the bible with any type of intellectual honesty we see that as the return of Christ approaches, his body, the church will be sliding into apostasy. Many say the best days of the church are ahead of it, that we can in fact bring about the kingdom of God by changing the world we live in. The bible says this is a corrupt world getting worse by the day and that all of creation is groaning in anticipation of the return of Christ and the advent of His kingdom(Rom 8:19-22). We as Christ's body can definitely influence lives and the Holy Spirit can change them. But God's plan will not be altered, and His plan from the foundations of the universe have been for redemption through Jesus alone. No amount of good works on our behalf will change that. And when we abandon the doctrine of Christ for experiential religion and our power to change, not His, we have abandoned His doctrine. That is apostasy.
When looking at these discernment ministries we also must use discernment. I do not agree with everything I read or see, as I believe sometimes they can be somewhat overly critical. But for the most part I believe they are serving an important role in the church today. We live in an age when the doctrine of the bible is under attack, and viewed by many as an enemy. And it's under attack by many who claim Jesus. Friends, if we are to influence a lost world as Christ wants we cannot run from His doctrine. It is His word and His doctrine that through the Holy Spirit results in a truly changed life. Ultimately what it comes down to is us knowing and practicing God's word. Knowledge is also a spiritual gift. If we do not know the bible and what it says, we are vulnerable to deception and being led astray by misguided and many times false doctrine.
To my brothers and sisters in the discernment ministries, I say, keep fighting the fight. I pray you do so in true love and not from a critical spirit. We need people of courage willing to "earnestly contend for the faith" and call out misleading and heretical doctrine. You are under attack, but your influence and the fruit of your ministries is beginning to be revealed. Light will overcome darkness for those willing to surrender to the light. Big is not always better; Popular is very often lacking holiness; wolves in sheep's clothing abound, just as the bible said they would. I ask that you pray for these watchmen as they stand for the truth of God's word, and also, in discernment, lovingly rebuke them if they stray from love and into worldly criticism. It is the duty of us all to stand for the doctrine of Christ.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Jesus the Divider
Luke 12:51, "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division."
I have some difficult scripture to preach this Sunday from Luke 12:49-53. It's not difficult because of it's complexity, but rather because it reveals a truth most Christians simply do not want to acknowledge. Jesus Christ is not a uniter of men, but rather a divider.
In fact, Jesus Himself and His holy word, the bible, is the dividing line. Each one of us either know and believe in Jesus, or we do not. We either believe the bible is God's word, or we do not. Each of us is either saved, or we are not. You see, with Jesus, their is no middle ground. Our sin is either covered by His blood and we are forgiven, or we are not. That its not popular in today's world. It is most definitely politically correct. But these are the words of Jesus, and they are the truth.
The bible teaches us that divisions within the church are not good. But when referencing these divisions the bible informs us that they consist of behavior that is not in accordance with the teachings of the bible. When we sin, or corrupt and misapply the message of the bible, we divide ourselves from the truth of Jesus as revealed in His word. In essence, the division is self imposed, as we reject the truth in favor of selfish desires or outright lies. We as Christians are divided from a lost world BY Jesus Christ. And while the bible instructs us we must be a part of this lost world, we cannot be overtaken by sin and the ways of the world. When we surrender to sin and false doctrine we divide ourselves from Jesus.
For many Christians this is hard to take. As Jesus says in verses 52-53 it could mean division and conflict within our own families. A father could be a believer in Jesus, but a son may not be. If this is the case Jesus has divided the family. This does not mean we do not love our unsaved relative, or friend, it simply means that their is a huge difference between us; that difference is Jesus. This may cause conflict and even outright disputes within our own families, but we must understand this is the truth Jesus has revealed to us.
When we choose Jesus, we choose the narrow, more difficult road. We open ourselves to ridicule and persecution knowing this is the cost of following Christ. Many however seek to mitigate this cost by compromising the truth and accepting and even promoting sinful behavior. James 4:4 tells us, "...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity(to be the enemy) of God?" God is not saying we cannot have lost friends, simply that we cannot embrace or condone their sinful behavior.
We must be separated from the ways of the world in order that we be seen by the world as different, in fact, as a distinct contrast, to the ways of the world. We cannot win a lost world if we look like a lost person. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit should compel us to live a holy life. When we claim to believe in and follow Jesus, we have been divided from sinful lifestyles and worldly ways. And Jesus Himself is the divider.
I have some difficult scripture to preach this Sunday from Luke 12:49-53. It's not difficult because of it's complexity, but rather because it reveals a truth most Christians simply do not want to acknowledge. Jesus Christ is not a uniter of men, but rather a divider.
In fact, Jesus Himself and His holy word, the bible, is the dividing line. Each one of us either know and believe in Jesus, or we do not. We either believe the bible is God's word, or we do not. Each of us is either saved, or we are not. You see, with Jesus, their is no middle ground. Our sin is either covered by His blood and we are forgiven, or we are not. That its not popular in today's world. It is most definitely politically correct. But these are the words of Jesus, and they are the truth.
The bible teaches us that divisions within the church are not good. But when referencing these divisions the bible informs us that they consist of behavior that is not in accordance with the teachings of the bible. When we sin, or corrupt and misapply the message of the bible, we divide ourselves from the truth of Jesus as revealed in His word. In essence, the division is self imposed, as we reject the truth in favor of selfish desires or outright lies. We as Christians are divided from a lost world BY Jesus Christ. And while the bible instructs us we must be a part of this lost world, we cannot be overtaken by sin and the ways of the world. When we surrender to sin and false doctrine we divide ourselves from Jesus.
For many Christians this is hard to take. As Jesus says in verses 52-53 it could mean division and conflict within our own families. A father could be a believer in Jesus, but a son may not be. If this is the case Jesus has divided the family. This does not mean we do not love our unsaved relative, or friend, it simply means that their is a huge difference between us; that difference is Jesus. This may cause conflict and even outright disputes within our own families, but we must understand this is the truth Jesus has revealed to us.
When we choose Jesus, we choose the narrow, more difficult road. We open ourselves to ridicule and persecution knowing this is the cost of following Christ. Many however seek to mitigate this cost by compromising the truth and accepting and even promoting sinful behavior. James 4:4 tells us, "...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity(to be the enemy) of God?" God is not saying we cannot have lost friends, simply that we cannot embrace or condone their sinful behavior.
We must be separated from the ways of the world in order that we be seen by the world as different, in fact, as a distinct contrast, to the ways of the world. We cannot win a lost world if we look like a lost person. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit should compel us to live a holy life. When we claim to believe in and follow Jesus, we have been divided from sinful lifestyles and worldly ways. And Jesus Himself is the divider.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Enjoying Christian Fellowship
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian are the friendships we develop with fellow believers. This afternoon my wife Ashley and I had the opportunity to enjoy a long lunch with one such friend, Evangelist Dr. Tim Fowler. We got to know Tim last year as he came and led us in revival at Oakland, and will be doing so again March 21-24. Tim is in town preaching at Clanton Plains Baptist right up the road.
Fellowship among believers is a cherished gift from God. But it is important to understand the biblical role and place of fellowship in our lives and churches. We live in a relational culture where the need for like minded friendships plays a prominent role. But their is something far more important than our fellowship with each other, it is our fellowship with our Father, without which we cannot have true biblical fellowship.
1 John 1:3 tells us, "that we who have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." True Christian fellowship cannot occur outside of a true fellowship with God. It is God's desire to have fellowship with us, but when mankind fell into sin in the garden at Eden, that fellowship was broken. In the garden God walked and talked with man, and man had a daily, close, personal fellowship with God. Sin however breaks that fellowship. But through the gift of His Son Jesus we now can once again enjoy a true fellowship with God as our sins if we believe in Jesus are washed away and forgiven through His blood.
While friendships and fellowships are important to us here in this world, we cannot have true Christian fellowship unless we first have fellowship with God through Jesus. Anything less is a friendship in this world, which is gratifying, but not Christian fellowship. We must be in agreement about Jesus to have true Christian fellowship.
We must agree upon and believe He was born of a virgin, born the Son of God, in fact, born fully God, and fully man. That He, Jesus, lived a sinless, perfect life here on earth, and died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. We must agree upon and believe that Jesus was indeed buried in a tomb and on the third day he was raised from the dead by the Father, walked this earth in a glorified body for 40 days, and then ascended to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. We must agree upon and believe "He is the way, the truth and the life," and that no one shall know the Father except "through Him." We must agree upon and believe that one day He will return to establish His kingdom here on earth. We must first and foremost agree upon and believe these things if we are to enjoy true Christian fellowship with one another. If we believe other things about Jesus, we do not worship the Jesus of the bible.
Today, so many times, when someone asks about our churches they are interested in what programs we have for children or our youth; what type of worship style do we have; are our facilities to their liking. Their is nothing inherently wrong with having these questions answered, but should our first question not be: What do you believe about Jesus? Should we not ask do you believe the bible is the inerrant, inspired, immutable word of God?
If we are to enjoy true Christian fellowship these are the most important questions, as we cannot enjoy true Christian fellowship apart from the truth about Jesus. The fellowship of believers can only be centered in one place, around the throne of God and our coming king Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the Christian fellowship I enjoy with the body of Christ, and people like brother Tim. Wherever you worship, I ask you to be sure, you are enjoying true Christian fellowship blessed by God. To be blessed by God it must be centered around God, and not just a like minded fellowship with friends. True Christian fellowship means we walk in the light of God in accordance to His word, the bible. No matter how impressive a churches programs, music, facilities, energy, ministries, or the friendships you may enjoy; if our fellowship is not centered on Jesus Christ, it's not Christian fellowship.
One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian are the friendships we develop with fellow believers. This afternoon my wife Ashley and I had the opportunity to enjoy a long lunch with one such friend, Evangelist Dr. Tim Fowler. We got to know Tim last year as he came and led us in revival at Oakland, and will be doing so again March 21-24. Tim is in town preaching at Clanton Plains Baptist right up the road.
Fellowship among believers is a cherished gift from God. But it is important to understand the biblical role and place of fellowship in our lives and churches. We live in a relational culture where the need for like minded friendships plays a prominent role. But their is something far more important than our fellowship with each other, it is our fellowship with our Father, without which we cannot have true biblical fellowship.
1 John 1:3 tells us, "that we who have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." True Christian fellowship cannot occur outside of a true fellowship with God. It is God's desire to have fellowship with us, but when mankind fell into sin in the garden at Eden, that fellowship was broken. In the garden God walked and talked with man, and man had a daily, close, personal fellowship with God. Sin however breaks that fellowship. But through the gift of His Son Jesus we now can once again enjoy a true fellowship with God as our sins if we believe in Jesus are washed away and forgiven through His blood.
While friendships and fellowships are important to us here in this world, we cannot have true Christian fellowship unless we first have fellowship with God through Jesus. Anything less is a friendship in this world, which is gratifying, but not Christian fellowship. We must be in agreement about Jesus to have true Christian fellowship.
We must agree upon and believe He was born of a virgin, born the Son of God, in fact, born fully God, and fully man. That He, Jesus, lived a sinless, perfect life here on earth, and died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. We must agree upon and believe that Jesus was indeed buried in a tomb and on the third day he was raised from the dead by the Father, walked this earth in a glorified body for 40 days, and then ascended to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. We must agree upon and believe "He is the way, the truth and the life," and that no one shall know the Father except "through Him." We must agree upon and believe that one day He will return to establish His kingdom here on earth. We must first and foremost agree upon and believe these things if we are to enjoy true Christian fellowship with one another. If we believe other things about Jesus, we do not worship the Jesus of the bible.
Today, so many times, when someone asks about our churches they are interested in what programs we have for children or our youth; what type of worship style do we have; are our facilities to their liking. Their is nothing inherently wrong with having these questions answered, but should our first question not be: What do you believe about Jesus? Should we not ask do you believe the bible is the inerrant, inspired, immutable word of God?
If we are to enjoy true Christian fellowship these are the most important questions, as we cannot enjoy true Christian fellowship apart from the truth about Jesus. The fellowship of believers can only be centered in one place, around the throne of God and our coming king Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the Christian fellowship I enjoy with the body of Christ, and people like brother Tim. Wherever you worship, I ask you to be sure, you are enjoying true Christian fellowship blessed by God. To be blessed by God it must be centered around God, and not just a like minded fellowship with friends. True Christian fellowship means we walk in the light of God in accordance to His word, the bible. No matter how impressive a churches programs, music, facilities, energy, ministries, or the friendships you may enjoy; if our fellowship is not centered on Jesus Christ, it's not Christian fellowship.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Interesting Upheaval at Erskine College
I was reading The State(Columbia, SC) newspaper this morning when an article about Erskine College in Due West, SC caught my eye. The headline read "Tension boiling over at Erskine." In smaller print below the headline was the teaser "Church ousts many trustees; move could threaten accreditation." The article went on to say 14 trustees for the college had been dismissed. My first thought was, uh oh. Erskine has long been a stalwart of conservative Christian education in South Carolina providing undergraduate, graduate and seminary education for countless ministers and lay people in it's 171 year history. I thought, here goes another Christian institution into the quagmire of liberalism. Much to my surprise the ousters were apparently made because the governing body felt that Erskine was becoming TOO LIBERAL!
Erskine is operated by the Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, one of the more conservative wings of the Presbyterian church in America. The institution has educated countless ministers of all denominations over the years rooted in the theology of the Reformation and the "God breathed" authority of the bible, sola scriptura. In an age where many previously Christian rooted colleges are abandoning their biblical roots in favor of a more secular, and liberal education, the stand taken by Erskine and its governing body is a refreshing departure from the norm.
Over the last 30 years Southern Baptists have seen many of their traditionally Baptist operated colleges and universities walk away from their Christian foundations. Schools like Furman, Wake Forest, Gardner Webb, Mercer and many others have rejected a denominational foundation for educating their students in favor of a traditional liberal arts education and secular world view. While in South Carolina we are blessed to have 3 strong Christian schools funded by the S.C. Southern Baptist Convention in North Greenville University, Anderson University and Charleston Southern University; the norm has been to reject a biblical world view for education in favor of a secular one. This is why I find the changes at Erskine so interesting.
What is wrong with having a Christian institution of higher learning actually believe and proclaim that the bible is the word of God and our foundation for learning? Their certainly is not a lack of options if someone desires a secular education, but their are a dwindling number of colleges a perspective student can choose if they desire a learning experience grounded in God's word and a Christian world view. While disciplines such as higher criticism can certainly be taught, and students challenged to explore their beliefs to further strengthen and prove their faith, it does not need to be taught from a perspective of unbelief to be effective and instructive.
It is not "indoctrination" as student Tessa Bigham claims, but rather an intentional choice by a school and a student to pursue an education that not only reinforces but boldly proclaims that God is God, and that is what we believe. While I'm sure their will be challenging times for Erskine in the near future, I applaud the college for choosing to take a stand for their foundational Christian beliefs. We live in a nation and serve a God that allows us freedom of choice. With schools like Erskine willing to take a principled stand we will continue to have a choice to pursue an education that preserves the biblical world view our nation was founded upon.
Erskine is operated by the Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, one of the more conservative wings of the Presbyterian church in America. The institution has educated countless ministers of all denominations over the years rooted in the theology of the Reformation and the "God breathed" authority of the bible, sola scriptura. In an age where many previously Christian rooted colleges are abandoning their biblical roots in favor of a more secular, and liberal education, the stand taken by Erskine and its governing body is a refreshing departure from the norm.
Over the last 30 years Southern Baptists have seen many of their traditionally Baptist operated colleges and universities walk away from their Christian foundations. Schools like Furman, Wake Forest, Gardner Webb, Mercer and many others have rejected a denominational foundation for educating their students in favor of a traditional liberal arts education and secular world view. While in South Carolina we are blessed to have 3 strong Christian schools funded by the S.C. Southern Baptist Convention in North Greenville University, Anderson University and Charleston Southern University; the norm has been to reject a biblical world view for education in favor of a secular one. This is why I find the changes at Erskine so interesting.
What is wrong with having a Christian institution of higher learning actually believe and proclaim that the bible is the word of God and our foundation for learning? Their certainly is not a lack of options if someone desires a secular education, but their are a dwindling number of colleges a perspective student can choose if they desire a learning experience grounded in God's word and a Christian world view. While disciplines such as higher criticism can certainly be taught, and students challenged to explore their beliefs to further strengthen and prove their faith, it does not need to be taught from a perspective of unbelief to be effective and instructive.
It is not "indoctrination" as student Tessa Bigham claims, but rather an intentional choice by a school and a student to pursue an education that not only reinforces but boldly proclaims that God is God, and that is what we believe. While I'm sure their will be challenging times for Erskine in the near future, I applaud the college for choosing to take a stand for their foundational Christian beliefs. We live in a nation and serve a God that allows us freedom of choice. With schools like Erskine willing to take a principled stand we will continue to have a choice to pursue an education that preserves the biblical world view our nation was founded upon.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Friend or Foe
Galatians 4:16, "Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?"
The apostle Paul writes this verse to the Galatian church. This church, founded by Paul, had abandoned the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and followed false teachers who taught Jesus, but also that obedience to the Mosaic Law was necessary for salvation. The saving gospel of "by grace through faith" was being replaced by, "by faith AND works." In a life devoted to Christ good works will definitely be a part of our faith, they are the fruit of faith, but good works have NOTHING to do with our salvation.
Abandoning the True Gospel
Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit in Galatians 1:6, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel." I fear today that many who claim to be Christians have been lured by a sirens song to a false gospel that they have been cleverly deceived by.
In some sectors of the church today their is an attitude that we cannot preach the truth of the bible for fear that an unbeliever visiting our churches may be offended and not come back. If we were to boldly proclaim that if someone does not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior they are not right with God; if we were to preach that we are all sinners, that He died on a cross so we can be forgiven, that He was bodily resurrected, and proved he was God; if we were to preach that if we have true faith in Jesus repentance from our sinful lives will occur as we have become a "born again" "new creation" in Him; if we were to preach the truth of a glorious heaven to be gained, but a horrific hell and eternal judgment also as reality; if we were to preach the TRUTH of what the bible actually says, unbelievers simply will not want to hear what we have to say. So some have filtered the truth so as not to offend. And you know what, many that do, have rapidly growing churches.
Real Change
So what's the problem? Is it not a good thing if a church greatly increases it's attendance and baptizes throngs of people? Not if those who attend or are baptized have not been told the whole truth. Not if they have based a decision on faulty information. Their is a cry today that we need change in the church. A new way of doing church in a post-modern world that abhores the absolute truth as presented in the bible. That we must appeal to the world on their level in order to reach them. But how can we show a lost world the CHANGE that occurs through true faith in Christ, if us and our churches look and sound just like the lost world?
The terminology used to describe this movement has evolved from liberal, to seeker-sensitive, to purpose-driven, to emergent or emerging. The message is the same; we're all basically good people and we'll tell you that, then you can do good deeds to show what a good person you are. We'll entertain you and we'll listen to you and give you what you want; in song, preaching, programs, worship. We'll be your Wal-Mart, all your needs will be met here. But in telling people what they want to hear, are we neglecting what they need to hear?
Did Peter want to hear he would betray Christ? Did Paul want to hear his entire belief system was obsolete? Did we want to hear that we were sinners, the enemy of God, and that we could never be good enough to please Him? No, but Peter, and Paul and each of us needed to hear it. I'm not against a particular method. I'm for being creative and trying new things. But we need to do those things to gain the opportunity to present the life changing, complete truth of the bible. And we can only do that genuinely if we ourselves have been truly changed, from the inside out. Changed by the blood of Jesus and the indwelling power of God through His Holy Spirit. If we have not been availed the whole truth, we cannot know the whole truth. And if we do not know the whole truth, have we been truly changed?
In the church, and it's been this way for a long time, we must quit focussing on numbers and begin seeing real change. It is said by many, "well God must be blessing, look at how many people go to that church. Look at how many people they baptized." Friends, if growth and size are the measure of God's blessings, Mormonism an Islam are both growing at a greater rate than Christianity in our nation. Is God blessing them?
We must understand not everyone is interested in the truth. They may have an interest in being spiritual, but when confronted with the whole truth, they simply walk away. It happened to Jesus, it will happen to us. But for those who are genuinely being called by God, do we not owe them what the bible really says? Real change does not occur by conforming to our culture, real change occurs when we conform to the truth of the bible.
Anything less than the whole truth is deception. As Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9,"But if we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached, let him be accursed(cursed by God). As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Have you, and are you, receiving the whole truth of what God has to say? If you question this in your life, read the bible. If what you are being told does not conform to the whole truth of the bible, you are listening to a another gospel.
The apostle Paul writes this verse to the Galatian church. This church, founded by Paul, had abandoned the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and followed false teachers who taught Jesus, but also that obedience to the Mosaic Law was necessary for salvation. The saving gospel of "by grace through faith" was being replaced by, "by faith AND works." In a life devoted to Christ good works will definitely be a part of our faith, they are the fruit of faith, but good works have NOTHING to do with our salvation.
Abandoning the True Gospel
Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit in Galatians 1:6, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel." I fear today that many who claim to be Christians have been lured by a sirens song to a false gospel that they have been cleverly deceived by.
In some sectors of the church today their is an attitude that we cannot preach the truth of the bible for fear that an unbeliever visiting our churches may be offended and not come back. If we were to boldly proclaim that if someone does not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior they are not right with God; if we were to preach that we are all sinners, that He died on a cross so we can be forgiven, that He was bodily resurrected, and proved he was God; if we were to preach that if we have true faith in Jesus repentance from our sinful lives will occur as we have become a "born again" "new creation" in Him; if we were to preach the truth of a glorious heaven to be gained, but a horrific hell and eternal judgment also as reality; if we were to preach the TRUTH of what the bible actually says, unbelievers simply will not want to hear what we have to say. So some have filtered the truth so as not to offend. And you know what, many that do, have rapidly growing churches.
Real Change
So what's the problem? Is it not a good thing if a church greatly increases it's attendance and baptizes throngs of people? Not if those who attend or are baptized have not been told the whole truth. Not if they have based a decision on faulty information. Their is a cry today that we need change in the church. A new way of doing church in a post-modern world that abhores the absolute truth as presented in the bible. That we must appeal to the world on their level in order to reach them. But how can we show a lost world the CHANGE that occurs through true faith in Christ, if us and our churches look and sound just like the lost world?
The terminology used to describe this movement has evolved from liberal, to seeker-sensitive, to purpose-driven, to emergent or emerging. The message is the same; we're all basically good people and we'll tell you that, then you can do good deeds to show what a good person you are. We'll entertain you and we'll listen to you and give you what you want; in song, preaching, programs, worship. We'll be your Wal-Mart, all your needs will be met here. But in telling people what they want to hear, are we neglecting what they need to hear?
Did Peter want to hear he would betray Christ? Did Paul want to hear his entire belief system was obsolete? Did we want to hear that we were sinners, the enemy of God, and that we could never be good enough to please Him? No, but Peter, and Paul and each of us needed to hear it. I'm not against a particular method. I'm for being creative and trying new things. But we need to do those things to gain the opportunity to present the life changing, complete truth of the bible. And we can only do that genuinely if we ourselves have been truly changed, from the inside out. Changed by the blood of Jesus and the indwelling power of God through His Holy Spirit. If we have not been availed the whole truth, we cannot know the whole truth. And if we do not know the whole truth, have we been truly changed?
In the church, and it's been this way for a long time, we must quit focussing on numbers and begin seeing real change. It is said by many, "well God must be blessing, look at how many people go to that church. Look at how many people they baptized." Friends, if growth and size are the measure of God's blessings, Mormonism an Islam are both growing at a greater rate than Christianity in our nation. Is God blessing them?
We must understand not everyone is interested in the truth. They may have an interest in being spiritual, but when confronted with the whole truth, they simply walk away. It happened to Jesus, it will happen to us. But for those who are genuinely being called by God, do we not owe them what the bible really says? Real change does not occur by conforming to our culture, real change occurs when we conform to the truth of the bible.
Anything less than the whole truth is deception. As Paul said in Galatians 1:8-9,"But if we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached, let him be accursed(cursed by God). As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." Have you, and are you, receiving the whole truth of what God has to say? If you question this in your life, read the bible. If what you are being told does not conform to the whole truth of the bible, you are listening to a another gospel.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Understanding the Times
Matthew 24:4-8, "And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
In case you have not noticed, I am a close follower of biblical prophecy. Since 27% of the bible was predictive prophecy when written I believe if it's that important to God, it needs to be important to us. The bible is full of clues which point us to the greatest moment in earth's history, the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the establishment of His millennial kingdom here on earth. But we must be careful not to overstep God's prophetic word and simply impose our own opinions as doctrine. As Jesus said, no one knows the exact moment that He will begin the final countdown to establishing His kingdom, but we can look at and discern the times in which we live. In Matthew 24, in what is called the Olivet discourse, Jesus warns us of the conditions that would be present just before His imminent return.
False Christs(v 5)
Friends, what I'm about to say is not popular, and is certainly not politically correct, but it does reflect Jesus's words here. We live in a world full of false Christ's. Mohammad and Allah are false Christ's. Buddah is a false Christ. The god claimed by Mormon's and Jehovah's Witnesses is a false Christ. Why do I say this: because they deny Jesus as the only way to the Father, that He is God, yet claim to be a path to God. Any religion, even atheism, that denies that the way to God is through Jesus alone, by grace though faith, depends upon a false Christ. Why? Because they contradict the clear teachings of the bible. Every belief system, apart from biblical Christianity, teaches that you and I can eventually make ourselves good enough and presentable to God through good works. That we can by following rules and obedience somehow please God enough that we can earn our ticket to heaven.
The bible tells us that "there is none righteous, no, not one(Rom 3:10)." The bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God(Rom 3:23)." The bible declares that "all our righteousness's are like filthy rags(Is 64:6)." Any belief system that is teaching us that we can be good enough is a false religion, and is represented by a false Christ. Only through belief in Jesus, and his atoning blood and bodily resurrection, can we be good enough. Other belief systems espouse the spirit of Antichrist, not Jesus Christ.
Wars and Rumors of Wars(v 6)
We the United States are currently involved in 2 separate campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran is ever closer to nuclear capability. Israel is a target of every nation around it. Pakistan and India walk a nuclear tightrope. Russia is becoming aggressive again. China currently fields the largest army in human history, and could deploy far more. Islam wants to conquer by the sword. Nuclear proliferation is everywhere. Terrorism occurs daily. Jesus says these things must occur, and they currently are.
Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom(v 7a)
Islam against Judaism and Christianity. Islam against every belief system that opposes it's beliefs. Rampant anti-semitism. Genocide based on race or religion. Communism and socialism against capitalism. Government control against freedom. All of these conflicts and many others are the result of the "spiritual warfare" that is raging between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes(v 7b)
Estimates tell us that at least 100,000 people die every day across the globe due to malnourishment and starvation. Aids, swine flu, bird flu, Ebola, and countless other viruses and infections. Not to even mention the destruction capability of germ or chemical warfare. Just in the last month killer earthquakes in Haiti and Chile with the death tolls still rising. Over 3000 registered earthquakes occur on a yearly basis.
Just the Beginning(v 8)
How close is the return of Jesus Christ? Only He knows, but if we look at the world and conditions around us, we can safely say it could happen anytime. Their is not one prophecy that need be fulfilled for Jesus to return for His church in the rapture and His countdown to His kingdom to begin. The fig tree(Israel) has sprung it's leaves. Israel exists as a nation, the Jews are returning to their land and Jerusalem is their capital.
Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 16:2-4, "...when it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red, and in the morning, it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times." So I'll ask you to consider these things, and ask yourself some questions. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Can you discern the signs of the times?
The return of Jesus is imminent. That means it will happen. Jesus says He'll come as a "thief in the night." When no one expects Him. Is our world, and you, vigilantly and expectantly looking for the return of the King?
In case you have not noticed, I am a close follower of biblical prophecy. Since 27% of the bible was predictive prophecy when written I believe if it's that important to God, it needs to be important to us. The bible is full of clues which point us to the greatest moment in earth's history, the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the establishment of His millennial kingdom here on earth. But we must be careful not to overstep God's prophetic word and simply impose our own opinions as doctrine. As Jesus said, no one knows the exact moment that He will begin the final countdown to establishing His kingdom, but we can look at and discern the times in which we live. In Matthew 24, in what is called the Olivet discourse, Jesus warns us of the conditions that would be present just before His imminent return.
False Christs(v 5)
Friends, what I'm about to say is not popular, and is certainly not politically correct, but it does reflect Jesus's words here. We live in a world full of false Christ's. Mohammad and Allah are false Christ's. Buddah is a false Christ. The god claimed by Mormon's and Jehovah's Witnesses is a false Christ. Why do I say this: because they deny Jesus as the only way to the Father, that He is God, yet claim to be a path to God. Any religion, even atheism, that denies that the way to God is through Jesus alone, by grace though faith, depends upon a false Christ. Why? Because they contradict the clear teachings of the bible. Every belief system, apart from biblical Christianity, teaches that you and I can eventually make ourselves good enough and presentable to God through good works. That we can by following rules and obedience somehow please God enough that we can earn our ticket to heaven.
The bible tells us that "there is none righteous, no, not one(Rom 3:10)." The bible says that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God(Rom 3:23)." The bible declares that "all our righteousness's are like filthy rags(Is 64:6)." Any belief system that is teaching us that we can be good enough is a false religion, and is represented by a false Christ. Only through belief in Jesus, and his atoning blood and bodily resurrection, can we be good enough. Other belief systems espouse the spirit of Antichrist, not Jesus Christ.
Wars and Rumors of Wars(v 6)
We the United States are currently involved in 2 separate campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran is ever closer to nuclear capability. Israel is a target of every nation around it. Pakistan and India walk a nuclear tightrope. Russia is becoming aggressive again. China currently fields the largest army in human history, and could deploy far more. Islam wants to conquer by the sword. Nuclear proliferation is everywhere. Terrorism occurs daily. Jesus says these things must occur, and they currently are.
Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom(v 7a)
Islam against Judaism and Christianity. Islam against every belief system that opposes it's beliefs. Rampant anti-semitism. Genocide based on race or religion. Communism and socialism against capitalism. Government control against freedom. All of these conflicts and many others are the result of the "spiritual warfare" that is raging between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan.
Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes(v 7b)
Estimates tell us that at least 100,000 people die every day across the globe due to malnourishment and starvation. Aids, swine flu, bird flu, Ebola, and countless other viruses and infections. Not to even mention the destruction capability of germ or chemical warfare. Just in the last month killer earthquakes in Haiti and Chile with the death tolls still rising. Over 3000 registered earthquakes occur on a yearly basis.
Just the Beginning(v 8)
How close is the return of Jesus Christ? Only He knows, but if we look at the world and conditions around us, we can safely say it could happen anytime. Their is not one prophecy that need be fulfilled for Jesus to return for His church in the rapture and His countdown to His kingdom to begin. The fig tree(Israel) has sprung it's leaves. Israel exists as a nation, the Jews are returning to their land and Jerusalem is their capital.
Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 16:2-4, "...when it is evening you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red, and in the morning, it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times." So I'll ask you to consider these things, and ask yourself some questions. Are you ready to meet Jesus? Have you been washed by the blood of the Lamb? Can you discern the signs of the times?
The return of Jesus is imminent. That means it will happen. Jesus says He'll come as a "thief in the night." When no one expects Him. Is our world, and you, vigilantly and expectantly looking for the return of the King?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Seeking Justice in an Unjust World
Romans 12:19, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Have you ever been wronged? Treated unfairly? Used and abused? Join the club. No person on earth has not experienced the hurt of another person or persons. Sadly we as human beings have a fallen, sinful nature. And that sinful nature is far to often directed at other people in our lives, or at us by the people we know. When this happens our inner nature cries out for justice, and often revenge. The world tells us that "revenge is a dish best served cold." But if we claim to be a Christian we are held to a far higher standard by our heavenly Father. And how we react to an injustice in our lives is a key indicator as to how closely we are walking with God.
The Example of Joseph
In the book of Genesis we encounter Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was the favorite son of the patriarch and his wife, and as a result of the favor shown Joseph he was despised by his 10 older brothers.
At first they wanted to kill him, but the oldest brother Reuben stopped that. They compromised and faked Joseph's death and sold him into slavery. Joseph winds up in Egypt in the service of Potiphar, but Potiphar's wife desires Joseph, and when rebuked in her advances falsely accuses Joseph violating her, and Joseph is wrongly imprisoned. While in prison Joseph encounters Pharaoh's former butler an baker. They have both had dreams and Jacob through God interprets their dreams. The baker is to die, but the butler exonerated. The butler tells Joseph he will remember him to Pharaoh, but when released from prison promptly forgets him, and Joseph remains incarcerated. If anyone has ever had a right to want, demand and seek vengeance for the injustice done to him, it was Joseph.
But Joseph walked with God. He did not return evil for evil. Joseph is patient and seeks God and is totally exonerated and elevated to a place of great power in the government of Pharaoh. Later, during a famine that Joseph had prepared the people for, Jacob's family unknowingly comes to him, and Joseph's chance for vengeance on the original perpetrators is presented to him. How does Joseph react? He reacts in love for his family, loving the unlovable, and in time he is proven just by God, and becomes the savior from famine for the whole known world, and his family. Joseph's life is summarized in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
God's Way
So how are we to deal with those who have wronged us? Romans 12:20-21 tells us, "Therefore, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Joseph in the Old Testament is one of the most exact and poignant pictures of Jesus Christ in the bible. We are all sinners, and in God's economy all sin is against Him, so we have all wronged Him. But instead of seeking immediate vengeance against us, God in His mercy, grace and goodness sent His Son Jesus to this sinful world to provide eternal forgiveness and life for all who will come to Him. And we are to treat those who have wronged us with the same mercy, grace and love God has shown us. That's not an easy thing to do, as the hurt and pain from being wronged is real. But that pain we suffer with is nothing compared to the pain of Jesus as he hung on the cross for us to have the opportunity to be made right with God, in spite of our evil ways.
While the "natural man" inside of us may yearn for immediate justice and even vengeance, we must cede that judgment to God. We live in a world filled with injustice, but we must understand, that until Jesus returns to establish His righteous kingdom, injustice will prevail many times in this sinful world. Those who wrong others may seem to get away with their evil deeds, and may never meet justice here. But one day they will stand before a holy God and will answer for their crimes against God, and us. God says, "Vengeance is Mine." We must let Him work out His plan for justice. Our duty is to pray for and love the one's who have wronged us. If we are to view them, as God viewed us when He sent Jesus, it is the only thing we can do. God's hope for us was to seek forgiveness and repent of our sin, and that must be our hope for our enemies. God will judge eventually, in perfect justice. But His desire is, and ours should be, restoration of the one who has sinned. Not judgment and revenge.
Have you ever been wronged? Treated unfairly? Used and abused? Join the club. No person on earth has not experienced the hurt of another person or persons. Sadly we as human beings have a fallen, sinful nature. And that sinful nature is far to often directed at other people in our lives, or at us by the people we know. When this happens our inner nature cries out for justice, and often revenge. The world tells us that "revenge is a dish best served cold." But if we claim to be a Christian we are held to a far higher standard by our heavenly Father. And how we react to an injustice in our lives is a key indicator as to how closely we are walking with God.
The Example of Joseph
In the book of Genesis we encounter Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph was the favorite son of the patriarch and his wife, and as a result of the favor shown Joseph he was despised by his 10 older brothers.
At first they wanted to kill him, but the oldest brother Reuben stopped that. They compromised and faked Joseph's death and sold him into slavery. Joseph winds up in Egypt in the service of Potiphar, but Potiphar's wife desires Joseph, and when rebuked in her advances falsely accuses Joseph violating her, and Joseph is wrongly imprisoned. While in prison Joseph encounters Pharaoh's former butler an baker. They have both had dreams and Jacob through God interprets their dreams. The baker is to die, but the butler exonerated. The butler tells Joseph he will remember him to Pharaoh, but when released from prison promptly forgets him, and Joseph remains incarcerated. If anyone has ever had a right to want, demand and seek vengeance for the injustice done to him, it was Joseph.
But Joseph walked with God. He did not return evil for evil. Joseph is patient and seeks God and is totally exonerated and elevated to a place of great power in the government of Pharaoh. Later, during a famine that Joseph had prepared the people for, Jacob's family unknowingly comes to him, and Joseph's chance for vengeance on the original perpetrators is presented to him. How does Joseph react? He reacts in love for his family, loving the unlovable, and in time he is proven just by God, and becomes the savior from famine for the whole known world, and his family. Joseph's life is summarized in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
God's Way
So how are we to deal with those who have wronged us? Romans 12:20-21 tells us, "Therefore, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Joseph in the Old Testament is one of the most exact and poignant pictures of Jesus Christ in the bible. We are all sinners, and in God's economy all sin is against Him, so we have all wronged Him. But instead of seeking immediate vengeance against us, God in His mercy, grace and goodness sent His Son Jesus to this sinful world to provide eternal forgiveness and life for all who will come to Him. And we are to treat those who have wronged us with the same mercy, grace and love God has shown us. That's not an easy thing to do, as the hurt and pain from being wronged is real. But that pain we suffer with is nothing compared to the pain of Jesus as he hung on the cross for us to have the opportunity to be made right with God, in spite of our evil ways.
While the "natural man" inside of us may yearn for immediate justice and even vengeance, we must cede that judgment to God. We live in a world filled with injustice, but we must understand, that until Jesus returns to establish His righteous kingdom, injustice will prevail many times in this sinful world. Those who wrong others may seem to get away with their evil deeds, and may never meet justice here. But one day they will stand before a holy God and will answer for their crimes against God, and us. God says, "Vengeance is Mine." We must let Him work out His plan for justice. Our duty is to pray for and love the one's who have wronged us. If we are to view them, as God viewed us when He sent Jesus, it is the only thing we can do. God's hope for us was to seek forgiveness and repent of our sin, and that must be our hope for our enemies. God will judge eventually, in perfect justice. But His desire is, and ours should be, restoration of the one who has sinned. Not judgment and revenge.
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