O happy day, that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Refrain
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away.
O happy bond, that seals my vows
To Him Who merits all my love!
Let cheerful anthems fill His house,
While to that sacred shrine I move.
Refrain
’Tis done: the great transaction’s done!
I am the Lord’s and He is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on;
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Refrain
Now rest, my long divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center, rest.
Here have I found a nobler part;
Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.
Refrain
High heaven, that heard the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear,
Till in life’s latest hour I bow
And bless in death a bond so dear.
Refrain
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Rejoice in the Lord--Ron Hamilton
God never moves without purpose or plan.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD, though your testing seems long.
In darkness, He giveth a song.
*Chorus*
O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day,
Then peace came, and tears fled away!
Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children, and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging, more fruit I will bear.
*Chorus*
O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD, though your testing seems long.
In darkness, He giveth a song.
*Chorus*
O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day,
Then peace came, and tears fled away!
Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children, and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging, more fruit I will bear.
*Chorus*
O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Destiny of Those Who Die In infancy
The Destiny of Those Who Die In infancy
by Myron J. Houghton, Ph.D, Th.D.
Copied from the Faith Pulpit May/June 1999
Introduction: In this paper an attempt will be made to show what the Bible teaches about the destiny of those who die in infancy. In order to accomplish this purpose the major views on the subject will be presented followed by an examination of the biblical material.
The Major Views:
Infants who die in infancy unbaptized do not go to heaven: In Roman Catholic theology there is no official dogma on the destiny of dead unbaptized infants. Nevertheless, the weight of tradition teaches that they go to a place called limbo, which is neither heaven nor hell, a place of natural happiness but without full communion with God. ~ LIMBO: UNSETTLED QUESTION by George L Dyer (NY: Sheed 8r Ward, 1964) or ENCYCLOPEDIA OP THEOLOGY edited by Karl Rahner (NY: The Seabury Press, 1975), pp. 850-851.
Infants who die in infancy unbaptized may or my not go to heaven: Although there is no official Lutheran view concerning the fate of dead unbaptized infants, the following information is relevant: (1) infants are born in original sin; (2) faith is absolutely necessary for salvation; (3) infants are capable of saving faith; and (4) faith can be created by (a) the gospel, (b) water baptism (c) the Lord's Supper (cf. THE BOOK OF CONCORD translated and edited by Theodore G. Tappert (Philadelphia: Fortress press, 1959), pp. 29 33, 17% 442-446). Nevertheless, the 17th century Lutheran theologian, John Gerhard said in his LOCI THEOLOGIQ IX: 282, meanwhile that, in the case of deprivation or of impossibility the children of Christians may be saved through an extraordinary and peculiar divine dispensation. - We neither can, nor ought to, rashly condemn those infants that die either in their mother's womb, or suddenly for any cause before receiving Baptism; we should rather conclude that the prayers of godly parents, or if the parents in the matter are neglectful, the prayers of the Church poured out before God for these infants, are mercifully heard, and that they are received into favor and life by God." quoted in English translation in Heinrich Schmid's THE DOCTRINAL THEOLOGY OF THE E VA NGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH(Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House 1961), p. 556 Some Fundamentalists also teach that Scripture does not answer this question and thus they have no hope to offer parents who have lost a new-born baby Infants who die in infancy. Some Calvinists have taught this view while other Calvinists emphatically reject it.
Infants who die in infancy are saved and with Christ in heaven: This was by the majority view among Fundamentalist writers. One of the best treatments of the subject from this perspective is a book entitled HEAVEN FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T BELIEVE by Robert P. Lightner (Schaumburg, Illinois: Regular Baptist Press, 1977).
The Major Reasons Supporting that infants Who Die In infancy Go to Heaven:
1. The Death and Resurrection of Christ: While some have tried to argue that infants are morally neutral or even holy, the Bible teaches that death is the penalty for Adam's sin (Romans 5:12, 15, 17) and that death passes upon all mankind, including infants. Thus, infants are considered sinful. Apart from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, no one not even infants, would be worthy to enter heaven.
The foremost reason why infants who die in infancy go to heaven is because Jesus died for their sin (John 3:16-18).
The Nature and Place of Saving Faith: Saving faith is not a good work; it is simply trusting in Christ's death and resurrection for salvation (John 3:14, 15). In a very real sense faith does not save us; it merely attaches itself to Christ's death and resurrection which save us.
God's Special Interest in Infants, especially Young Children: Matthew 18:1-14 refers to both those who are little children physically and those who, like these little children, have trust in Christ. These are greatest in God's kingdom; these have angels who have direct access to God; these are the objects of God the Father's care. Mark 10:13-16 refers to Jesus blessing the children; again, it reveals the special love God the Son has for little children.
David's Statement Upon the Death of His Week Old Child: while his new born son was still alive David fasted and prayed. When he discovered the seven day old child had died, he washed his face and ate a meal. When his servants express amazement at his lack of grief he tells them, "While the child was yet alive I fasted and wept, for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:22-23). David's comment cannot refer only to his awareness that someday, he too, would join his child in death, because when his adult son, Absalom, died, David's response was radically different~ He did not speak of going to him (cf 2 Samuel l5:33) but cried out in great anguish.
The Nature of the Great White Throne. All of the lost of all ages will someday stand before God’s
great white Throne to be judged. Revelation 20:12-13 clearly teach that a vital part of this judgment involves the personal works of these people. Yet infants who die in infancy have no personal works. This gives us reason to believe that they are not present at this judgment and, thus are not considered lost but part of the redeemed.
Hell, the Punishment for Refusal to Believe: Condemnation is not merely overlooking the Savior but a stubborn refusal to believe (Iohn 3:18-21). This fact is supported by the use of two different Greek words in John 3:36 (both translated "believe" in KJV. The first word ["He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life") is the usual word for believe and [means to trust in, or depend upon—JPH]. The second word, however, He that believeth not the Son shall not see life"] is different and means "to disobey" Since infants who die in infancy are not capable of this stubborn refusal to believe, they do not come under this condemnation.
Divine Election: Under normal circumstances the benefits of salvation provided by Christ's death and resurrection are applied to those who believe and trust in Christ alone for salvation. When the Philippian jailor asked Paul "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" he was told, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30-31). At the same time, those who believe in Christ are called, “elect” (1 Thessalonians
1; ~ Colorhns 3:12). Both faith and election are mechanisms by which the
benefits of Christ can be [and under normal circumstance; would be] applied to
individuals. However if infants are not capable of saving faith, election alone becomes the mechanism by which people are "chosen to salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The very fact of dying in infancy is outward proof that one is elect, chosen by God to live with Him in heaven. R. A. Webb, in his book, THE THEOLOGY OF
INFANT SALVATION argues for this view. So does Charles Spurgeon, in THE
NEW PARK STREET and METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE PULPIT.
One Purpose For Hell: To Display God's Righteousness: If the lost are placed in
the lake of fire because their names are not found written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15), the opening of other books and judging them according to their works (Revelation 20:12-13) must have another purpose, namely to display God's righteousness. This is accomplished in two ways: [1] if there are degrees of punishment in the lake of fire, God's righteous justice is evidenced by judging the lost according to their works. As stated earlier in this article, infants who have died in infancy would not have any works for which to be judged. [2] Furthermore, if God's righteousness is to be demonstrated by judging the lost according to their works they must possess both memory and conscience to understand that they deserve this punishment. Infants who have died in infancy would have neither memory nor conscience of evil works. All of these reasons support the belief that infants dying in infancy go to heaven but the primary basis for so believing is that Jesus died and rose again.
by Myron J. Houghton, Ph.D, Th.D.
Copied from the Faith Pulpit May/June 1999
Introduction: In this paper an attempt will be made to show what the Bible teaches about the destiny of those who die in infancy. In order to accomplish this purpose the major views on the subject will be presented followed by an examination of the biblical material.
The Major Views:
Infants who die in infancy unbaptized do not go to heaven: In Roman Catholic theology there is no official dogma on the destiny of dead unbaptized infants. Nevertheless, the weight of tradition teaches that they go to a place called limbo, which is neither heaven nor hell, a place of natural happiness but without full communion with God. ~ LIMBO: UNSETTLED QUESTION by George L Dyer (NY: Sheed 8r Ward, 1964) or ENCYCLOPEDIA OP THEOLOGY edited by Karl Rahner (NY: The Seabury Press, 1975), pp. 850-851.
Infants who die in infancy unbaptized may or my not go to heaven: Although there is no official Lutheran view concerning the fate of dead unbaptized infants, the following information is relevant: (1) infants are born in original sin; (2) faith is absolutely necessary for salvation; (3) infants are capable of saving faith; and (4) faith can be created by (a) the gospel, (b) water baptism (c) the Lord's Supper (cf. THE BOOK OF CONCORD translated and edited by Theodore G. Tappert (Philadelphia: Fortress press, 1959), pp. 29 33, 17% 442-446). Nevertheless, the 17th century Lutheran theologian, John Gerhard said in his LOCI THEOLOGIQ IX: 282, meanwhile that, in the case of deprivation or of impossibility the children of Christians may be saved through an extraordinary and peculiar divine dispensation. - We neither can, nor ought to, rashly condemn those infants that die either in their mother's womb, or suddenly for any cause before receiving Baptism; we should rather conclude that the prayers of godly parents, or if the parents in the matter are neglectful, the prayers of the Church poured out before God for these infants, are mercifully heard, and that they are received into favor and life by God." quoted in English translation in Heinrich Schmid's THE DOCTRINAL THEOLOGY OF THE E VA NGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH(Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House 1961), p. 556 Some Fundamentalists also teach that Scripture does not answer this question and thus they have no hope to offer parents who have lost a new-born baby Infants who die in infancy. Some Calvinists have taught this view while other Calvinists emphatically reject it.
Infants who die in infancy are saved and with Christ in heaven: This was by the majority view among Fundamentalist writers. One of the best treatments of the subject from this perspective is a book entitled HEAVEN FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T BELIEVE by Robert P. Lightner (Schaumburg, Illinois: Regular Baptist Press, 1977).
The Major Reasons Supporting that infants Who Die In infancy Go to Heaven:
1. The Death and Resurrection of Christ: While some have tried to argue that infants are morally neutral or even holy, the Bible teaches that death is the penalty for Adam's sin (Romans 5:12, 15, 17) and that death passes upon all mankind, including infants. Thus, infants are considered sinful. Apart from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, no one not even infants, would be worthy to enter heaven.
The foremost reason why infants who die in infancy go to heaven is because Jesus died for their sin (John 3:16-18).
The Nature and Place of Saving Faith: Saving faith is not a good work; it is simply trusting in Christ's death and resurrection for salvation (John 3:14, 15). In a very real sense faith does not save us; it merely attaches itself to Christ's death and resurrection which save us.
God's Special Interest in Infants, especially Young Children: Matthew 18:1-14 refers to both those who are little children physically and those who, like these little children, have trust in Christ. These are greatest in God's kingdom; these have angels who have direct access to God; these are the objects of God the Father's care. Mark 10:13-16 refers to Jesus blessing the children; again, it reveals the special love God the Son has for little children.
David's Statement Upon the Death of His Week Old Child: while his new born son was still alive David fasted and prayed. When he discovered the seven day old child had died, he washed his face and ate a meal. When his servants express amazement at his lack of grief he tells them, "While the child was yet alive I fasted and wept, for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me that the child may live. But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:22-23). David's comment cannot refer only to his awareness that someday, he too, would join his child in death, because when his adult son, Absalom, died, David's response was radically different~ He did not speak of going to him (cf 2 Samuel l5:33) but cried out in great anguish.
The Nature of the Great White Throne. All of the lost of all ages will someday stand before God’s
great white Throne to be judged. Revelation 20:12-13 clearly teach that a vital part of this judgment involves the personal works of these people. Yet infants who die in infancy have no personal works. This gives us reason to believe that they are not present at this judgment and, thus are not considered lost but part of the redeemed.
Hell, the Punishment for Refusal to Believe: Condemnation is not merely overlooking the Savior but a stubborn refusal to believe (Iohn 3:18-21). This fact is supported by the use of two different Greek words in John 3:36 (both translated "believe" in KJV. The first word ["He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life") is the usual word for believe and [means to trust in, or depend upon—JPH]. The second word, however, He that believeth not the Son shall not see life"] is different and means "to disobey" Since infants who die in infancy are not capable of this stubborn refusal to believe, they do not come under this condemnation.
Divine Election: Under normal circumstances the benefits of salvation provided by Christ's death and resurrection are applied to those who believe and trust in Christ alone for salvation. When the Philippian jailor asked Paul "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" he was told, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30-31). At the same time, those who believe in Christ are called, “elect” (1 Thessalonians
1; ~ Colorhns 3:12). Both faith and election are mechanisms by which the
benefits of Christ can be [and under normal circumstance; would be] applied to
individuals. However if infants are not capable of saving faith, election alone becomes the mechanism by which people are "chosen to salvation" (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The very fact of dying in infancy is outward proof that one is elect, chosen by God to live with Him in heaven. R. A. Webb, in his book, THE THEOLOGY OF
INFANT SALVATION argues for this view. So does Charles Spurgeon, in THE
NEW PARK STREET and METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE PULPIT.
One Purpose For Hell: To Display God's Righteousness: If the lost are placed in
the lake of fire because their names are not found written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15), the opening of other books and judging them according to their works (Revelation 20:12-13) must have another purpose, namely to display God's righteousness. This is accomplished in two ways: [1] if there are degrees of punishment in the lake of fire, God's righteous justice is evidenced by judging the lost according to their works. As stated earlier in this article, infants who have died in infancy would not have any works for which to be judged. [2] Furthermore, if God's righteousness is to be demonstrated by judging the lost according to their works they must possess both memory and conscience to understand that they deserve this punishment. Infants who have died in infancy would have neither memory nor conscience of evil works. All of these reasons support the belief that infants dying in infancy go to heaven but the primary basis for so believing is that Jesus died and rose again.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Uncle Zeke's Ordination
Down in the deep south lived a colored man known in his county as “Uncle Zeke.” He became a Christian and began to give his testimony and fill the pulpits of some of the churches in that area. He decided that if he was going to be a preacher, he should be ordained. Accordingly the preachers were called together in a council and ordination proceeded to get under way.
One of the preachers asked the question, “Uncle Zeke, does you know de Bible?”
“Does I know de Bible! Man, I knows de Bible from lid to lid and I knows de lid too, cause it says ‘Holy Bible.’”
Another preacher asked, “What’s yo’ favorite book of de Bible?”
“Well, I likes de book of Luke de best cause it contains de parable of de good Samaritan.”
“One of the preachers said, “Suppose you tells us the story of de good Samaritan.”
“Oh, yeah, there was a man going down de road from Jerusalem to Jericho. As he went down de road, he fell amon thieves and immediately de thorns rose up and choke him a hundred fold: but the angel of the Lawd strove with him and sit him free. Now about that time the Queen Aseba, she come by and give that man 30 pieces of silver. With that 30 pieces of silver he went out and bought hisself a schariot. He got in de schariot and drove furiously until he come to Jupurant tree which he caught his hair in de branches der of and der he hung many days and many nights, and the ravens brought him food ta eat and water ta drink. Till finally, one night Delilah come cut his hair off; and when he fell, he fell on stony ground- some 30 fold, some 60 fold, and some a hundred fold.
“When he looked up, he saw a cloud what wudn’t no beggah than a mustard seed. And it commenst to rainin’ forty days and forty nights. But de Lawd prepared za great fish what swallowed him up for de duration of de great tribulation. Now when de seven years was complete that fish spit him out. When de Lawd had done fed him on manna and quail, he came up out of de cave and when he looked down he saw a great big giant- yeah, it was Golia, but he passed by on de other side.
“As he went down the road further there was a man what told him to come get his supper. He said, ‘Man, I can’t come git my supper. I married a wife and I can’t come.’ That man went into de highways and byways and compel him git his supper. After he had eaten sumptiously, he said, ‘Did not my heart burn within me?’
“And he perceeded down the road and came to Jercho. He seen Jezebel up in de winder. He looked around and said, ‘Who is on de Lawd’s side?’ They said, ‘We is!’ He said, ‘Fling her down boys,’ and they flang her down. He said, ‘Flang her down again, boys,’ and they flang her down again. He said, ‘Flang her down again.’ and they flang he down again. He said, ‘Flang her down again!’ They took that gal to the top of the pinnacle of the Temple, and they flang that gal down 70 times 7, and of the fragments that remained, they picked up twelve baskets full.
“Now, they’s just one question I’d like to ask this council.”
“Uh, what that, Uncle Zeke?”
“Who’s wife she gonna be in the last days of judgment?”
One of the preachers asked the question, “Uncle Zeke, does you know de Bible?”
“Does I know de Bible! Man, I knows de Bible from lid to lid and I knows de lid too, cause it says ‘Holy Bible.’”
Another preacher asked, “What’s yo’ favorite book of de Bible?”
“Well, I likes de book of Luke de best cause it contains de parable of de good Samaritan.”
“One of the preachers said, “Suppose you tells us the story of de good Samaritan.”
“Oh, yeah, there was a man going down de road from Jerusalem to Jericho. As he went down de road, he fell amon thieves and immediately de thorns rose up and choke him a hundred fold: but the angel of the Lawd strove with him and sit him free. Now about that time the Queen Aseba, she come by and give that man 30 pieces of silver. With that 30 pieces of silver he went out and bought hisself a schariot. He got in de schariot and drove furiously until he come to Jupurant tree which he caught his hair in de branches der of and der he hung many days and many nights, and the ravens brought him food ta eat and water ta drink. Till finally, one night Delilah come cut his hair off; and when he fell, he fell on stony ground- some 30 fold, some 60 fold, and some a hundred fold.
“When he looked up, he saw a cloud what wudn’t no beggah than a mustard seed. And it commenst to rainin’ forty days and forty nights. But de Lawd prepared za great fish what swallowed him up for de duration of de great tribulation. Now when de seven years was complete that fish spit him out. When de Lawd had done fed him on manna and quail, he came up out of de cave and when he looked down he saw a great big giant- yeah, it was Golia, but he passed by on de other side.
“As he went down the road further there was a man what told him to come get his supper. He said, ‘Man, I can’t come git my supper. I married a wife and I can’t come.’ That man went into de highways and byways and compel him git his supper. After he had eaten sumptiously, he said, ‘Did not my heart burn within me?’
“And he perceeded down the road and came to Jercho. He seen Jezebel up in de winder. He looked around and said, ‘Who is on de Lawd’s side?’ They said, ‘We is!’ He said, ‘Fling her down boys,’ and they flang her down. He said, ‘Flang her down again, boys,’ and they flang her down again. He said, ‘Flang her down again.’ and they flang he down again. He said, ‘Flang her down again!’ They took that gal to the top of the pinnacle of the Temple, and they flang that gal down 70 times 7, and of the fragments that remained, they picked up twelve baskets full.
“Now, they’s just one question I’d like to ask this council.”
“Uh, what that, Uncle Zeke?”
“Who’s wife she gonna be in the last days of judgment?”
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Eternal Security
The question of the eternal security of the believer is often raised in letters we receive. This subject has been the cause of much controversy in the church for centuries, and still creates confusion and distress for many Christians. It is too much to expect to dispel this problem completely for everyone in a brief newsletter, but perhaps we can at least help in that direction.
Those who believe in "falling away" accuse those who believe in "eternal security" of promoting "cheap grace." The latter is in itself an unbiblical expression. To call it "cheap" is really a denial of grace, since it implies that too small a price has been paid. Grace, however, must be absolutely free and without any price at all on man's part, while on God's part the price He paid must be infinite. Thus for man to think that his works can play any part in either earning or keeping his salvation is what cheapens grace and devalues this infinite gift to the level of human effort.
To speak of "falling from grace" involves the same error. Since our works had nothing to do with meriting grace in the first place, there is nothing we could do that would cause us to no longer merit it and thus to "fall" from it. Works determine reward or punishment—not one's salvation, which comes by God's grace. The crux of the problem is a confusion about grace and works.
First of all, we must be absolutely clear that these two can never mix. Paul declares, "...if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work" (Rom 11:6). Salvation cannot be partly by works and partly by grace.
Secondly, we must be absolutely certain that works have nothing to do with salvation. Period. The Bible clearly states, "For by grace are ye saved...not of works" (Eph 2:8-9). True to such scriptures, evangelicals firmly declare that we cannot earn or merit salvation in any way. Eternal life must be received as a free gift of God's grace, or we cannot have it.
Thirdly, salvation cannot be purchased even in part by us, because it requires payment of the penalty for sin—a payment we can't make. If one receives a speeding ticket, it won't help to say to the judge, "I've driven many times within the 55 mph limit. Surely my many good deeds will make up for the one bad deed." Nor will it do to say, "If you let me off this time, I promise never to break the law again." The judge would reply, "Never to break the law again is only to do what the law demands. You get no extra credit for that. The penalty for breaking the law is a separate matter and must be paid." Thus Paul writes, "...by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight..." (Rom 3:20).
Fourthly, if salvation from the penalty of breaking God's laws cannot be earned by good deeds, then it cannot be lost by bad deeds. Our works play no part in either earning or keeping salvation.
Fifthly, salvation can only be given to us as a free gift if the penalty has been fully paid. We have violated infinite Justice, requiring an infinite penalty. We are finite beings and could not pay it: we would be separated from God for eternity. God is infinite and could pay an infinite penalty, but it wouldn't be just, because He is not a member of our race. Therefore God, in love and grace, through the virgin birth, became a man so that He could pay the debt of sin for the entire human race!
In the Greek, Christ's cry from the cross, "It is finished!" is an accounting term, meaning that the debt had been paid in full. Justice had been satisfied by full payment of its penalty, and thus God could "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom 3:26). On that basis, God offers pardon and eternal life as a free gift. He cannot force it upon anyone or it would not be a gift. Nor would it be just to pardon a person who rejects the righteous basis for pardon and offers a hopelessly inadequate payment instead—or offers his works even as "partial payment."
Salvation is the full pardon by grace from the penalty of all sin, past, present or future; eternal life is the bonus thrown in. Denying this cardinal truth, all cultists, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Roman Catholics, for example, reject salvation by grace and insist that it must be earned by one's good works. They accuse evangelicals of teaching that all we need to do is to say we believe in Christ and then we can live as we please, even in the grossest of sins, yet be sure of heaven. Evangelicals don't teach that at all, yet a similar complaint is made by those who believe in "falling away." They say that "once saved, always saved" encourages one to live in sin because if we know we cannot be lost then we have no incentive for living a holy life. On the contrary, love for the one who saved us is the greatest and only acceptable motive for living a holy life; and surely the greater the salvation one has received, the more love and gratitude there will be. So to know one is secure for eternity gives a higher motive for living a good life than the fear of losing one's salvation if one sins!
While those who believe in "falling from grace" are clear that good works cannot earn salvation, they teach that salvation is kept by good works. Thus one gets saved by grace, but thereafter salvation can be lost by works. To teach that good works keep salvation is almost the same error as to say that good works earn salvation. It denies grace to say that once I have been saved by grace I must thereafter keep myself saved by works.
If those who are saved could lose their salvation, then they must by their own actions keep themselves saved. If that is true, then those who stay saved and get to heaven will be able to boast that they played a key role in their salvation: Christ saved them but they kept themselves saved. On the contrary, no man can take any credit for his salvation. We are "kept by the power of God" (1 Pt 1:5), not by our faith or efforts.
"Falling away" doctrine, says Hebrews 6:4-9, rather than glorifying Christ, once again holds Him up to shame and ridicule before the world for two reasons: if we could lose our salvation, then (1) Christ would have to be crucified again to save us again; and (2) He would be ridiculed for dying to purchase a salvation but not making adequate provision to preserve it—for giving a priceless gift to those who would inevitably lose it. If Christ's death in our place for our sins and His resurrection were not sufficient to keep us saved, then He has foolishly wasted His time. If we could not live a good enough life to earn salvation, it is certain we cannot live a good enough life to keep it! To make the salvation He procured ultimately dependent upon our faltering works would be the utmost folly.
"Falling away" doctrine makes us worse off after we are saved than before. At least before conversion we can get saved. But after we are saved and have lost our salvation (if we could), we can't get saved again, but are lost forever. Hebrews 6:6 declares, "If [not when] they shall fall away...it is impossible...to renew them again unto repentance." That "falling away" is hypothetical is clear (v 9): "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." So "falling away" does not "accompany salvation." The writer is showing us that if we could lose our salvation, we could never get it back without Christ dying again upon the cross. This is folly! He would have to die an infinite number of times (i.e., every time every person who was once saved sinned and was lost and wanted to be "saved again"). Thus, those who reject "once saved, always saved" can only replace it with "once lost, always lost"!
John assures us, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know [present knowledge] that ye have [present possession] eternal life..." (1 Jn 5.13). To call it eternal life, if the person who had it could lose it and suffer eternal death, would be a mockery. On the contrary, eternal life is linked with the promise that one cannot perish—a clear assurance of "eternal security" or "once saved, always saved." John 3:16 promises those who believe in Jesus Christ that they "shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 5:24 again says, "hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation...." One could not ask for clearer or greater assurance than the words of Jesus: "I give unto them [My sheep] eternal life and they shall never perish" (Jn 10:28).
If, having received eternal life, we could lose it and perish, it would make Christ a liar. Yet this is the teaching of Roman Catholicism. Therefore the Mass is declared to be a sacrifice of Christ's body and blood whereby God pardons sinners. Thus Christ's once-for-all sacrifice upon the cross was not sufficient. And like Roman Catholicism, the idea that a person once saved could be lost also denies the sufficiency of Christ's death upon the cross 1,900 years ago.
If sin causes the loss of salvation, what kind or amount of sin does it take? There is no verse in the Bible that tells us. We are told that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9)—so apparently any sin can be forgiven. Even those who teach falling away rarely if ever say they got "saved again." Rather, they confessed their sin and were forgiven. Hebrews 12:3-11 tells us that every Christian sins, and that instead of causing a loss of salvation, sin brings God's chastening upon us as His children. If when we sinned we ceased to be God's children, He would have no one to chastise—yet he "scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Indeed, chastening is a sign that we are God's children, not that we have lost our salvation: "if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."
Some teach that one must be baptized to be saved; others that one must "speak in tongues." Both are forms of salvation by works. Some people lack assurance of salvation because they haven't "spoken in tongues," others are confident they are saved because they think they have. Both are like those who say, "Lord, Lord, have we not...in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Mt 7:21-23). They are relying on their works to prove they are saved, instead of upon God's grace. Nor does Jesus say, "You were once saved but lost your salvation." He says, "I never knew you."
Here is an important distinction. Those who believe in falling away would say of a professing Christian who has denied the faith and is living in unrepentant sin that he has "fallen from grace" and has "lost his salvation." In contrast, those who believe in eternal security, while no more tolerant of such conduct, would say of the same person that probably Christ "never knew him"—he was never a Christian. We must give the comfort and assurance of Scripture to those who are saved; but at the same time we must not give false and unbiblical comfort to those who merely say they are saved but deny with their lives what they profess with their lips.
Are we not then saved by our works? Indeed not! In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 every Christian's works are tried by fire at the "judgment seat of Christ" before which "we must all appear" (2 Cor 5:10). Good works bring rewards; a lack of them does not cause loss of salvation. The person who hasn't even one good work (all of his works are burned up) is still "saved; yet so as by fire" (v 15). We would not think such a person was saved at all. Yet one who may seem outwardly not to be a Christian, who has no good works as evidence—if he has truly received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, is then "saved as by fire" and shall never perish in spite of his lack of works.
Do we then, on the basis of "once saved, always saved," encourage Christians to "sin that grace may abound"? With Paul we say, "God forbid!" We offer no comfort or assurance to those living in sin. We don't say, you're okay because you once made a "decision for Christ." Instead, we warn: "If you are not willing right now to live fully for Christ as Lord of your life, how can you say that you were really sincere when you supposedly committed yourself to Him at some time in the past?" And to all, we declare with Paul, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor 13:5).
Our confidence for eternity rests in His unchanging love and grace and the sufficiency of God's provision in Christ—not in our worth or performance. Only when this is clear do we have real peace with God. Only then can we truly love Him and live for Him out of gratitude for the eternal life He has given to us as a free gift of His grace—a gift He will not take back and which He makes certain can never be lost!
Those who believe in "falling away" accuse those who believe in "eternal security" of promoting "cheap grace." The latter is in itself an unbiblical expression. To call it "cheap" is really a denial of grace, since it implies that too small a price has been paid. Grace, however, must be absolutely free and without any price at all on man's part, while on God's part the price He paid must be infinite. Thus for man to think that his works can play any part in either earning or keeping his salvation is what cheapens grace and devalues this infinite gift to the level of human effort.
To speak of "falling from grace" involves the same error. Since our works had nothing to do with meriting grace in the first place, there is nothing we could do that would cause us to no longer merit it and thus to "fall" from it. Works determine reward or punishment—not one's salvation, which comes by God's grace. The crux of the problem is a confusion about grace and works.
First of all, we must be absolutely clear that these two can never mix. Paul declares, "...if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace, otherwise work is no more work" (Rom 11:6). Salvation cannot be partly by works and partly by grace.
Secondly, we must be absolutely certain that works have nothing to do with salvation. Period. The Bible clearly states, "For by grace are ye saved...not of works" (Eph 2:8-9). True to such scriptures, evangelicals firmly declare that we cannot earn or merit salvation in any way. Eternal life must be received as a free gift of God's grace, or we cannot have it.
Thirdly, salvation cannot be purchased even in part by us, because it requires payment of the penalty for sin—a payment we can't make. If one receives a speeding ticket, it won't help to say to the judge, "I've driven many times within the 55 mph limit. Surely my many good deeds will make up for the one bad deed." Nor will it do to say, "If you let me off this time, I promise never to break the law again." The judge would reply, "Never to break the law again is only to do what the law demands. You get no extra credit for that. The penalty for breaking the law is a separate matter and must be paid." Thus Paul writes, "...by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight..." (Rom 3:20).
Fourthly, if salvation from the penalty of breaking God's laws cannot be earned by good deeds, then it cannot be lost by bad deeds. Our works play no part in either earning or keeping salvation.
Fifthly, salvation can only be given to us as a free gift if the penalty has been fully paid. We have violated infinite Justice, requiring an infinite penalty. We are finite beings and could not pay it: we would be separated from God for eternity. God is infinite and could pay an infinite penalty, but it wouldn't be just, because He is not a member of our race. Therefore God, in love and grace, through the virgin birth, became a man so that He could pay the debt of sin for the entire human race!
In the Greek, Christ's cry from the cross, "It is finished!" is an accounting term, meaning that the debt had been paid in full. Justice had been satisfied by full payment of its penalty, and thus God could "be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Rom 3:26). On that basis, God offers pardon and eternal life as a free gift. He cannot force it upon anyone or it would not be a gift. Nor would it be just to pardon a person who rejects the righteous basis for pardon and offers a hopelessly inadequate payment instead—or offers his works even as "partial payment."
Salvation is the full pardon by grace from the penalty of all sin, past, present or future; eternal life is the bonus thrown in. Denying this cardinal truth, all cultists, such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Roman Catholics, for example, reject salvation by grace and insist that it must be earned by one's good works. They accuse evangelicals of teaching that all we need to do is to say we believe in Christ and then we can live as we please, even in the grossest of sins, yet be sure of heaven. Evangelicals don't teach that at all, yet a similar complaint is made by those who believe in "falling away." They say that "once saved, always saved" encourages one to live in sin because if we know we cannot be lost then we have no incentive for living a holy life. On the contrary, love for the one who saved us is the greatest and only acceptable motive for living a holy life; and surely the greater the salvation one has received, the more love and gratitude there will be. So to know one is secure for eternity gives a higher motive for living a good life than the fear of losing one's salvation if one sins!
While those who believe in "falling from grace" are clear that good works cannot earn salvation, they teach that salvation is kept by good works. Thus one gets saved by grace, but thereafter salvation can be lost by works. To teach that good works keep salvation is almost the same error as to say that good works earn salvation. It denies grace to say that once I have been saved by grace I must thereafter keep myself saved by works.
If those who are saved could lose their salvation, then they must by their own actions keep themselves saved. If that is true, then those who stay saved and get to heaven will be able to boast that they played a key role in their salvation: Christ saved them but they kept themselves saved. On the contrary, no man can take any credit for his salvation. We are "kept by the power of God" (1 Pt 1:5), not by our faith or efforts.
"Falling away" doctrine, says Hebrews 6:4-9, rather than glorifying Christ, once again holds Him up to shame and ridicule before the world for two reasons: if we could lose our salvation, then (1) Christ would have to be crucified again to save us again; and (2) He would be ridiculed for dying to purchase a salvation but not making adequate provision to preserve it—for giving a priceless gift to those who would inevitably lose it. If Christ's death in our place for our sins and His resurrection were not sufficient to keep us saved, then He has foolishly wasted His time. If we could not live a good enough life to earn salvation, it is certain we cannot live a good enough life to keep it! To make the salvation He procured ultimately dependent upon our faltering works would be the utmost folly.
"Falling away" doctrine makes us worse off after we are saved than before. At least before conversion we can get saved. But after we are saved and have lost our salvation (if we could), we can't get saved again, but are lost forever. Hebrews 6:6 declares, "If [not when] they shall fall away...it is impossible...to renew them again unto repentance." That "falling away" is hypothetical is clear (v 9): "But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." So "falling away" does not "accompany salvation." The writer is showing us that if we could lose our salvation, we could never get it back without Christ dying again upon the cross. This is folly! He would have to die an infinite number of times (i.e., every time every person who was once saved sinned and was lost and wanted to be "saved again"). Thus, those who reject "once saved, always saved" can only replace it with "once lost, always lost"!
John assures us, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know [present knowledge] that ye have [present possession] eternal life..." (1 Jn 5.13). To call it eternal life, if the person who had it could lose it and suffer eternal death, would be a mockery. On the contrary, eternal life is linked with the promise that one cannot perish—a clear assurance of "eternal security" or "once saved, always saved." John 3:16 promises those who believe in Jesus Christ that they "shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 5:24 again says, "hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation...." One could not ask for clearer or greater assurance than the words of Jesus: "I give unto them [My sheep] eternal life and they shall never perish" (Jn 10:28).
If, having received eternal life, we could lose it and perish, it would make Christ a liar. Yet this is the teaching of Roman Catholicism. Therefore the Mass is declared to be a sacrifice of Christ's body and blood whereby God pardons sinners. Thus Christ's once-for-all sacrifice upon the cross was not sufficient. And like Roman Catholicism, the idea that a person once saved could be lost also denies the sufficiency of Christ's death upon the cross 1,900 years ago.
If sin causes the loss of salvation, what kind or amount of sin does it take? There is no verse in the Bible that tells us. We are told that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9)—so apparently any sin can be forgiven. Even those who teach falling away rarely if ever say they got "saved again." Rather, they confessed their sin and were forgiven. Hebrews 12:3-11 tells us that every Christian sins, and that instead of causing a loss of salvation, sin brings God's chastening upon us as His children. If when we sinned we ceased to be God's children, He would have no one to chastise—yet he "scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Indeed, chastening is a sign that we are God's children, not that we have lost our salvation: "if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."
Some teach that one must be baptized to be saved; others that one must "speak in tongues." Both are forms of salvation by works. Some people lack assurance of salvation because they haven't "spoken in tongues," others are confident they are saved because they think they have. Both are like those who say, "Lord, Lord, have we not...in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Mt 7:21-23). They are relying on their works to prove they are saved, instead of upon God's grace. Nor does Jesus say, "You were once saved but lost your salvation." He says, "I never knew you."
Here is an important distinction. Those who believe in falling away would say of a professing Christian who has denied the faith and is living in unrepentant sin that he has "fallen from grace" and has "lost his salvation." In contrast, those who believe in eternal security, while no more tolerant of such conduct, would say of the same person that probably Christ "never knew him"—he was never a Christian. We must give the comfort and assurance of Scripture to those who are saved; but at the same time we must not give false and unbiblical comfort to those who merely say they are saved but deny with their lives what they profess with their lips.
Are we not then saved by our works? Indeed not! In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 every Christian's works are tried by fire at the "judgment seat of Christ" before which "we must all appear" (2 Cor 5:10). Good works bring rewards; a lack of them does not cause loss of salvation. The person who hasn't even one good work (all of his works are burned up) is still "saved; yet so as by fire" (v 15). We would not think such a person was saved at all. Yet one who may seem outwardly not to be a Christian, who has no good works as evidence—if he has truly received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, is then "saved as by fire" and shall never perish in spite of his lack of works.
Do we then, on the basis of "once saved, always saved," encourage Christians to "sin that grace may abound"? With Paul we say, "God forbid!" We offer no comfort or assurance to those living in sin. We don't say, you're okay because you once made a "decision for Christ." Instead, we warn: "If you are not willing right now to live fully for Christ as Lord of your life, how can you say that you were really sincere when you supposedly committed yourself to Him at some time in the past?" And to all, we declare with Paul, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor 13:5).
Our confidence for eternity rests in His unchanging love and grace and the sufficiency of God's provision in Christ—not in our worth or performance. Only when this is clear do we have real peace with God. Only then can we truly love Him and live for Him out of gratitude for the eternal life He has given to us as a free gift of His grace—a gift He will not take back and which He makes certain can never be lost!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
SARAH PALIN: Before it got to the other side, I shot the
chicken, cleaned and dressed it, and had chicken burgers for
lunch.
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was
time for a change! The chicken wanted change!
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road
because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and
dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the
road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped
that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes
me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that
every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to
cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed
the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side
of the road or not. The chicken is either against us or for
us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly
see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.
What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the
road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross,
and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not
for it now and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some
black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken
doesn't realize that he must first deal with the problem on
this side of the road before it goes after the problem on
the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him
realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current
problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having
problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad.
So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and
take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this
chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and
not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a
chicken, but we have not yet been allowed access to the
other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's
guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking
American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that
chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's
Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain
level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it
with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it
crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the
road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and
that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments,
we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first
time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a
serious case of molting and went on to accomplish its
lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing
roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will
not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important
documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is
an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much
more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or
did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
SARAH PALIN: Before it got to the other side, I shot the
chicken, cleaned and dressed it, and had chicken burgers for
lunch.
BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was
time for a change! The chicken wanted change!
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road
because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and
dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the
road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped
that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes
me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that
every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to
cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed
the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side
of the road or not. The chicken is either against us or for
us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly
see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.
What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the
road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross,
and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not
for it now and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some
black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken
doesn't realize that he must first deal with the problem on
this side of the road before it goes after the problem on
the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him
realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current
problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having
problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad.
So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and
take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this
chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and
not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a
chicken, but we have not yet been allowed access to the
other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's
guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking
American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that
chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's
Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain
level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it
with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it
crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the
road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and
that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments,
we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first
time, the heart-warming story of how it experienced a
serious case of molting and went on to accomplish its
lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing
roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken 2008, which will
not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important
documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is
an integral part of eChicken 2008. This new platform is much
more stable and will never crash or need to be rebooted.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or
did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?
Monday, December 15, 2008
My Summer
I was happy with my life when things started to fall apart. In April I went to see my best girl Laura Simmons in Oklahoma, but as soon as I came back I started having major complications caused by my Crohn’s Diseases. I spent the entire month of May trying to find some way to fix the problem but I continued to suffer with little relief. In mid-June, I was preparing for Laura to come visit me at the end of the month, which I was hoping would be a ray of sunlight in the darkness of my summer. On the 21st, I woke up with a horrible cold, I had a runny nose and sore throat and major nasal drainage. I talked to Laura that morning and something seemed to be bothering her but since I was sick, I gave it little thought. Later on that day, she ended our relationship on a total whim. I was completely devastated, since this was the very same girl whom had promised me forever so many times before, whom I went 5 hours both ways to spend 2 1/2 hours with 2 months earlier. Given my health issues, I thought my world had fallen apart. The more I found out about Laura, the more depressed I became, and I wasn’t sure what I would do. I now realize, that the day she walked away, most of my Crohn’s related issues which had surfaced in the spring had disappeared, leaving me semi-healthy. I spent the month of July mourning and grieving, but come August I decided to give the month to God and His work for me. My church had its annual VBS at the beginning and I immersed myself in my work with that, and fellowship the other people and gradually, my feelings of despair and my feelings for Laura disappeared. I saw God work in a mighty way in my life that month, and we capped off the month with a teen rally, which we saw numerous kids saved, and reached with the Gospel. I now look back and see God had a plan through everything; he took away the distraction that was keeping me from fully surrendering my life to Him, after trying to get my attention to give it up voluntarily for several months to no avail. It also allowed me the time I needed to serve Him to the fullest, which I would not have had otherwise, and to develop new friendships which never would have happened. And now, all these months later, I could not be happier with how things went, and I look back with absolutely no regrets. So if things appear to fall apart for you, keep in mind these words from the Apostle Paul, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Harry Potter Outline
I. Introduction
Satan is up to some very nasty things in last days. Let me start by saying that the occult is an abomination to God. The God of the Bible hates the occult and years ago when He ruled Israel, such practices earned the death penalty.:
Exodus 22
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Lev 20
27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Lev 20
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
As you can see above in historical days in Israel's past, it was a criminal offense to be involved in any way with the occult. These verses are commands given from God to His people. God's attitude toward the occult can be clearly seen. Quite simply, He does not like the occult. In fact God likens it to spiritual harlotry. Men have a choice. They can either believe and trust in God or they can reject God and in effect, accept the devil and his ways. Harry Potter is for those who have rejected God and have accepted the devil and his ways. The occult with all the spells, wizards, and psychic powers is part of the devil and his ways.
Occult books like Harry Potter are nothing but a gross sin and an abomination against God. People who reject God get very close to the devil. Harry Potter is great for those who reject God. People who want nothing to do with Jesus, salvation, eternal life, and heaven, have a great interest in Satan's wizards and spell casting. Hence, Harry Potter has a place in those peoples lives.
If you, approve of Harry Potter and even let your children read that Satanic filth, then you are on the devils side. You either choose God or you choose the devil. Those who accept Harry Potter with all the spells and wizardry are choosing the devil. It is as simple as that!
II. THE OCCULT IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD!
There is also very little said from within the Christian church about Harry Potter. True there are some who are trying to get the books banned from schools. But there certainly is not a great outcry against this latest fad in occultism. Why is this so? Never before has the occult been made so attractive and packaged so nicely. Children are being led, by a Satanic pied piper, into the occult. The Bible clearly states that occultism is forbidden and it is an abomination to Him.
Deuteronomy 18
9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that
- maketh his son or his daughter to pass thrrough the fire, [or]
- that useth divination,
- [or] an observer of times,
- or an enchanter,
- or a witch,
- 11 Or a charmer,
- or a consulter with familiar spirits,
- or a wizard,
- or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
III. WOE TO THOSE PROMOTING EVIL
God is very aware that evil will come in this world. He has allowed men free choice to receive or reject Him. Those who reject God always accept the devil. The occult is also very popular with those who reject God. Again, God knows such evils will come into the world. However, He gives a 'woe' of judgment to those by whom these evils come.
Matt 18
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luke 17
1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Are you encouraging and promoting evil? Does the above 'woe' apply to you as it certainly does with the author of the Harry Potter books? Get ready, in God's time judgment will certainly come!
This is a very sad thought... how many Christian families let their children get involved with Pokemon or Harry Potter? How many church pastors allow Harry Potter into their assembly? One liberal-apostate 'Christian' magazine (Christianity Today) has articles on the web praising the Harry Potter books while dismissing the blatant occultism!
IV. WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Those who belong to and love God will remove occultism from their lives. They will not accept any occult book, game, or video into their homes. Those backslidden who repent will destroy all forms of the occult from their homes. What will you do reader? Whose side are you on? God's or the devil's?
Satan is up to some very nasty things in last days. Let me start by saying that the occult is an abomination to God. The God of the Bible hates the occult and years ago when He ruled Israel, such practices earned the death penalty.:
Exodus 22
18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Lev 20
27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Lev 20
6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
As you can see above in historical days in Israel's past, it was a criminal offense to be involved in any way with the occult. These verses are commands given from God to His people. God's attitude toward the occult can be clearly seen. Quite simply, He does not like the occult. In fact God likens it to spiritual harlotry. Men have a choice. They can either believe and trust in God or they can reject God and in effect, accept the devil and his ways. Harry Potter is for those who have rejected God and have accepted the devil and his ways. The occult with all the spells, wizards, and psychic powers is part of the devil and his ways.
Occult books like Harry Potter are nothing but a gross sin and an abomination against God. People who reject God get very close to the devil. Harry Potter is great for those who reject God. People who want nothing to do with Jesus, salvation, eternal life, and heaven, have a great interest in Satan's wizards and spell casting. Hence, Harry Potter has a place in those peoples lives.
If you, approve of Harry Potter and even let your children read that Satanic filth, then you are on the devils side. You either choose God or you choose the devil. Those who accept Harry Potter with all the spells and wizardry are choosing the devil. It is as simple as that!
II. THE OCCULT IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD!
There is also very little said from within the Christian church about Harry Potter. True there are some who are trying to get the books banned from schools. But there certainly is not a great outcry against this latest fad in occultism. Why is this so? Never before has the occult been made so attractive and packaged so nicely. Children are being led, by a Satanic pied piper, into the occult. The Bible clearly states that occultism is forbidden and it is an abomination to Him.
Deuteronomy 18
9. When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that
- maketh his son or his daughter to pass thrrough the fire, [or]
- that useth divination,
- [or] an observer of times,
- or an enchanter,
- or a witch,
- 11 Or a charmer,
- or a consulter with familiar spirits,
- or a wizard,
- or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
III. WOE TO THOSE PROMOTING EVIL
God is very aware that evil will come in this world. He has allowed men free choice to receive or reject Him. Those who reject God always accept the devil. The occult is also very popular with those who reject God. Again, God knows such evils will come into the world. However, He gives a 'woe' of judgment to those by whom these evils come.
Matt 18
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Luke 17
1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Are you encouraging and promoting evil? Does the above 'woe' apply to you as it certainly does with the author of the Harry Potter books? Get ready, in God's time judgment will certainly come!
This is a very sad thought... how many Christian families let their children get involved with Pokemon or Harry Potter? How many church pastors allow Harry Potter into their assembly? One liberal-apostate 'Christian' magazine (Christianity Today) has articles on the web praising the Harry Potter books while dismissing the blatant occultism!
IV. WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Those who belong to and love God will remove occultism from their lives. They will not accept any occult book, game, or video into their homes. Those backslidden who repent will destroy all forms of the occult from their homes. What will you do reader? Whose side are you on? God's or the devil's?
WOMEN'S ROLE IN TEACHING & CHURCH LEADERSHIP
WOMEN'S ROLE IN TEACHING & CHURCH LEADERSHIP
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. THE VALUE OF WOMEN AND THEIR WORK
=====================================
A. Women's Work Is Equally as Important as Man's.
=================================================
Women are just as important or valued as men. They are honored and rewarded for
their work as highly as men are for their work.
Gal. 3:28; I Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:10-31
B. God Values People for Their Service, not Their Authority.
====================================================
Matt. 20:25-28
Note that this does not deny the existence of valid authority. Jesus used
Himself as the example, and He possessed authority (Matt. 28:18; 7:29). The
point is that possession of authority does not inherently make one great. People
without authority can be just as great as those who have it. Cf. citizens to
rulers, men to elders, etc.
However, the fact men and women are equally valued does not mean God expects
them to do the same work.
C. In Particular, the Woman's Role as Homemaker Is of Great Value
====================================================
God honors woman in this role, and she ought to be honored by men.
1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:5; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 31:10-31; 7:11,12
C. Women Have a Definite Responsibility in teaching.
====================================================
They may teach women or children.
*********************************
Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5
They may even impart truth to men in a limited capacity.
*****************************************************
Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42
However, note that none of these passages place women as preaching God's word in
the public worship assemblies of the whole church or in any capacity which puts
them in authority over men.
II. RESTRICTIONS ON WOMEN IN AUTHORITY AND TEACHING
===================================================
A. Women Are Subject to Men
===========================
Many passages teach the subjection of women to men in general.
Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3;
14:34; I Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; I Peter 3:1-7
B. Positions of Authority & Leadership in the Church Are Reserved for Men.
====================================================
Apostles were all men -- Acts 1:13.
Elders, who oversee the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3), must be men --
1 Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5,6.
C. Women Are Subject to Men in Spiritual Teaching.
====================================================
Women are expressly forbidden to take a leading role over men in the church or
in any circumstance of teaching God's word.
1 Timothy 2:11-14 -- Women are subject to men in spiritual teaching situations.
*****************************************************
V13,14 give two reasons for women's subjection to man.
V13 -- First, man was formed before woman. This refers to the creation account
of Gen. 2:18ff. See also 1 Cor. 11:3,8,9.
Woman was created from the beginning to be a helper or companion to man, not a
leader or authority figure over him. Man was created with the position of leader
and his nature suits that position.
V14 -- Man has the leadership role because, though both Adam and Eve sinned, the
woman was deceived where man was not. Both man and woman were punished, but God
made the punishment fit the sin.
Eve tried to take the leadership role and made a decision to disobey God without
consulting her husband. She allowed herself to be deceived and made a colossal
blunder, so God required that she would always be subject to her husband (Gen.
3:16). Her punishment reminds her that she left her role of subjection. Man was
punished just as severely, but in a different way.
1 Corinthians 14:34,35 -- Women are to be silent in the assemblies of the
church.
*****************************************************
V34 says women must keep silence "in the churches." V35 says it is shameful for
them to speak "in the church." The context defines "silence" to mean not
speaking, not even to ask a question.
The context shows that "in the church" refers to the public worship assembly in
which the church is called together to sing and pray (v15) and be edified (v26).
The church is gathered together in congregation as a body. See v23,26 (cf.
v4,5,12,19,28,33,34,35). Compare the similar usage in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 regarding
the assemblies in which the Lord's supper was offered (cf. v17,18,20,33).
III. ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS
==========================
A. Was Phoebe a Preacher?
=========================
Romans 16:2 says Phoebe was a "minister" or "servant." How she served is not
defined. There are many different ways people may serve or minister to others.
Cf. John 2:5.
No passage anywhere indicates that any women were appointed to any specific
office of work in the church like elders and deacons. Appointment to office
requires specific qualifications (Titus 1; 1 Tim. 3). None are ever given for
women.
If Phoebe had preached in public church meetings, she would have violated
express New Testament commands.
B. Was This Just Paul's Opinion or a Requirement of God?
====================================================
Some people claim this was just Paul's personal opinion, not Divine regulation
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This was a
principle established by God and revealed through various inspired teachers, not
just Paul. Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit. 2:4,5; I
Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just Paul's opinion nor a temporary or local custom but had
been the rule even under the Old Testament.
3) 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the commandment of
the Lord." Paul was an inspired apostle (2 Cor. 11:5: 12:11,12; 1 Cor. 9:1-5;
15:4-8; Acts 9:15; 26:16). To reject this teaching is to reject the commands of
God. See also 1 Thess. 2:13; 4:8; Eph. 3:3-5; Gal. 1:6-12; 1 Cor. 2:1-5,10-16; 2
Peter 3:15,16; Luke 10:16; John 16:13,14; Matt. 18:18;
4) Paul was not prejudiced against women. Much of the teaching about the value
of women was done by Paul. See also Eph. 5:25-29,33; Galatians 3:28; Col. 3:19;
Acts 16:14,15,40; Rom. 16:1-4,6.
C. Was This a Binding, Permanent Command or Just a Custom of That Day?
====================================================
Some claim that the teaching about women's subjection was not intended to be
permanent but was a local, temporary custom of that day.
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This is a
universal principle binding on all Christians in the gospel age, taught in other
passages including Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit.
2:4,5; I Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34. Note that some of these are taught by
inspired men other than Paul.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just a temporary or local custom but had been the rule even
under the Old Testament.
3) V33 says that the things Paul was teaching apply "in all the churches of the
saints."
4) Again, 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the
commandment of the Lord." Hence, they were not just local, temporary customs.
Paul was an inspired apostle. To reject this teaching is to reject the commands
of God, not just temporary customs. See passages above.
We must not lightly set aside the teachings of God's word as non-binding
customs. Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, we must accept that
which God's word teaches to be Divine command.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I. THE VALUE OF WOMEN AND THEIR WORK
=====================================
A. Women's Work Is Equally as Important as Man's.
=================================================
Women are just as important or valued as men. They are honored and rewarded for
their work as highly as men are for their work.
Gal. 3:28; I Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:10-31
B. God Values People for Their Service, not Their Authority.
====================================================
Matt. 20:25-28
Note that this does not deny the existence of valid authority. Jesus used
Himself as the example, and He possessed authority (Matt. 28:18; 7:29). The
point is that possession of authority does not inherently make one great. People
without authority can be just as great as those who have it. Cf. citizens to
rulers, men to elders, etc.
However, the fact men and women are equally valued does not mean God expects
them to do the same work.
C. In Particular, the Woman's Role as Homemaker Is of Great Value
====================================================
God honors woman in this role, and she ought to be honored by men.
1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:5; Psalm 113:9; Proverbs 31:10-31; 7:11,12
C. Women Have a Definite Responsibility in teaching.
====================================================
They may teach women or children.
*********************************
Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5
They may even impart truth to men in a limited capacity.
*****************************************************
Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42
However, note that none of these passages place women as preaching God's word in
the public worship assemblies of the whole church or in any capacity which puts
them in authority over men.
II. RESTRICTIONS ON WOMEN IN AUTHORITY AND TEACHING
===================================================
A. Women Are Subject to Men
===========================
Many passages teach the subjection of women to men in general.
Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3;
14:34; I Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; I Peter 3:1-7
B. Positions of Authority & Leadership in the Church Are Reserved for Men.
====================================================
Apostles were all men -- Acts 1:13.
Elders, who oversee the local church (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3), must be men --
1 Timothy 3:1,2; Titus 1:5,6.
C. Women Are Subject to Men in Spiritual Teaching.
====================================================
Women are expressly forbidden to take a leading role over men in the church or
in any circumstance of teaching God's word.
1 Timothy 2:11-14 -- Women are subject to men in spiritual teaching situations.
*****************************************************
V13,14 give two reasons for women's subjection to man.
V13 -- First, man was formed before woman. This refers to the creation account
of Gen. 2:18ff. See also 1 Cor. 11:3,8,9.
Woman was created from the beginning to be a helper or companion to man, not a
leader or authority figure over him. Man was created with the position of leader
and his nature suits that position.
V14 -- Man has the leadership role because, though both Adam and Eve sinned, the
woman was deceived where man was not. Both man and woman were punished, but God
made the punishment fit the sin.
Eve tried to take the leadership role and made a decision to disobey God without
consulting her husband. She allowed herself to be deceived and made a colossal
blunder, so God required that she would always be subject to her husband (Gen.
3:16). Her punishment reminds her that she left her role of subjection. Man was
punished just as severely, but in a different way.
1 Corinthians 14:34,35 -- Women are to be silent in the assemblies of the
church.
*****************************************************
V34 says women must keep silence "in the churches." V35 says it is shameful for
them to speak "in the church." The context defines "silence" to mean not
speaking, not even to ask a question.
The context shows that "in the church" refers to the public worship assembly in
which the church is called together to sing and pray (v15) and be edified (v26).
The church is gathered together in congregation as a body. See v23,26 (cf.
v4,5,12,19,28,33,34,35). Compare the similar usage in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 regarding
the assemblies in which the Lord's supper was offered (cf. v17,18,20,33).
III. ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS
==========================
A. Was Phoebe a Preacher?
=========================
Romans 16:2 says Phoebe was a "minister" or "servant." How she served is not
defined. There are many different ways people may serve or minister to others.
Cf. John 2:5.
No passage anywhere indicates that any women were appointed to any specific
office of work in the church like elders and deacons. Appointment to office
requires specific qualifications (Titus 1; 1 Tim. 3). None are ever given for
women.
If Phoebe had preached in public church meetings, she would have violated
express New Testament commands.
B. Was This Just Paul's Opinion or a Requirement of God?
====================================================
Some people claim this was just Paul's personal opinion, not Divine regulation
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This was a
principle established by God and revealed through various inspired teachers, not
just Paul. Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit. 2:4,5; I
Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just Paul's opinion nor a temporary or local custom but had
been the rule even under the Old Testament.
3) 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the commandment of
the Lord." Paul was an inspired apostle (2 Cor. 11:5: 12:11,12; 1 Cor. 9:1-5;
15:4-8; Acts 9:15; 26:16). To reject this teaching is to reject the commands of
God. See also 1 Thess. 2:13; 4:8; Eph. 3:3-5; Gal. 1:6-12; 1 Cor. 2:1-5,10-16; 2
Peter 3:15,16; Luke 10:16; John 16:13,14; Matt. 18:18;
4) Paul was not prejudiced against women. Much of the teaching about the value
of women was done by Paul. See also Eph. 5:25-29,33; Galatians 3:28; Col. 3:19;
Acts 16:14,15,40; Rom. 16:1-4,6.
C. Was This a Binding, Permanent Command or Just a Custom of That Day?
====================================================
Some claim that the teaching about women's subjection was not intended to be
permanent but was a local, temporary custom of that day.
1) It is based on the principle of subjection of women to men. This is a
universal principle binding on all Christians in the gospel age, taught in other
passages including Gen. 2:18; 3:16; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18; I Cor. 11:3; Tit.
2:4,5; I Pet. 3:1-7; I Cor. 14:34. Note that some of these are taught by
inspired men other than Paul.
2) 1 Cor. 14:34,35 says the same was also taught in the law (Gen. 2:18; 3:16).
Hence, it was not just a temporary or local custom but had been the rule even
under the Old Testament.
3) V33 says that the things Paul was teaching apply "in all the churches of the
saints."
4) Again, 1 Cor. 14:37 expressly states that these teachings were "the
commandment of the Lord." Hence, they were not just local, temporary customs.
Paul was an inspired apostle. To reject this teaching is to reject the commands
of God, not just temporary customs. See passages above.
We must not lightly set aside the teachings of God's word as non-binding
customs. Unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, we must accept that
which God's word teaches to be Divine command.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Challenge to the Laborers
Matt 9:36-37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
The words of our Lord seem never truer than they are at this present time. On planet Earth we now have 6.6 billion people, more than has ever lived at one time in human history. That means there are 6.6 billion people who need to hear the gospel and to be saved. America has an estimated 305 million people, which means there are 305 million people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. Polling data from the 2001 ARIS study tells us that 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christians and in that 52% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant and 24.5% are Roman Catholic. That poll was taken 7 years ago and I believe that the number of professing Christians would probably be less, with the rise of humanistic atheism, Islam, and the occultic religions as Wicca. The majority of professing Christians are just that, professing. They know nothing of a relationship with Christ and would claim to be saved by a work of some sort (baptism, church membership, etc). Ask some of you're "Christian" friends. You'll see what I'm saying. My point? America’s in desperate need for the gospel. Many people believe missions work is something that happens overseas, but it actually starts in your own neighborhood.
Jesus tells the apostles in Acts 1:7-8 ... “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This command is also relevant for us as believers today. Jerusalem was the headquarters of Judaism, the capital of their country and the first place evangelized in the Book of Acts. After Jerusalem was reached Judea, then Samaria followed, then to the uttermost part of the earth. This order was followed exactly.
Ok, so why have I said all of this? I think as believers we have neglected our Jerusalem, our home towns and the wider scope of our country. I have nothing against foreign missions, but should our burden for missions be entirely for the foreign fields? Jerusalem was the apostles’ top priority before the uttermost part, and if we have neglected our Jerusalem, what right do we have to move on to the next ring of the circle?
There is a definite need. Our Lord said in the verses mentioned above that the harvest is plenteous, so the reason the gospel is not going out isn’t for the lack of people who need to hear it. It is because of the lack of laborers in the harvest!
So you may be thinking, “Well I’d love to help, but I’m not a pastor or a missionary or any sort of “professional Christian.” That’s the great part, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8) is for every disciple of Christ.. every believer!
But can’t someone else do it?
That’s exactly what Satan is telling people. “I’ll let someone else do it” more often than not, this apathetic approach means it never gets done, which means more people perish. There may also be people in your life that with whom you may be the only one who can share the gospel. So if you won't do it, no one will. Every one of us needs to be involved with the evangelization of our Jerusalem, no matter what our occupation, age, gender, etc. There will be something to be done, whether it be inviting unsaved neighbors to ones home for a meal, or going canvassing door to door.
Not convinced yet?
Go visit a shopping mall or grocery store. There will be hundreds of people in one of these locations that may never hear the gospel. Why? Because no one took the time to tell them! They will die, and spend eternity in hell because the Christian church neglected its command to be witnesses in our Jerusalem! Your neighbors, friends, family may be in that group of the unevangelized!
Think you’re too busy?
The average US household has a television on for 7 hours, 12 minutes each day.
Approximately 10 people per minute die in the USA. From my math, that’s over 4300 people during the time the average American is watchiing television. How many of those people do you think knew Christ as savior?
Imagine how much you could do if you spent just an hour a day or an afternoon once a week walking around your area knocking on doors witnessing!
When was the last time you prayed for the harvest in your town or area? Have you prayed for the Lord to send laborers into that harvest? When was the last time you approached someone with the gospel? Have you ever approached someone with the gospel? When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Have you ever led someone to the Lord? Do you constantly say “I’ll get involved later?” The clock is ticking. I hope this will motivate you to get involved.
If you aren’t sure how, email me back, and I can give you some suggestions. Thanks for reading this.
Raymond Wilfong
www.raymondwilfong.blogspot.com
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
--Matthew 6:33
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
The words of our Lord seem never truer than they are at this present time. On planet Earth we now have 6.6 billion people, more than has ever lived at one time in human history. That means there are 6.6 billion people who need to hear the gospel and to be saved. America has an estimated 305 million people, which means there are 305 million people who need the gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. Polling data from the 2001 ARIS study tells us that 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christians and in that 52% of Americans identified themselves as Protestant and 24.5% are Roman Catholic. That poll was taken 7 years ago and I believe that the number of professing Christians would probably be less, with the rise of humanistic atheism, Islam, and the occultic religions as Wicca. The majority of professing Christians are just that, professing. They know nothing of a relationship with Christ and would claim to be saved by a work of some sort (baptism, church membership, etc). Ask some of you're "Christian" friends. You'll see what I'm saying. My point? America’s in desperate need for the gospel. Many people believe missions work is something that happens overseas, but it actually starts in your own neighborhood.
Jesus tells the apostles in Acts 1:7-8 ... “ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
This command is also relevant for us as believers today. Jerusalem was the headquarters of Judaism, the capital of their country and the first place evangelized in the Book of Acts. After Jerusalem was reached Judea, then Samaria followed, then to the uttermost part of the earth. This order was followed exactly.
Ok, so why have I said all of this? I think as believers we have neglected our Jerusalem, our home towns and the wider scope of our country. I have nothing against foreign missions, but should our burden for missions be entirely for the foreign fields? Jerusalem was the apostles’ top priority before the uttermost part, and if we have neglected our Jerusalem, what right do we have to move on to the next ring of the circle?
There is a definite need. Our Lord said in the verses mentioned above that the harvest is plenteous, so the reason the gospel is not going out isn’t for the lack of people who need to hear it. It is because of the lack of laborers in the harvest!
So you may be thinking, “Well I’d love to help, but I’m not a pastor or a missionary or any sort of “professional Christian.” That’s the great part, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-16; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8) is for every disciple of Christ.. every believer!
But can’t someone else do it?
That’s exactly what Satan is telling people. “I’ll let someone else do it” more often than not, this apathetic approach means it never gets done, which means more people perish. There may also be people in your life that with whom you may be the only one who can share the gospel. So if you won't do it, no one will. Every one of us needs to be involved with the evangelization of our Jerusalem, no matter what our occupation, age, gender, etc. There will be something to be done, whether it be inviting unsaved neighbors to ones home for a meal, or going canvassing door to door.
Not convinced yet?
Go visit a shopping mall or grocery store. There will be hundreds of people in one of these locations that may never hear the gospel. Why? Because no one took the time to tell them! They will die, and spend eternity in hell because the Christian church neglected its command to be witnesses in our Jerusalem! Your neighbors, friends, family may be in that group of the unevangelized!
Think you’re too busy?
The average US household has a television on for 7 hours, 12 minutes each day.
Approximately 10 people per minute die in the USA. From my math, that’s over 4300 people during the time the average American is watchiing television. How many of those people do you think knew Christ as savior?
Imagine how much you could do if you spent just an hour a day or an afternoon once a week walking around your area knocking on doors witnessing!
When was the last time you prayed for the harvest in your town or area? Have you prayed for the Lord to send laborers into that harvest? When was the last time you approached someone with the gospel? Have you ever approached someone with the gospel? When was the last time you led someone to the Lord? Have you ever led someone to the Lord? Do you constantly say “I’ll get involved later?” The clock is ticking. I hope this will motivate you to get involved.
If you aren’t sure how, email me back, and I can give you some suggestions. Thanks for reading this.
Raymond Wilfong
www.raymondwilfong.blogspot.com
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
--Matthew 6:33
Monday, October 6, 2008
Johnny and the Cat
Johnny's mother looked out the door and saw Johnny reading
the Bible to his cat. She thought to herself, "Isn't that
sweet? I will not disturb him and will let him continue to
play with the cat."
Sometime later, Mom heard an awful noise and looked out the
door to see Johnny trying to force the cat into a bucket of
water. She loudly said to Johnny, "Johnny, what are you
trying to do with the cat?"
Johnny replied, "I am trying to baptize him!"
His mom said, "Cats don't like to be in water."
Johnny replied, "Well, then he shouldn't have joined my
church."
the Bible to his cat. She thought to herself, "Isn't that
sweet? I will not disturb him and will let him continue to
play with the cat."
Sometime later, Mom heard an awful noise and looked out the
door to see Johnny trying to force the cat into a bucket of
water. She loudly said to Johnny, "Johnny, what are you
trying to do with the cat?"
Johnny replied, "I am trying to baptize him!"
His mom said, "Cats don't like to be in water."
Johnny replied, "Well, then he shouldn't have joined my
church."
Friday, October 3, 2008
Biblical Headlines
Biblical Headlines
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal
media...
On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed
On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed
On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple
On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior
On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy
On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost
On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal
media...
On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed
On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed
On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple
On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior
On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy
On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost
On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed
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