Raymond's Blog

Why Jesus Is Better than Santa Claus

2011-12-19T16:51:00.001-06:00

Why Jesus Is Better than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your
heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name; all he can say to the little
boy or girl is, "What's your name?" ...
JESUS knew your name before you did. Not only does He know
your name, He also knows your address. He knows your history
and future and He even knows how many hairs are on your
head.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help, and hope.

Santa says, "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says, "Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken
homes, and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle, but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison. We need to
remember WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ
back in CHRISTmas. Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus

Modesty—A Lost Cause?

2011-10-17T10:17:00.000-05:00

Modesty—A Lost Cause?

Kim Melton

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” 1 Tim. 2:9, 10

We live in a society where it is perfectly acceptable for the human body to be displayed in clothing that would have caused our grandparents to blush in shame. It used to be that these displays were on the people “of the world,” but in the past several years immodesty has begun to creep into the church. I have watched a married man avert his eyes when a young lady passed him in church in a dress that was provocatively cut. I overheard a Christian mother and her daughter discuss in a positive way how sexy the daughter looked. I have viewed pictures from weddings (a Fundamentalist pastor officiating) with dresses on brides and bridesmaids that several years ago were sold in stores as sleepwear.

There are many differing opinions among Christians about what is acceptable. Often you hear the term “Christian liberty” used when someone is defending what she is wearing. The purpose of this article is not to set a standard, but to make us stop and think about what kind of example we are setting.

I must confess that as a young woman I never gave the issue of modesty much thought. I had a mother who made sure I was modest. To my shame, I can remember times when I fought her about it, but she stood firm. Now I am grateful for the instruction she gave me in this area.

Even as a young married woman I didn’t think much about what was modest because at that time it was easy to go shopping and find clothing that was acceptable. I remember a time shortly after my marriage when my husband asked me kindly not to wear a certain blouse any more. I remember inwardly wrestling with whether or not I would do what he asked. I realized there must be a reason he didn’t want me to wear it, so I decided to listen to him. Now that I am older and hopefully a little wiser, I realize that a man knows how other men think, and I need to listen when my husband speaks about this important area.

There are many people (not just in our Fundamentalist camp) who are trying to fight this issue of immodesty. I watched a news clip recently on the local channel about a fashion group that was started by an unsaved mother who was concerned about the immodest apparel available for her teenage daughter to purchase. The fashion show demonstrated how to buy and layer fashionable clothing that covers appropriately. If this mother who doesn’t know the Lord is concerned, how much more concerned should we be who represent the King of kings!

Over the years I have heard good teaching in this area and have read many books on the subject. Perhaps the thing that has helped me the most was teaching I received by the former assistant pastor of my home church, Gordon Dickson. He was teaching on the fear of the Lord, and he asked the question, “How can I dress today to show that I fear the Lord?” This simple question has stuck with me over the years, and it can be applied to any area of our life as we seek to show that we fear the Lord.

Sometimes I feel that modesty is a lost cause. It is becoming increasingly difficult to buy modest clothing. Everything is getting lower, tighter, shorter, and more provocative. What are we to do? Sewing is becoming a lost art, but for those who do sew, this is a great solution. You can hire a seamstress to sew for you or to alter existing clothing to make it modest. I did a Google search for modest clothing and came up with a number of sites offering fashionable clothing. God will lead you in this area if you allow Him to do so! “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

Ladies, please don’t give up in this vital area. Set an example for others around you. Train your daughters. Let’s adorn ourselves in modest apparel “which becometh women professing godliness”!

College Football Jokes

2011-09-04T13:01:00.003-05:00

>Why do Nebraska football players like smart women?Opposites attract.

Why was O.J. trying to escape to Knoxville, Tennessee?
Police would never look for a Heisman Trophy winner there.

Why was O.J. considering moving to West Virginia?
Everyone's DNA there is the same.

Why do Tennessee fans wear orange?
So they can dress that way for the game on Saturday, go
hunting on Sunday, and wear it to pick up trash on Monday.

How do you get a former Ohio State football player off your
porch?
Pay him for the pizza.

An Alabama fan and a Tennessee fan, fighting side-by-side,
were captured during World War II and sentenced to die by
firing squad. The enemy commander asked the Tennessee fan if
he had any last requests. The Vol said, "I want to hear
Rocky Top one last time."
The Bama fan was then asked if he had any last requests.
"Yes, shoot me first!"

A man is sitting at a park bench when another man sits next
to him and they engage in conversation. Shortly after, the
second man says, "So, I bet you're a Texas fan."
The first man says enthusiastically, "Why, yes I am. How did
you know? My intelligence? My wit? My good looks?"
The second fellow says, "No. I saw your class ring when you
were picking your nose."

A scrawny man at a bar in Columbus says to the guy sitting
next to him, "Hey, you want to hear a really funny Ohio
State joke?"
The guy replies, "Hey, buddy. See the bartender? He played
at Ohio State. See those two huge guys to your left? They
played at Ohio State. See that group of big guys over at
that table? All Ohio State football players. Look at me. I'm
6'4, 235, and played at Ohio State. Now are you sure you
want to tell me your joke?"
The scrawny man says, "Nah. I don't want to have to explain
and repeat it five times."

How can you spot a Tennessee fan at a wedding?
Just look for the guy in the orange T-shirt.

What does the average Florida State player get on his SATs?
Drool.

How can you tell if an Auburn football player has a
girlfriend?
Tobacco juice on both sides of the pickup truck.

How many Pitt football players does it take to change a
light bulb?
Five. And they each get three credits.

University of South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier comes into
the locker room before practice and says to his star
receiver, "You're failing math. If you don't want to become
academically ineligible, you'll have to answer these math
questions correctly." The star receiver agrees and Spurrier
asks him, "What does 4 plus 4 equal?"
"Eleven," says the athlete.
The rest of the team pleads, "Give him another chance! Give
him another chance!"
Spurrier then asks, "What does 2 plus 2 equal?"
The receiver says, "Four."
The rest of the team yells, "Give him another chance! Give
him another chance!"

How many Florida freshmen football players does it take to
change a light bulb?
None. That's a sophomore course.

What do you get when you put 32 Arkansas cheerleaders in one
room?
A full set of teeth.

Why is Nebraska's football field artificial turf and not
real grass?
So the cheerleaders won't graze.

What are the longest three years of a Florida State football
player's life?
Freshman year.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban asked the freshman walk-on
hopeful if he could tackle.
The kid said, "Yes, sir coach, I can tackle."
The coach then asked, "Well, can you run?"
The kid said, "Yes, sir coach, I can run very fast."
Saban then said, "Can you pass a football?"
The kid thought for a second and said, "Well, coach, if I
can swallow it, I can probably pass it."

If you are driving and see a Miami football player riding a
bicycle, why should you take great care in not hitting him?
It could be your bike.

You are stuck in a cave with an angry grizzly bear, a
mountain lion, and a Texas A&M fan. You have a gun with two
bullets. What should you do?
Shoot the Aggie fan...twice.

What do you get if you see an Ohio State fan buried up to
his neck in sand?
More sand.

A man asks his friend, "Did you hear about the 22-year-old
babe who married the 93-year-old Alabama booster? It was a
football wedding."
The friend says, "A football wedding?"
"Yeah, she's waiting for him to kick off."

The Notre Dame fan was complaining to his friend about his
wife. He said, "My wife thinks I put the Fighting Irish
ahead of our marriage. I disagree. We just celebrated our
fourth season together."

How come football isn't a religion this season in the SEC?
It was put on probation.

What do you call 20 Ohio State fans lying on the lawn?
Fertilizer.

How do you get a Nebraska cheerleader into your dorm room?
Grease her hips and push.

Why do Mississippi State football players put their diplomas
on the dashboard?
So they can park in a handicapped spot.

Why do Michigan State football players go to movies in
groups of 18 or more?
17 and under not admitted.

What is the most common phrase used by a former Colorado
football player?
Would you like fries with that?

What do you call a genius sitting in the Arkansas student
section?
Visitor.

A young boy and his mother were in the cemetery visiting the
grave of a loved one. They came upon a headstone that read,
"Here lies a Florida State graduate and an honest man."
The boy then asked his mother, "Mommy, why did they bury two
men in there?"

Why did they build a new automobile factory near Oklahoma
State?
Because of the endless supply of crash test dummies down the
street.

How did the Georgia football player die from drinking milk?
The cow fell on him.

Did you hear about the Florida State kicker who tried to
throw himself on the floor in a fit of rage?
He missed.

What's the difference between a litter of puppies and Steve
Spurrier?
Puppies stop whining after 8 weeks.

Two West Virginia football players were walking in the
woods. One of them said, "Look, a dead bird."
The other looked up in the sky and said, "Where?"

How do you keep a Colorado football player out of your yard?
Put up a goalpost.

How can you tell the female student who is a college
football fan from the north from the female student who is a
college football fan from the south?
The female student from the north is a physics major who
understands Sylvia Plath.
The female student from the south is a Miss USA contestant
and understands the west coast offense.

A Clemson football player was almost killed yesterday in a
tragic horseback-riding accident. He fell from the horse and
was nearly trampled to death. Luckily, the manager of the
Wal-Mart came out and unplugged the horse.

A Southern Cal football player was bragging to a group of
co-eds that he finished a jigsaw puzzle in only three
months. One girl said, "Three months? You're proud of that?"
The Trojan said, "Yep. On the box it said 4-6 years."

What do Penn State football players call the elderly?
Coach.

What do you say to an Ohio State football player dressed in
a three-piece suit?
Will the defendant please rise.

What's the difference between a Pitt cheerleader and an
elephant?
A couple of hundred pounds.

When do Florida State players NOT run up the score?
When they are taking their SATs.

How can you tell when it's homecoming weekend at Iowa?
The cheerleaders have braided their armpit hair.

What do you get when you drag a $1,000 bill through a
housing project?
A Miami football signee.

A man inherited over one billion dollars from a long-lost
uncle who happened to be an oil baron. The man, thrilled at
his good fortune, asked his young son what he wanted. He
told his child that money was no object. The boy said he
wanted a Mickey Mouse outfit. So the man bought him the
University of Colorado.

What do you call a 200-pound Michigan State cheerleader?
Anorexic.

If three Florida State football players are in a car, who is
driving?
The police officer.

How come female college football fans in the south don't
carry wallets?
That's what dates are for.

Sanctuary, May 30

2011-06-04T18:35:00.001-05:00

May 30

Single Peace

1 Corinthians 7:32

He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

People are single for four kinds of reasons: physical, medical, spiritual, or they just want to be single—not everybody wants to be married and apparently that is a part of God’s plan. Some of the greatest people who ever served God were single. Rejoice in all the gifts God has given you, including your singleness.

Seeking marriage is not wrong, but don’t let that search dominate your life. We must not make finding a marriage partner the supreme goal of our lives by putting all our energies into searching for a mate. We must learn to be in God’s will. A very wise person said, “There is something far worse than single loneliness, and that is marital misery.” Learn contentment, for it is great gain.

If God has a mate for you, He knows how to bring the two of you together. Don’t take things into your own hands.

Wherever you are, whatever your situation, use the time to grow both mentally and spiritually.

Jeremiah, D. (2002). Sanctuary : Finding moments of refuge in the presence of God (157). Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers.

The Best Cure for KJVOism: A Real 1611 KJV

2011-06-04T18:32:00.000-05:00

The Best Cure for KJVOism: A Real 1611 KJV

It has been widely publicized that the year 2011 is the 400^th anniversary of the original publication of the so-called “Authorized” or “King James Version” of the Bible in English. This translation has historically been the most widely used, at least since it overtook the previous champion, the Geneva Bible of 1560 (chiefly, at least initially, as a result of the legal suppression of the printing of the Geneva Bible by the British monarchy, in favor of the KJV). It should be noted, however, that the great majority of the editions and copies of the KJV printed and read in the past 400 years have been revisions rather than reprints of the original form of the KJV, with literally tens of thousands of revisions in spelling, punctuation and the use of italics, plus many hundreds in the precise wording of the text, to say nothing of the switch from “black letter” (“Gothic”) type to Roman, the widespread omission of the Apocrypha in the 18^th and later centuries, along with the omission of an extended calendar and charts of Biblical genealogies, and most unfortunately, the omission of the extremely important and informative introductory essay, “The Translators to the Readers,” which was in the original edition. In short, most KJV users, particularly those who claim to be “King James Version 1611 Only” in their beliefs, have never actually seen or used a real 1611 King James Version in the original form in which it was issued from the press in 1611.

In the past, there have been from time to time facsimile reprints of the 1611 KJV. In 1833, “The Holy Bible, an exact reprint page for page of the Authorized Version published in the year 1611” was printed at the University Press, Oxford; it was in Roman type (see A. S. Herbert, Historical Catalogue of Printed Editions of the English Bible 1525-1961. London: British and Foreign Bible Society, 1968; p. 377). In 1911, the University Press at Oxford issued two 1611 reprints--the first a facsimile (in black letter) in reduced size of the original 1611 KJV, the other an exact reprint page-for-page but in Roman type, of the 1611 edition, both with introductory essays by A. W. Pollard (see Herbert, p. 458). I have owned a copy of the 1911 Roman type reprint for almost 35 years.

This 1911 Roman type reprint was reissued in the 1970s (or early 1980s) by Thomas Nelson of Nashville, about the time they issued their New King James Version (and for a time Nelson sold the two volumes together in a slipcase). This reprint omitted the Pollard essay (and perhaps other features--I gave my copy to one of my sons a few years ago and cannot check it directly). Later--probably in the 1990s--, Hendrickson Publishing (the publishing arm of Christian Book Discount) also reprinted the1911 Roman type edition (in precisely the form Nelson had). These two recent reprints are easy to find via the internet.

Besides these, there have been over the years several full-sized facsimile reprints of the 1611 KJV by various publishers; my brother has a copy of one made in the 1950s, for which he paid $350, used, a decade ago. Such full-sized facsimiles are rarely met with and are generally rather pricey (in the hundreds or even many hundreds of dollars)

Now, another edition, widely available and quite inexpensive, has appeared, this made by Zondervan and sold at Wal-Mart (and perhaps other retail outlets). The ISBN is: 978-0-310-44029-1. It is a facsimile--an exact reproduction in the original black letter script--of the 1611 edition, but in a reduced size, and with one feature of the original omitted--the thirteen books of the Apocrypha (as noted on p. viii of the Introduction to this new edition). That the 1611 KJV originally did have the Apocrypha can be visually confirmed in this edition on the page containing Malachi 4, where the “catch-word” at the bottom of the page is “APO-“ which points to “APOCRYPHA” which is at the top of the page in the original (and in my 1911 reprint), after which originally followed the complete text of those non-canonical books).

The printed retail price of this Zondervan 2011 facsimile reprint is $7.99, though I have bought several copies at Wal-Mart in Kansas for $4.97 and I have heard it priced about a dollar higher elsewhere (and I suspect they hope to make a profit on the publication of the KJV at that price). I would strongly urge EVERY PREACHER, EVERY CHRISTIAN READER and EVERY CHURCH AND CHRISTIAN COLLEGE LIBRARY to get a copy AT ONCE. If you have any KJVO friends, buy and give them a copy. There is no quicker cure for KJVOism that the direct and extended study of the 1611 edition, introductory material and all.

One finds in the actual, original, genuine 1611 KJV (no doubt “preserved in the form God wants us to have”) an introductory essay that states the translators' perspective on their own and other translations (they, at least, were decidedly NOT “KJVOnly”). If I could do just ONE thing, I would make every KJVO partisan read carefully those 11 highly informative pages. The original translator's English Bible text has literally thousands of variant marginal renderings (showing that they did not believe their translation as found in the text was infallibly correct), plus variant manuscript readings, showing that they did not believe that the manuscript reading given in their text was necessarily always right. One will also find numerous places where words are “omitted,” “added” or altered as compared with all modern editions of the KJV, to say nothing of a considerable number of printer's errors (are these also part of the “perfect preservation” we hear so much about?). And one can discover on the title page of the NT those revealing words: “cum privilegio” (Latin: “with privilege”) which demonstrate the undeniable fact that this translation was COPYRIGHTED FROM THE DAY IT WAS FIRST PUBLISHED (contrary to the gross misrepresentation on this point that is part of the accepted KJVO “wisdom”).

I am quite sure that the quickest “cure” for the absurdity of KJVOism is the close and careful study of the actual original KJV itself. I would challenge--even dare--every KJVO partisan to get this facsimile of the original KJV and study it “cover to cover” and margin to margin, spending a year and more in the process, and try to prove me wrong.

---Doug Kutilek

----------

from "AS I SEE IT"

Volume 14, Number 6, June 2011

Putting Down the Weights

2011-05-30T06:31:00.001-05:00

Putting Down the Weights

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are certain weights that an athlete chooses to lay aside. They are not bad for other people, but they are bad for the athlete. In the spiritual realm, it is the same for Christians.

Paul tells us, “all things are not expedient.” The word “expedient” is similar to the word “expedition.” You see, Christians are going somewhere, and if something doesn’t speed us along the way, then it is excess baggage and we need to get rid of it.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God today, “Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me from running the race?” It might be a hobby, friendship, recreational sport, or a cabin in the mountains. It is not bad; it just keeps you from maximizing your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. You must lay it aside.

from lwf.org

Quote

2011-05-28T18:52:00.001-05:00

“As the yellow gold is tried in fire, so the faith of friendship must be seen in adversity."-Ovid

We Want You Over There

2011-04-27T16:39:00.001-05:00

We Want You Over There

We're going home to glory soon
To see the city bright,
To walk the golden streets of heav'n,
And bask in God's own light.
But some of you are out of Christ
And held by many a snare –
We cannot leave you lost and lone;
We want you Over There.

The pearly gates are open wide,
And we shall enter in –
To know thenceforth no tear or sigh,
No sorrow and no sin.
O come with us, and come at once!
That land is bright and fair!
We cannot leave you lost and lone;
We want you Over There.

We come to tell the story true
Of love so rich and free!
A crucified and risen Lord
Has grace for you and me!
O listen to the words of love
His messengers declare!
We cannot leave you lost and lone;
We want you Over There.

We once were burdened sore with sin,
And dark were we and sad;
But Christ has washed us in His blood,
And He has made us glad!
Fly to His wounds, ye guilty ones;
His love and mercy share.
We cannot leave you lost and lone;
We want you Over There.

Dialogue on "Gay Rights"

2011-04-05T17:51:00.003-05:00

Question from Facebook friend: I think its sad that someone like yourself who has such great faith doesnt believe that everyone has equal rights. Arent we suppose to do unto others as they do unto us? How do you think God feels about you excluding people just because they are gay?

My response: God loves homosexuals, but hates the sin of homosexuality. God made 2 people they were male and female, and His plan from the beginning of time was one man and one woman for life. Homosexuality rebels against God's plan. Matthew 19:4 "He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female," and Mark 10:6 "But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female." If our whole society adopted homosexuality we would all die, it goes against nature. Two members of the same gender cannot procreate.

Romans Chapter 1:26-32 says: [26] For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; [27] and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
[28] And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. [29] They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, [30] slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. [32] Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

We see in verse 32, those who approve of homosexuality are worthy of death, as are the ones who practice it. Thankfully God in His mercy gives them a chance to repent from their sinful lifestyle choice.

We also see also 1 Corinthians 6:9: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality"

Not only does God hate homosexuality, no unrepentant homosexual is a Christian. Homosexuality is a sin against the very morality that God has established in our world.

Response: I know why he created but you said gays shouldnt have rights. To me thats wrong. God loves everyone equally

My response: They should not have the right to get married to a same sex partner if that is what you are saying, because marriage is between a man and a woman. Homosexuals have the right to marry, it just has to be someone of the other gender. They should have the same rights as a non-homosexual, we have the right to marry someone of the opposite gender and have a natural family. They have the same right, but their lifestyle inhibits that from happening because they choose a relationship that cannot produce offspring. And adoption is a privilege not a right, so I won't discuss that.

Blue Letter Bible Search Tool

2011-04-04T20:21:00.001-05:00

2011-03-31T20:44:00.002-05:00

Who at My Door is Standing?

2011-03-31T15:21:00.002-05:00

Who at my door is standing,
Patiently drawing near,
Entrance within demanding?
Whose is the voice I hear?

Refrain

Sweetly the tones are falling;
“Open the door for Me!
If thou wilt heed My calling,
I will abide with thee.”

Lonely without He’s staying;
Lonely within am I;
While I am still delaying,
Will He not pass me by?

Refrain

All through the dark hours dreary,
Knocking again is He;
Jesus, art Thou not weary,
Waiting so long for me?

Refrain

Door of my heart, I hasten!
Thee will I open wide.
Though He rebuke and chasten,
He shall with me abide.

Refrain

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/o/whoatmyd.htm

The Use of Tracts by R.A. Torrey

2011-03-30T12:41:00.002-05:00

The Use of Tracts

By R.A. Torrey

R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) was a Congregational evangelist, teacher, author, born in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was educated in Yale University and Divinity School. After a period of skepticism he trusted in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Soon after he pastored in Ohio and then in Minnesota. In 1889 Dwight L. Moody called Torrey to Chicago to become the superintendent of the school which became known as the Moody Bible Institute. He also served as pastor of the Chicago Avenue Church, now the Moody Memorial Church, for twelve years.

Between 1902-1906 Torrey and Charles Alexander conducted a very fruitful evangelistic outreach in Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, Britain, Germany, Canada, and the USA. From 1912-1924 Torrey was dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles during which he pastored the Church of the Open Door. His remaining years involved holding Bible conferences, teaching at the Moody Bible Institute, and other endevours. (Adapted from "The Wycliffe Biographical Dictionary of the Church, Elgin S. Moyer, Moody Press, 1982)

The following is from Torrey's larger work, "Methods of Christian Work " (Chapter 5, pages 213-221):

Comparatively few Christians realize the importance of tract work. I had been a Christian a good many years, and a minister of the Gospel several years, before it ever entered my head that tracts were of much value in Christian work. I had somehow grown up with the notion that tracts were all rubbish, and therefore I did not take the trouble to read them, and far less did I take the trouble to circulate them, but I found out that I was entirely wrong. Tract work has some great advantages over other forms of Christian work.

I. Importance and advantages.

1. Any person can do it. We cannot all preach; we cannot all conduct meetings; but we can all select useful tracts and then hand them out to others. Of course some of us can do it better than others. Even a blind man or a dumb man can do tract work. It is a line of work in which every man, woman and child can engage.

2. A tract always sticks to the point. I wish every worker did that, but how often we get to talking to some one and he is smart enough to get us off on to a side track.

3. A tract never loses its temper. Perhaps you sometimes do. I have known Christian workers, even workers of experience, who would sometimes get all stirred up, but you cannot stir up a tract It always remains as calm as a June morning.

4. Oftentimes people who are too proud to be talked with, will read a tract when no one is looking. There is many a man who would repulse you if you tried to speak to him about his soul, who will read a tract if you leave it on his table, or in some other place where he comes upon it accidentally, and that tract may be used for his salvation.

5. A tract stays by one. You talk to a man and then he goes away, but the tract stays with him. Some years ago a man came into a mission in New York. One of the workers tried to talk with him, but he would not listen. As he was leaving, a card tract was placed in his hands which read, "If I should die to-night I would go to ______ Please fill out and sign." He put it in his pocket, went to his steamer, for he was a sailor, and slipped it into the edge of his bunk. The steamer started for Liverpool. On his voyage he met with an accident, and was laid aside in his bunk. That card stared him in the face, day and night. Finally he said, "If I should die tonight I would go to hell, but I will not go there, I will go to heaven, I will take Christ right here and now." He went to Liverpool, returned to New York, went to the mission, told his story, and had the card, which was still in his pocket, filled out and signed with his name. The conversation he had had in the mission left him, but the card stayed by him.

6. Tracts lead many to accept Christ. The author of one tract ("What is it to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?") received before his death upwards of sixteen hundred letters from people who had been led to Christ by reading it.

II. Purposes for which to use a tract.

1. For the conversion of the unsaved. A tract will often succeed in winning a man to Christ where a sermon or a personal conversation has failed. There are a great many people who, if you try to talk with them, will put you off; but if you put a tract in their hands and ask God to bless it, after they go away and are alone they will read the tract and God will carry it home to their hearts by the power of the Holy Ghost. One of our students wrote me in great joy of how he had at last succeeded in winning a whole family for Christ. He had been working for that family for a long time but could not touch them. One day he left a tract with them, and God used that tract for the conversion of four or five members of the family. Another student held a cottage meeting at a home, and by mistake left his Bible there.

There was a tract in the Bible. When he had gone, the woman of the house saw the Bible, picked it up, opened it, saw the tract and read it. The Spirit of God carried it home to her heart, and when he went back after the Bible she told him she wanted to find the Lord Jesus Christ. The tract had done what he could not do in personal work. I once received a letter from a man saying, "There is a man in this place whom I tried for a long time to reach but could not. One day I handed him a tract, and I think it was to the salvation of his whole family.

2. To lead Christians into a deeper and more earnest Christian life. It is a great mistake to limit the use of tracts to winning the unsaved to Christ. A little tract on the Second Coming of Christ, once sent me in a letter, made a change in my whole life. I do not think the tract was altogether correct doctrinally, but it had in it an important truth, and it did for me just the work that needed to be done.

There is a special class of people with whom this form of ministry is particularly helpful, those who live where they do not enjoy spiritual advantages. You may know some one who is leading a very unsatisfactory life, and you long to have that person know what the Christian life really means. His pastor may not be a spiritual man, he may not know the deep things of God. It is the simplest thing in the world to slip into a letter a tract that will lead him into an entirely new Christian life.

3. To correct error. This is a very necessary form of work in the day in which we live. The air is full of error. In our personal work we have not always time to lead a man out of his error, but oftentimes we can give him a tract that can do the work better than we can. If you tried to lead him out of his error by personal work, you might get into a discussion, but the tract cannot. The one in error cannot talk back to the tract. For example, take people that are in error on the question of seventh day observance. It might take some time to lead such a one out of the darkness into the light, but a tract on that subject can be secured that has been used of God to lead many out of the bondage of legalism into the glorious liberty of the Gospel of Christ.

4. To set Christians to work. Our churches are full of members who are doing nothing. A well-chosen tract may set such to work. I know of a young man who was working in a factory in Massachusetts. He was a plain, uneducated sort of fellow, but a little tract on personal work was placed in his hands. He read it and re-read it, and said, "I am not doing what I should for Christ." He went to work among his companions in the factory, inviting them to the church, and to hear his pastor preach. Not satisfied with this, he went to doing personal work.

This was not sufficient, so he went to work holding meetings himself. Finally he brought a convention to his city. Just that one plain factory man was the means of getting a great convention and blessing to that place, and all from reading that little tract. He was also instrumental in organizing a society which was greatly blessed of God. It would be possible to fill this country with literature on Christian work that would stir up the dead and sleeping professors of religion throughout the land, and send them out to work for the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Who should use tracts.

1. Ministers of the Gospel should use them. Many ministers do make constant use of them in their pastoral work, leaving well chosen tracts where they make their pastoral calls, handing out tracts along the line of the sermons that they preach. It is said of Rev. Edward Judson of New York, that he seldom makes a call without having in his pocket a selection of tracts adapted to almost every member of the family, and especially to the children. "At the close of the Sunday evening preaching service, he has often put some good brother in the chair, and while the meeting proceeds he goes down into the audience and gives to each person a choice leaflet, at the same time taking the opportunity to say a timely word. In this way he comes into personal touch with the whole audience, gives each stranger a cordial welcome, and leaves in his hand some message from God. At least once a year he selects some one tract that has in it the very core of the Gospel. On this he prints the notices of the services, and selecting his church as a center, he has this tract put in the hands of every person living within half a mile in each direction, regardless of creed or condition. He sometimes uses 10,000 tracts at one distribution, and finds it very fruitful in results."

2. Sunday School teachers. Every Sunday School teacher should be on the lookout for tracts to give to his scholars. In this way he can do much to supplement his hour's work on the Lord's Day.

3. Traveling men. Traveling men have a rare opportunity for doing tract work. They are constantly coming in contact with different men, and finding out their needs. A Christian "drummer" with a well-assorted selection of tracts can accomplish immeasurable good.

4. Business men. Business men can use tracts to good advantage with the very men with whom they have business engagements. They can also do excellent work with their own employees. Many a business man slips well chosen tracts into many of the letters which he writes, and thus accomplishes an effective ministry for his Master.

5. School teachers. It is very difficult for school teachers in some cities and towns to talk very much with their pupils in school. Oftentimes the rules of the school board prevent it entirely, but a wise teacher can learn all about her scholars and their home surroundings, and can give them tracts just adapted to their needs.

6. Housekeepers. Every Christian housekeeper should have a collection of well assorted tracts. She can hand these out to the servant girls, the grocery men, the market men, the butcher, to the tramps that come to the door. They can be left upon the table in the parlor and in bedrooms. Only eternity will disclose the good that is accomplished in these ways.

IV. How to use tracts.

1. To begin a conversation. One of the difficulties in Christian work is to begin. You see a person with whom you wish to talk about the Lord Jesus Christ. The great difficulty is in starting. It is easy enough to talk after you have started, but how are you going to start a conversation naturally and easily? One of the simplest and easiest ways is by slipping a tract into the person's hand. After the tract has been read, a conversation naturally follows. I was once riding in a crowded car. I asked God for an opportunity to lead some one to Christ. I was watching for the opportunity for which I had asked, when two young ladies entered. I thought I knew one of them as the daughter of a minister. She went through the car looking for a seat, and then came back.

As she came back and sat down in the seat in front of me, she bowed, and of course I knew I was right as to who she was. I took out a little bundle of tracts, and selecting one that seemed best adapted to her case, I handed it to her, having first asked God to bless it. She at once began to read and I began to pray. When she had read the tract, I asked her what she thought about it. She almost burst into tears right there in the car, and in a very few moments that minister's daughter was rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. As she afterwards passed out of the car, she said, "I want to thank you for what you have done for me in leading me to Christ."

2. Use a tract to close a conversation. As a rule when you have finished talking with some one, you should not leave him without something definite to take home to read. If the person has accepted Christ, put some tract in his hands that will show him how to succeed in the Christian life. If the person has not accepted Christ, some other tract that is especially adapted to his need should be left with him.

3. Use tracts where a conversation is impossible. For example, one night at the close of a tent meeting in Chicago, as I went down one of the aisles a man beckoned to me, and intimated that his wife was interested. She was in tears, and I tried to talk with her, but she stammered out in a broken way, "We don't talk English." She had not understood a word of the sermon, I suppose, but God had carried something home to her heart. They were Norwegians, and I could not find a Norwegian in the whole tent to act as interpreter, but I could put a Norwegian tract in her hand, and that could do the work. Time and time again I have met with men deeply interested about their soul's salvation, but with whom I could not deal because I did not talk the language that they understood.

One day as I came from dinner, I found a Swede waiting for me, and he said he had a man outside with whom he wished me to talk. I went outside and found an uncouth looking specimen, a Norwegian. The Swede had found him drunk in an alley and dragged him down to the Institute to talk with me. He was still full of whisky, and spit tobacco juice over me as I tried to talk with him. I found he could not talk English, and I talked English to the Swede, and the Swede talked Swedish to the Norwegian, and the Norwegian got a little bit of it. I made it as clear as I could to our Swede interpreter, and he in his turn made it as clear as he could to the Norwegian. Then I put a Norwegian tract in his hands, and that could talk to him so that he understood perfectly.

Oftentimes a conversation is impossible because of the place where you meet people. For example, you may be on the street cars and wish to speak to a man, but in many instances it would not be wise if it were possible, but you can take the man's measure and then give him a tract that will fit him. You may be able to say just a few words to him and then put the tract in his hands and ask God to bless it.

4. Use tracts to send to people at a distance. It does not cost a tract much to travel. You can send them to the ends of the earth for a few cents. Especially use them to send to people who live in out of the way places where there is no preaching. There are thousands of people living in different sections of this country where they do not hear preaching from one year's end to another. It would be impossible to send an evangelical preacher to them, but you can send a tract and it will do the preaching for you.

V. Suggestions as to the use of tracts.

1. Always read the tracts yourself before giving them to others. This is very necessary. Bad tracts abound to-day, tracts that contain absolutely pernicious doctrine. They are being circulated free by the million, and one needs to be on his guard, lest he be doing harm rather than good in distributing tracts. Of course we cannot read all the tracts in foreign languages, but we can have them interpreted to us, and it is wise to do so. Besides positively bad tracts, there are many tracts that are worthless.

2. Suit your tract to the person to whom you give it. What is good for one person may not be good for another.

3. Carry a selection of tracts with you. I do not say a collection, but a selection. Tracts are countless in number, and a large share of them are worthless. Select the best, and arrange them for the different classes of people with whom you come in contact.

4. Seek the guidance of God. This is of the very highest importance. If there is any place where we need wisdom from above, it is in the selection of tracts, and in their distribution after their selection.

5. Seek God's blessing upon the tract after you have given it out. Do not merely give out the tract and there let the matter rest, but whenever you give out a tract ask God to bless it.

6. Oftentimes give a man a tract with words and sentences underscored. Men are curious, and they will take particular notice of the underscoring. It is oftentimes a good thing to have a tract put up in your office. Men who come in will read it. I know a man who had a few words put upon his paper weight. A great many who came into his office saw it, and it made a deep impression upon them.

7. Never be ashamed of distributing tracts. Many people hand out tracts to others as if they were ashamed of what they were doing. People are not likely to read tracts if you hand them to them as if you were ashamed to do it; but if you act as though you were conferring a favor upon them, and giving them something worth reading, they will read your tract. It is often well to say to a person, "Here is a little leaflet out of which I have gotten a good deal of good. I would like to have you read it."

Bible-server.org

2011-03-28T15:16:00.001-05:00

Sevenfold Sin of Not Winning Souls-Dr. John R. Rice

2011-03-28T13:51:00.001-05:00

(Preached at a Sword of the Lord Conference
in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, 1964)

My message is on the “Sevenfold Sin of Not Winning Souls.” I said sin! If you are a Christian and don’t win souls, it is a sin like getting drunk, lying, hate, murder or adultery. It is a wicked, terrible sin! Every preacher and every Christian ought to win souls. Any Christian who does not win souls is sinning. And we who win a few are sinning if we don’t do our best all the time to win more souls.

A man running for office said to his business manager, “Do you know what my opponent said about me? He accused me of lying.”

“He ought not to have done that. That’s bad.”

“He did worse than that.”

“What’s that?”

“He proved it!”

That is what I plan to do tonight—not only to preach that it is a sin not to win souls, but to prove it by the Bible, the precious Word of God.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”—Matt. 28:18–20.

We call this the Great Commission, and it contains three teachings. First, go and teach all nations the Word—that means make disciples of men in all nations by teaching them how to be saved. Second, baptize them. Third, teach them to observe all things that Jesus commanded us.

Soul winning is the main thing with God. If it isn’t first with the preacher, the preacher isn’t right. If soul winning isn’t the first thing with the church, the church isn’t right. If soul winning isn’t first for a Sunday school teacher, he or she is not a good Sunday school teacher. If soul winning isn’t the main reason for a Christian school, it is not a very good Christian school. If soul winning isn’t the main thing for a Christian newspaper like the SWORD OF THE LORD, then it is off the track and not what a Christian paper ought to be. The first and main thing with God is soul winning.

In I Timothy 1:15, Paul said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation.…” That sounds like it was a saying often repeated among New Testament Christians. What was the saying? “…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Jesus came to save sinners.

Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).

Again, He said, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). This is what Jesus came for, what Jesus died for. That is why the Bible was written, why churches are organized, why preachers are called to preach.

Some preachers say, “But I don’t feel led to win souls.” That means you are not led of the Lord. If God were leading you, He would lead you to do what the Bible says. A Christian ought to win souls. That is the most important thing with God.

He gave the Great Commission in each of the four Gospels with slightly different words. The same day He rose from the dead, Jesus entered into the room where the disciples were shut up for fear of the Jews and breathed on them and said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21).

Another time He came to the disciples as they were eating and said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Again, Jesus met the disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gave the Great Commission to them in the words of our text. Then in Luke He said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things….but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:47–49).

Forty days after His resurrection when He was preparing to ascend back into Heaven, He gave the Great Commission yet a fifth time: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He had already given the command four times (and perhaps many unrecorded times during the previous forty days); but in the last minute before He went away to Heaven, Jesus repeated it. These were the last words of Jesus on earth.

When a person is departing, his parting words are likely to be about the thing that is most on his mind, the thing that is most important to him. I’m saying that this is the one main thing Jesus left for us to do in these ages after He went away. This is His Great Commission.

There is a sevenfold sin in not winning souls.

I. Sin of Disobedience to Christ’s Main Command

The first sin is the sin of disobedience to the main command that Jesus Christ ever gave. We have an all-inclusive command for every Christian in the Great Commission. Not to obey that is not to obey Jesus on the one thing He died for, the main thing He gave instructions about.

Jesus told His disciples, ‘All of you go out here and get the Gospel to every creature. Take it into all the world and make disciples in all nations.’ I can imagine they might have thought, Well, we’re only twelve men. We can’t go to every nation. If we put one in Africa, one in South America, one in the continent of North America, one in Eastern Europe, one in the Balkan states, one in Russia, one in China, one in India, one in Indonesia, one in the Philippine Islands, one in Japan and one in Australia, that uses up all twelve apostles. But He said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

Now all the original twelve disciples are dead. But let’s see what happened because they obeyed His commission.

He said to Peter, “Go get people saved.”

“All right, Jesus, and then what?”

“Now get them baptized and grounded.”

“All right, Jesus, then what?”

“Then send them out to do just what I am telling you to do—observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

Jesus is saying, “The command I give you today, you pass on to everybody you get saved.” So the Great Commission is as much to everybody here as it was to Peter or any one of the twelve.

But you say, “I’m not called to preach.” You’re called to be a Christian, though, and this is a part of being a Christian. If you were taught what Jesus said, then you were taught you ought to be a soul winner. In Revelation 22:17 we read, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” If you’ve heard it, then you are supposed to tell it.

Have you been scripturally baptized? If not, you have missed a joy and a blessing. If you have, then they ought to have told you, “Now, I’m passing on to you the Great Commission that Jesus gave the twelve apostles.”

Somebody says, “The Great Commission is given to the church.” Is that so? Chapter and verse, please! We are to get people saved, and we are to get them baptized, and we are to teach them to do what Jesus told the apostles to do. The Lord Jesus didn’t save church houses or have them baptized or call them to preach.

The Lord Jesus didn’t call denominational headquarters or baptize them or give them the Great Commission. Why doesn’t somebody say “Amen”?

Every preacher, if he is saved, has this Great Commission. If you don’t win souls, you have failed in your Christian life. No one is a good Christian who doesn’t win souls. You are not doing the first things He said you were to do after you got baptized. Those who do not win souls are disobedient in the main command of Jesus Christ, and that is not a small matter.

II. The Sin of Lack of Love for Christ

Sin Number Two is the sin of lack of love for Jesus Christ. You say, “I love Jesus so much.” Oh, do you? Let us see what the Lord says about it. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Isn’t that a fair, honest statement? He says in verse 21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” And then verse 23 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words.”

So in proportion to your love for Jesus Christ, you will win souls. Not winning souls is proof of the coldness of your heart.

“Brother Rice, I don’t know much Bible.” That isn’t your trouble. “But don’t you use the Bible in soul winning?” Can you learn John 3:16? I have won hundreds of souls with John 3:16. Your real trouble is heart trouble.

You say you don’t have gifts. Well, do the best you can with what equipment you have. When I was called to preach, I said, “Lord, I don’t have a great voice like Dr. Truett, and I don’t have a personality like some other people, but I will do the best I can.” Your trouble is not poor equipment. It is heart trouble. You don’t love Jesus enough to do what He said. The Lord Jesus said three times in this chapter that if we love Him we will keep His commandments.

“Well, I’ve been taught different.” Yes, I know. You are talking about your head, but your trouble is not your head; it is your heart. You don’t love Jesus Christ enough to do what He said.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God would give us such a floodtide of love in our hearts, shed abroad by the Holy Ghost, that we would beg Jesus for power to win souls?

In the letter to the Ephesians in Revelation 2, the Lord said, ‘I know you have worked. You have been patient. I know you have borne burdens and didn’t faint in hard times. But I have somewhat against you because you have left your first love!’

Wouldn’t it be good if you had the honeymoon again—you and Jesus? Wouldn’t it be good if you just came back to the first wonderful love you had when you were first saved?

I remember when I went down the aisle and trusted the Lord and was converted at the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Texas. My dad was preaching out in the country that day. I went home and told him I wanted to join the church. I didn’t say I had been converted—I didn’t know what you called it.

He said, “Son, when you are old enough to be really convicted of your sins and repent and be regenerated, then there will be time enough to join the church.”

Well, I guessed so. All of those were nice big words—only I didn’t know what they meant. My dad didn’t know I’d gotten saved, and I didn’t know how to tell him. So the next morning as I went to school and crossed the creek, I knelt under a willow tree in the sand and prayed, “Lord, maybe I’m too young to join the church or get saved, but So-and-so is not, and this one is not, and that one is not.” I cried and prayed under that tree for other people to be saved.

I didn’t know it then, but that was mighty good evidence the Lord had done a work of grace in my heart. I had the first love that Christians ought to have. You are backslidden if you don’t have that first love that makes you concerned about lost sinners.

In a campaign in Spearman, Texas, a French girl came night after night. She spoke in very broken English with a French accent. When I would ask, “How many are Christians?” she would hold up her hand. She had gone to mass regularly back in France and said her prayers, “Hail Mary, mother of God,” etc.

One night I preached on “You Must Be Born Again.” That was news to her. When I asked, “How many of you know you have been born again?” she didn’t hold up her hand. Then when I asked, “How many want to be saved?” she did hold her hand up; but when we gave the invitation, she didn’t come.

The next morning her husband brought her to the home where I was. She wanted to be saved, and I showed her how. She said, “There were a lot of churches in France; why didn’t anyone ever tell me I needed to be born again?”

I said, “Are you ready to ask Jesus to save you?”

She said, “I don’t know English very well. Can I pray in French?”

“Yes, God understands French just as well as English.”

I prayed in English, and she prayed in French and trusted Christ. I read to her John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” We shook hands and cried and laughed. But I said, “Now, I’m glad that’s settled. I have to go now to see two young men I promised to meet.”

As we parted, she said, “Oh, Brother Rice, I do hope you save those boys!” She had that first love that is normal for a good Christian. She had what the Lord Jesus was talking about.

If you don’t have it, then you don’t love Jesus like you ought. Lack of love for Jesus is one of the sins of not winning souls. God forgive us for a cold heart.

III. The Sin of Not Following Jesus

Those who do not win souls are guilty of not following Jesus. We sing, “Trying to walk in the steps of the Saviour,” and talk about following Jesus, but in Matthew 4:19 Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Those who followed Jesus turned out to be soul winners.

Aren’t you glad God makes soul winners? If I were going to make them, I would pick men with real culture, training and personality. But then they would likely speak to the minds, not necessarily to the hearts. But Jesus makes soul winners, and, thank God, He can make a soul winner out of people not fit for much else in the world.

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Isn’t this a short, simple, easy way to get to be a soul winner? I follow Jesus, and He does something wonderful in my heart. It gets to where I love sinners as He does and want to go after them like He does. He puts His power on me to get people saved and makes me a soul winner.

If it is true that when you follow Jesus He makes you into a soul winner, it follows that if you are not a soul winner, you are not following Jesus.

“Brother Rice, I joined a church long ago.”

Yes, the churches are full of dead wood like you. Part of the curse of our churches is we have too many Christians of that kind. I would gladly have just one-tenth as many people, if they were all red-hot for God. Brother, we can’t drag sinners over your dead carcass. But if you follow Jesus, He will make you into a soul winner.

Soul winning costs something. During one blessed revival, a woman said to me, “Brother Rice, religion is like the measles. It’s catching.” I said, “You’re right, but you can’t give someone measles unless you have a fever.” We surely need people with fever. And if you follow Jesus, you will have it. He will make you into a good soul winner.

I started preaching before I knew I was called to preach or surrendered to preach. I was in Baylor University, studying to be a college English teacher, when a country pastor, Brother R. H. Gibson, wrote me a postcard asking me to lead singing for him in several one-week revivals. They ran from Friday evening through Thursday evening, with a baptismal service on Friday morning.

I liked to sing, and I wanted to win souls, so I went with him. We started under a brush arbor with a pump organ and sang the old-time songs. We had a wonderful meeting.

On Wednesday night, Brother Gibson said, “This is wonderful. It would not be right to close this meeting tomorrow night.”

I said, “No sir, I don’t think you ought to quit now. New people are getting under conviction all the time.”

“You go to the next place and start that on Friday night, and I’ll stay here and preach through Sunday afternoon. Then I’ll come over there where you are.”

“What is that?” I asked. “I’m no preacher! I’m not called to preach.”

“That’s all right. Just tell them you’re not a preacher and you’re not called to preach. But go ahead.”

I said, “I can’t do it. I don’t know how to preach.”

He said, “Are you saved? Do you know how to tell somebody how to be saved?”

“Yes. But I can’t preach.”

“Haven’t you been speaking some for the Red Cross and raising money for the boys in the army?”

“Well…yes.”

“Weren’t you in the Connally Debate in Baylor University and president of your literary society?”

“Yes. I won a scholarship in oratory.”

“And you gave your high school commencement address, but you can’t talk for Jesus! That’s a funny kind of Christianity!”

That stumped me. He sent me on over there to start the meeting. I walked up and down the creek bottom all day. I didn’t know much Bible. I was studying English; I could tell them about Shakespeare and Tennyson all right. I tried to remember all the Scriptures he had preached on and the things I knew. I preached, and when he got there, we were having people saved, and a revival had broken out. He went on with the revival, and everything went fine.

The next week he did the same thing, and I started the next meeting. It happened that way every week. The whole summer was nearly over before it dawned on me that he had planned it that way.

If you ran with R. H. Gibson, the first thing you knew, you’d be preaching.

And if you run with Jesus, you will be going after sinners. Your trouble is you are not following Jesus. If you were, He would make you into a soul winner.

God, put a burning in the heart of people and made them soul winners!

IV. The Sin of Not Abiding in Christ

Those who do not win souls are guilty of not abiding in Christ. You say, “That sounds like we are not even good Christians.” You’re catching on! Christians who do not win souls are not abiding in Christ.

In John 15 Jesus said,

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”—Vss. 4,5.

But you say you thought the fruit He was talking about is the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Bringing forth fruit is one thing; the Christian graces the Holy Spirit produces in you are another matter.

You may brush the old cow and spray some fly powder on her, but the fruit of the cow is either a calf or milk. The Bible speaks of the fruit of the womb—a woman’s baby. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.” A tree? You mean the fruit of a peach tree is another peach tree? Don’t you mean the fruit of the peach tree is a peach? No. Plant the peach and you get another peach tree. The fruit of a Christian is another Christian, and the fruit of the soul winner is another soul winner. The Great Commission is not only to get one saved but to get him baptized and to tell him to do what Jesus told us to do. So if you don’t bear fruit, you are not abiding in Christ.

There are a lot of false teachings about abiding in Christ—consecration, sanctification, baptized of the Holy Ghost, entered into the rest of God. “Oh, I have found in Him the key for life. I’ve had a testing experience.” A lot of people have been brainwashed. Nobody is sanctified or consecrated who doesn’t do what God wants him to do about soul winning. Any so-called Keswick experience that doesn’t make you a soul winner is a fake. If you don’t win souls, you’re not a good Christian and you are not abiding in Christ. If you were, you would bring forth much fruit.

In a Toronto revival, we had back-to-back services to accommodate the crowds. After a service where fifteen adults had come to Christ, we had a brief intermission. A man came up to me and said, “Brother Rice, have you been baptized with the Holy Ghost?”

“If you mean some holy anointing enabling me to win souls, then, thank God, yes.”

He said, “I didn’t mean that.

I meant, have you talked in tongues?”

I said, “Why didn’t you say what you meant?”

“Well, I meant where you just let go. Something comes on you, and you just feel light as a feather. You don’t know what you are saying, but you feel so good.”

I said, “If I can get enough sinners to come down the aisle; keep people out of Hell; see drunkards made sober, harlots made pure, convicts made into decent citizens and homes reunited, I’ll be happier than if I felt light as a feather with electricity coming in my head and going out my fingers and toes. I was talking in the English tongue tonight. Do you think everyone could understand me?”

“Well, yes.”

I said, “If I have a message from God and everybody understands English, what is wrong with preaching in English? Now let me ask you one. Did you ever win a soul?”

He said, “I’ve witnessed to them.”

I said, “Did you ever win a soul?”

“I’ve prayed for them”

I said, “Quit dodging. Did you ever get your Bible out and show a man he is a sinner and show him how to be saved and get him to trust Jesus and start out to live for Him? Did you or not?”

“I guess I never did.”

“Then don’t you ever again pretend you have something better than some man who preaches the Bible, who weeps over sinners and who in God’s mercy is being used to win souls.”

I’m tired of these deeper-life conferences. The pastor of a church that for years has had only a handful attending, mainly children, wanted me to run several articles in the SWORD OF THE LORD on the deeper life. I wrote that every time we put something in the paper about soul winning, we’re teaching about the deepest life there is. D. L. Moody and R. A. Torrey and Billy Sunday had the deeper life. You can tell, because they bore fruit.

The deeper life is keeping people out of Hell. That is what brings eternal rewards and causes rejoicing and hand clapping and bell ringing and singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” up in Heaven. If you don’t win souls, then you are not abiding in Christ.

V. The Awful Sin of Dishonesty in a Sacred Trust

Those who do not win souls are guilty of dishonesty in a sacred trust. Dishonesty? Brother Rice, that sounds like one is crooked. That is exactly the point. Anybody who does not win souls is crooked.

In Romans 1:14,15 Paul says, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” You are in debt, Paul?

“Yes,” Paul said. “I got salvation which I didn’t earn and couldn’t pay for. I got it on credit, on the mercy of God. I’m going to Heaven when I ought to be in Hell. He called me to preach. I’m not worthy.”

If you are saved like Paul, you got salvation by God’s mercy. You didn’t deserve it. How much in debt you and I are!

Will you admit that you got salvation you didn’t deserve, couldn’t pay for and didn’t earn? Well, you are in debt then, aren’t you? This is a Gospel for the rest of the folks too, and you are dishonest if you don’t pass it on.

Matthew 25 tells of a man who took a far journey and he left his goods with his servants and provided for them.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.…every man according to his several ability” (vss. 14,15). When the man returned, one servant told him, ‘I worked hard. I made five talents into ten.’

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (vs. 21).

The second servant came and said, ‘I worked hard and made two talents into four.’

The lord said to him also, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (vs. 23).

Another fellow with one talent returned it, saying, ‘Here is your talent. I knew you were a hard man, so I took your talent and hid it in the earth.’

And the lord said to him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. If you didn’t want to risk this money, why didn’t you put it in the bank so I could at least have earned some interest on the money?’ He called him wicked and slothful—crooked and lazy! He didn’t bring anything in on the investment made on him.

If you don’t win souls, you are wicked. God has a lot invested in you—the precious blood of Jesus, the wooing of the Holy Spirit, the writing of the Bible, the preaching of the men of God, Mother’s prayers. Shouldn’t God get a little back on His investment? If you do not pay some back to God by spreading the Gospel, then you are dishonest in a sacred trust.

Dr. H. A. Ironside once sent a sermon for the SWORD OF THE LORD with a note on the back of a handbill that was advertising some meetings he was going to have. The note said, “Just trying to pay my debt to my brethren.”

You have a debt to pay too, and you are dishonest if you don’t pay it. God has a right to some soul-winning effort from you. Don’t be dishonest in a sacred trust.

VI. The Sinful Folly of a Shortsighted Fool

You mean a man is a fool if he doesn’t win souls? Yes sir. He is putting his money, his time, his energy where it won’t bring much reward or do much good. Listen to Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” The soul winner is wise, because he is going to reap for eternity.

We read in Daniel 12:3, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Who are wise? They that win many souls!

I may be nobody much now, but if God in His mercy be willing, I will be somebody in the next world. Somebody will be at the gate to meet me. When some of you get there, you will have to hire a taxicab and get a map of the city to find your shack out in the suburbs. I want to have a brass band of praise when I get there.

At a filling station in Dallas one day, I asked the attendant, “How are you today?”

He replied, “Well, if you really want to know, I’m the biggest fool in Dallas.”

I asked, “Why is that?”

“I got my pay last night and went on a big bender. I don’t remember a thing, and when I woke up this morning, this was all I had from a week’s wages.” He pulled out a few coins. “I have to pay my landlady today, and I don’t have the money. All I’ve got is a guilty conscience and a dark brown taste in my mouth. Of all the fools in Dallas, I’m the biggest.”

I said, “I’ll say amen to that.”

A lot of you Christians are like that. You think of food for the belly and clothes for the back and a new-model car and wall-to-wall carpeting and four bedrooms and two baths. A heathen has that much sense. You had better put your money and your time where you will have a real reaping someday.

I’m only an evangelist, and everybody knows an evangelist isn’t anybody much. I don’t have money laid aside, and I don’t have life insurance, but I have some put away where thieves don’t break through and steal.

In Japan some years ago, I preached through an interpreter in a revival meeting for a missionary. I preached on the Prodigal Son, and God was there in power. Five people came forward to be saved. Only one of them had ever heard the Gospel before, so we took about half an hour to make sure these five understood it. They had come to the meeting after working for eleven hours in a rice paddy, and now it was late.

As we went outside, the missionary said, “I want you to meet this young man who interpreted for you. He is your grandson in the ministry.”

My booklet “What Must I Do to Be Saved?” had been translated into Japanese, and we had about four million copies of it published in Japan. In the first six months after the first printing, missionaries received letters from 2,800 Japanese who had trusted Christ as Saviour, and they followed them up.

One of those booklets had gotten into the hands of a man who was serving a life sentence in prison. He read that he could be born again and could have a new heart, that God would forgive him, that he could be a Christian and go to Heaven.

He believed it and trusted the Lord and was saved. A wonderful transformation took place. The guard began to say, “You ought not to be in jail.”

It wasn’t long until the warden and the guards all talked about him: “He is a better man than any of us. He shouldn’t be here.” The warden went to the judge and recommended that they turn the man loose, and they did.

One afternoon the former convict came upon a young man in the park who had his head in his hands. He asked, “What is the matter?”

“I wish I were dead! I slashed my wrists, but they rushed me to the hospital and saved me. I then got out of bed and beat my head on the brick wall. I was put in a straight jacket and strapped in bed until I got well. I’m an alcoholic, but I wish I were dead.”

This former prisoner said, “You need what I got.” He showed him this booklet and began to tell him about how to be saved.

“That doesn’t sound reasonable.”

“Come to the missionary, and he will tell you.”

He talked to the missionary and was saved. That is the man who interpreted for me that night.

While the missionary was telling me that, the young evangelist was talking in Japanese with his hands held high. The only word I could understand was “Hallelujah!” He rejoiced to meet the man who had written the little booklet that won his friend and him to Christ. My spiritual grandson! Bless God!

Many people curse me now. I preach plain and make people mad. But I’m going to have people who will be glad to see me when I get to Heaven!

What a fool anybody is who spends his time making money and on these other things! It is the folly of a shortsighted fool not to win souls.

VII. Not to Win Souls Is the Sin of Bloodguilt—Spiritual Manslaughter

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

“Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”—Ezek. 3:17–19.

If Ezekiel did not warn the Israelites about their iniquity and they died in their sins, God required their blood at his hand. What a staggering thought that God says to a man about sinners, “His blood will I require at thine hand”! But if Ezekiel warned the wicked, even if the wicked did not turn, then God said, “Thou hast delivered thy soul.”

That strange commission was given to Ezekiel for the nation of Israel, but surely it implies that God still holds people to account for the souls of those that they do not warn! Surely we are guilty of the blood of every poor lost soul who goes to Hell if we had a chance to warn him, to weep over him, to woo him tenderly and win him and get him to come to Christ, and we did not!

Paul had this in mind when he came to Miletus and had the elders of Ephesus meet him there. Solemnly facing these preachers, Paul told them that they would see his face no more, and then said, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26,27). Then he said again, “Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31).

Paul could solemnly say, ‘After three years in Ephesus, I have no blood on my hands! I have gone night and day with tears, publicly and from house to house, carrying the whole counsel of God. I am not to blame if anybody goes to Hell!’

O Christian, is there blood on your hands? Are you guilty of the death of immortal souls for whom Christ died, because you did not warn them?

When a boat overturned in a Chinese river, a missionary urged some nearby Chinese fishermen to bring their boat quickly and help him rescue a man who was drowning. The fishermen insisted on a price of fifty dollars before they would come. The missionary gave them all he had and at last persuaded them to help him, but it was too late. The callous hearts of the fishermen took no responsibility for their drowning countryman, but they were guilty of murder, as certain as there is a God in Heaven to hold men to account!

But are you much different, Christian, when you let people near you go to Hell and never warn them, weep over them and see that they have the Gospel?

In Roosevelt, Oklahoma, I promised to go see a dying woman who was distressed about her soul. But I waited until the second day, and she died before I ever saw her.

In Dallas, Texas, an elderly man wrote, saying, “I am dying with cancer, and I am not ready to die. Brother Rice, please come and pray with me.” But I had so many burdens that I postponed it. After two weeks I sent a young preacher to visit the old man, but a neighbor told the young preacher that the old man had died and the family were then gone to his funeral!

I hope that in their extremity these two people turned to the Lord, but I have no certainty at all. What will I say to the Lord Jesus when I see Him, if He asks me to give an account for the souls of these two who sent for me and I did not get there in time?

The sin of not winning souls is the bloodguilty sin of soul-manslaughter. I beg you in Jesus’ name, consider how guilty you must be in God’s sight if you do not put your very best and all your heart’s strength and love into the one precious business of soul winning!

So, Christian, if you do not win souls, you are not right with God. You may be saved, but you are not a good disciple. If you follow the Saviour at all, you follow afar off.

Consider again this sevenfold sin of failing to win souls. It is the sin of disobedience, of lack of love, of failing to follow Christ, of not abiding in Christ, of dishonesty in a sacred trust, of shortsighted folly, and of bloodguilt for which we must give an account.

May God convict us of our sin in not winning the souls who are dying all around us!

LWF Devotion, 3-28-2011

2011-03-28T13:31:00.001-05:00

Head-Belief Is One Thing--Action Is Another!

BIBLE MEDITATION
“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” Colossians 1:21-22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
A man stretched a tightrope across Niagara Falls and pushed a wheelbarrow across it. Next, he filled the wheelbarrow with 200 lbs. of cement and pushed it across. The onlookers were astounded.

Then the tightrope walker asked the crowd, "How many of you believe I could do this with a man in the wheelbarrow?" The hands flew into the air. He pointed to a man who had his hand up and he said, "All right sir. You get in first." Well, you couldn't see the man for the trail of dust he left behind.

ACTION POINT
It's not enough for you to say you believe in God. Are you willing to act upon your belief? God is calling you to a relationship with Him. Will you answer His call?

New Years Prayer

2011-01-01T09:37:00.001-06:00

The following is from former Berean Call board member William MacDonald, who died 3 years ago. Dave Hunt sent this note from Bill out around New Year's Day in years past:

As we come to the beginning of another year, we would do well to make the following prayer requests our own:

Lord Jesus, I rededicate myself afresh to You today. I want You to take my life this coming year and use it for Your glory.

I pray that You will keep me from sin, from anything that will bring dishonor to Your Name.

Keep me teachable by the Holy Spirit. I want to move forward for You. Don't let me settle in a rut.

May my motto this year be, "He must increase; I must decrease." The glory must all be Yours. Help me not to touch it.

Teach me to make every decision a matter of prayer. I dread the thought of leaning on my own understanding. "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10:23).

May I die to the world and even to the approval or blame of loved ones or friends. Give me a single, pure desire to do the things that please Your heart.

Keep me from gossip and criticism of others. Rather, help me to speak what is edifying and profitable.

Lead me to needy souls. May I become a friend of sinners, as You are. Give me tears of compassion for the perishing.

Lord Jesus, keep me from becoming cold, bitter, or cynical in spite of anything that may happen to me in the Christian life.

Guide me in my stewardship of money. Help me to be a good steward of everything You have entrusted to me.

Help me to remember moment by moment that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. May this tremendous truth influence all my behavior.

And, Lord Jesus, I pray that this may be the year of Your return. I long to see Your face and to fall at Your feet in worship. During the coming year, may the blessed hope stay fresh in my heart, disengaging me from anything that would hold me here and keeping me on the tiptoes of expectancy. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

ICR, Days of Praise, June 5, 2010

2010-06-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

The Sin of Laziness

June 5, 2010

"As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed." (Proverbs 26:14)

This is one of the more colorful of numerous colorful verses in the book of Proverbs which rebuke the sin of laziness. Note a few of the others:

"The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns" (Proverbs 15:19).

"A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again" (Proverbs 19:24).

"The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour" (Proverbs 21:25).

"The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets" (Proverbs 22:13).

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: . . . How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? . . . Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 6:6, 9-11).

"As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him" (Proverbs 10:26).

"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing" (Proverbs 20:4).

The writer of Proverbs had little sympathy for lazy people and their self-induced problems! It seems he continually devised new figures of speech with which to shame them into action. Indolence is a distressing characteristic in anyone, but it is inexcusable in a Christian. "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire. . . . That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:10-12). HMM

LWF Devotional.. 6/3/2010

2010-06-03T20:16:00.000-05:00

Faithful at All Times
Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Corinthians 4:2 - “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Are you faithful? When times get tough, can you be counted on? Today there is a serious lack of genuine integrity and faithfulness among God’s children. This is a travesty. Words mean little today, whether it’s a marriage contract or a business contract. Even a treaty between nations doesn’t seem to hold true. Our faithfulness is the fundamental basis of character. We will never know God’s blessing apart from faithfulness.

ACTION POINT:
When you are gone, will people say you were faithful? Faithful to your family? Faithful to your friends? And most of all, faithful to God?

Should Christians "judge" others? You betcha!

2010-05-21T20:52:00.000-05:00

Should Christians "judge" others? You betcha!
By Marsha West

One of the biggest problems in the Church is that some Christians are way too trusting. Jesus warned, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Mat 7:15). Far too many of the sheep do not heed our Lord's words. Even when believers are cautioned about certain false teachers, they blow off the warning and blindly follow these wolves.

You've probably heard this many times: "The Bible says not to judge." What the Bible actually says is that we're not to judge a person's heart or motives. "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things," says Paul, "yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1Cor 2:15-16). According to Paul true followers of Jesus are of the same mind. When you have the mind of Christ you have spiritual discernment. Christians (who are walking with Christ) have the authority to judge people's words and actions. How do you know if someone is a false teacher? Go to the scriptures! In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul says: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

No doubt some Christians will continue to complain that "judging" is unbiblical and play the Mat. 7:1-3 card: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" What they fail to understand is that the Spirit of God abides in regenerate Christians. Hence we have the mind of Christ! As for the unbeliever, Scripture clearly teaches that the natural man [unregenerate] "receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). So the unregenerate person does not — cannot — understand the things of God. Amazingly, a growing number of self-professed Christians think the things of God are foolishness.

Today many Christians are attending churches where their pastors teach outright heresy! They just assume they're being taught the truth. Unfortunately that's not always the case. Granted, there are a lot of ministers who preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Still, there are a growing number of false teachers who can charm an Eskimo into buying a beach umbrella.

The good news is that believers who read and study the Bible are not easily taken in by apostates. But even mature believers can have the wool pulled over their eyes if they stop being Bereans. It was for this very reason that John penned this warning: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

Christians who have the good fortune to own a Bible must gain a thorough understanding of what God says in His Word. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). Those who truly desire a Christian worldview will look to the Bible for wisdom and guidance.

© Marsha West

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/mwest/100427

ICR, Days of Praise, May 18 2010

2010-05-18T06:42:00.000-05:00

A Righteous Heart

May 18, 2010

"And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel." (1 Kings 11:9)

The Scriptures have an interesting commentary on Solomon's life: "When Solomon was old…his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God" (1 Kings 11:4). How is it possible to start well and end sadly?

We Must Guard Our Heart: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life," Solomon admonished in Proverbs 4:23. The Hebrew word for "keep" isnatsar and the main verb for "guard" or "set a watch." Psalm 119 uses natsar 10 times to demand our careful "watch" on our obedience and use of the Word of God. The promise is: "Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart" (Psalm 119:2).

Store the Good Treasure: In one of his many confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus gave several illustrations about the impact of the "heart" part of our nature. Jesus spoke of binding the "strong man," noting that a tree produces the fruit it was grown for, and that snakes are always snakes. Then Jesus makes this observation: "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things" (Matthew 12:35).

Others Will Try to Turn Your Heart: Jereboam (1 Kings 11-12) led Israel in rebellion against Judah and against God. He "devised of his own heart" (1 Kings 12:33) liturgical practices that "made Israel to sin" (1 Kings 15:34). Peter warns: "Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness" (2 Peter 3:17).

We must guard our hearts, "for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). HMM III

I Just Heard from Heaven

2010-05-17T14:56:00.001-05:00

1. Once I wandered out in sin, far from God away,

But the Savior took me in, gave me peace that day.
Al my heart to Him I give, no more sin allowed,
And I've just heard from heaven, and it's all right now.

CHORUS:

Well, I've just heard from heaven and there's one thing I know.
My sins are all forgiven, He washed me white as snow.
The load that once I carried, He took away somehow,
And I've just heard from heaven, and it's all right now.

2. Trials come to you and me, burdens hard to bear,
But Our heartaches, grief, and pain He will gladly bear.
So just look up and trust in Him, and leave your burdens there,
And you will hear from heaven when you call in prayer.

CHORUS:

3. When my load is hard to bear, and my path dim,
No one else seems to care, then I go to Him.
He's my intercessor there, so at His feet I bow,
And I've just heard from heaven, and it's all right now.

CHORUS:

In Touch Devotional, May 15, 2010

2010-05-15T07:50:00.001-05:00

May 15, 2010
The Attitude of a Saint
1 Corinthians 15:9-11

The apostle Paul had a certain mindset that Christians are wise to emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). His attitude included:

1. Humility. Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands divine mercy. Paul spread the gospel because he believed that the grace which was sufficient to save a sinner like him was adequate for anyone.

2. A sense of obligation. The apostle never lost sight of how far God's grace had brought him. He frequently reminded followers of his role in persecuting the church (1 Tim. 1:13). Paul's gratitude for salvation from that former life never waned. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he kept praising the Lord for the privilege of serving.

3. A sense of dependence. To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). He knew what it was like to depend upon one's own goodness and work to be religious— and he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus and none of himself (Phil 3:8).

4. A spirit of absolute confidence. At the end of his life, Paul was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Do you see these attitudes in yourself? If not, borrow a page from the apostle Paul's "playbook." Praise the Lord for all that He has done for you, and then get busy working for His kingdom. Do not allow His grace to be poured out on your life in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).

ICR, Days of Praise, May 14, 2010

2010-05-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

The Dreamers

May 14, 2010

"It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion." (Isaiah 29:8)

The dreamers of this world are not only the utopian idealists and the contemplative meditationists. The really impractical dreamers are those who most pride themselves on being pragmatic materialists and scientific naturalists, dreaming that by their own efforts they can bring about perfection on earth. The fact is that this world is not thereal world, but only a temporary world which, like a dream, will soon fade away in the light of God's eternal day, when we awake in His presence to experience the world as God intended it.

In our text, it is significant that the sleeping men are dreaming only about eating and drinking. In the same manner, those whose interests and desires are centered in this world only, will find all their objectives have turned to nothingness. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:16-17).

In that great day when the real world which will last for eternity arrives, all the "multitudes" in "all the nations" of the world--those who have ignored the will of God and who have thus, in effect, been "fighting against mount Zion"--will finally awaken, but it will be too late. How urgent it is that men now awake to God's Word and God's will. "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light" (Ephesians 5:14). HMM

ICR Days of Praise, May 13, 2010

2010-05-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

Righteous Friends

May 13, 2010

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)

The phrase "a man is known by the company he keeps" has been used in English-speaking countries since the 1500s.

Not only is the saying biblically based, but it is easily observable in everyday life.

Friends Shape Friends: "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). In our text above, James notes that the world's friendship so contrasts with the heart and mind of God that such a friendship turns our relationship with God into enmity. The apostle John gives the clear reason: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).

Friends Love Each Other: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you…. I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you…. These things I command you, that ye love one another" (John 15:14-17). This is pretty simple. If I love the Lord Jesus, and you love the Lord Jesus, then we will love each other—because we have a common friend!

Friends Stick Together: Because of our common love for the Lord Jesus, we do not forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Neither do we follow the "counsel of the ungodly," or hang around "in the way of sinners," or feel at home with "the scornful" (Psalm 1:1), because there is no fellowship in "righteousness with unrighteousness" (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Godly people will have godly friends. HMM III

Biblically, Could Death Have Existed before Sin?

2010-05-12T06:51:00.002-05:00

Biblically, Could Death Have Existed before Sin?

Satan, the Fall, and a Look at Good and Evil

by Bodie Hodge--March 2, 2010

from Answers in Genesis

Death and sin—these are two things today’s society seems to want to avoid in a conversation! In today’s secular society, kids have been taught for generations that death goes back for millions of years. But there is a huge contrast when you open the pages of Scripture beginning in Genesis.

The Bible is the authority on the past (as well as the authority on scientific and theological aspects), and it is logical that the Bible should be the authority on the issue of death and its relationship with sin. Getting a big picture of sin and death and how they are related in the Bible can make us better witnesses to today’s culture.

Everything Was Originally Perfect

Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Figure 1. A very good creation

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

When God finished creating at the end of Day 6, He declared everything “very good”—it was perfect. God’s work of creation is perfect. We expect nothing less of a perfect God.

What was this “perfect” or “very good” creation like? Were animals dying? Was man dying? Let’s look closer at what the Bible teaches.

Everything Was Originally Vegetarian

Genesis 1:29–30
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

We know that animals and man were not eating meat originally according to Genesis 1:29–30. So, meat-eaters today were all vegetarian originally, which also points to death not being part of the original creation. Plants are not “alive” in the biblical sense of nephesh chayyah, only animals and man. So, plants being eaten did not mean death existed before the Fall.¹ One would not expect a God of life to be a god of death. When we look at God’s restoration in Revelation 21–22, there will be no death, pain, or suffering.

If a Christian wants to side with the atheistic view of a world where death existed for millions of years using the majority of the fossil layers as their evidence of slow gradual accumulation instead of a global Flood, then they have major problems.² The fossil layers consist of many animals that have the remains of other animals in their stomach contents.³ As we’ll discuss later, Scripture tells us that sin brought about animal death, something that did not occur prior to the Fall. This rules out many of the rock layers as being evidence of million of years because the Lord declared that everything was originally vegetarian. The Flood of Noah’s day is a much better explanation of the rock layers, which show animals eating other animals after sin.

Death Is a Punishment

Genesis 2:16–17
And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

God gave the command in Genesis 2:16–17 that sin would be punishable by death. This is significant when we look at the big picture of death. If death in any form was around prior to God’s declaration in Genesis 1:31 that everything was “very good,” then death would be very good too—hence not a punishment at all.

Some have pointed out that this passage is not referring to animal death. In one sense, we agree with them: this verse was not directed toward animals. But by the same logic, this command was only directed toward Adam, yet Eve died and so do we (Adam’s descendants) for sin. This shows the all-encompassing impact of the sin-death relationship.

Adam Knew What “Die” Meant

Some people have brought up the objection that if there was no death existing in the world, then how did Adam know what God meant in Genesis 2:17.

God, the author of language, programmed Adam with language when He created him, as they conversed right from the start on Day 6 (see Genesis 2). Since God makes things perfectly, Adam knew what death meant—even if he did not have experiential knowledge of it. In fact, he probably understood it better than any of us because he had a perfect mind, uncorrupted by sin and the Curse.

Sin Brought Animal Death

The first recorded death and passages referring to death as a reality came with sin in Genesis 3 when the serpent, Eve, and Adam all were disobedient to God. Please note that what happened is the first hint that things will die:

Genesis 3:14
So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.

Genesis 3:14 indicates that animals, which were cursed along with the serpent, would no longer live forever but have a limited life (all the days of your life). This is the first hint of animal death. Since animals were cursed, they too will now die.

Figure 2. The Lord’s sacrifice to make coats of skins for Adam and Eve

Though this particular verse doesn’t rule out animal death prior to sin, its placement with sin and the Curse in Genesis 3 may very well be significant. The first recorded death of animals comes in Genesis 3:21, when God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to replace their fig leaf coverings they assumed would cover their nakedness.

Genesis 3:21
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Abel apparently mimicked something like this when he sacrificed from his flocks (fat portions) in Genesis 4:4, as did Noah after the Flood in Genesis 8:20. The Israelites did this as well, giving sin offerings of lambs, doves, etc.

Figure 3. Noah offering sacrifices

The punishment for sin was death; so, something had to die. Rightly, Adam and Eve deserved to die, but we serve a God of grace, mercy, and love. And out of His love and His mercy, He basically gave us a “grace period” to repent.

The Lord sacrificed an animal to cover this sin. It was not enough to take away sin, but merely offered a temporary covering. This shows how much more valuable mankind is than animals (see also Matthew 6:26, 12:12). The punishment for sinning against an infinitely holy God is an infinite punishment, and animals are not infinite. They simply cannot take that punishment. We needed a perfect and infinite sacrifice that could take the infinite punishment from an infinite God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is infinite, could take that punishment. These animal sacrifices foreshadowed Jesus Christ who was the ultimate, perfect, infinite sacrifice for our sins on the cross. Hebrews reveals:

Hebrews 9:22
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

This is why Jesus had to die, and this is why animals were sacrificed to cover sin. These passages make it clear that animal death has a relationship with human sin as well as the fact that it came after sin (see Christian Theodicy in Light of Genesis and Modern Science). Also, it is the very basis and foundation of the gospel.

Sin Brought Human Death

This same type of proclamation that animals will ultimately die (all the days of your life) comes back in Genesis 3:17, where man would also die (all the days of your life). Like the animals, man would die in fulfillment of what was said in Genesis 2:17.

Genesis 3:17
To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.”

Some have stated that they believe this was only a spiritual death, but God made it clear in Genesis 3:19 by adding that humanity will return to the dust from which we came, which makes it clear it was not excluding a physical death.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

Even Paul, when speaking of human death, specifically says:

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned

1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Romans 5:17
For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

If the death God mentioned is only spiritual, then why did Jesus have to die physically—or rise physically? If the Curse meant only spiritual death, then the gospel is undermined.

It is true that Adam and Eve didn’t die the exact day they ate, as some seem to think Genesis 2:17 implies. The Hebrew is die-die (muwth-muwth), which is often translated as “surely die” or literally as “dying you shall die,” which indicates the beginning of dying (i.e. an ingressive sense). At that point, Adam and Eve began to die and would return to dust. If they were meant to have died right then, the text should have used muwth only once, as is used in the Hebrew meaning “dead, died, or die” and not “beginning to die” or “surely die.”

Does the Bible Teach Death before Sin?

The Bible tells us very clearly that there was no death before sin from many passages. In fact, there are no Bible verses indicating there was death prior to sin.

Click to enlarge

Figure 4. Death before sin is a problem for a perfect creation at the end of Day 6

The only reason some people try to insert death before sin is to fit man’s ideas of “millions of years” of death from a uniformitarian view of the fossil record into the Bible. But this makes a mockery of God’s statement that everything was very good in Genesis 1:31. Death, animals eating other animals, thorns, cancer, tumors, and so on are not very good, and, yet, these are found in those fossil layers.

This leads to compromising what God plainly says to accommodate fallible man’s ideas. Besides, the Scriptures reveal a global Flood in Genesis 6–8, after sin, which explains the vast majority of fossil layers. So, one need not appeal to billions of years to explain these layers. It is better to trust what God says:

Psalm 118:8
It is better to trust in God, than to trust in man.

Keep in mind that having death before sin also undermines the very gospel, where Jesus Christ stepped into history to conquer sin and death. In doing so, He graciously offered the free gift of salvation to all who receive him.

Conclusion

Figure 5. Biblical view of death

Figure 6. A secular view of death

Keep in mind there are primarily two views of history (secular and Christian) with two different authorities (man’s fallible reason apart from God and a perfect God) with conflicting views about the past.

According to the Bible, a perfect God created a perfect creation, and because of man’s sin, death and suffering came into the world. But through Christ we look forward to a time when there will be no more pain or death or suffering (Revelation 21:4).

In a secular worldview, there has always been death. So, when Christians try to incorporate secular history of millions of years into their theology, two main questions arise. Was there really a change when Adam and Eve sinned? And what will heaven really be like then . . . ?

Footnotes

See “Do Leaves Die?” Back
Bodie Hodge, “How old is the earth?” Answers in Genesis. Back
Ryan McClay, “Dino Dinner Hard to Swallow,” Answers in Genesis. Back

ICR, Days of Praise, May 11, 2010

2010-05-11T06:52:00.001-05:00

A Righteous Desire

May 11, 2010

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)

The Pharisees of Jesus' day were quite "religious" in their behavior, but our Lord often took them to task because "all their works they do for to be seen of men" (Matthew 23:5).

God's Kingdom Is First Priority: The Lord's admonition in our text was given to focus His followers beyond the "ordinary" desires and needs of their physical existence. We are expected to "look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). As promised, when we are rightly focused, "all these other things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33)

Yielded to Righteousness: We become "servants" of those things that we "obey." We obey that which we have "yielded" ourselves to (Romans 6:16). It is not possible to "serve two masters" (Matthew 6:24). Our "members" (our physical bodies) can either become "instruments" (weapons) of ungodliness or of righteousness (Romans 6:13). We either "walk" after the Spirit or after the flesh (Romans 8:1).

Doggedly Pursue Godliness: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (1 Timothy 6:11). Even though our "new man" longs for righteousness, and we consciously yield ourselves to seek and serve God's kingdom, "with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Romans 7:25).

We must never become slack in our diligence. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12). HMM III

ICR, Days of Praise, May 10, 2010

2010-05-10T06:50:00.000-05:00

The Christian's Calling

May 10, 2010

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." (Ephesians 4:1)

The Christian's calling in Christ is a high calling. Since we are encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of this calling, it behooves us to make careful study of it, lest our lifestyle bring reproach to the One who has called us. Consider the following sampling of the uses of this important word:

First, the calling is "of God" and irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We are called "by his grace" (Galatians 1:15) and "into the grace of Christ" (Galatians 1:6). We are called "out of darkness" and "into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Furthermore, we are "called to be saints" (Romans 1:7). He has "called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9). We are "partakers of the heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1), and in response, we should "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

The New Testament writers as well mention many things to which we are called. We are "called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are "called unto liberty" (Galatians 5:13) and are now free to "serve one another," even though it means accepting the call to suffering. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (1 Peter 2:21). The "eternal life, whereunto thou art also called" may not come easily, for it involves the "good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). We are calle d "to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3), even "his eternal glory by Christ Jesus" (1 Peter 5:10), for we are "called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). JDM

The Destiny of Those Who Die In infancy

2009-03-15T15:20:00.001-05:00

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.

Eternal Security

2009-01-21T13:55:00.000-06:00

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!

Harry Potter Outline

2008-10-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

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?

WOMEN'S ROLE IN TEACHING & CHURCH LEADERSHIP

2008-10-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

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.

Challenge to the Laborers

2008-10-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

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

Johnny and the Cat

2008-10-06T07:36:00.001-05:00

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."

Biblical Headlines

2008-10-03T13:57:00.000-05:00

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

What Cancer Cannot Do--lwf.org Devotion from 10/2/08

2008-10-02T20:07:00.000-05:00

October 2

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What if you had an appointment with the doctor and found out that you had cancer? Maybe you have heard this news or heard it on behalf of a loved one. I want to tell you some things cancer cannot do. Cancer cannot shatter hope. Cancer cannot corrode faith. Cancer cannot eat away peace. Cancer cannot place a limit on eternal life. Cancer cannot quench the Spirit of God and cancer cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. That’s how limited cancer is!

ACTION POINT:
Is there someone in your life who is suffering from cancer? Give them the Good News that you’ve read today. And pray that they will know the Savior.

25 Things Worth Thinking About

2008-09-22T13:22:00.000-05:00

25 Things Worth Thinking About

1) Give God what's RIGHT -- not what's LEFT.

2) Man's way leads to hopeless end; God's way leads to
endless hope.

3) A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4) He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5) In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but
never let him be the period.

6) Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

7) Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a
faith-lift.

8) When praying, don't give God instructions -- just report
for duty.

9) Don't wait for six strong men to take you to the church.

10) We don't change God's message; His message changes us.

11) All churches should be prayer-conditioned.

12) When God ordains, He sustains.

13) WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14) Plan ahead -- it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

15) Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory
position.

16) Suffering from truth decay? Brush up with your Bible on
a daily basis.

17) Exercise daily! Walk with the Lord.

18) Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to
drive.

19) Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20) Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps
coming back.

21) He who angers you controls you.

22) Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23) Give Satan an inch, and he'll be a ruler.

24) Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them, and God will
clean them.

25) God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the
called.

Drought Affects Churches

2008-07-31T17:08:00.000-05:00

Drought Affects Churches

Severe drought affects churches in northern Alabama,
Tennessee, and northwest Georgia.

Did you know that because of the drought in these areas,
church budgets are greatly affected?

Baptist churches are having to sprinkle for baptisms, the
Methodists are using wet wipes for their baptisms, and the
Catholics are praying that God will turn the wine back into
water.

Why Wait?

2008-07-28T12:39:00.001-05:00

Why Wait? What You Need to Know About the Teen Sexuality Crisis
By Josh McDowell and Dick Day

This book is filled with personal testimonies, which I will put in quotations, and also tells of many consequences of premarital sex. Please pass this around to all your friends, both single and married, so they have this to give to their kids to read, too. I highly recommend this book to all.

“Premarital sex gave me fear as a gift… and shame to wear as a garment. It stole my peace of mind and robbed me of hope in a bright future. Sex smashed my concentration in class to smithereens. My desire for church activities was ground to a pulp. It made crumbs of the trust I had known in Christ… and in men and women. Sex gave me a jagged tea in my heart that even now, seven years later, is still healing.”

“Having premarital sex was the most horrifying experience of my life. It wasn’t at all the emotionally satisfying or the casually-taken experience the world perceives it to be. I felt as if my insides were being exposed and my heart left unattended.”

“It took losing my virginity at a very young age, losing my self-respect and possibly my fertility, helping to ruin another person’s marriage and family life, acquiring a non-curable virus, not getting the fulfillment that sex should provide in marriage, and living with the guilt that Satan always tries to make me feel…for me to realize how detrimental sex before marriage can really be.”

“Dear Mr. McDowell, Can you help me? I’m thirteen and I’ve just ruined my life. I thought Mike really loved me, but last night we had sex for the first time and this morning he told my girl friend that he didn’t want to see me any more. I thought giving Mike what he wanted would make him happy and he’d love me more. What if I’m pregnant? What am I going to do? I feel so alone and confused…I can’t talk to my parents, so could you please write me back and help me. I don’t know how I can go on.”

“The reason I’m writing this is I’m alone and confused. My boyfriend kept pursuing me for sex…I had sex with him thinking that I owed him…Later when I learned I was pregnant he blew up, said to get an abortion, and that it was all my fault. So, to save my parents heartache and to keep Matt, I had an abortion. Now Matt has left me…How can God love me after all I have done? Could you please write me back? I’m just so confused. Can God really love and forgive me?”

A 15 year-old, “When I met my boyfriend at the beginning of my sophomore year, we began having sex as soon as we started kissing. I didn’t really want to at all—I don’t even think he did—but we couldn’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t do it.”

“I had already achieved the impossible. I was almost eighteen and I was still a virgin. I had just never wanted to “do it”…I was very much in love, or thought I was, with a dashing college man, and from time to time he would mention that he had never dated a girl who said no as many times as I had. After a while, my resolve weakened, and since I had no reason to say no, I decided that I would do it to show how much I loved him. I didn’t really want to, but in my own mind I couldn’t rationalize not having sex. I gave in to pressure because saying yes was easier than saying no and trying to explain why not.”

A National Sunday School Association’s Youth Survey asked 3,000 teens what kind of help they would like to receive from their churches. Counseling for sexual problems ranked first among twenty-one items.

“She was extremely young, but she didn’t feel young. It seemed like such a mature jump… from the immature age of twelve to the much more exciting, official-teenager age of thirteen. She really loved being and “acting” older. She thought everything was great! She was an honor student and was also very involved in extracurricular activities. She loved to do things and share deep dark secrets with her best friend. She had a good family and her parents taught her well the difference between right and wrong. She was sensible and had a good head on her shoulders… so it seemed. He was older than she and extremely popular. He was very talented and was always the center of attention. She was overwhelmed with joy when he started to pay special attention to her. She was so pleased when he picked her as a girlfriend, rather than any of the other girls who would have died for the chance. One day he told her, “I love you.” But she had nothing to say in return. She did not love him, yet adored the popularity he gained for her. She was blinded by the new attention she received from that newly discovered “popularity.” Everyone said, “Hi” to her. Everyone wanted to know her. He asked her if he could express his love to her. She said she wasn’t ready. He said, “I love you.” She did not reply. Later he told her something had happened. He said he showed his “love” to someone else. She said it was all right. He said, “I love you.” She was naïve. She looked down and said nothing. She had never had so many friends before. So many people wanted to talk with her. In fact, she noticed that boys were paying a lot more attention to her. But, she stayed with him…because he loved her. Then he told her it had happened again. He showed “love” to someone else, yet he did not really love that someone else. He even told her who the girl was. She looked away. She felt threatened. But he told her, “I love you.” She looked down and quietly replied the same. He told her to show her love for him. She didn’t want to, but she didn’t want to lose him to someone else. So she “showed him love.” She was violated. She was innocent no longer. She broke up with him. He asked her to take him back. He told her, “I love you.” But she rejected him. A few days later, he was “in love” with someone else. She was impure and unwholesome. She was used. She was drowned with shame. She was swallowed up by guilt. She was very alone. She is afraid to love ever again. She knows she can never change the past. She has stained her life…a stain that will never come out. She was extremely young. She finally realized how young.”

Facts about Teenage Sex

By age twenty, 81% of today’s unmarried males and 67% of today’s unmarried females have had sexual intercourse.

The number of never-married teenage girls having intercourse increased by two-thirds in the decade 70’s.

For some teens, oral sex comes before intercourse; 41% of 17 year old girls say they have performed fellatio.

A research study of 5,000 students at 32 educational institutions showed that 25.5% of coeds have been raped or sexually attacked since the age of 14.

A Kent State University study showed that 57% of the coeds that had been raped there were raped by their dates.

Of the teenage girls who give birth out of wedlock, 96% of these girls will keep their babies.

70% of unwed teenage mothers will go on welfare.

If the present trend continues, 40% of today’s 14 year old girls will be pregnant before the age of 20.

Since the popular push for contraceptives for teens, teenage sexual activity and teenage pregnancy have increased almost 400%.

A teenage-relationship survey reveals that “religious conscious girls are 86% more likely to say it’s important to be a virgin at marriage than nonreligious conscious girls. However, religion-conscious girls are only 14% more likely to be virgins than non-religious girls.”

A 16 year old explained why he turned to drugs. “Well, if I can’t feel significant, at least I can feel good.” That is how many teenagers attempt to deal with their problems. They turn to drugs, alcohol, and sex as ways to “feel good.” But those are only temporary avenues of escape, not long-term solutions.

Two deep fears that everyone faces: “Almost every one of you has two fears. First, the fear you’ll never be loved, and second, the fear you’ll never be able to love.” Everyone became very quiet. No one was looking around. I wasn’t surprised.

“My mother kept asking, ‘Why…Why?’ ‘Cause I wanted to be loved, that’s why. Is that so terrible? I wanted someone to tell me that I’m pretty… that they cared about me.”

We learn to love by seeing love modeled. Love is not primarily a feeling. Love is first and foremost action. Saying “I love you” has no meaning if it is not supported by action.

A reader’s survey of Children and Teens Today asked, “What do you see as the major stresses/problems facing today’s teenagers?” The response of 72.4% was: “Problems arising from parental divorce/remarriage.”

Everyday, at least 33,000 Americans become infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

NO ONE ON TELEVISION PAYS THE PRICE OF ILLICIT SEX. YOU ONLY DO THAT IN REAL LIFE.

“What the movies and the soap operas don’t tell us about is the devastation and the broken hearts that occur due to affairs and premarital sex. I do not make light of the consequences of wrong… sexual involvement. Without a doubt, the hardest and most painful thing I’ve gone through… more than major surgery, tests for cancer, a broken family, and numerous job rejections…is getting over a sexual relationship with a married man.”

Sad to say, most young people, even from church families, have not learned about their sexuality in church. Even a greater tragedy, most did not learn about their sexuality at home. They have learned it from television, movies and music. Those are the three great influences on teens.

This year there will be 1.2 million pregnant teenagers. Do you know that it costs federal and state governments an average of 100,000 in medical and welfare costs for every single teen who has a child?

Washington [AP] – Teenage child-bearing cost the nation 16.6 billion last year and the 385,000 babies who were the firstborn to adolescents in 1985 will receive 5 billion in welfare benefits over the next 20 years, according to a study just released.

There are over 30 sexually transmitted diseases every nine months a new one is discovered. Every day, 33,000 Americans will contract an STD.

By 1991 it will cost us an estimated 19 billion a year, just for AIDS. If we combine that with the costs of other STDs we can expect soon to be paying at least 30billion a year for “free sex.”

What about the teenage mother? Her prospects are often dismal. Her chances of finishing school, obtaining a good job, or being happily married are minimal.

What about physical and psychological costs of being born to a teenager? Infant mortality, low birth weight, mental retardation and physical disabilities. The chances of such children being physically abused, or becoming drug-addicted, are much greater than if they were born to older women.

Your mind and emotions are affected whenever you engage in sexual activity. The mind has the capacity to play “reruns” of past sexual experiences, often forcing you to compare a current sexual partner with a previous one. That can occur even when you finally have married and begun a genuine committed relationship. These “ghosts of the past” can be devastating to future intimacy in marriage.

Sex is not a private act! Not when persons practice casual sex behind closed doors and then come out from behind those doors and demand that the government spend billions of dollars on AIDS research. Not when teenagers become pregnant behind closed doors and then pass the costs on to those children and taxpayers.

Dr. Edward Wiesmeier, director of the UCLA Student Health Center, warns students that “once change encounter can infect a person with as many as five different diseases.”

A study of 39 teenage girls who were suffering from anorexia nervosa showed that 36 of them lacked close relationships with their fathers.

Johns Hopkins University found that “young, white, teenage girls living in fatherless families… were 60% more likely to have had intercourse than those living in 2 parent families.

Most parents spend more time watching TV everyday by far than talking and training their kids. One-fourth of all 9th graders said they spend less than 5 minutes a day to talk, play, or just be together with their dad.

Many young people are uncertain of their parents’ love. Fifty percent of high school students wanted to know if their parents loved them.

Of teens from divorced homes, 74% said their parents didn’t try hard enough. Is it surprising that 75% of teenagers said that it was too easy to get a divorce.

Many pregnant teens say wanting ‘a man to hold me’ was their motivation rather than having sexual relations with someone.

What people want is intimacy. A fifteen-year-old girl once described intimacy as “a place where it’s safe to be real.”

We have allowed our culture to dictate to us that the only way you can find intimacy is through the physical. I am personally convinced that most young people use sex as a means of achieving intimacy. They don’t want sex as much as they want closeness with another human being. The tragedy is that people are jumping from one bed to another in their search for intimacy.

Why do people fear intimacy? Because intimacy inevitably brings vulnerability. Many young people repeatedly share their bodies because they are afraid to share themselves. They participate in countless “one-night stands” because they are afraid to be vulnerable.

“There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). What is intriguing is not that the way leads to death, but rather that it “seems so right.”

“We were in love. The commitment made. Ring bought. Date set. Gown ordered. Attendants fitted. Reception planned. Invitations addressed. Showers given. Apartment rented. That was the first mistake, renting the apartment before the wedding. It was no long my parents’ basement or his car. The apartment was ours. We combined hand-me-downs from each side of the family with special pieces of our own. It was now our future home together and mine to care for in the meantime. The privacy was more than we could handle. Hand-holding turned into embraces. Kisses found their way down the neck. No longer could we just sit in the same room; we had to be next to each other, embraced in each others arms. Hands began to wander up and down the back. Hugs involved the entire body. His excitement was obvious and my pleasure verbal. I don’t know what I felt or what I was thinking. I guess our being married shortly was the easiest rationalization. After all, marriage is a commitment, not a ceremony. Or maybe because, clinically, virginity has to do with the actual culminated sex act. Since that never happened, all the other acts of foreplay seemed harmless. But whatever the reason, night after night we engaged in physical foreplay, but not the emotional “lovemaking” needed for a strong marriage. Then something happened. I don’t know quite when, just that it did. The arguments started. We’d yell for a while and then kiss and “make out,” but that solved nothing. We saw each other in a different light. When he saw my fears and insecurities, he tried to cover them with authority and knowledge. Soon, in tears, the ring came off. The wedding plans waned. Then, finally the announcement, first to my parents, then to close friends. The news spread by itself. Gifts were returned. Invitation destroyed. Plans and reservations cancelled. The gown prepared for storage. The rings returned. The commitment shattered. Have I hurt any future relationship by experiencing with one man what will never be the same with any other? Maybe if we would have loved each other more than we loved ourselves, maybe if we could have said no to our desires, maybe if the apartment hadn’t been rented…”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 says, “It is God’ will that you should be holy; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.”

The younger one starts dating, the more likely he/she is going to have premarital sex prior to graduation from high school.

“To most kids sex is really nothing, so they go ahead and have it just because they like it.”

“Where I live, many of my girl friends and guy friends are involved in sex because they just want to do it. When I ask them why, they usually say it makes them feel good, although some say they do it because their friends are doing it.”

“Sex is a cheap thrill. Having sex is one date that costs very little money and can be done almost anywhere. Life is empty anyway, so ‘go for it!’” The problem with a thrill is that you have to come down. Boredom doesn’t stay away after sex. It keeps coming back.

Mature persons don’t just seek out what will make them feel good for an instant, but rather ask, “Is there a value to this?” before undertaking something.

Teenagers have sex to release stress. Some girls have sex to have a child to have someone to love her. She expects a child to solve her self-image problem, which puts unrealistic expectations on the baby even before it is born.

Teens misunderstand what real love is. Today’s teenagers think love is an act instead of a commitment. Ninety percent of all guy and eight percent of all girls will lose their virginity by age twenty. They have no example of real love in their lives, and many have been taught sex education without morals from grade school on.”

Peer Pressure: “Everyone is Doing It”

“Why wait? It’s the number-one teen question. My parents are always telling me what to do and what not to do. I hate their nagging. Besides, everyone has done it. Nobody’s a virgin.”

Some responses you can give to those who want to pressure you by that reasoning.

1. “Well, I’m not everybody, I’m me. Besides, I don’t really believe everybody is doing it. I think it’s a lot of talk.”

2. “If everyone is doing it, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding someone else.”

3. “Yes, I can see that the pregnancy rate of teenagers is fierce.”

4. “Everyone is doing it is a mighty poor excuse for doing something. That pressure doesn’t affect me for the simple reason that I don’t want what ‘everyone’ else has. I don’t want a sexually transmitted disease, a divorce, a broken home, or children bouncing from one parent to another.”

5. “The frequency with which something happens does not accurately indicate its value. For example, let’s say the majority of people develop cancer—does that mean I should be anxious to have cancer? That’s as stupid a response as wanting to have sex because everyone else is.”

One of the most effective deterrents to peer pressure is a good self-image. The secure teen is usually the only one who can withstand peer pressure.

Remember: If our kids can’t talk to us, they will talk to their peers. If we don’t spend time with them, they will spend more time with their peers. If they don’t have intimacy at home, they will seek it among their peers. If they don’t get hugs from dad, they will get hugs from their peers. If we don’t listen to them, their peers will. Teens respond to relationships. That is why they are so responsive to their peers.

Another reason teenagers engage in premarital sex is the music they listen to. The lyrics in rock and country music are suggestive; they talk freely about sex. Countless song lyrics allude to one-night love affairs, part-time lovers, “this night will be a night of magic” and so on.

Sex without marriage so often leads to self-doubts, diseases, unwanted pregnancies, shattered emotions, manipulation and exploitation. Such results are rarely portrayed on TV or in the movies because people don’t want to hear about those things. They want to be told that their promiscuity will lead to happiness, even though it hasn’t up to this point.

David said, “I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” (Psalm 101:3).

Some experts estimate that as much as 70% of all pornography ends up in the possession of children and teenagers.

“Another reason premarital sex is popular is there isn’t too much to be afraid of. If you don’t want consequences, use birth control. If the girl becomes pregnant, hey, just get an abortion. If one of them contracts a venereal disease, no problem, just get a shot.”

“Low self-esteem may drive teenagers to gain approval through sex rather than through acceptance of the truth they are persons of worth because God says so.”

“Being a jock, I had many sexual relationships, but the one thing that really stung me was the hatred that came out of these relationships later. Deep down inside I was really insecure about whether or not I was accepted by girls and whether or not I was a man…The pressures were very strong, so strong that I felt very lonely many times if I “failed” to attract a girl when all of my friends did.”

Often people get involved in sexual relationships because they are feeling lonely, depressed and nobody really cares whether they live or die. They want, at least for a few moments, to be held and feel cared for or important to someone, even if it means having sex to get it.

Less than 10% of the individuals with successful marriages thought good sexual relationships were important in keeping their marriage together. The two top reasons for a lasting marriage were: My spouse is my best friend and I like my spouse as a person.

“The reason I see as the most common for sex before marriage is the overwhelming need to be close to another human being, to make emotional contact, to gain a sense of self-worth, to keep from being lonely and to feel cared for.”

An adolescent who has been involved sexually with various men wrote: “It is far easier to ‘bare your bottom’ than to ‘bare your soul.’” Emotional contact is the goal; sex is the means.

Intimacy is built as a result of trust. Premarital sex easily breaks down that trust factor. Trust is established, and trust leads to vulnerability, and that leads to transparency, and that results in intimacy—a closeness to another person.

Escape is another reason: “Many people try to escape their problems—problems they may be having with friends, or more likely, with their families—by having sex.”

God gives Christians three resources for bringing about change in our lives: the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. We need to utilize those resources as much as we can.

Another reason: being cool: “There were no feelings at all, not for each other and not for ourselves. We were basically doing it because it was cool…”

Another was accused of not being a MAN because he was a virgin. What in the world does sex have to do with being a man? A twelve-year-old can have sex. Does that make him a man? I can see it. My German shepherd impregnates another dog, and a fraternity brother exclaims, “Wow, what a man!”

Findings show that those who lived together before marriage were more likely to disagree on such things as recreation, household duties and finances; they were more likely to seek marriage counseling; and they had broken up more often than those who had not lived together before marriage. The leading cause for breakup of cohabitating couples is sexual problems or dissatisfaction.

Sociologists compiled statistics several years ago indicating that 75% of those who live together break up. If you think stability and security are important, you have to look at that figure and say, “That’s not very good.”

The secret of a lasting marriage is for each person to focus on improving himself or herself and the quality of his or her character. In that way, one can become the right person for someone else to find. There’s no shopping involved.

Studies show that 50% of people who get married have been engaged at least once before. So being engaged really means nothing as far as having the security of knowing that you will be married to that person soon.

“Parents need to wake up to the fact that if they don’t show love to their kids, their kids will find love somewhere else—which might lead into premarital sex.”

“I think it’s time kids get the love they need at home, instead of in the back seat of an old Chevy.”

“It is obvious that the emotion teenagers fear most is loneliness. The thought of being without love leads most teenagers to believe that sex leads to love.

“I won’t try to pretend passionate physical exchange isn’t enjoyable. But I do want to say that outside of marriage, the enjoyment is short-lived. And when it is over you are left disappointed, looking for another fix to appease your lust, much like a drug addict craves another hit.”

“When I left my baby at the hospital the day after he was born, I left part of me with him. The problems and hurt caused by premarital sex far outweighed the benefits. I learned this the hard way. The one good thing that happened because of my pregnancy is that I received Jesus as my Savior.”

“The tragic reality among pregnant girls at my school is that many believed they would not conceive because they had sex only once, or they felt that only bad girls get pregnant.”

“The first reason is to increase our joy in the marriage relationship. God wants two virgins, free from guilt or shame, to enter into marriage undefiled. God does not want people burdened down with emotional scars entering into marriage. God desires two people who are so committed to His rules that they will abstain from premarital sex, entering into marriage with the certainty of each other’s purity. That is definite joy!”

“People should wait until marriage to engage in sex, because waiting gives your mind and body time they need to mature.” One of the marks of maturity is the ability to delay immediate gratification. Nonetheless, we live in a microwave society, a culture that insists on instant pleasure and a fast fix. In other words, our society is immature as a whole, and it encourages teenagers to live in the same way.

Involuntary Comparison of Sex Partners

“If I had sex with another girl, there are two things I know would happen. I would never be able to forget her, and because of that, I would compare her with my wife in the future. This would make it harder not only in my sexual relationship with my wife, but I also wouldn’t be able to accept her for her for who she really is. But if there are not past memories on which to base a comparison, then acceptance of my wife is so much easier.”

“My two friends must also deal with the problem of comparing their husbands to the men of their past relationships. Although guilt makes them feel hesitant of inhibited, they also fight the attitude of scorn or rejection for their husbands, who always seem to fall short, not measuring up to idealized memories or previous sexual encounters.”

“One young husband admitted that his relationship with his new wife wasn’t what he had hoped it would be. ‘It’s really my fault,’ he admitted. ‘Before we were married, I had several physical relationships with girlfriends. Now, whenever I kiss my wife or engage in love play, my memory reminds me that this girl could kiss better than my wife, that girl was better at something else and so forth. I can’t concentrate on loving my wife with all that I am—there have been too many women in my life to be wholly committed to one.”

Another man said, “I need your help. I am married to one of the most wonderful women I’ve ever met. I love her. I would do anything for her. But before I became a Christian, I was very active sexually, to the point where my sexual adventures became distorted and rather depraved.” At that point he began crying. “I would do anything, ANYTHING, to forget the sexual experiences I had before I met my wife. When we start having intercourse, the pictures of the past and the other women go though my head, and it’s killing any intimacy. I’m to the point where I don’t want to have sex because I can’t stand those memories. The truth is, I have been married to this wonderful woman for eight years and I have never been ‘alone’ in the bedroom with her.”

Another young man approached Josh McDowell and said, “I used to be sexually involved and look at a lot of pornographic magazines, and it has messed up my marriage. I got so hooked on being turned on by those pictures that I still have to have them. When I go to bed with my wife and have sex with her, I can’t even have an orgasm without a foldout next to her head on the pillow.” The woman’s self-image was destroyed. Her husband was having sex with her, but making love with the person in the picture.

“I remember two long-term relationships I had. I knew they would never amount to anything, but the excitement of sex made me a slave to pleasure. Like a drug, sex demanded heavier dosages to satisfy my desires. I began to use and exploit my girlfriends rather than love them.”

Many young people try to prove their love by sexual surrender. But when a relationship has no more unexplored dimensions, boredom usually sets in along with loss of respect. Sexual compromise is actually the surest way to end a good relationship. Ironically, it is also an effective way to prolong a bad relationship—many people end up marrying the wrong person because of the sexual involvement (a disastrous consequence that affects the rest of their lives).

Some studies show that twice as many engagements are broken among couples who have had intercourse… Furthermore…[these couples] are more likely to be divorced or separated or to indulge in adultery. One way or another, premarital intimacy is more closely connected to broken relationships than to solid ties.

“If I could give any reason as my most persuasive, it would be this: Many have given in to passion, as I did, in the heat of the moment. I have heard many say they regretted this. Other people have waited until they were married. I have yet to hear one of them say they were sorry.”

“Fact: Many men do not want to marry a woman who has had intercourse with someone else.”

“I want to save myself and my virginity for my wedding night. I believe it is a wedding present and a sign of love for my spouse.”

“Being patient about sex gives you the added security that your partner loves you and has based his decision to marry you on your character and qualities, not on heated passion.”

My Salvation Testimony

2008-07-03T18:57:00.003-05:00

In the spring of 2004, I was a happy 18 year old, enjoying life, I had more friends than I could count and more fun than I could ever imagine. I went to bed on a Saturday night with hunger pangs, but decided I didn't want to eat anything, so I went to sleep. The next morning, I woke up with stomach cramps, and felt miserable. Monday I made a doctors appointment, and had some tests ran, and I was diagnosed as having a case of food poisoning, given a prescription and sent on my way. I felt better for a day or so then regresses. After suffering for a few days, I made another appointment, and I was hospitalized due to severe dehydration. After more tests, I was told I had an ulcer, released then given a prescription. As the time went on, I began to lose a lot of weight, over 25 lbs. in less than 2 weeks and I was starting to see my problem was serious. I had some scopes done on my insides, and the doctor found my large intestine was full of ulcers and tissue inflammation, a disease known as Crohn’s disease. My organs were shutting down, I couldn’t eat without throwing it back up, and I thought I was going to die. I was at my worst, within hours of death on a Thursday, I begged my parents to take me to the doctor and they finally gave in. The doctor saw me, and decided I would be best served going to a larger hospital and arranged to have me hospitalized at Atchison, then transported to KU Med in Kansas City. I was transported to KU Med, where I was immediately put in intense treatment, to try to heal my insides, and clean myself out for more scopes. After 3 or 4 days without eating, I was discouraged and hopeless, but I know I needed to be cleaned out for the scopes. I remember praying the night before the scopes, and the next day, I came back completely clean. The ulcers had healed and I was sent home a couple days later. Being a rebellious teenager who didn't learn my lesson, I spent a lot of days with a friend and his girlfriend in Lawrence, Kansas, drinking and wrecking my body. After a few weeks I got homesick, and started coming back around my house, and I was on the internet late one night in a Yahoo chatroom, when a girl sent me an IM. Her name was Jessica, and she was a Christian from California, and after a few conversations I started developing a curiosity about Christianity. About that time, the Passion of the Christ came out on video, so my family rented it, and I watched it, and God began to wreck me. Watching the films portrayal of the suffering of Jesus convicted me, and opened my mind to a lot of questions. I called Jessica's mom and began asking a ton of questions, and she gave me reading assignments from the Bible, and I tried to understand, but things went over my head That Christmas, her family bought me my first Bible and I began to read a few parts of it, but wasn’t really interested. I decided I needed to go to church, called a Pastor, asked a few questions, then decided to go the following Sunday, January 16th. I wasn’t sure what to expect that Sunday, so I had my sister go with me. There was a Missionary speaker there that Sunday, who preached the gospel and the message began tearing at my soul. I had no clue I needed forgiveness of sins, I knew I was a sinner, but I didn't know I needed a savior. During the invitation I decided I wanted assurance that I would be going to heaven if I died, so I accepted Jesus as my personal savior. I began reading the Bible I was given and began attending that church regularly, being baptized on March 27, 2005 on Easter Sunday and became a member at the same time. I was given the chance to work there in April of that year, and I have been there ever since, the Lord has been good to me through my time as his child. I pray that he would keep me well, and would bless my work for him.

from TBC 6/27/08

2008-06-29T14:02:00.000-05:00

Many have called or written to inquire what our position is regarding Todd Bentley, Fresh Fire Ministries, and the Lakeland "Revival."

While Dave and T.A. have not written specifically to critique Mr. Bentley's ministry or address the current phenomenon in Lakeland, Florida, they have written extensively on the matters that directly relate to the foundation of Todd's techniques and source of inspiration.

Topics they have addressed repeatedly since the 1980s include: charismatic and evangelical mysticism, the incursion of New Age metaphysics and mind-science occultism into the church, New Spirituality, spiritism, divination, visualization, inner healing techniques, false signs and wonders, false christs, false prophets, false teachers, humanistic psychology, contemplative spirituality, the fallacies of so-called "strategic level spiritual warfare," Kingdom-Now and Kingdom-Dominion theology, false revivals, and other related concerns.

These terms and topics may be researched on our website, and are also found in many books by Dave Hunt and/or T.A. McMahon, including The Seduction of Christianity, which explores and explains the roots of mind-science occultism (illumination and mysticism) prevalent in both charismatic and postmodern teachings; and Occult Invasion, which includes chapters on "Charismatic/Evangelical Occultism," and "Spiritual Warfare and Revival." The former has been in print by Harvest House publishers since 1985; the latter is scheduled for re-release this fall from TBC.

Our general assessment of the events and reported phenomena now occuring in Lakeland--and wherever Todd Bentley and a host of associated neo-prophetic and neo-apostolic "revivalists" gather--is that while the human containers have changed, the ancient doctrines dispensed from these containers have not. What we are witnessing is nothing "new" but simply a perpetuation and expansion of the "Toronto Blessing" and the "Pensacola Outpouring" that is partly fueled by viral marketing (aided greatly by the internet) and self-fulfilling predictions that encourage "hungry" sign-seeking believers to mass-migrate to Benny Hinn-style events.

What Is In The Closet Reveals What Is In The Heart

2008-06-29T13:53:00.000-05:00

What Is In The Closet Reveals What Is In The Heart

Jim Van Gelderen

If you want to live dangerously, open a teenager's closet in their absence. It may be the last thing you do on earth! You might find yourself buried alive. On a more serious note, if want to live dangerously, figuratively open a teenager's closet. Take next Sunday morning to teach a lesson or preach a message on dress and get specific in your application from the Bible. The truth is not only teens, but adults as well, need this kind of message, but can at times react to it. Why? Because someone's clothes is a part of who they are. Proverbs 4:23 warns, "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." One of those "issues of life" is the clothes one buys and wears. One's wardrobe really does reflect who they are. Let's note a couple of things one's clothes can reveal about what is in their heart.

UNFAITHFULNESS

My father was born in 1924 in Miami, FL. I remember his describing the typical swim attire of his day. The swimming suit would blouse over the shoulder and go down to the elbow. The suit would also go over the torso and down to the knees. Obviously this swimming suit was very modest compared to today. A couple of years ago, I was perusing through a "reminisce type" magazine when I noticed a black and white photo of a crowded beach. I am assuming it came from the early part of the 1900s. I was amazed at how I could look at the photo and there not be temptation by provocative or immodest dress. My point is this, we've changed and the change reveals a change in the hearts Americans.

Every person is either nurturing faithfulness to a present or future spouse or they are nurturing unfaithfulness to a present or future spouse. This can often be discerned by a young ladies deportment and dress. I Timothy 2:8,9 says, "I will therefore . . . that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness . . ." According to Ralph Earle on the word "apparel", "Arndt and Gingrich furnish this definition: ' Deportment, outward, as it expresses itself in clothing . . . as well as inward . . . and probably both at the same time.' " This means that God is not only concerned about the clothes a young lady puts on, but how she carries herself. I have traveled for eighteen years with young men on the Minutemen Evangelistic Team. Why is it that we could go into a Christian school and one of the team members would remark about how he was going to stay away from a young lady because she was "loose"? Christian schools have dress codes. Obviously this kind of girl dresses on the edge, but the issue is also her deportment. Christian young ladies should carry themselves in a manner that is discreet, modest, appropriate and not at all forward or seductive. I wonder where flirting fits in? Maybe this verse of Scripture teaches us it doesn't!

This Scripture also teaches us that women are to dress "in modest apparel, with shamefacedness." John MacArthur* in his commentary on I Timothy gave this definition for "shamefacedness". "At its core is the idea of shame. A godly woman would be ashamed and feel guilt if she . . . contributed to someone's lustful thought." For the female readers this question is in order. How do you react if a man whistled at you in a way that was inappropriate and sensual? Does that cause you to blush or do you like that kind of attention? I remember one day my mother received an obscene phone call while I was listening. As soon as she knew what was going on, she roasted the guy and closed with, "Don't you ever call here again!" With that she slammed down the phone and then stewed in disgust about it for awhile. My mother was shamefaced.

Spiros Zodiahtes defined "shamefacedness as "an innate moral repugnance to a dishonorable act or fashion." What do you do when you see immodest models or advertisements? Do you wish you could dress that way or do you have a repugnance for the provocative dress? What do you do when you come across a picture of Brittany Spears? Do you blush and turn away or do you think that would be great to dress that way? Do you shop at stores that cater to sensual clothing (like Abercombie and Fitch)? Shamefaced Christians have a innate moral repugnance to a dishonorable fashion.

A woman who is nurturing faithfulness will not want to dress or carry herself in a way that causes men to be drawn to her in an inappropriate manner. She is keeping herself for one. She is shamefaced. Her clothes reveal it. Tragically this inner quality is becoming increasing rare even in our Bible believing churches. Men, if we let our daughters and wives watch these night time "slops" (They are not "soaps". There is nothing clean about them.), they are going to get an appetite to dress like the Hollywood harlots do. It is a man's responsibility to protect the women (wife and daughters) God has given him. Modesty is a great protection from wicked men. Immodestly leaves women vulnerable to wicked men and teaches them to nurture unfaithfulness.

For the men the issue is not as much dress which reveals a faithful or unfaithful heart (though it can be), but what kind of dress are you attracted to. James 4:8 is in a passage that is exhorting the one who has fallen into spiritual adultery because of "friendship with the world" to get right with God. This spiritual "two timer" is challenged with these words, "Cleanse your hands ye sinners and purify your hearts ye doubleminded." If you are doubleminded and you purify your heart, you would no longer be doubleminded but singleminded. This teaches us that the essence of purity is singlemindedness. A man is to keep his mind for his wife entirely. A man who let his mind wander to sensual or immodest images is not nurturing singlemindedness, but multimindedness. That is why defeat in what you watch on the TV, or what Internet sites you visit, or what movies you watch, or what magazines you look at, reveals that you are nurturing unfaithfulness in your heart and are destroying the foundation for a solid marriage (whether or not you are married). It is a big deal!

Are you nurturing faithfulness or unfaithfulness for your future or present spouse? Check your closet, ma'am. Check what fashions your looking at, sir. Why? Because what is in your closet reveals what is in your heart.

WORLDLINESS

A few years ago Abercombie and Fitch changed their marketing plan and began to market on teenage sensuality. Unfortunately it was a huge success (which is an indictment on our culture). It seems though that many Christian kids don't get it, because in the average youth group, Abercombie and Fitch is commonly seen. What ever happened to Romans 12:1 and 2? I have noticed certain styles that are associated with worldly subcultures become prevalent on youth group members. What ever happened to Romans 12:1 and 2? About the mid 90's grunge and alternative rock brought a new wave a hair styles that have not left us. Recently I have seen many youth group kids who look like they are trying to win a Backstreet Boys look a like contest? What ever happened to Romans 12:1 and 2? I have noticed far too many of our Christian college students who look more interested in looking like NSync than looking like "strangers and pilgrims." What ever happened to Romans 12:1 and 2? Some of the new breed of youth pastor has fallen into this as well. If a young man is more interested in looking like the latest pop rock group, he is living in direct opposition to The Word of God.

Romans 12:2 says, "Be not conformed to this world." Kenneth Wuest defines the word, "conformed" as "the act of assuming an outward appearance patterned after some certain thing, an appearance or expression which does not conform and is not representative of one's inmost and true nature. It refers here to the act of a child of God assuming as an outward expression the habits, mannerisms, dress, speech expressions, and behavior of the world out from which God saved him, thus not giving a true expression of what he is …" Conformity is looking on the outside what you are not on the inside. In other words, God is saying if you are saved child of God on the inside, it should be reflected on the outside. The world should not be, as I heard one preacher say, "pressing you into its mold". This is not only dealing with dress but, as Wuest says, also "habits, mannerisms" and "speech expressions." Why is it some Christian always have the latest worldly lingo? Could it be they are more interested in what Hollywood has to say than the Holy Word?

Do you have a love for the world and its look? Check your closet. Because what is in the closet reveals what is in your heart.

CONCLUSION

Although this article may seem to be more geared for teenagers, I would like to challenge the preachers reading this article with this thought. How are the teenagers in church doing? Does the outside reflect the "saved" inside? Perhaps God would use a bold, Scriptural, Spirit-filled message or two to help. A few years ago I heard a well respected Fundamentalist evangelist talk about sitting on the platform of church in the 60s or 70s where he periodically held meetings. He looked out and noticed long hair on some of the men and boys and short skirts on some of the teen girls and adult women. He leaned over to the pastor who was his good friend and pointed out his observation. The pastor had evidently become desensitized to it, but nobly said to the evangelist, "Go after it." At the end of the meeting, men had been to barber shop and the women had been to sewing machine. Spirit led, Scriptural, empowered preaching changes lives!

Obviously we are after a change of heart, but a change of heart will reveal itself in a change of life. Inward transformation is seen in external change. That is why a visit to our closet may reveal what is in our heart.

________________________

*I am not giving a blanket endorsement on John McArthur. I am
quoting him as a Greek scholar.

from ptwm.org

You Can’t Judge Someone’s Spirituality

2008-06-29T13:51:00.000-05:00

You Can’t Judge Someone’s Spirituality

Jim Van Gelderen

Recently, I was at a meeting where some preachers were discussing a coming ministry project. When the conversation turned to music, the comment was made, “You can’t judge someone’s spirituality by their music.” Although the statement didn’t seem quite right, it wasn’t until a bit later that I was struck with how wanting the statement was when matched up against the Scripture.

All of us are familiar with the command God has given each one of us to “be filled with the Spirit.” What we may not readily remember is that this mandate is followed by five participles. Each of these participles hinges off the verb “be filled.” There is a language like here. I believe they are participles of result. Perhaps a Greek scholar would argue for another usage, but that is not the point. The action of “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” is related to being “filled with the Spirit.” In other words, Spirit-filled believers are involved with “spiritual songs.”

One of the earmarks of a Spirit-filled believer is that his music is spiritual and not carnal. Often in the New Testament the word “spiritual” is contrasted with the word “carnal.” Obviously when God by inspiration put the adjective “spiritual” on the noun “songs,” it was for a reason. Spirit-filled people are not involved with carnal, fleshly or sensual songs especially in a worship context. They are involved in singing “spiritual songs.” Someone might well ask, “What is spiritual music and what is fleshly music?” Simply put, spiritual music appeals to the spirit and fleshly music appeals to the flesh. Why does a barroom use the music it does? It is because that music is consistent with its appeal to the flesh. Why does a nightclub use the music it does? It is for the same reason. Think how humorous it is to imagine John Phillips Souza playing in a barroom. The music is obviously inconsistent with the atmosphere. In 1975 Time magazine did a poll of 1,000 unmarried girls in North Florida. The poll “revealed 984 of the 1,000 unmarried girls sampled had become pregnant listening to pop songs -during fornication, of course.” That is astounding! The tragedy is the pop style of the 70’s is what is being played in our churches. And as a result the flesh is being fed right in our churches. Of course this is not new. In Exodus 32 you find the golden calf incident. The New Testament calls it idolatry. Why was it called idolatry? I Corinthians 10:7 answers that question. “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Note what God called idolatry. It was not the making of the golden calf. It was their sensuality in the context of worship. “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Remember, this was “a feast to the Lord.” Folks, when we bring the flesh and sensuality into so-called worship, it is idolatry!

That means if one is involved in listening to or performing or singing sensual, carnal music, he is not Spirit filled. That is God’s Word. People “filled with the Spirit” use “spiritual songs.” One might say, “Well, I went to this Christian concert and 100 teens were saved. How can that be wrong?” Or, “I feel so close to God after listening to this music. How can it be wrong?” And the answer is obvious. It does not matter how we feel or what are the visible results. Objective truth of God’s Word supersedes the vacillating subjective experiences of man.

One may be sincere. He may be genuine. But if he is involved with carnal songs, he is not filled with the Spirit, and therefore he is not spiritual. You see, you can judge a person’s spirituality by their music. Ephesians 5:18-19 tells us so.

from www.ptwm.org

Is CCM Idolatry?

2008-06-29T13:43:00.000-05:00

Is CCM Idolatry?

Jim Van Gelderen

The scene must have been awesome –Moses coming down from the mount with the dew of heaven on his brow. The awe of the presence of the Almighty surely filled his heart. If he was ever walking with God, would it have not been then? The prophet comes upon a scene of utter debauchery. Not only does he see a graven image, he sees dancing, sensual dancing at that. Righteous indignation wells within his breast. His nostrils flare as he takes the tablets and casts them down. Why such a response? Moses had just witness idolatry.

What was it about the golden calf incident that made it idolatry? Was it because the children of Israel were worshipping a heathen deity? At first glance one may think so, but a closer investigation reveals that in their thinking they were worshipping Jehovah God. Aaron said in Exodus 32:5, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Some may ask, “What about the comment, ‘These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.’ Doesn’t this comment prove they were worshipping a heathen deity?” The answer is an emphatic “no!” The word for “gods” is Elohim. This is the same word translated “God.” In fact Nehemiah 9:18 recounting this incident says, “Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt…” Notice the singular demonstrative pronoun. This passage reveals that the people were calling the golden calf, “God.”

So what made the golden calf incident idolatry? The best commentary on this is found in I Cor. 10:7 “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Note what Scripture Paul cites to prove they were idolaters. It was not a quotation that talks of the golden calf or a graven image. It is a text that talks about their sensuality in the context of “worship” of Jehovah God. “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” The commentator Bush calls this conduct “wanton.” Davis comments, “The nakedness of the people (v. 25) further substantiates the fact that the activity associated with the worship of the golden calf included sensuous fertility practices common to the people about Israel.” As Davis mentions, the word “naked” does make the sensuality aspect clear. A quick word study validates this claim even more. Also, remember that “Moses’ anger waxed hot” when “he saw the calf, and the dancing.” Given the context this “worship” dancing had to have been sensual. And it caused God’s man to burn with righteous indignation.

When you include sensuality in your “worship” you have stepped into idolatry. You have changed your concept of God to condone something the God of the Bible condemns. The golden calf incident included music. Not only was there “dancing,” but also there was music. Did not Moses say, “It is…the noise of them that sing do I hear”? Thus it follows, when you allow sensual music into your “worship” you have stepped into idolatry. You have changed your concept of God. You may call your god “Jehovah,” but if he winks at what God hates, he is false.

Years ago I was talking to some unsaved young men I was trying to reach with the gospel. Their music was blaring so I asked them, “Why do you like this stuff?” One young man quickly responded, “It’s great for picking up the girls.” He was honest about the sensual aspects of his music. When you use this kind of music to “worship,” you have stepped into idolatry.

Some will say, “Well I don’t think sensual thoughts when I listen to CCM. It doesn’t bother me that way.” The question I would then ask is this: “What would you tell a Ted Bundy, who said that he could look at soft-core pornography, and it would not even bother him?” If you’re thinking, your response would be something like this: “Well, he obviously has been desensitized to the pornography.” Exactly, and that is the problem with the response, “It doesn’t bother me that way.” That kind of person has so listened to that style of music that it doesn’t bother him anymore. I personally find it grossly offensive to hear sensual music in church. Some will say, “Well, that’s your problem.” If we could take a fourteen-year-old boy from Puritan New England, and put him on the average American beach during the summer, would he have a problem. Yes, he would. Is that his problem? Obviously not. He has never been exposed to that kind of sensual dress before. He has not become desensitized. He should be protected not mocked. I plead for the same kind of sane thinking for those who are bothered by the sensual beat of CCM. There have been times where I have been very uncomfortable with the sensuality of so-called Christian music in church services. The problem is not mine, but those who have brought the sensuality into the church. My contention is this. CCM has changed their “God” so he not only winks at sensual music, he desires it in “worship.” CCM’s “God” is not the Holy One of the sacred page. Some will say that such a thing has not happened to CCM. Over a decade ago I picked up a CCM newspaper produced by WORD. One of the articles was by John Fischer. The newspaper described Fischer this way: “John Fischer is probably the most well-known pioneer of what is now called ‘contemporary Christian music’ –pop music of various genres with pro-Christian and pro-moral lyrics.” Fischer gives a testimony of how contemporary Christian music began. His concept of God should leave you aching.

“For me, and in some ways for you too, contemporary Christian
music began in that car. It was a warm night, and I had been to
church enjoying by friends. I remember feeling particularly close
to God when I got in the car and started up the engine to drive
home. As I turned the key, the radio blared right where I had left
it, and the energy of Beatlemania filled the car.

“My first impression was embarrassment for God; He was certainly
not interested in listening to this. But as I reached to turn off the
radio, He had a surprise for me. The closest I can come to expressing
what happened in the next instant would be for you to imagine God
appearing next to me in the car as George Burns in the movie ‘Oh God!’

“‘Wait a minute, kid,’ He said dryly. ‘Leave it on. You know, I kind of
like this stuff.’ I watched in shock as He smiled at me through a
casual puff of cigar smoke and swayed His head ever so slightly with
the music…‘She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah.’

“He leaned toward me so He could speak more carefully and still be
heard over the music. ‘Do you really think all I want to hear are the
funeral dirges they play for Me in church every Sunday? Really. Who
made the music in the first place? Who gave these guys the ability
to do what they do? Look kid, if four mop heads from Liverpool can
capture the world for their own glory and a good time, imagine what
you can do for My sake. Think about it.’ I drive home half crying, half
laughing, knowing my life and future would be greatly affected by that
moment in my Dad’s ’57 Ford.”

Folks, that is idolatry. It is blasphemy to use George Burns as a caricature of the Almighty. This picture of “God” is not the God of the Bible. If this is the beginning of CCM, maybe it should tell us something about its “God.”

Is CCM idolatry? If it changes its concept of God to include the sensual in “worship,” the answer is yes. If it changes the concept of God to that of a carnal lover the answer is yes. If it changes the concept of God to that of George Burns, the answer is yes. If it changes the concept of God to anything that is not biblical, the answer is yes.

Rules for Daily Life

2008-06-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

Begin the day with God;
Kneel down to Him in prayer;
Lift up thy heart to His abode.
And seek his love to share.

Open the Book of God,
And read a portion there;
That it may hallow all thy thoughts,
And sweeten all they care.

Ho through the day with God,
Whate'er thy work may be;
Where'er thou art--at home, abroad,
He still is near to thee.

Converse in mind with God,
Thy spirit heavenward raise:
Acknowledge every good bestowed,
And offer grateful praise.

Conclude the day with God,
Thy sins to him confess;
Trust in the Lord's atoning blood,
And plead His righteousness.

Lie down at night with God
Who gives His servants sleep;
And when thou tread'st the vale of death,
He will thee gaurd and keep.

KJVO Questions

2008-02-14T19:22:00.000-06:00

I'm not talkin about folks who prefer KJV, I'm talkin about the folks who say it's the ONLY right English version.

1. If the KJV is perfect, why did they have to revise it four times?

2.Why do KJV only folks reject the apocrypha seeing it was in the original 1611 version?

3.If the KJV was perfect, why did the original translators put in alternate readings in the margins? If you said the printers did it, how in the world would printers get the learnin to know of such differences in the greek?

4. When there is a difference between the KJV English and the TR Greek, why do you believe that the Greek was wrong and the KJV English is correct?

5.In defending the KJV's use of archaic language, do you really think it is a good thing that a person must use an Early Modern English dictionary just to understand the Bible in casual reading? If you're answer is that people just need to ask God for revelation, then why not just hand someone a greek and hebrew copy of the bible and expect God to reveal that too?

6.Is it not ridiculous to suggest that when the TR disagrees with the KJV that Greek TR has errors, but the KJV doesn't? Is this not the ultimate example of "translation worship"? (Reject the original in favour of the translation)

7.If the Textus Receptus is the error free text, then why are the last 6 verses of Revelation absence from the TR, yet present in the KJV? Did you know that for these verses, the Latin Vulgate was translated into Greek which was then translated into English - a translation of a translation of a translation?

8.Why do KJV only advocates believe that the English of the KJV is clearer and more precise than the original Greek language manuscripts? Why should Bible students throw out their Greek dictionaries and buy an "archaic English" dictionary? Are there not word pictures in the original Greek words that the English cannot easily convey? (Jas 2:19 "tremble"; Greek: PHRISSO, indicates to be rough, to bristle. is a powerful word picture of how the demons are in such terror that their skin is rough with goose pimples. Also differences between "agape" and "phileo" love words.)

9.Why would the translators use book headings like "The Gospel According to Saint Luke" since the Greek merely says "The Gospel According to Luke". Does not this show that the translators were influenced by their contemporary theology and the Catholic false doctrine of "sainthood"?

10.If the KJV is error free in the English, then why did they fail to correctly distinguish between "Devil and Demons" (Mt 4:1-DIABOLOS and Jn 13:2-DAIMONIZOMAI) ; "hades and hell" (see Lk 16:23-HADES and Mt 5:22-GEENNA; Note: Hades is distinct from hell because hades is thrown into hell after judgement: Rev 20:14)

11.How can you accept that the Textus Receptus is perfect and error free when Acts 9:6 is found only in the Latin Vulgate but absolutely no Greek manuscript known to man? Further, how come in Rev 22:19 the phrase "book of life" is used in the KJV when absolutely ALL known Greek manuscripts read "tree of life"?

12.Must we possess a perfectly flawless bible translation in order to call it "the word of God"? If so, how do we know "it" is perfect? If not, why do some "limit" "the word of God" to only ONE "17th Century English" translation? Where was "the word of God" prior to 1611? Did our Pilgrim Fathers have "the word of God" when they brought the GENEVA BIBLE translation with them to North America?

13.WHEN was the KJV "given by inspiration of God" — 1611, or any of the KJV major/minor revisions in 1613, 1629, 1638, 1644, 1664, 1701, 1744, 1762, 1769, and the last one in 1850?

14.Did the KJV translators mislead their readers by saying that their New Testament was "translated out of the original Greek"? [title page of KJV N.T.] Were they "liars" for claiming to have "the original Greek" to translate from?

15.Since the revisions of the KJV from 1613-1850 made (in addition to changes in punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) many hundreds of changes in words, word order, possessives, singulars for plurals, articles, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, entire phrases, and the addition and deletion of words — would you say the KJV was "verbally inerrant" in 1611, 1629, 1638, 1644, 1664, 1701, 1744, 1762, 1769, or 1850?

Three Questions About Speaking In Tongues

2008-02-03T16:37:00.000-06:00

Three Questions About Speaking In Tongues

Many people say they are able to speak in tongues today as some in New Testament times did. They claim this power is given by the Holy Spirit. By looking at three questions about tongue speaking we can know whether or not this miraculous gift is still available today.

Question #1. What was tongue speaking as we read of it in the New Testament? This is an important question. As we answer it from the Bible we will see that tongue speaking in New Testament times was something totally different from the so-called tongue speaking today. Look at the second chapter of Acts to see the difference. First of all notice verses 1-4: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

These verses refer to the apostles who had been promised the power of the Holy Spirit by Jesus (Acts 1:8). They had been waiting for that power which enabled them to speak in other tongues. Now, what is meant by "tongues?" The answer is seen by looking at other verses.

In verse 6 of Acts 2, we read, "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Notice the words "in his own language." What was called "tongues" in verse 4 is referred to as "language" in verse 6. But it was a language known to some of those who were in the audience. Then in verses 7 and 8 we read "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, where in we were born?" Notice the expression "in our own tongue." Can we not see that the words "tongue" and "language" mean the same thing? These people heard the apostles preaching to them in their native tongues or languages. The miracle was upon the apostles. The Holy Spirit gave them the power to speak languages they had never studied!

Today, those who claim to be "Pentecostal" in their practice of tongue speaking are not doing what was done on Pentecost at all. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit gave the apostles the power to communicate the gospel to people in the native languages of those people. Such is not being done today.

Question #2. "Who was able to speak in tongues during New Testament times?" There were three groups in the New Testament who could speak in tongues, or languages they had never studied. The first group was the apostles, as we have already noted. They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost which gave them this power. The second group included those people to whom the apostles gave this power by laying their hands on them. This is the way this miraculous gift was given. One example of this is seen in Acts 19. There certain disciples were given this power by the laying on of the Apostle Paul's hands. Notice verses 5 and:. "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
Is there an apostle still living today? No. So there is no one who can give this power to anyone else. And no one is still alive today who was given this power by an apostle. Therefore, the gift of tongue speaking is not available today.

"But what about Cornelius and his household?" someone asks. They spoke in tongues without an apostle laying his hands on them. This is true, but this third group which spoke in tongues in the New Testament was a special group. Cornelius spoke in tongues as a sign that the Gentiles were to receive the gospel along with the Jews. You see, until the events recorded in Acts 10 and 11 occurred, only the Jews had received the gospel. But here God was making it clear that the Gentiles were also to hear the gospel. To make this clear to the Christians (former Jews) who were present at the house of Cornelius, God gave the Holy Spirit directly to these Gentiles. By doing so, no one who saw it could deny that this was the work of God. It was a special event for a special purpose. It happened only one time. The gospel is still being preached to the Gentiles, but no person is receiving the Holy Spirit as Cornelius did. Therefore, no person is speaking in tongues as he did.

So we see the three groups in the New Testament who spoke in tongues. Each did so for a specific and special purpose. Those purposes do not exist today, and no one is speaking in tongues today.

Question #3. Was the gift of tongue speaking to cease, and if so, when? The answer is "Yes." This gift of the Holy Spirit was to end when the New Testament was completed. This was clearly stated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. The verses tell us: "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

Paul refers to "that which is perfect." The word "perfect" means complete or whole. At the time Paul wrote, the revelation from God was not in its final written form. Now it is complete. "That which is perfect" (the New Testament) has come and that which was "in part" (miraculous gifts) has been done away. So we can see that Paul's inspired prediction has come true.

Tongue speaking in the New Testament referred to speaking in foreign languages not known to the speaker. There were three groups in the New Testament able to speak in tongues miraculously. None of these groups is present today. The miraculous gift of tongue speaking was limited in time to the period before the New Testament was completed. That time has come and gone, and so has the ability to speak in tongues, along with all other miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit. We have the Word of God. Let us follow it in all things and teach only the truth.

8 Dating Tips for Christians

2008-01-07T12:01:00.001-06:00

1. Establish for yourself standards. Don't ever compromise them. You may choose to modify them, as a reslut of time in prayer and Bible study, but never in response to pressure from a significant other. This includes time with God, and with godly people, asking for a clear knowledge of what you can and cannot deal with in a romantic partner. An example would be something as mundane as teasing: will your boyfriend's/girlfirend's sense of humor be a sore-spot? If you can't get over it, find someone else.

2. Look for someone whose faith is visible in the Fruit of the Spirit. No one will be perfect, but when the guy/gal occasionally hurts your feelings, as they inevitably will, is he man enough/is she woman enough to grovel in humble apology? Does he/she get around to asking forgiveness in a reasonable amount of time? Further, does he/she do those small kindnesses, give you those compliments, out of the blue? Finally, is he/she like that with most people in the first place? There are other virtues as well. If you don't see at least the beginning of such things, you can be sure that you will be taken for granted.

3. The one most worth having is the one who doesn't need you. Desperate longing is a short step from obsession. If they need something we have (aside from Christ), then they will feel compelled to do things to control that supply. If they see that need as being supplied by God through you, they have no need to control you. This applies to ourselves as well. Romance as God's gift to us is an extension of Christian fellowship. They shouldn't need you, but should want you anyway. They should find your company pleasant, not just enjoy holding you. Have you ever just sat and talked about things?

4. Focus on being, not on finding. Seek the Lord first, and He will take care of the details. Be the godly woman/man He called you to be, and His choice will find you. Turn off the radar. Don't get so wrapped up in romance that it monopolizes your waking hours. Further, any romance that is God's choice for today is subject to recall when it has served His purpose. Keep your eyes on the Giver, not the gift. I'm still friends with some former girlfriends because of this. I've never suffered an emotional break-up since putting this in practice.

5. You can always walk away. Don't become addicted. When it's no longer right, He will give you the strength to follow His will. That says nothing of the possible pain, only that you can deal with it. This is connected to the image of God's promise to generously supply all we could ever have use for. He said that it was already there, waiting for our use. The problem is that we all too often look for it in the wrong place. If you refuse to stand under the umbrella of God's protection, don't complain if you get wet.

6.Date your friends; never date a stranger. You should choose to date someone because you believe it is plausible to marry them. This requires, of course, that you hang out with fellow-believers. Remember the Principle of Propinquity. Your best chance of finding someone worthy is to be often in the company of God's people. Go out with someone you can trust to at least want to follow His will.

7. Missionary dating doesn't work. You can't change someone while you are dating them. Any changes they seem to make at your request are likely to be superficial. Further, you cannot join Jesus with Satan. Anyone not devoted to Jesus is, by default, serving Satan.

8. Cultivate a confessor. This is a basic principle of Christian living. It's a matter of having someone to whom you are accountable, someone who has proven capable of accepting you uncritically. If there is no one with whom you can share your deepest, darkest secrets and fears, you already have tremendous spiritual problems. This confessor can help you keep a clear head in the turmoil of dating.

Why do many Christians accept evolution? (from AiG)

2008-01-07T11:59:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, many Christians—in fact, many pastors—accept some form of evolution and try to add it to the Bible. They say that God could have used evolutionary processes over millions of years to bring about plants, animals, and finally man. Many accept molecule-to-man evolution because they believe that science has “proven” that the earth is millions of years old, so they simply attach God to the process.

But this view, called “theistic evolution,” is actually destructive to the gospel message. Of course, this does not mean that people who believe in theistic evolution aren’t Christians, since the Bible teaches that believing in and confessing Christ’s death and resurrection is the key to salvation. However, they are being very inconsistent in their faith.
The Bible clearly teaches that when God created Adam and Eve, the world was perfect (i.e., “very good”). There was no death and bloodshed. But because of the sin of Adam, God brought death as a judgment into the world. Of course, He also provided a means by which man could be reconciled to his Creator.

But a Christian who believes in evolution over eons as told by evolutionists must also believe that God used death and bloodshed over millions of years as a way to bring man into existence. For them, the fossil record is not a sign of God’s judgment in the Flood, but of the cruel nature of the world they believe God created. However, if death is not a result of the Fall, then why would God need to send His Son to save us from death? In this view, cancer, pain, and death would simply be part of the original plan.

But thank God this is not the true history of the world. Death came into the world because of sin, but Christ came to the earth and died to save us from sin and death. There is no room for death before sin, and no room for the evolutionary myth in the Bible.

Christian Humor

2008-01-07T11:42:00.001-06:00

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is thereanything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments." Answered the lady.

Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in theworld. There are those who wake up in the morning and say,"Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

A preacher parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don'tgive you a ticket I'll lose my job. "Lead us not into temptation.

"There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday andannounced to his congregation: "I have good news and badnews. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for ournew building program. The bad news is, it's still out there inyour pockets."

While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust."

A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy. "Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked. "You know -Our Father, who does art in Heaven...

"A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied,"What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy." The young boy replied excitedly, "It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

"Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, thePastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."

Wine in the Bible

2008-01-07T11:40:00.000-06:00

A lot of people think that the Bible condones drinking of alcohol because it talks about wine. They say, "Didn't Jesus make wine for a wedding?"
What many people don't know is that the word "wine" in the Bible is a generic term. The context (words before and after the word wine) in each case indicates whether it was fermented or not.
In, Isaiah 16:10b, grape juice is called "wine" (yayin) when it is still in the press, saying, "No treaders will tread out wine in the presses" where it clearly cannot be fermented yet.
Now, "Did Jesus make alcohol for the wedding in Cana? We find the story in, John 2:1-11, in the New Testament.
The person in charge of the wedding, after he had tasted the wine Jesus had just made, commented…"you have kept the good wine until now." Good wine was fresh grape juice, the fermented grape juice was considered inferior.
Another way we know that this was not an alcoholic drink is because Jesus always obeyed the Father. In, Proverbs 23:31 and 32 it commands, "Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper." No, Jesus did NOT make a fermented wine at this wedding, but rather He gave a wedding gift of at least 120 gallons of fresh unfermented grape juice.
In another place in the Bible, Deuteronomy 32:33, it says fermented wine is poison. Alcohol is a toxic mind-altering drug. Alcohol causes ill effects on the digestive, muscular, skeletal, nervous and circulatory systems. It causes cirrhosis of the liver, jaundice, pancreatitis, and blackouts along with many other sicknesses.
The Bible says wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses fights, whoever is led astray by it is not wise! Proverbs 20:1
We need to trust God's Word, God does not lie. The misunderstanding is with us; because in our culture all wine is fermented, but not in the Bible.
Some people also think the Bible encourages drinking of a little alcohol because Paul told Timothy, "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities." Paul was telling Timothy to drink grape juice for medicinal purposes. Remember the Bible does not use the word "grape juice", but always the word "wine" which can be either fermented or unfermented depending on the context.
Getting drunk should not be taken lightly because the Bible says: "Don't you know that those who live immoral lives, who are idol worshipers, adulterers or homosexuals-will have no share in His Kingdom. Neither thieves or greedy people, 'drunkards', slanderers, or robbers." 1 Cor. 6:10.
Many young people today drink to get drunk. God's Word has something to say about this also: "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on their nakedness!" Habakkuk 2:15.

How Many Christians Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb?

2008-01-07T11:38:00.000-06:00

How Many Christians Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb

Charismatics: Only one. Hands are already in the air.

Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.

Presbyterians: None. Lights will come on and go off at predestined times.

Roman Catholic: None. Candles only.

Baptists: At least 15. One to change the bulb and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad.

Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix the drinks and one to talk about how much better the old one was.

Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.

Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light! bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incadescent, flourescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.

Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull, or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb, turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. Church wide lighting service is planned for Sunday. Bring bulb of your choice and a covered dish.

Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men review church lighting policy.

Lutherans: None. Lutherans don't believe in change.

Amish: What's a light bulb?

Gay Marriage

2008-01-07T11:35:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

There will be a marriage amendment on the ballot for the April 5th election, and this is important to the people of Kansas for many reasons. It means the validity of marriage could fall apart as we know it. The scripture gives us the idea of what marriage is, Genesis 2:18 says "The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him," and in Genesis 2:24, " For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Also, in Ephesians 5:25,"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Did you read that? Where does that say anything about same-sex marriage? Holy marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. "If marriage is no longer the union of one man and one woman but rather any persons who want to cohabit, who is to say that it must be limited to two people? Why not a trio of three men and women? And why not one man with two wives or ten? Afterall, we must extend "equal rights" to all individuals to live according to any arrangement they wish. The end result is the destruction of marriage as we know it, with children as the losers."-Dr. Erwin Lutzer. If gay marriage is legalized, they will be able to adopt children, and children will be exposed to their questionable lifestyles. They will think it is fine to live a sexually promiscuous lifestyle. With all this being done, the Christian lifestyle will suffer. The scripture says in Lev. 18:22, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable," and also in Lev. 20:13, "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." Gods word is very clear on this. So I think its obvious. Gods word says to love these people and pray for their salvation from their lifestyles, but Gods attitude towards same-sex marriage is the same as its been since the creation and it is our job to keep it that way.

Raymond Wilfong

Tongues Have Ceased – The Scriptural Proof By Lucien J. Le Sage, Jr.

2008-01-07T11:34:00.001-06:00

Tongues Have Ceased – The Scriptural ProofBy Lucien J. Le Sage, Jr.

"Whether there be tongues, they shall cease…" (1Cor 13:8). It is my belief that the Bible teaches that the Biblical gift of tongues has ceased for our present day, and I will attempt to show that the present day tongues movement is not the tongues of the 1st century Church.

It is remarkable to me that people can read 1st Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 and come away and say that Paul was encouraging the use of tongues rather than trying to wean the infant church of the Apostolic age away from the use of tongues and prepare them for the time that they would cease.

The Purpose of Signs and WondersWe need to start by first establishing the Biblical basis for signs and wonders. The Jews had been under the Mosaic system of worship for some time and had long waited for the promised Messiah. So, when Christ came on the scene and the Apostles preached Jesus to be the Son of God, some proof was necessary so that men, especially the Jews, would have no excuse to reject the Gospel message. The Jews were zealous of signs for proof of anything. You may remember that the scribes and Pharisees wanted a sign from Jesus (Matt 12:38). Jesus' answer to them was "an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign" (Matt 12:39). It is one thing for God to grant signs, but another to seek after signs in order to believe. The fact that the Jews were zealous of signs is made evident by Paul's words in 1Cor 1:22 where he states, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom."

The Bible tells us that the apostles authenticated what they were preaching with signs and wonders. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" (Heb 2:3-4). Notice the writer says "them" and not "us." In the days that Christ's apostles preached they only had the Old Testament and were preaching that the Old Testament ceremonial system had been replaced. They were preaching that Messiah had come and fulfilled all that the Old Economy's system of worship had pointed to. That was a thing that needed to be backed up by signs and wonders. Now, how do we back up what we are preaching to be true? By the Bible, and nothing else! As Paul said, "Let God be true and every man a liar." (Rom 3:4) Jesus tells us that His "word is truth" (John 17:17).

Concerning the purpose of signs during the time immediately following Christ's resurrection and ascension we read in Mark's gospel, "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" (Mk 16:20). It should be pointed out at this point that tongues were for a sign, not to them that believe but to them that believe not (1Cor 14:22).

Biblical Tongues were a LanguageThe second thing that needs to be pointed out is that the tongues of the New Testament church were a language and not as one writer put it, "Shung da la mee ah" over and over. In the Acts of the Apostles we see that on the day of Pentecost that the disciples spoke in the native languages of men from other regions who had come to Jerusalem to worship as Jews. These devout Jewish men from various nations heard the disciples speak the wonderful works of God in their native tongue. "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" (Act 2:7-8). (See Acts 2:8-11 for the languages that they spoke.) The disciples spoke these languages without ever having learned them. I have heard it said that after a very young age if a man learns another language, he speaks that language with an accent. Yet these men were amazed that the disciples, who were all Galileans, spoke their native languages as though they were the disciple's own language. "Are not all these which speak Galilaeans?" they asked. This was truly a sign and a wonder from God. Now, if no one could have understood the language, then it would have been no sign at all. The fact that Biblical tongues was a human language that could be learned is evident in 1st Corinthians 14:16, 23-24 where the word "unlearned" is used for those who had not learned the tongue. It has also been pointed out by other writers on this subject, that expert linguists have examined recordings of modern tongues and say they are not languages of any kind. These same language scholars say that no more than two vowel sounds and very few syllable clusters are present, and that the sounds they make are related to their native language and not to another language and bear none of the marks of any possible language.

What about Unknown Tongues?In the King James Version the term "unknown tongue" is used several times in the translation of Paul's epistle to the Corinthians. However if you will notice, the word "unknown" is in italics which means the word is supplied by the translators and was not in the original Greek. The word is put there for clarification, yet it has led to confusion. The tongue was indeed "unknown" to the person speaking it, but was a known language to someone in the world. As we have already shown Biblical tongues were languages used by or known to ethnic groups in the world. They are not some unknown language or gibberish.

When did Biblical Tongues Cease?

I can remember in my early years of being a Christian that a young man, who was a song leader in the Baptist church I attended, made the statement that tongues had ceased when the Bible was completed, and I responded in a rebuking sort of way, "Where did you get that?" He couldn't give me a good answer, other than it was what he was taught. He had only heard that, and he couldn't give me a Biblical reason. I had hoped he could have, for I would have believed him. It was a few years later, under sound teaching in a sovereign grace Baptist church, that I learned that the young man was indeed right.

"Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1Cor 13:8-13).

Before we go any farther let us point out that there will be a time when only the three gifts of faith, hope and charity will abide. In 1Co 13:13 we read, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Concerning "charity" Paul had already said, "Charity never faileth" (1Co 13:8). The word "abideth" means to "remain" or "continue." When Paul said that prophecies would "fail" and special knowledge by revelation would "vanish away," he used a Greek word that meant to be "abolished" or "cease." He did not mean that the prophecies would fail to come to pass or be true, but that the gift of prophecy would cease in the church.

The fact that charity (love of God) is the only gift that will never fail, tells us that there will be a time in which all of the gifts are in existence. There will be another time when the three; faith, hope and charity are in existence. Then finally when charity by itself will be in existence. The Charismatics that I have spoken with tell me that all the gifts are still in existence until Jesus returns, but there is a problem with that position, for when is the time of faith, hope and charity? When Jesus returns for me I will not need faith and hope. This is proven by the definitions that the Bible gives concerning both of these gifts. Concerning faith, we read in the book of Hebrews, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1). When Jesus comes, I will see him for myself and will no longer need to see Him through the eyes of faith. I realize that it may be argued that the disciples had faith when they were with Christ at His first coming; but at that time he came as a humble servant and many, especially the religious leaders of Israel, rejected Him as the Messiah. When He comes in glory there will be no question as to who He is. When God's people are glorified with Him the need for faith will have come to an end. Concerning hope we read, "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" (Rom 8:24-25). The second coming of Jesus is that blessed hope. When Christ comes for me my hope will be realized and brought to fruition. At that time, when I see Him and I am with Him, I will only need the love of God for all eternity. These verses tell us that the time of faith, hope and charity in the church age must be before the Lord returns for His people. This means that tongues, prophecy and special knowledge will be done away with before the return of Christ. Now, when is that time? Paul is telling us in his epistle to the Corinthians when that point in time will be. It is when "that which is perfect is come" (1Co 13:10). No wonder Paul said, "Now abideth, faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

I know many interpret "that which is perfect" to be the coming of Jesus Christ and His millennial kingdom; but as we have just pointed out, the three gifts of faith, hope and charity must exist by themselves before His coming. And not only that, but also the word "that" suggests a thing and not a person. Why don't we let the Bible itself tell us what is the meaning of "that which is perfect." According to the lexicon, the word perfect in the King James Version comes from a Greek word meaning: "brought to its end, finished; wanting nothing necessary to completeness; full grown, adult, of full age, mature." Now ask yourself, what was completed in this age before the Lord's return? Well, again, why don't we let the Bible tell us. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 we read, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." This verse is immediately after the verse that mentions, "that which is perfect" which shows us that Paul means exactly what the lexicon says concerning the word "perfect." And what were the childish things that Paul had in mind that would be put away when that which is perfect or complete had come? Well, it should be obvious to any reader that he was speaking of the early gifts of tongues, prophecy and special revelation knowledge given to the members of the infant church during the apostolic age. But, lets go on. If we look closely in the book of James we will see a sort of parallel to what Paul is writing about in chapter 13 so that we may clearly see what Paul meant by the words, "that which is perfect."

The Mirror of God's WordIn James chapter one we read, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Jam 1:23-25). Here we see that the word of God is called the "perfect law of liberty." The Greek word used for "perfect" in James is the exact same word that Paul used for "perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13. We also see from James that the "perfect law of liberty" is something that a man looks into as he would a "looking glass" or mirror. The word for "glass" in the book of James has the meaning of "mirror" according to the lexicon and is the same Greek word translated "glass" in 1Cor 13:12. When a man looks into a mirror he sees himself. He comes "face to face" with himself. James says, "For he beholdeth himself." Who else do you see when you look into a mirror? The word of God is what reveals to us that we are depraved sinners and in desperate need of a savior. We would never come to that realization without looking into the mirror of God's word and we would go on thinking that old lie, "we're not such a bad person." The Bible tells us that "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). So, we see from James, that the word of God is called "the perfect law of liberty" and is compared to a mirror or glass that someone would look into and behold his own self. Now if we take this understanding given in James and apply it to 1 Corinthians 13, then we will have a better understanding of what Paul is speaking of in his epistle to the Corinthians. Notice in 1Cor 13:9-12 that they only had revelation knowledge and prophecy in part or portion. They had only pieces of it and not the whole completed revelation. Paul said that they looked through a glass darkly at that time. Again, glass has the meaning of a mirror and the word "through" has not the idea of looking through it as it being transparent, but looking by means of it, or a channel. If you take a lexicon, you will see that is exactly what the meaning of "through" is here. Also, the word "darkly" in the King James version means "obscured." Now, if they at that time only had parts of God's revelation, then would not their vision be obscured? How can you look into a mirror that is only in pieces or parts and get a clear picture? When the mirror is complete, which James says is the word of God, we get an un-obscured view of ourselves. Then I can perceive myself even as I am perceived through the mirror of God's completed word. Notice that Paul says "face to face" in 1 Corinthians 13:12, but then says we shall "know," and the word "know" means to perceive, even as I am known. In other words, I will perceive myself even as I am perceived. When you look into a mirror you see yourself as others see you. You are "face to face" with yourself. So, when we look into the mirror of God's completed word (if we have been given eyes to see through the quickening of the Holy Spirit) we see ourselves as God sees us. Then we lose all self-righteousness and are compelled to flee to Christ.

Is the Word of God Complete and is it Enough?In the Book of Revelation we read, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" (Rev 22:18). Some will say that what is meant here is adding to the Book of Revelation and not to the Bible. Despite that argument, no one dares to add modern day "revelations" to the Bible. I guess false teachers will only take their "revelations" so far and dare not add their "words of prophecy" to the Bible. If God really has given men a word or a prophecy, then why don't we add it to the book? They won't dare do that, will they? Paul in his second letter to Timothy writes, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2Tim 3:16-17). Paul says that all of the scripture was enough to make the man of God perfect, or fully mature and thoroughly furnished. Sounds like the scripture is enough for the man of God. It may not be enough for the carnal man and the sign seekers, but it is enough for the man of God. I know the Bible may not be enough for people that have to see something, or someone who needs to feel the carnal sensation of "warm honey flowing down [his] body from the tip of [his] head to the bottom of [his] feet," as one young man told me of his experience when he spoke in tongues, but the Bible is enough for the man of God. When that which is perfect or complete is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Some may argue that the gift of tongues was not "that which is in part." This is true since the Bible said "we know in part and prophecy in part," but the gift of tongues was to cease along with prophecy and special knowledge. How does a person speak a tongue in part anyway? Yet prophecy could be a piece of the whole as also knowledge, and notice, tongues is sandwiched between knowledge and prophecy and is said to cease with them. If tongues is still in existence then so is the gift of prophecy and special revelation knowledge. Some will argue that prophecy is simply speaking God's word, so that when we speak the Bible we are prophets in that sense. While this may be true, it does not appear that would apply here in Paul's epistle to the Corinthians. Are we to assume that when faith, hope and charity exist by themselves that we are not to speak God's word? So then the word "prophecy" can not mean simply speaking God's written word as it is used in 1 Corinthians 13. "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him" (Deut 18:22). It appears that one of the tests of false prophets was whether the thing came to pass. The foretelling of the future along with edification is the sense of Paul's discourse on prophecy in his epistle to the Corinthian church. I have read that Benny Hin had made a prophecy that Castro would die in the 1990's, yet Castro is still alive. He also prophesied that the homo-sexual community in America would be destroyed by fire in the 1990's, yet that did not happen either. Do not be afraid of Benny, he's just another false prophet with millions of followers. The lexicon says concerning the word translated prophecy in 1 Corinthians 13, "a discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp. by foretelling future events." How do we declare God's purposes today? Do we receive direct revelation from God, as some claim; or do we simply go to God's word, the Bible, to speak the mind of God? Is it "Sola Scriptura" or something more? Concerning the gift of prophecy, some will probably make the argument that the two witnesses that are mention in the Book of Revelation will "prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (Rev 11:3). . I believe the two witnesses that will prophesy in the book of Revelation are Old Testament prophets of Israel brought back to earth. The church will be gone at that time and God will be dealing with Israel again. The church age will be ended and it will be the time of Daniel's 70th week. The Jews reject the New Testament, and these two witnesses shall fulfill and complete the last book of the New Testament. They will not be adding to, but fulfilling what has been written in the Book of Revelation given by Jesus Christ to John. They will not be part of the church age. The church has the New Testament.

Full Gospel or Another Gospel?Most Charismatic churches call themselves "Full Gospel " to distinguish themselves from those who believe that tongues have ceased or at least do not practice it in their churches. Now, does that mean that churches that do not speak in tongues only have part of the gospel? A person cannot be saved apart from hearing and believing the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Paul tells us what the gospel is. It is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that this death was according to the scriptures (the Old Testament scriptures which indicated a substitutionary and vicarious death); that he was buried and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. Should I trust in anything more? Is there another message in which I need to place my faith? Is the object of our faith anything more than the atoning work of Jesus Christ? Is the object of our faith in something we have done or some feeling or experience? If it is, then I am afraid we have missed Christ!

The Sovereign Bestowal of these GiftsWhen all of the gifts were in existence, did all have the gift of tongues? Was it God's will that every member in the early Church speak in tongues? The Biblical answer is a resounding NO! Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 said there were differences in the operations of God, but the same Lord, and he went on to say, "For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will" (1Cor 12:8-11). Paul then made an analogy of the church to the human body. The human body has many members and they all serve the body in a particular function. The whole body could not be an eye, else, where would be the hearing? And if the whole body were an ear, where would be the smelling? Paul then went on to list the order and importance of the gifts when he said, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (1Cor 12:28). Isn't it interesting that the gift which seems most important to some is listed last? Notice Paul said, "God hath set some" (emphasis added), not all, with certain gifts. He asks the question in the very next two verses, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" Well the obvious answer is no. I remember reading these verses to a young Charismatic man and when I read, "do all speak with tongues," he immediately said "yes." A man would have to be either ignorant or in complete rebellion to what Paul is writing about to answer "yes" to any one of those questions. The questions that Paul is putting forth are rhetorical questions in which no answer is expected, but are asked to make a point because the answer is so obvious to even the most casual reader. It would be like asking the question, "Is every citizen of the United States the President?" No one would answer "yes," would they? Now, for a man to answer "yes" to Paul's rhetorical question, "do all speak with tongues?" can only indicate that he is so carried away with his experience that even the word of God won't bring him in line. When we get to that state we are in serious trouble. The fact that the gifts were bestowed in a sovereign manner and that not all members in the early church had the gift of tongues should forever silence those who teach that unless a man or woman speaks in tongues he or she is not saved. Such a teaching leads men to trust in an experience and not in the person and work of Christ. What would a handicapped person who cannot speak, think of such doctrine? It should also silence those who teach that every Christian can speak in tongues. Tongues have ceased!

Pentecostals and TonguesSeveral years ago, I heard a Pentecostal preacher on the radio quote John 3:3 the following way: "Except a man be born again, and speak in tongues as the spirit gifeth him utterance, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Is a not this a very dishonest use of God's word? What the Bible does say is "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." I realize that most Charismatics do not take speaking in tongues to that extreme and I am not sure all Pentecostals do either. This kind of interpretation is a direct contradiction to the teaching of scripture. As Paul plainly teaches in his epistle to the Corinthians, even during the apostolic age not all believers had all of the gifts, but they were bestowed in a sovereign manner to believers in the church or local assembly.

A More Excellent WayIf tongues, prophecy and special knowledge were not to cease then why would Paul say, "and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" (1Cor 12:31) than the extraordinary gifts? If tongues were to continue, then why would Paul make the statements, "For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also" (1Cor 14:14-15). "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue" (1Cor 14:18-19). In our day we have the "more excellent way" of expounding the completed scriptures.

Why do Charismatics Not Follow Paul's Commands?

In the fourteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul laid out some specific rules for the exercise of the spiritual gifts that were still in existence in the early Church. There were only suppose to be two or three at the most that should speak in tongues; it had to be done one at a time and there must be an interpreter. If there was no interpreter then they were to remain silent. Listen to Paul's words, "If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God" (1Cor 14:27-28). Even if what Paul meant was two or three sentences at the most the same rule applied about an interpreter. Then there is the other rule that Paul laid out: "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church" (1Cor 14:34-35). What is truly amazing is that not only do women speak in tongues in Charismatic Churches, they even preach. That is a long way from what Paul commanded. Paul then went on to say at the end of that chapter, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant" (1Cor 14:37-38). Tongues have ceased!

Why Not Poison and Snakes?"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). Those that use these scripture to try to prove that tongues are for all believers in all ages must also take the other things mentioned in these two verses. Some have tried to handle poisonous snakes and when bitten have become ill or died. It is one thing to handle a poisonous snake and another to be bitten and shake it off as if nothing had happened. This is exactly what happened to the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts. "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god" (Acts 28:3-6). Now that's a real fulfillment of Mark 16, not the snake handling that goes on in some of these churches. Where is the raising of the dead that was wrought at the hands of the Apostles to prove what they were preaching? Paul and Peter raised the dead. If this scripture teaches that tongues are for all believers in all ages then it also teaches that those who do not speak in tongues are not believers. We know from other scripture that this is certainly not the case. They were the signs of the early church in general but not a mark of every believer, nor the mark of every age. As Paul said, "Whether there be tongues, they shall cease."

Tongues Cross All Denominational LinesIf the modern day tongues movement is of God, then why do the same tongues appear in many denominations that teach different doctrines? If the Bible teaches the eternal security of the believer, which it certainly does, then why do most churches that speak in tongues teach that a man can loose his salvation and then regain it again later? How can the same Holy Spirit that is suppose to be still giving out this gift lead in so many directions when it comes to doctrine? Does the Holy Spirit lead one man to believe one thing and another man something so different, especially when it comes to the doctrine of salvation? The thing that separates denominations is their understanding of scripture. Thus the modern day tongues movement tends toward non-denominationalism. The fact that they boast of this is incriminating if anything. What they really mean is that doctrine is not that important. We, as Baptist, believe that the church is a local visible assembly with our only head being the Lord Jesus Christ and not some board or earthly man in some city. Our only rule of practice and doctrine is to be the completed word of God, the Bible.

How Do We Try the Spirits?

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1Joh 4:1). In the early church, if there was no interpretation of a tongue, then how could the spirits be tried? And what do we try the spirits against? The word "try," according to the lexicon, means to "test, examine, or prove." The only way we can do this is to compare what is being said to the scripture. Now if there was no interpretation of a tongue and proof that the interpretation was accurate and not made up, then there was no way to try the spirits. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he said, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost" (1Cor 12:1-3). Evidently someone had spoken in a tongue in the Corinthian church and had actually cursed Jesus Christ and did not realize it. Evidently someone knew the language in which he spoke and realized that the person was cursing Christ, and this event must have been reported to Paul. The context of what Paul is dealing with must be tongues because he goes on to say "that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Now we know that many call Jesus Lord in their own tongue but that is not necessarily by the Holy Spirit. In fact Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (emphasis added): depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Mat 7:22-23). Now these men say that Jesus is Lord, yet Jesus professes unto them that He never knew them. It was not that He knew them at one time and then they lost their salvation, but rather at no time did he ever know them. So then, they never said that Jesus was Lord by the Holy Spirit. This, along with the context of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, leads us to believe that Paul is dealing with an incident in which a man called Jesus accursed in another tongue or language. So, this spirit was tried or tested by someone who understood the tongue or language that was spoken in which Jesus was cursed. Should this not make a person cautious about speaking in an unknown tongue in which there is no positive interpretation? The spirits could not be tried without a real interpretation of the tongue. Concerning the modern day tongues movement, when it comes to interpretation, we should point out that other writers on this subject have shown that interpretations seem to differ in length greatly from the tongue that was spoken. Language being what it is and the fact that words can only carry so much meaning, there should be a basic parallel between the length of an interpretation and the tongue. This leads one to believe that their interpretations have nothing to do with what is spoken in an unknown tongue and are probably "made up." As an example of how interpretations are "made up," I read of a story in which a man got up and quoted one of the Psalms in Hebrew and then someone else got up and gave an interpretation that had nothing to do with the Psalm. These interpretations are not the work of the Holy Spirit but are the works of men.

The Work of the Holy SpiritFrom what I have read, many tongues leaders say that the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit in a man is the gift of tongues. They say you can be saved and yet receive the Holy Spirit later. If the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues then how could it be said that John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb (Luk 1:15), and yet John the Baptist never spoke in tongues? How can tongues be the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit when it is clear that even during the Apostolic age not all members of the local church had the gift of tongues?

It is evident from the teaching of the scriptures that every true believer has the Holy Spirit residing in him. If he does not, then he has not been saved. In Paul's letter to the Romans he said, "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom 8:8-9). Paul says that every believer is sealed with the Holy Spirit until the very end. "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," (Eph 1:13). "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30).The work of the Holy Spirit is to convince men of sin (John 16:8). It is the Holy Spirit that takes a depraved sinner and quickens him to life, whereby he sees his lost condition and is then given faith to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work for a place of safety. Paul told the Ephesians that they had been quickened after being dead in trespasses and sins (see Eph 2:1-5). Jesus told His disciples that it is the "Spirit that quickeneth" (Joh 6:63).

The Holy Spirit Does Not Speak of HimselfIt seems that the Holy Spirit is glorified and spoken of more than the Lord Jesus Christ in most Charismatic/Pentecostal churches. Yet we see from the very words of Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit would not speak of Himself but would focus men's attention on Christ Himself. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (Joh 16:13-14). The Holy Spirit glorifies the work and person of Christ. His work is to quicken sinners to life and convict them of their sins, showing them through God's Word that they are indeed wretched and that their only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood. It is the Holy Spirit that shuts a man or woman up to the completed work of Jesus Christ in their behalf and so He points them to Christ rather and not to Himself. It is the Holy Spirit that strips a man of all self-righteousness and brings him to a place where there is nowhere to turn, but to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that takes the Gospel message and makes it real to the sinner. It is the Holy Spirit that makes a man understand that Christ is the "end of the law for righteousness."

God Told MeI was watching a religious television show recently in which a Charismatic preacher said that he was taken to heaven and was shown all the wonders of heaven. He proceeded to describe these wonders and how that God spoke with him. He then revealed to his audience what God had told him. If such a thing were really true, we should add it to the back of our Bibles. I find it interesting that this man could describe heaven in such detail and relate all that he had heard, and yet the Apostle Paul said that he knew a man that was caught up into paradise where he heard things which were not lawful to be uttered (see 2Cor 12:4). It is a very dangerous thing to say, "God told me" and mean that God spoke to you by any other means than His Word, the Bible. I realize that the Holy Spirit may impress on our hearts certain things and then use God's word to speak to us, but it is quite another thing to say that God spoke to us in an audible voice. God's word is complete and it is all that we need "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Diabolical experiencesA very close preacher friend recently related to me a story about an experience that was related to him by two men who had "got the holy ghost." They told him that when they "got the holy ghost" they had sexual orgasms. Both men said this happened to them. They told my preacher friend that it was the greatest thing they had ever experienced. If a man believes this is the work of the Holy Spirit then God help him. A young man related to me that when he "got the holy ghost" that he felt warm honey flow from the top of his head down to his feet. When I tried to talk with him about Christ and sin he was not even interested. He was obsessed with "honey flowing from the top of his head down to his feet." That was his salvation experience. This is not the work of the Holy Spirit. I recently read of a man who was in this movement in which he witnesses a man "slain in the spirit" and lay on the floor stiff as a board all through services. After services were over they carried him out and put him in a vehicle where he remained stiff until about midnight. When he recovered he said that he wanted to move but could not. He said that he had no control over the situation. The Holy Spirit does not take over men's bodies in this manner.

Paganism at CorinthPaganism had existed in the city of Corinth long before Paul had preached the Gospel there and a church was established. The "mystery religions" had spread all over the Gentile world and Corinth was by far no exception. I have read that on the towering hill of Acropolis stood the great temple of Aphrodite who was the goddess of love. To that temple were attached one thousand sacred prostitutes. It is no wonder Paul had to deal with immorality in his letter to the Corinthians. Among the pagans it was believed that ecstatic experiences was evidence that a god had entered their body. The temple prostitutes practiced "glossolalia" (tongues) before Pentecost. As you can see, the diabolical experiences mentioned above are very similar to the experiences of paganism that was going on in Corinth.

Prostitutes, pagans, witches and heretics speak in the same type of tongues as the modern tongue movement (uttering of unintelligible sounds and babblings).

If Tongues have Ceased then What is Going On?John MacArthur, Jr., in his book Charismatic Chaos, believes modern tongues falls into one of three categories. First, they may be satanic or demonic. He points out that some who are against the tongues movement want to put all tongues speaking into this category. This is probably not the case in all tongues speaking, but I believe Satan is probably behind the movement in general. In his book he quotes former tongues speaker Ben Byrd who believed that some of his extraordinary abilities were "psychic and possibly satanic." MacArthur pointed out that the Encyclopedia Britannica contains articles on "glossolalia" (tongues) among pagans in their worship rites. There are reports that in Africa demon possessed persons can speak fluently in Swahili or English, although under normal circumstances they would not understand either language. Evidently Satan can give people the power to speak in tongues. There are incidents of tongue speaking among those who practice the occult. We need to remember that Satan has ministers that appear as ministers of righteousness. In fact this was something that Paul warned the Corinthian church about when he said, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2Cor 11:13-15).

Secondly, MacArthur points out that tongues speaking may be a learned behavior. He thinks that most tongues speaking falls into this category. MacArthur points out that there are seminars held that instruct people on how to receive this gift. They encourage people to speak funny little sounds. Moody Adams in his book Jesus Never Spoke in Tongues, tells of "pump-priming" people to get them to speak in tongues. I recently read an a article by a former Charismatic who said that he was being encouraged to speak in tongues, so he just started to "jibber jabber" and then the pastor told him, "That's it, keep speaking, that's the tongue you have received. You must now cultivate the language by speaking it as much as possible." People are just being deceived by this method. As MacArthur said, "Why a person would have to learn how to receive a gift from the Holy Spirit is baffling." Many probably like the attention that it brings and that it makes them look spiritual to others. Well, if you are so spiritual, then acknowledge that the things that Paul wrote to the Corinthian church are the commands of the Lord.

Thirdly, MacArthur thinks that tongues can be psychologically induced. He says "the condition in which most people sense the euphoria of the tongues experience seems to be closely related to the hypnotic state." He says that after an extensive study of tongues-speakers by Kildahl and Qualben; they concluded that people who were submissive, suggestible, and dependent on a leader were those most likely to speak in tongues. MacArthur points out that would be tongues-speakers are often instructed to enter into "passive renunciation of willful control."

In ConclusionOne of the most dangerous things a person can do is to seek after spiritual experiences that are not in God's word. To seek after something that God says has ceased and then experience something that does not really resemble the original is a frightful situation. If you are seeking something that you have seen others, who may have seemed very spiritual, have and want to have it also, then I admonish you to stop, think, and examine God's word. Follow His word rather than the teachings of men. Please do not trust in what you see or feel, rather trust God's word. "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." If you are involved in such a movement, then my suggestion would be to come out of it immediately, and find a church that teaches salvation by God's sovereign grace and holds the Bible as its only source of doctrine and practice. Tongues have ceased!

The Truth Behind Halloween

2008-01-07T11:30:00.000-06:00

Where did the name Halloween come from? As I mentioned earlier, originally this Druid holiday was called "The Vigil Of Saman." In early Britain it was called Samhain, which is pronounced So-wein. When Roman Catholicism became a world political and religious power the pagan customs were still widely celebrated. In 800 A.D. the Roman Catholic church moved "All Saints' Day" from May to November 1st. All of the "saints" who did not have a special day in their honor on the Catholic calendar were to be honored on All Saints' Day. It was also a time to pay respect to the dead by visiting their graves. The "new day" that was to replace the pagan vigil of the dead was called "All Hallow's Day". It soon became the custom to call the evening before "All Hallow's Eve, which was soon shortened to Halloween. The important fact to note is that the intended "Christianization" of the pagan day miserably failed. The Catholic Encyclopedia even admits it. It says: ! "The night of October 31st and the vigil of the feast of All Saints, Halloween derives its name from an older English term, All Hallow's Eve, although its traditions derive from pagan worship. An important source of the customs of Halloween was the Druidic religion of pre-Christian Gaul and Britain." The name of the holiday is the only thing that has changed. Halloween still carries its pagan significance. Halloween is still an observance of death. There is no Christian significance to be found in Halloween. Jesus Christ is conspicuously absent! I can celebrate Christmas in a Christian way by celebrating the Birth of Christ. I can celebrate the Easter season in a Christian way by focusing on the atoning death, burial and glorious resurrection of Christ. What about Halloween? It is a day dedicated to idolatry, fear, death and the occult. You cannot celebrate those things to the glory of God. The Bible tells us, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Dr. John MacArthur wrote these timely words about Halloween in his Grace To You newsletter in response to a listener who wrote and asked: What is your perspective on Halloween? He answered, First of all, dressing up like witches, ghosts, or goblins is incompatible with a Christian's testimony. Furthermore, many of the customs of Halloween are associated with the worst kinds of pagan beliefs and ceremonies; they are usually sinister things such as demons, witchcraft and superstition. If we as Christian parents simply disregard the unchristian aspects of such practices as mere fantasy or superstition and then encourage our children to participate in them, we run the risk of communicating the message that the spiritual battle waged by the rulers of darkness (Ephesians 6:10) is not to be taken seriously. What is the origin of costumes? The early origin of costumes is repulsive. On the evening of October 31st, the Druids ordered the people to put out their hearth fires. Then they built huge new year's bonfires of oak branches, which they considered sacred. They burned animals, crops and human beings as sacrifices to their gods and goddess. During this diabolical ritual the PEOPLE WORE COSTUMES made of animal heads and skins. They then practiced divination, looked for omens in the struggle of the victims sacrificed in the fires, jumped over the flames or dashed through them, danced and sang. All of this was done to frighten the evil spirits away. Further, they believed "Saman would then send evil spirits to attack people on the eve before the November 1st celebration. The only way these people could escape was by assuming disguises and looking like the evil spirits themselves." It seems to me that these "evil spirits" must also have been stupid spirits if they could be fooled by such a masquerade. Sadly, the fools were the superstitious idol worshippers who refused to glorify the true God. As a result they became "vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:21 As you can see, gross looking costumes have their source in paganism and because of this we should "...cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light." Romans 13:12. What is the origin of the bonfire? According to The Oxford English Dictionary, the word bonfire is derived from the word bone-fire, so called because it was a great fire in which bones were burned in the open air. The Druids held two main great ritual fire festivals each year when humans and animals were burned in sacrifice to their gods. One was held on Beltane (May eve, April 30) and the other on Samhain or Halloween. The next day, divination was done based on the bones remaining. These ritual fires were called bone-fire. What is the origin of Trick or Treat? Now, just by chance if you had forgotten to dress up or could not fool the evil spirits by dressing in animal skins or other disguises, there was a way to exorcise them. People were to set out a TREAT of food and fruit, and provide the wandering spirit with shelter for the night. If the demon spirit was satisfied with your TREAT, it was believed that he would not TRICK you by casting an evil spell on you thereby causing havoc. There is another shocking account of Trick or Treat written by a former witch, Irene Park. She says: The Druids in Ireland would go through the neighborhoods and countryside on the eve of October 31st to collect offerings to Satan. They would carry lanterns, bags of money, and canes with very sharp points on the ends (currently known as leprechaun staffs, good luck horns, or fairies' wands). At each house, they would demand a specific amount. If the household would not or could not give the offering (penance or treat), the Druid would use the cane to castrate the male human or one of their prize animals. In later years, James Napier, in his book, Holidays of Legend, says, "Irish farmers went house to house begging for food for their ancient gods. Good luck was promised to all who donated but threats were made against those who would not give." There is absolutely nothing in Trick or Treat that honors our Lord Jesus Christ! In fact it is a form of idol worship. One former witch who came to know Christ puts it this way -- Trick or Treat is a reenactment of Druidic practices. The candy has replaced the human sacrifices of old, but it is still an appeasement of those deceptive evil spirits. The traditional response to those who do not treat is to have a trick played on them. When you give out Halloween candy, you are, in essence providing a sacrifice to the false gods. You are participating in idolatry. After considering the origin of Trick or Treat, I quit giving out candy. I have no desire to reenact pagan Druidic practices, even in diluted form. It seems to me that is exactly what you are doing when you give out goodies on Halloween. Reenacting occultic worship rituals certainly does not glorify God. Consider carefully the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." What is the origin and significance of the Jack-O-Lantern? According to the Encyclopedia, "The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face of "Jack-O-Lantern" is an ancient symbol of a damned soul." One article I was reading said that pumpkins and turnips were for much the same reason that costumes were used at one time. Superstitious people hollowed out turnips or pumpkins placing candles inside to scare evil spirits away from their houses. Another book I read says, "The candlelit pumpkin or skull...served as a beacon for the sabbat and as a signal to mark those farms and homes that were sympathetic to the Satanists and thus deserving of mercy when the terror of the night (Halloween) began." I certainly am not sympathetic to satanists, are you? Then why display a Jack-O-Lantern? In more recent times, John Ankerberg says this about the Jack-O-Lantern – The carved pumpkin may have originated with the withces’ use of a skull with a candle in it to light the way to coven meeting. But among the Irish, who, as noted, caused the popularization of Halloween in America, the legend of ‘Irish Jack’ explains the Jack-O-Lantern. The legend goes: There was a stingy drunk named Jack who tricked the devil into climbing an apple tree for an apple but then cut the sign of a cross into the trunk of the tree preventing the devil from coming down. Jack forced the devil to swear he would never come after Jack’s soul. The devil reluctantly agreed. Jack eventually died but was turned away at the gates of Heaven because of his drunkenness and life of selfishness. He was next sent to the devil who also rejected him keeping his promise. Since Jack had no place to go, he was condemned to wander the earth. As he was leaving Hell (he happened to be eating a turnip), the devil threw a live coal to him. He put the coal inside the turnip! and has since forever been roaming the earth with his ‘jack-o-lantern’ in search of a place to rest. Eventually, pumpkins replaced turnips since it was much easier to symbolize the devil’s coal inside a pumpkin. The folk tale is tragic! It indicates that the people knew neither the Bible nor the way to Heaven. John 3:16 makes it clear that no one has to be outside of heaven.. The verse says, For God so loved the world (mankind), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should NOT perish, but have everlasting life. John 3 also makes it clear that if any individual refuses to trust Christ as Savior that person is condemned already. John 3:18 & 36 says, He that believeth on him is not condemned. But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. There is no roaming or wandering the earth. There are no deals that can be made with the Devil. It is either Heaven or Hell depending on what you have ! done with Christ. If you do not know Christ as your Savior, you are condemned already. If you have put your faith in Christ, Heaven will be your eternal home. (Look up the following passages of Scripture – Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13). If you have never trusted Christ as your personal Savior, why not pray and ask Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior? What is the relationship black cats & cats in general have with Halloween? In the 1959 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia under Halloween it says, Druid priests believed that cats were once human beings but were reincarnated as punishment for evil deeds. Because of this they held cats sacred and involved them in their idol worship of October 31st and November 1st. This is supported by The American Book of Days, by George Douglas which says, "Druids believed the cat was sacred and...that cats had once been changed (from being human and reincarnated) into that form as punishment for evil deeds." The link between witches and cats has been well known for centuries. "Even after Christianity spread to Europe...oxen were sacrificed on October 31st...and in medieval Europe, black cats [were] chosen as victims in the belief that they were witches in disguise [and] were burned on that day (Halloween)." It is plain to see that cats, particularly BLACK CATS were thought to represent EVIL. Further, they were a symbol of REINCARNATION. Black cats are still associated with Halloween. Each year Humane Societies in many cities issue warnings to black cat owners to watch out for their pets. Additionally, the Society will not release black cats around Halloween for fear they will be mistreated or sacrificed. Their decision, in my opinion, is a wise one. I have been asked to evaluate occult sites on numerous occasions and sadly I have seen the remains of cats that have been sacrificed. Here is but one example. "Sergeant Lars Holden, yesterday told of the grisley find of dead cats with their feet nailed to the floor, encircled by candles, in an abandoned beachfront building." If you have a dark or black cat, keep it in the house around Halloween. What is the significance of bobbing for apples? In A.D. 43 the Roman Empire was in solid control of the Celtic people. As a result of this control the idol worshipping Romans introduced another ceremony honoring their false gods and goddesses (particularly the festival of Pamona) to the already demoniacal Druid New Year's celebration. They would try to grasp fruit, floating in water, without the use of their hands. This is the origin of BOBBING FOR APPLES. SUMMARY OF HALLOWEEN'S HISTORY Now you have a brief historical sketch of Halloween. Is there any doubt that Halloween is a pagan worship day? Halloween is doubtless the only day that you would even consider honoring the devil, witches, ghosts, vampires and perverse acts. Why honor Satan and his demons at all? Deuteronomy 32:16-17 tells us that God is provoked when demons are honored and not him...They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up.… Halloween is a demonic worship day. We would be wise to heed Paul's admonition in I Corinthians 10:20 where he says he does not want us to fellowship with demons or pagan practices in any way. The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.