Duty ! ?
A Christian has duties, obligations, works.
Not for Salvation, but because of the Salvation brought forth by Grace, these things flow from him in unstoppable waves.
In the last few weeks I have been modifying some of the tracts that I have written. I have been advised that they are too strong, and it is not a good thing to look like someone on the street corner protesting.
So in submission, I have been putting aside what is either my feelings or pride, so I presume. I have prayed for humility and guidance to let things work out, whet must be worked out.
But as I drive my car, I see the so-called Christian radio and TV station stickers on cars. I read about the decisions of so-called Christian leaders making news on the Internet. I talk to people and hear how some peoples idea of Church is watching Joel Osteen on TV or the second largest Church is a Church on the Internet and they are making it more and more available to people to "not attend or fellowship" but to watch their broadcast and be their member.
But as I read and study Jesus in Matthew, our Savior is continually pointing out false and dead religion. More than He does of Murder or adultery or most other sins.
Am I doing right by "not offending" people with this in a tract?
I was told that it is OK to mention this if it comes up while talking to people.
But not to put it on a tract.
I was told it does not look right on a tract, and there is no need to try and get attention to the tract with a unique design.
But the outward appearance of tracts that many use are pretty landscapes. The inside message is biblical and solid, but they look just like most other "Jesus Loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life" tracts.
And whole heartedly agree that I do not want a tract cover to shock for the sake of shock, but I want it as Spurgeon says, "a tract should be striking".
And in America, in our culture, which is so prideful and makes light of sin, even has one of its favorite destinations called "sin-city". In this land people need a wake up call, they need to read something and say, "is that really true"? Not read something and just go along with it whether it is true or not.
Do we NOT have a duty to express as truthfully and in as honest of a manner the truth of the false-dead religion in most of America masquerading as Christianity?
6/25/2010
6/16/2010
He would never have been crucified... !!!
In pondering a quote by Lenard Ravenhill:
"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
I found this very worthy of pondering...
I had a very healthy discussion recently with a Brother about balance in preaching. We agreed on many points and had different thoughts on a few others. But the main thrust of what we were talking about was the preaching of Gods word to the True Church, to Believers, to Gods Elect, and presenting more of a message of joy and celebrating our having all our sins forgiven.
Now I need to make a distinction here, that the Church we attend is a Calvinist Church, and every sermon is preached expounding Gods attributes, from Wrath to Forgiveness. But the discussion engaged 2 t church types, either the American Arminian (seeker-friendly) man centered, or the Doctrines of Grace (God is Sovereign).
The discussion led to a... "Do we really need to preach Wrath to the True Church, if the True Church is not under the Law and therefore Wrath and condemnation no longer apply to it?"
In theory I guess this would be true, but that is in theory.
But I find that most American Churches are already preaching a message like that. Although they may mention the word "sin" most do not mention it, In fact the word "sin" is on an un-written banned-word list, let alone words like "wrath".
And the question arose, should we preach a message without mentioning wrath and sin, and only expounding on the glories of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then the question was posed to me "couldn't God use just those things to regenerate someone?" And the answer is yes He can.
But although that question is true, it is not demonstrated that I can see in Scripture.
In all of Paul's letters to the Churches, he always presents a message that never forgets to outline, expose, and convict his hearers of sin and the serious consequences of sin, and this many times will be immediately after he opens in a blessing of Love and Grace.
Part of the Glories of God is also Gods Righteousness! A Righteousness that also demands and displays a Holy hatred and wrath towards sin.
To leave this out of a preached message is to only demonstrate a partial display of Gods Wondrous Glory.
All in all as much as we may contemplate on what the ideal Church should be, one thing it is not is perfect, until our Lords coming that is. I do not find any example of a Church where all the congregation are saved Saints who and to whom a message was preached without True Repentance being preached.
Added later...
I also notice that when ever large crowds are addressed, it is NEVER in a LOVE sermon only.
"If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified."
I found this very worthy of pondering...
I had a very healthy discussion recently with a Brother about balance in preaching. We agreed on many points and had different thoughts on a few others. But the main thrust of what we were talking about was the preaching of Gods word to the True Church, to Believers, to Gods Elect, and presenting more of a message of joy and celebrating our having all our sins forgiven.
Now I need to make a distinction here, that the Church we attend is a Calvinist Church, and every sermon is preached expounding Gods attributes, from Wrath to Forgiveness. But the discussion engaged 2 t church types, either the American Arminian (seeker-friendly) man centered, or the Doctrines of Grace (God is Sovereign).
The discussion led to a... "Do we really need to preach Wrath to the True Church, if the True Church is not under the Law and therefore Wrath and condemnation no longer apply to it?"
In theory I guess this would be true, but that is in theory.
But I find that most American Churches are already preaching a message like that. Although they may mention the word "sin" most do not mention it, In fact the word "sin" is on an un-written banned-word list, let alone words like "wrath".
And the question arose, should we preach a message without mentioning wrath and sin, and only expounding on the glories of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then the question was posed to me "couldn't God use just those things to regenerate someone?" And the answer is yes He can.
But although that question is true, it is not demonstrated that I can see in Scripture.
In all of Paul's letters to the Churches, he always presents a message that never forgets to outline, expose, and convict his hearers of sin and the serious consequences of sin, and this many times will be immediately after he opens in a blessing of Love and Grace.
Part of the Glories of God is also Gods Righteousness! A Righteousness that also demands and displays a Holy hatred and wrath towards sin.
To leave this out of a preached message is to only demonstrate a partial display of Gods Wondrous Glory.
All in all as much as we may contemplate on what the ideal Church should be, one thing it is not is perfect, until our Lords coming that is. I do not find any example of a Church where all the congregation are saved Saints who and to whom a message was preached without True Repentance being preached.
Added later...
I also notice that when ever large crowds are addressed, it is NEVER in a LOVE sermon only.
6/11/2010
6/08/2010
Being Vigilant vs. Obsessed... ??
More and more as my eyes are opened, I see more and more tares, or goats,that I once had seen as Wheat or Sheep or even Under-Sheppard's.
I have been wondering if I am getting obsessed, I mean am I growing more skeptical, or is it really growing in discernment... ?
Today I came across a statistic that affirms my discernment is NOT skepticism. When I say skepticism I am meaning like jumping on a band wagon, or worse, getting excited for gossip.
At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. 1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations. 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles.*
*Statistics from Focus on the Family, Fuller Institute of Church Growth and Church Resource Ministries
I read this and it provides a lot of insight to why there are so many so-called Pastors not preaching doctrine. Doctrine can only be exciting if your eyes are opened by God. Doctrine is the Word of God being understood in words, and more than that, it is the defining meaning of what is being said and relayed into an understood meaning.
If the statistic is accurate, 75% want to quit... This just confirms the honest few who I have read interviews on who were current Pastors, Youth Pastors ect... who admitted that did not believe in God anymore. They were afraid to quit and they continue with their “gig” because they could not make that much money out in the work place.
No I am not saying that all of the 75% are that way, but it follows suit that most would in some way or form follow in those steps. And as to why they are ready to defend using any means necessary to get more attendance into their theater, so to speak.
“1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations.”
????????? Spiritual burnout ?????????????
I cannot find it in Scripture...
Trials, tribulations, low points, but never burnt out to the point of leaving.
And “ 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles, correct me if I am wrong, but with big churches and hundreds of people, and an Arminianistic ministry that most refuse to adhere to strong doctrines and theology, I do not see how you could get a Brotherhood so to speak that you can relate to on Christ matters if their Jesus differs from the Jesus you follow.
Again I do not mean to sound UN-sympathetic, but just thorn bushes trying to call themselves figs trees.
I have been wondering if I am getting obsessed, I mean am I growing more skeptical, or is it really growing in discernment... ?
Today I came across a statistic that affirms my discernment is NOT skepticism. When I say skepticism I am meaning like jumping on a band wagon, or worse, getting excited for gossip.
At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. 1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations. 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles.*
*Statistics from Focus on the Family, Fuller Institute of Church Growth and Church Resource Ministries
I read this and it provides a lot of insight to why there are so many so-called Pastors not preaching doctrine. Doctrine can only be exciting if your eyes are opened by God. Doctrine is the Word of God being understood in words, and more than that, it is the defining meaning of what is being said and relayed into an understood meaning.
If the statistic is accurate, 75% want to quit... This just confirms the honest few who I have read interviews on who were current Pastors, Youth Pastors ect... who admitted that did not believe in God anymore. They were afraid to quit and they continue with their “gig” because they could not make that much money out in the work place.
No I am not saying that all of the 75% are that way, but it follows suit that most would in some way or form follow in those steps. And as to why they are ready to defend using any means necessary to get more attendance into their theater, so to speak.
“1,500 pastors leave their assignments each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention within their local congregations.”
????????? Spiritual burnout ?????????????
I cannot find it in Scripture...
Trials, tribulations, low points, but never burnt out to the point of leaving.
And “ 70% of pastors do not have a close friend with whom they can openly share their struggles, correct me if I am wrong, but with big churches and hundreds of people, and an Arminianistic ministry that most refuse to adhere to strong doctrines and theology, I do not see how you could get a Brotherhood so to speak that you can relate to on Christ matters if their Jesus differs from the Jesus you follow.
Again I do not mean to sound UN-sympathetic, but just thorn bushes trying to call themselves figs trees.
Cussing in the Pulpit and Presidency...
As Emergent Pastors are “Cussing” to be relevant to culture…
Odd thing, as I have been reading Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur
I had finished reading about how Pastors are cussing to get attention “in the name of trying to be relevant”.
Even some using Gods name as a cussword.
Then today I came across this:
Obama Looking for 'Ass to Kick' for Oil Spill
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/07/obama-looking-ass-kick-oil-catastrophe/
And this reminded me of this overtake of the presidency, and how not only has Obama,sworn before but his Vice recently used the “F” bomb and was caught on mic.
It made news as did this, but in a month or so, like the Vice, people will not remember what it was concerning, just that Obama cussed (again).
In the same manner, I believe the most all of those hearing “pastors” using the “F” bomb and other words will not remember what it was in reference to, but just rather that it was used.
Odd thing, as I have been reading Ashamed of the Gospel by John MacArthur
I had finished reading about how Pastors are cussing to get attention “in the name of trying to be relevant”.
Even some using Gods name as a cussword.
Then today I came across this:
Obama Looking for 'Ass to Kick' for Oil Spill
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/07/obama-looking-ass-kick-oil-catastrophe/
And this reminded me of this overtake of the presidency, and how not only has Obama,sworn before but his Vice recently used the “F” bomb and was caught on mic.
It made news as did this, but in a month or so, like the Vice, people will not remember what it was concerning, just that Obama cussed (again).
In the same manner, I believe the most all of those hearing “pastors” using the “F” bomb and other words will not remember what it was in reference to, but just rather that it was used.
6/07/2010
Question
I have a question…
Throughout the Old Testament, generations are mentioned to have followed God.
But the generations that follow them do not follow God.
How can that be, if the 1st generation follows God, they would have taught their children His ways, and meditated with them. If they had not brought them up and taught them to also honor God and teach their children to do the same, then they were not honoring God. But since it is being said of them that they honored God, it is implied that they have done these things.
And am I not mistaken that if they did these things, Gods blessings would keep flowing, and the subsequent generations would do likewise?
Throughout the Old Testament, generations are mentioned to have followed God.
But the generations that follow them do not follow God.
How can that be, if the 1st generation follows God, they would have taught their children His ways, and meditated with them. If they had not brought them up and taught them to also honor God and teach their children to do the same, then they were not honoring God. But since it is being said of them that they honored God, it is implied that they have done these things.
And am I not mistaken that if they did these things, Gods blessings would keep flowing, and the subsequent generations would do likewise?
6/05/2010
Philipians 1:15-18 mis-understood.
Philippians 1:15-18 is often mis-understood!!!
There is an acknowledgment, then the word but.
Where after the word but, he totally dismisses what it was about and lumps the True Gospel being preached with any Gospel being preached.
So in response I sent the following:
Pauls (and our) rejoicing is NOT over a False Gospel being preached...
No! No!
It is over the TRUE Gospel being preached, but with motives that are not centered on God.
They are Preaching this TRUE Gospel out of rivalry to make a name for themselves.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
[To Live Is Christ]
Yes, and I will rejoice,
(Philippians 1:15-18 ESV) (italics and bolding mine)
There is the meaning that many do not read, but skip over.
Joel Osteen, is NOT preaching the TRUE Gospel, but a twisted gospel.
And it is NOT that he has not been addressed or warned, or confronted on this.
He is NOT innocently mistaken, he has pride, and that can be clearly seen from many interviews.
So to try and mis-use Philippians 1:15-18 in such a way to defend preachers of false gospels is not only wrong, but conflicts with the rest of Scripture. False doctrine is always confronted and cursed. It is NOT rejoicing over False Preaching, but rather it is rejoicing over the Truth being preached, what ever the motive... There is a complete dichotomy there, and this verse should not be twisted to defend False Preachers.
6/04/2010
American Christians vs. God Part II
In addition to what I had blogged earlier, these 2 things were also in the news...
40 % of teens (15-19) have had sex.
Spiritual Advisor to Obama to speak to 70,000 teens at LifeFest with Luis Palau
Both of these events lead up the fruits of a Americanized Liberal Church thinking and actions.
The same statistics show true that over 85% of teens (15-19) claim to be Christian.
If that number were true, we would expect to see less than 15% having sex.
But even that number should be significantly lower. Assuming those 15 % were non-Christians, it would mean that clost to 100% of the 15% were having sex. But it does not stand to reason.
But this is where these United States are headed.
40 % of teens (15-19) have had sex.
Spiritual Advisor to Obama to speak to 70,000 teens at LifeFest with Luis Palau
Both of these events lead up the fruits of a Americanized Liberal Church thinking and actions.
The same statistics show true that over 85% of teens (15-19) claim to be Christian.
If that number were true, we would expect to see less than 15% having sex.
But even that number should be significantly lower. Assuming those 15 % were non-Christians, it would mean that clost to 100% of the 15% were having sex. But it does not stand to reason.
But this is where these United States are headed.
American Christians vs. God.
For many years American Christians1 have wanted their cake and to eat it too. Although they may read “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. “ (John 15:19 ESV).
They not only want it to say, but are making it say - “If you were of the world, the world DOES love you as its own; but because you STILL ARE of the world, the world STILL LOVES you.” (John 15:19 As most American Christians read it).
As an example for the first time since Gallup2 began measuring the "moral acceptability" of homosexuality, a majority of Americans support gay and lesbian relations. Last month's poll found 52 percent of adults consider homosexuality acceptable, while 43 percent find it morally wrong.
It goes on to say: Christians and people from other religious traditions have grown more tolerant of gays and lesbians, according to Gallup. The percentage of Catholics calling gay relations "morally acceptable" has increased by more than a third in the past five years, up to 62 percent. More Americans also favor legalizing gay marriage.
And also: The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles recently ordained the church's first openly gay female bishop. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided last year to allow non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy to serve. Despite some dissenters, the ELCA has continued to seek the full inclusion of homosexual church leaders and members.
This is NOT a rant on homosexuality, homosexuality is a sin the same as stealing, lying, murdering and any other sins including heterosexual (sex between male and female) sinning out of wedlock.
What makes this different, is the open defiance of calling it a non-sin.
Re-categorizing it.
Not only wrenching it out of Scripture, but declaring it righteous.
A re-writing of passages in the Bible you might say.
With over 85% of Americans claiming to be Christians, and yet 52% of those polled giving a thumbs up on something God says is wrong, shows American Christians saying one thing in a Church building, and yet another when outside the Church building.
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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)
Notice, it does not say that “At this time they will not enter the Kingdom of God, but down the road when it is acceptable for man, then I will allow homosexuality, but still not thieves.”
Yet this is how people who call themselves Christians interpret what they want as opposed to what God says. And for many, not all but many this is because they don't read Gods word. They are second and third handers, getting most of what they hear of Gods word from TV or cute emails... But not from reading the Bible themselves.
O dear reader, don't assume, don't guess, don't believe falsely...
Read Gods Word for yourself.
Don't get your Christianity out of a fortune cookie, or reading a Christian “T” shirt or email.
Even this BLOG is written by a sinful man...
Read the Bible, Gods Word.
Check everything with Scripture.
“and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. “
(2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV)
For many years American Christians1 have wanted their cake and to eat it too. Although they may read “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. “ (John 15:19 ESV).
They not only want it to say, but are making it say - “If you were of the world, the world DOES love you as its own; but because you STILL ARE of the world, the world STILL LOVES you.” (John 15:19 As most American Christians read it).
As an example for the first time since Gallup2 began measuring the "moral acceptability" of homosexuality, a majority of Americans support gay and lesbian relations. Last month's poll found 52 percent of adults consider homosexuality acceptable, while 43 percent find it morally wrong.
It goes on to say: Christians and people from other religious traditions have grown more tolerant of gays and lesbians, according to Gallup. The percentage of Catholics calling gay relations "morally acceptable" has increased by more than a third in the past five years, up to 62 percent. More Americans also favor legalizing gay marriage.
And also: The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles recently ordained the church's first openly gay female bishop. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided last year to allow non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy to serve. Despite some dissenters, the ELCA has continued to seek the full inclusion of homosexual church leaders and members.
This is NOT a rant on homosexuality, homosexuality is a sin the same as stealing, lying, murdering and any other sins including heterosexual (sex between male and female) sinning out of wedlock.
What makes this different, is the open defiance of calling it a non-sin.
Re-categorizing it.
Not only wrenching it out of Scripture, but declaring it righteous.
A re-writing of passages in the Bible you might say.
With over 85% of Americans claiming to be Christians, and yet 52% of those polled giving a thumbs up on something God says is wrong, shows American Christians saying one thing in a Church building, and yet another when outside the Church building.
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, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV)
Notice, it does not say that “At this time they will not enter the Kingdom of God, but down the road when it is acceptable for man, then I will allow homosexuality, but still not thieves.”
Yet this is how people who call themselves Christians interpret what they want as opposed to what God says. And for many, not all but many this is because they don't read Gods word. They are second and third handers, getting most of what they hear of Gods word from TV or cute emails... But not from reading the Bible themselves.
O dear reader, don't assume, don't guess, don't believe falsely...
Read Gods Word for yourself.
Don't get your Christianity out of a fortune cookie, or reading a Christian “T” shirt or email.
Even this BLOG is written by a sinful man...
Read the Bible, Gods Word.
Check everything with Scripture.
“and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. “
(2 Timothy 3:15-17 ESV)
6/01/2010
Tract Writing Obsession…
I am in the middle of writing several Tracts.
And on each one the biggest challenge I have are NOT the Atheists, or Deniers of faith, but the Claimers of faith, the professing Christians that about 80% plus will go to.
I imagine my family or friends, who have been inoculated with American Christianity…
I can see them starting to read what the tract says, and nodding along, going with the flow, stuck in the agreement pattern without even taking the time to examine ones self. As I have done for over 40 years.
Getting them to look at themselves…
Getting them to see that Jesus is more like a key fob to them than their Lord and Savior.
Getting them to just consider taking the Bible and Jesus Words serious.
As I know most of the people who these tracts will go to are “proclaiming Christians”, I find myself trying to hammer in on getting them to see the wolves in sheep’s clothing all around them, and to look at the goat-food (doctrine) they are currently eating as opposed to the sheep-food (doctrine) that the Bible displays.
Even though they look similar at a glance, one only needs to stop, and start to examine them, and one will soon see a dichotomy, opposites of what America teaches a verse says as opposed to what the Bible actually says the verse really means.
And I know that Salvation is of the Lord, not a method, program, or clever tract.
But I also do know that I am responsible for conveying what I do know and to the best of the abilities that God enables me to do them.
So Pray for me for guidance.
And on each one the biggest challenge I have are NOT the Atheists, or Deniers of faith, but the Claimers of faith, the professing Christians that about 80% plus will go to.
I imagine my family or friends, who have been inoculated with American Christianity…
I can see them starting to read what the tract says, and nodding along, going with the flow, stuck in the agreement pattern without even taking the time to examine ones self. As I have done for over 40 years.
Getting them to look at themselves…
Getting them to see that Jesus is more like a key fob to them than their Lord and Savior.
Getting them to just consider taking the Bible and Jesus Words serious.
As I know most of the people who these tracts will go to are “proclaiming Christians”, I find myself trying to hammer in on getting them to see the wolves in sheep’s clothing all around them, and to look at the goat-food (doctrine) they are currently eating as opposed to the sheep-food (doctrine) that the Bible displays.
Even though they look similar at a glance, one only needs to stop, and start to examine them, and one will soon see a dichotomy, opposites of what America teaches a verse says as opposed to what the Bible actually says the verse really means.
And I know that Salvation is of the Lord, not a method, program, or clever tract.
But I also do know that I am responsible for conveying what I do know and to the best of the abilities that God enables me to do them.
So Pray for me for guidance.
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