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Two Pastor’s Testimonies- One for the Redeemed and one for the Masses.

March 30, 2013 in Bible Study, Rick Warren, Testimonies | Tags: , | Leave a comment

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life?

And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body–but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act – the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn’t going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you’re just coming out of one, or you’re getting ready to go into another one..

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys – you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don’t believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it’s kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:

If you focus on your problems, you’re going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.’ But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her. It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don’t think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God’s purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, “God, if I don’t get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better.”

God didn’t put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He’s more interested in what I am than what I do.

That’s why we’re called human beings, not human doings.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.

Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.

Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.

Painful moments, TRUST GOD.

Every moment, THANK GOD..

*****

Okay there are some truths here. But this is not a true testimony…A testimony usually  involves the full Gospel message of Good News…The Good News means there is way for sinners to be saved from eternal damnation. The message from RW is very incomplete and really has little substance. But this is the watered-down, feel-good message the people want to hear. This message has no conviction of sin and is easier to sell. Tickled-ears like to hear about sin in the quantity of a grain of sand because one will step over anything larger.

RW promotes his goodness and achievements in his testimony but the Bible says our good deeds are like filthy rags.

The next testimony is a powerful one. A friend said:

“There is a remnant that has been ruined for anything less than the real thing, as modeled by Jesus Himself, and they will not settle for less than all that He purchased on our behalf.”

Pastor’s Testimony

My Story

I was saved on August 24, 1983 when I saw myself lost, going to hell and trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. All my life I had tried being good, you know, stop sinning; but the hard I tried the worse I became. By the time I was fourteen I was drinking on a consistent basis, already smoking cigarettes, and soon was to take my first toke of pot, not really sure what I was getting into. By sixteen I was smoking pot and drinking almost every day. For those who have their kids in public schools, I might just state that I knew no one that did not smoke pot or drink at least a couple of beers a week. I went to college, but instead of studying I found the party life to be much more interesting. You say, “Well didn’t you get an education?” I could easily reply, “In How to Ruin Your Life 101”. I was well on my way to doing that. Finally, in my junior year I dropped out of college to work off shore on the oilrigs. That was a start of another chapter to the book of my life.
I started as a galley hand working for a drilling company called Diamond M. Drilling. My salary was $1500.00 a week. I could work three weeks out of a month, which made my total monthly income around $4500.00, which is too much to give a 21-year-old drug addict. Immediately, I went out and bought a Maxda RX7 and an ounce of the best pot I could find, nothing was too good for me anymore. I took my friends to the best restaurants, and on and on the story went. That was when cocaine entered into the picture. With the ladies and “the coke” I had become a party animal. I also learned to fly planes. That was one of the few things I do not regret.
I was having a ball until the first of December came around. I lost my job and in two weeks I lost my mother, whom I loved very much. I have too many regrets to list them all here. You would think that it would have been enough to wake me up, but it wasn’t. Now with a cocaine habit and jobless, I was in trouble. I flew out to Colorado to seize a job and to go back to school. My money reserves were not large enough to keep me going. In desperation and flat broke, I flew to my Uncle Sammie’s in Tulsa, Oklahoma where my rebellious attitude was about to set me back another step.
Almost as soon as I had arrived I was on a plane back to Pensacola with only $100.00 in my pocket that my Uncle gave me. When I arrived back in Pensacola it was so late that I decided to get a hotel that was about $28.00 and $6.00 for the taxi fare, which didn’t leave me with much money to live on. I called my old roommates to see what was happening, only to find the number no longer in service. I did not know what to do; but my pride kept me from going to my father’s house.
Soon all the money was gone. I ended up sleeping in the streets of Pensacola. Life was not quite as fun as it had been. I went eight days without eating anything. In a last attempt to get on my feet, I went and sold my blood. I figured with the money I got from selling my own blood I could get a bite to eat. They asked me the usual questions, “Have you eaten anything today?” “Oh of course,” I blurted out. While the blood dripped into the bag I started feeling weak and called for the nurse. She took my blood pressure and called the doctor. They ended up calling the paramedics and giving me two pints of blood and about 14 of those little orange juices. I left there broke and hungry. “I am ready to steal food,” I thought to myself. Still believing I was better than some, I threw that thought out the window. I ended up begging for food at a restaurant downtown called the Danty Del. The owner’s son fed me the leftovers from lunch, seven stuffed – bell peppers. I could not remember ever being so thankful for food even if I had to eat it where the cats eat (the back door). I now see, looking back, that the Lord was working on me through all those times; I was too rebellious. Pensacola has a rescue mission . I could have had a warm meal every night. I was too proud to go there. That was for street bums; not people who have as much on the ball as me. Pride was always haunting me. The single thing that brought Satan’s fall was slowly bringing mine.
I went to Charlie (whom I called C.P.) and MayWinn’s house to see if they would be gracious enough to let me stay with them long enough to get my feet back on the ground. So with a little convincing, my friends let me stay there ( I praise the Lord for those people). I was on my way back to a normal life. Two months I stayed there working on their house for one meal a day. C.P. in the end offered me a job with a landscaping firm where he was working. I was thrilled—finally a real job! It was the next few weeks that I secured an apartment around the corner on Barcelona Street. My life was looking up. I spent a year in the apartment. It was very personal time with much meditation, lots of prayers (none of which even hit the ceiling since I was lost, trusting my good WORKS). I went back to school not long after that. Six months later I was opening an arcade downtown called the Amusement Arcade with my buddy and old roommate Greg Morrison. How I thought the Lord was blessing me for cleaning up my life. Oh—I forgot to tell you that by this time I had quit smoking pot and drugs and drinking altogether, but I was still chasing the women and sinner in other ways. This is where something special happened to me.
I can’t remember the date I saw this girl but it must have been around early June. She was really special, clean, up front. She was just herself. She was talking to one of my cashiers, and as any warm-blooded American boy would have done, I started flirting with her. She was refreshing! She mentioned something about a health food co-op. The next time we talked I asked her if she would like to go to the movie and she said yes. I was in orbit. My heart pounded, as I never remembered. She mentioned she was saved and loved to study the Bible. I told her I was a Christian (I did believe in God). She was beautiful. She wanted me to go to church with her on Sunday. I could not refuse the opportunity to thank the Lord for my blessings. I told her I would go, not knowing what to expect.
I picked her up at her trailer that was right next to the church. We walked to church with her son, Jason. There weren’t very many people, but that didn’t bother me; it was that they met in a house. I thought to myself, “What kind of church is this?” She assured me that it would be a blessing. I don’t even remember if I had a Bible or not. The preacher’s name was Brother E. C. Moore. He started with a prayer and preached for forty-five minutes. We turned to what seemed to be about 400 scriptures (but was, in fact, probably only 30) of which I could only find two. Most of my childhood was spent in the military churches that only read one scripture and spoke about twenty minutes. This was a switch! I was so convicted that I almost forgot my name. Bud Morgan was one of the first to approach me after the service. He asked me if I was saved, and I went into a long spill that amounted to lies and confusion. I kept going although every time I stepped foot in the church there was great conviction. I started learning the terminology and could talk the talk. I was honestly learning something in the Bible. Brenda and I had grown very close. I knew she was the one I wanted to be my wife. There was something still very wrong spiritually; I was LOST. On the twenty-third of August 1983, for the first time in my life (that I could remember) the cross was preached to me.
The preacher started in Matt. 27, preaching the cross and describing the crucifixion. He kept adding the phrase, “You know why?” Because you are no good!” That really got to me: that I was simply no good. I saw for the first time that I deserved the cross, not Christ. I was so sad in my heart, confused. He kept preaching and convictions grew. I was at the point I could have jumped up and cried out for salvation, but something inside me kept me from doing it (the heart is deceitful). Now I know that it was pride. I had already told these people I was saved, now they would think I was a liar. The preacher kept saying over and over, “He did it all for you, why won’t you trust Him?” Thoughts flooded my mind—Oh, I was so lost! The preacher wouldn’t let up. He described a scene I would like to describe to you.
He mentioned how the Lord was spat upon, how he was stripped naked, how he was mocked, whipped, slapped—all because he was dying for MY SINS. How he was judged unfairly and was condemned to die a sinner’s death. Barabbas as the murderer, rapist, whoremonger, liar, cheater, stinky old scoundrel, and had been set free. Christ had to take his place. He had died for all my SINS, my filthy SINS, and the LUST I had done.
He went on to describe how it must have looked at Calvary that day. You have Barabbas sitting there watching the whole thing as a free man. You have his two henchmen facing the death for the crimes they had done and Christ facing death for the CRIMES I HAD DONE! You could hear the crowd yelling “crucify him, crucify him?” The thieves were screaming profanities. They laid the first cross down and grabbed one of the thieves, and he was fighting the whole way down. The preacher said, “It might have taken twelve men to hold his arm out to nail it to the cross; he was cursing, screaming and yelling.” He bowed his back as they grabbed his other arm to nail it. You could smell the liquor still on his breath. They lifted up the cross and dropped it in the hole. You could hear him scream a mile away as the weight of his body pulled against those nails. The agony he was in, the blood that covered his body; oh what a sight!
The other thief, being prepared to be nailed upon the cross, was much the same scene. You could hear as they nailed into his hands—Bam! Bam! Bam! You could listen for miles to the agony as he screamed. Bam! Bam! Can’t you hear him right now yelling, “When I get off this cross, I’ll kill you!” The Roman soldiers answering back, “You’ll never get off the cross,” laughing while they were hitting each other and pointing at the fool.
Then it was Christ’s turn. They put his cross on the ground and willingly he lay down. Do you know why? Because he was dying for Barry Hampton’s sins and yours. Some of the soldiers were still prodding him, but willingly he died for you. He took his arms and so very gently laid them upon the tree. No struggle at all. They started to nail the spikes into his hands. WHAM! WHAM! The nail painfully entered through his flesh, one pound at a time. Blood was everywhere. You could see the pain in his face, but he opened not his mouth. The Bible says they had already plowed furrows in his back with a whip. The pain was unbelievable, but he did it all so we could have eternal life. I was doing everything possible to hold back tears. For the first time, I saw what my Lord did for me. Me, personally! He became sin for me. The wages of sin is death and he died a sinner’s death but He was sinless. The sins that he had to pay such an awful death for came from somewhere. Yes, they came from me. Like if that wasn’t enough, the preacher went on. They lifted up his cross and dropped it in the ground. As the cross hit the bottom of the hole you could hear the echoes throughout the land. The nails ripped in his hands and feet when it hit. Then they stood around and mocked him some more, laughing “the King of the Jews.” Then one of them took a spear and thrust it through his side. Blood and water came rushing out. You could hardly see who he was anymore, all because of my sins.
One of the thieves yelled out, “If you are the Christ, get down off that cross. Save us both (that was me all my life). The other one answered, “Can’t you see that He is the Christ?” He had watched the whole thing happen: an innocent man was being crucified unjustly. Jesus said that he would see him in paradise that day. The other one died and in hell lifted up his eyes in torments, screaming for mercy, and will find none. I was so scared that hell was going to open up and grab me. That night I drove home afraid of having an accident or that the Rapture would happen before I got this matter straight with the Lord.
The next morning I was still under great conviction, and after two hours of conning the Lord I gave up and asked him to save me. I was simply lost, going to hell. I decided that if he didn’t forgive me at the cross as I Cor. 15:1-4 and Col. 2:1-3 said, I was going to hell. That moment a peace came upon me and I realized that he had already forgiven me of all my sins the moment he hanged on that cross and took my place. Thank the Lord for his mercy and kindness! Grace – It was all BY HIS GRACE. It was nothing I did, but what he did for me at the CROSS! Oh Salvation so divine. I thank the Lord for saving me that day and giving me the strength to testify of his Love, of HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US!
If you are not saved, stop everything and consider your salvation. What is it you have been trusting in: baptism, walking the aisle, church membership, or in absolutely nothing? If you are not trusting what the Lord did for you, you are lost going to hell. When was there a time in history you saw yourself lost, going to hell? When was there a time in history you saw yourself lost, needing salvation? I mean really deserving hell because you are NO GOOD. If there was not a time, how do you know what you are trusting for your salvation? Is it worth staking all eternity on? I knew the knowledge, but I was still lost. Don’t trust your knowledge. Trust the Savior! If you have any questions, please feel free to call Barry P. Hampton at 334-244-9434. If you trusted Christ, please write and let us know that we may joy in your salvation.

Source

gracebiblechurch-absolutetruth.org/pastorstestimony

So what about the question posed to RW, “What is the purpose of life?”

If you are really interested to a biblical answer to this question, here is an excerpt from this article.

It is God’s desire that we know Him, believe Him, and witness about Him. Jesus made a similar statement to His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Notice that Jesus’ instructions include being with Him, obeying Him, and witnessing to others. John 15:1-17 records Jesus’ instructions regarding abiding in His love, bearing the fruit of righteousness, obeying His commands, loving others, trusting that we are considered His friend, and experiencing joy. In part, Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another” (John 15:16-17). Look at the purpose in that statement: we have been chosen to bear fruit, to have relationship with the Father, and to have relationship with others. Verse 11 tells us that this will affect our joy. Knowing and enjoying God is a universal purpose in life. Once we know God, we are also called to witness so that others may know and enjoy Him.

Read more: http://www.compellingtruth.org/life-purpose.html#ixzz2P2MniiLL

Helping Those Who Are Hurting

March 12, 2013 in Bible Study, Christians, religion, Spiritual Life | Leave a comment

Helping Those Who Are Hurting.

Charles Spurgeon on the Holy Spirit

March 1, 2013 in apologetics, Bible Study, Church | Tags: , | Leave a comment

GOD DOES NOT GIVE A FRESH REVELATION, BUT HE RIVETS THE OLD ONE

A

Now there are some persons who make a great mistake about the influence of the Holy Spirit. A foolish man, who had fancy to preach in a certain pulpit, though in truth he was quite incapable of the duty, called upon the minister, and assured him solemnly that it had been revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he was to preach in his pulpit.

“Very well,” said the minister, “I suppose I must not doubt your assertion, but as it has not been revealed to me that I am to let you preach, you must go your way until it is.” I have heard many fanatical persons say the Holy Spirit revealed this and that to them. Now that is very generally revealed nonsense.

The Holy Ghost does not reveal anything fresh now. He brings old things to our remembrance. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.” The canon of revelation is closed; there is no more to be added.

God does not give a fresh revelation, but he rivets the old one. When it has been forgotten, and laid in the dusty chamber of our memory, he fetches it out and cleans the picture, but does not paint a new one.

There are no new doctrines, but the old ones are often revived. It is not, I say, by any new revelation that the Spirit comforts. He does so by telling us old things over again; he brings a fresh lamp to manifest the treasures hidden in Scripture; he unlocks the strong chests in which the truth had long lain, and he points to secret chambers filled with untold riches; but he comes no more, for enough is done.

Believer! there is enough in the Bible for thee to live upon for ever. If thou shouldst outnumber the years of Methusaleh, there would be no need for a fresh revelation; if thou shouldst live till Christ should come upon the earth, there would be no necessity for the addition of a single word.

If thou shouldst go down as deep as Jonah, or even descend as David said he did, into the belly of hell, still there would be enough in the Bible to comfort thee without a supplementary sentence.

But Christ says, “He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you.”

Charles Spurgeon

True Gospel Vs. False Gospel Chart – from Liberty to the Captives

February 20, 2013 in Bible Study, Church, faith, religion | Tags: , | Leave a comment

True Gospel Vs. False Gospel Chart

False Gospel 

True Gospel

He who believes the false gospel sows to the flesh and falsely believes that he will never reap corruption (Galatians 6,7)

The believer of the true gospel sows to the Spirit and will reap life everlasting (Galatians  6,7)

I am justified by faith so my sanctification is automatically applied to me; I don’t have to actually live a holy life.

There is the necessity of a holy life. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2Timothy 2:19

As long as you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins, you may disbelieve his word and therefore disobey all of his commands to believers.

“God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thess. 4:7)

Christ was holy so I don’t have to be holy. His holiness removes the need for me to walk in holiness. When God looks at me he sees Jesus so I am blameless regardless of my continual practice of sin.

“He hath chosen us in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. (Eph. 1:4)

 

It does not matter whether I sow to my flesh or to the (Holy) Spirit. Grace replaces obedience. Obedience is optional because of grace. It does not matter what I do; I will reap eternal life regardless of whether I sow to the flesh or to the Spirit.

“If you sow to your flesh, you shall of your flesh reap corruption, but if you sow to the Spirit you shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (See Gal. 6:8)

Jesus Christ saves us  from the penalty of sin only. As blood-bought Christians, we may live under the power of  sin and enjoy the pleasure of sin. (The Bible says this is “having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.”-2 Tim. 3:5)

Jesus Christ saves us from the power, the pleasure, and the penalty of sin.

Sin is no longer an issue in my life; Jesus Christ paid for my sins so my  victory (through yielding to the Holy Spirit) over the world, the flesh, and the devil is of no consequence

The ability to sin is not eradicated, but sin no longer has the dominion and rule over our lives. We must put sin completely out of our lives. The soul whom God saves has a new nature and a new heart put within and desires to obey God fully.
The “cross” means death to Jesus Christ only, not to myself and my sinful ways.

The true gospel of Christ demands the death, burial, and resurrection, of you, the sinner, in Christ Jesus.

I can remain under the power of sin and sow to the flesh, My hope of heaven is secure because I prayed the “sinner’s prayer.”  I can have the new life in Christ without forsaking my old life of sin.

He is who under grace is not dominated by sin. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom 6:14

There is no cross to take up. I don’t have to say goodbye to my old, self-serving way of life. . . I merely “tack on” salvation to my present life of sin.

The true gospel of Christ sets forth the cross of Christ as the abrupt, violent end of all that you are by nature and raises you to a new life in Jesus Christ with the shackles of sin broken.

God’s grace will abound toward me  while I continue to sin. Grace means that I am automatically forgiven while I continue to sin willfully.

God’s grace will not abound while I continue to sin. “What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.” (Romans  6:2) God is not mocked by a false definition of grace.

The false gospel denies the power of the grace of God to break the power of sin in the Christian’s life.

The grace of God which now reigns, teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Titus 2:11, 12

The false gospel denies the power of the grace of God over sin. The professing Christian surrenders to the lust of the flesh under the guise of “liberty” and continues to produce the same sinful fruits that he did before he came to Jesus Christ.

The true Christian does not use liberty for an occasion to the flesh, as a “cloak of maliciousness,” or as a servant of corruption. He uses his liberty to be a servant of God.

Converts of the false gospel have a “form of godliness” but they “deny the power thereof.” These false converts bring forth bad fruit: They are lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.

The power of the gospel works in the life of the believer, setting him free from the power and tyranny of sin, and producing in him the reign of righteousness, so the saved soul can then walk in newness of life by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Yes, God’s child is changed into the likeness of Christ, as the Holy Spirit produces the changed life of holiness in him.  The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the saved soul: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. -Gal. 5:22

Grace means God’s hands are tied once I say the “sinner’s prayer” and he is compelled to continually forgive me no matter how much ungodliness and worldly lusts I continue to partake of. Even receiving the mark of the beast will not separate me from the Love of Christ.

For the grace that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world:” (Titus 2:11, 12)

Return to: True Gospel Vs False Gospel Articles

http://libertytothecaptives.net/gospel_chart.html

To Be a Pilgrim…

February 8, 2013 in Bible Study, faith, Spiritual Life | Tags: , | Leave a comment

By James Montgomery Boice

Joseph was a true pilgrim. Abraham had lived in the highlands of Canaan, refusing to descend, as Lot did, to the cities of the plain. Isaac had lived in the grassy land to the south. Jacob had removed to Hebron, refusing to mingle with the people of the land. Joseph was in Egypt–a very different situation. He was in the midst of utter paganism; but it was where God had put him. And because God had put him there and he remained close to God, he was able to live in Egypt and be uncontaminated by it. He was on God’s side.

Most of us are like Joseph. We do not have the luxury of a detached existence. We are in the melting pot of life. and we sometimes think that because our lives are busy and our environments secular, we cannot live for God as “spiritual” people do. If we are inclined to think that way, we should remember Joseph. Joseph was surrounded by every secular pressure. He was a citizen of the world. But his conduct throughout his entire life, as well as his dying words, proved that he did not live for the material things life can bring, but for God and his kingdom and glory. If Joseph lived like that in his circumstances, we can live for God in ours. We can endure and triumph as those who eyes see things that are invisible. 

Joseph is remembered in the Word of God, and he is with God today in glory.

Genesis Volume III – Living by Faith

Chapter 179

The Faith of  Joseph

pp. 1269-70

The Four Groups Of Cessationists.

September 1, 2012 in Bible Study, christianity | Tags: , | 3 comments

The Four Groups Of Cessationists.

Source HERE

In Christian theology, cessationism is the view that the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as tongues, prophecy and healing, ceased being practiced early on in Church history. Cessationists usually believe the miraculous gifts were given only for the foundation of the Church, during the time between the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, c. AD 33 (see Acts 2) and the fulfillment of God’s purposes in history, usually identified as either the completion of the last book of the New Testament or the death of the last Apostle.

Cessationists are divided into four main groups:

•Concentric Cessationists believe that the miraculous gifts have indeed ceased in the mainstream church and evangelized areas, but appear in unreached areas as an aid to spreading the Gospel (Luther and Calvin, though they were somewhat inconsistent in this position).

•Classical cessationists assert that the “sign gifts” such as prophecy, healing and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles and the finishing of the canon of Scripture. They only served as launching pads for the spreading of the Gospel; as affirmations of God’s revelation. However, these cessationists do believe that God still occasionally does miracles today, such as healings or divine guidance, so long as these “miracles” do not accredit new doctrine or add to the New Testament canon. Richard Gaffin, John F. MacArthur and Daniel B. Wallace are perhaps the best-known classical cessationists.

•Full Cessationists argue that along with no miraculous gifts, there are also no miracles performed by God today. This argument, of course, turns on one’s understanding of the term, “miracle.” B. B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, F.N. Lee.

•Consistent Cessationists believe that not only were the miraculous gifts only for the establishment of the first-century church, but the so-called fivefold ministry found in Eph. 4 was also a transitional institution (i.e., There are no more apostles or prophets, but also no more pastors, teachers, or evangelists).

CONTENDING WITHOUT BEING CONTENTIOUS- by Holly Sprenger Garcia

August 7, 2012 in apologetics, Bible Study, christianity, contemplative spirituality, discernment, Reiki, Yoga | Tags: , , , , , | 1 comment

SOME BRIEF NOTES ON CONTENDING WITHOUT BEING CONTENTIOUS

by Holly Sprenger Garcia  

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

 We have contending and we can be contentious… Two different things. We contend for the faith, or we are accusatory and can be contentious. Let’s sharpen iron with GOD’S WORD, not our feelings, experiences, beliefs, our even our word… Let’s wait on our Master, and let our heart be right with Him. Search our hearts Lord. (Psalm 139:23-24)

■A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored. As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. Prov 27:15-19

 ■MOLD ME MAKE ME LORD: Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. PR 31:25-26 

This goes BOTH ways, for not only the one contending for the faith, but for those Christians who oppose them, we need to remind ourselves of many passages. Frequently I see people come in to accuse those contending. They ask if you have prayed for them, they say, “they do not want to run out to lynch someone”, or “they don’t want to be condemning” (we should not condemn but speak the Word and hold up all to the light) or “judge not lest be judged”, “or have you used Matthew 18”, or cries of unity, or the funny one that I see frequently is, “You are so judgmental”… The irony escapes them.

■So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER,  AND NEED TO STOP DESPISING OTHER’S GIFTS,  ALONG WITH REALIZING THAT SOME DO NOT HAVE THE SAME UNDERSTANDING. SLOW TO SPEAK…

■FALSE UNITY: WHAT IS UNITY? It says, all these things are to equip us, edify the body, till we come to a unity of THE FAITH and of THE KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God….WHY? That we should no longer be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

SO, WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

Speak the truth in love, WHY?

■So that we may GROW UP in all things INTO HIM….

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:13-16

■“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

We have to watch out for how we reveal the truth, how we handle ourselves, and being careful of our speech. For those in the body who oppose those who are exposing a false teacher, and you disagree, you are only doing others harm by claiming they are “a brother” or “a sister” without ALSO having done your FULL proving.

■Attacking others for “TRASHING” a brother, or INSISTING they are a brother, is just as unhelpful as insisting someone is false or a wolf without laying out the case and discussing it.

■Never addressing or listening to the concerns of ecumenism, or associations, or lack of God’s Word in the forefront, etc. is not productive, and I cannot possibly see how it can be honoring to Him.

■Both sides of a discussion on false teaching should always maintain sound speech and a lack of characterization of the other side. We do not have the perception of Jesus to call someone a viper, so let’s proceed carefully.

Otherwise, I believe the Word shows we should stay silent from making absolute statements on both sides, UNLESS we have spent enough time to PROVE ALL THINGS – by His Word. If someone won’t hear you (not agree necessarily – (but hear you out) without getting angry, running off, accusing, or ignoring, then you may have to remember the patience we’re admonished to have with all men. We can be wrong, but another believer will generally hear us out, so that they can admonish us/reason with His Word with gentleness and patience. By the Way, Matthew 18 applies to a sin done to one person in private, then you keep it private, it has NOTHING to do with false doctrine. Nor should we rush out to apply it to someone we disagree with. We see things we may or may not like, but this doesn’t mean we should name names.

■But I believe we do have our marching orders in the verses below.

WE ARE ALL CALLED TO REVEAL THE TRUTH WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

So for those of you who feel discomfort when this happens, (you’re favorite teacher/pastor being mentioned), please understand how hard it is for the one who is speaking the truth. Certainly hold them accountable for how they do it, but don’t rush in to accuse them of a witch hunt, and/or pepper them with questions without having had the decency to do your own homework, with the info they already provided.

AND WE ARE ALSO CALLED TO WITHDRAW FROM THOSE WE SEE IN THIS PASSAGE BELOW:

■If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. I Tim 6:3-5

WE ARE TO KNOW AND BE IN THE MEAT OF HIS WORD SO WE CAN DISCERN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL:

We are to take heed to the doctrine for a reason:

■Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. I Tim 4:16

■For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:13-14

DO NOT EVEN GREET THOSE WHO DO NOT BRING HIS DOCTRINE:

■Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 2 John 1:9-11

___________________________________

 O.K., This is where I’d like to address the people who hang out with the Rick Warren’s of this world, or call Mitt Romney a Christian, or quote Henri Nouwen, or Ken Blanchard, Dallas Willard, link to others pages or products for sale, etc. The Pastors who go to conventions with them or call them brother. The people on FB who put them on their page. I understand completely some will be unknowing, but once you know, you better not compromise the truth of God’s Word, it’s not yours to compromise. So, if you pass along their info, “receive them”, “greet them”, then what?

■YOU ARE SHARING IN THEIR EVIL DEEDS.

I’d also like to address those who defend them as just authors, or fiction (i.e. the Shack) or say they are not pastors, teachers, etc. Please note most of these verses say, WHOEVER, or ANYONE, etc. and does not differentiate that they should not be STOPPED, MARKED, AVOIDED, NAMED, except that there was greater condemnation for the Pharisees or stricter judgment for teachers. And by the way, if YOU are taking teaching, reading an author’s books, sharing them on FB, thereby recommending their speech, YOU are also sharing in their evil deeds. We need to try so hard to be careful, we can all make mistakes, but don’t turn around a snap if someone points it out to you, but be quick to listen, go take some quiet time in prayer and His Word to look for yourself.

■ALL ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THESE PASSAGES BY GOD’S WORD. DON’T EXCUSE THOSE WHO ARE PROPAGATING FALSE DOCTRINE AS NOT BEING “DISCERNING”. WHAT DO WE SEE FROM THE SCRIPTURES I’VE SHARED SO FAR, AND ALSO BELOW AS OUR RESPONSIBILITY? (See if I have missed some)

1.Know His Word.

2.Use His Word, not yours.

3.Be in the MEAT of His Word.

4.Take Heed to His Word.

5.Correct with His Word.

6.Don’t associate with those who will not CONSENT with sound words, withdraw.

7.Get and use wisdom and kindness when you speak.

8.Be slow to speak, and quick to listen. Don’t be quick to wrath.

9.Not associate with those who don’t consent to sound words.

10.Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, Reveal the truth.

11.Find out what is acceptable to the Lord.

12.Expose those deeds.

13.Prove or test all things and Hold fast to that which is good.

14.Test the Spirits (Because there are MANY false Prophets)

15.Mark and avoid those who bring that divisive false doctrine.

16.Name Names.

1.Eph 5:10, 11, Heb 5:14, Rom 16:17-18, I John 4:1, I Thess 5:21

I’d also like to address the people who defend them as just being “undiscerning” or “deceived”. Go ahead and pray for them, but we cannot excuse as acceptable behavior.

These teachers/pastors/authors are not just being undiscerning (see Rom 1:31), they are being disobedient to God’s Word and we are NOT even to keep COMPANY with them. (2 Thess 3:14) They also are “sharing in their evil deeds” (2 John 1:9-11). Do we want to defend a “deceived” or “undiscerning” person, who is not in the meat of God’s Word, who do not obey His Word; who call themselves a Christian writer, apologist, speaker, teacher, pastor and then listen or share their writings or teachings?

■But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, DECEIVING and being DECEIVED. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 2 Tim 3:13-14

WHY ARE WE ALL CALLED TO DO THIS? SO WE CAN CUT OFF THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD OTHERS ASTRAY TO THEIR DEATHS….

■But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light*. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor 11:12-15

* Angel of light, we need to remind ourselves, ministers of righteousness is what they will look like.

ECUMENICAL?

SPIRITUAL FORMATION?

DABBLING IN “CHRISTIAN” YOGA?

GOING TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

VISITING YOUR FRIEND’S MOSQUE?

TAKING PART IN REIKI HEALING, ETC.?

What does His Word instruct?

1) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 2 Cor 6:14-16

2) 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. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor 6:16-18

■RENOUNCE AND EXPOSE: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:8-11

I AM GUILTY OF FORGETTING THIS, HELP ME LORD

■Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in ALL THINGS showing yourself to be a PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, SOUND SPEECH that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:6-8

WHO WE DO AND DO NOT BREAK FELLOWSHIP WITH. HOW SHOULD WE ADMONISH THEM?

BELOW ARE BIBLICAL EXAMPLES AND PATTERNS FOR THOSE WHO ARE TEACHING OTHERWISE TO SOUND DOCTRINE, AND DOES NOT CONSENT TO WHOLESOME WORDS, OR DOES NOT OBEY THESE EPISTLES…

■WE WITHDRAW,

■WE DON’T KEEP COMPANY WITH THEM.

■WE MARK AND AVOID.

BUT LET’S BE VERY CAREFUL IT IS ABOUT SOUND DOCTRINE AND NOT NON-ESSENTIALS OR PRIDE, BUT DO KEEP IN MIND, IT IS GOD’S WORD THAT IS ESSENTIAL. Let’s also only offend in Christ and not in ourselves.

1.But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thess 3:13-15

2.If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. I Tim 6:3-5

3.But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thess 3:6

IS IT O.K. TO DISMISS BAD TEACHING OR KEEPING BAD COMPANY WITH THE COMMENT, “NOT EVERYONE IS DISCERNING?” WHAT DOES HIS WORD SAY BELOW?

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, UNDISCERNING, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are DESERVING OF DEATH, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Rom 1:28-32

Sounds pretty serious to me . . . and I have been there, there is not knowing, but we do need to test the spirits, and search the Scriptures to see if these things are so.  ESPECIALLY if we are recommending or taking teaching from one who may be teaching great error.

  • But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  Heb 5:14 

WE DON’T JUDGE WHETHER SOMEONE IS OR IS NOT A BELIEVER

(We can surmise, but we should speak to the fruits of bad doctrine)

This passage also gives us good advice of judging what a man speaks.  Is he/she REALLY speaking the Word of God?

  • He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.  “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 
  • A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matt 12:30, 33-37

 

WE KNOW FALSE PROPHETS AND RAVENING WOLVES BY THEIR FRUIT’S….

RECENTLY I HEARD A WELL-KNOWN PREACHER, USING THE PASSAGE IN MATT 24, CHANGING IT TO SINGULAR, TO KNOW WHETHER SOMEONE WAS A BELIEVER OR NOT… BE CAREFUL… TAKE HEED….lest we fall… We can examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith, but we judge nothing before it’s time with a professing believer’s justification.  We certainly CAN and SHOULD judge unsound doctrine, associations (within the church) and behavior. (I Cor 5 & 6)

 

THIS PASSAGE SPEAKS TO FALSE PROPHETS (NOT NECESSARILY FRUIT INSPECTING OF OTHER BELIEVERS YOU SAW HAVING A BEER OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU MIGHT PERSONALLY LOOK DOWN ON) I am speaking to those who say definitively that people aren’t saved, I don’t believe we can be sure, and I know we can surmise they may in trouble based on lack of fruit of the Spirit or love for the brethren – but Jesus DID say Judge with a righteous judgment and not according to the appearance – the only place to find righteous judgment I know of, is from His Word, not mine): 

  • “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.  Matt 7:15-21
    • They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: Titus 1:16-2:1
    • But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Pet 2:1-3

(Not really even pointing to the obvious guys/women who are wearing Armani suits, or driving Bentley’s, or have 10,000 square foot mansions, or compounds, planes, or $23,000 gold toilet seats, but reminding us all that they are among us, and secretlybring in these destructive heresies.  And MANY will follow their deceptive ways, and most people don’t think they will be deceived, or led astray.  Who is it that is being misled if there are MANY DECEIVERS?)

■This comment was from me to a well-known ministry who was hooking up with Chuck Pierce of the NAR movement. “Please consider the fact that many will follow their destructive ways because you invited them to the occasion.”

But I’d like to admonish each and every one of us, we ARE to prove all things and hold FAST to that which is good. (I Thess 5:21), we ARE to be Bereans and SEARCH the scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11), we ARE to approach Him with humility and with a teachable attitude… (I Pet 5) May we all remember that.

I remember last year, someone from a Bible study had overheard me speaking of the  danger of  being involved with (yoga), she said, “Oh brother, I am too spiritually mature to be deceived”… I said no more, I was just saddened, I walked with her, and said if she ever wanted to know more, I’d freely share. But she has never asked, and to this day defends the practice. I pray the Lord protects her, and I pray she considers that MANY WILL FOLLOW THEIR DESTRUCTIVE WAYS…

And will it be because one of us haven’t done our proving? Or maybe we’d rather not have a disagreement or deal with the unpleasantness, but think of the alternative….MANY will follow their destructive ways…

EVERYONE… ALL BELIEVERS… ARE CALLED TO DO THIS:

■Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Rom 16:17-20

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:104-105

IN THE END, WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM AND THE MANNER OF HOW TO RECOVER SOME FROM THE SNARE OF THE ENEMY. (And that should be our goal, not to be right, but to do right).

■Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:1-7

USE THE WORD TO JUDGE BY. THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT.

Copyright 2012 Holly Sprenger Garcia

(This note may be shared in its entirety by anyone who chooses to use it for the glory of God. It is not for mocking nor to take it apart to either prove their own view, or to dishonor the Lord. It is free, none my work to be sold by another. These are some of the reasons why this is copyrighted – for those who agree with the reasons, please do share!). Also, I am always open to pointing out where I am wrong (I will be wrong), but please just do it with His Word 🙂

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Understanding Matthew 18:15-17

July 1, 2012 in apologetics, Bible Study, discernment | Tags: , | 1 comment

When one disagrees with the newest book, a message spoken from a pulpit or television progam, someone often will come back with…”Did you contact the person first before making your opposing view known, so that you will be in accordance with Matthew 18?”

The Berean Call answers this quite well.

(The following is TBC’s very first Q&A published in February, 1986)

Question: Does TBC follow “Matthew 18” and first go to the authors and/or leaders it critiques in newsletters and books?

by Dave Hunt

Response: Matthew 18:15-17 has to do with private (not public) sin committed by one brother or sister in the Body against another. “Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee…” (KJV). All translations agree that the subject is sin or trespass, not false teaching. Although a few do not specifically state in verse 15 that this is a trespass by one Christian against another, the context makes this clear in all translations. Look for example at verse 21, where Peter, in response to what the Lord has said, asks Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?” (KJV); “how often shall my brother sin against me” (RSV); “how many times can my brother wrong me” (Phillips); “how often shall my brother sin against me” (NAS), etc.

The entire context has to do strictly with a personal problem between two Christians, where one has wronged the other, and is therefore to be kept private unless it can’t be resolved in that manner. In contrast, many other scriptures make it very clear that sin which is known publicly is an offense to the entire Body and must be dealt with publicly: “Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear” (1 Tm 5:20, KJV). This is both for the benefit of the body of Christ and also to let the world know that the church doesn’t tolerate sin. False doctrine is not the subject of Matthew 18, but something else entirely, and does not come under the instructions Christ gives in that passage. It is impossible for erroneous teaching that is presented publicly ever to be considered a private trespass of one person against another, which must therefore be dealt with privately between the two.

False doctrine is never a private matter and is always to be dealt with publicly. Much of the New Testament was written to publicly correct false teaching. Even the beloved Apostle John named Diotrephes in 3 John and promised that when he came to that church he would publicly correct the Offender in person. Paul withstood Peter to the face publicly for his false interpretation of the law that caused Him not to associate with Gentile believers (Gal 2:11-14). In a day of mass media, particularly when denied access to Christian TV networks, the only method of public correction of false teaching is to write books [and blogs] to call the attention of the Body to errors that affect the whole Body.

In keeping with many other scriptures that could be cited, 1 Corinthians 14:29 clearly states, “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” Clearly the issue is not whether an individual listener is offended by what one of the preachers has said, even if one could stretch that to be a “sin” against his brother. It would be entirely inappropriate for a listener to take aside the prophet he felt had spoken falsely and have a private discussion with him, and only if he refused to hear, then tell it to the church. The issue is the doctrinal purity of the Body, which must be guarded at all cost. And what has been publicly stated must be discussed publicly. It may well be that the prophet spoke truly and the offended listener was wrong. So when he speaks out against what the prophet has said, he himself will be corrected by others. It is this kind of open discussion among believers that the Bible teaches, and that is the only protection against error being introduced and allowed to corrupt the church. Never is it suggested that no one must disagree with what is being taught because to do so would cause “division.” On the contrary, we are told that we must correct error in teaching and do so publicly.

Furthermore, what has been said in books and on TV etc. is part of the public domain, subject to review, analysis, critique of any kind. Anyone who makes public declarations intended to influence large audiences through books, radio, TV etc. ought to know that he is responsible for what he says, and will be held accountable. No one has ever asked me for permission or even discussed with me critiquing any of my many books, and some reviews have been very unfavorable. That is expected.

It is not necessary to talk with a writer or speaker in order to be accurate and fair. It is a rather weak excuse to say that some writer/leader really didn’t mean what he said. Then he should have said what he meant. Unfortunately, there are thousands and, in the case of some, millions who have read and/or heard and taken it at face value, as any reasonable person would. Words have meaning and it is assumed that the normal meaning applies. Even if one of these teachers has changed his beliefs, we must still deal with what has been published for the sake of those who have been affected by it. If a person has changed his beliefs, then he ought to publish just as widely in tape and book form a renunciation of any false or misleading teaching he has given in the past rather than make a private explanation to me.

When God Abandons A Nation

June 26, 2012 in Bible, Bible Study | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

There has been plenty of controversy regarding the book, “The Harbinger” by Jonathan Cahn. I don’t recommend this book  (you can search for links on this site to find out why) but I do recommend this by John MacArthur…

“God has abandoned America to the effects of its sinful choices. Oh, this isn’t the first nation that it’s happened to, this is the story of history. Acts 14:16, the Apostle Paul said, ‘In the generations gone by,  He…God… permitted all the nations to go their own way.’ …But God has abandoned our society because our society has first abandoned God. There is no surer and no sadder evidence of a corrupted, wicked abandoned society than when that society will not tolerate anger against sin.”

Grace to You :: Unleashing God’s Truth One Verse at a Time

When God Abandons a Nation

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Code: 80-314

It is always instructive, it is always enlightening, it is sometimes literally scintillating to turn to the pages of God and see what it has to say and how relevantly it speaks to our time and to our lives.

That will be true tonight as we turn in our Bibles to the first chapter of Romans. Romans chapter 1 and we’re going to be looking at a somewhat familiar portion of Scripture to anyone who is a student of the Bible. Romans chapter 1, beginning in verse 18 and running through the end of this chapter.

I’m going to read just the first verse to set the stage for the unfolding of this profound truth. Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

This section is about the wrath of God. Admittedly not a popular subject, certainly not a popular subject in the world and not even a popular subject in the church. But an absolutely critical and central subject to any understanding of the gospel, the wrath of God.

Now there are a number of different aspects to the wrath of God. There is what we could call eternal wrath because it is the punishment that God brings upon unbelieving sinners forever in hell…that’s eternal wrath. And the Bible speaks often of that. There is also eschatological wrath, that is the wrath of God that is released at the end of the world described by some of the Old Testament prophets, described by Jesus Christ Himself in the Olivet Discourse and clearly laid out for us in the book of Revelation. Eschatological wrath, that aspect of God’s wrath that is released at the end of the world.

There is also what we could call cataclysmic wrath, like a tsunami, a volcano, a hurricane, an earthquake, a plane flying in to the Twin Towers resulting in thousands of death…cataclysms happen in this world. And they are a reflection of the judgment of God. There is also what you could call consequential wrath. Consequential wrath is the sowing and reaping wrath, you live a certain kind of life and you set in motion certain forces that will produce judgment.

Finish article HERE

The Test of True Biblical Discipleship

May 5, 2012 in apostasy, Bible, Bible Study | Tags: | 5 comments

THE TEST OF TRUE BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP

by Savvas Constantatos

“Now I Beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine [didache] which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such [the false prophets] serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [the innocent].” Romans 16:17,18.

Unbelievers say that the Word of God, the Bible, is irrelevant to our times, but many of us Bible-believing Christians do not cease to be amazed how fresh and up to date the Word of God is! “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8. “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5.

It was God the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostle Paul to write and to exhort the Roman Christians [and of course all Christians] to “mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which ye have learned; AND AVOID THEM.” Dear Christian friend, what is your attitude towards the truth of this verse? This very verse will put you to the test, and you will know whether you are a compromiser, or a true disciple of Christ!

Do you think that the apostle Paul who wrote these words, was judgmental, a mistaken separatist, an unloving rightwinger, and an unenlighted extremist, as many think of us today? Did he in any way imply that Bible-believing Christians are to join forces with the compromisers and the false preachers in their religious enterprises? No, of course not! He said “AVOID THEM”, and that is exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted him to say!

What then is your attitude towards this truth, and towards the compromisers and the false preachers of this apostate hour? Do you AVOID THEM, or do you reject the Word of God, and the people of God who have tried to warn you? Do you condone and tolerate the neo-Christianity of our time and its many false preachers, in the name of a false love, and in the name of a false unity?

If that is your attitude towards the exhortation and warning of the Word of God, then you are not a Bible-believing Christian, and you are not a true disciple of Christ! You are a compromiser, and in great danger.

Remember that with God there is hope! “For the Lord is good; and His mercy is everlaslasting.” If you have not gone too far into the apostasy of our time, and to a place of no return, of which God’s Word speaks about, repent to God, and become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ!

March 2026
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