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TED HAGGARD STARTS NEW CHURCH
(Friday Church News Notes, June 11, 2010, www.wayoflife.org
Ted Haggard, who in 2006 was forced to resign as pastor of the New Life megachurch in Colorado Springs and as head of the National Association of Evangelicals, is starting a new church called St. James. Haggard was caught having a homosexual relationship with a male prostitute. Now, Haggard says his new church, which is located not far from New Life Church, is a place for broken people, for sinners, for those who have hit rock bottom, and will be open to “gays, straights, tall, short, addicts and recovering addicts” (“Church Will Open Arms,” Denver Post, June 2, 2010).
Haggard claims that because of his own moral downfall and the “judgmental” way he was treated by some, he is able to understand and help others, but he is failing to distinguish properly between sympathy for sinners and acceptance of sin. Every sound, Christ-centered church is sympathetic toward sinners. On any given week at the main service of our church, for example, we have adulterers, fornicators, liars, idolators, and probably homosexuals in attendance. We always have three or four dozen Hindus. They receive a warm welcome and often come back. But there is a major difference between welcoming every type of sinner to attend church and allowing unrepentant, unconverted sinners to be members of the church.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 the apostle Paul described the members of the church at Corinth. They had been fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, and drunkards, but Paul described those traits in the past tense, because they had been converted and changed. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
We thank God for the His mercy in Jesus Christ, and apart from that mercy we know that we are nothing. But Ted Haggard has brought terrible, irreparable reproach upon the name and cause of Jesus Christ, and in my opinion he should shut his mouth and stop having press conferences and prove his repentance by quiet humility. For his own soul’s sake, he should also renounce the psychobabble of his restoration process. (Does every person that goes through psycho-counseling today discover that he was molested as a child?)
National Repentance
By Pastor Anton Bosch
It has become customary to speak of prayers of “national repentance”.
On May Day, this year – 2010, a large number of people met at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC to pray various prayers of repentance “on behalf of the American people.” I remember a number of times, when growing up in South Africa, that the Government called national days of prayer and repentance in the hope that God would send rain at times of drought. Shortly after the fall of Apartheid many churches, groups and individuals prayed prayers of repentance on behalf of the nation for the sins of the past. Many have prayed prayers of repentance because of the Holocaust under Hitler. And the list goes on.
But is this a Biblical idea?
The short answer is no – there are a bunch of problems with this notion. The first is that repentance is something that needs to be done, rather than prayed. Every day millions of prayers ascend to God in which people pray prayers of repentance. The vast majority of these are a waste of time since the person praying has no intention of changing their actions, lifestyles or habits. Repentance is about doing not talking. The word itself means a change of mind and of direction. You can be heading down the road and say a million times that you are going in the wrong direction, but until you actually make that U-turn and stop going in the wrong direction and start going in the right direction, nothing will happen. It’s as simple as that.
John the Baptist said that the Pharisees who had come to see him baptize must: “Bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Paul, speaking of the mission to the Gentiles said: “That they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20). Isaiah said: “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). So, no prayer of repentance is worth anything unless it is accompanied by actions. In spite of the many prayers of repentance prayed on behalf of the nations, all nations are becoming more sinful and thus those prayers clearly do not work.
Secondly, there is no such thing as repentance “by proxy”. This means you cannot repent on behalf of other people, whether living or dead. No one except Hitler himself can repent of the things he did – and he cannot because he is dead and it is too late for him. You can repent on behalf of your family as much as you like, but until they individually and personally repent, nothing is going to happen. We cannot repent on behalf of our family, a church, and least of all, a nation.
Sin is personal. When we sin, each who has sinned is guilty of that sin and each one has to personally repent. One could argue that Israel sinned as a nation when they refused to cross the Jordan (Numbers 14), yet the two individuals that did not agree with the majority were saved and entered the Land. So, was God dealing with them as a nation or individually? Clearly, individually; since Joshua and Caleb would have had to perish with the rest of the nation if God was dealing with them as a group. When God destroyed the world in the Flood, righteous Noah and his family were saved. The same happened in Sodom. Thus, even in the Old Testament, God’s dealings were on an individual basis.
Thirdly, God does not deal with nations. He only deals with individuals. Jesus did not die for America or England – He died for each of us personally. The only nation God ever had a relationship with as a nation was Israel. Yet, Jesus did not even die for Israel. All the verses that are quoted as examples of God’s promises or dealings with a nation are directed at Israel, and they cannot be claimed for any other country. When Israel eventually returns to God (Romans 11:26, Zech. 12:10), each individual Jew will still have to make a personal decision. Israel will not be saved because of a decision of the government, but because of the cumulative effect of each Jew coming to personal repentance. We need to be clear the Jews in the end are saved, not because they are Jews, but because each of them has personally believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the favorite verses used by those who promote the idea of National Repentance is 2Chronicles 7:14: “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” This promise is very specific – it is to “my people who are called by my name.” Is South Africa, or Germany, or America, God’s people? Obviously not. Which country is called by God’s name? None – except Israel. So this verse has nothing to do with any nation other than Israel. The only people who can claim both those conditions are Christians. They are the people of God (Romans 9:25, 1John 3:1-3, 1Peter 2:10). And they are called by His name (Acts 11:26, 1Corinthians 12:12).
But then you cannot apply this verse to Christians since their Land does not need to be healed. The Christian’s land is the New Jerusalem and that is perfect. Here we are but strangers and pilgrims. (Hebrews 11:13, 16):
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth…. But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
The often-recited verse in 2Chronicles 7:14 only applies to one nation, and that is to Israel, and even then the promise is suspended since Israel rejected the offer one time too many.
Should we not pray for nations? Yes, we can pray but there is only one valid prayer and that is that people, individually, will come to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and repent. Because we are often too lazy to name individuals before the Throne of Grace, we resort to those catch-all phrases: “Lord save the Chinese,” “Lord help the poor,” or “Lord be with those in prison.” What does that mean? I don’t want to be insensitive, but it means absolutely nothing.
As Christians we can make a difference, but it begins where you are. Pray for each of your unsaved family members; pray for others you know by name – your colleagues, neighbors, and others you have dealings with. First, pray that the Lord will help you to show them what it means to be a real Christian. Next, pray that the Lord will soften their hearts to the Gospel and bring them to repentance. Finally, pray that the Lord will open an opportunity for you to share your Hope with them and that He will give you the courage and wisdom to do it right. Do this until Jesus comes. Yes, that is a lot harder than “Lord save the lost,” but that is our duty; everything else is a copout.
This article was posted on May 10th at Herescope: http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-repentance.html
Pastor Anton Bosch is a member of the Discernment Research Group and is a frequent contributor to Herescope. His book Building Blocks of the Church is a wonderful help to those who are trying to start a truly biblical New Testament church. It is well-organized and easy to read. Available from Discernment Ministries.
Source
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-repentance.html
I have listened to this more than once and have the text of this truth. It is an older video but well worth the time.
Please listen and watch. Examine and test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cncEhCvrVgQ&NR=1&feature=fvwp
This second link has better sound.
Well, half of it anyway…..
It was in September 2009 that my Pastor told me he was unhappy with the church because of the new ELCA resolution allowing gay ministry.
I wasn’t even aware that a vote had taken place but the outcome has affected all Lutheran churches everywhere. Those who are affliated with the ELCA have had to make some decisions. Many who have ended up in a ELCA church not really knowing the programs behind it are now aware.
I believe the Lord led me to the Lutheran church I was attending. I just did not know why. It was way too liberal for me, which caused discontent. Knowing that one is not to be discontent in a situation that the Lord has ordained, I stayed.
Our Pastor gave notice and a few of us started looking for a new location. There was the possibility of renting a hall, meeting in someone’s home, or looking at vacant buildings. Then me and husband noticed a church that seemed to have only a few worshippers on Sunday. We contacted the Pastor there and then the Lord cleared the way for us to be able to use this facility. The congregation there disbanded and we were able to take over the premises.
After months of prayer for the Lord to lead and guide us, He supplied a fully-stocked church facility to rent. He sent us a benefactor for start-up costs and necessary repairs.
And He sent worshippers.
We installed the sign early in the evening anxious to see our church in lights. The next day people driving by stopped and asked, “Are you part of the ELCA?” When the Pastor said “NO”, they said, “Good …we will be attending your next service.”
We have not even advertised yet and we already think we will have to start planning a second service. Half of the people from the old church, people from other ELCA congregations that are dragging their feet on a vote, and people looking for a biblical church.. have come.
We will not be a perfect church for we are imperfect sinful people..yet God answered our prayer because we wish to serve Him in spirit and truth.
I rarely watch television anymore.
Remember the old Dick Van Dyke Show? Laura and Dick could only be shown in twin beds. How times have changed. Today, some of the favorite TV characters and personalities have become beloved solely for their homosexuality. People laugh and tolerate the sinful lifestyle.
The church has succombed to this tolerance. The ELCA of the Lutheran church has declared that homosexuals can preach from the pulpit. Those who reject this resolution are being persecuted by the church itself by accusations of being unloving and intolerant. I know this first hand, for I am one being persecuted by the rejection of the ELCA and leaving my current church. I have gay friends. I do love them. I love them enough not to alter the truth. That the Bible says their lifestyle is an abomination to Him.
It may be difficult to stand up and hold to biblical truth. But one must.
My accusers call me divisive. Yes, they are right. I am dividing and separating myself from the world.
Please read:
TELEVISION IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE – David Cloud
It is getting progressively worse, and the majority of Christian homes are succumbing to Hollywood’s siren song. Like the frog in the gradually-heated pot, God’s people who are careless about separating from Hollywood’s filthy fare become desensitized by it.
A missionary friend was eating a meal with a fundamental Baptist pastor and his wife some years ago when the topic of the movie Titanic (rated PG-13) came up. When the missionary expressed his opinion that the movie is ungodly, the pastor’s wife said that they had seen it and had enjoyed it. The missionary asked what they thought of the nudity in the movie, and the pastor’s wife said it was “tastefully done.”
This illustrates how worldly many fundamental Baptist churches have become. If pastors and their wives are enjoying movies featuring premarital affairs and partial nudity, what are the other members of the church watching!
The Bible says the pastor is to be the example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Woe unto those multitudes of worldly pastors and deacons and Sunday School teachers who are comfortable with Hollywood’s cesspool and who do not teach their people the fear of God and separation from the world.
source –
Friday Church News Notes, January 8, 2010, http://www.wayoflife.org
The Seductive and Subversive “Shack”
By Jan Markell
Many have asked me to comment on William P. Young’s ragingly popular book The Shack. Is this work of fiction really Christian? It is called by some as one of Christianity’s most influential books. One prominent endorser says it will “leave you craving for God.”
Yet people I respect highly, including Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Seminary, calls it “undiluted heresy.” He maintains there is no way it can seriously address the issues of Christian faith.
Here is the scenario in brief. Remember, this fiction plot is going to transform lives! A man by the name of “Mack” has a daughter murdered and he slips into a depression. He gets a message that he is supposed to meet God in the shack. Entering the shack, he is in the company of the Trinity, but now it gets weird and hard to believe anyone could be deceived by this piece of work.
In the shack he learns that God is “Papa” but is really an African-American female. Thankfully, Jesus is a Jewish man, but the Holy Spirit is another female figure of Asian descent. So much for Trinitarian theology! So Christianity has been misconstrued and has been revised. Talk about minimizing the Divine!
On page 110 Jesus says that He is perhaps not the way, truth, and life, but the BEST way to relate to the Father and Holy Spirit. Papa God, the African-American female, says she has many followers of many religions in different lands. This is not Orthodox Christianity, yet millions of Christian readers claim it is! Discernment has taken a summer vacation or perhaps a permanent vacation.
Mack asks “Papa” God, the female, about God’s wrath. The answer is that she doesn’t punish people for sin; rather she wants to cure sin. No mention of repentance, the shed blood, and all the things the new “seeker” environment wants to leave out in the church parking lot.
Former “New Ager” Warren Smith says, “The Shack is being described as a Christian novel and is currently ranked number one on the New York Times best-seller list for paperback fiction. Many believers are buying multiple copies and giving them to friends and family. The Shack reads as a true story but is obviously allegorical fiction. The book conveys postmodern spiritual ideas and teachings that challenge biblical Christianity – all in the name of ‘God’ and ‘Jesus’ and the ‘Holy Spirit.’ Author William P. Young’s alternative presentation of traditional Christianity has both inspired and outraged his many readers. All the while his book continues to fly off the shelves of local bookstores.”
Smith, who has been on my radio program many times denouncing Oprah Winfrey’s deception, goes on to say, “I was drawn into the ‘New Age Movement’ years ago by books and lectures containing parabolic stories that were not unlike The Shack. They felt spiritually uplifting as they tackled tough issues and talked about God’s love and forgiveness. They seemed to provide me with what I spiritually needed as they gave me much-needed hope and promise. Building on the credibility they achieved through their inspirational and emotive writings, my ‘New Age’ authors and teachers would then go on to tell me that God was in everyone and everything.
“I discovered that author William P. Young does exactly the same thing in The Shack. He moves through his very engaging and emotional story to eventually present this same ‘New Age’ teaching that God is ‘in’ everything.”
As writer and researcher Berit Kjos concludes, “Yet countless pastors and church leaders are delighting in its message. By ignoring (or redefining) sin and guilt, they embrace an inclusive but counterfeit ‘Christianity’ that draws crowds but distorts the Bible. Discounting Satan as well, they weaken God’s warnings about deception. No wonder His armor for today’s spiritual war became an early victim of this spreading assault on truth.”
So The Shack opens in the context of tragedy. Four years have passed since the cruel murder of Missy, Mack’s precious six-year-old daughter. Enveloped in grief, he receives a strange invitation. “I’ve missed you,” it says. “I’ll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together. Papa.” What could it mean?
Doubtful, but drawn to the meeting, Mack heads for the Oregon wilderness and finds the dilapidated old shack. “God” miraculously transforms it into a cozy cottage, and Mack meets his supposed maker.
No, it doesn’t get any stranger but sadly, it doesn’t get more popular with Christians who miss the point that The Shack is intended to bring about a new definition of the Christian faith. As Albert Mohler says, “This is totally seductive and subversive, but readers, even believers, don’t seem to mind.” You can listen to all of his comments at this link.
If you know of someone taken in by this, please pass this commentary on to them. You’ll be doing them an enormous favor.
To learn more, visit Lighthouse Trails Research and the article The Shack: Father-goddess Rising.
I thank God for all of those who are speaking out today over outrageous issues like this one. I am reminded about the many false things promoted today written in 2 Timothy 3:16: “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” This is a last days’ reference and if you don’t think we’re in them (the last days), I’ll sell you a beach vacation to Minnesota in January.
********
Here is another article by Berit Kjos
Deceived by a counterfeit “Jesus” – The twisted “truths”…..
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/08/shack.htm
Also by Mike Oppenheimer – Shocked by the Shack
More Lutheran Lunacy
And this Monk “felt the energy released by this music”
I think we know the source of this kind of energy.
From Way of Life:
ROCK AND ROLL RELIGION (Friday Church News Notes, October 9, 2009, http://www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) – In a tribute to Elvis Presley on the 25th anniversary of his death in 1977, rock star Bruce Springsteen said, “Elvis is my religion.” This is an admission of the power of rock music literally to capture the heart and soul. Jimi Hendrix said, “I used to go to Sunday School but the only thing I believe in now is music.” An Elvis fan club publication stated, “We believe in Elvis just like we believe in God.” Ozzy Osbourne said, “Rock and roll is my religion.” One of the members of the rock band Judas Priest said in 1984, “Heavy metal isn’t just music to us; it’s a philosophy and a way of life”” Michael Jackson, whose concerts and videos are very immoral, said, “On many an occasion when I am dancing, I have felt touched by something sacred.” Brian Eno said that when he discovered rock and roll, it was “a spiritual experience” and occupied the religious part of his life.” The rock group KISS sang about “the god of rock and roll.” Sting said, “My religion would be music, and I had just received my first sacrament [when he first heard the Beatles at age 11].” The original members of the Grateful Dead, most of whom are dead, said that they looked upon their music as “something like religion.” A Britney Spears’ fan said, “I live for Britney Spears my life wouldn’t be complete without her.” Beware of the sensual, ungodly world of rock and roll (1 John 2:15-17; James 4:4). (Documentation for these statements is in our 473-page book Rock Music vs. the God of the Bible, available from Way of Life Literature.)
Sitting in church one Sunday, I was thinking about how the body of Christ is becoming to identify itself more and more with the world instead of keeping itself separate and holy as commanded by the Lord.
While studying Leviticus, our Bible group came upon verse 19:28. It says,
“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.” (KJV)
This verse is pretty clear to me when it come to the case of tattoos. Do not print any marks on you.
Here are some questions to consider from Eric Barger Ministries on the subject.
The underlying issues raised here need to be considered:
· – Are we not the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (I Cor. 3:16, 6:19)
· – Is there something wrong with the way God created us without tattoos/piercings?
· – Would tattooing affect or influence your future spouse or even your children?
· – Is getting a tattoo actually more about defying authority (spirit of rebellion) than about having the actual tattoo itself?
· – Are Christians who defend and promote tattooing coming from a truly biblical viewpoint, or are some defending tattoos because they have marked their own bodies and want others to join them in their often rebellion-laced decision?
Why Now? – Preparing for “The Mark”
Why has there been such an increase in both the acceptance of and the acquiring of tattoos during our day? When considered in the light of Bible prophecy, the explosion of tattooing and the exponential increase of thirst for demonic supernaturalism are, I believe, no accident. This is a calculated, demonic, end-time phenomena, the purpose of which is to desensitize as many as possible concerning markings on their bodies.
Read more from this source:
http://www.ericbarger.com/emailers/2009/update4-2-2009.htm
Here is a commentary from David Guzik of the Blue Letter Bible which adds additional insight.
Cuttings in the flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: These were also pagan practices God wanted Israel to separate from. The trimming of the hair, the beard, cutting, and tattoos were all connected with pagan rites of mourning.
i. Part of this message to us today is that what our culture thinks and how they perceive things is important. If some clothing or jewelry or body decoration would associate us with the pagan world, it should not be done. This is a difficult line to draw, because the standards of culture are always changing. Some modern examples of changing standards are hair length and earrings for men.
Here it is explained that the verse in context tells us that the tattoos were part of a pagan rite. This for me is further proof that we should not do this thing because we are not to do as the pagans do. If the line is indeed difficult to draw, then maybe we should stay away from the line. While we have freedom in Christ, I Corinthians 8:9 tells us to be careful. I would not want to advocate a practice that another Christian would later regret… forever.
“Be careful, however, that the excercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”
If you are considering this procedure, instead I pray, please keep your body unmarked and set aside for the use of God. Our bodies are the temple of Christ. I think the verse in Leviticus is crystal clear, “Do not print any marks on you.”
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