Monday, October 12, 2009
An Evening of Eschatology
*If you cannot see this video, you can view the original post at AdjustmyThoughts.com or you can see it at DesiringGod.org
*Not that this matters, but I stick with the Dispensational Premillenniest view (closest to the Historic Premillenniest view)- Im not sure that I can defend it like Dr.Hamilton does in this video, but I have come to believe this view just by seeing it in Scripture throughout my life and the convictions it has given me personally.*
I will post more info on these views as I further research them....
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Gospel
The Gospel: by B.R. Graves
Audio
The Gospel. This is the blessed God-given good news of truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for sinners. This gospel doesent just end with a dead Savior hung upon the cross, because a dead savior is no savior at all. Christ died for the sins of His people, expiating and quenching the unquenchable, Hell encompassing, fiery, just wrath of the Almighty God. In His death Christ became the propitiation for our sins, spent 3 days in the heart of the earth and was raised to new life,proclaiming victory over death, Hell, the grave and all principalities and powers.
The gospel begins with God.In witnessing, it can begin with the sinfulness and wickedness of man - but man can only see how wicked and sinful he is when he beholds the Standard to which he is measured by, and that Standard is the Holy God. God is Infinitely morally, and spiiritually, of purer eyes than to behold evil and a God who hates iniquity and will not let the guilty go unpunished. In His righteousness He esteems His glory of infinite value and in esteeming His glory He takes pleasure in that which is beautiful and glorious and He consumes and destroys that which is sinful. He does not justify the wicked, for in justifying wicked men He himself would be an unjust judge. This presents a great dillemma, because if all men in Adam are sinful, if all men are wicked and depraved, drinking down iniquity like water, then all men deserve His holy wrath. God in His justice would be right and worthy of glory to consume rebellious sinners who hate him with a passion. But God, in order to vindicate His glory and in order to show His great name, because He is a God of love - He chose out of the good pleasures of His will, not influenced by anyone or anything else outside of Him, God chose to save a people for Himself, so that in saving them He would display His great glory in changing God-hating, rebellious humans into God loving, Christ resembling saints - who will be set apart unto holiness for His purposes.
In this "good news" of the Gospel, God displays His divine forbearance in patiently passing over sins committed by nations and peoples and even His own Israel, who sinned against Him and deserved immediate judgment. Instead, God passes over their sins in accepting sacrifices, the blood of bulls and goats, and even letting wicked idolatrous men live to see beautiful days and enjoy long healthy and lives. In doing this God was holding back His wrath, even making it seem like it was somewhat "acceptable" for men to trample His glory. But justice delayed is not justice denied. Gods wrath had not been quenched and the blood of bulls and goats would not always suffice. Justice had to be served, God's wrath that sinful men deserved must be vindicated.....this was done so in Christ
When men were sinners, enemies of God, God-haters, and helpless to do anything about it, God in His goodness and to display the greatness of His grace, sent His only begotten Son to die as a wrath absorbing sacrifice for the sins of the world. He bore the infinite eternal wrath of God and drank the full cup of God's wrath that men who have been in hell for centuries upon centuries will never be able to finish. He paid for the sins and purchased salvation for those who would believe on Him. His death on the cross didnt just extend an offer to all men - the death of Christ did extend this offer to all, but Christs death actually saved, and actually purchased salvation to those who will believe.
The question of the gospel is not 'Do you realize that you are a sinner?' for all men ought to realize this and in this realization all men ought to repent and cry out to God whether He saves them or not. All men ought to realize the crimes of their sins against a holy God. The question of the gospel is not 'Do you want heaven?' for all men want heaven, streets of gold, trees of life, happiness, no sickness, and eternal life forever. The question of the gospel lies in this 'Do you want God?' Do you realize that because of the crimes of your sins, and your helplessness and inability to do anything about them - you need a Savior, one who will reveal to you that all your good works are as filthy rags and One who will tell you that because of God's grace, the righteousness of God has been fulfilled and met in Him. Do you now esteem Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, His perfect life on this earth, and His daily intercession for His people above all things? Do you hate sins that you once cherished and took pleasure in? Are you willing to forsake all to cleave to this Jesus that paid the price for your sins - not for what you can get out of Him in terms of selfish gain, but because He is worthy of all honor glory and service?
This is the gospel: that God in His goodness, sent His Son to die for the sins of the world, absorbing the wrath of God and laying His life down for His sheep - so that they might have life, abundant life, and life eternal, knowing their Shepherd as One Flock, being made a new creation, a pure and spotless bride, and being made presentable to the Lord Jesus on that Great Day. His death is sufficient for all and made efficient for all who believe. Do you believe on Jesus?
Audio
The Gospel. This is the blessed God-given good news of truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for sinners. This gospel doesent just end with a dead Savior hung upon the cross, because a dead savior is no savior at all. Christ died for the sins of His people, expiating and quenching the unquenchable, Hell encompassing, fiery, just wrath of the Almighty God. In His death Christ became the propitiation for our sins, spent 3 days in the heart of the earth and was raised to new life,proclaiming victory over death, Hell, the grave and all principalities and powers.
The gospel begins with God.In witnessing, it can begin with the sinfulness and wickedness of man - but man can only see how wicked and sinful he is when he beholds the Standard to which he is measured by, and that Standard is the Holy God. God is Infinitely morally, and spiiritually, of purer eyes than to behold evil and a God who hates iniquity and will not let the guilty go unpunished. In His righteousness He esteems His glory of infinite value and in esteeming His glory He takes pleasure in that which is beautiful and glorious and He consumes and destroys that which is sinful. He does not justify the wicked, for in justifying wicked men He himself would be an unjust judge. This presents a great dillemma, because if all men in Adam are sinful, if all men are wicked and depraved, drinking down iniquity like water, then all men deserve His holy wrath. God in His justice would be right and worthy of glory to consume rebellious sinners who hate him with a passion. But God, in order to vindicate His glory and in order to show His great name, because He is a God of love - He chose out of the good pleasures of His will, not influenced by anyone or anything else outside of Him, God chose to save a people for Himself, so that in saving them He would display His great glory in changing God-hating, rebellious humans into God loving, Christ resembling saints - who will be set apart unto holiness for His purposes.
In this "good news" of the Gospel, God displays His divine forbearance in patiently passing over sins committed by nations and peoples and even His own Israel, who sinned against Him and deserved immediate judgment. Instead, God passes over their sins in accepting sacrifices, the blood of bulls and goats, and even letting wicked idolatrous men live to see beautiful days and enjoy long healthy and lives. In doing this God was holding back His wrath, even making it seem like it was somewhat "acceptable" for men to trample His glory. But justice delayed is not justice denied. Gods wrath had not been quenched and the blood of bulls and goats would not always suffice. Justice had to be served, God's wrath that sinful men deserved must be vindicated.....this was done so in Christ
When men were sinners, enemies of God, God-haters, and helpless to do anything about it, God in His goodness and to display the greatness of His grace, sent His only begotten Son to die as a wrath absorbing sacrifice for the sins of the world. He bore the infinite eternal wrath of God and drank the full cup of God's wrath that men who have been in hell for centuries upon centuries will never be able to finish. He paid for the sins and purchased salvation for those who would believe on Him. His death on the cross didnt just extend an offer to all men - the death of Christ did extend this offer to all, but Christs death actually saved, and actually purchased salvation to those who will believe.
The question of the gospel is not 'Do you realize that you are a sinner?' for all men ought to realize this and in this realization all men ought to repent and cry out to God whether He saves them or not. All men ought to realize the crimes of their sins against a holy God. The question of the gospel is not 'Do you want heaven?' for all men want heaven, streets of gold, trees of life, happiness, no sickness, and eternal life forever. The question of the gospel lies in this 'Do you want God?' Do you realize that because of the crimes of your sins, and your helplessness and inability to do anything about them - you need a Savior, one who will reveal to you that all your good works are as filthy rags and One who will tell you that because of God's grace, the righteousness of God has been fulfilled and met in Him. Do you now esteem Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, His perfect life on this earth, and His daily intercession for His people above all things? Do you hate sins that you once cherished and took pleasure in? Are you willing to forsake all to cleave to this Jesus that paid the price for your sins - not for what you can get out of Him in terms of selfish gain, but because He is worthy of all honor glory and service?
This is the gospel: that God in His goodness, sent His Son to die for the sins of the world, absorbing the wrath of God and laying His life down for His sheep - so that they might have life, abundant life, and life eternal, knowing their Shepherd as One Flock, being made a new creation, a pure and spotless bride, and being made presentable to the Lord Jesus on that Great Day. His death is sufficient for all and made efficient for all who believe. Do you believe on Jesus?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thoughts on the Trinity...
Two Quick Apologetic Tips on the Trinity
10/07/2009 - Alan Kurschner
The two most frequent objections to the Trinity can be illuminated with two simple, but effective, illustrations. First, "How can there be three and one at the same time"? This question conflates two categories into one. But Christians understand that there are two categories involved. There is one "What" (Being/Deity) and three "Who's" (Persons/Father-Son-Holy Spirit).Here is the best illustration that I think brings out this fundamental difference in these two categories that unbelievers can immediately relate to: There is only one humanity (Being) but many individuals (persons). Individuals share in the Being of humanity, and that does not mean that I am you, and you are me — we are different persons with the same single Being. This illustration is not intended to exhaust or explain all the elements of the Trinity; instead, it serves to illustrate this single categorical difference between Being and persons. Someone may object by saying, "Does not this analogy support polytheism, since there are billions of individuals, there can be billions of Gods or divine persons?" Let me be clear: this illustration is intended to show a single distinction between two categories — Being and persons; the point is not intended to show how many persons there are. Only Scripture can provide us this latter truth. Next, believers are often not as aware of this second most frequent assumption that unbelievers have about the Trinity. But if you are aware of this deep assumption by those who deny the deity of Christ, you can disarm them, aiding them to the vista of Trinitarianism.Memorize and internalize the following Trinitarian truth:
Difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature.
That is James White's statement and it will go a very long way in your Trinitarian apologetics. There is a built-in assumption for many that if Jesus has a lesser role than the Father, he must therefore have a lesser nature. This is an illogical inference. Those who oppose the deity of Christ point to Jesus' submissive remarks about doing the will of his Father. For example, Jesus says, "the Father is greater than I am." They infer from this that Jesus does not share the same nature with the Father (this ignores that the context is talking about their relational roles, not their nature, John 14). Jesus also calls the Father, "My God." Yet those who oppose the deity of Christ ignore that this is a humble acknowledgment of the Incarnate Jesus, modeling for us humility and submissiveness (John 20:17). This exalting affirmation is exactly what we would expect from the Son of God. Similarly, since Jesus is the agent of the Father in many respects such as the Creation, therefore Jesus cannot be fully God. And regarding the Spirit, they will make the similar false assumption: Since the Spirit is sent by the Father, the Spirit cannot have the same divine nature as the Father. Again, they will look at these statements and make the fallacious leap that difference in function indicates inferiority of nature.By doing so, they also deny the freedom of the Divine persons to choose their roles. Or to put it another way: they assume that to be truly God, the Son and the Spirit must have the exact same roles as the Father. Do not allow them to accept this assumption. Probe them to ensure they see this point. So a simple, but effective, illustration will show that difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature: A husband and wife will have different roles in a marriage. Wives are to take on the submissive role, but this does not indicate that difference in function requires inferiority of nature. Does the wife have a lesser nature than that of the husband? Of course not. They both are fully human. I hope these two simple illustrations will be staples when you come across these frequent assumptions. The former illustration depicts the difference between Being and persons; the latter illustration depicts the difference between Being and functions. Let's praise God for the Incarnation, which itself presupposes a submissive role that brought about our salvation. We do not worship a unipersonal-Unitarian God, but instead a complementary-Trinitarian God.
10/07/2009 - Alan Kurschner
The two most frequent objections to the Trinity can be illuminated with two simple, but effective, illustrations. First, "How can there be three and one at the same time"? This question conflates two categories into one. But Christians understand that there are two categories involved. There is one "What" (Being/Deity) and three "Who's" (Persons/Father-Son-Holy Spirit).Here is the best illustration that I think brings out this fundamental difference in these two categories that unbelievers can immediately relate to: There is only one humanity (Being) but many individuals (persons). Individuals share in the Being of humanity, and that does not mean that I am you, and you are me — we are different persons with the same single Being. This illustration is not intended to exhaust or explain all the elements of the Trinity; instead, it serves to illustrate this single categorical difference between Being and persons. Someone may object by saying, "Does not this analogy support polytheism, since there are billions of individuals, there can be billions of Gods or divine persons?" Let me be clear: this illustration is intended to show a single distinction between two categories — Being and persons; the point is not intended to show how many persons there are. Only Scripture can provide us this latter truth. Next, believers are often not as aware of this second most frequent assumption that unbelievers have about the Trinity. But if you are aware of this deep assumption by those who deny the deity of Christ, you can disarm them, aiding them to the vista of Trinitarianism.Memorize and internalize the following Trinitarian truth:
Difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature.
That is James White's statement and it will go a very long way in your Trinitarian apologetics. There is a built-in assumption for many that if Jesus has a lesser role than the Father, he must therefore have a lesser nature. This is an illogical inference. Those who oppose the deity of Christ point to Jesus' submissive remarks about doing the will of his Father. For example, Jesus says, "the Father is greater than I am." They infer from this that Jesus does not share the same nature with the Father (this ignores that the context is talking about their relational roles, not their nature, John 14). Jesus also calls the Father, "My God." Yet those who oppose the deity of Christ ignore that this is a humble acknowledgment of the Incarnate Jesus, modeling for us humility and submissiveness (John 20:17). This exalting affirmation is exactly what we would expect from the Son of God. Similarly, since Jesus is the agent of the Father in many respects such as the Creation, therefore Jesus cannot be fully God. And regarding the Spirit, they will make the similar false assumption: Since the Spirit is sent by the Father, the Spirit cannot have the same divine nature as the Father. Again, they will look at these statements and make the fallacious leap that difference in function indicates inferiority of nature.By doing so, they also deny the freedom of the Divine persons to choose their roles. Or to put it another way: they assume that to be truly God, the Son and the Spirit must have the exact same roles as the Father. Do not allow them to accept this assumption. Probe them to ensure they see this point. So a simple, but effective, illustration will show that difference in function does not indicate inferiority of nature: A husband and wife will have different roles in a marriage. Wives are to take on the submissive role, but this does not indicate that difference in function requires inferiority of nature. Does the wife have a lesser nature than that of the husband? Of course not. They both are fully human. I hope these two simple illustrations will be staples when you come across these frequent assumptions. The former illustration depicts the difference between Being and persons; the latter illustration depicts the difference between Being and functions. Let's praise God for the Incarnation, which itself presupposes a submissive role that brought about our salvation. We do not worship a unipersonal-Unitarian God, but instead a complementary-Trinitarian God.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Sobering Story from The Pilgrim's Progress...
Background: Christian is at the Interpreter's house and is being led by Interpreter through many illustrations concerning spiritual things. Just as Christian sees perhaps the most inspiring and encouraging illustration of a fearless man defeating many opposing enemies and entering into a great mansion with a white robe, he wishes to be on his way until Interpreter tells him that he wishes to show him more.....here is what Christian was shown...
"Nay, stay, said the Interpreter, till I have showed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.
Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once.
Christian: What wast thou once?
The Man: The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, Luke 8:13, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither.
Christian: Well, but what art thou now?
The Man: I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; Oh now I cannot!
Christian: But how camest thou into this condition?
The Man: I left off to watch and be sober: I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me: I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.
Christian: Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?
The Man: No, none at all.
Christian: Why, the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
The Man: I have crucified him to myself afresh, Heb. 6:6; I have despised his person, Luke 19:14; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of grace, Heb. 10:29: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
Christian: For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
The Man: For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.
Christian: But canst thou not now repent and turn?
The Man: God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all the men in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man’s misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.
Christian: Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and to be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man’s misery....."
Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once.
Christian: What wast thou once?
The Man: The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, Luke 8:13, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither.
Christian: Well, but what art thou now?
The Man: I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; Oh now I cannot!
Christian: But how camest thou into this condition?
The Man: I left off to watch and be sober: I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me: I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.
Christian: Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?
The Man: No, none at all.
Christian: Why, the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
The Man: I have crucified him to myself afresh, Heb. 6:6; I have despised his person, Luke 19:14; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of grace, Heb. 10:29: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
Christian: For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
The Man: For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.
Christian: But canst thou not now repent and turn?
The Man: God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all the men in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man’s misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.
Christian: Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and to be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man’s misery....."
Friday, October 2, 2009
The New Covenant part 2
How does God vindicate His holiness in the New Covenant?
First, notice in the following passage in Ezekiel 36 how many times the words "I will" are used concerning God doing the work in this new covenant.
Ezekiel 36:24-30
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. [1] 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.
Now, there is no question what the "WILL" of God is here in this passage. There is no question as to what the will of God is in this covenant. It cannot just simply be an "offer" or a motion to do do something good for someone. This "I Will" is a serious rescue mission by the power of the Almighty God to vindicate His holiness and redeem a people for Himself. These "I will's" are not poetic and wishful thinking on God's part: because when it comes to His will scripture teaches that it will always be accomplished. Some examples:
Genesis 3:15 - "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[1] and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Genesis 8:21 - “I will never again curse[1] the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Genesis 17:21 - "But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”
Proverbs 21:1 - "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will."
Romans 9:19 - "You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”"
Daniel 4:35 - all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Last Verses - a very big key in this topic.
Isaiah 46:10 - "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ "
Ephesians 1:11 - "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,"
In summary - God's will is never disrupted, thwarted, frustrated or defeated. Bottom line- God's will always comes to pass! His counsel always stands!! His will is never disturbed by man's free will, natural disasters, chaotic uncontrollable circumstances, or anything. This is a hard concept to grasp for many because it brings up the question "Well, did God kow ALL these things on the earth would come to pass...or more specifically, Did He ordain these things? Why?" This would take another post to answer these questions, but the focus that our attention must be set upon is resting in His Sovereignty. God is not a monster, not a magician with puppets on strings, and He is not a controlling dictator. He is Holy, Just, Righteous and Good...a God who has mercy upon thousands (Ex 34:7), a God who laid His life down for many (Mark 10:45), a God who will not let the guilty go unpunished and our focus should not be on how to orchestrate or figure out the "counsel of His will", but how to accomplish and prove what is His perfect and acceptable will(Rom 12:2).
Furthermore, since Scripture teaches that His will always comes to pass and nothing can stay His hand, if we apply this truth to Ezekiel 36, then it is clear that God will actually accomplish this great work of the new covenant. He will do the things He has set forth in this passage
HE WILL:
- take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries
- sprinkle clean water and will cleanse His people
- give a new heart and a new spirit
- remove the heart of stone and will put in a heart of flesh
- "put My Spirit within you" - the effects of that will "cause you to walk in my statutes"
- be your God
- deliver you from uncleanness
- make the grain and the fruit of the land abundant
Have these things been accomplished? Are they currently in progress? In the end, do we see that this new covenant is fulfilled, or is God just waiting for people to choose Him while He watches patiently like a fisherman waiting to see if the fish will bite?
Lets go through these promises of God in Ezekiel 36 and see when and how they come to pass.
"I will take you from the nations and gather you from the countries..."This promise is in reference to God's gathering the Israelites from the countries where He scattered them because of their disobedience (Ezek 36:18-19 ; 5:10). God scattered His people because they were rebellious, but this in turn eventually led to more rebellion as the scattered Israelites stumbled upon idols and false worship of other nations. Therefore God chose out of the counsel of His own will to vindicate His holiness and glorify His name by gathering His remnant out of the scattered nations and He would bring them into their own land. (Ezek 37:21-23; 36:24) This gathering of God's people in the new covenant can also be looked at as a type and shadow in that God would gather His scattered children (John 11:51-52), the heirs of salvation, from all over the world and bring them into one flock with One Shepherd (John 10:16). This great prophecy of the new covenant is being fulfilled as we speak, but the full manifestation of it will be known when His flock, His gathhered ones stand before Him on that great day that the book of Revelation speaks of and cry out "“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10)
First, notice in the following passage in Ezekiel 36 how many times the words "I will" are used concerning God doing the work in this new covenant.
Ezekiel 36:24-30
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. [1] 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations.
Now, there is no question what the "WILL" of God is here in this passage. There is no question as to what the will of God is in this covenant. It cannot just simply be an "offer" or a motion to do do something good for someone. This "I Will" is a serious rescue mission by the power of the Almighty God to vindicate His holiness and redeem a people for Himself. These "I will's" are not poetic and wishful thinking on God's part: because when it comes to His will scripture teaches that it will always be accomplished. Some examples:
Genesis 3:15 - "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring[1] and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Genesis 8:21 - “I will never again curse[1] the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
Genesis 17:21 - "But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”
Proverbs 21:1 - "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will."
Romans 9:19 - "You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”"
Daniel 4:35 - all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
Last Verses - a very big key in this topic.
Isaiah 46:10 - "declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ "
Ephesians 1:11 - "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,"
In summary - God's will is never disrupted, thwarted, frustrated or defeated. Bottom line- God's will always comes to pass! His counsel always stands!! His will is never disturbed by man's free will, natural disasters, chaotic uncontrollable circumstances, or anything. This is a hard concept to grasp for many because it brings up the question "Well, did God kow ALL these things on the earth would come to pass...or more specifically, Did He ordain these things? Why?" This would take another post to answer these questions, but the focus that our attention must be set upon is resting in His Sovereignty. God is not a monster, not a magician with puppets on strings, and He is not a controlling dictator. He is Holy, Just, Righteous and Good...a God who has mercy upon thousands (Ex 34:7), a God who laid His life down for many (Mark 10:45), a God who will not let the guilty go unpunished and our focus should not be on how to orchestrate or figure out the "counsel of His will", but how to accomplish and prove what is His perfect and acceptable will(Rom 12:2).
Furthermore, since Scripture teaches that His will always comes to pass and nothing can stay His hand, if we apply this truth to Ezekiel 36, then it is clear that God will actually accomplish this great work of the new covenant. He will do the things He has set forth in this passage
HE WILL:
- take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries
- sprinkle clean water and will cleanse His people
- give a new heart and a new spirit
- remove the heart of stone and will put in a heart of flesh
- "put My Spirit within you" - the effects of that will "cause you to walk in my statutes"
- be your God
- deliver you from uncleanness
- make the grain and the fruit of the land abundant
Have these things been accomplished? Are they currently in progress? In the end, do we see that this new covenant is fulfilled, or is God just waiting for people to choose Him while He watches patiently like a fisherman waiting to see if the fish will bite?
Lets go through these promises of God in Ezekiel 36 and see when and how they come to pass.
"I will take you from the nations and gather you from the countries..."This promise is in reference to God's gathering the Israelites from the countries where He scattered them because of their disobedience (Ezek 36:18-19 ; 5:10). God scattered His people because they were rebellious, but this in turn eventually led to more rebellion as the scattered Israelites stumbled upon idols and false worship of other nations. Therefore God chose out of the counsel of His own will to vindicate His holiness and glorify His name by gathering His remnant out of the scattered nations and He would bring them into their own land. (Ezek 37:21-23; 36:24) This gathering of God's people in the new covenant can also be looked at as a type and shadow in that God would gather His scattered children (John 11:51-52), the heirs of salvation, from all over the world and bring them into one flock with One Shepherd (John 10:16). This great prophecy of the new covenant is being fulfilled as we speak, but the full manifestation of it will be known when His flock, His gathhered ones stand before Him on that great day that the book of Revelation speaks of and cry out "“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev 7:9-10)
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. "
Key words: Water & Spirit - where are these seen again? "Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:5-6)
Mr. John Darby
"It is principally to this passage (although not exclusively) that the Lord Jesus alludes in John 3, telling Nicodemus that He had spoken of earthly things, and that, as a master of Israel, he ought to have understood that this renewing of heart was necessary to the blessing of Israel in the earth. The truth of this, with regard to a Jew, ought not to surprise him, since it was a work of sovereignty in whomsoever should be born of God"
More sights of water & spirit - (I am not being a sacramentalist in this next passage, I am simply looking at the symbolism of being baptized with water and being baptized with the Spirit)
Acts 1:5 " for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Without God cleansing you, and without God putting in you a new spirit, you CANNOT see the kingdom of heaven. This isnt a suggestion to get sprinkled and get a new spirit like one suggests getting a new car from a dealership because his old one is dead. This is a requirement that is beyond any man's control....God's "I will" is doing the cleansing and putting in and He begins the work and finishes it.(Phil 1:6) This work of God is not only done by Him effectually for His people, but the command to repent, seek a new heart, a new spirit and a new mind is given to ALL men because all men have transgressed. (Ezek 18:31-32) Repentance is commanded of all men whether God acts in saving them or not. Repentance is necessary because all men have sinned against a totally Honorable and Worthy and Most High Sovereign.This is the only Way that any one will live - if they are converted and turn! All men are required to repent because all men have transgressed and the only remedy to cure a dead heart and spirit is to have a living one.
Being "born again" - regenerated, is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. This sprinkling of water and putting in of a new spirit is God's work and the way that it happens is like the wind, Jesus says in John 3:8 . It happens when He wills to all those whom He wills it to happen. (John 1:13) God, a Spirit, births spirit - a baby doesent "birth" itself...meaning that it doesent choose when it is conceived, or born. Neither can a man choose or will himself to be saved - it is a work of God. (Romans 9:16) John 3:20-21 says "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” The only way any sinner can or does do what is right is because God is working within him to do what is right.
To many, this understanding of salvation is hard to grasp, simply because it can bring up the question "How do I know I am even saved if its God who has to do the saving?" Scripture tells us that no man can will himself to be saved or even "do something" to be saved- but scripture also tells us that men are commanded to cry out to God, call on the name of the Lord, and to repent and believe the gospel, seeing that they are sinful in the eyes of God and that they are in need of a Savior. This is the test of assurance - have you repented, and keep repenting, do you believe on the Lord Jesus and are you still believing and cleaving to Him more than on the day you were saved? Will you submit to His Lordship? Does your heart cry out "yes"? If this is som then Romans 8:16 tells you that the Holy Spirit of God (His Spirit that he puts within you(Eze 36:27)) will bear witness with your spirit (your regenerated, God-sensitive, quickened) that you are a child of God. The result of this realization of sin and loathing iniquity is also a part of the new covenant when the Lord says in Eze 36:31 ,"Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations".
Because all mean are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, and the heart of a sinful man is deceitfully wicked, it is only necessary to have a new a new heart and a new spirit to be born again. (John 3:5-7; Eph 2:1; Jer 17:9-10)This is the process of regeneration, by which the Holy Spirit of God moves upon the heart of a sinner and quickens his spirit and creates within him a new heart so that he might see his sinfulness before a holy God, and that he might believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. (Titus 3:5)Regeneration is all by the grace of God and it transforms a man from being a sinful, helpless, enemy of God into being a God-loving, sin-hating, spiritually alive person in Jesus Christ. This process of regeneration happens like the wind(John 3:8) - the Spirit might move as a mighty wind current, drawing 3000 to Christ at once as in Acts 2:41, or the Spirit might blow upon the heart of one as a light wind rustles the smallest of leaves on a tree. ex. Lydia in Acts 16:14. The point is that the Spirit moves Sovereignly and freely and graciously, showing mercy upon whomsoever He wills, and will never cast out whoever will come(John 5:21; 6:37) and regenerating the heart of man so that He might be drawn to Christ and have life eternal. I will focus more upon the other promises of God in the New Covenant in the next post....
Remeber that in these promises of the new covenant , the Lord does these things because He is Gracious and Merciful, a God who loves inspite of who we are and He is passionate about His glory, and passionate to display His Holiness....may you meditate upon these things and be humbled by His grace....
Thursday, October 1, 2009
You sure you want to be "Like Mike"?
Like many I was MJ fan throughout the 90's as a buck, and even more recently I have enjoyed re-living the "I wanna be like Mike" days when watching his highlights as they honored his entry into the hall of fame....but this...this was just sick....what you are about to see...or might have seen already is pride at its best...
MJ, a word of advice to you...In the eyes of God, all of our jumpshots, buzzer beaters, and "hard work and determination" are as filthy rags apart from the grace of Jesus Christ.
Truly, to witness such a great career is something we might never see again, and yes, we must give honor where honor is due...so, Congrats Mike Jordan! But let us remember that pride is sin: a malicious, hardening, blackened,infectious disease that will cause us to esteem ourselves much higher than we ought....and the remedy for it is humility...with side effects of being broken and crushed by a Holy and Righteous God....either by His grace, or by His wrath...lets pray the former finds my basketball hero....until then, watch.
* The article posted after the video is a mockery, if you will, of the speech given on HOF night. I found some humor in it, I hope you will as well.
Thank you, I appreciate it. That appreciation doesn’t extend to everybody. It excludes Mr. Burton, the geezer who lived next door to my family in North Carolina when I was growing up. He used to chase me out of his yard and curse me. (Look to the heavens.) Hey, old man, look at me now! Your yard had crab grass, old man. Speaking of old men, when I was a tiny tot Santa promised me a sled for Christmas and all I got was a matchstick car. I have the letter I wrote to Santa right here, dated November 30, 1967, to prove what I say. A week later, at the Wilmington mall, on the afternoon of December 14, Santa promised me the sled. (Turn to face the North Pole.) Hey, Claus, I’m a Hall of Famer now, so kiss my behind. What Hall of Fame are you in? You’re no saint, IMO. Throughout my career I kept a photo of Santa taped to the inside of my locker for motivation. I’d look at it before big games, and imagine the man about to guard me was a jovial fat guy in a red and white suit. Forget Claus. Folks, I always dreamt of this day, standing here, able to denigrate the little league coach who lifted me for a pinch hitter on June 3, 1971. He pulled me for Petey Schultz a guy with a .214 batting average! Over some stupid rule that every kid gets to play two innings? Hey, coach, I went on to play professional baseball,and once even got a hit. Well, we’re not here to discuss my Little League coach. A man doesn’t get to the pinnacle of his profession without the will to win. And I certainly had that. (Pat self on back.) I’m glad I possessed the will to prove the naysayers wrong. I was drafted third out of North Carolina. Is Sam Bowie here tonight? Didn’t think so. It is the Hall of Fame, right? Heh-heh. Yes, old Sam, picked in the draft before myself. Do we have time for me to run down his career stats in their entirety? Well, we’ll save that for another speech. I’d like to thank the people of Chicago with the following exceptions: Jerry Krause, Ed my old mailman, and the guy who forgot to plow my driveway after it snowed five inches on December 12, 1985, you know who you are. You forgot to plow the driveway of a Hall of Famer, chump. I paid you that month, did I not? To all the young people watching, keep striving. Dare to be great. I say that to all young people except Hannah Montana. I don’t care about you, Hannah. I took my nephews and nieces to your concert on February 22, 2007 and you kept us waiting 44 minutes, 11 seconds for the show to start. Forty-four minutes, 11 seconds, Hannah. What’s up with that? I hereby publicly embarrass you. In closing I’d like to read something. I hope I don’t get too emotional. (Put on reading glasses, and pull a paper from pocket for maximum emotional affect.) To the driver of the gray Oldsmobile, license plate number ZRT6Y3, who cut me off on the way from the airport, you’re a terrible driver. The worst! How do they even give this person a license? Isn’t there a test in this state? I was in my lane when all of a sudden this no-brain comes across the line ... well, what can you do? Thank you again, folks. This is truly the greatest night of my life.
Written By: Brad Dickson
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
MJ, a word of advice to you...In the eyes of God, all of our jumpshots, buzzer beaters, and "hard work and determination" are as filthy rags apart from the grace of Jesus Christ.
Truly, to witness such a great career is something we might never see again, and yes, we must give honor where honor is due...so, Congrats Mike Jordan! But let us remember that pride is sin: a malicious, hardening, blackened,infectious disease that will cause us to esteem ourselves much higher than we ought....and the remedy for it is humility...with side effects of being broken and crushed by a Holy and Righteous God....either by His grace, or by His wrath...lets pray the former finds my basketball hero....until then, watch.
* The article posted after the video is a mockery, if you will, of the speech given on HOF night. I found some humor in it, I hope you will as well.
Thank you, I appreciate it. That appreciation doesn’t extend to everybody. It excludes Mr. Burton, the geezer who lived next door to my family in North Carolina when I was growing up. He used to chase me out of his yard and curse me. (Look to the heavens.) Hey, old man, look at me now! Your yard had crab grass, old man. Speaking of old men, when I was a tiny tot Santa promised me a sled for Christmas and all I got was a matchstick car. I have the letter I wrote to Santa right here, dated November 30, 1967, to prove what I say. A week later, at the Wilmington mall, on the afternoon of December 14, Santa promised me the sled. (Turn to face the North Pole.) Hey, Claus, I’m a Hall of Famer now, so kiss my behind. What Hall of Fame are you in? You’re no saint, IMO. Throughout my career I kept a photo of Santa taped to the inside of my locker for motivation. I’d look at it before big games, and imagine the man about to guard me was a jovial fat guy in a red and white suit. Forget Claus. Folks, I always dreamt of this day, standing here, able to denigrate the little league coach who lifted me for a pinch hitter on June 3, 1971. He pulled me for Petey Schultz a guy with a .214 batting average! Over some stupid rule that every kid gets to play two innings? Hey, coach, I went on to play professional baseball,and once even got a hit. Well, we’re not here to discuss my Little League coach. A man doesn’t get to the pinnacle of his profession without the will to win. And I certainly had that. (Pat self on back.) I’m glad I possessed the will to prove the naysayers wrong. I was drafted third out of North Carolina. Is Sam Bowie here tonight? Didn’t think so. It is the Hall of Fame, right? Heh-heh. Yes, old Sam, picked in the draft before myself. Do we have time for me to run down his career stats in their entirety? Well, we’ll save that for another speech. I’d like to thank the people of Chicago with the following exceptions: Jerry Krause, Ed my old mailman, and the guy who forgot to plow my driveway after it snowed five inches on December 12, 1985, you know who you are. You forgot to plow the driveway of a Hall of Famer, chump. I paid you that month, did I not? To all the young people watching, keep striving. Dare to be great. I say that to all young people except Hannah Montana. I don’t care about you, Hannah. I took my nephews and nieces to your concert on February 22, 2007 and you kept us waiting 44 minutes, 11 seconds for the show to start. Forty-four minutes, 11 seconds, Hannah. What’s up with that? I hereby publicly embarrass you. In closing I’d like to read something. I hope I don’t get too emotional. (Put on reading glasses, and pull a paper from pocket for maximum emotional affect.) To the driver of the gray Oldsmobile, license plate number ZRT6Y3, who cut me off on the way from the airport, you’re a terrible driver. The worst! How do they even give this person a license? Isn’t there a test in this state? I was in my lane when all of a sudden this no-brain comes across the line ... well, what can you do? Thank you again, folks. This is truly the greatest night of my life.
Written By: Brad Dickson
Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Writing Ideas for the Fall...
Some Ideas for Blogs This Fall :
The Attributes of God (contd.)
*read the Attributes I have already covered*
Immutability
Infinitude
Oneness of God
Intro to the Attributes of God
My Thoughts on the Gospel of John: verse by verse (RepentResources)
* see notes on John 1:1
The Attributes of God (contd.)
*read the Attributes I have already covered*
Immutability
Infinitude
Oneness of God
Intro to the Attributes of God
My Thoughts on the Gospel of John: verse by verse (RepentResources)
* see notes on John 1:1
Excerpts from Pilgrim's Progress
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
8 Differences Between the Christian Joy and the World's Joy
by Thomas Watson
(1.) Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER, worldly joys often make us worse. "I spoke unto you in your prosperity—but you said, I will not hear." Jer 22:21. Pride and luxury are the two worms which are bred from worldly pleasures. Wine is the inflamer of lust. As Satan entered in the sop, so often in the cup. But spiritual joy makes one better; it is like cordial medicine, which, as physicians say, not only cheers the heart—but purges out the noxious humours. Just so, divine joy is cordial medicine, which not only comforts but purifies; it makes a Christian more holy; it causes an antipathy against sin; it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Some colors not only delight the eye—but strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God not only refresh the soul—but strengthen it.
(2.) Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys. "Your heart shall rejoice." John 16:22. True joy is hidden within, worldly joy lies on the outside, like the dew which wets the leaf. We read of those who "rejoice in appearance," in the Greek, in the face. 2 Cor 5:12. It goes no farther than the face, it is not within. "Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains." Proverbs 14:13. Like a house which has a gilded frontispiece—but all the rooms within are hung in mourning. But spiritual joy lies most within. "Your heart shall rejoice." Divine joy is like a spring of water which runs underground! Others can see the sufferings of a Christian—but they see not his joy. "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy." Prov 14:10. His joy is hidden manna—hidden from the eye of the world; he has joyful music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies within, the best joy is within the heart.
(3.) Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys. "Your love is sweeter than wine!" Song of Songs 1:2. Spiritual joys are a Christian's festival; they are the golden pot and the sweet manna, they are so sweet, that they make everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten health and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes them more fragrant and aromatic. Divine joys are so delicious and ravishing, that they put our mouth out of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been drinking cordials tastes little sweetness in water. Paul had so tasted these divine joys, that his mouth was out of taste for worldly things; the world was crucified to him, it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in it. Gal 6:14.
(4.) Spiritual joys are more PURE, they are not tempered with any bitter ingredients. A sinner's joy is mixed with dregs, it is embittered with fear and guilt—he drinks wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is not muddied with guilt—but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. It is a rose without prickles; it is honey without wax.
(5.) Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. "Ask, that your joy may be full." Worldly joys can no more fill the heart than a drop can fill an ocean; they may please the palate or imagination—but cannot satisfy the soul. "No matter how much we see—we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear—we are not content." Ecclesiastes 1:8. But the joys of God satisfy. "Your comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19. There is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly joys—as between a banquet which is eaten—and one which is painted on the wall!
(6.) Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys. "Strong consolation." Heb 6:18. They are strong joys indeed, which can bear up a Christian's heart in trials and afflictions. "Having received the word in much affliction, with joy." These joys are roses which grow in winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of Marah! He who has these joys, can gather grapes from thorns, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion! "As sorrowing—yet always rejoicing." 2 Cor 6: 10. At the end of the rod—a Christian tastes honey!
(7.) Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys, when in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates. One may be tired of pleasure, as well as labor. King Xerxes offered a reward to him who could find out a new pleasure! But the joys of God, though they satisfy—yet they never glut. A drop of joy is sweet—but the more of this wine the better! Such as drink of the joys of heaven—are never glutted. Their satiety is without loathing, because they still desire more of the joy with which they are satiated.
(8.) Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys are soon gone. Such as crown themselves with rosebuds, and bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure—may have joys which seem to be sweet—but they are swift. They are like meteors, which give a bright and sudden flash, and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are abiding; they are a blossom of eternity—a pledge of those rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand! "In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Another Jesus
Another Jesus - audio
Another Jesus is exactly what the title describes him as...another Jesus. This false teacher is not another religion, another Mohammed, Bhuddah, Bahai', or Scientologist. Another Jesus is a false teacher who professes to be connected to Jesus Christ in word, and in action. Jesus, in Matthew 24:4, says that one of the "signs of the times" will be that many false Christs will come in His name and they will decieve many people. The false Christ might recognize that he is false, but he probably wont because he has convinced himself that his message is of God; he has convinced himself that although he has some wolf-like tendencies, that he is a sheep.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, that you will recognize a false prophet by his fruit. Although he looks like a sheep, he is a wolf and although he looks just like all the other trees, his fruit is bad. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit and a wolf cannot stay a sheep but for so long. Here is the key in discerning (by Scripture) a false Christ. Watch his appetite. The major factor in identifying a sheep from a "so-called sheep" is their appetite: the sheep will feed upon what its nature requires it to. Likewise, the wolf will feed upon what its nature requires it to. It will only be so long after grazing in the green pastures that the "disguised sheep" will start to get hungry and because he is a wolf- he will turn to his nature. The appetite of a sheep, one who has heard the voice of his Savior, is the Word, holiness, repentance, Christ, and love. The Christian who has genuinely been saved and regenerated has a passion and a desire for God, they have a passion for holiness and a burning desire, like Paul in Philippians, to know Christ. The false prophets desire is upon earthly things and while the Christian is after the things of God such as holiness, faith, grace and truth- the false Christ is after the things of this world, in the name of God, and unfortunately he decieves many into following after him.
Today we hear many ministers and mainstream evangelists, both on tv before thousands and in pulpits every week, telling anxious crowds that they can put aside thoughts of eternal life and focus on their dreams, desires and passions here and now on the earth. Many, in the name of "prosperity", focus upon getting God to provide earthly things and treasures now.Why? Well because "you're a King's Kid","you walk in a higher anointing" ..."you sowed a miracle-seed" and "you gave God permission to work in the earth-realm"... Some call it "The Kingdom of God", while others call it "A Better You", and "Your Best Life Now" but the bottom line is that the focus is upon self and what God can do for "self"...since He's already done everything else for you anyways(says the false prophet). The aim today is not to point fingers, or to call out names, or even to hate these people with a witch-hunting passion...the point is to take the focus off of men and point them to Christ..to take the focus off of self and glorify the Savior. Its ironic how most of these teachers say that the Holy Spirit is very very operative in their ministries, yet you never hear sermons preached on sin, true righteousness, or judgment and this is His ministry (John 16:8).
Christ, Paul, and the Apostles warn of false teachers several times in the New Testament:
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .
Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Acts 20:28-31
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
These Scriptures are just a few of many that warn of false teachers and all should dilligently search the scriptures to find what are the signs of a false prophet.
The nature of the false prophet is not one of blatant, open all-out falsehood. The false prophet will never just come out spewing heresies that all men know are just wrong and pure evil. What the false prophet says will be heretical, it will be false and it will corrupt, but he does not speak it in a way that sounds as though it will do any damage. Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3 gives an example of how Satan will work through the message of the false prophet so that he might decieve. "As the serpent beguiled Eve..." is the example given and Paul is referring to Genesis 3:1-4 when Eve was tempted in the garden to eat the fruit forbidden by God. In the sermon, I take a closer look as to how the serpent decieved Eve and essentially he breaks through when he convinces Eve to take the focus off of God's Holy and Just commandment and to place the focus upon her desires, upon her senses, and upon her self.
Gen 3:1-4
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 2And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate
Another Jesus doesent seek the glory of the Father, he seeks the glory of himself. as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:12 that these false apostles look for an occasion to boast in their works, and in their mission. These false prophets might even seek after godliness, but they only seek after it because of the gain that comes with godliness - their desire to be holy is only motivated from a desire for gain and in the end that is not holiness at all. Paul says in 1 Tim 6:5-6 that there is great gain in godliness...yes, the Lord does bless His people, He does provide their needs and they ought not be anxious like the Gentiles for food or clothing or shelter because those that seek His kingdom and His righteousness will be added to...but this gain that comes with desiring God and seeking after Him with a whole heart also brings contentment with it. Thats how Paul is able to say to the Philippian church (Phil 4:11-13) "11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
The false prophet is not satisfied or content with contentment. Do you see how the serpent convinced Eve to be dissatisfied with the perfect, God fellowshipping, holy,lifestyle that she and Adam had in the garden? "There has to be more!!" the serpent said, and he convinced her that "more" was found in eating the fruit and fulfilling her desires and wants. The false prophet tells you that "There has to be more" than holiness, righteousness, true worship, and living for Christ....there is a better life now" he says...."You can have whatever you want and your "Daddy in Heaven" will give it to you...He has to because He promised..." I could go on for days...but the point of this is that the false prophets focus is upon the earth while the Christ was focused upon glorifying the Father in Heaven.
Another Jesus is exactly what the title describes him as...another Jesus. This false teacher is not another religion, another Mohammed, Bhuddah, Bahai', or Scientologist. Another Jesus is a false teacher who professes to be connected to Jesus Christ in word, and in action. Jesus, in Matthew 24:4, says that one of the "signs of the times" will be that many false Christs will come in His name and they will decieve many people. The false Christ might recognize that he is false, but he probably wont because he has convinced himself that his message is of God; he has convinced himself that although he has some wolf-like tendencies, that he is a sheep.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, that you will recognize a false prophet by his fruit. Although he looks like a sheep, he is a wolf and although he looks just like all the other trees, his fruit is bad. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit and a wolf cannot stay a sheep but for so long. Here is the key in discerning (by Scripture) a false Christ. Watch his appetite. The major factor in identifying a sheep from a "so-called sheep" is their appetite: the sheep will feed upon what its nature requires it to. Likewise, the wolf will feed upon what its nature requires it to. It will only be so long after grazing in the green pastures that the "disguised sheep" will start to get hungry and because he is a wolf- he will turn to his nature. The appetite of a sheep, one who has heard the voice of his Savior, is the Word, holiness, repentance, Christ, and love. The Christian who has genuinely been saved and regenerated has a passion and a desire for God, they have a passion for holiness and a burning desire, like Paul in Philippians, to know Christ. The false prophets desire is upon earthly things and while the Christian is after the things of God such as holiness, faith, grace and truth- the false Christ is after the things of this world, in the name of God, and unfortunately he decieves many into following after him.
Today we hear many ministers and mainstream evangelists, both on tv before thousands and in pulpits every week, telling anxious crowds that they can put aside thoughts of eternal life and focus on their dreams, desires and passions here and now on the earth. Many, in the name of "prosperity", focus upon getting God to provide earthly things and treasures now.Why? Well because "you're a King's Kid","you walk in a higher anointing" ..."you sowed a miracle-seed" and "you gave God permission to work in the earth-realm"... Some call it "The Kingdom of God", while others call it "A Better You", and "Your Best Life Now" but the bottom line is that the focus is upon self and what God can do for "self"...since He's already done everything else for you anyways(says the false prophet). The aim today is not to point fingers, or to call out names, or even to hate these people with a witch-hunting passion...the point is to take the focus off of men and point them to Christ..to take the focus off of self and glorify the Savior. Its ironic how most of these teachers say that the Holy Spirit is very very operative in their ministries, yet you never hear sermons preached on sin, true righteousness, or judgment and this is His ministry (John 16:8).
Christ, Paul, and the Apostles warn of false teachers several times in the New Testament:
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. .
Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Acts 20:28-31
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
These Scriptures are just a few of many that warn of false teachers and all should dilligently search the scriptures to find what are the signs of a false prophet.
The nature of the false prophet is not one of blatant, open all-out falsehood. The false prophet will never just come out spewing heresies that all men know are just wrong and pure evil. What the false prophet says will be heretical, it will be false and it will corrupt, but he does not speak it in a way that sounds as though it will do any damage. Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3 gives an example of how Satan will work through the message of the false prophet so that he might decieve. "As the serpent beguiled Eve..." is the example given and Paul is referring to Genesis 3:1-4 when Eve was tempted in the garden to eat the fruit forbidden by God. In the sermon, I take a closer look as to how the serpent decieved Eve and essentially he breaks through when he convinces Eve to take the focus off of God's Holy and Just commandment and to place the focus upon her desires, upon her senses, and upon her self.
Gen 3:1-4
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 2And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate
Another Jesus doesent seek the glory of the Father, he seeks the glory of himself. as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:12 that these false apostles look for an occasion to boast in their works, and in their mission. These false prophets might even seek after godliness, but they only seek after it because of the gain that comes with godliness - their desire to be holy is only motivated from a desire for gain and in the end that is not holiness at all. Paul says in 1 Tim 6:5-6 that there is great gain in godliness...yes, the Lord does bless His people, He does provide their needs and they ought not be anxious like the Gentiles for food or clothing or shelter because those that seek His kingdom and His righteousness will be added to...but this gain that comes with desiring God and seeking after Him with a whole heart also brings contentment with it. Thats how Paul is able to say to the Philippian church (Phil 4:11-13) "11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
The false prophet is not satisfied or content with contentment. Do you see how the serpent convinced Eve to be dissatisfied with the perfect, God fellowshipping, holy,lifestyle that she and Adam had in the garden? "There has to be more!!" the serpent said, and he convinced her that "more" was found in eating the fruit and fulfilling her desires and wants. The false prophet tells you that "There has to be more" than holiness, righteousness, true worship, and living for Christ....there is a better life now" he says...."You can have whatever you want and your "Daddy in Heaven" will give it to you...He has to because He promised..." I could go on for days...but the point of this is that the false prophets focus is upon the earth while the Christ was focused upon glorifying the Father in Heaven.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A.W. Tozer on Worship and Entertainment
"The modern effort to popularize the Christian faith has been extremely damaging to that faith. The purpose has been to
simplify truth for the masses by using the language of the masses instead of the language of the church. It has not
succeeded, but has added to rather than diminished religious confusion"... A.W. Tozer
Monday, September 7, 2009
Does the Church Replace Israel - Dr. Arturo Azurdia III
Does the Church Replace Israel?
by
Dr. Arturo Azurdia III
"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 2:8)
... Poverty as a consequence of slander and accusations .... The source of their persecution: the Romans. Fomenting the Roman persecution was the inciting accusations of ethnic Israelites about whom Jesus here says are not worthy of that ancient and honorable name. "I know the slander [blasphemy] by those who say they are Jews and are not." My friends that is a profoundly important statement. When we watch the flow of redemptive history, the storyline of the Bible unfold and we move from the epic of promise into the epic of fulfillment, God's people are no longer defined genealogically, they are defined Christologically ... Christocentrically. You say "what do you mean?" True Jews are those who follow Jesus as their Messiah. They are characterized by a birth not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. They are marked out by a circumcision not of the flesh but of the heart. So who then are these people? These people who claim to be Jews by virtue of their bloodline, but according to Jesus himself, they are not. Jesus defines them for us: "They are a synagogue of Satan." It is like what Jesus says to the unbelieving Pharisees in John chapter 8, who claimed the paternity of Abraham. He says: "You are of your father the devil." You see beloved, this is why we need to think clearly at this point. This is what is so utterly wrong today when people refer to the Judeo-Christian God. [They say] "Christians and Jews really in the end worship the same God." NO! ...To reject Jesus Christ is to reject the full and final revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The truth is there is no such thing as an orthodox Jew, beloved, unless he is a Christian because if the Jews really believed in the Old Testament they would believe in Jesus Christ. If a person does not believe in Jesus Christ then, according to John chapter 5, then he does not believe in Moses either. "Moses spoke of me," Jesus said. And so Paul says in Romans chapter 2 "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly nor is circumcision merely outward and physical", no "a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly and circumcision is circumcision of the heart by the Spirit not the written code."
Now friends, people often ask me, "Do you believe that the church replaces Israel. The answer is "no of course not!!!" The church does not replace Israel. The fact is, Jewish people who reject Jesus Christ are apostate from Israel. Following Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of true Judaism. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Him. Israel and the church, then, are not in radical discontinuity, rather, the later is the consummated expression of the former. Beloved, a failure to appreciate that has profoundly determined strange things in our [own] country. By virtue of the influence of American evangelicalism we say silly things like "Always side with Israel, no matter what Israel does always side with Israel. God will take care of America if we always side with Israel. They are God's people." [But] Jesus says they are a synagogue of Satan. And is there a reason then why American evangelicals are notoriously ineffective in their evangelism of Arabs?
[Jesus is] The full, final, ultimate expression of Judaism. You are Abraham's seed. C'mon ... Tear those pages out of your study Bibles.
Friday, September 4, 2009
"Sin" by J.C. Ryle
"Concerning the extent of this vast moral disease of man called 'sin', let us beware that we make no mistake. The only safe ground is that which is laid for us in Scripture. 'Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart' is by nature 'evil', and that 'continually'. 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked' (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9). Sin is a disease which pervades and runs through every part of our moral constitution and every faculty of our minds. The understanding, the affections, the reasoning powers, the will, are all more or less infected. Even the conscience is so blinded that it cannot be depended on as a sure guide, and is as likely to lead men wrong as right, unless it is enlightened by the Holy Ghost. In short, 'from the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness' about us (Isaiah 1:6). The disease may be veiled under a thin covering of courtesy, politeness, good manners and outward decorum, but it lies deep down in the constitution.
I admit fully that man has many grand and noble faculties left about him, and that in arts and sciences and literature he shows immense capacity. But the fact still remains that in spiritual things he is utterly 'dead', and has no natural knowledge, or love, or fear of God. His best things are so interwoven and intermingled with corruption, that the contrast only brings out into sharper relief the truth and extent of the Fall. That one and the same creature should be in some things so high and in others so low; so great and yet so little; so noble and yet so mean; so grand in his conception and execution of material things and yet so groveling and debased in his affections; that he should be able to plan and erect buildings like those at Carnac and Luxor in Egypt and the Parthenon at Athens, and yet worship vile gods and goddesses and birds and beasts and creeping things; that he should be able to produce tragedies like those of Aeschylus and Sophocles, and histories like that of Thucydides, and yet be a slave to abominable vices like those described in the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans - all this is a sore puzzle to those who sneer at 'God's Word written', and scoff at us as bibliolaters. But it is a knot that we can untie with the Bible in our hands. We can acknowledge that man has all the marks of a majestic temple about him, a temple in which God once dwelt, but a temple which is now in utter ruins, a temple in which a shattered window here, and a doorway there, and a column there, still give some faint idea of the magnificence of the original design, but a temple which from end to end has lost its glory and fallen from its high estate. And we say that nothing solves the complicated problem of man's condition but the doctrine of original or birth-sin and the crushing effects of the Fall."
—Holiness
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