Sola Scriptura means that the Scriptures (the 66 books of the Bible) are the only authoritative source of God speaking to man. Nothing can be added nor taken away. And anything contrary is false.
The Scriptures alone are fully authoritative, infallible and inerrant, and completely sufficient. If you do not believe this then any conversation about God, about His will, about salvation, or about Jesus Christ, is going to be about as frustrating as a three legged dog trying to bury a bone on ice. It's not going to get any where.
And why would it? Because any common ground is lost, there is no longer any central reference point, it all comes down to your personal opinion. All of a sudden your reason and feelings become the source of what informs you of what is and is not true.
I have a hard time believing that any true Christian would deny the wholly inspired nature of the Holy Scriptures.
People will usually deny this when they find a passage of Scripture that they don't like, or one that would cause them to have to change the way that they live their lives. And because it's been proven time and time again that the Bible has not changed since it was written, beginning with Genesis (approx. 3500 yrs ago), to the New Testament (approx.2000yrs ago), I guess it's just easier for them to deny all together that the Scriptures are fake, or to say that the meaning is not true.
The sufficiency of the Bible is one of the strongest attacks that the Church is facing right now. Sadly, this attack is coming from those who call themselves Christians.
So many within the Church have compromised the word of God, and given in to the pressure of the world to deny the literal truth of the Word. The best example of this would be the denial of the creation of the world in 6 24 hour days approximately 6000 years ago(Gen 2:1-2). Another would be the fact that Jesus said that He is going to return to judge the world and condemn those who do not repent and trust in Him to eternal Hell (Matt 25:31-33,41).
If one does not believe that the Scriptures are fully inspired by God, then you do not trust God as He commands. The Bible says that God had inspired the writers of the Scriptures to write down exactly what He wanted to say, (1 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:20-21). Why is it so difficult to believe that if God wields such awesome power that He can literally speak the entire universe into existence, why couldn't He preserve throughout history His words as they were spoken to the prophets and apostles?
Showing posts with label exhortation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label exhortation. Show all posts
Apr 6, 2010
Mar 22, 2010
Essential Doctrine pt7; Salvation is a gift of God.
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
There is one mediator between God and man, and that is Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus Christ was the only one in all of history to make atonement and reconciliation between God and man. He did this, by suffering and dying upon a cross, in such a way that no one on earth could understand. There is nothing that can match the value of Christ's offering.
Someone who believes that they must be a good person or perform some right, or observe rituals in order to receive or maintain their salvation in Jesus Christ effectively renders the gift of God as not free, as they attempting to buy it by some form of work.
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom 4:3-8)
For by works of the law (observing the 10 commandments, or 'being good') no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (because we've all broken the law, and no one has perfectly kept the law, therefore, Rom 3:10,12).
Repentance defined, means to apologize and turn from doing evil works. Evil as it is in the eyes of God. Such lying, stealing, idolatry, blasphemy, and the other 10 Commandments. So if one is repentant, they won't want to continue sinning. Especially against the very One who died to save them from their sins.
So is repentance a work for salvation? No, but rather it the right response to the One who offers the free gift. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. One without the other results in a false conversion.
There is one mediator between God and man, and that is Christ Jesus. (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus Christ was the only one in all of history to make atonement and reconciliation between God and man. He did this, by suffering and dying upon a cross, in such a way that no one on earth could understand. There is nothing that can match the value of Christ's offering.
Someone who believes that they must be a good person or perform some right, or observe rituals in order to receive or maintain their salvation in Jesus Christ effectively renders the gift of God as not free, as they attempting to buy it by some form of work.
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom 4:3-8)
For by works of the law (observing the 10 commandments, or 'being good') no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (because we've all broken the law, and no one has perfectly kept the law, therefore, Rom 3:10,12).
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Rom 3:20-26)
Repentance defined, means to apologize and turn from doing evil works. Evil as it is in the eyes of God. Such lying, stealing, idolatry, blasphemy, and the other 10 Commandments. So if one is repentant, they won't want to continue sinning. Especially against the very One who died to save them from their sins.
So is repentance a work for salvation? No, but rather it the right response to the One who offers the free gift. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. One without the other results in a false conversion.
Mar 1, 2010
Essential Doctrine pt6; The Resurrection from the Dead
Three days after Jesus was crucified, He rose to life from the dead in a physical body. This is and must be true. Why? Because as Paul put it, " If He did not rise our faith is in vain and we are still in our sins. (1 Cor 15:10)
If you reject the resurrection, than what is the point of calling yourself a Christian. Jesus said on several different occasions that He would be in the grave 3 days, and on that third day He would rise again (Mk 8:31, Mk 9:31, Mk 10:34)
Jesus was clear that this was a literal bodily resurrection. He spoke with the Sadducees (A certain party of the religious leaders. They did not believe in the resurrection; Mk 12:18) that the resurrection was a true fact.
Jesus said, "But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob'? "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." Mark 12:26-27
Paul explains the importance of the resurrection of Christ concerning our salvation. "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Some people like to alogorize or moralize the truth of the resurrection. They might say something like the resurrection symbolizes a new life for the believer. This is not exactly what meant in the Scriptures.
The resurrection of Christ does provide a new life for us, meaning that we now receive eternal life in Christ. Whenever, the Bible talks about the resurrection or our eternal life in Christ or the life that we ultimately hope for, it is always future tense, after we pass from this plane. "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied... If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. (1Co 15:19,32)
The truth of the resurrection can not be seperated from the cross, nor from the forgiveness of our sins. It is the very fact that Jesus was raised from the dead that it proves that His sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to appease the wrath of God and thereby purchase the forgiveness for our sins. All of what Christ did hinged on the resurrection.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)
If you deny the resurrection, then again I ask, who is the Jesus Christ that you are following? Because he is not the Christ if you do not believe that He was physically raised from the dead.
Now does that mean that you can't have 'doubts' or questions, because someone raising from the dead! That's not something that happens every day. It is a stumbling block for many. It was in Peter and Paul's day, it is now. It was also for all of the disciples of Jesus.
But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Luke 24:37-39)
Jesus does not send you away for having troubles believing something, but rather He will gently tell you to be not unbelieving but believing.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then He *said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:24-29)
Jesus will give you the gift of belief if you repent and put your faith in Him. There is a part for us to participate in growing in the Lord, but it is really the Holy Spirit who leads us in our faith.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
(John 16:13-14)
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
If you reject the resurrection, than what is the point of calling yourself a Christian. Jesus said on several different occasions that He would be in the grave 3 days, and on that third day He would rise again (Mk 8:31, Mk 9:31, Mk 10:34)
Jesus was clear that this was a literal bodily resurrection. He spoke with the Sadducees (A certain party of the religious leaders. They did not believe in the resurrection; Mk 12:18) that the resurrection was a true fact.
Jesus said, "But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob'? "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken." Mark 12:26-27
Paul explains the importance of the resurrection of Christ concerning our salvation. "Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Some people like to alogorize or moralize the truth of the resurrection. They might say something like the resurrection symbolizes a new life for the believer. This is not exactly what meant in the Scriptures.
The resurrection of Christ does provide a new life for us, meaning that we now receive eternal life in Christ. Whenever, the Bible talks about the resurrection or our eternal life in Christ or the life that we ultimately hope for, it is always future tense, after we pass from this plane. "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied... If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE. (1Co 15:19,32)
The truth of the resurrection can not be seperated from the cross, nor from the forgiveness of our sins. It is the very fact that Jesus was raised from the dead that it proves that His sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to appease the wrath of God and thereby purchase the forgiveness for our sins. All of what Christ did hinged on the resurrection.
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)
If you deny the resurrection, then again I ask, who is the Jesus Christ that you are following? Because he is not the Christ if you do not believe that He was physically raised from the dead.
Now does that mean that you can't have 'doubts' or questions, because someone raising from the dead! That's not something that happens every day. It is a stumbling block for many. It was in Peter and Paul's day, it is now. It was also for all of the disciples of Jesus.
But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Luke 24:37-39)
Jesus does not send you away for having troubles believing something, but rather He will gently tell you to be not unbelieving but believing.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples were saying to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you."
Then He *said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." (John 20:24-29)
Jesus will give you the gift of belief if you repent and put your faith in Him. There is a part for us to participate in growing in the Lord, but it is really the Holy Spirit who leads us in our faith.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.
(John 16:13-14)
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Jan 9, 2010
Non Essential Doctrines pt2 Calvinism vs Arminianism
When it comes to Biblical theological understandings, perhaps the greatest rivals (and the most contentious) are team Calvin vs team Armenian.
I honestly don't know a whole lot about either doctrine, but for as long these teachings have been around (as set out specifically by John Calvin or Jacobus Arminius), the believers of these two views have been in conflict.
I personally don't have any solid stance on either side. I believe a little Calvinism and a little from Arminianism, so I guess you could call me a "Cal-minian".
This could be a really long post if I were to get into this more, but as I've stated, I really don't know great details of either and I personally am not so interested in getting into the debate between the two sides.
I do know that there are concerns of either idea being extended too far, such as hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism leading into Palagiamism, many times though these are simply misrepresentations made by the critics of either side. They can however lead into false teaching just like many ideas can.
I just want to encourage those on either side that if you both believe that Jesus Christ is the sole Saviour of mankind by grace alone through repentance and faith alone than you should be able to call each other brother. We should also be able to talk to each other about these differences and do so in peace without arguing. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
Let us exemplify our unity in Christ, not by having to believe exactly the same thing about being a Christian, but rather by the shed blood of Jesus Christ all of our sins are forgiven and we are brought into a common grace.
I honestly don't know a whole lot about either doctrine, but for as long these teachings have been around (as set out specifically by John Calvin or Jacobus Arminius), the believers of these two views have been in conflict.
I personally don't have any solid stance on either side. I believe a little Calvinism and a little from Arminianism, so I guess you could call me a "Cal-minian".
This could be a really long post if I were to get into this more, but as I've stated, I really don't know great details of either and I personally am not so interested in getting into the debate between the two sides.
I do know that there are concerns of either idea being extended too far, such as hyper-Calvinism, and Arminianism leading into Palagiamism, many times though these are simply misrepresentations made by the critics of either side. They can however lead into false teaching just like many ideas can.
I just want to encourage those on either side that if you both believe that Jesus Christ is the sole Saviour of mankind by grace alone through repentance and faith alone than you should be able to call each other brother. We should also be able to talk to each other about these differences and do so in peace without arguing. We can disagree without being disagreeable.
Let us exemplify our unity in Christ, not by having to believe exactly the same thing about being a Christian, but rather by the shed blood of Jesus Christ all of our sins are forgiven and we are brought into a common grace.
Jan 2, 2010
Unity in Christ this New Year
Happy New Year everybody. I just wanted to reiterate a message on unity in Christ that was given by my good friend and mentor Kelly Powers at
www.rootedinchrist.org/1/Christian_Essentials/Entries/2009/12/25_Doctrine_Wars.html
I want to say that in this new year let us as the body of Jesus Christ live as one in love and respect. There are many things in the Scriptures that many of us disagree about such as between calvinists and arminianists, pentacostals and non-pentacostals, creationists and theistic evolutionists. Let us though treat each other with respect and so long as we have untiy in the essential doctrines than we shall call each other brother and sister.
Now that begs the question; what are the essential doctrines? I believe there are several truths that if you call yourself a Christian you will not deny;
->There is one God (Duet 6:4, Jam 2:19),
->God exist eternally and equally as three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Is 48:12-16, Matt 3:16-17),
->Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Jn 1:1, 14, Col2:9, Heb 1:8),
->Jesus was crucified for our sins against a holy God, thereby taking our punishment upon Himself (Rom 3:21-26, 4:25, 1 Cor15:3-4)
->and three days later He rose from the dead in a physical body (Lk 24:36-43, 1 Cor 15:14,17)
->Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Acts4:12, Eph 2:8-9)
->Faith must be preceded and followed by repentance (Lk 24:47, Acts 2:38)
-> and Sola Scriptura, the Scriptures alone are fully authoritative, infallible and inerrant (Acts 17:11, Gal 3:22, 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20)
I believe we should and must stand firm on these. Sure we can have disagreements about minor issues, but let's try to talk about them with grace for one another. If it's not an issue of eternal implications then let's not bash each other about it.
I know some minor issues can and do lead into big implications (I'll talk of those soon), but there are now so many people out there who call themselves Christians and use words that sound right but are not quite, and they are slowly and discreetly changing definitions of such essentials as Jesus' deity, or our justification by grace alone through faith alone, before God and they also challenge the authority and infallibility of the Scriptures such as Jehova's Witnesses and Mormons the Emergent Church and the Word Faith Movement
(see www.carm.org and www.rootedinchrist.org and www.justinpeters.org for great info on this)
We can discuss our differences, and even try to correct those who believe wrongly about a minor doctrine such as theistic evolution, but let us do so in love for one another. I think a great passage for us to consider when it comes to a brother or sister in Christ and a minor issue is in Romans chapter 14;
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 14:1
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 14:4
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 14:10
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14:12-13
Now I know the context of these verses is in regards to obeying the Jewish laws, but I think the principle can be used in regards to minor doctrines. There must be unity within the body, although, even as I say we must have unity, there can be no unity with those who stand opposed to the truth of essential doctrines.
So for the sake of the truth and for the sake of the souls of those who are perishing for the made up beliefs in idols let us stand united for the true gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
www.rootedinchrist.org/1/Christian_Essentials/Entries/2009/12/25_Doctrine_Wars.html
I want to say that in this new year let us as the body of Jesus Christ live as one in love and respect. There are many things in the Scriptures that many of us disagree about such as between calvinists and arminianists, pentacostals and non-pentacostals, creationists and theistic evolutionists. Let us though treat each other with respect and so long as we have untiy in the essential doctrines than we shall call each other brother and sister.
Now that begs the question; what are the essential doctrines? I believe there are several truths that if you call yourself a Christian you will not deny;
->There is one God (Duet 6:4, Jam 2:19),
->God exist eternally and equally as three persons, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Is 48:12-16, Matt 3:16-17),
->Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (Jn 1:1, 14, Col2:9, Heb 1:8),
->Jesus was crucified for our sins against a holy God, thereby taking our punishment upon Himself (Rom 3:21-26, 4:25, 1 Cor15:3-4)
->and three days later He rose from the dead in a physical body (Lk 24:36-43, 1 Cor 15:14,17)
->Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Acts4:12, Eph 2:8-9)
->Faith must be preceded and followed by repentance (Lk 24:47, Acts 2:38)
-> and Sola Scriptura, the Scriptures alone are fully authoritative, infallible and inerrant (Acts 17:11, Gal 3:22, 2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:20)
I believe we should and must stand firm on these. Sure we can have disagreements about minor issues, but let's try to talk about them with grace for one another. If it's not an issue of eternal implications then let's not bash each other about it.
I know some minor issues can and do lead into big implications (I'll talk of those soon), but there are now so many people out there who call themselves Christians and use words that sound right but are not quite, and they are slowly and discreetly changing definitions of such essentials as Jesus' deity, or our justification by grace alone through faith alone, before God and they also challenge the authority and infallibility of the Scriptures such as Jehova's Witnesses and Mormons the Emergent Church and the Word Faith Movement
(see www.carm.org and www.rootedinchrist.org and www.justinpeters.org for great info on this)
We can discuss our differences, and even try to correct those who believe wrongly about a minor doctrine such as theistic evolution, but let us do so in love for one another. I think a great passage for us to consider when it comes to a brother or sister in Christ and a minor issue is in Romans chapter 14;
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 14:1
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 14:4
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 14:10
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14:12-13
Now I know the context of these verses is in regards to obeying the Jewish laws, but I think the principle can be used in regards to minor doctrines. There must be unity within the body, although, even as I say we must have unity, there can be no unity with those who stand opposed to the truth of essential doctrines.
So for the sake of the truth and for the sake of the souls of those who are perishing for the made up beliefs in idols let us stand united for the true gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Dec 11, 2009
Like a Thessalonian
Like a Thessalonian? What does that mean?
I believe that I have been given the gift of evangelism by our Lord. Of course every man and woman who call themselves by the name of Jesus Christ for salvation are commanded to share the gospel, ...and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:46,47, but there are a few who have been given a special gift of the Holy Spirit for evangelism, "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers..." Eph4:11 . These are the servants of God who are ones who devote more of their time to go into streets and the market places to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, and I am one of these.
The inspiration I find for my ministry comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8; "You also became imitators of us and the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonian and Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonian and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything."
That is an amazing commendation from the apostle Paul. The believers of the Church of Thessalonika are told that they are doing such a good job with what they have been entrusted with, the gospel, that Paul says that he doesn't even have to be there to preach it, and they are an example to all believers in Greece.
Nowadays it is common for many evangelical churches to try and entice the lost to come into our church where they might here about Jesus. This is usually done by striving to become "relevant" or "cool like them" so that they might think that we are cool and not like Ned Flanders and then maybe they might think Jesus is cool and want to maybe add Him to there lives.
Churches are constantly putting so much effort into trying to figure out what would be the next cool or entertaining event to lure the world into the church. They spend days doing natural church growth reports, and surveying the community asking those outside the church what the church could be doing, or how the church should be acting.
Have we forgotten that they are the unsaved haters of God? Rom 1:28-32; "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
Did not Jesus say that we would be hated because of Him? John 15:18-20; "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also."
Why then are we trying to gain the approval of the world and try so hard to get them to like us?
If we desire the church to grow, and not for pragmatic reasons, but sincerely desire the salvation of those of the world who are lost then we would forget all this foolishness and encourage and train evangelists to go into the streets and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for that is how the gospel is spread through preaching. "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" ...So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ."
Romans 10:14-15,17.
When I was saved, it was my desire to share the gospel with friends and family. My problem was that I didn't really know how, I did but I didn't. Sure I could share my testimony, but how do I put the gospel into more understandable words than "you have sinned against God, and you need to ask for His forgiveness and trust in Jesus Christ." I know most would say that that is not a terribly bad message, it is the truth, but I always thought that it needed a little more explanation. What exactly is "sin?" How do I explain it so that it would cut to their hearts and they would say 'yes I have done that?'
I was driving through Wisconsin one day listening to my Sirius satellite radio and I came across this program named "The Way of the Master Radio" with Todd Friel hosting and aslo with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (yes the little 'Growing Pain'). What I heard has since opened my eyes to a full understandable reasonable presentation of the gospel. It is so simple I can't believe I didn't get it earlier, especially since it is repeated throughout the scriptures. For example; "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...for the Law brings about wrath..." Romans 3:19-20,4:14
Of course. The 10 Commandments. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Jesus said that lust is the same as adultury, and of course everyone has worshipped other things rather than the true and living God.
Another thing that The Way of the Master emphazised that most churches do not is the supreme holiness of Almighty God. That is why even hell is reasonable for the crimes we have committed against Him. It's not exactly that all the crimes we have committed against Him are sooo spectacular but it's the One whom we have committed them against. God is so holy that lying lips are an abomination to Him, and a crime against an infinite God deserve an infinite punishment.
Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ came to our defense in this supreme court of God. He stepped in and took the punishment that we deserved in His own life's blood. The just for the unjust, and then three days later Jesus Christ rose again from the dead, proving His sacrifice as satisfactory to appease the wrath of God. Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life which is accredited to our account and our sins, past, present, and future, were put on Jesus Christ and payed for on the cross. We are fully justified in the eyes of a holy God, seen as righteous although not yet righteous.
And all we have to do is repent of our sins (not that that is such an easy thing to do, since you must die to yourself), and put our faith in Jesus Christ.
That is what we are to preach in the highways and byways. That is what will lead the lost sinners to God. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31
We do not need to conjure up some exciting new ways to try and sway people into making a feelings based desicion for Christ, but rather with the conviction of the law, the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement and it the Holy Spirit who brings about repentance and conversion so that the sinner will cry out "God have mercy on me a sinner."
Let us go now and sound forth the word of the Lord like a Thessalonian.
I believe that I have been given the gift of evangelism by our Lord. Of course every man and woman who call themselves by the name of Jesus Christ for salvation are commanded to share the gospel, ...and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:46,47, but there are a few who have been given a special gift of the Holy Spirit for evangelism, "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers..." Eph4:11 . These are the servants of God who are ones who devote more of their time to go into streets and the market places to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, and I am one of these.
The inspiration I find for my ministry comes from 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8; "You also became imitators of us and the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonian and Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonian and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything."
That is an amazing commendation from the apostle Paul. The believers of the Church of Thessalonika are told that they are doing such a good job with what they have been entrusted with, the gospel, that Paul says that he doesn't even have to be there to preach it, and they are an example to all believers in Greece.
Nowadays it is common for many evangelical churches to try and entice the lost to come into our church where they might here about Jesus. This is usually done by striving to become "relevant" or "cool like them" so that they might think that we are cool and not like Ned Flanders and then maybe they might think Jesus is cool and want to maybe add Him to there lives.
Churches are constantly putting so much effort into trying to figure out what would be the next cool or entertaining event to lure the world into the church. They spend days doing natural church growth reports, and surveying the community asking those outside the church what the church could be doing, or how the church should be acting.
Have we forgotten that they are the unsaved haters of God? Rom 1:28-32; "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them."
Did not Jesus say that we would be hated because of Him? John 15:18-20; "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also."
Why then are we trying to gain the approval of the world and try so hard to get them to like us?
If we desire the church to grow, and not for pragmatic reasons, but sincerely desire the salvation of those of the world who are lost then we would forget all this foolishness and encourage and train evangelists to go into the streets and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for that is how the gospel is spread through preaching. "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" ...So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ."
Romans 10:14-15,17.
When I was saved, it was my desire to share the gospel with friends and family. My problem was that I didn't really know how, I did but I didn't. Sure I could share my testimony, but how do I put the gospel into more understandable words than "you have sinned against God, and you need to ask for His forgiveness and trust in Jesus Christ." I know most would say that that is not a terribly bad message, it is the truth, but I always thought that it needed a little more explanation. What exactly is "sin?" How do I explain it so that it would cut to their hearts and they would say 'yes I have done that?'
I was driving through Wisconsin one day listening to my Sirius satellite radio and I came across this program named "The Way of the Master Radio" with Todd Friel hosting and aslo with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (yes the little 'Growing Pain'). What I heard has since opened my eyes to a full understandable reasonable presentation of the gospel. It is so simple I can't believe I didn't get it earlier, especially since it is repeated throughout the scriptures. For example; "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin...for the Law brings about wrath..." Romans 3:19-20,4:14
Of course. The 10 Commandments. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? Jesus said that lust is the same as adultury, and of course everyone has worshipped other things rather than the true and living God.
Another thing that The Way of the Master emphazised that most churches do not is the supreme holiness of Almighty God. That is why even hell is reasonable for the crimes we have committed against Him. It's not exactly that all the crimes we have committed against Him are sooo spectacular but it's the One whom we have committed them against. God is so holy that lying lips are an abomination to Him, and a crime against an infinite God deserve an infinite punishment.
Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ came to our defense in this supreme court of God. He stepped in and took the punishment that we deserved in His own life's blood. The just for the unjust, and then three days later Jesus Christ rose again from the dead, proving His sacrifice as satisfactory to appease the wrath of God. Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life which is accredited to our account and our sins, past, present, and future, were put on Jesus Christ and payed for on the cross. We are fully justified in the eyes of a holy God, seen as righteous although not yet righteous.
And all we have to do is repent of our sins (not that that is such an easy thing to do, since you must die to yourself), and put our faith in Jesus Christ.
That is what we are to preach in the highways and byways. That is what will lead the lost sinners to God. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31
We do not need to conjure up some exciting new ways to try and sway people into making a feelings based desicion for Christ, but rather with the conviction of the law, the Holy Spirit is the One who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement and it the Holy Spirit who brings about repentance and conversion so that the sinner will cry out "God have mercy on me a sinner."
Let us go now and sound forth the word of the Lord like a Thessalonian.
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