Category: Contemporary Church

Items pertaining to the church in our modern day.

Are we a Bunch of Losers, Part 4

church-wallpaperWhat about us?

I can’t leave this subject without pointing out the responsibility of the believer.  God uses the believer in many ways to build His church.  For this position I will turn to the 6th chapter of Acts and look in verses 1-7. In verse 1 we see that disciples were multiplied which is our commandment.  We are to go and make disciples.  The number of disciples was multiplied: Multiplied meant to them that souls were added to the kingdom and the church was growing.  I need to mention here that growing pains were felt as the church was growing just like it happens now-days.  There were two sides involved in this church, the Grecian Jews and the Hebrews.  Apparently the Hebrews were being slighted and there was some complaining going on.  We see in verse 2 the Apostles were responsible for the church and they had to carry out both a spiritual ministry and a material ministry of helping the needy.

The church then lived very close. They shared everything and knew what everyone was doing.  They had everything in common and probably had something like a commissary. When the Bible mentions “tables” they are actually stations where money and food was distributed.  Each day the food and other things were given out according to need.  This is where the problem arose regarding some of the widows allegedly getting more than others.  By the way, all widows were completely taken care of by the church.  What a great concept!  Oh, one other thing, we must realize that we are not apostles. Apostleship was unique and not something we can repeat.  We are not apostles.  This is one of the “river of differences” between then and now.

The church was to look among the congregants to appoint seven men that were spirit-filled to act as “deacons”.  The word deacon literally was not present and I use it as descriptive. (They were to look for men of honest report and men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.) This will allow the apostles to continue in the ministry they were appointed to and continue steadfast in prayer and the ministry of the word.   The Apostles wanted to remain devoted to the most important duties.  Notice the priority of prayer first.  Pray steadfastly!  They appointed Stephen, Philip, Prochurus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.  All seven men have Greek names showing that they came from the Grecian numbers to represent them fairly.

In verse 6 they prayed and laid hands on the men.  Laying on of hands was used in the Old Testament to confer blessing, transfer guilt from sinner to sacrifice and to commission a person for a new responsibility.  I notice they prayed first and then laid hands on them.  Most of the time today we do it in the opposite pattern, we lay on the hands and then pray.

The last verse, verse 7, shows the number of disciples multiplied and a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.  This meant they were accepting the preaching of the apostles that proclaimed a sacrifice that made the old sacrifices unnecessary. They became obedient to the faith.  Luke pauses throughout his story to summarize the progress of the gospel and the growth of the Christian community. This last verse was one of five summaries he gave.

We can see a theological principle here. God makes his will known to believers in the book of Acts.  God uses a variety of means to guide his people. In this passage he uses other believers.   Theology of work is evident in this passage.  It is service… Serving God, serving society and serving wherever needed.  The spirit filled men that were chosen as “deacons” to take care of the tables did not complain because they couldn’t do what the apostles did.  They served where they were needed. Overseeing the food distribution was just as important as the work of preaching the word of God.  Commitment to service needs to be our foundation.  “The one constant is that God directs our paths in a variety of ways—of this we can be confident!”

So then, how should individual Christians apply this principle today?

We should all be willing servants of the Lord wherever we are needed.  We need to understand that being filled with the spirit and having wisdom equips us to heal any division in our communities or churches. It allows us to assist in the growing pains that will naturally occur from church growth. Every job is reliant on the Spirit to do good work.  Every work we do has the capacity to be a means of participation in God’s plan for the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers’ need to serve where we are needed.  If we are obedient to the Lord and follow His word then He will do the rest.

There is so much more in the Bible about what we are to do as believers and I could do over 100 posts on this subject alone. I probably will before I am done.  If we take the big picture it comes down to one concept once we are part of the Kingdom and it is ‘The Great Commission’.  You can find it in Matthew 26: 16-20. Simply stated, ‘The Great Commission’ is comprised of three parts: 1) Make disciples, 2) Baptize them, 3) Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you.  That is Divinely Authoritive and The Great Commission is job number one of ‘The Church’ and so it is job number one for us. This is the umbrella under which all of our functions should take place.

Over the years man has distorted what God’s word has brought forth and people go to organized churches today that are miles away from what God intended.  People are getting false teaching and heresy and the only way they can see the difference is to read and listen to the truth.  The truth is God’s word as it was written.  As I mentioned in the first post, the message has been dumbed down, changed by mankind to suit their needs and watered down to draw crowds and not offend anyone.  The truth is needed!  True disciples of the Lord are never offended by the truth!  We seek it, and we want to get to the meat of true spirituality.

We are to be intimately involved with each other and every saint to insure that others are equipped for ministry and then they can go on and minister to others.  We are to equip others to the building up of the body of Christ.  The body of Christ, wow!  That is ‘The Church’ we have talking about.

I am out of space today and need to close by asking you to go to the Word and read these scriptures: Proverbs 3:5; Colossians 2:8-11; Proverbs 1:25-30; Proverbs 8:14-17; Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 30:1-3; Isaiah 40:13-14, Job 38:2-7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Romans 3:18; timothy 3:16-17; and last but not least 2 Peter 1:2-4.

Do not rely on the wisdom of men for it will let you down.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding”, Proverbs 3:5.  

(Click Here to) –  Join me in the next post as we look at the necessities of being a healthy “New Testament Church”.

May God bless your day today,

“The Tubthumper”

Are we a Bunch of Losers, Part 3

Failing-Church-plantThe stark reality of it all…

““Millions of American evangelicals are absolutely shocked by not just the presidential election, but by the entire avalanche of results that came in,” R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Louisville, Ky., said in an interview. “It’s not that our message — we think abortion is wrong, we think same-sex marriage is wrong — didn’t get out. It did get out. “It’s that the entire moral landscape has changed,” he said. “An increasingly secularized America understands our positions, and has rejected them.””.  From The New York times, November 12, 2012.

Why is America increasingly secularized?  Because the ‘The Church’ has failed.  We find in the book of Acts how the church should be.  How God meant it to be.  Let’s take a look at how the church should look to us. I say should.

By reading God’s word in Acts 2:42-47, we can see the first of several assessments of the state of the church.   We should first note that the text begins and ends with a statement about the unusual growth of the church.  Growth comes from identifying disciples and helping them to discover their spiritual gifts and then equipping and training them to turn their spiritual gifts into ministry that grows ‘The Kingdom’. The church gets built on disciples who are willing to take up their crosses and die for our Lord. (Matt.16:24)

From reading in the book of Acts you can know that in the big picture the Church was meant to be a vibrant, balanced, growing community of disciples of Jesus Christ.  Discipleship comes in response to the Gospel and the Gospel Is Love.  In Verse 42 of Acts it lists four of the activities to which the church devoted itself and verses 43-47 serve to further define the four activities.  We should, therefore, consider each of the four activities along with Luke’s further description of them.

The four activities of the earliest church are introduced to us as the priorities of the church. These are the four things to which these saints devoted themselves. These were not options. These were the fruit of a genuine conversion and of life in Christ.  Here they are and they are not meant to be kept as a secret.

The Apostles’ Teaching: We should focus on one aspect of the apostles’ teaching.  The Apostles proclamation of the gospel was recognized as authoritative, due to the authentication of God through miraculous works. Please remember that Peter reminded his audience that the teaching of Jesus had been divinely accredited by the Father. The apostles’ teaching has been preserved in the New Testament Scriptures, so that we have their instruction as well as the early church.  We can never over-emphasize the importance of sound, biblical teaching. The Word of God is the foundation and starting point for every aspect of the Christian life. I need to point out that it is the unchanged and complete Word of God I am talking about.  Not the false teachings that prevail today.  At the conclusion of this series I intend on looking at evaluating your church.  If you do not attend a church that has a Pastor or minister expounding on the complete and never-changing Word, giving you the bad with the good and everything in between.  You need to find a church that does. It is time we fired the imposters.

Fellowship: The term Luke uses for “fellowship” in the text is a much broader term than our English word. Essentially, “fellowship” means “joint participation” or “sharing something in common.” It is thus a kind of partnership. In Philippians 2:1, the term is used of a common sharing in the Holy Spirit. In Philippians 3:10 and 1 Peter 4:13, it is used of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. In Galatians 2:9, it appears to be a sharing together in ministry. The most common expression of “fellowship” in the New Testament is that of sharing financial and material resources.  It was giving to one another when there was a need. One can “fellowship” with fellow believers in a number of ways, including the partaking of meals and engaging in prayer. If Acts 2:44-45 is Luke’s further description of what fellowship looked like in the newly-born church in Jerusalem, then his emphasis would fall on the fellowship of sharing one’s material goods with others.  By reading in Acts you will find that no member of the church had a need that went unmet.  If there was a need it was filled by another member of ‘The Church’. People took care of each other. That was love. It takes intimacy and closeness. Two scary words for today.

The Breaking of Bread: Breaking bread is not always a reference to the observance of Communion.  The expression might simply refer to the eating of a meal together. After he said this, Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it, and began to eat (Acts 27:35). The sharing of a meal was perhaps the most intimate form of fellowship one could have with fellow believers. In the ancient near-eastern world, when a guest was invited to a meal with his host, it was incumbent on the host to provide protection for the guest. This would partly explain the actions of Lot when the men of Sodom wanted to do harm to his guests (Genesis 19:1-8). The eating of a meal is also used as a description of our fellowship with God.

The Prayers: Luke is telling us that in its very early days the saints in Jerusalem diligently persisted in the observance of the stipulated times of Jewish prayer at the temple. These were newly-saved Jewish believers who were just beginning to grasp the significance of the things they had done as Old Testament Jews, even though they were unbelievers at the time. Throughout the four gospels in the New Testament prayer is emphasized over and over.

This text has been used by many to describe the essential functions of a church. The danger we can run into is that it becomes a “to do” list of activities.  If we do all these things, then we feel like we are obedient and in a worse case, we may even be proud that we are biblical. (self-righteous) The test for ‘The Church’ is not just doing the right things.  The test is more a matter of having the right attitudes.  The success comes from having the right heart and maintaining right relationships. It wasn’t just what the church in Jerusalem did that Luke is trying to convey in his writings.  What he wants us to know is how and why they did the things they did.  We need to be aware that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus condemned charity, prayer, and fasting that was done in the wrong spirit, and for the wrong reasons (Matthew 6:1-18).

Join me in the next post JUST CLICK HERE and we will have a look at the responsibility of the believer.  Is that you? I know it is me.

Until the next time,

FJ1

 

‘The Tubthumper’

A Bunch of Losers, Part 2

church05

We left off yesterday with a look at two parables and I hope you opened your Bibles and read the actual scriptures for yourselves.  We know about the ‘Rich Young Ruler’ that wanted to get to the Kingdom but would not give up the material things he acquired in order to have eternal life.  It seems like what we would call a no-brainer doesn’t it?  But humans just don’t see it that way.  We are mortals that think we will live forever.  In my business I am consistently pointing out the risks people face only to hear, “it won’t happen to me”.  I am always amused when one of my clients begins reviewing the ownership of their assets.  It gets me when they say, “If anything happens to me what happens to this stuff?”  I always very quickly point out that something will happen. Yes, you will die, so prepare.  And I will die.  We all will come to room temperature sooner or later.  When it happens it always is too soon.

We looked at the ‘Rich Fool’ that wanted to build bigger barns to hold his stuff but didn’t know he was about to die that night.  You know, just before the parable of the ‘Rich Fool’ Jesus addressed another unknown character from the crowd that had a question.  It was what led to him giving the parable.  Jesus didn’t spend too much time on the question because it was a guy that wasn’t happy about how much inheritance he was getting and wanted Jesus to help him get more from his brother.  He and his brother had to settle that score themselves.  The greedy brother wanting the inheritance was not following the ideal of living in harmony with his brother. “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) We can assume this man knew the Scriptures but did not care much. The greedy brother treasured riches more than his relationship with his brother. He did not love people. Verse 15 gives us a big clue as to what the point of the parable of the ‘Rich Fool’ was going to be.  Jesus condemns greed and warns that even if the man gets a larger share of the inheritance, it will not bring life.

The point of the parable is not that death may come at any time, however, that centering one’s life on possessions and pleasures is not to be the focus.  The kingdom is at hand!  The message was and is, that we are not to put too much emphasis on acquiring wealth. People think that if they can only get enough material things these things will produce the abundant life.

What profit will it be to gain the world and then lose our soul?  We need to be careful to not get caught up in covetousness.  In our society it seems to sneak up on us and get us no matter how hard you try to ward it off.  It is like being that frog in the cold water on a fire that slowly turns to boiling and eventually takes your life.  The experience we should get from this is to spend much time in prayer and in the Word.  We should concentrate on Godly things and that is where our treasure should lie.

Getting back to the main subject at hand, we would need to surrender everything. Not just most of it but, I mean every ounce of all we desire in order to completely follow Christ.  I left off by saying, “We are all unwilling to take that step”.   We go away in sorrow and we live in some kind of faith that seems to comingle the parts of God’s word we can deal with and the parts of the world we must partake of.  We are so weak!  And it is so shameful.

In many ways we are much more deceived than the two rich guys I mentioned earlier.  Satan is having his way with us.  We and the people in our nation are reaping the consequence.  Let’s face it.   We are letting God down.  Revival is needed and revival starts in the heart.  Has your heart waxed cold? If not, get back in the race.  The time is now!  I read somewhere the other day that when people really know Christ they ‘talk about Him’.  How much do we talk about Christ each day?  How many times do we avoid talking about Christ when we should because we don’t want to make waves or we don’t want to make someone uncomfortable.  Maybe it is so it won’t make us uncomfortable?

We all read about prophecy and we know about the prophecy that has already come true.  We know about the great falling away and we can see it is happening now.  We read about the false teachers and they are about us.  But we let them do it. Why? We are responsible.  Each and every one of us owns our piece of the problem. We need to take up our crosses.

We just had a national election.  Listen to what was said by one national Christian leader, “I didn’t hear any of the candidates say that we needed to call our nation to prayer. I didn’t hear any of the candidates say that we needed to ask God for help. I don’t believe there is leadership in Washington that can solve this problem. We just deal with it as issues for the day, and it kicks the can further and further down the road. We need God’s help to solve this problem – we can’t go without God. What has happened is we have allowed ourselves to take God out everything that we do – and I believe that God will judge our nation one day” , Rev. Franklin Graham.

As “The Church” We Are Losing the Race.

Check back with me for the next post (JUST CLICK HERE) and we can see what we are supposed to look like as “The Church”.

God bless you all,

scan0012“The Tubthumper”

 

Are we a bunch of losers?

church29Are we just a bunch of Losers?

As the “Church” are we failing?  Are we just a bunch of losers?  This will be a series of several posts on the state of the church and what is happening.  As I began writing the content led me to first “What is the Church?”  After that I wanted to look at what the Bible teaches “the church” should look like, what happens to us by relating two parables and then it led to an evaluation based on the way Jesus evaluated the church in Revelation chapter 2.

Please strap your seat-belts on and ride with me as we begin with Part 1:

Are we Americans first and Christians second or are we Christians first and Americans second? What do you think of when someone mentions the ‘the Church’.  If you think it is some organization in the next county or some building up the street, then think again.  The church, my friend, is you and it is Me. The church is a group of people.  It is the believing souls that follow Christ.

“‘Church’ might be a denomination, a building, or an organized group of believers, but THE Church consists of followers of Jesus Christ who have been saved by grace through faith in him—the ‘body of Christ’. Instead of pointing fingers and saying the ‘church’ has failed at this or that, we might want to pause and take a hard look at ourselves first. Is the church failing us or are we failing the church?” – G.S. West.

The church is failing because we want to be like the world.  To completely believe in the Gospel will destroy our lives as Americans.  We have all compromised what we have been taught.  We have all forsaken the word of God.  We are a bunch of two faced hypocrites!  I use that strong language because it is true.  We are supposed to be different.  The Bible says, “They will know we are Christians by our love”.   It also says that we would easily be recognized by our fruit.

What has happened is that we have been watered down so far that we cannot be picked out of the crowd any longer.  If we all were in God’s word and in prayer each day as we are commanded something amazing would happen.  We would be so profoundly different from everyone else that the world would have to sit up and take notice.  What if preachers today expounded God’s word from what was written instead of making up their own?  A few still hold to Gospel but most do not.  What I see are preachers that only talk about the pleasantries involved and somehow skip the issue of sin and the wrath of God. There are so many false teachers out there now it is frightening.  We have all bought into the health and wealth philosophy in some extent if not wholly and it cannot be denied.  We have done it without even being completely aware it happened.  It has been like the story of how you can boil a frog.  If you try to put a frog in hot water to kill him he will just jump out quickly to safety.  If you want it done you must put the frog in a pot of cold water and let him swim around and get comfortable.  Then turn up the heat slowly and bring the water to a boil while the frog is sleeping.  And that’s it, he’s cooked!  And yes, we are cooked!  We have all been slowly boiled into the world.

Do you know the parable of the “Rich Fool” or the parable of the “Rich Young Ruler”?  Both of them serve as good examples of where we have come.  And the fix we are in.  The parables are great so read them all.  The Rich Fool parable can be found in Luke chapter 12 starting at verse 13.  Just prior to the parable on the Rich Fool Jesus was cautioning against covetousness. The text shows Jesus teaching about being ready for the redeemer.  This parable is the very first of five parables about the second coming of Jesus the Christ. He was preaching to the multitude, probably in Jerusalem because it was in the last month of His ministry.  Jesus was addressing the crowd and He was teaching.  The crowd heard about the hypocrisy of the Pharisee’s. They also heard about the Fear of God and the need to confess Him before men. They heard of the urgency of the time and that possessions are not as important as Godliness. Jesus was warning against greed and materialism.  The Rich Fool was trying to store up his mast harvest to be able to eat, drink and be merry.  What Jesus knew that the fool didn’t is that it was the last day of the fool’s life.  He would die that night. He drew a parallel between the rich fool that met an untimely death and those that store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God.  The point being: Spiritual wealth far exceeds material wealth in value. In verse 20 he was called a fool. This is the only place in the Bible where Jesus directly called anyone a fool. The rich fool was called that because he was totally self-centered.  The personal pronouns of “me, mine, and I” are used 12 times in this short parable by the fool.  It is a very telling point of reference.

Then we have the “Rich Young Ruler” found in Luke 18:18-30.  Let us look in  verse 22, “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.”  This guy wanted to be in the Kingdom.  He wanted to be saved.  But he couldn’t unless he sold all the riches he had.  When he heard those things he became very sad for he was very rich.

With us it is not that we are all rich even though we are better off than the rest of the world.  What our problem is absolutely is the way we have come to live.  In order to completely follow Jesus we would need to surrender how we live, how we work, how we love, how we communicate and I could go on and on.  Every ounce of our lives would need to be surrendered or “sold” to completely follow Jesus.

We are all unwilling to take that step. Aren’t we?

Click here to jump to Part 2 as we reflect on the hearts of the two rich guys…

 

The Pews are too Hard!

The Pews are too Hard!   Church-Pew

My mother dragged me down the sidewalk each Sunday to church when I was young.  She really did drag me and sometimes it was by the ear.  I remember each line and crack in that sidewalk on Washington Avenue.  I remember the church too.  It was a huge old stone Baptist church with massive stained glass windows and a gigantic pipe organ.  The pews I had to sit in were just plain punishment.  Those pews were solid oak with no pads on them and so hard.  No way did I want to be there.  I always made that known to all around me.  When you see kids fidgeting in church none are as bad as I was.  I even got the pastor to stop preaching one Sunday morning.  He came down and moved me to the front row.  The reverend told me if I moved before he finished I would be in trouble.  That got my attention!

My mother made sure her kids got to church.  She took us even when we didn’t want to be there.   People used to do that you know.  I am thankful she did that.  I’m sad times have changed.  All kids should have the pew experience.

I was exposed to the word of God early and I came to Christ early.  I was only a young 10 year old boy but I came to Christ. I was born again!   To be born again means that I exchanged my old life for a new life.  I was born of the flesh in 1955 and then 10 years after being born of the flesh I was born of the spirit (The Holy Spirit) on August 8, 1965.

I was just a kid and I wasn’t interested in much other than having fun back then. I was probably no different than other kids.  I could not sit still very well.  I didn’t even have a Bible.  Wow, those pews were so hard!  There was evidence all around me that God existed.  I knew in my heart that it was true and had no doubt.  I knew right from wrong.  I was just old enough to learn bout Hell and to understand I was a sinner.  I understood I was lost and couldn’t save myself no matter how good I could try to be.  “For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). 

My mother saw to it that Christian values were taught to us and we had the opportunity to meet God.  Of course, those Christian values never saved anyone.  It is Jesus Christ that saves us.  It is the Gospel. To be born again a person needs to make a choice.  I made that choice.  I chose Jesus Christ as my savior.  It didn’t make those pews any softer but it assured me I would be with Jesus and not in the lake of fire.

It was all very simple for me.  In faith I trusted in Christ to save me. I believed!

I am much older now and 48 years have passed since then.  I still like to keep things simple though.  And for me, salvation is as simple as these two things:

1. We must believe God is there and Jesus was His son and was born the ‘Savior’, died on the cross for our sins and rose again.  We must repent and call on Him for salvation and ask for a changed life in Him.  Believe and live!

— When I was 10 years old I had no Bible but I knew in my heart God and Jesus existed.  I wanted to be with Him and was sorry I was a sinner.  I called on His name and was saved!

Don’t let anyone confuse you. Keep the first step of salvation simple.

2. Believe the Bible is the written word of God inspired by Him and delivered through man.

Which comes first? I don’t think it matters.  I came to the Lord before I had a Bible and my wife came to the Lord after and through reading the Bible.  He will make that choice.  You just need to respond.

A tiny little booklet, the Gospel of John, was my Bible for a long time. I love John 3:16 and it is my saving verse. It was the verse I learned while on my knees calling to Jesus for salvation.  It is forever burned in my heart, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

So 48 years later I can tell you that life has not been a bowl of cherries and being saved by the grace of Christ probably hasn’t made my life any easier, but I can’t imagine going through life without Jesus Christ.

God has done wonderful things in and for my life.  He placed me in the presence of the people that I needed to mold me to the person I am today.  He made me who I am.  My life has been blessed and I am so very thankful. And He is still working on me.

I can still feel those oak pews on my buttocks. 

Jesus Christ came to this earth over two thousand years ago for one purpose: “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). His life was an absolutely perfect life. “In him is no sin” (I John 3:5).  Yet He went to the cross to pay the penalty of sin and die for me, a guilty sinner. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  He died for the whole world, but He died for me.  And He died for you.

It didn’t end at the cross.  After Jesus died He rose again from the grave.  “He is risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:7).  “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). This proved Jesus Christ is God, and through Him alone we are saved.

These days, each Sunday I sit in nice padded seats to receive the message from our pastor.  I sometimes drift back to the day…

When those pews were so hard…

 

God bless your day,

Pew

 

 

 

“The Tubthumper”

 

 

 

Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church

What a promise! ROCk

Was Peter the rock that Jesus was referring to?  Was Jesus saying he would use Peter to build His church?  I don’t think so.  I am aware that most Catholics believe that but it cannot be so. Let me share more and you should see it.

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” ,(Mt. 16:18-19).

The basis for my saying I don’t think so is as follows:

  1. Christ was giving Peter some instructions in this passage.  Later on he gave the very same instructions to the other apostles.  Take a close look at John 20:22-23 and compare it with the verse above. 
  2. Christ and Christ only is the foundation of his church.  Evidence of this is strongly posted in Acts 4:11-12; 1 Cor. 3:11; and 1 Peter 2:4-8.
  3. In the New Testament we see Christ and only Christ as the “Head” of is Church.  For reference you can turn to Ephesians 1:20-23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18 and 2:18-19. 
  4. If we use our concordance to go to the Greek meaning of the words we find that Jesus said, “Thou art Peter [Petros, a little stone], and upon this rock [petra, a massive cliff or rock] I will build my church.”  So the church was not built on the “little stone” which is Peter.  The church is built on the “Giant Rock”.  It was built on Jesus Christ. 
  5. We can see in 1 Peter 5: 1-4 that Peter in-fact denies it.
  6. We find in Acts 15:13, 19 that James was the one that officiated at the Jerusalem church and not Peter.

So what, then was Jesus doing when he said that in Mt. 16:18?  The answer lies in Ephesians 2:19-20, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone”.

What about that statement regarding the gates of hell?  What did he mean when He said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it?  J Vernon McGee said it best, “The gates of hell refer to the ‘gates of death’.” The word used in this text is hades and sheol of the Old Testament, referring to the unseen world and it means death.  The gates of death shall not prevail against Christ’s church.  The event being referred to is the glorious rapture.  As it is written, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words”, (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). You can also look at 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57.

The LORD gave the keys to heaven to Peter!   A key unlocks a door and opens something once closed.  Jesus is predicting that Peter will be given the privilege of opening the door of salvation to various peoples.  Peter later did this:  He opened the door of opportunity for any to join the kingdom from Israel at Pentecost, (Acts 2:38-42). And He did the same for the Samaritans in Acts 8:14-17.  He ministered to the Gentiles at the home of Cornelius at Caesarea in acts chapter 10.

In the last of the original passage we are addressing Christ mentions the binding and loosing.  We see in Mt. 18;18 and John 20:22-23, the authority to bind and loose was given to all the apostles and to all other believers.  The actions of a spirit-filled believer, whether positive or negative in nature, will carry with them the awesome authority of heaven itself.  As chuck Smith says “We have power as the children of God to bind the forces of darkness, and to loose the work of God.  God has given us that authority over these spirit forces, these spiritual entities, that as children of God, we do have authority over them.  We can bind these forces and we can loose the work of God. 

UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUID MY CHURCH!

 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and

righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame.

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ., the solid ROCK, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand.

— Edaward Mote

ROCK of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy raven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save me from it·a guilt and power.

Not the labors of my hands,

Can fulfill the laws demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

AII for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

–A. M. Toplady

God bless you,

“The Tubthumper”

 

Call Him Up, Tell Him What You Want

This post is a little different.  I want to tell you about a song I like.  I would love to have a great singing voice and always be in pitch but God did not bless me with that gift.   I do love to listen to others using that talent though.

Woooo… If you want your body healed tell Him what you want, oooh, tell Him, tell Him, tell Him what you want.  Prayer is a lot like picking up your cell phone and making a call.  Just go ahead.  Dial up Jesus and tell Him what you want.  He is waiting for your call.

ZionHThe Zion Harmonizers have been producing heavenly music for more than 55 years and some of them are over 80 years old. They have been thrilling both ecclesiastical and secular audiences with their accapella sounds and their repertoire of timeless gospel music classics over all those years. I told my wife when I die I want them siinging at my funeral.  They have been hugely popular and their music seems to grow stronger and stronger with each passing year.  I really enjoy listening to them.

They feature a song on their Greatest Hits album that really its home with me.  It is called “Jesus on the Main Line”.   I think it was done by Ry Cooder and many others and it is labeled as a traditional song.  I like it done with that New Orleans gospel flavor that the Harmonizers use.

Here are the words:

I know Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want ,Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Well, the line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want, Wo, that line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want. Well, the line ain’t never busy, Tell Him what you want, Keep on calling Him up, And tell Him what you want.

Well, if you want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, If you want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, If want His kingdom, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, You can call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Well, if you’re sick and wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, Well, if you’re sick and you wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, If you’re sick and you wanna get well, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, And if you’re feeling down and out, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

I know Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Jesus is on that mainline, Tell Him what you want, Call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, call Him up, Call Him up and tell Him what you want.

Go listen to it soon because the writing does not do it justice.

If you are going to dial Him up on the mainline you need the phone numbers. He has a special phone number extension for each need you have.   I am including a few good ones here for you to add into your phone book:

Here is your EMERGENCY NUMBERS…

When you are in sorrow, call John 14.

When people fail you, call Psalm 27.

If you want to be fruitful, call John 15.

When you have sinned and know it, call Psalm 51.

When you worry, call Matthew 6: 19-34.

When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.

When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.

When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.

When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.

When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.

For Paul’s secret to happiness, call Col. 3: 12-17.

For an idea of Christianity, call 2 Cor. 5: 15-19

When you feel down and out, call Romans 8: 31.

When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11: 25-30.

When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90.

When you leave home for work or travel, call Psalm 121.

When your prayers grow narrow and selfish, call Psalm 67.

For a great invention or opportunity, call Isaiah 55.

When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.

When you want to know how to get along with others, call Romans 12.

When you think of investment returns, call Mark 10.

If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.

If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37.

If you are losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13.

If people seem unkind, call John 15.

If you are discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.

If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL EMERGENSY NUMBERS CAN BE DIALED DIRECT.  NO OPERATOR NECESSARY.  ALL LINES ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY!    Feel free to pass the numbers on to your friends.  They may need them.

Once you start dialing up the mainline it will likely lead you to find some more numbers on your own. 1280409

Find that album by the Zion Harmonizers. “The Best of New Orleans Gospel, Vol. 2”, you will really enjoy it!

You can hear and see a little of the Zion Harmonizers by going to this link.  http://vimeo.com/32538140 .

God Bless your day,

“The Tubthumper”

A Storm Is Coming

Warning: A severe storm is on the horizon and it is headed your way!  0aStorm

Have you experienced a really bad storm in the past?  The warnings come from the weather center showing a cold front coming in that will produce high winds, damaging hail, torrential rain and possible tornado.  Along with it we generally see a posting for flash floods.  For those of us in the Northeast we last experienced a major storm when Hurricane Irene released her fury such as we have not seen in this area before.  Many within 2 miles of me lost their homes, entire farms, businesses and some lost their lives.   The power of nature is awesome and the power of God is awesome. 

There are two kinds of storms we must often endure.  There are storms of the weather (nature) and there are storms of life.  I have experienced both many times.  I am a survivor of many storms of life and have come out the other side of the storm with not only victory but as an improved individual.  Some of those storms lasted years and others quickly passed.  Each one has an indelible stamp on my mind.

There are three kinds of people in the world when we are relating to storms.  If you are reading this you fall into one of the three categories.  If you are in the first category you “recently endured a storm”.  Those in category two are “currently in the midst of a storm”.  Lastly the third category holds those who will find themselves “going through a storm in the future”.

Let’s look at a time when the disciples were out on the Sea of Galilee and a storm came up that they thought would sink the boat.  Jesus was with them and He had fallen asleep.  In fear they cried out, “Lord, save us from drowning”.   We can see what Jesus did in this account by Mark, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still, and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)  Many bible scholars believe this vicious storm was caused by satanic activity in an attempt to drown Jesus.   The account can be found in Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-37 and Luke 8:22-25.

Is there a storm in your life right now?  If you are a Christian and you are trying to weather a storm you may want to ask yourself three questions:

  1. Is the storm you are going through a punishment or is it purification?  Could it be that you are being chastened for sin? (Remember the story of Jonah and the whale.)  In another violent storm Jonah found himself swallowed and in his case he was being chastened.  Could this storm you are enduring be a trial that God has allowed to purify you as it was in this case with the disciples?
  2. Have you made room for God?  Are you totally aware of His presence always?  Or did you forget Him?  God wants you to recognize Him in your life.
  3. What does God want you to do in this time of weathering a storm? 

First, God wants your thanks.  You should thank Him for the storm.  I know that may sound crazy to you, however, it is true.  “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Second, He wants you to be fellowshipping with Him and reading His word during the storm. “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Third, He wants us all to trust Him in our storms.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Please understand that Christ knows about the storm and if Christ allows you to experience the storm He has good reason.  Jesus Christ is watching over you throughout the storm and is interceding with the Father.  He will come to you at the proper time in the storm.  No one knows His time and it will be sooner or later.  During the storm He will help your faith grow.  He will see you safely through the storm and will enable you to help others.  ” Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Don’t face the storm alone.  Be sure Christ is your shipmate.

God bless you as you man the oars.

 “The Tubthumper” – FJ Casler

Who Is Your Neighbor?

talking-over-the-fenceWho is your neighbor?  I will answer this very question at the end of the post.  For now I want to provide the reason I asked the question.

There is a passage in the book of Luke where a lawyer was tempting Jesus Christ.  The lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life”?  Jesus answered him this way, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”  (Luke 10:27)  It was then the lawyer tried to justify himself and asked, “And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29)

I will paraphrase what happens in the next seven verses.  This is how Jesus used a parable to explain who your neighbor is.  Please keep in mind as you read this account of the parable that Jews and Samaritans were enemies.  They were never seen together and if anyone had a reason to keep walking and ignore a Jewish man needing help it is a Samaritan.  A man (a Jewish man) was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by a bunch of thieves and thugs.  They robbed him and beat him and left him lying in the road half dead.  Well, along the road came a priest and a Levite.  These two were travelling the same road and saw the man lying there in dire need of someone to help him.  These two men took a quick look at the man and rushed off refusing to help him.  The next man that came through was a Samaritan.  This Samaritan stopped and offered his assistance.  He bandaged the man’s wounds, picked him up and placed this wounded Jewish man on his donkey.  He then took him to a nearby inn and paid the innkeeper to nurse him back to health.  (Luke: 10:30-37) This parable exhibits gentleness and I should point out a miracle by Christ in Luke 17:11-19 which also involves a Samaritan, the coinciding miracle of the Cleansing of Ten Lepers exhibits gratitude.   Of the ten lepers only one was a Samaritan.  The Samaritan fell at the feet of the Savior and worshipped and thanked him.  The others, Jews, ran off to the temple priests without giving thanks.  They had committed the ultimate sin of thanklessness.  A thankful person is a humble person.  Someone made an observation of, “Be careful for nothing, be prayerful in everything, and be thankful for anything!”

Ok, let’s get back to the neighbor thing.  There is some irony at play here.  If anyone should have helped the injured Jewish man it was the Priest or the Levite.  The Priest probably was leaving Jerusalem after being in the temple presenting sacrifices to God.  The Levite would have been in the temple proclaiming the scriptures.   Isn’t it just like some things we see today in that neither of them would lift a finger to help a fellow human being in need?  Talk about irony; look at the one that provided the help.  This man that stopped to help was a Samaritan and a member of a race that was hated by the Jews.  “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him]”, Luke 10:33.

The question the lawyer asked is “Who is my neighbor?” and the answer is that your neighbor is anyone you can help. 

About 500 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Confucius preached the Golden Rule and some accused Jesus of borrowing words from Confucius.  The Golden Rule is “Don’t do to others that which you would not have them do to you.”   That is in no way the message Jesus wants us to hear and is vastly different.  Here is the Golden Rule that Jesus gives, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets”, Matthew 7:12.   

Which advice did the Priest and the Levite follow?  It appears they followed the advice of Confucius because they didn’t beat or rob a man because they wouldn’t have wanted it to be done to themselves.

It seems the Samaritan was the only one to follow the advice of Jesus and the Golden Rule.  Not only had the Samaritan not inflicted any additional harm to the injured man, he actually did what he would have desired for someone to do to him.   He would have wanted someone to stop and help him and to care for his wounds as Jesus advised.

There are three different attitudes present here.  The first attitude comes from the robbers.  Their attitude is “What is thine is mine.”  I don’t want to get distracted here but we surely see lots of this devilish attitude amongst us today.  The second type of attitude comes from the Priest and the Levite.  They have the fleshly and self-righteous attitude of, “What is mine is mine”.   Lastly the Samaritan has an attitude that is Devine, “What is mine is thine”.

The Samaritan stopped and helped while others just walked on by.  The Priest and the Levite should have helped and did not.

Who is your neighbor?  It is whoever is in need.

Who is my neighbor?   It is the man who is in need.

Be thankful always and love your neighbor as yourself.

FJ1“The Tubthumper”

Round up the Strays

This post is about one of my long time pet peeves with the church.  It is about the faces I see or have seen in the seats and pews that I no longer see.  It is my concern for the sheep that have gone astray.  I am often thinking about what is done to follow up with people and find out why they are not with us.  Some like to call them lost.  There is a piece of scripture that talks about the lost sheep.  I prefer to call them strays.  I call them strays because sheep just don’t get lost.  They usually have a pen and they usually have a shepherd or some method of keeping them where they are supposed to be.  If a sheep is not in the pen it is because it wandered off or strayed away to find something more exiting outside its pen.

So why am I talking about sheep anyway?   I talk about sheep because we humans are like sheep in many ways.    I know it is not very flattering to be compared to sheep but I didn’t design it, God did.  The Bible actually compares us believers to sheep in the Gospel of John.  It also describes Jesus Christ as the “Good Shepherd”.  160px-Good_Shepherd_Vatican_Museum It is unfortunate that us sheep are disobedient and want to check out other pens.  When a sheep wanders out and moves to another pen, away from the shepherd, the evil wolves wait to devour them.

In Jesus’ parable in Luke 15 we see that every sheep is important to the shepherd.  Every person is important to Jesus.  Whatever your situation in life, however bad you are, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, “lays down His life for you.”  He says, “Take My hand.” If you will turn your life over to Jesus Christ He will give you pardon, peace, purpose, power, and a permanent relationship with God.

When I look around and don’t see someone that once was present I want to find out where they wandered off to and what pen they are in.   Sometimes I feel as though my concern is not shared.  I even heard once that Jesus never followed up with anyone and there is no evidence in the Bible that he did so.  I can’t argue the issue of no proof that Jesus followed up with anyone.  But do we need to argue it?  Who thinks Jesus needs to physically follow up with someone to know where they are?  C’mon, we are talking about the great “I AM, I AM” here.  He knows each and every hair on your head.  He created all.  He was here before here was here.  He is omnipotent and sovereign.  He doesn’t need to follow up because he knows.  He knows your name and he knows where you are, what you are thinking and where your heart is.

There is evidence in the Bible that God does want us to follow up with people.  There is plenty of evidence.

Let me start with a passage in the Old Testament: “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” (Ezekiel 34:4).  God was not happy with the shepherds of Israel.  They did not seek after the strays.   They were out of favor because they didn’t work hard enough to save the lost sheep.

John Chrysostom said,  “…if a human being wanders away from the right faith, great exertion, perseverance and patience are required; for he cannot be dragged back by force, nor constrained by fear, but must be led back by persuasion to the truth from which he originally swerved. The pastor therefore ought to be of a noble spirit, so as not to despond, or to despair of the salvation of wanderers from the fold, but continually to reason with himself and say, ‘Peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.” Don’t be swayed by the reference to pastor in that passage because it pertains to all of us brethren.   If we are saints in His kingdom we are all lay ministers and need to follow up with our fellow brothers and sisters in the kingdom.

Now I bring attention to what I call the “one another’s” in the Bible.  There are many but we really only need to look at one.  “Love one another”.   That one is actually a commandment.  Now I ask you this, “How can you love one another without following up with one another?”   You can’t.  Need I say more?  If the Lord commands us to love one another he also is commanding us to follow up with one another.

I place before you a list of 22 of the fantastic ‘one another’ verses in the Bible.  As you read through them ask yourself how many of them you can do without seeking the lost among us, finding the strays or following up.

1. ‘Do not deceive one another’ – Leviticus 19:11

2. ‘Show Mercy and Compassion to one another’ – Zechariah 7:9

3. ‘Love one another’ – John 13:34,35

4. ‘Be devoted to one another’ – Romans 12:10

5. ‘Live in Harmony with one another’ – Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 3:8

6. ‘Accept one another’ – Romans 15:7

7. ‘Instruct one another’ – Romans 15:14

8. ‘Agree with one another’ – 1 Corinthians 1:10

9. ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss’ – 2 Corinthians 13:12

10. ‘Serve one another in love’ – Galatians 5:13

11. ‘Bearing with one another in love’ – Ephesians 4:2

12. ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another’ – Ephesians 4:32

13. ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs’ – Ephesians 5:19

14. ‘Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ’ – Ephesians 5:21

15. ‘Admonish one another’ – Colossians 3:16

16. ‘Encourage one another’ – 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25

17. ‘Spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ – Hebrews 10:24

18. ‘Do not slander one another’ – James 4:11

19. ‘Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling’ – 1 Peter 4:9

20. ‘Love one another deeply’ – 1 Peter 1:22

21. ‘Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another’ – 1 Peter 5:5

22. ‘Have fellowship with one another’ – 1 John 1:7

We are instructed to worship steadfastly (think about that word) and to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together but to exhort one another. (Hebrews 10:25)

So can you think of someone who hasn’t been to church in a long time?  Did they leave without even an explanation or a good-bye?  What about people in our communities and neighborhoods that just plain don’t go to church.  Where’s the love?

Anyone that considers themselves a Christian and also considers themselves a leader should be taking a lead in showing genuine concern for the strays or for the lost.  We should be seeking them with a “noble spirit” and as a patient servant.

We should be rounding up those strays.

 

It amazes me how fast I can fill a post with words…

God bless you all,

“The Tubthumper”

It’s a miracle, a free gift!

It is Justification.  In my opinion justification is a miracle.  It is a miraculous gift given to all of us who believe upon Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  It is provided by Christ’s death on the cross and given to us at no cost through His grace.

The doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone is extremely important and central to the Christian faith.Justification

In spite of the importance attributed to it in the Bible and the critical role it played in the Protestant Reformation, most professing believers today do not understand it. We live in a time when most people are woefully ignorant of basic Bible doctrines. An obsession with entertainment and emotionalism has replaced a concern for theology. How many sermons or classes have you seen dealing with the doctrine of God, or the atonement, or justification? Little to none I’ll bet.  Why isn’t doctrine taught today?  Did you know that Paul made it completely clear that a mistake regarding justification can send you to the lake of fire? We need preachers and teachers committed to expound on the doctrine of justification.

The doctrine of Justification by faith and the death of Christ at Calvary go together and Justification is based on the blood of the Lamb.

A study of Scripture proves that justification is not subjective or a process, but is a legal declaration by God the Father in the heavenly court.

Some points of clarity between justification and sanctification: Justification is objective. It takes place outside of the sinner in the heavenly court. Justification does not directly change the believer’s inner life. On the other hand, sanctification is subjective. It takes place in the sinner and renders the sinner more holy over time.

Justification is an act of God the Father. God renders a verdict regarding the one who believes in Christ. “It is God who justifies” (Rom. 8:33). Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Justification is instantaneous. God declares the believing sinner righteous in a moment of time. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (Jn. 5:24; Lk. 18:14; Rom. 5:1). Justification is not a process, nor is it piecemeal. It takes place only once, and then it is complete. “There is no such thing as being more and more justified. There are no degrees of acceptance with God. To be justified is to be wholly justified.”  A “man is either fully justified, or he is not justified at all.”  Sanctification is a continuous process. The Christian grows in holiness and more and more conforms to the character of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit applies God’s word to his heart. “The old sin nature is progressively subdued, but never entirely abolished in this life.” Sanctification is progressive, imperfect, and not completed until death.

Justification removes the guilt of sin and clothes the believer with Christ’s perfect righteousness, thus entitling him to eternal life in God’s own family. Sanctification progressively removes the pollution of sin; subdues the power of sin, and increasingly enables the believer to live in conformity with the word of God.

Justification is an act of God obtained by or through faith. “There is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith” (Rom. 3:30). Faith is not the ground or cause of justification but the instrument by which the believer receives justification. Faith is the gift of God which lays hold of and receives what Christ has accomplished. The believer’s salvation and justification are totally a work of God.

Justification is the manner in which God considers righteous those sinners who, by faith in Jesus Christ, receive Devine forgiveness and reconciliation.  Justification is a legal or forensic term and is used in Scripture to denote the acceptance of any one as righteous in the sight of God.

“Salvation includes that which is given, freely and finally, by God (JUSTIFICATION); that which is continually imparted (sanctification); and that still to be attained (glorification).”

Justification is by faith alone and not works.  We were given a free gift of grace and justification did not occur by anything we did or anything within us, but occurred because of what Christ did for us. Hence it is called a gift, a free gift, a gift by grace, and believers are described as those who receive this gift of righteousness (Rom. 5.17). We are never said to be justified by anything done by us or wrought in us, but by what Christ has done for us. We are justified through the redemption that is in him (Rom. 3.24). We are justified by his blood (Rom. 5.9) We are justified by his obedience (Rom. 5.19). We are justified by him from all things (Acts 13.39). He is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1.30). We are made the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5.21). We are justified in his name (1 Cor. 6.11). There is no condemnation to those who are in him (Rom. 8.1). Justification is, therefore, by faith in Christ, because faith is receiving and trusting to him as our Savior, as having done all that is required to secure our acceptance before God.

Justification is God’s response to the problem of estrangement from the only true God. In his letter to the Romans, Paul conveyed the message that God did not consider sin lightly. Sin created a massive gulf between God and people. This gulf required a bridge to bring all of humanity into a right relationship with God. Theologians call God’s bridge building “reconciliation.” Reconciliation functions to bring humans “justification.” The main character who effected this divine plan was Jesus Christ. Uniquely, His death on the cross made it possible for God and people to be reconciled (Romans 5:10) and thus for humans to be justified.

Through the Gospel, God unleashes a power to change people, and at the crucial point: in their relationship with him. When people respond in faith to the message of the good news, God “justifies” them; that is, he declares them innocent before him, removing the barrier that exists between all human beings in their natural state and God.  Everything else in the Christian life flows from this marvelous experience.

Yet many people do not hear this good news, and many Christians do not understand what has happened to them. 

I see a good example of justification from the Old Testament. We can take a look at David.  In Psalms 51 we find the prayer of repentance from David, “restore unto me the joy of thy salvation”.  David had no chance under the Law.  There could be no sacrifice offered because an adulterer was to be stoned to death under the Law.  He had a broken and contrite heart and was asking for forgiveness.  He threw himself to the mercy of the Lord and the Lord provided by grace to have David justified apart from the Law. He bypassed the Law of Moses and by grace he was forgiven.  The judge died for the defendant!

When God justifies a man, he declares him to be righteous.  Just as Adam’s transgressions resulted in condemnation and death, Christ’s ‘free gift’ brought justification and life (Rom. 5:16).  In this affirmation, Paul presupposes the resurrection of Christ and its distribution: those who receive the ‘gift of righteousness’ will rule in life through the one, Jesus Christ (verse 17).  His single act of righteousness has brought ‘the justification which issues in life (dikaiosis zoes) for all humanity (verse 18).  The ‘gift of righteousness’ (verse 17) is nothing other than Christ’s ‘act of righteousness’ (verse 18) in its saving significance for all who believe.  Our justification has been accomplished outside of us, in Christ incarnate, crucified and risen.”

There are three major imputations in the Bible.  They are Adam’s sin imputed to the human race, Man’s sin (mine and yours) imputed upon Christ, and last but most certainly not least is God’s righteousness imputed to all believers.  And justification is an act of God.  It is a legal declaration whereby God declares a vile sinner to be righteous.”

The cross of Calvary makes it possible for God to be both just and the Justifier. (II Cor. 5:21)

Justification, however, is only for “him which believeth in Jesus.”  This cannot be overemphasized.  God justifies only those who believe in Jesus.  The only belief that counts with God is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a comfort to know that through Christ’s redeeming work our Justification is connected indissolubly with the glory of God.

We now can look at the word “Grace”.  Grace is unmerited favor.  It is getting something we do not deserve.  All we deserve from God is His eternal punishment for our continued rebellion; but instead He offers us salvation through His Son at the infinite cost of Calvary.  So we are “justified freely by His grace”.

It is based on a redemptive price, for Paul goes on to speak of “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood”. (Romans 3: 24, 25)  Remember those words, “redemption, propitiation, faith and blood”.  The four steps leading to Justification: 1) You are lost, 2) You cannot save yourself, 3) You realize only Christ can save you, and 4) You must ask Christ to save you.

Justification by faith is the doctrine we need expounded on more today.  Justification is free. God does not charge us anything.  He does not charge for saving us either.

I will end with these words, “In the brief, but clear and comprehensive words of the Westminster Divines: “Justification is an act of God’s free grace, –Wherein He pardoneth all our sins,– and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, — only for the righteousness of Christ, –imputed to us,– and received by faith alone.” 

The peace of God can be enjoyed by all and because of justification we have hope.

By His grace I am saved,

“The Tubthumper”

 

For more details you can read the full document by clicking here.

Protect your Birthright

jacob-&-esau

Doing things to protect our birthright should be a no-brainer.  Most individuals have a “birthright”.  I have a birthright due to the fact that I am the firstborn to my mother and father.  My “birthright” allows me to be included in my parent’s will and share in any estate they have built over their lifetime.  Along with the “birthright” I have comes some responsibility.  Because of my birthright I am the one looked to when leadership is needed and decisions need to be made.  Along the way those of us with a “birthright” wouldn’t want to do anything stupid.  Lest we not be included any longer in the will and removed from all “birthright” privileges because of an action not acceptable to the one providing the birthright. (In this case, Mom and Dad)

Being a financial professional I have seen many stupid things done regarding birthright over the years.

Because I have been “born again” and I am child of Christ’s I have another “birthright”.  This “birthright” is more precious than the one my biological parents provided for me.  A great example is given to us in the book of Genesis.  Genesis  is the place where all beginnings are.  It is important to see and note the beginning lineage and who has the “birthright” privileges and who does not.  One of the greatest examples of this “birthright” is when Esau very stupidly gave up his right.  I will come back to Esau but want to provide a good definition for you here in blue text:

“BIRTHRIGHT-burth’-rit (bekhorah, from bekhor, “firstborn”; prototokia): Birthright is the right which naturally belonged to the firstborn son. Where there were more wives than one, the firstborn was the son who in point of time was born before the others, apparently whether his mother was a wife or a concubine. Sarah protests against Ishmael being heir along with Isaac, but it is possible that the bestowal of the rights of the firstborn on Isaac was not due to any law, but rather to the influence of a favorite wife (Gen 21:10). The birthright of the firstborn consisted in the first place of a double portion of what his father had to leave. This probably means that he had a double share of such property as could be divided. We have no certain knowledge of the manner in which property was inherited in the patriarchal age, but it seems probable that the lands and flocks which were the possession of the family as a whole, remained so after the death of the father. The firstborn became head of the family and thus succeeded to the charge of the family property, becoming responsible for the maintenance of the younger sons, the widow or widows, and the unmarried daughters. He also, as head, succeeded to a considerable amount of authority over the other members. Further, he generally received the blessing, which placed him in close and favored covenant-relationship with Yahweh. According to the accounts which have come down to us, all these gifts and privileges could be diverted from the firstborn son. This could happen with his own consent, as in the case of Esau, who sold his birthright to Jacob (Gen 25:29-34), or by the decision of the father, as in the case of Reuben (Gen 48:22; 49:3,4; 1 Ch 5:1,2) and of Shimri (1 Ch 26:10). In the Deuteronomic version of the law, a provision is made, prohibiting the father from making the younger son the possessor of the birthright, just because his mother was specially beloved (Dt 21:15-17). The blessing also could be diverted from the eldest son. This was done when Jacob blessed the children of Joseph, and deliberately put the younger before the elder (Gen 48:13,14,17-19); even when the blessing was obtained by the younger son in a fraudulent manner, it could not be recalled (Gen 27). Jacob does not appear to have inherited any of the property of his father, although he had obtained both the birthright and the blessing.  In the New Testament “birthright,” prototokia, is mentioned only once (Heb 12:16), where the reference is to Esau. In various passages where our Lord is spoken of as the firstborn, as in Col 1:15-19; Heb 1:2, the association of ideas with the Old Testament conception of birthright is easy to trace.”

Let us now take a look at what Esau did with his birthright.  Please go and read this story for yourself as I only have room for a summary.  Actually Esau had a double sided “birthright”.  He had the birthright of being the eldest son or favored son. He was to inherit the family name, title and big share of his father’s estate. He also stood to become the head of the entire clan.  The second side of his birthright was spiritual in nature.  He would be next to receive the covenant blessings.

“Esau’s brother Jacob always wanted the birthright even from the womb.”  It say’s in Gen 25: 26, “After that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel”.  The name Jacob actually means “heal-catcher”.  God actually chose Jacob for the “birthright” while the two were still in the womb.  We see in Gen 25:23 “And the Lord said, the elder shall serve the younger”.

And so the story goes from Genesis 25: Esau and Jacob were brothers.  Sad but true there was some favoritism going on between the two parents and the two sons.  Esau was the favorite of dad and Jacob was the favorite of mom.  Esau was known as a great hunter as well as worldlier and his father loved it when Esau brought him venison.  Jacob on the other hand was quiet and stayed around the home. Jacob was known to be a good cook and made a great red soup. Actually I found that many of the commentaries I read looked at Jacob as being as perfect as Job.  Well, one day Esau was out hunting all day and he was exhausted and extremely hungry.  Jacob became an opportunist and looked to jump at his chance to grab the “birthright”.  (I believe this was all predestined by God) So Jacob made a deal with Esau.  He talked his brother into giving up his birthright for a nice hot meal.  Esau was hungry, tired, irresponsible and impulsive.  He told Jacob he could have his birthright if he just would give him some of that food to satisfy his hunger.  He made an oath to Jacob.  So Jacob gave Esau the food and Esau wolfed it down like he had never eaten before and left.esau

The next morning when Esau woke up and realized what he had done he was ashamed of himself and realized what a mistake he made.  But it was too late… for in those days an oath was a forever commitment.  If we look at this we can see that Esau failed to appreciate his birthright a long time before he lost it.  He despised his birthright and he was immoral and sought things of the flesh. If he was truly a man of God he would never have gotten close to leaving his birthright.  He would have died first.  He gave up the covenant for a one time meal to satisfy the lust of the flesh. He had a natural heart.

“The natural heart places no value on the things of God. To the natural heart, God’s promise is a vague, valueless, powerless thing, simply because God is not known. Hence it is that present things carry such weight and influence in man’s estimation. Anything that man can see he values, because he is governed by sight, and not by faith. To him the present is everything: the future is a mere uninfluential thing,- a matter of the merest uncertainty. Thus it was with Esau.

Hear his fallacious reasoning: “Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” Gen 25: 32. What strange reasoning!

The present is slipping from beneath my feet: I will therefore despise and entirely let go the future. Time is fading from my view, I will therefore abandon all interest in eternity!

“Thus Esau despised his birthright.” 

Esau has given us all a wonderful lesson in “birthright”, keeping our faith and not going down the wide road toward the world.  He has taught us that we should never compromise our values and stay on the narrow road of our Christian and moral principles.  What we have from Christ is the most valuable possession we could have obtained.

I know Jesus; therefore, I have a magnificent birthright! Just like Esau had a birthright, I also have one and likely you have too.  I have the love and grace of Jesus Christ inside of me. I will take care of my birthright! We are heirs of the covenant and like Esau and Jacob.  Our birthright is covenant blessings, covenant fellowship with Christ and we are the future owners of the Promised Land. “The Mansion on the Hilltop”! We became “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17.

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal 4: 6-7.

Satan will do all he can to wrestle it away from you and turn you from God.  Gird your loins for the battle.  It has only just begun. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” 2 Tim 1: 12-14. (Guard what was entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit.)

We have an awesome privilege along with a frightening responsibility!  As I said in the beginning, we need to be very careful not to do something foolish with our “birthright”.

The church, the people of God through the one-another’s and worship together will help us to keep our sacred possession.

God Bless and Keep you all. Amen.

“The Tubthumper”

Can you define the “Kingdom of God”?

Part 1 of 2 parts.      StairwayToHeaven-D-4d

 

Recently I was asked to explain the “Kingdom of God” in a page or so of writing.  Let me start by saying this subject is certain to illicit much more than a page of comment.  This is a subject we all are concentrating on and is the very basis for why we are here and why we believe.  I hope all of us are part of the “Kingdom of God”.  I will purposefully try to keep this on the simple reasoning and avoid getting into eschatological reasoning.

Because I have been saved by grace for more than 40 years I have been referring to the Kingdom of God for almost as many.  In the Old Testament God is the King of the Universe and He is referenced as the King of Israel in Exodus 19: 4-6 and  Deuteronomy 33:4, 5.  During that period his kingdom took on a present tense relationship with His people.  After the birth of Jesus and the crowning of our human king the relationship became a future tense and no longer was a matter of the present.  The future tense kingdom was described as “the supernatural, universal, everlasting reign of the God of heaven which will overthrow and replace the great world monarchies”.

The phrase, “the kingdom of God,” is found in all four of the Gospels.  The phrase is also in found in Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 2 Timothy.  The kingdom of heaven is used in Matthew and from what I know most biblical scholars agree that these phrases can be used synonymously.  Heaven is looked at as God’s abode in the way we look at earth as our abode.  We are all to aspire to join our king in his kingdom which is in heaven through discipleship.

“The primary imagery which biblical writers used for God was that of a divine King (e.g. 1 Sam 8:7). Alongside the basic conviction that God is the supreme King is the belief that he reigns over creation as his kingdom (Pss 47:1-9; 83:18; Dan 4:25-26; 5:21). In this general sense then, God has always been the sovereign reigning King who rules in heaven over all things (Pss 103:19; 113:5; Matt 5:34; Eph 1:20; Col 1:16; Heb 12:2; Rev 7:15).”

I found this to be descriptive as we work to unravel the mystery of the kingdom, “Our Lord repeatedly speaks of the kingdom as a state of things lying altogether above the sphere of earthly and natural life, being so different from the natural conditions that it could not be evolved from the latter by any gradual process (cf. Matt. 8:11, 13:43; Mark 14:25; Luke 13:20, 29, 22:16, 29, 30).  According to Luke 17:20, He declared that the kingdom does not come with observation, but is among or within men.  And Luke 16:16 makes the kingdom begin from the days of John the Baptist and immediately succeed the law and the prophets as the comprehensive name for the Old Testament dispensation.  Both the present reality and the organic-spiritual character of the kingdom are most clearly taught in the great kingdom parables (Matt. 13; Mark 4; Luke 8).

If we are saved by the grace of God and while we are still alive and here on earth we can enjoy the kingdom of grace, (spiritually) however, it is after our physical death and the world death that we will enjoy the kingdom of glory.  Here it is spelled out by another bible scholar, “The entire language which Jesus employs in regard to it presupposes that it will bring blessings transcending those of the present stage of the kingdom. All imperfections will be done away with, all enemies vanquished, the wheat and the tares will no longer be permitted to intermingle, the full satisfaction with righteousness and the beatific vision of God will be enjoyed. It is true, our Lord always emphasizes that the heart and essence of the kingdom may be possessed in the present life. But it is plain that He could not have spoken so absolutely of the eschatological crisis as the coming of the kingdom, had not the thought been in his mind that, after all, only the end of the world can bring the full and adequate possession of even those spiritual blessings in which the kernel of the kingdom consists.”

This concept of the “Kingdom of God” is clearly an important one.  The Lord clearly made this a central theme of His teaching, therefore, we should conclude that he meant it to be observed as a profound significance.

Continued, Click here to go to Part 2

FJ1

 

“The Tubthumper”

Can you define the “Kingdom of God”? Part 2

HEAVENDefining the “Kingdom of God”… 

Although I believe in the importance and relevancy of the kingdom, I can tell you there is no definition of the kingdom found in the Gospels.  There are descriptions but no definitions.  I found the reasoning for this in this passage, “Our Lord’s teaching is not clothed in the forms of an abstract presentation of truth. His method is not the philosophical one of framing conceptions, but the parabolic one of illustrating the realities of the spiritual world in their various manifestations and embodiments.  Hence we never find Him defining, but always describing the kingdom. He handles it throughout as a complex reality of which now one side, then another, is turned toward His disciples that the light of revelation may be concentrated upon it. On the other hand, it is easy to perceive that in the midst of the multiformity of concrete statements resulting from this method, a certain order and system are not entirely lacking. Our Lord’s descriptions never lose themselves in the single details, nor do they indiscriminately throw together what is fundamental and what is secondary. Notwithstanding the great variety of illustration, there are certain aspects which constantly recur, which by the prominence they receive force us to recognize in them fundamental aspects of the kingdom, and which for this very reason may be expected to give us the answer to our question, why the complex organism to which they belong is called the kingdom of God.”

Take a look at the closing words of the Lord’s prayer:

“Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” The kingdom is totally centered in and around God Himself and His glory and the Lord indicates that it should be the objective for us to obtain.  As a disciple we are to seek first the kingdom of the heavenly Father and His righteousness.  We are to turn from the pagan frame of mind and not seek after the things of this world.

“One other thought brought out is that our Lord’s teaching shows us that the new order of things is called a kingdom because it is the sphere in which God manifests His supreme, royal power.”[1]  The kingdom of God is a kingdom of conquest.  The kingdom of Satan must be conquered and the kingdom of God must reign supreme.  Involved in this battle between the kingdoms is the fact that humans as created by God have been given the ability to choose and often rebel and refuse to acknowledge God as King, and evil kingdoms rise up to oppose God’s Kingdom.   The king is also the judge and so we as disciples must constantly strive after righteousness.  This is confirmed by Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”  What we see here is that the standard for which we strive is the righteousness of God himself. (Which of course we can never fully attain.)  God alone reigns supreme in His own Holiness.  Another reason for the naming of the kingdom of God is that all blessings come from the kingdom.  The king bestows his blessing and gifts to all his subjects.  All this thought and information around the designation of “The Kingdom of God” rests completely on the concept of the Devine rule exercised and carried out through the work of salvation.

“The hope that Scripture presents from cover to cover is that this disparity between the heavenly throne room and earth will be eliminated one day (1 Chr 16:31). God will judge the wicked and bring redeemed humanity into a new creation (Isa 65; Zech 14). When this transformation takes place, only God’s kingdom will stand and voluntary obedience to him will extend to the ends of the earth as it does in heaven (1 Chr 16:31; Ps 97:1-2).  The New Testament teaches that this final worldwide stage of the kingdom of God began with the incarnation of Christ. He and John the Baptist announced the good news that the Kingdom was at hand (Matt 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15). But contrary to common Jewish expectations, Jesus and his apostles explained that the worldwide reign of God on earth would not come immediately in all of its fullness. Instead, Christ inaugurated this final stage of the kingdom in his earthly ministry (Matt 2:2; 4:23; 9:35; 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 16:16; 23:3; John 18:37). It continues today in the church (Matt 24:14; Rom 14:16-17; 1 Cor 4:19-20; Col 4:11), but it will reach its ultimate end when Christ returns in glory (1 Cor 15:50-58; Rev 11:5). When that day finally comes, the will of God will be done throughout the earth just as it is done in heaven.”[2]

In conclusion it brings me to the thoughts of when I came into the kingdom.  I was very young and didn’t know much as I sat during a fire and brimstone sermon one hot August night.  I was made aware of this battle between the evil kingdom and the kingdom of God.  I got the description that was necessary.  I decided then and there I wanted to be in the kingdom of God.  By my faith in Jesus Christ I am saved from the wrath of God and the gates of hell.  I look forward to someday being able to clearly define the “Kingdom of God” and/or the “Kingdom of Heaven”.

God Bless you all and I hope to see you in the kingdom.  The Kingdom of God,

“The Tubthumper” 


[1] “The Kingdom of God”, The Bible Student 1:282-289, 328-335. [1900] taken from The American Journal of Biblical theology at www.biblicaltheology .com and page http://www.biblicaltheology.org/kg.pdf.

 

[2] WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? by Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. at http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/ric_pratt/TH.Pratt.kingdom.of.god.html

Hell, you don’t have to go there!

Part 3 of 3 part series:

God is real. His word is real. His love is real. His working in the world is real.  He is real.  God is near to any who would have Him.  Jeremiah 29:13, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

He wants to offer you a relationship not possible with any person.  Only God!  No one else can offer you forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  No one else can offer you a personal relationship with the divine Creator; only the Creator can do that.  No one else can offer to touch you at the deepest level of your being and bring healing from heartache and despair.  No one else can offer you the unconditional love we all crave. Reach out.  He’s waiting for you.

I want to invite you to make Christ your Lord and Savior by repenting of your sins and calling on Him for forgiveness and eternal life, believing that He died for you and rose from the grave.  The Bible says that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.    That is very good news.  Act on the words of God, will you?

The path to Heaven

1. God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you.

God has a wonderful plan for your life now and forever. The central theme of the Bible is God’s love for you and all people. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

God’s plan: Jesus said, ” The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10; 17:3).

2. We are all sinful and separated from God.

Because of sin we cannot know God personally or experience His love and plan for our lives.  “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, (Romans 3:23).  Man (Adam) was created to have a relationship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way and fellowship with God was broken.  This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion  or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

We are all separated from God because of sin.   “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). Heaven and Hell are real destinations and the ultimate choice is ours.  There is a hell…but the good news is we don’t have to go there!

 

The diagram above illustrates that God is Holy and we are sinful.  A great gulf separates the two.  The arrows show that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as living a good life, doing good deeds,  following philosophies, religions, cults etc. The next point explains the only way to bridge this gulf.

3. Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin.

Through Jesus Christ alone we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. “, (Romans 5:8).

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep” (I Corinthians 15:3-6).

Jesus Christ is the only way to God.  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

This diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know the above information.  The next point is the most important.

4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

We must receive Jesus Christ by faith (i.e. by trusting or believing) so we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We experience a new spiritual birth when we receive Jesus Christ.   “There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit” (John 3:1-8).

We can receive Jesus Christ by personal invitation. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Receiving Jesus Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Jesus to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough.  Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience.  We must receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will.

The two circles below represent two kinds of lives, the self-directed life and the Christ-directed life:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which circle best represents your life?  Which circle would you like to have represent  your life?

 

5. How you can receive Jesus Christ right now by prayer and faith:

Prayer is talking with God.  God knows your heart and is not concerned with your words.  He is looking at the attitude of your heart.

The following is a suggested prayer.  It is only an example for you.  Dear God/Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned.  I believe You sent Jesus Christ to save me.  I believe Jesus was crucified on the cross, he was buried, raised from the dead, and He ascended into heaven and sat down at Your right hand.  I thank You Jesus for taking away my sins forever.  I believe Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and I am now born again and will have eternal life. Take control of my life and make me the person You want me to be. Thank You God, for forgiving me and giving me everlasting life.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? If it does, pray one like it right now.  It need not be the same and should be your own words.  If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10:9). If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all wrong doing (1 John 1:9). Jesus said, ” I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

6. How you can grow as a new member of God’s Kingdom.

Talk to God in prayer daily. Matthew 21:22,”And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive”.  Mark 11:24,”Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Attend church regularly.  Hebrews 10:25,”Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Psalm 122:1,”I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Read God’s Word, the Bible, often.  2 Timothy 3:16,17,”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Obey God always.  John 14:21,”He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

Be a good witness and live for God by your life and words.  John 15:8,”Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Trust God for every detail of your life. 1 Peter 5:7,”Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  Trust the Holy Spirit to help you daily.  Romans 8:14, ”For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

*The illustrations were not created by me.  Thanks go out to the artist whom I am unable to identify.

God bless you,

“The Tubthumper”

Life is but a Vapor: Know for sure

Part 2 of 3 part series.

You can know for sure.  That should be comforting.  You can do something about it. This day is rushing toward you.  Make certain of your destiny.

What are you thinking?  Come on… put some thought into this important subject.  I am sure you have done some good and you have done some bad.  You may be thinking God will grade you on a curve like the teachers do in school.  You may think you can get to heaven on your own because you are not as bad as others.  Here is the truth:  If you are going to heaven it is because you repented and embraced Christ by faith.  If you have not done this you are going to hell.  For it is written.

There are people in hell right now. How sad but true this is. What about you?  Hell is predominately occupied by two groups.  1) Those that have never done it (repented and embraced Christ by faith) and 2) those that thought they had but did not.

(Luke 16:19-35- There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table:  moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:  the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus,  that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;  for I am tormented in this flame.  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.)

It is written: Hell is eternal torment for the impenitent.

The subject of Hell is obstinately ignored by all.  It is ignored primarily because of a move in our country toward universalism and health and wealth theology.  Most religions won’t touch it because it is not popular and won’t make people feel good.  You need the truth!  Can you handle the truth?  Truth doesn’t always feel good.  Will it be heaven or hell for you?  You can know for sure.  This day is rushing toward you.  Make certain of your destiny.

I have done it, I repented, I could not gain my own way to heaven.  I humbled myself before God.  I embraced Jesus Christ as forgiveness for my sins.  I did not deserve it, but, I got it.  Through God’s grace I am saved from hell.

This is your chance!  Right now! You can turn from sin and embrace Christ and be changed.  Every day is your day of opportunity.

But… when time comes to a close… it is over. Today, if you hear Him… please respond?  I am talking about things eternal.

It is almost impossible today to get a person to think seriously for even a moment about where they are going when they die.  I fear you do not comprehend what a huge deal this is!  We are talking about eternity separated from God!  We don’t want to go there (hell).  We don’t want anyone we know to go there.  We want to keep people from going there!

(Hebrews 9:27- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment).

(Matthew 8:12- But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

(Matthew 25:30- And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

The Bible gives direct terms of fire, weeping and gnashing of teeth, outer darkness, torment, anguish, isolation and eternal destruction.

Every day of your life God calls out to you!

(2 Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)

He wants all to come to repentance.  God wants everyone rewarded with salvation.  God provided a way out of hell but it is up to you to take up the opportunity!

Hear His voice!  Hear it today! Hell its up to you

You must be sure… the way to hell is wide and easy.  The way to heaven is narrow but not complicated.  Repent and acknowledge you deserve hell.  Embrace Jesus Christ now by faith and ask Him to come into your life and forgive you.  Ask him to save you!

Come back for part 3 and know how to know for sure.

“The Tubthumper”

 

Click here to go toPart 3

Life is but a vapor…

Part 1 of a 3 part series…

This post is about life and death and both are very important.  Have you thought about what happens when your body finally ends up at room temperature?   It will be sooner than you want.

This post is about Hell.

IT WAS JUST AN ORDINARY DAY!

It was just an ordinary day several years ago when my friend Steve and his wife were leaving for a normal Sunday at church.  Steve, along with his wife and two children were driving to church as usual on a normal Sunday morning.  They reached an intersection the exact time as another vehicle hurdled through at nearly 100 mph.  The impact was sudden, powerful and caused the end to an entire family in an instant.  The suspect that was fleeing the police in a high speed chase was virtually unharmed in the crash.  The funeral was difficult with Steve in one casket along with his tiny son and his wife in the other casket with her young daughter.  Four people were taken away in the blink of an eye on an ordinary Sunday morning.  Memorable to say the least!

It was just an ordinary day last year when my friend Aaron (coincidentally in the same family as Steve) went out to prepare firewood to heat his home.  When he didn’t come in for supper his wife went out and found him next to the woodpile.  He had suffered a heart attack.  In the blink of an eye he was gone.

I know, I know, it will never happen to you right?  Well, think again…  It was just an ordinary  bright sunny beautiful  day on September 11 when two planes suddenly crashed into the world trade center killing many thousands.  When they left home that morning they had no idea they would never return home again.  If today is your ordinary day which turns into your last, are you ready?

Hell is what we need to talk about.  Heaven is where we all want to end up.  But most will not.    A loved husband will end up in Hell while his wife goes to Heaven.  Beloved wives will end up in Hell and the husband in Heaven.  Children of parents will go to Hell and the parent to Heaven.  Brother will go to Heaven and sister to Hell. Sister is going to Heaven and brother to Hell.  Think about this!  Mother goes  to Heaven and Father to hell and vise verse.  Some of our loved ones are already in Hell.  This should cause tears to be shed…  Can we let this happen without trying to have us all together in Glory?  God Forbid!

You can find the path to Heaven later after my explanation of Hell.  The path to heaven is narrow and not easy.

The path to Hell is wide and almost like a greased downhill slide. Take heed and please make a wise choice.

Why am I posting on the subject of Hell?  It’s because no one is doing it anymore.  Most clergy and churches nowadays won’t touch the subject because it doesn’t make people feel good.  Most Christians don’t talk about it much either.  Modern church not talking about hell is something I have a hard time understanding due to this one fact.  The Bible has much, much more in its pages about hades and hell than it has about heaven.  That alone should make you think twice about the subject.  Please understand that you and I are no different.  With the things I address on this post we are the same.  We were all born as mortals in sin.  (Romans 3:23-For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God )

No need to post about heaven just yet because heaven is all good and positive with people.  It is Hell that needs to be explained.  Most people have no idea.

LET ME EXPLAIN HELL:

(Matthew 3;11- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire) (Romans 2:8- But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath) (2 Thessalonians 1:8- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ)

It is a place of wrath!  God will inflict vengeance on they that do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Hell is not a place I would send my worst enemy.  And that is the truth. Yes, there is a heaven and there definitely is a hell.  For it is written.  And this is of grave importance. (No pun intended.)

Most people don’t want this to be true.  They suppress the truth.  They do not want to answer for what they have done.  No excuse.  God says there is no excuse.

It’s important to examine your life, death, heaven and hell.  How do you live and what happens when you die?

If you are reading this we know you were born so there is life.  You likely have a birth certificate.  I have some stark news for you if you haven’t heard it yet.  You will die.   All that’s left to be determined is when your date of death is stamped on the death certificate.   It may be today or it may hopefully be another but most don’t expect it when it happens.  And for many, when it does, it’s too late.

Nothing on earth is more sobering than a talk about hell.  As real as the hope of heaven is, so too is the reality of hell.  There will be a moment one day in the future that the only thing about you that will matter is your relationship with God.  Your occupation, your good character, your status, sex, or race will mean nothing apart from your standing before God.  What will that moment be like for you?  Are you just hoping that everything will work out or are you confident in what is ahead for you?

“The Tubthumper”

Part 2 is up…Click here and follow…

Marry a prostitute? It was commanded!

God commanded a prophet to marry a prostitute.  Can you believe that? 

Some say that Hosea married a prostitute.  Some say he didn’t marry at all and this is just an old fishing story.  I think we need to examine the facts to get to the bottom of things.  I also think God used Hosea to get a message across through prophesy like he has done so many times.   If we turn to the scriptures we see early on in Hosea beginning in verse 2 what God told him.  “And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. (Hsa. 1;2)  This book of Hosea is certainly different isn’t it?  It is pretty strange that God would tell a prophet to “take unto thee a wife of whoredoms.”  It certainly caught my attention.  We know the land God is speaking of. It is Israel.

So God is going to make a comparison and use something called a similitude.

The word similitude isn’t a word I have kicked around much and I needed to seek the meaning so I include the dictionary meaning here for you.

Noah Webster’s New International Dictionary of the English Language gives the definition of Similititude as follows:

1. (n.) The quality of being similar or like; resemblance; likeness; similarity; as, similitude of substance. 2. (n.) The act of likening, or that which likens, one thing to another; fanciful or imaginative comparison; a simile. 3. (n.) That which is like or similar; a representation, semblance, or copy; a facsimile.

In chuck Smith’s commentary on Hosea he describes it this way, “A similitude is something that is similar to, by which you then draw a picture, something that you can see and then you draw from that a spiritual analogy”.[1]

So Hosea took Gomer as we see in verses 2-5 and Gomer conceived and bare a son named Jezreel.  I want to point out there is no evidence to suggest that Gomer was a prostitute prior to being with Hosea.  We do have the proof that she became a prostitute later.  So this is a situation where God knew the heart of Gomer and used her to get a message across.  Israel has been unfaithful and it is now that God is drawing a comparison between the unfaithfulness of his beloved people to the unfaithfulness of a marriage.  This is not the first time God has indicated His relationship with Israel is comparable to that of a marriage.

In his commentary, Chuck Smith said it this way, “I think it’s just that God told him to take this woman that God knew would be unfaithful in order that God might draw the similitude between this unfaithful wife of Hosea and the nation of Israel who had been unfaithful unto God.  For God had taken the nation of Israel as His bride, blessed her, heaped His love upon her, and yet she turned from God.”[2]

We know from reading the rest of the book that Hosea and Gomer had three children and they all carried names that hold prophetic meanings.  We also know that this marriage had all the issues that a very troubled marriage would have today.  We had Hosea the injured spouse and Gomer the immoral spouse.  Hosea’s marriage was a very visible example and message to Israel.

Hosea attempted many times in vain to save the marriage.  He tried to bar Gomer from the markets of the world as we see in Chapter 2, verse 6.  He tried to keep her home but she eventually ended up a prostitute in the markets and became a sex slave.  Hosea even pleaded with his son to try to talks some sense into his mother (2:2). It didn’t work and she continued to seek her pleasures at every opportunity she had.  Gomer was used, abused and well, you get the picture.  And she had become a sex slave for which Hosea bought her back for 15 pieces of silver and homer and half of barley (3:2).  He had to buy her as a slave.  We never get to see the ending of this and whether the marriage was saved or ended in ruins.  I think there is a point to this as well because we haven’t seen the ending to this adulterous relationship the Israel carries on.  But we will.

We know the end is drawing near.

In Hosea 8:7 we see, “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.”  And in verse 8, “Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.” So Israel would be for a while swallowed up among the nations.

Through the message of Hosea’s marriage God wanted to teach Israel and us about the anguish in His heart when His people commit spiritual adultery and become prostitutes to another god.

The story will have a happy ending because God’s bride will return to him as we see in Hosea 3:5, “Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.”  And we also see in Chapter 14, verses 4 through 7, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.”  Therefor God’s wife will be restored.  The Bible says in Zechariah, “They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced.”  Chuck Smith said, “And in that day when they look upon Him whom they have pierced and they recognize that Jesus indeed is God’s promised Messiah and they open their hearts to receive Him, there’s gonna be such a glorious reunion as they in love and repentance reach out to God and he in love reaches out to them and restores them.”[3]

And together they live happily ever after…  Amen.

“The Tubthumper”

 

 

 

 


[1] Chuck Smith-Transcriptions for the C2000 Series, Hosea 1-4, Blue Letter Bible Commentaries.

[2] IBID.

[3] Chuck Smith-Transcriptions for the C2000 Series, Hosea 10-14, Blue Letter Bible Commentaries.