The beginning of a new year is a good time to rediscover a few things we may have forgotten. We sometimes need to step back and get a proper perspective of ourselves and the world around us. Without looking back from time to time, we tend to forget boundaries God has clearly established and grey the black and white of morals.
We should never forget that while we are on this earth the Christian does not sin because they have to but because they want to. James 1:13-15 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” God does not draw us away, our own lust does.
Sin is resistible. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Every temptation can be resisted. We sin because we choose to commit the sin instead of choosing to resist.”
Temptation will come from many sources both internal and external. Man is a three part being and two of the three parts is able to be tempted. As a Christian, our soul is possessed by the Holy Spirit as it says in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” Although our soul is complete we are still attached to a sinful, and sin prone, body and mind.
The body can become addicted to all kinds of sin and tempts us to continue in sin. We must be careful of giving the body too much of anything it enjoys. Romans 7:18 says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Our minds can be fooled and justify sin. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
The world is not our friend, it is our enemy. The world has no interest in helping us to live godly, holy, righteous lives. James 4:4 says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” The world offers many ways to stray from God’s laws and commandments. 1 Peter 1:14-16 makes it clear that God commands us to be holy. The world calls us to be unholy.
There will be many tools the world uses to draw us away from a renewed mind. A renewed mind is a mind that is being made new by the power of Christ by the Word of God. Colossians 3:1-17 is a great passage explaining the process of renewing our minds. Ephesians 5:25-27 says God uses his Word to wash the mind of man and make His church renewed. The world wants us to stay away from the Word of God and be disobedient to the will of God.
There are many movies and books the world will produce for the purpose of drawing us further and further from living a holy life. The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling is a blatant example of books and movies designed to make evil look good. In Hot Type, Evan Solomon interviewed JK Rowling who said, “Well, you see, Harry is good.” In the same interview she said, “I loved writing Dumbledore and Dumbledore is the epitome of goodness.” In late 2007, JK Rowling announced that Dumbledore was a homosexual and his nemesis was actually his ex-lover. This is proof JK Rowling calls evil good.
Scripture tells us in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” We need to watch out for those who, according to 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” They say they are a Christian or say they love Jesus but they produce teachings which lead people away from godliness and holiness. We are to actively turn away from worldly entertainment.
Fables and parables can be used for good. Jesus often used parables, fables that have a moral message, to teach about the Kingdom of God. C. S. Lewis, a Christian and an author, wrote The Chronicles of Narnia which teach the truths and morals found in Scripture. But fables and parables are not always used to teach good messages. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
The world uses fables to teach their evil doctrine too. Along with Harry Potter, another worldly fable will be coming out in movie form soon. “The Golden Compass” is a fable based on Phillip Pullman’s book Northern Lights from his trilogy His Dark Materials. In this story, a girl travels through worlds of witches, armor-plated bears, and evil church-sponsored assassins to finally defeat the oppression of a senile God. At the end of the trilogy the main characters kill God.
The world loves their own. John 15:19a says, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own…” That is why this trilogy has received the Carnegie Medal for Children’s Literature in 1995, although the author, Philip Pullman, said, “I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God; I have the greatest difficulty in understanding what is meant by the words 'spiritual' or 'spirituality.”
Philip Pullman is open about how his writings are anti-religion and anti-God. In a 2003 interview, Pullman said, “My books are about killing God" and in a 2001 interview he said he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief." Can it be any clearer? If you open your mind to these stories, their message gets in and makes you spiritually weak.
There is no reason for a Christian to watch worldly movies, free or otherwise. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” And finally, Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Who is the Elohiym of Genesis 1?
The Hebrew word “Elohiym” is used throughout the Old Testament. What does this term mean? Who did it identify in Genesis 1? Does it refer to the Trinity?
Genesis 1:1 says:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
This verse makes a declaration that God (Elohiym) created the heaven and the earth.
Elohiym is defined in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible’s Hebrew Dictionary as:
H430; אלהים; 'elohiym; el-o-heem'; Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
As you can see in this definition there are many uses for this term. It can identify the Supreme God, to gods, to angels, to human judges, and even to large cities.
In Amos 2:8, Elohiym is used of a false god:
“And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.”
In Nahum 1:14, Elohiym is used for false gods:
“And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.”
Elohiym is also used to describe a very large city in Jonah 3:3:
“So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.”
There are many things called Elohiym in the Old Testament – but what about in Genesis 1? Although the word Elohiym could mean many different objects and people, in Genesis 1 it only had one intended meaning. This is true of any biblical passage, each has only one intended meaning although there may be many applications.
The individual writers were moved by the Supreme Author to write one intended meaning, as explained in 2 Peter 1:20-21.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The application could be for a limited time to a limited number of people. Such is the case with the Mosaic laws on divorce. The application may be wider, applying to the reader at the time of the writing as well as applying to the reader of today.
The use of the term Elohiym, in Genesis 1, can only have one intended meaning. Who or what was meant? Could the term have meant any of the definitions equally? Could it mean, “Take your pick” as to the meaning of Elohiym? What was the singular intent of the Supreme Author when guiding Moses to use this term exclusively in Genesis 1?
One of the keys to unlocking this question is stated in several texts of the Old Testament. Notice how Elohiym is used in the book of Jonah 1:9:
“And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.”
Here Jonah is describing to the pagans which Elohiym he worshipped. This is the LORD (YHWH), the Elohiym of heaven, the maker of the sea and the dry land.
Jonah feared THE YHWH, THE Creator Elohiym. This connects with passages in Genesis:
Genesis 1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Elohiym is used exclusively to refer to the Creator God from Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 2:3. From Genesis 2:4 the term YHWH Elohiym is almost exclusively used for this same being.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
This was not just any Elohiym creating the heaven and the earth, it was the YHWH Elohiym.
Why was Elohiym used as the exclusive name for God in Genesis 1? Elohiym embodied the essence of God – a plural name, not for a plural God, but for one God, and yet look at this one God:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
God – YHWH Elohiym was present
The Spirit of God – Ruach of Elohiym was present
And according to John 1:1-3 the Word of God – Logos Theos was present
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
From Matthew Henry’s Commentary:
"(2.) The author and cause of this great work - God. The Hebrew word is Elohim, which bespeaks, [1.] The power of God the Creator. El signifies the strong God; and what less than almighty strength could bring all things out of nothing? [2.] The plurality of persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This plural name of God, in Hebrew, which speaks of him as many though he is one, was to the Gentiles perhaps a savour of death unto death, hardening them in their idolatry; but it is to us a savour of life unto life, confirming our faith in the doctrine of the Trinity, which, though but darkly intimated in the Old Testament, is clearly revealed in the New. The Son of God, the eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father, was with him when he made the world (Pro_8:30), nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing made without him, Joh_1:3, Joh_1:10; Eph_3:9; Col_1:16; Heb_1:2. O what high thoughts should this form in our minds of that great God whom we draw nigh to in religious worship, and that great Mediator in whose name we draw nigh!"
This presence of the Godhead is also verified in Romans 1:20:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Without a doubt, the Elohiym of Genesis 1 refers to the Triune God. The word Elohiym does not only refer to the Triune God, but the word Elohiym in Genesis 1 can refer to no other being.
There is only one God as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
The YHWH our Elohiym is one YHWH.
This One, Triune, Eternal, Creator, God is the one and only Elohiym of Genesis 1.
Genesis 1:1 says:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
This verse makes a declaration that God (Elohiym) created the heaven and the earth.
Elohiym is defined in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible’s Hebrew Dictionary as:
H430; אלהים; 'elohiym; el-o-heem'; Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
As you can see in this definition there are many uses for this term. It can identify the Supreme God, to gods, to angels, to human judges, and even to large cities.
In Amos 2:8, Elohiym is used of a false god:
“And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.”
In Nahum 1:14, Elohiym is used for false gods:
“And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.”
Elohiym is also used to describe a very large city in Jonah 3:3:
“So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.”
There are many things called Elohiym in the Old Testament – but what about in Genesis 1? Although the word Elohiym could mean many different objects and people, in Genesis 1 it only had one intended meaning. This is true of any biblical passage, each has only one intended meaning although there may be many applications.
The individual writers were moved by the Supreme Author to write one intended meaning, as explained in 2 Peter 1:20-21.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
The application could be for a limited time to a limited number of people. Such is the case with the Mosaic laws on divorce. The application may be wider, applying to the reader at the time of the writing as well as applying to the reader of today.
The use of the term Elohiym, in Genesis 1, can only have one intended meaning. Who or what was meant? Could the term have meant any of the definitions equally? Could it mean, “Take your pick” as to the meaning of Elohiym? What was the singular intent of the Supreme Author when guiding Moses to use this term exclusively in Genesis 1?
One of the keys to unlocking this question is stated in several texts of the Old Testament. Notice how Elohiym is used in the book of Jonah 1:9:
“And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.”
Here Jonah is describing to the pagans which Elohiym he worshipped. This is the LORD (YHWH), the Elohiym of heaven, the maker of the sea and the dry land.
Jonah feared THE YHWH, THE Creator Elohiym. This connects with passages in Genesis:
Genesis 1:24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Elohiym is used exclusively to refer to the Creator God from Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 2:3. From Genesis 2:4 the term YHWH Elohiym is almost exclusively used for this same being.
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
This was not just any Elohiym creating the heaven and the earth, it was the YHWH Elohiym.
Why was Elohiym used as the exclusive name for God in Genesis 1? Elohiym embodied the essence of God – a plural name, not for a plural God, but for one God, and yet look at this one God:
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
God – YHWH Elohiym was present
The Spirit of God – Ruach of Elohiym was present
And according to John 1:1-3 the Word of God – Logos Theos was present
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
From Matthew Henry’s Commentary:
"(2.) The author and cause of this great work - God. The Hebrew word is Elohim, which bespeaks, [1.] The power of God the Creator. El signifies the strong God; and what less than almighty strength could bring all things out of nothing? [2.] The plurality of persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This plural name of God, in Hebrew, which speaks of him as many though he is one, was to the Gentiles perhaps a savour of death unto death, hardening them in their idolatry; but it is to us a savour of life unto life, confirming our faith in the doctrine of the Trinity, which, though but darkly intimated in the Old Testament, is clearly revealed in the New. The Son of God, the eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father, was with him when he made the world (Pro_8:30), nay, we are often told that the world was made by him, and nothing made without him, Joh_1:3, Joh_1:10; Eph_3:9; Col_1:16; Heb_1:2. O what high thoughts should this form in our minds of that great God whom we draw nigh to in religious worship, and that great Mediator in whose name we draw nigh!"
This presence of the Godhead is also verified in Romans 1:20:
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
Without a doubt, the Elohiym of Genesis 1 refers to the Triune God. The word Elohiym does not only refer to the Triune God, but the word Elohiym in Genesis 1 can refer to no other being.
There is only one God as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
The YHWH our Elohiym is one YHWH.
This One, Triune, Eternal, Creator, God is the one and only Elohiym of Genesis 1.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Public Schools try again to silence Christians
Liberty Counsel
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2007
Twelve Students Receive 10-Day Suspension for Praying Before School
Vancouver, WA - Today twelve high school students at Heritage High School were suspended for ten days for gathering to pray before school. Liberty Counsel is providing legal assistance to the students who were suspended.
A few weeks ago, the students tried to start a prayer club, but the school's vice principal, Alex Otoupal, would not let them meet in a private room. The students gathered in the cafeteria before school to pray, but a Satanist student went to the school office and complained. As a result, Vice Principal Otoupal told the Christian students they could not pray in the cafeteria but would have to go outside. After the students insisted on praying in the cafeteria because of inclement weather, Otoupal suspended them for ten days.
Anita L. Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, commented: "It is absolutely outrageous that the school allowed one Satanist student to exercise a heckler's veto over the other students' speech. This situation underscores the ignorance of school officials regarding the constitutional rights of students."
Staver concluded: "Most of the students who were suspended are immigrants from Russia. We must show them that America is still the land of the free. School officials must immediately reverse the suspensions."
For more information go here: http://www.lc.org/index.html
For a secular view of the same event go here: http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/03022007news110888.cfm
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT - 800-671-1776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2007
Twelve Students Receive 10-Day Suspension for Praying Before School
Vancouver, WA - Today twelve high school students at Heritage High School were suspended for ten days for gathering to pray before school. Liberty Counsel is providing legal assistance to the students who were suspended.
A few weeks ago, the students tried to start a prayer club, but the school's vice principal, Alex Otoupal, would not let them meet in a private room. The students gathered in the cafeteria before school to pray, but a Satanist student went to the school office and complained. As a result, Vice Principal Otoupal told the Christian students they could not pray in the cafeteria but would have to go outside. After the students insisted on praying in the cafeteria because of inclement weather, Otoupal suspended them for ten days.
Anita L. Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, commented: "It is absolutely outrageous that the school allowed one Satanist student to exercise a heckler's veto over the other students' speech. This situation underscores the ignorance of school officials regarding the constitutional rights of students."
Staver concluded: "Most of the students who were suspended are immigrants from Russia. We must show them that America is still the land of the free. School officials must immediately reverse the suspensions."
For more information go here: http://www.lc.org/index.html
For a secular view of the same event go here: http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/03022007news110888.cfm
Friday, February 16, 2007
Is Fasting Required?
Fasting is not glamorous or easy but for a Christian, it is necessary.
Jesus fasted:
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Matthew 4:1-2
Jesus commanded fasting:
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus also spoke of fasting as a thing that will happen when He is gone:
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:14-15 (Mark 2:17-20; Luke 5:31-35)
There is even special spiritual power connected to fasting:
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21 (and in Mark 9:28-29)
Notice these other Scriptures on fasting:
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts 14:23
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 1Corinthians 7:5
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2Corinthians 6:3-10
Is there any reason to believe that fasting is not a part of the normal Christian life?
What is fasting? Abstaining from all food except for water for a period of time.
See: http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=110&o=91786
When Jesus and the disciples fasted they did not stop watching TV (although that is not a bad idea) or refrain from eating chocolate. Fasting is limiting your intake to water only. The disciples ate nothing for the time they were fasting.
Fasting may be from Sunrise to Sunset (12 hours), Sunset to Sunset (24 hours), or for several days. You may want to talk to your doctor before embarking on an extended fast but the 12 hour fast is a good place to begin.
Remember, fasting is not only abstinence from food but it also involves prayer and quiet time to study God’s Word. It is for the purpose of drawing near to God for His special power to meet the challenges ahead of us.
Are you a fasting Christian or a Christian in need of fasting?
Jesus fasted:
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Matthew 4:1-2
Jesus commanded fasting:
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:16-18
Jesus also spoke of fasting as a thing that will happen when He is gone:
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. Matthew 9:14-15 (Mark 2:17-20; Luke 5:31-35)
There is even special spiritual power connected to fasting:
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21 (and in Mark 9:28-29)
Notice these other Scriptures on fasting:
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:2-3
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts 14:23
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 1Corinthians 7:5
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2Corinthians 6:3-10
Is there any reason to believe that fasting is not a part of the normal Christian life?
What is fasting? Abstaining from all food except for water for a period of time.
See: http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=110&o=91786
When Jesus and the disciples fasted they did not stop watching TV (although that is not a bad idea) or refrain from eating chocolate. Fasting is limiting your intake to water only. The disciples ate nothing for the time they were fasting.
Fasting may be from Sunrise to Sunset (12 hours), Sunset to Sunset (24 hours), or for several days. You may want to talk to your doctor before embarking on an extended fast but the 12 hour fast is a good place to begin.
Remember, fasting is not only abstinence from food but it also involves prayer and quiet time to study God’s Word. It is for the purpose of drawing near to God for His special power to meet the challenges ahead of us.
Are you a fasting Christian or a Christian in need of fasting?
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Inform and Activate Your Public School Students
Here is some information from the United States Department of Education for the Students, Teachers, and Administrators of the Public Schools.
You can read it yourself at:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("ESEA") of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, requires the Secretary to issue guidance on constitutionally protected prayer in public elementary and secondary schools. In addition, Section 9524 requires that, as a condition of receiving ESEA funds, a local educational agency ("LEA") must certify in writing to its State educational agency ("SEA") that it has no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools as set forth in this guidance.
Students may pray when not engaged in school activities or instruction, subject to the same rules designed to prevent material disruption of the educational program that are applied to other privately initiated expressive activities. Among other things, students may read their Bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals, and pray or study religious materials with fellow students during recess, the lunch hour, or other noninstructional time to the same extent that they may engage in nonreligious activities. While school authorities may impose rules of order and pedagogical restrictions on student activities, they may not discriminate against student prayer or religious speech in applying such rules and restrictions.
Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and "see you at the pole" gatherings before school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities groups. Such groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other non-curricular groups, without discrimination because of the religious content of their expression.
However, where student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce their meetings—for example, by advertising in a student newspaper, making announcements on a student activities bulletin board or public address system, or handing out leaflets—school authorities may not discriminate against groups who meet to pray. School authorities may disclaim sponsorship of non-curricular groups and events, provided they administer such disclaimers in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.
Teachers may, however, take part in religious activities where the overall context makes clear that they are not participating in their official capacities. Before school or during lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other teachers for prayer or Bible study to the same extent that they may engage in other conversation or nonreligious activities. Similarly, teachers may participate in their personal capacities in privately sponsored baccalaureate ceremonies.
Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. Such home and classroom work should be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school. Thus, if a teacher's assignment involves writing a poem, the work of a student who submits a poem in the form of a prayer (for example, a psalm) should be judged on the basis of academic standards (such as literary quality) and neither penalized nor rewarded on account of its religious content.
Where student speakers are selected on the basis of genuinely neutral, evenhanded criteria and retain primary control over the content of their expression, that expression is not attributable to the school and therefore may not be restricted because of its religious (or anti-religious) content.
Is your school cooperating? Are you using the laws we have to exercise the Christianity you have?
If you need to enforce your rights I encourage you to contact the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) at:
http://www.aclj.org/
American Center for Law and JusticeP.O. Box 90555Washington, DC 20090-0555
Legal Helpline Phone: 757-226-2489Legal Helpline Fax: 757-226-2836
Radio call-in number: 1-800-684-3110 (from 12-12:30 PM EST/EDT.)
Now go out there and be the Christian the Public Schools need.
You can read it yourself at:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("ESEA") of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, requires the Secretary to issue guidance on constitutionally protected prayer in public elementary and secondary schools. In addition, Section 9524 requires that, as a condition of receiving ESEA funds, a local educational agency ("LEA") must certify in writing to its State educational agency ("SEA") that it has no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools as set forth in this guidance.
Students may pray when not engaged in school activities or instruction, subject to the same rules designed to prevent material disruption of the educational program that are applied to other privately initiated expressive activities. Among other things, students may read their Bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals, and pray or study religious materials with fellow students during recess, the lunch hour, or other noninstructional time to the same extent that they may engage in nonreligious activities. While school authorities may impose rules of order and pedagogical restrictions on student activities, they may not discriminate against student prayer or religious speech in applying such rules and restrictions.
Students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and "see you at the pole" gatherings before school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities groups. Such groups must be given the same access to school facilities for assembling as is given to other non-curricular groups, without discrimination because of the religious content of their expression.
However, where student groups that meet for nonreligious activities are permitted to advertise or announce their meetings—for example, by advertising in a student newspaper, making announcements on a student activities bulletin board or public address system, or handing out leaflets—school authorities may not discriminate against groups who meet to pray. School authorities may disclaim sponsorship of non-curricular groups and events, provided they administer such disclaimers in a manner that neither favors nor disfavors groups that meet to engage in prayer or religious speech.
Teachers may, however, take part in religious activities where the overall context makes clear that they are not participating in their official capacities. Before school or during lunch, for example, teachers may meet with other teachers for prayer or Bible study to the same extent that they may engage in other conversation or nonreligious activities. Similarly, teachers may participate in their personal capacities in privately sponsored baccalaureate ceremonies.
Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. Such home and classroom work should be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school. Thus, if a teacher's assignment involves writing a poem, the work of a student who submits a poem in the form of a prayer (for example, a psalm) should be judged on the basis of academic standards (such as literary quality) and neither penalized nor rewarded on account of its religious content.
Where student speakers are selected on the basis of genuinely neutral, evenhanded criteria and retain primary control over the content of their expression, that expression is not attributable to the school and therefore may not be restricted because of its religious (or anti-religious) content.
Is your school cooperating? Are you using the laws we have to exercise the Christianity you have?
If you need to enforce your rights I encourage you to contact the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) at:
http://www.aclj.org/
American Center for Law and JusticeP.O. Box 90555Washington, DC 20090-0555
Legal Helpline Phone: 757-226-2489Legal Helpline Fax: 757-226-2836
Radio call-in number: 1-800-684-3110 (from 12-12:30 PM EST/EDT.)
Now go out there and be the Christian the Public Schools need.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
NFL Throws Flag at Church Superbowl Party
The National Football League (NFL) has pulled the plug, not just on one church but on all churches using the Superbowl as a means to evangelize.
Get the story here:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6436876
and here
http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6959.article
According to my understanding, here’s the criteria:
1) Does your church plan to show the Superbowl (or any NFL game) on a TV screen, or a projected image, larger than 55 inches?
2) Any time during the program (during commercials, half-time, etc) will your church divert the attention of the attendees away from the televised program to a message of your own?
3) Will your church show the game on more than one source? (i.e. a TV and a Bigscreen)
4) Will your church be taking an offering or a collection of any kind at the event?
If your church party answers yes to any of the above questions then your church will be violating the NFL copyright law.
Here’s the exception:
Are you a sports bar?
If you are a bar or a tavern you have no restrictions like a church. You may charge for people entering your establishment (cover charge), someone may carry on a conversation about other things and divert your attention away from the game, they may present the game on more than one source, and they may have viewing sources larger than 55 inches.
If you want to do something about that here’s the contact information for the NFL commissioner:
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League Inc.
280 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10017
NY Tel. 212-450-2000
Fax 212-681-7599 or 212-681-7573
Here’s a little about the Commissioner:
This is from
http://www.answers.com/topic/roger-goodell
Roger Goodell was born on February 19 1959. He became the Commissioner of the National Football League on August 8, 2006. He began his tenure on September 1, 2006. Goodell was born in Jamestown, New York and is the son of former New York Senator Charles Goodell. The Goodell family moved to Bronxville, New York, in 1971, where Roger graduated from high school. Goodell is a 1981 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
Goodell is married to Fox News Channel anchor Jane Skinner and they have twin daughters. He has four brothers, among them are Tim, a member of the worldwide executive committee of international law firm White & Case; and Michael, long-time partner of Jack Kenny, creator of the short-lived NBC series The Book of Daniel. The Goodell family was the inspiration for the Webster family on the show.
Don’t like what the NFL is doing? Tell them.
Get the story here:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6436876
and here
http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6959.article
According to my understanding, here’s the criteria:
1) Does your church plan to show the Superbowl (or any NFL game) on a TV screen, or a projected image, larger than 55 inches?
2) Any time during the program (during commercials, half-time, etc) will your church divert the attention of the attendees away from the televised program to a message of your own?
3) Will your church show the game on more than one source? (i.e. a TV and a Bigscreen)
4) Will your church be taking an offering or a collection of any kind at the event?
If your church party answers yes to any of the above questions then your church will be violating the NFL copyright law.
Here’s the exception:
Are you a sports bar?
If you are a bar or a tavern you have no restrictions like a church. You may charge for people entering your establishment (cover charge), someone may carry on a conversation about other things and divert your attention away from the game, they may present the game on more than one source, and they may have viewing sources larger than 55 inches.
If you want to do something about that here’s the contact information for the NFL commissioner:
Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League Inc.
280 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10017
NY Tel. 212-450-2000
Fax 212-681-7599 or 212-681-7573
Here’s a little about the Commissioner:
This is from
http://www.answers.com/topic/roger-goodell
Roger Goodell was born on February 19 1959. He became the Commissioner of the National Football League on August 8, 2006. He began his tenure on September 1, 2006. Goodell was born in Jamestown, New York and is the son of former New York Senator Charles Goodell. The Goodell family moved to Bronxville, New York, in 1971, where Roger graduated from high school. Goodell is a 1981 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
Goodell is married to Fox News Channel anchor Jane Skinner and they have twin daughters. He has four brothers, among them are Tim, a member of the worldwide executive committee of international law firm White & Case; and Michael, long-time partner of Jack Kenny, creator of the short-lived NBC series The Book of Daniel. The Goodell family was the inspiration for the Webster family on the show.
Don’t like what the NFL is doing? Tell them.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Circles of Inclusion
When you read my last posting, you may feel I am encouraging unity at any price, but that is not what I said. Unity in the Christian body is important but there are times when you not only should divide but you must divide.
There are circles of fellowship that are built on a biblical model and there are those who are not in any of our circles. For example, within the twelve Jesus had the three but Jesus did not embrace the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The first circle of inclusion is to determine whether or not the person is a Christian. This is determined by how a person talks and walks.
A person can not be saved and deny the deity of Jesus Christ according to 1John 4:2-3.
Hereby you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1John 4:2-3
In addition, Jesus requires us to be “fruit inspectors” by determining the strength of the relationship based
upon the persons actions.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Matthew 7:15-20
A part of confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is recognizing the source from which we learn about Christ is authoritative. Accepting the Inerrancy of the Scriptures is key to embracing the Jesus Christ of the Scriptures.
If you do not accept the truth and reliability of the Scriptures, Jesus Christ may be redefined to mean another person than the God Incarnate, Word who became flesh, who is the only way to God the Father.
There are people today who are working at forming alliances between “Baptists.” They do so embracing other “Baptist” but overlooking the Word of God. Their common ground is not Scripture, or the Jesus Christ of Scripture, they wish to stand on the basis of their own preferences.
Here are some quotes from an article in the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/20/AR2007012001295.html
Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are leading an effort to forge dozens of small and medium-size, black and white Baptist organizations into a robust coalition that would serve as a counterweight to the conservative Southern Baptist Convention.
The new coalition, which is Carter's brainchild, would give moderate Baptists a stronger collective voice and could provide Democrats with greater entree into the Baptist community. But Carter and other organizers are trying to walk a fine line, insisting that the alliance is not directly political while touting its potential to recast the role of religion in the public square.
The covenant would not be not a new denomination but a coalition of four historically black Baptist churches -- including the 7.5-million-member National Baptist Convention USA and the 2.5-million-member Progressive National Baptist Convention -- and several predominantly white Baptist groups, including the 1.4-million-member American Baptist Churches USA and the 500,000-member Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Together, they have more than 20 million members, outnumbering the SBC, which was not invited to the Atlanta meeting.
Make no mistake about it, this coalition is not based upon Christ but upon a political cause. This cause is not scriptural; it is purely anti-SBC.
I have no doubt this new coalition will have some success in their political agenda – but only for now. Most of this coalition will still be here after the Christians are removed in the gathering, spoken of by Paul.
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. 1Thessalonians 4:16-17
I do not fear this new group; I do not embrace them or their cause either. I do, however, embrace all Southern Baptists who stand with me inside the circle of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
That document can be found here:
http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp
There are circles of fellowship that are built on a biblical model and there are those who are not in any of our circles. For example, within the twelve Jesus had the three but Jesus did not embrace the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The first circle of inclusion is to determine whether or not the person is a Christian. This is determined by how a person talks and walks.
A person can not be saved and deny the deity of Jesus Christ according to 1John 4:2-3.
Hereby you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1John 4:2-3
In addition, Jesus requires us to be “fruit inspectors” by determining the strength of the relationship based
upon the persons actions.Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them. Matthew 7:15-20
A part of confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is recognizing the source from which we learn about Christ is authoritative. Accepting the Inerrancy of the Scriptures is key to embracing the Jesus Christ of the Scriptures.
If you do not accept the truth and reliability of the Scriptures, Jesus Christ may be redefined to mean another person than the God Incarnate, Word who became flesh, who is the only way to God the Father.
There are people today who are working at forming alliances between “Baptists.” They do so embracing other “Baptist” but overlooking the Word of God. Their common ground is not Scripture, or the Jesus Christ of Scripture, they wish to stand on the basis of their own preferences.
Here are some quotes from an article in the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/20/AR2007012001295.html
Former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton are leading an effort to forge dozens of small and medium-size, black and white Baptist organizations into a robust coalition that would serve as a counterweight to the conservative Southern Baptist Convention.The new coalition, which is Carter's brainchild, would give moderate Baptists a stronger collective voice and could provide Democrats with greater entree into the Baptist community. But Carter and other organizers are trying to walk a fine line, insisting that the alliance is not directly political while touting its potential to recast the role of religion in the public square.
The covenant would not be not a new denomination but a coalition of four historically black Baptist churches -- including the 7.5-million-member National Baptist Convention USA and the 2.5-million-member Progressive National Baptist Convention -- and several predominantly white Baptist groups, including the 1.4-million-member American Baptist Churches USA and the 500,000-member Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Together, they have more than 20 million members, outnumbering the SBC, which was not invited to the Atlanta meeting.
Make no mistake about it, this coalition is not based upon Christ but upon a political cause. This cause is not scriptural; it is purely anti-SBC.
I have no doubt this new coalition will have some success in their political agenda – but only for now. Most of this coalition will still be here after the Christians are removed in the gathering, spoken of by Paul.
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. 1Thessalonians 4:16-17I do not fear this new group; I do not embrace them or their cause either. I do, however, embrace all Southern Baptists who stand with me inside the circle of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
That document can be found here:
http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
A Few Facts You Might Not Know.
Paul required Timothy to be circumcised before they worked together.
Acts 16:3
Paul called on the power of the Holy Ghost to strike Elymas with blindness and that was the event that immediately preceded John Mark leaving Paul.
Acts 13:7-13
Paul was so mad at John Mark for leaving that he would not permit him to go on his next missionary journey.
Acts 15:37-41
Paul believed it was necessary to shave his head and take a Jewish vow.
Acts 18:18
No one ever asked for John Mark to be removed from his apostleship.
No one ever asked for Paul to be removed from his apostleship.
Almost everyone knows Peter denied Christ and repented but few know that Peter liked to go fishing naked.
John 21:7
When Peter put on his clothes and swam to shore to meet Jesus, Jesus did not ask him why he was fishing naked.
The great preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, smoked a cigar.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
Spurgeon’s picture was also used on a card to advertise for the sale of tobacco.
Here’s what the card said: “When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and clam refreshing sleep obtained by a Cigar, I have felt grateful to God and have blessed His name.”
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
He also owned a slave named George.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
Many preachers who do not support the use of tobacco or owning slaves often quote Spurgeon.
I have never heard of anyone trying to kick out Spurgeon from the ranks of the Baptists. To the contrary, many in the ranks of Southern Baptists, especially Calvinists, embrace him as a spiritual father.
Acts 16:3
Paul called on the power of the Holy Ghost to strike Elymas with blindness and that was the event that immediately preceded John Mark leaving Paul.
Acts 13:7-13
Paul was so mad at John Mark for leaving that he would not permit him to go on his next missionary journey.
Acts 15:37-41
Paul believed it was necessary to shave his head and take a Jewish vow.
Acts 18:18
No one ever asked for John Mark to be removed from his apostleship.
No one ever asked for Paul to be removed from his apostleship.
Almost everyone knows Peter denied Christ and repented but few know that Peter liked to go fishing naked.
John 21:7
When Peter put on his clothes and swam to shore to meet Jesus, Jesus did not ask him why he was fishing naked.
The great preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, smoked a cigar.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
Spurgeon’s picture was also used on a card to advertise for the sale of tobacco.
Here’s what the card said: “When I have found intense pain relieved, a weary brain soothed, and clam refreshing sleep obtained by a Cigar, I have felt grateful to God and have blessed His name.”
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
He also owned a slave named George.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
Many preachers who do not support the use of tobacco or owning slaves often quote Spurgeon.
I have never heard of anyone trying to kick out Spurgeon from the ranks of the Baptists. To the contrary, many in the ranks of Southern Baptists, especially Calvinists, embrace him as a spiritual father.
The Reverend Elijah Craig, (1738-1808) a Baptist pastor from Kentucky, not only founded Georgetown College and built the first fulling mill and paper mill in Kentucky, drank whisky. Not only did he drink it but he was one of the original distillers credited with the creation of Bourbon Whisky from moonshine.
http://www.straightbourbon.com/articles/ccname.html
When Elijah Craig’s life was described in Cathcart’s Baptist Encyclopedia not one word about alcohol was mentioned.
http://www.21tnt.com/biographies.htm#CraigE
There were no Baptists trying to remove Elijah Craig from his pastorate for making, selling, and drinking Bourbon Whisky.
Charles Stanley was divorced in 2000 and yet is still the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA
http://www.fba.org/
Charles Stanley is still listed as a pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention.
http://www.sbc.net/ministersearch/pastordetail.asp?pid=MTgyMDgy
Anyone can see God still using Charles Stanley to do a mighty work. God is using his son, Andy, to reach many people today also.
As you can see by the articles on my blog, I do not support smoking, drinking, divorce, and many other issues. I am not ashamed to say I am a conservative, fundamental, Southern Baptist.
I also understand that God has used, and continues to use, imperfect people. Just look at some of the people God used in the past – Rahab (a prostitute), Samson (a whoremonger), Paul (a legalist who called himself the chief of sinners), Peter (a denier who enjoyed fishing naked), and even you and me (a sinner).
Our Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is a good place to stand together as Baptists. It is not a creed, but a quoting of the fundamental doctrines found in Scripture. We must not be silent about sin, but let us follow the example given to us by Jesus in Mark 9. After the children were placed on Jesus’ lap, John makes an important statement:
“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he does not follow us: and we forbad him, because he does not follow us.” Mark 9:38
John was upset that there was someone doing the work of God another way. This person did not eat the same food as John. This person did not walk the same way, or talk the same way. John saw this person in competition to their ministry.
Jesus quickly corrected his concerns:
“But Jesus said, Do not forbid him: for there is no man which will do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.” Mark 9:39-40
I believe the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is a great statement of truths found in the Bible. I believe they are not to be used as a creed to divide us, but are a summary of the great doctrines of the Scripture which should unite us.
Someone does not have to be exactly like me for me to accept them as a brother in Christ. If we continue in the direction we are currently going, we will one day have a banquet where everyone attending will be sitting at a separate table because we can't get along.
Let’s make 2007 a year of unity within our Southern Baptist Convention.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Unity without Uniformity
Imagine being back in time just prior to World War II. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the nation is outraged. West coast states form their own armies and start attacking the Japanese. The east coast states start attacking Germany. The Mississippi Valley states attack Italy. Florida attacks Cuba. Texas attacks North Africa.
Would we have won the war? Would we even have a chance?
We won the war because we fought a unified battle. Every state had to overlook the issues that were separating them and come together for a greater good.
Jesus told us:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
These are our marching orders and Jesus made it clear that unity is our method.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23
Does this mean we overlook sin in the camp? Are we suppose to embrace sin? In no way. God calls us to holiness.
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1Peter 1:14-16
We also have the obligation to correct an erring brother:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5
This correction has a process:
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15 - 17
Paul gives us additional instructions:
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1Corinthians 5:9-13
As we face a new year we must be careful to do all things decently and in order. We must love the brethren. We are to do good – especially to the household of faith.
We must be careful to have our facts straight before bringing an accusation against the leadership of a church or of our convention.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1Timothy 5:17-20
If our leadership rules well – we need to compensate them well (and get out of their way, let them lead, and support them.)
If our leadership sins – we need to bring the witnesses and address the sin. The sin is addressed to correct the relationship and restore the fellowship. If the sin disqualifies the person from keeping their present position, replace them.
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2Thessalonians 3:14 -15
In the next few years we will be addressing the issues of:
Social Drinking, Speaking in Tongues, Tobacco, Gambling, Freemasons, House Churches, Saddleback, Elder Leadership, and even styles of music.
As you consider making resolutions and motions in our upcoming state and national conventions remember: what you propose will either unite us in the battle, or will divide and defeat us. Be very careful how you word your proposal and the intent of your action.
Ben Franklin said:
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/quotable/quote71.htm
As Ed Young preached at the SBC Pastor’s conference: We must not get off onto side streets.
Would we have won the war? Would we even have a chance?
We won the war because we fought a unified battle. Every state had to overlook the issues that were separating them and come together for a greater good.
Jesus told us:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
These are our marching orders and Jesus made it clear that unity is our method.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John 17:20-23
Does this mean we overlook sin in the camp? Are we suppose to embrace sin? In no way. God calls us to holiness.
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1Peter 1:14-16
We also have the obligation to correct an erring brother:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5
This correction has a process:
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15 - 17
Paul gives us additional instructions:
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1Corinthians 5:9-13
As we face a new year we must be careful to do all things decently and in order. We must love the brethren. We are to do good – especially to the household of faith.
We must be careful to have our facts straight before bringing an accusation against the leadership of a church or of our convention.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1Timothy 5:17-20
If our leadership rules well – we need to compensate them well (and get out of their way, let them lead, and support them.)
If our leadership sins – we need to bring the witnesses and address the sin. The sin is addressed to correct the relationship and restore the fellowship. If the sin disqualifies the person from keeping their present position, replace them.
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2Thessalonians 3:14 -15
In the next few years we will be addressing the issues of:
Social Drinking, Speaking in Tongues, Tobacco, Gambling, Freemasons, House Churches, Saddleback, Elder Leadership, and even styles of music.
As you consider making resolutions and motions in our upcoming state and national conventions remember: what you propose will either unite us in the battle, or will divide and defeat us. Be very careful how you word your proposal and the intent of your action.
Ben Franklin said:
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/quotable/quote71.htm
As Ed Young preached at the SBC Pastor’s conference: We must not get off onto side streets.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
My Bible passage for this year is:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus saith the LORD,
Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man
glory in his might,
let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment,
and righteousness,
in the earth:
for in these things I delight,
saith the LORD.”
May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him better,
May your worship cause God to delight,
And this year may you be a cleaner vessel than ever before.
Let’s get ready for Heaven in 2007!
Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus saith the LORD,
Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man
glory in his might,
let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the LORD
which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment,
and righteousness,
in the earth:
for in these things I delight,
saith the LORD.”
May God richly bless you as you seek to know Him better,
May your worship cause God to delight,
And this year may you be a cleaner vessel than ever before.
Let’s get ready for Heaven in 2007!
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