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Christ is God in Scripture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:13:00 +0000

Our detractor states: "Jesus never claimed to be God-He never actually said "I am God".

On the contrary. Jesus is co-equal with God. This is the consistent teaching of the whole bible, especially the New Testament. Though not every statement is expressed with equal explicitness, every statement bearing on the nature of Christ proves He is full Deity & humanity in one person, without contradiction. The various names and titles of Jesus are unequivocal of his full Deity.

Just a few verses will bear this out:

Micah 5:2, King James Version But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting

Vs. 2b, New American Standard Bible His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another...

Isaiah 48:11c I will not yield my glory to another.

John 17:5 [Jesus prayed] And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom

John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 5:22-23 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Ezekiel 34:31 You my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are people, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD.

John 10:14 I [Jesus] am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

Hebrews 13:20 ...our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep...

Romans 9:5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Now that you know Jesus is clearly called God in many ways throughout Scripture...what will you do with that knowledge?

Series on Genesis At Pyromaniacs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:58:00 +0000

Because it's such an excellent series, I need to link to John MacArthur's & Phil Johnson's stuff at Pyromaniacs. In essense, Genesis One is truth. It shows God's existence, & his Creation of the universe as supernatural acts, and Christians who compromise on the literal meaning of Genesis as a historical narrative are undermining the text as well as Christian orthodoxy on original sin and soteriology.

http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2010/06/humanistic-religion-and-origin-of-life.html It begins here, with follow ups at Phil's blog. READ IT!

The Real Cause of Starvation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:05:00 +0000

As I was reading the Proverbs, I came across one of the truest statements in the bible.

"The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice." Proverbs 13:23

Consider the problem of poverty and starvation in Africa, particularly Ethiopia. There are many natural resources that could build the infrastructure of these countries, and stabilize them. The quest for power and control of rich resources like the Nile River have created political injustice.

When resources are sent to help the poor and starving, often some or all of it is stolen by regional warlords who stockpile the goods for their troops.

The solution is right there in the very rich lands that God has ordained in places like Africa, but evil prevails, and injustice prevents the people from having enough basic goods. It's a sad reality.

We must realize that as Chrsitians we need to continue to have compassion on our neighbours. We cannot solve or rid the world of it's evil, but we can give the Gospel with compassion, and offer our worldly goods to help. This is no social gospel. It's love for our neighbour.

What Hinders Our Prayers?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:10:00 +0000

Unconfessed Sin
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:18

Rebellion Against God
Pro 28:9: "He that turneth his ears from hearing the law even his prayer shall be an abomination".

Lack of Faith
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:5-8

Unforgiveness
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" Matthew 6:15

Dishonoring Your Wife
"You husbands likewise, live with our wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered."(1 Peter 3:7)

Impure Motives
James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

See also D.L. Moody's book, Prevailing Prayer, What Hinders It? There is a Google(C) scan of the book
at Sermon Depository here.

Bach - Matthaeus Passion - 01

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:58:00 +0000

A classic piece. This sure beats the "campfire" music of worship bands in most Evangelical churches. This music elevates the senses to a grandeur lacking in most worship. Enjoy!

Satan's Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:03:00 +0000

I posted this as a comment at another blog, but I thought it would make for a quick post given my time limits.

Satan tested Jesus in the wilderness. Satan also tests those who follow Jesus. The Bible likens the Evil One to a roaring lion who roams the earth looking for prey. And here are some opportunities to definitely avoid so as not to give the devil opportunity to work. Satan's opportune moments come:

1. when you are not in the right place where you should be.
   2 Samuel 11:1-2; Proverbs 1:8-19

2. when you're anger is unresolved.
    Epesians 4:26-27

3. when you are physically weary.
     Matthew 26:41

4. when you are locked in some secret sin.
    John 13:27

5. when you're pride is ripe.
    Proverbs 16:18

6. when you are fliritng with temptation.
     Matthew 6:13

There are many other opportunities to be sure. Let's watch and pray until the devil is put under our feet.

When The Preacher is Not That Great

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:40:00 +0000

This is an older post from Steve Burchette, of Christian Communicators Worldwide. He makes a few good points about how to handle the situation of a less- than- stellar preacher, or like he says it..."When Your Preacher Is NOT John Piper". Good reading.

For First Time Preachers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:54:00 +0000

I've had the opportunity to speak in my church, and to do some public preaching. It's not something that comes naturally to most of us. I recall the first time I spoke to a particular group in my my church. It was a ministry to people on the street or who had basic needs. I was asked to speak about "The Cross". I didn't exactly prepare for that topic, but I did come with a topic I called "The Hope of the Resurrection".

As I spoke about the resurrection, I mentioned that because of sin our bodies suffer from disease and death. It's a consequence of the Fall. After my sermon, I was approached by a couple of angry listeners! They accused me of saying that sick people are sinful, as if sickness were a sign of personal sin. They "heard me" wrong. I tried to reason with them, but they left as unsatisfied customers.

Later, I got a letter from the group leadership. Actually, it was a list of standards for speakers in the church. I don't have a copy of it now, but it listed some basic points of protocol for what is acceptable and not while speaking to a group from the Bible. Well, seems they got a few complaints about me.

And so it is that I learned the hard way that you need to use your words very carefully, because people can hear you a certain way, and misquote you. I recall too that a pastor once told me, young preachers like to show off all that they know.

So, don't show off, and speak carefully. Self-evident ?....yes! But always good reminders.

"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit" (Proverbs 17:27)

Famous Atheist Refutes His Own

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:53:00 +0000

Here is Atheist Isaac Asimov on the use of the word "unicorn" in the King James Version. From his Asimov's Guide to the Bible pp. 186-187 Vol. 1, 1968 :
Atheists who want accuse the Bible of teaching mythology at this point have no support from the one time President of the American Humanist Association. If an atheist or other critic of biblical inerrancy would be honest with the facts, they could see that they have no two legs to stand on polemically. Also, I'm not saying that just because Asimov wrote this, that it must be true. Only that today's critics would be well served to be honest and careful with the evidence as Asimov was, and so acknowledge the truth.

"The Hebrew word represented in the King James Version by “unicorn” is re’em, which undoubtedly refers to the wild ox (urus or aurochs) ancestral to the domesticated cattle of today. The re’em still flourished in early historical times and a few existed into modern times, although it is now extinct. It was a dangerous creature of great strength and was similar in form and temperament to the Asian buffaloes.The Revised Standard Version translates re’em as “wild ox.” The verse in Numbers is translated as “they have as it were the horns of the wild ox,” while the one in Job is translated “Is the wild ox willing to serve you?” The Anchor Bible translates the verse in Job as “Will the buffalo deign to serve you?”

The wild ox was a favorite prey of the hunt-loving Assyrian monarchs (the animal was called rumu in Assyrian, essentially the same word as re’em) and was displayed in their large bas-reliefs. Here the wild ox was invariably shown in profile and only one horn was visible. One can well imagine that the animal represented in this fashion would come to be called “one-horn” as a familiar nickname, much as we might refer to “longhorns” in speaking of a certain breed of cattle.
As the animal itself grew less common under the pressure of increasing human population and the depredations of the hunt, it might come to be forgotten that there was a second horn hidden behind the first in the sculptures and “one-horn” might come to be considered a literal description of the animal.
When the first Greek translation of the Bible was prepared about 250 B.C., the animal was already rare in the long-settled areas of the Near East and the Greeks, who had no direct experience with it, had no word for it. They used a translation of “one-horn” instead and it became monokeros. In Latin and in English it became the Latin word for “one-horn”; that is, “unicorn.”
The Biblical writers could scarcely have had the intention of implying that the wild ox literally had one horn. There is one Biblical quotation, in fact, that clearly contradicts that notion. In the Book of Deuteronomy [33:17—BT], when Moses is giving his final blessing to each tribe, he speaks of the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) as follows: “His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns....”
Here the word is placed in the plural since the thought of a “one-horn’s” single horn seems to make the phrase “horns of a unicorn” self-contradictory. Still, the original Hebrew has the word in the singular so that we must speak of the “horns of a unicorn,” which makes it clear that a unicorn has more than one horn."

The Power of Reasoning From the Scriptures

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:28:00 +0000

I've become more convinced that speaking to people about Christ is a testimony, and not a dissertation on theology. You might know what I mean. Someone begins a conversation about Christ or something related, and before you know it, you're discussing whether the mind exists in reality, or whether science is the ultimate truth, or such other things.

The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. The Apostles preached this Gospel with power. They weren't philosophers for Christ. They weren't one of the Athenian elites. They just preached a crucified & resurrected Jesus. They were witnesses of the risen Lord Jesus. But it was simple enough....the Scriptures of the Prophets spoke of a suffering Servant who would rise again from death, and they and others saw this. It was really "according to the Scriptures", that Paul and others spoke the Gospel.

So next time some eager soul, wrings his hands, ready to shut you down with a sly argument...cut to the matter and say something like,"Yea, but you're still a sinner, in need of the forgiveness of God, which is in Jesus, because He alone died for sinners, and rose again, with the result that this Jesus is going to judge the whole world...Now it's time to repent & trust in the Name of Jesus for your salvation". And see the power of the Gospel work in confounding the "wisdom" of this world and give life to a dead soul.

Brothers, We Are Sinners

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:35:00 +0000

It's no surprise that the philosophies and religions of the world are offended at the notion of calling people "sinners", in the true sense of that word. Man-made traditions have a too high opinion of the human condition. That's why they don't have the solution to our common problem; it's just not found in man-made traditions, it can't be "found" at all, it's a matter of revelation from God, who alone truly knows what is in a man's heart.

Not everybody who professes Christ acts like they understand these things. I've been around believers with whom I've shared a little of my sinful past as part of a testimony. I mean, I am what the Bible says I was..."by nature a child[ren] of wrath", a "sinner", "wicked". I mean, yes, I'm also a "saint", a "son" by God's adoption, because of Christ. I have no merit of my own- only what He did for me. However, when past sins are mentioned, to demonstrate what I once was, what Jesus suffered to save me from, people in the church act like I slurped a tea cup of Darjeeling and wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my shirt. They're offended! I think a lot of these types grew up in and had the benefit of a Christian upbringing-and good for them. Nothing wrong with that. However, not everybody has.

I suppose nobody needs the gory details of the past. There's a "forgetting" of past things, and a "pressing on towards the high calling of God", and thankfully we can do that. Also, some things are too offensive to mention and I never would. Barring that,why do some church people act like there's a leper in the room if I talk about what I was once, before Jesus saved me. It's as if Jesus only came to save the righteous or Church is only for the "ceremonially clean", an elite of moralistic, upright Evangelicals who disdain any talk of what Christ saved us from, i.e. real sins, real wickedness.

Our sanitized testimonies are soulless and unimpressive.We've (some of us) imported the false evaluation of human nature I mentioned in the beginning, into our mentality. I've found that there's an unwritten rule in the churches that you don't say too much about whether you were a fornicator, an adulterer, a murderer, or anything else that God actually justifies us from. See, that would be too shocking to our sensibilities and we're apparently too holy to hear about real sins, real lives, and what the true power of God's forgiveness in Christ. Why the shock? Our most revered biblical heroes were the worst offenders. Noah built an ark by faith. But his story ends in a drunken, incestuous scandal. Yet we remember him as a "preacher of righteousness". David the King...after God's heart, but a conniving murderer and adulterer. Why don't these church regurgitate their Sunday brunch when they hear these stories? Are the sins of saints past any more "acceptable" because they made their way into the biblical cannon? Is Moses' manslaughter or Paul's persecution more elevated since they are mentioned by inspiration of God? No. These people are of the same flesh and blood Adamic line as we are. They sinned and their sins are just as heinous to God.

Brothers, God is going to cast away false, hypocritical, adulterous, lying, murderous, professing Christians. He's got a Lake of Fire reserved for the condemned, for all time. He appointed the death and spilling of rivers of blood of sacrifices for thousands of years until the Messiah, his perfect, sinless, Son, had his body nailed to a crucifix, for our sins. He died for our fornication and lust, and adultery, and murder, and gossip, and a thousand other sins. Real, black, vile, repugnant sins Jesus willing took on Himself, in fact he was made SUCH so that we might be God's righteousness in Him.

Let's not pretend anymore. It insults Jesus who condescended to our level for our sins without sinning himself. We're not righteous people. We're not to think of ourselves as better than anyone else. The message of salvation is joyful, but only because of the wretchedness and vileness of our sins. We need to hear the whole Gospel.

Let's begin here: Nothing good is in us of ourselves. We are sinners vile. Christ died for us while we were vile sinners. And because of that we can talk all we want about His righteousness in us.

Amen

Spurgeon on Street Preaching

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:26:00 +0000

In my limited time preaching on the streets, I learned quickly that there are different styles of preaching. The street is not a place of academic debate. It's the place to be heard and to make the Gospel clear. this is definitely the place where the soul who stands and proclaims the message of Christ must hate his own life and lose it for the sake of the Gospel.

Charles Spurgeon had something to say about public proclamation too.

http://www.spurgeon.org/s_and_t/strprch.htm

The New Covenant & Israel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:51:00 +0000

The New Covenant

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Here is stated God's promise to form a new covenant with Israel. The Church is not in view here. We would no more say that God made the new covenant with the church in this passage than we would say that God gave the LAW of Moses to the Church at Mount Sinai. Clearly the Lord is addressing the people who have violated the Law and are in danger of coming judgment. I want to exegete the features of this covenant to see what God has promised the nation, and what is involved in the new covenant.

First, it is a Jewish covenant. As stated above, Gentiles are not here spoken of. The object of the covenant is the "house of Israel and the house of Judah". The kingdom was still divided. This cannot be the church. It cannot be Gentile. Sounds Jewish to me.

2. The covenant was still future. God did not institute it at the time it was spoken, but only spoke of it's impending replacement of the old covenant.

3. That brings me to the next point. The new covenant will be new in that it will not be like the Sinai Covenant. Israel broke that covenant. The blessings of it are conditioned on the obedience of the people, and it's clear they had violated from the start. The new covenant will be characterized by dissimilarity and discontinuity with the old covenant. Like a wayward wife, Israel was unfaithful to God, characterized by spiritual idolatry of the pagans around her and the breaking of her Sabbaths.

4. The New Covenant will bring the law into their hearts. This is in contrast to the old covenant written by the finger of God on stone tablets.(Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 4:13)

5. Israel will be God's people. They will all know the Lord. There won't be any ignorance of God or spiritual separation. Israel will fulfill her true role as the elect nation, because of the spiritual work of God in their hearts.

6. The covenant is unilateral. God alone will fulfill the terms of the Covenant. There is no mention of any duty on the part of the people to fulfill the terms.

7. Similar to #6, the New Covenant is unconditional. Since God alone will act to perform the terms of the covenant, it's blessings come on the basis of His promises, it doesn't depend on Israel's obedience.

8. The law will be fulfilled by God putting it into people's heart. This will be based on the forgiveness of their sins, never again to be counted against them. Already we see the aspects of justification and regeneration promised in this covenant.

9. The promises of the new Covenant are comprehensive. They are all-encompassing to the people of Israel. Words like "no longer", "all" and "no more" are applied to the nation collectively. This speaks to the total blessing of all of God's remnant people.

From the least to the greatest, Israel will finally walk with God. All shall know him. This hasn't happened yet. There is still a future fulfillment of these things. Though it has begun already. And that will be for a another post.

The Gospel is Essential

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:30:00 +0000

I have heard some of the most exquisite theories about what humanity’s problem is, and what the hope for that problem involves. The world is looking for a solution because it’s undeniable that we all live in a state of chaos and trouble. Solutions abound from the divinization of the soul through evolutionary spirituality to the nihilistic termination of the soul, which says “from dust we came, and dust we will always remain”. The latter seems hesitantly committed to the void of transcendent meaning of life. I say hesitantly because it seems against nature to live meaningfully here and now, while pressing on to a state of cold existence, with nothing beyond. In this, it’s clear that people are blind to their own essential problem and the essential answer to that problem. The Word of God pierces the darkness of our mortal ignorance. We are sinners. It is that simple, definite, proposition that is the beginning of the solution to our spiritual death. It’s the only right judgement of our nature, and rightly understood it should bring us to our knees in utter helplessness to change by our own ingenuity. The Gospel is the power of God to save those who believe.

In the Gospel, we have the forgiveness of sins, the power of new life, and a reconciliation to God, where once there was only enmity and condemnation. Christ is our resurrection. Because he overcame the power of death, we can live forever in immortal bodies, that will never get sick or decay. Christ’s victory is the assurance now that the graves and tombs of the earth will eventually be emptied, and never used again. Because Jesus bore our sins, their is a cleansing, a purifying of the conscience of culpable souls, who live with condemnation. Not only is there a taking away of sins from our account against us before the Lord our Judge, but also a gift, an amazing grace of an “alien righteousness”, a perfect righteousness that is given freely to us who believe. We also die to sin. Our relationship to our old nature and old identity is changed in Christ.

Who can accomplish these things? None of us. We have , as it were, tried by every means in our own power to re-enter the original Paradise to “know good and evil” and to be like God. We have tried to achieve this supremacy in our lives, by trying to connect with secrets of the universe through mysticism, or determine our own lives as if we are gods. And these efforts are a total failure. In fact, the very best of human endevour and the very highest of human morality, the most sophisticated of human culture, the wisest of man’s learning, and the hight of human power in this world is absolute foolishness and abomination in the sight of God. What displays the glory and wisdom of God is the accomplishment of redemption from sin and death at the Cross of Jesus. A Messiah whose body was bloody and beaten and nailed to a Roman cross, who became a curse for us is essential, not just optional, if we would find salvation from our sin, and the regeneration of all things in the kingdom to come.

” And now God commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day when he will judge all people by that Man whom He has appointed, even Jesus”

What Hinders Your Obedience?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 May 2010 23:37:00 +0000

One important word occurs in the account of the calling of the disciples at the start of Jesus' ministry. I think it's the key to discipleship because it sets the right attitude for our response to the Word of God.

Mark 1:16-20:

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Do thou likewise, and thou shalt be blessed.

Evangelical Errors

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 May 2010 02:06:00 +0000

The peace of God is one of the supposed indicators of being in God's will. How often have you been told: "Pray about your situation, and when you sense God's peace in your heart, then you'll know it's God's will."?
The Scripture which is used is Colossians 3:15...

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

The problem is-this is not talking about a subjective, inner feeling of tranquility about a decision. The apostle wrote that this is a definite kind of peace-the peace of Christ. And it's this definite, particular objective peace that is from Christ ,that we are "called" to. And we have to allow it to rule constantly, it's not just a peace that is on demand when we need to make some important choices. This is the peace that Christ brought to Jews and Gentiles by His Cross. That sacrifice took away the dividing line of the law that separated Jews from Gentiles. And Christ made peace by his shed blood, first between His Father and men, and then between men.

Devotional Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:30:00 +0000

With so many Christian blogs about polemic type themes, it's refreshing to see this new blog called Devotional Christian HERE.

Be blessed as you read their insightful thoughts on God and the life of faith.

Amen

Shroud of Turin And the Resurrection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:23:00 +0000

This report came out about an Italian scientist who supposedly reproduced a shroud similar to the famous artifact known as the Shroud of Turin. The article is here.

Curiously the project was funded by atheists and agnostics, but this proves little other than that such projects are frequently funded by such people. The most important thing to take away from this story is this: The Christian faith is based on the biblical facts of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth & nothing else. It does nothing to shake my faith if it was proved that the Shroud of Turin is in fact a medieval hoax. In fact, given the propensity of so many superstitious people, and Christians who need such affirmation to give them confidence, it would be good riddance if the Shroud was all but put away for good.

I don't need a controversial Shroud to bolster my belief in Christ. The Gospel that the Apostles preached was that Christ died and was buried "according to the Scriptures". It is the Word of God, which is God-breathed, inerrant, and a living power that convinces me of the fact of the Resurrection and gives me hope in Christ.

Providential Opportunities To Speak of Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:41:00 +0000

I had two very good opportunities today to witness to the grace of God in the Gospel. My first witness was to my Muslim co-worker. And the second witness was to a Roman Catholic turned Jehovah's Witness.

The Muslim actually approached me to ask good questions about Jesus. What piqued her interest was that I had previously asked her about her fasting during Ramadan. I wanted to press upon her that fasting does not make us more acceptable to God. Well, this time she came at me with some probing questions about who I think Jesus is, how could Jesus die on the cross if he is God, how could Jesus be God's Son, etc. I answered as clearly as I could, giving her Biblical reasons as to why I believe in Jesus Christ. I look forward to bringing her a literature resource for her further inquiry, and God willing, she may come to see the error of Islam, and the futility of relying on religious duty to be saved from sin and death.

My other encounter happened while I was out walking my baby girl in the stroller. A man probably in his late 40s was holding familiar looking tracts. He spotted me passing by and asked me if I wanted to learn more about life on a "Paradise Earth". My immediate response to the Jehovah's Witnesses is usually "I know the Lord already". And from there I proceed to ask them about Jesus and who he is to them.

I pressed this man with regard to the fact that the honors, attributes, names, deeds and seat of authority of Jehovah in the Old Testament are applied directly to Jesus in the New Testament. At this time, the verse that came immediately to mind was the Great Commission in Matthew's Gospel account. Matthew 28:19 "...make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...". I asked him what the name of the Father was. He replied "Jehovah". "OK, so if The Father is Jehovah, and we are to do this also in the name (singular) of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, what does that make Jesus?" It seemed obvious to me that the singular name of God was equally distributed or attributed to the Son and also to the Spirit. And while the J.W. could read this in black and white in his own "New World Translation" bible, he was clearly not able or willing to "see" the truth of it.

We went on about other aspects of Jesus' Deity, but he just kept denying it. I asked him if he had assurance of salvation. But such precious assurance was lacking in his cult's false belief system. It was clear that he wasn't trusting in Jesus alone for eternal life, because false Christs NEVER give true assurance of salvation based upon the finished propitiation of the Lamb of God, and His PERFECT sacrifice in the stead of his people. I new I had made my case, but it was God's work to open this man's heart to believe. We went our separate ways, and I hope that he will take my advice and question what the Watchtower Society tells him.

I did see the need for my own better preparation for my next God ordained appointments for witnessing. I love to read blog articles, and theology books. I love to watch YouTube videos and listen to MP3 debates and sermons. However, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for the personal, focused, consistent reading, memorization, and study of the sacred Scriptures. It's when we are strong in the Word that we can be effect evangelists and apologists, because we are able to use the Word in a timely and effective way to persuade our hearers.

Biblical Christianity: "Marriage is not really about happiness"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:56:00 +0000

Biblical Christianity: "Marriage is not really about happiness"

This is a really excellent article, and one which I think a lot of people will find encouraging. It's linked from Dan Phillips over at Biblical Christianity, also one of the Pyromaniacs bloggers. As you read it remember that Dan is not merely saying that we should AVOID divorce. The Covanent of marriage should compel you to acts of love.
Love your stuff, Bro. Dan!

Amen

Two New Covenants? Dispensational Distortion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:41:00 +0000

Dispensationalism is known for it's Israel/Chruch dichotomy. Israel and the Church are distinct entities, and never the twain shall meet. While one enjoys an earthly destiny, and the other a heavenly one, such extreme compartmentalization has been modified a little in the '50s and onward among Dispensational adherents.

However, Jeremiah's New Covenant promise has come to be applied to Israel exclusively, so that what the Church now enjoys is not that New covenant but "a" new covenant based on different promises to the Body of Christ alone. While more modern Dispensationalists eschewed the old hyper divisions between Israel and the church, this two covenant theory is basically consistent hyper dispensationalism.

The proper view is that Jesus did introduce and activate Jeremiah's New Covenant with Israel in inaugural form. The first people to enjoy this Covenant's blessings were entirely Jewish people. Christ, the Testator of the New Covenant, by his death, inaugurated a change in the priesthood, rendered the Old Covenant economy obsolete, and began a new dispensation in the outworking of God's plan of redemption. Hebrews 8:13 " In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete". This is after quoting Jeremiah 31:31-34.

This New Covenant is presently being mediated by Christ to both Jewish and Gentile believers in the Church. It will come to fullness in the Millenium when all Israel knows the LORD, and is regenerated with the law internalized by grace.

Worldly "Righteousness"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:23:00 +0000

A good insight came to me during the Pastor's sermon. We were in Philippians 3:9 " not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ..". The point was made that people are looking for righteousness. They have a kind of righteousness, like in Hollywood movies where there are often righteous themes. These themes can be about justice, love, enduring family values, "the triumph of the human spirit", etc, but it's NOT God's righteousness, so it's an abomination before God.

The world doesn't know God's righteousness. Yet it's pursuit of righteous themes, demonstrates the image of God in all, and the natural moral law prewritten on the human soul. Even in their denial of God's righteousness, they in fact show it's existence. In fact, world rebellion against God is actually a form of worldly righteousness, in that, the world revels in it's hatred of the Biblical LORD, as though it was actually a tolerant, equitable, enlightened attitude. Yet it's full of darkness. After all, the world's righteousness is SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. And that leads to what Paul called RUBBISH ( Philippians 3:8)

God Exists: A Biblical Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:05:00 +0000

God exists. The atheist who denies this is foolish because he denies what is self-evident through the means of creation, and conscience, and ultimately through the Word of God and The Son of God, Jesus. Acts 17:22-32; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 14:1
God exists ,therefore, nature, which has a beginning, was created by God’s Word, and is sustained by His sovereign power. God’s purposefulness and wisdom, eternal power and other attributes are clearly evident in the created order of the universe. Just as every building has a builder, therefore the building shows it’s designer’s planned detail, and it’s construction workers’ effort and work in all of it’s structure. It’s obvious that the building is not there by random, blind “chance,” and that the materials of it did not assemble themselves so intricately . Genesis 1:1-2:24

God causes the heavenly bodies to orbit along precise paths in space, to turn on their axes, and to be placed just precisely so that Earth experiences Sun and moon phases at precise times. His wisdom made mankind male and female and endowed us with superbly complex bodies that do wonderful things. Our genetic information is held in intricate chemical information systems called DNA. Our cells contain components that are literally engineered systems that work as biological machines with great precision and staggering complexity. Only God knows how to create this marvel of nature! His handiwork is displayed in the billions of stars that move in space, whose light our biological super-computer like eyes and brains detect from millions of light years away, and our God given tongues give praise to and awe in the Creator, who our inner soul just knows , made it all by his power, and for his Glory. God exists.

God’s law is evident to all people. God made mankind with the knowledge of right and wrong. Only God is perfect, and his nature is righteous and pure. He determines what is right, because He is righteous. We all have fallen short of the law of God. And because God is good, He will judge all people on day. Apart from God, there would be no moral law. While many people deny God, they do so by rejecting the plain truth that there is a God, and the conscience accuses them, which they suppress. Since the law of God has been broken by all, all are condemned by God, for how else can evil be judged, and eternal justice be meted out perfectly? Only the one, true Holy God and Judge of all can judge perfectly. So a changing of the heart is needed to see the God who judges all hearts as wicked.
Finally, but most importantly…God has spoken by specially chosen individuals called prophets, and apostles. These men were chosen to hear the Voice of the Creator, and to reveal His specific revelation of his Being, and His works. Their writings, which are God-breathed or inspired divinely, are in the Scriptures. These Scriptures promise salvation from sin and death, through the Mediatorship of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the revealer of God. Jesus Himself revealed his heavenly Father, and spoke from His Father what the truth is. God sent His Son to be the Saviour of those who believe in God. Jesus fulfilled the prophetic words of the Scriptures in his birth, life, death for sins, and glorious resurrection. His rising up from the dead, in his tomb is greatest sign that He is the Son of God, and the true Lord who saves people from their sins, and from death,and the coming Judgment, and to be reconciled to the God who is. John 3:16-20;Hebrews 1:1-13

Amen

A Promise For The New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Philippians 4:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)

11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

God gives us the abilities and the power to do His will in every circumstance, no matter how bad or good the situation. This new year, I take hold of this promise. As 2008 taught us, we have no control over the circumstances, ultimately. How we cope with anything is the important thing. I'm glad that God has given us this "precious" promise, because what we never stop needing is strength. We need it just to get up in the morning. We don't know what 2009 will bring to our world. But we know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him.

Also, I would like to address those, who may read this who don't know the God who controls the world. Perhaps you think that it doesn't matter what you believe about God or think that things will always be the way they are. But this is not so.

God will bring everything into judgement when he sends His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to judge this world for all it's evil. The tumults in the world, it's wars, famines, disasters, financial crises etc, are a sign of the coming Wrath of the Righteous Judge of all people., because of the constant violations of His Law.God has every right to punish the wicked, which means all of us, if He wanted to right now. But, God is patient. He allows time for people to heed His Gospel. And that Gospel message is that Jesus, His unique Son, came into the world to take away sins, through his blood shed. This happened on a Roman crucifix in the 1st century, "at the appointed time". It was indeed "appointed" by God, a part of his supreme plan to manifest his awesome Majesty and Glory, and to bring in His Kingdom on the earth, yet to come.

In 2009, today if you heed this Gospel, I implore you, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour from your sins, if you do not submit to Him as the Lord, I implore you to REPENT and TRUST in JESUS, for the forgiveness of your sins, and for the gift of eternal life in His Name. Follow Him. Nothing else really matters compared to the all surpassing greatness of knowing God in Christ.

Amen

Jesus Didn't Say "I am God"-Revised

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:50:00 +0000

Our detractor states: "Jesus never claimed to be God-He never actually said "I am God".

On the contrary. Jesus is co-equal with God. This is the consistent teaching of the whole bible, especially the New Testament. Though not every statement is expressed with equal explicitness, every statement bearing on the nature of Christ proves He is full Deity & humanity in one person, without contradiction. The various names and titles of Jesus are unequivocal of his full Deity.

Just a few verses will bear this out.

Micah 5:2, King James Version But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting

Vs. 2b, New American Standard Bible His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity

Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another...

Isaiah 48:11c I will not yield my glory to another.

John 17:5 [Jesus prayed] And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Psalms 45:6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom

John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 5:22-23 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Psalms 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Ezekiel 34:31 You my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, are people, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD.

John 10:14 I [Jesus] am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

Hebrews 13:20 ...our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep...

Romans 9:5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Now that you know Jesus is clearly called God throughout Scripture...what will you do with that knowledge?