We are taking a class at church called The Way Of The Master. It is a workbook with homework and a half hour of video every week done by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron (yeah the actor from the old show Growing Pains). I wanted to write a blog about what I am learning and the approach they teach to evangelism. I am half way through the 8 week class so I am sure I will learn more and am very excited about it because I have learned so much so far. If you want to check it out there are some videos on their website here: http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml
So would you say you're a good person? Yes? Ok. Well lets see how you hold up to God's standard. Have you kept the Ten Commandments? You say for the most part you have? Ok. Well let me ask you, have you ever told a lie? Even if it was just a small one. You have? Well if I told you a lie what would you call me? That's right, a liar. Have you ever stolen anything? Even if it was something small as a kid. You have? Well if I stole something from you what would you call me? Thats right, a thief. Ever look at someone of the other sex lustfully? Because Jesus said to look at someone with lust is to commit adultery. You have done this? Ok, well we have looked at just three of the commandments and you have admitted to me that you are a lying adultering thief. So on the day of judgement when you stand in front of God will you be innocent or guilty. You are guilty. So what will you say? Oh, that God is a forgiving God and will send you to Heaven anyway? Well that's not really fair if you think about it. Lets say you were convicted of robbing a bank and when you went to trial you said to the judge, well I am a good person and I only messed up this one time, and you seem like a forgiving judge so can I just go? Would that work? Of course it wouldn't, you broke the law and have to be punished for it, and if he is an honest, fair, and just judge you're going to be punished. Now with that being said, God is a just, fair and honest judge, so where will you go when you die being guilty of these offenses against God? The truth is, you will go to hell.
But there is good news for you. Imagine you are standing before that judge, your fine for robbing that bank is a million dollars and if you can't pay it you are going to be put in jail for a looooong time. Well you don't have anywhere near a million dollars, so you're in trouble. Well out of nowhere comes someone you don't even know that says judge, you can release this person, I am going to pay the million dollars they could never pay. Just like that you're a free man because someone paid what you could not. That is what God did for you. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay a penalty that you could never pay. He paid it with His life, and if He hadn't done this you would be sent to hell where you belong. This is not a universal salvation to all though, if you want this gift then you better repent of the sins you are guilty of, read your Bible regularly (daily) and obey all it says. I tell you this because I may not know you, but I care for you and don't want you to go to hell. You don't have to make a decision, but think about what we talked about.
That is an example of the witnessing they teach in this class, and I love it because it's to the point and biblical. It does something so many people are afraid of doing these days, and that's showing that people are sinners that are in need of a Savior. We don't teach that like we should these days, rather we try to get people to come to church and a relationship with Christ out of the notion of what Jesus can do for them. The benefits He can offer, rather then the fact that they need Him to avoid eternal separation from Him in a place of everlasting darkness and torment. I am sorry for being frank but that is what hell is, and if you don't believe in hell, well that doesn't make it nonexistent. Hell is a literal place that many people are going to according to scripture. Take a guess who talked and preached about hell more then anyone in the bible. It was Jesus. Doesn't really fit the fluffy image that so many want to give Him.
Many people wanna do the building relationship evangelism, and it does work at times, but is flawed just as many times. Let me explain, who are the hardest people to witness to? I would, as would most people, have to say family and close friends. We don't want to bring up the gospel message for fear that we may turn them off, or offend them, or push them away from us. Right? So we get to be friends with someone and get close to them, yeah we may invite them to church casually here and there or mention church every once in a while, but we have a hard time coming out of our box and presenting their need for Jesus and the salvation that only comes from Him. You guys know what I am saying. So if you witness to people on the street, they get offended by the message and leave, what have you lost? The truth is the true gospel message is offensive to many, people don't wanna admit they are sinners and sinful people in need of salvation. Pride runs rampant and humility is rare in these post-modern times.
We also wanna convince people to "come to God" because He will make their lives so much better. Kirk Cameron told a story on this that I just love. It goes like this: There was a person who was gonna take a flight and his stewardess came up to him and said to put on this parachute because it will make the flight much better. So the man does this, but shortly in the flight the parachute is poking him in the back, he is way uncomfortable, and the other passengers are pointing and laughing at him. He puts up with it for a little while but as the uncomfortable seating and ridicule gets worse he finally takes it off and puts it at his feet. That stewardess had told him that wearing that parachute would improve his flight yet it did exactly the opposite as he saw it. So another guy is getting on a flight and his stewardess tells him that he needs to wear this parachute because the engines are weak and they could crash at any time. Well the guy puts on the parachute and even though its a bit uncomfortable and some of the other passengers are mocking him quietly, he endures because he thinks at any time that plane may go down and he wants to be prepared. He doesn't mind the uncomfort or the ridicule, for he knows that parachute is his savior. We need to realize that we are going to die, and that we are either going to go to hell or we are gonna have to put on Christ and enjoy eternity with Him in paradise. It's not about putting Christ on for a better quality of life as we are so often told these days, but about putting Him on so that we may spend eternity with Him. We are gonna have discomfort, be mocked and ridiculed, and have trials in life even though we are Christians. Our pastor once said it's not a matter of if trials are gonna come, it's when are they gonna come.
I have to go now but will try to follow this up in the next few days with a few examples in the gospels of how Jesus evangelized. I hope this made sense and you got out of it what I am in taking this class. Now notice in my mock conversation above that I did not tell them they had to say this sinners prayer and all is well. I told them to think on what we talked about. We have to be the laborers, but it is God who does the work in the hearts of the people. I will address this more later, but understand that all we can do is present the good news and the Word, God is the one who works in people.
I pray we all learned something from this and am thankful for people out there like Ray and Kirk who teach practical and biblical ways to present Your message God. May we go into all the world and spread the Word of You and Your Son as You have commanded us. May we rejoice in Your Sovereign work in peoples hearts who bring them to You for Your glory. We will plant, but ask that You grow God. Let us labor in love for Christs names sake.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
God's Perfect Preservation of His Word
We live in a time that is busy busy busy. Cell phones, laptops, many kids and many activities for each. Anyone agree it's easy for time to get away from us and it's real easy to forget the little things that happen to us each day. Now has anyone else had problems sleeping before because something big, momentous or even stressful happening that day? I know I sure have, laying there pondering the situation, thinking of every what could or should have been.
Every time I reflect on the life of Christ I am amazed at how perfect everything falls into place at every turn. God is amazing as are His ways, just think if Christ had come now instead of two thousand years ago. We do not keep facts straight, we forget so much and never find time to slow down and look at the big picture. Not the case in the time of Christ. He came at the perfect time of course according to prophecy, and as far as the pace of the time. Imagine being called as one of the 12 disciples, being taught in private and public by the Messiah for three and a half years, their seminary time, so to speak, in which the heard saw and did many miraculous things. Imagine laying down at night to sleep in the same place with your teacher Jesus Christ after hearing a great sermon like the sermon on the mount (Matthew chapter 5-7). Was there small talk among you, or was every one exhausted and just laying there pondering the truth and magnitude of what they heard that day from the Teacher, and realizing this is no normal Man, before they fell asleep. Imagine for a minute being one of the disciples and after hearing such great teachings...whats going through your mind? Is it the teachings? The magnitude of realizing this Teacher is the One true Son of God as he claims? Or are you a Judas Iscariot thinking about only yourself? I hope not that one.
God picked a people and time that had ready men, regular ol men too, fishermen and a tax collector, that were not wrapped up in the hustle and bustle life like so many of us do now with the technology and gadgets we have today. All the sports and other eternally useless things we fill our lives with nowadays. Not that these things are bad, don't get me wrong, I personally like being busy, but it can hinder our walks and relationship with God if we concentrate more on them and less on God. I am merely trying to point out how in the time God chose the pace and people were ready. The disciples had time to listen to God. To walk with God. To realize it was God that was teaching and to store away the facts and teachings that God gave them to deliver to the people of their day as well as us and many more. Now they did not do it alone , the word they recorded was written by their hand but God was there. He inspired their thoughts and recollections and He made sure their writings reflected exactly what He wanted it to, for it is His Word. The Bible is full of accurrate history because it is His-story. What a honor to write some parchments that end up being the inspired written word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) Thank you John. Thank you Paul. Thank you James, Peter, Jude, and most importantly, Thank you God.
I have been called a idiotic fundamentalist for this view of scripture. But if the Bible is written by just men, not God, then it's no better then any other religious book out there. If it is in error anywhere then it's not God's word and needs dismissed and thrown away. But the fact is that it is inerrant and perfect. Thank you God for a manual that teaches us how to live and gives us absolute truth in a world of doubt. Thank you for picking the right men for the job and inspiring them to write an account of your Son and early church. May we read it and live it and obey it daily in our walk with You.
Every time I reflect on the life of Christ I am amazed at how perfect everything falls into place at every turn. God is amazing as are His ways, just think if Christ had come now instead of two thousand years ago. We do not keep facts straight, we forget so much and never find time to slow down and look at the big picture. Not the case in the time of Christ. He came at the perfect time of course according to prophecy, and as far as the pace of the time. Imagine being called as one of the 12 disciples, being taught in private and public by the Messiah for three and a half years, their seminary time, so to speak, in which the heard saw and did many miraculous things. Imagine laying down at night to sleep in the same place with your teacher Jesus Christ after hearing a great sermon like the sermon on the mount (Matthew chapter 5-7). Was there small talk among you, or was every one exhausted and just laying there pondering the truth and magnitude of what they heard that day from the Teacher, and realizing this is no normal Man, before they fell asleep. Imagine for a minute being one of the disciples and after hearing such great teachings...whats going through your mind? Is it the teachings? The magnitude of realizing this Teacher is the One true Son of God as he claims? Or are you a Judas Iscariot thinking about only yourself? I hope not that one.
God picked a people and time that had ready men, regular ol men too, fishermen and a tax collector, that were not wrapped up in the hustle and bustle life like so many of us do now with the technology and gadgets we have today. All the sports and other eternally useless things we fill our lives with nowadays. Not that these things are bad, don't get me wrong, I personally like being busy, but it can hinder our walks and relationship with God if we concentrate more on them and less on God. I am merely trying to point out how in the time God chose the pace and people were ready. The disciples had time to listen to God. To walk with God. To realize it was God that was teaching and to store away the facts and teachings that God gave them to deliver to the people of their day as well as us and many more. Now they did not do it alone , the word they recorded was written by their hand but God was there. He inspired their thoughts and recollections and He made sure their writings reflected exactly what He wanted it to, for it is His Word. The Bible is full of accurrate history because it is His-story. What a honor to write some parchments that end up being the inspired written word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) Thank you John. Thank you Paul. Thank you James, Peter, Jude, and most importantly, Thank you God.
I have been called a idiotic fundamentalist for this view of scripture. But if the Bible is written by just men, not God, then it's no better then any other religious book out there. If it is in error anywhere then it's not God's word and needs dismissed and thrown away. But the fact is that it is inerrant and perfect. Thank you God for a manual that teaches us how to live and gives us absolute truth in a world of doubt. Thank you for picking the right men for the job and inspiring them to write an account of your Son and early church. May we read it and live it and obey it daily in our walk with You.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jesus is NOT your homeboy!
Wow, first I wanna say to my two readers I am sorry for being away from my blog. Kids and work and life in general makes the time just slip away. But I have still been studying God's awesome word and have much I wanna blog on if I can keep finding time. So what do you think of the title of this post? I hope it captured your attention and makes you read on wondering what the heck I mean. This will reflect a little from a sermon John Macarthur did titled "The Forgotten Side Of God" with of course my own opinions and thoughts in it as well.
First I wanna pose a question to you: Where in the Bible does it say or elude to Jesus laughing? The truth of the matter is, it doesn't. Yeah I know, that's pretty amazing. It does say in John 11:35 Jesus wept. (That by the way is the shortest verse in the Bible) But no where in scripture will you find Jesus laughing. Now I will not claim nor want to imply that Jesus never laughed, I merely want to point out that the Holy Spirit never inspired any of the new testament writers to record such an instance. I am sure Jesus laughed with His disciples and followers, but still, we couldn't get just one instance of this recorded in the Holy Scriptures? This is just something I want you to think about as I write the rest of this post.
So when we die, if we are true followers and believers in Christ, are we just gonna roll up into Heaven and high five Jesus, say something like what's up bro, or how's it kickin? I don't think so. Look at John (who happens to be the "beloved disciple" ) in Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Wait, the beloved disciple saw Jesus and fell like a dead man? Do you guys see your friends and homeboys and fall at their feet like you were a dead man? Of course you don't. Society loves to make shirts, hats and whatever else to make Jesus out to be this cool hip pacifist that just wants to be our homies and hang with us. We have lost sight of God's greatest attribute. He is Holy!
Remember back in Exodus where Moses is just walking along and sees a burning bush? Exodus 3:1-6 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Look at that, God told Moses to remove His sandals because he was standing on Holy ground. Why was the ground Holy? Because God was there. God is Holy. You will see that illustrated constantly throughout the entire Bible. Moses also in this incident hid his face from God. God is so Holy Moses didn't even want to look at Him in the bush.
Revelation 4:8 And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
Isaiah 6:2 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
Look at these two scriptures and you will notice they are very similar. John had one vision and Isaiah had the other and they are describing the Seraphim angels that circle the throne of God constantly crying out Gods greatest attribute which as I mentioned before is Holiness. Look at Isaiah's vision description though. Notice the similarities to the Exodus passage with Moses we just looked at? The seraphim (which are "high-ranking angels") are covering their feet and faces. Like Moses, they do not want to look upon the Lord and they cover their feet, in my opinion, to show they can't even stand before the Lord. God is so Holy that these angels dare not look at Him but cover their faces, yet we have people running around saying Jesus is their homeboy? How disgraceful! It's like so many people want to make God "cool". God does not need people making Him "cool". Notice what the Seraphim are saying? What is God? Is He mercy mercy mercy? Is He cool cool cool? Is He (as so many want us to think) love love love? No, none of these. He is Holy Holy Holy! The only time God is ever described as something repetitive like this is in regards to His Holiness. The Jews used this when they wanted to make a strong point. Jesus did it in His time when He was about to make a strong statement. You will find 25 times in the book of John where Jesus starts a statement verily verily I say unto you (some versions truly truly). God is Holy above all other things.
Now there are many people out there that just concentrate on God's love. I used to. But there is so much more to God. Yes 1 John 4 says God is love. Because He is. But above all He is Holy. We really need to start pounding that into this day and age in the church. It is because of us losing sight of God's Holiness that so many churches are accepting things like homosexuality and abortion and idolatry. If you don't believe me just look around. the Episcopalians, the ELCA, the Methodist church, PCUSA, The Church of Christ. These are all churches guilty of one or more of the three I listed. All of them are going the way of idolatry. What I mean is, did you know that if you create a God that is not the one described in the Bible you are committing idolatry? Homosexuality is a sin in the bible. It is in black and white in the New testament and Old. But because these churches are trying to make God 'cool" and want the world to think the church is hip to the times they are secularizing the gospel message. I know a pastor from Ecla that when asked how they went when the Ecla split over this not long ago he said "Oh we are liberal, anything goes." Really!? Where is that in the Bible? Please note when I say liberal or conservative I am describing views on scripture and not politics unless otherwise noted. The sad thing is this guy is teaching people this liberal theology garbage which in all honesty is apostasy and idolatry. The same goes for abortion, go to RCRC and look at all the churches on this list who support abortion (I.E. the murdering of innocent babies).
God is Holy and calls us to live Holy lives. Lives that reflect Him, and as we see the Bible clearly shows He is Holy. We will stumble, that is true, but if you just want to claim Christ and no change has happened in your life I question your conversion. You wanna convert a truck into a car, you will see a change in the truck over time. Right? R.C. Sproul had a good quote that went something like this "Any attempt to understand God apart from His holiness is idolatry"
Lets look at another verse. One the "other side" tries to use as an opposition to all the holiness scriptures describing God. John 15 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. I love this passage and am so humbled that a Holy and awesome God would call me a friend. But I will not distort that and twist it to make God out to be my "homeboy". I would never disgrace my Heavenly Father and Creator. Do you? Folks, God is love, and yes, God does love all of us just as we are, however He loves us so much He won't leave us that way. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. That's a lot of people who won't enter the kingdom of God. But look close at that passage, it says and such were some of you. That's so promising cause God will change us from the sinful lives we live into followers of His holiness. Look within yourselves, are you worshiping and believing in the one true God, or merely one that society accepts? Read your Bibles, and obey what you read.
My prayer for us Father is that we see You for Who You truly are. That we put aside our preconceived notions of You and learn the truth about You from the Holy Scriptures written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. May we not lean on our understanding, rather lean on You and Your word. Thank you for Your word, Your love, and Your holiness. Amen
With love and prayers
Chris
First I wanna pose a question to you: Where in the Bible does it say or elude to Jesus laughing? The truth of the matter is, it doesn't. Yeah I know, that's pretty amazing. It does say in John 11:35 Jesus wept. (That by the way is the shortest verse in the Bible) But no where in scripture will you find Jesus laughing. Now I will not claim nor want to imply that Jesus never laughed, I merely want to point out that the Holy Spirit never inspired any of the new testament writers to record such an instance. I am sure Jesus laughed with His disciples and followers, but still, we couldn't get just one instance of this recorded in the Holy Scriptures? This is just something I want you to think about as I write the rest of this post.
So when we die, if we are true followers and believers in Christ, are we just gonna roll up into Heaven and high five Jesus, say something like what's up bro, or how's it kickin? I don't think so. Look at John (who happens to be the "beloved disciple" ) in Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Wait, the beloved disciple saw Jesus and fell like a dead man? Do you guys see your friends and homeboys and fall at their feet like you were a dead man? Of course you don't. Society loves to make shirts, hats and whatever else to make Jesus out to be this cool hip pacifist that just wants to be our homies and hang with us. We have lost sight of God's greatest attribute. He is Holy!
Remember back in Exodus where Moses is just walking along and sees a burning bush? Exodus 3:1-6 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Look at that, God told Moses to remove His sandals because he was standing on Holy ground. Why was the ground Holy? Because God was there. God is Holy. You will see that illustrated constantly throughout the entire Bible. Moses also in this incident hid his face from God. God is so Holy Moses didn't even want to look at Him in the bush.
Revelation 4:8 And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!"
Isaiah 6:2 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
Look at these two scriptures and you will notice they are very similar. John had one vision and Isaiah had the other and they are describing the Seraphim angels that circle the throne of God constantly crying out Gods greatest attribute which as I mentioned before is Holiness. Look at Isaiah's vision description though. Notice the similarities to the Exodus passage with Moses we just looked at? The seraphim (which are "high-ranking angels") are covering their feet and faces. Like Moses, they do not want to look upon the Lord and they cover their feet, in my opinion, to show they can't even stand before the Lord. God is so Holy that these angels dare not look at Him but cover their faces, yet we have people running around saying Jesus is their homeboy? How disgraceful! It's like so many people want to make God "cool". God does not need people making Him "cool". Notice what the Seraphim are saying? What is God? Is He mercy mercy mercy? Is He cool cool cool? Is He (as so many want us to think) love love love? No, none of these. He is Holy Holy Holy! The only time God is ever described as something repetitive like this is in regards to His Holiness. The Jews used this when they wanted to make a strong point. Jesus did it in His time when He was about to make a strong statement. You will find 25 times in the book of John where Jesus starts a statement verily verily I say unto you (some versions truly truly). God is Holy above all other things.
Now there are many people out there that just concentrate on God's love. I used to. But there is so much more to God. Yes 1 John 4 says God is love. Because He is. But above all He is Holy. We really need to start pounding that into this day and age in the church. It is because of us losing sight of God's Holiness that so many churches are accepting things like homosexuality and abortion and idolatry. If you don't believe me just look around. the Episcopalians, the ELCA, the Methodist church, PCUSA, The Church of Christ. These are all churches guilty of one or more of the three I listed. All of them are going the way of idolatry. What I mean is, did you know that if you create a God that is not the one described in the Bible you are committing idolatry? Homosexuality is a sin in the bible. It is in black and white in the New testament and Old. But because these churches are trying to make God 'cool" and want the world to think the church is hip to the times they are secularizing the gospel message. I know a pastor from Ecla that when asked how they went when the Ecla split over this not long ago he said "Oh we are liberal, anything goes." Really!? Where is that in the Bible? Please note when I say liberal or conservative I am describing views on scripture and not politics unless otherwise noted. The sad thing is this guy is teaching people this liberal theology garbage which in all honesty is apostasy and idolatry. The same goes for abortion, go to RCRC and look at all the churches on this list who support abortion (I.E. the murdering of innocent babies).
God is Holy and calls us to live Holy lives. Lives that reflect Him, and as we see the Bible clearly shows He is Holy. We will stumble, that is true, but if you just want to claim Christ and no change has happened in your life I question your conversion. You wanna convert a truck into a car, you will see a change in the truck over time. Right? R.C. Sproul had a good quote that went something like this "Any attempt to understand God apart from His holiness is idolatry"
Lets look at another verse. One the "other side" tries to use as an opposition to all the holiness scriptures describing God. John 15 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. I love this passage and am so humbled that a Holy and awesome God would call me a friend. But I will not distort that and twist it to make God out to be my "homeboy". I would never disgrace my Heavenly Father and Creator. Do you? Folks, God is love, and yes, God does love all of us just as we are, however He loves us so much He won't leave us that way. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. That's a lot of people who won't enter the kingdom of God. But look close at that passage, it says and such were some of you. That's so promising cause God will change us from the sinful lives we live into followers of His holiness. Look within yourselves, are you worshiping and believing in the one true God, or merely one that society accepts? Read your Bibles, and obey what you read.
My prayer for us Father is that we see You for Who You truly are. That we put aside our preconceived notions of You and learn the truth about You from the Holy Scriptures written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. May we not lean on our understanding, rather lean on You and Your word. Thank you for Your word, Your love, and Your holiness. Amen
With love and prayers
Chris
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tattoos
Alright, I will be the first to admit that I have some tattoo's. But I will also admit how much I hate them and wish I would have listened to all the people in my past that told me not to do it. So what does the bible say about tattoo's? Many of us have heard the familiar verse of Leviticus 19:28 when this topic comes up.
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
Well the bible couldn't be more clear could it? It says don't get them. Oh but that is not good enough for many people, what the Bible says. So we hear the arguments that this is the old law and no longer valid because we are" free in Christ". Now I will be the first to admit that we are indeed free in Christ, however many people will use the old law when it suits their view and will say we are not under it when it don't suit their view, and that leads to taking scripture out of context and not properly separating the moral law from the ceremonial law. That is the key, the difference between the moral and ceremonial law. Murder, rape, stealing, these were parts of the old law, so are we allowed to do them since we are not under law but under grace? Of course not. These are prime examples of moral law rather then ceremonial law.
Now things like dietary law (no eating pork or unclean animals), the tithe and other theocratic "taxes", and the sacrificing of animals, these are part of the old ceremonial law. Things that were for Israel in the past to keep them clean and free from idolatry and the surronding peoples in their theocratic society (they were not a democracy nor monarchy, but a theocracy). I could go more into that but I pray you understand and get the "jist" of it for I have much I want to cover.
Now the topic comes up that tattoos aren't really illmoral so won't that be void and up to the person to choose? Well lets look at that. For one the majority of the text surrounding our verse 28 has to do with things people did as witchcraft and pagan practices, and I will agree with that. So tell me, are we allowed to worship pagan practices and Wicca gods now that we are believers and followers of Christ? I would hope we would answer no to that. Why? God wants our whole hearted devotion and to love Him and Him alone with all our heart, mind and being. That right there convinces me that the practice of giving or receiving tattoos should not be a practice of true followers of Christ. Well that won't do for some, so lets look at it from another angle.
Deuteronomy 4:16-17 beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air.....
Now this passage talks about not making any carved image for yourselves as it says, thats just straight idoltary, but think about it, that is exactly what you are putting in your skin. And I will be the first to say that all these "Christian" tattoos are no different then the dragons and skulls and snakes that other non-Christians get tattooed on their bodies. Honestly, do you think Jesus would see a picture of a cross (the device that tortued and killed him none the less) tattooed on you and be like sweet ink! No, He wouldn't. Or maybe you got a small angel, or wings on your back, or his name and a verse somewhere on your body. I am sorry but that is not glorifying to God no matter how you try to twist it. Seriously, twist it all you want but what you are doing and saying is God I know you created me in your image (Genesis 1:26), but I think I know how I look best by adding this tattoo on me. I know God that my body is the living temple (1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?), but I think i will mark it up as I see fit. It seems ridiculous, to the point that if we are as Paul says the temple of God with the Spirit within us, would that not be the same as going to church and spray painting all over the walls of the church, the front of the building, the sanctuary and windows with graffiti? Its something to ponder.
Now I gotta ask, and all you skeptics that think tattoos are fine and I am making a big deal out of nothing, I ask you this: what is your true motivation for getting a tattoo? Seriously? I got them to be cool, I thought they were cool and I wanted to get one because of it. Plus they carry a certain feel and look of rebellion. Right? These are the reasons most people get them if they were to be honest with themselves. Now look at it through God's eyes, getting a tattoo to feel cool and act cool is wrong. Being cool is a form of self gratification and pride and both are sinful. Being cool and wanting to be cool is also a form of worldliness and do I really have to quote the multiple passages on worldliness and separating ourselves from the world. Here are two of them:
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (emphasis mine)
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Some people get their wives/husbands name, or their kids name, or a real common tattoo is of a relative or loved one who passed as a memorial piece. That's noble and what not, but let me ask, are you really gonna forget a person you really loved if you don't get them tattooed on your skin? Does it really bring great honor that they are permanently marked on your body? Lets be honest here. Being "cool' in the eyes of the world is not very 'cool' in Gods eyes. Let us see Him and worship Him as the Great Almighty Creator of the Universe who is Holy Holy Holy. Ever notice how that is the only attribute of God said three times in a row, Holy Holy Holy. Not mercy mercy mercy, even though He is merciful, not love love love, even though He is the God of love. Holy Holy Holy. Should we not fear and reverence Him as such?
I write this blog topic not to degrade or make fun of anyone, merely I want to address an issue that seems to be overlooked nowadays in the "Christian circle". Liberal theology (apostasy) is running rampant more then ever and will continue to attack the absolute truth and inerrancy of scripture. The battle is fought by little issues like this and others such as declassifying homosexuality and abortion as sin, claiming science and evolution over Creation by God in seven days, claiming there is no devil nor hell, and many others. The Bible is clear on all these, we just want our ears itched (2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,) so we will throw out what we don't like and keep what we do. Be alert and on guard against this, for we indeed are in the down grade controversy that Spurgeon talked about in his time.
My prayer is that we show the love of Christ to the world through the Spirit, love and truth. That we never compromise Biblical truth and we never stop loving the people God puts in our lives. That we put aside the practices and 'coolness' of the world to show people there is a higher calling that our awesome Creator calls us to. With love and prayers always.
Chris
Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.
Well the bible couldn't be more clear could it? It says don't get them. Oh but that is not good enough for many people, what the Bible says. So we hear the arguments that this is the old law and no longer valid because we are" free in Christ". Now I will be the first to admit that we are indeed free in Christ, however many people will use the old law when it suits their view and will say we are not under it when it don't suit their view, and that leads to taking scripture out of context and not properly separating the moral law from the ceremonial law. That is the key, the difference between the moral and ceremonial law. Murder, rape, stealing, these were parts of the old law, so are we allowed to do them since we are not under law but under grace? Of course not. These are prime examples of moral law rather then ceremonial law.
Now things like dietary law (no eating pork or unclean animals), the tithe and other theocratic "taxes", and the sacrificing of animals, these are part of the old ceremonial law. Things that were for Israel in the past to keep them clean and free from idolatry and the surronding peoples in their theocratic society (they were not a democracy nor monarchy, but a theocracy). I could go more into that but I pray you understand and get the "jist" of it for I have much I want to cover.
Now the topic comes up that tattoos aren't really illmoral so won't that be void and up to the person to choose? Well lets look at that. For one the majority of the text surrounding our verse 28 has to do with things people did as witchcraft and pagan practices, and I will agree with that. So tell me, are we allowed to worship pagan practices and Wicca gods now that we are believers and followers of Christ? I would hope we would answer no to that. Why? God wants our whole hearted devotion and to love Him and Him alone with all our heart, mind and being. That right there convinces me that the practice of giving or receiving tattoos should not be a practice of true followers of Christ. Well that won't do for some, so lets look at it from another angle.
Deuteronomy 4:16-17 beware lest you act corruptly by making a carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air.....
Now this passage talks about not making any carved image for yourselves as it says, thats just straight idoltary, but think about it, that is exactly what you are putting in your skin. And I will be the first to say that all these "Christian" tattoos are no different then the dragons and skulls and snakes that other non-Christians get tattooed on their bodies. Honestly, do you think Jesus would see a picture of a cross (the device that tortued and killed him none the less) tattooed on you and be like sweet ink! No, He wouldn't. Or maybe you got a small angel, or wings on your back, or his name and a verse somewhere on your body. I am sorry but that is not glorifying to God no matter how you try to twist it. Seriously, twist it all you want but what you are doing and saying is God I know you created me in your image (Genesis 1:26), but I think I know how I look best by adding this tattoo on me. I know God that my body is the living temple (1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?), but I think i will mark it up as I see fit. It seems ridiculous, to the point that if we are as Paul says the temple of God with the Spirit within us, would that not be the same as going to church and spray painting all over the walls of the church, the front of the building, the sanctuary and windows with graffiti? Its something to ponder.
Now I gotta ask, and all you skeptics that think tattoos are fine and I am making a big deal out of nothing, I ask you this: what is your true motivation for getting a tattoo? Seriously? I got them to be cool, I thought they were cool and I wanted to get one because of it. Plus they carry a certain feel and look of rebellion. Right? These are the reasons most people get them if they were to be honest with themselves. Now look at it through God's eyes, getting a tattoo to feel cool and act cool is wrong. Being cool is a form of self gratification and pride and both are sinful. Being cool and wanting to be cool is also a form of worldliness and do I really have to quote the multiple passages on worldliness and separating ourselves from the world. Here are two of them:
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (emphasis mine)
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Some people get their wives/husbands name, or their kids name, or a real common tattoo is of a relative or loved one who passed as a memorial piece. That's noble and what not, but let me ask, are you really gonna forget a person you really loved if you don't get them tattooed on your skin? Does it really bring great honor that they are permanently marked on your body? Lets be honest here. Being "cool' in the eyes of the world is not very 'cool' in Gods eyes. Let us see Him and worship Him as the Great Almighty Creator of the Universe who is Holy Holy Holy. Ever notice how that is the only attribute of God said three times in a row, Holy Holy Holy. Not mercy mercy mercy, even though He is merciful, not love love love, even though He is the God of love. Holy Holy Holy. Should we not fear and reverence Him as such?
I write this blog topic not to degrade or make fun of anyone, merely I want to address an issue that seems to be overlooked nowadays in the "Christian circle". Liberal theology (apostasy) is running rampant more then ever and will continue to attack the absolute truth and inerrancy of scripture. The battle is fought by little issues like this and others such as declassifying homosexuality and abortion as sin, claiming science and evolution over Creation by God in seven days, claiming there is no devil nor hell, and many others. The Bible is clear on all these, we just want our ears itched (2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,) so we will throw out what we don't like and keep what we do. Be alert and on guard against this, for we indeed are in the down grade controversy that Spurgeon talked about in his time.
My prayer is that we show the love of Christ to the world through the Spirit, love and truth. That we never compromise Biblical truth and we never stop loving the people God puts in our lives. That we put aside the practices and 'coolness' of the world to show people there is a higher calling that our awesome Creator calls us to. With love and prayers always.
Chris
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Who wrote the Bible?
I have been going to a new church, a bit bigger then our old one. I visit our old one every now and then because I miss the people and place. It's a good little church, I am just concerned as to the fact that the main Methodist congregation is leaning more and more towards liberal theology which in my opinion is not biblical Christianity. I also would like a church that digs into deep theology and doctrine. The new church we have been visiting is much bigger (I personally prefer the smaller churches) but they seem to stick with sound doctrine and don't waver as to what the world thinks Christianity should be but rather what the Bible says Christianity should be. I admire that for Paul told Titus in his letter to him that: "But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine" [Titus 2:1]
So I took the girls to the old Methodist church this past weekend to visit and to attend services and Sunday school. I even called someone ahead of time in my old Sunday school class to see what they were doing, and found they were in chapter 4 of a book titled "When bad things happen to good people". I went and bought the book at used bookstore downtown and caught up reading it. Quick review on the book: It is written by a Rabbi (who only believes in the old testament) who portrays God as not all powerful and is just a horrible book when run through scripture. What I mean is it does not hold up to what scripture says, which is how I judge all things written on God and theology, like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
There were just a handful of us in the class and I mentioned that this book was crap. I said it does not stand up to Gods word. Well that got (we will call him Thomas) fired up for some reason. I was so flabbergasted by the end of that hour that I forget how it all began exactly, but the next thing I know I am in a debate about the Bible actually being a true historical book written by God. OK, it's coming back to me, I mentioned that this book makes out Job as not actual story but merely poetry, and that the parting of the Red Sea was a story as well as most the miracles of the Old Testament. Praying for rain and it comes, the sun standing still for battle, etc... The biggest was what so many modern age Christians are doing, saying that God did not create everything in 7 days, rather it took millions of years for us to evolve to what we are.
Evolution? Really? Are we at church or the local scientists meeting? Well I am a big mouth and will not stay silent. Don't get me wrong, I was proper, respectful and polite, yet not compromising my beliefs or stance on things. I made my points like, if we don't take the bible serious or as truth from the beginning of the book, where do we start? Is it our job to pick and choose what God inspired?, because if so that's scary considering we are all sinful and far from perfect. Lets say that we aren't gonna believe that God created the earths in 7 days, but that it took millions of years, so what do we make of Jesus being in the grave 3 days? Was it 3? Or 10? Did He even rise from the grave? See what I mean? You can't pick and choose. You either believe the bible or you don't. If you don't, why are you even getting up to come to church when you can sit at home, sleep in and read the Koran, or Tibetan book of dead or whatever? I'm just saying.
Let me share my view, and forgive me if I am blunt. I believe the bible was written by God, Yes though it was penned by mans hand God is responsible for every word on the page. It is not Peter or Paul , or Johns thoughts or insights about God, it is Gods perfect word to us. Since then it is Gods perfect word, that means it is inerrant and it is completely sufficient in all ways. It convicts, it converts, and it sanctifies through its words and the Holy Spirit. God wrote a book to people to reveal Himself and His will to us, and it is the Holy bible. It is complete too. The canon has been revealed and God speaks through it. There are no apostles and prophets today, Gods word is complete, He didn't forget anything and has nothing more to reveal to us, we have His glorious truth that will be with us until Christ returns and after since His word endures forever. [Isaiah 40:8]
I shared my view at the table Sunday with Thomas and he actually told me something along the lines that I was a fundamental idiot. Wow. He said that at this day in age and at his age (hes probably in his 50s or 60s) that he is surprised that he has to still "deal" with fundamentalist people like me. What do you say to that? I was so jaw on the floor. Well R was in the class with me to and he said he worries about the fact that I take scripture to seriously that I may loose faith one day because of something like evolution or I pray for something and it isn't answered. What kind of faith is that? That is not true faith when a person "falls away" considering what God says about His saving power in Romans Chapter 8 [please read it.]
It turns out that most people in that class don't agree with me, and Thomas' wife asked does it matter if it was 7 days or 7 million years? Well like I said, that's the beginning of book, you don't start believing there, then when? Does it matter if the Red sea parted to make a way for the Israelites? Well if it didn't happen, then why are there so many psalms and references to God in the Old testament as the true saving God. How can He be a Savior in the Old Testament if He didn't save His people from anything? What do we believe? If there was no angel that passed over the houses with lamb blood above the door, whats that say about our one and true perfect passover lamb Jesus Christ? When will we be arguing over whether Christ really lived and was slain for the sins of His children? It's a legitimate question.
I am not saying I have all the answers, but I will tell you that there are particulars and principles in the Christian faith. We can agree to disagree on the particulars, but we cannot bend on the principles. I truly believe scripture supports itself as the true word of God, therefore to look at it as anything else is to have the wrong view of God. Jesus was constantly saying believe in me and people profess that by the millions, but I ask, do you believe Him? We don't know God if we don't know His word. Proverbs 111:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. How would we know His precepts and laws if we didn't have His word? If we don't believe His word is His word?
Its late and I am getting tired. I could go on and on with this, but let me end with just this thought and just one verse that really touches on this subject. If you don't believe God wrote the bible and that it is complete, sufficient, and mankind's only source of absolute truth, than I strongly ask you to do as Paul told the Corinthians [2 Corinthians 13:5] and examine yourself to see that you are in the faith. How you view the bible is ultimately how you view God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
My prayer is that we teach all people the completeness and perfection of Gods holy words to us. That we read them often, meditate on them often, and obey them always. That we do what is pleasing in His eyes through that perfect word we are given. We love you and your revelation to us O Father.
With love and prayers always
Chris
So I took the girls to the old Methodist church this past weekend to visit and to attend services and Sunday school. I even called someone ahead of time in my old Sunday school class to see what they were doing, and found they were in chapter 4 of a book titled "When bad things happen to good people". I went and bought the book at used bookstore downtown and caught up reading it. Quick review on the book: It is written by a Rabbi (who only believes in the old testament) who portrays God as not all powerful and is just a horrible book when run through scripture. What I mean is it does not hold up to what scripture says, which is how I judge all things written on God and theology, like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
There were just a handful of us in the class and I mentioned that this book was crap. I said it does not stand up to Gods word. Well that got (we will call him Thomas) fired up for some reason. I was so flabbergasted by the end of that hour that I forget how it all began exactly, but the next thing I know I am in a debate about the Bible actually being a true historical book written by God. OK, it's coming back to me, I mentioned that this book makes out Job as not actual story but merely poetry, and that the parting of the Red Sea was a story as well as most the miracles of the Old Testament. Praying for rain and it comes, the sun standing still for battle, etc... The biggest was what so many modern age Christians are doing, saying that God did not create everything in 7 days, rather it took millions of years for us to evolve to what we are.
Evolution? Really? Are we at church or the local scientists meeting? Well I am a big mouth and will not stay silent. Don't get me wrong, I was proper, respectful and polite, yet not compromising my beliefs or stance on things. I made my points like, if we don't take the bible serious or as truth from the beginning of the book, where do we start? Is it our job to pick and choose what God inspired?, because if so that's scary considering we are all sinful and far from perfect. Lets say that we aren't gonna believe that God created the earths in 7 days, but that it took millions of years, so what do we make of Jesus being in the grave 3 days? Was it 3? Or 10? Did He even rise from the grave? See what I mean? You can't pick and choose. You either believe the bible or you don't. If you don't, why are you even getting up to come to church when you can sit at home, sleep in and read the Koran, or Tibetan book of dead or whatever? I'm just saying.
Let me share my view, and forgive me if I am blunt. I believe the bible was written by God, Yes though it was penned by mans hand God is responsible for every word on the page. It is not Peter or Paul , or Johns thoughts or insights about God, it is Gods perfect word to us. Since then it is Gods perfect word, that means it is inerrant and it is completely sufficient in all ways. It convicts, it converts, and it sanctifies through its words and the Holy Spirit. God wrote a book to people to reveal Himself and His will to us, and it is the Holy bible. It is complete too. The canon has been revealed and God speaks through it. There are no apostles and prophets today, Gods word is complete, He didn't forget anything and has nothing more to reveal to us, we have His glorious truth that will be with us until Christ returns and after since His word endures forever. [Isaiah 40:8]
I shared my view at the table Sunday with Thomas and he actually told me something along the lines that I was a fundamental idiot. Wow. He said that at this day in age and at his age (hes probably in his 50s or 60s) that he is surprised that he has to still "deal" with fundamentalist people like me. What do you say to that? I was so jaw on the floor. Well R was in the class with me to and he said he worries about the fact that I take scripture to seriously that I may loose faith one day because of something like evolution or I pray for something and it isn't answered. What kind of faith is that? That is not true faith when a person "falls away" considering what God says about His saving power in Romans Chapter 8 [please read it.]
It turns out that most people in that class don't agree with me, and Thomas' wife asked does it matter if it was 7 days or 7 million years? Well like I said, that's the beginning of book, you don't start believing there, then when? Does it matter if the Red sea parted to make a way for the Israelites? Well if it didn't happen, then why are there so many psalms and references to God in the Old testament as the true saving God. How can He be a Savior in the Old Testament if He didn't save His people from anything? What do we believe? If there was no angel that passed over the houses with lamb blood above the door, whats that say about our one and true perfect passover lamb Jesus Christ? When will we be arguing over whether Christ really lived and was slain for the sins of His children? It's a legitimate question.
I am not saying I have all the answers, but I will tell you that there are particulars and principles in the Christian faith. We can agree to disagree on the particulars, but we cannot bend on the principles. I truly believe scripture supports itself as the true word of God, therefore to look at it as anything else is to have the wrong view of God. Jesus was constantly saying believe in me and people profess that by the millions, but I ask, do you believe Him? We don't know God if we don't know His word. Proverbs 111:10 says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. How would we know His precepts and laws if we didn't have His word? If we don't believe His word is His word?
Its late and I am getting tired. I could go on and on with this, but let me end with just this thought and just one verse that really touches on this subject. If you don't believe God wrote the bible and that it is complete, sufficient, and mankind's only source of absolute truth, than I strongly ask you to do as Paul told the Corinthians [2 Corinthians 13:5] and examine yourself to see that you are in the faith. How you view the bible is ultimately how you view God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
My prayer is that we teach all people the completeness and perfection of Gods holy words to us. That we read them often, meditate on them often, and obey them always. That we do what is pleasing in His eyes through that perfect word we are given. We love you and your revelation to us O Father.
With love and prayers always
Chris
Saturday, November 7, 2009
What's so wrong with gambling?
Wouldn't it be nice at times if the Bible would speak straight forward with thou shall or thou shall not on certain issues? Just add a whole new list of commands in Exodus or even at the sermon on the mount in Matthew of thou shalt not gamble, thou shalt not do drugs, thou shalt not get abortions. It sure would make it easier for laymen like me if this were the case. Don't fret though, for that's the beauty of the Bible. It does say all these things, not so bluntly but with careful examination of God's Holy Word we see all that He actually does say on these topics.
Lets look at why gambling is indeed wrong, and it is wrong for so many reasons, I ask you to bear with me for this post may be long. The driving motivation behind gambling is greed. People want the big payout. You don't play the lottery for fun, you play to win the millions. The Bible is extremely clear on the issue of greed and covetousness which is another motivation behind gambling. So is materialism. I will put the extensive list of sins that motivate gambling or a result of gambling at the end of this post, so that now we can examine a little of the history of gambling.
The history of gambling in America is interesting. The American Revolution was funded by the sale of lottery tickets. The lottery was also used by Washington to build federal city, Washington actually bought the first ticket for that project, and we now know federal city as Washington D.C. Many colleges and churches in those times used gambling to build their building, for it was an easy way to raise funds for such projects. However the church started coming to their senses apparently, because they started speaking out against the unbiblical act of gambling, and in 1894 all forms of gambling were outlawed. The state lottery was again enacted in the state of New Hampshire in 1964, and since then it has spread like wildfire to other states and areas such as casinos, dog/horse tracks and more. Saint Augustine said that gambling was invented by the devil. Martin Luther said that money that was won from gambling was won out of self seeking sin. John Calvin outlawed gambling in all of Geneva.
There are studies that show 500 billion dollars a year are wagered legally. That's 500 billion just legally, taking the amount I'm sure much higher if we could tally all the illegal gambling dollars wagered. Just to put that in perspective, that is more then we spend on dentists, or sporting events, or foreign travel, or household appliances, or even health care a year. This is a huge problem, all driven by greed. Studies also indicate that there are approx 10 million compulsive gamblers in America. I think that's more then admitted alcoholics. Twenty percent of compulsive gamblers have admitted to thoughts or even attempts at suicide. The suicide rate of spouses of gambling addicts is 150 percent higher then the national average.
Atlantic City instituted gambling and casinos in 1976 to help revitalize their economy, unemployment and tax revenue. We always hear about the great tax revenue and jobs casinos bring. Now in Atlantic city, the crime rate has risen 380 percent, the police force has been doubled, even though the cities population is down 20 percent. Half of the 2100 small businesses closed, and unemployment is up. The best is, four of their last six mayors have been indicted for corruption, 3 of which are incarcerated. I could give more statistics but that would be moot, I just wanted to make the point that casinos and gambling bring a lot more with them then they promise, and that which they do promise is a lie in the end.
A big sin a person commits by gambling is discontentment. Phillipians 4:11-12 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.
Paul knew what it was like to have and to need, and either way he was content with what God gave him. Gambling is in a sense saying I need more. What You have provided is not enough. Discontentment is a lack of faith, and it is a sin.
Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
8Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
This is such a remarkable verse. Be happy that you have enough. I know the American dream is the big house with a picket fence in a suburb with new cars. The American dream revolves around greed, so it shouldn't surprise us that the lottery and casinos do so well. The lust and materialism and greed drives us to get that American dream and all the things to "keep up with the Jones". This verse should teach us to be happy, be happy we have enough. Be happy you have a roof over head, no matter where you live. Be happy you have an automobile, no matter if it's a "beater". Be happy you have food in your belly. Many people don't have the luxury of saying those things. Here the Bible pleads for God to provide, not abundant riches, and not extreme poverty. You may not have abundant riches, but if you're on your computer right now reading this, then you also are not living in extreme poverty.
I will not post the entire parable of the talents, for it would make this post even longer, but I do ask you get your Bible out now and read it. It's found in Matthew 25 starting at verse 14 and going clear to 30. Many of us may already be familiar with these words of our Lord. I want you to look at verse 30: "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
This slave was a bad steward of what he was given. He did not lose his masters money, not a bad steward in that way, but he was a lazy steward. He was irresponsible with what he was given. That is exactly what gambling is! This is also a sin, and look at what Jesus said to do to the person. Outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth are always used in reference to hell. I am not saying if you gamble as a Christian you will go to hell, we all are and can be forgiven, but I am saying it is a sin. How does God look at sin? Well, you, me, our kids, and every other human, will die because two people ate fruit they weren't supposed to. It wasn't even the act, but the rebellion against God. That's what sin is, rebellion against God. Gambling is rebellion against
God.
Lets look at sins that motivate and sins that result from gambling:
1)Greed and materialism
2)Covetousness and lusts to have more and more
3)Laziness it undermines Gods standard of working by "trying to get rich quick"
4)Discontentment not happy with what you do have
5)Bad stewardship with what you are given
6)Distrusting God and His providence
7)Irresponsible family leadership it is true men
8)Stealing in order for you to win big someone lost big. So even if you do have a good day you are taking from someone who did not, and most gamblers are the poor
9)Not keeping the great command of loving your neighbor look at 8
I actually think I could keep going and going. Gambling exploits the weak, the poor, the undisciplined, and the gullible. It is the greatest example of taking money from the pockets of a lot of the poor and putting it in the pockets of a few rich. If you have extra money, and you claim Christ, don't gamble with it. It would be much better off to directly give it to someone in need. Or church, or a charity that helps people. Not the casinos. I did this blog because of issue 3 that passed here in Ohio (unfortunately). I was thinking, what is so wrong with gambling, so I listened to a few sermons on it, read my Bible and researched some statistics and was amazed at how much I learned and what a huge problem this is. The true church is busy defending the Bible against homosexuality and abortion, and have let this issue slip through the cracks. I say if you know Christ and have the hope within you, step up and defend God's Word and character when people push these immoral sins upon us. This is one of those sins that is not "good if done in moderation" like so many say. It's a sin, no sin is good in moderation. As far as helping school's and tax revenue, that still does not make it right, but even more wrong. That's just feeding the bigger chain of greed and discontentment. Plus the ends do not justify the means. This has gotten extremely long, and I will put another post about it soon on other parts I wanted to point out.
My prayer is that we learn the higher calling the Lord calls us to as His children. That we live holy lives because He is Holy. That we study His word and learn what is right and wrong according to His standards, which as His children are the only standards that matter. Let us also, with gentleness and love, help those who have fallen into the temptation and addiction of this sin, that they may know Him and be changed from within as we have been. With love and prayers always
Chris
Lets look at why gambling is indeed wrong, and it is wrong for so many reasons, I ask you to bear with me for this post may be long. The driving motivation behind gambling is greed. People want the big payout. You don't play the lottery for fun, you play to win the millions. The Bible is extremely clear on the issue of greed and covetousness which is another motivation behind gambling. So is materialism. I will put the extensive list of sins that motivate gambling or a result of gambling at the end of this post, so that now we can examine a little of the history of gambling.
The history of gambling in America is interesting. The American Revolution was funded by the sale of lottery tickets. The lottery was also used by Washington to build federal city, Washington actually bought the first ticket for that project, and we now know federal city as Washington D.C. Many colleges and churches in those times used gambling to build their building, for it was an easy way to raise funds for such projects. However the church started coming to their senses apparently, because they started speaking out against the unbiblical act of gambling, and in 1894 all forms of gambling were outlawed. The state lottery was again enacted in the state of New Hampshire in 1964, and since then it has spread like wildfire to other states and areas such as casinos, dog/horse tracks and more. Saint Augustine said that gambling was invented by the devil. Martin Luther said that money that was won from gambling was won out of self seeking sin. John Calvin outlawed gambling in all of Geneva.
There are studies that show 500 billion dollars a year are wagered legally. That's 500 billion just legally, taking the amount I'm sure much higher if we could tally all the illegal gambling dollars wagered. Just to put that in perspective, that is more then we spend on dentists, or sporting events, or foreign travel, or household appliances, or even health care a year. This is a huge problem, all driven by greed. Studies also indicate that there are approx 10 million compulsive gamblers in America. I think that's more then admitted alcoholics. Twenty percent of compulsive gamblers have admitted to thoughts or even attempts at suicide. The suicide rate of spouses of gambling addicts is 150 percent higher then the national average.
Atlantic City instituted gambling and casinos in 1976 to help revitalize their economy, unemployment and tax revenue. We always hear about the great tax revenue and jobs casinos bring. Now in Atlantic city, the crime rate has risen 380 percent, the police force has been doubled, even though the cities population is down 20 percent. Half of the 2100 small businesses closed, and unemployment is up. The best is, four of their last six mayors have been indicted for corruption, 3 of which are incarcerated. I could give more statistics but that would be moot, I just wanted to make the point that casinos and gambling bring a lot more with them then they promise, and that which they do promise is a lie in the end.
A big sin a person commits by gambling is discontentment. Phillipians 4:11-12 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.
Paul knew what it was like to have and to need, and either way he was content with what God gave him. Gambling is in a sense saying I need more. What You have provided is not enough. Discontentment is a lack of faith, and it is a sin.
Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
8Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
This is such a remarkable verse. Be happy that you have enough. I know the American dream is the big house with a picket fence in a suburb with new cars. The American dream revolves around greed, so it shouldn't surprise us that the lottery and casinos do so well. The lust and materialism and greed drives us to get that American dream and all the things to "keep up with the Jones". This verse should teach us to be happy, be happy we have enough. Be happy you have a roof over head, no matter where you live. Be happy you have an automobile, no matter if it's a "beater". Be happy you have food in your belly. Many people don't have the luxury of saying those things. Here the Bible pleads for God to provide, not abundant riches, and not extreme poverty. You may not have abundant riches, but if you're on your computer right now reading this, then you also are not living in extreme poverty.
I will not post the entire parable of the talents, for it would make this post even longer, but I do ask you get your Bible out now and read it. It's found in Matthew 25 starting at verse 14 and going clear to 30. Many of us may already be familiar with these words of our Lord. I want you to look at verse 30: "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
This slave was a bad steward of what he was given. He did not lose his masters money, not a bad steward in that way, but he was a lazy steward. He was irresponsible with what he was given. That is exactly what gambling is! This is also a sin, and look at what Jesus said to do to the person. Outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth are always used in reference to hell. I am not saying if you gamble as a Christian you will go to hell, we all are and can be forgiven, but I am saying it is a sin. How does God look at sin? Well, you, me, our kids, and every other human, will die because two people ate fruit they weren't supposed to. It wasn't even the act, but the rebellion against God. That's what sin is, rebellion against God. Gambling is rebellion against
God.
Lets look at sins that motivate and sins that result from gambling:
1)Greed and materialism
2)Covetousness and lusts to have more and more
3)Laziness it undermines Gods standard of working by "trying to get rich quick"
4)Discontentment not happy with what you do have
5)Bad stewardship with what you are given
6)Distrusting God and His providence
7)Irresponsible family leadership it is true men
8)Stealing in order for you to win big someone lost big. So even if you do have a good day you are taking from someone who did not, and most gamblers are the poor
9)Not keeping the great command of loving your neighbor look at 8
I actually think I could keep going and going. Gambling exploits the weak, the poor, the undisciplined, and the gullible. It is the greatest example of taking money from the pockets of a lot of the poor and putting it in the pockets of a few rich. If you have extra money, and you claim Christ, don't gamble with it. It would be much better off to directly give it to someone in need. Or church, or a charity that helps people. Not the casinos. I did this blog because of issue 3 that passed here in Ohio (unfortunately). I was thinking, what is so wrong with gambling, so I listened to a few sermons on it, read my Bible and researched some statistics and was amazed at how much I learned and what a huge problem this is. The true church is busy defending the Bible against homosexuality and abortion, and have let this issue slip through the cracks. I say if you know Christ and have the hope within you, step up and defend God's Word and character when people push these immoral sins upon us. This is one of those sins that is not "good if done in moderation" like so many say. It's a sin, no sin is good in moderation. As far as helping school's and tax revenue, that still does not make it right, but even more wrong. That's just feeding the bigger chain of greed and discontentment. Plus the ends do not justify the means. This has gotten extremely long, and I will put another post about it soon on other parts I wanted to point out.
My prayer is that we learn the higher calling the Lord calls us to as His children. That we live holy lives because He is Holy. That we study His word and learn what is right and wrong according to His standards, which as His children are the only standards that matter. Let us also, with gentleness and love, help those who have fallen into the temptation and addiction of this sin, that they may know Him and be changed from within as we have been. With love and prayers always
Chris
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Where two or three gather
We are all familiar with the saying of where two or three gather in my name I am there. I love this verse, however I am sad how so many people take the bible out of context and make verses mean what there original purpose was not.
Matthew 18:15-20"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother."But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED."If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
What is this passage talking about? It is talking about a brother who is sinning and confronting him on his behavior. The capitalized verse up there is a quote directly from Deuteronomy 19:15, which Jesus uses to show the law of the OT is the same as His message. Should be, they were written by the same author. When one won't repent of there sin you are to go to him with two or three witnesses so that it is not just one mans word against another, rather you have more then one brother to confirm the testimony of the wrong doing. Am I being clear, my mind keeps wandering and I am struggling to find the right words. Look at it like this, I see a fellow believer from church who is married sneaking around and cheating on his wife. I will go go to him and tell him what he is doing is wrong, Christians are not to act like that and Gods holy word backs that up. Well he shrugs me off, don't care and keeps going along with his extramarital activity, then I will take two fellow brothers from church to tell this guy that this is against Gods word and that he must stop. Then as Jesus explains in other places, you would take the matter to the church if the fellow believer does not repent (stop/turn away from) from his immoral activities.
This is what this passage alludes to, church discipline. I love how Jesus said that when we gather in His name for this matter that He is within our mist. That's a comforting thought because seriously, who wants to do this. Right? It is told that we should and I understand why, we have to keep the body of Christ pure and holy. I know we are all sinners, unredeemed flesh, but we cannot claim Christ and not be obedient to His commands. That is illustrated best in Jesus and the relationship with His father, He loved the Father and was obedient, even unto death on a cross.
So should we be obedient? If Christ, The Son of God did, we most definitely should. That is the gospel message, repent and believe. Repent from what? The sins in our lives. The darkness in us that brings dishonor to God rather than glory. We all know we have a dark side in us. It's our nature, we are born sinners. But with faith in Christ and obedience to His word we can overcome those dark areas of our sinful nature. I'm not saying perfection here, we will not obtain that until Christ glorifies us, but that is no excuse to live like our sinful nature desires.
Now lets get back to the topic and scripture I was talking about before I sidestepped a little. People use the verse where two or three gather in my name I am there in there midst way out of context a lot. We see through the scripture itself that it talks of confronting a sinning person and that when we go to confront that brother that God is with us. OK. But a lot of people quote this just when two or three believers come together for prayer or bible study that God is there within their midst. Well this verse is not referring to that. However I do got good news to the people who quote this verse in that way, God is always within our midst if we are true followers and believers in Him. Number one He is Sovereign, so He sees and knows all. So he is near everyone in that sense, but also He has sent His spirit to dwell in the hearts of His faithful followers. So in that sense He is not within our midst, rather He is within us! How glorious a truth is that? When I pray to God, I believe He hears my prayers and is with me as I pray them. And that is not when I'm with people, but alone. I feel God listening and "within my midst" when I am pouring out my heart and praying to Him. I use the word feel hesitantly, for Christianity is not about all feelings, but about learning Gods word and drawing closer to Him through knowing Him by His words. God wrote one book, The bible, and He wrote down everything He wanted to tell His people in it. It is absolute truth and inerrant. It was relevant then just as much so as it is relevant today, for it is the perfect words of God. You want to know God? Read His word, and read it often.
I did not write this blog to mock or make fun of anyone who may use or have used that verse in the way that may take it out of context to the passage. I merely write to share with others the truth that I learn from Gods word. I want all of us to know what God says through the bible and how it impacts our lives. May we grow ever closer to Him through His awesome truths for us. My prayer is for all of us to read His word, read it often, and dig deep into what that word is telling us. I hope we all see and know that God is within us rather just within our midst. He is our shield, our strength, our God. For the more of the Word we know, the more of God we know.
With love and prayers always
Chris
Matthew 18:15-20"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother."But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED."If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
What is this passage talking about? It is talking about a brother who is sinning and confronting him on his behavior. The capitalized verse up there is a quote directly from Deuteronomy 19:15, which Jesus uses to show the law of the OT is the same as His message. Should be, they were written by the same author. When one won't repent of there sin you are to go to him with two or three witnesses so that it is not just one mans word against another, rather you have more then one brother to confirm the testimony of the wrong doing. Am I being clear, my mind keeps wandering and I am struggling to find the right words. Look at it like this, I see a fellow believer from church who is married sneaking around and cheating on his wife. I will go go to him and tell him what he is doing is wrong, Christians are not to act like that and Gods holy word backs that up. Well he shrugs me off, don't care and keeps going along with his extramarital activity, then I will take two fellow brothers from church to tell this guy that this is against Gods word and that he must stop. Then as Jesus explains in other places, you would take the matter to the church if the fellow believer does not repent (stop/turn away from) from his immoral activities.
This is what this passage alludes to, church discipline. I love how Jesus said that when we gather in His name for this matter that He is within our mist. That's a comforting thought because seriously, who wants to do this. Right? It is told that we should and I understand why, we have to keep the body of Christ pure and holy. I know we are all sinners, unredeemed flesh, but we cannot claim Christ and not be obedient to His commands. That is illustrated best in Jesus and the relationship with His father, He loved the Father and was obedient, even unto death on a cross.
So should we be obedient? If Christ, The Son of God did, we most definitely should. That is the gospel message, repent and believe. Repent from what? The sins in our lives. The darkness in us that brings dishonor to God rather than glory. We all know we have a dark side in us. It's our nature, we are born sinners. But with faith in Christ and obedience to His word we can overcome those dark areas of our sinful nature. I'm not saying perfection here, we will not obtain that until Christ glorifies us, but that is no excuse to live like our sinful nature desires.
Now lets get back to the topic and scripture I was talking about before I sidestepped a little. People use the verse where two or three gather in my name I am there in there midst way out of context a lot. We see through the scripture itself that it talks of confronting a sinning person and that when we go to confront that brother that God is with us. OK. But a lot of people quote this just when two or three believers come together for prayer or bible study that God is there within their midst. Well this verse is not referring to that. However I do got good news to the people who quote this verse in that way, God is always within our midst if we are true followers and believers in Him. Number one He is Sovereign, so He sees and knows all. So he is near everyone in that sense, but also He has sent His spirit to dwell in the hearts of His faithful followers. So in that sense He is not within our midst, rather He is within us! How glorious a truth is that? When I pray to God, I believe He hears my prayers and is with me as I pray them. And that is not when I'm with people, but alone. I feel God listening and "within my midst" when I am pouring out my heart and praying to Him. I use the word feel hesitantly, for Christianity is not about all feelings, but about learning Gods word and drawing closer to Him through knowing Him by His words. God wrote one book, The bible, and He wrote down everything He wanted to tell His people in it. It is absolute truth and inerrant. It was relevant then just as much so as it is relevant today, for it is the perfect words of God. You want to know God? Read His word, and read it often.
I did not write this blog to mock or make fun of anyone who may use or have used that verse in the way that may take it out of context to the passage. I merely write to share with others the truth that I learn from Gods word. I want all of us to know what God says through the bible and how it impacts our lives. May we grow ever closer to Him through His awesome truths for us. My prayer is for all of us to read His word, read it often, and dig deep into what that word is telling us. I hope we all see and know that God is within us rather just within our midst. He is our shield, our strength, our God. For the more of the Word we know, the more of God we know.
With love and prayers always
Chris
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