The Way of Truth

NO GREATER LOVE- What John 3:16 looks like

2011-09-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
~ John 3: 16

"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." ~ Romans 5: 6-10

Who exactly did Christ die for on the Cross? Before you answer that question, you must first consider what actually took place on the Cross. Did Christ's death actually atone for the sins of every single person or did it simply make salvation possible for all men? If infact the wrath of God was poured out on His Son for all people, then why is there a hell? If the Cross only represents a potential redemption, then in order to receive the free gift of salvation, one must 'do' something to earn it. Since we know that salvation is not the result of our good works, then we are left with only one thing: Christ's death on the Cross actually accomplished something; He actually paid for the sins of people.

Who?

Those who will be saved.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." ~ John 15: 13

"...even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." ~ John 10: 15

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." ~ Matthew 26: 28

While the sacrifice Christ made was in some sense intended for all men (the whole world),

His blood was not shed in vain; Not a drop was wasted. All whom the Father has given the Son will be saved.

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." ~ John 6: 37

"...and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."~ Romans 8: 30

Those references in scripture to "all" or "the whole world" with regard to God's love demonstrated through Christ's death on the Cross are best understood to mean 'many' and not specifically that every single person ever born will be saved. The "whole world" refers to the children of God scattered throughout the whole world. From every people group throughout time will be those who are saved.

All of mankind, even those who reject Christ as Lord & Savior, have benefited from the effects of the Cross in some ways. Through God's immeasuable mercy, He has temporarily withheld His wrath and the instant consequence of sin; death. Both the saved and the unsaved enjoy the goodness of God's mercy. From the air we breath to the simple pleasures in life, all of it comes from a loving God who desires that none perish. Salvation is available to all & there is nothing we can do to earn it.

Believe. Repent. Trust.

One Way: Jesus Christ.

~ktf~

For a more detailed explanation of Atonement and what took place on the Cross, check out John Piper's article,

"For Whom Did Christ Die?"

Bold Christianity: "The Jesus You Can't Ignore"

2010-01-13T04:09:00.000-08:00

"The way Jesus dealt with His adversaries is in fact a serious rebuke to the church of our generation. We need to pay more careful attention to how Jesus dealt with false teachers, what He thought of religious error, how He defended the truth, whom He commended and whom He condemned—and how little He actually fit the gentle stereotype that is so often imposed on Him today.

Furthermore, His attitude toward false doctrine should also be ours. We cannot be men-pleasers and servants of Christ at the same time."
~ John MacArthur ("The Jesus You Can't Ignore")

In the ever-growing sea of "How To" books out there targeted towards the Christian (or spiritually minded "seeker"), there are a few that actually focus on the true biblical model for the Christian life rather than what Jesus can do for you. I've been reading a lot of John MacArthur books lately and I must say they are a refreshing break from the feel-good, best-life-now, purpose-driven books that are tickling the ears of so many Christians these days. His topics are controversial but his approach is purely biblical. Everyone of his books have caused me to go deeper into the word and evaluate where I am in my own spiritual walk.

Don't get me wrong; there's nothing wrong with a book that encourages you or motivates you to get more out of life. The problem is, how much of what we read actually aligns with what the bible teaches? Sure, we can find a verse to support just about every man-made method for improving your life but, we need to be asking ourselves, "is this the heart of God's message to us or is this just another self-help book sprinkled with verses taken out of context to fit the author's agenda?"

What I'm drawn to in MacArthur's books is the way he conveys a point from the biblical context and not just from his own life experiences. The focus is not on him nor is it about taking scripture and twisting it into something in order to build self-esteem. In fact, the focus is not on ME at all but rather, the basic principles of the Christian faith. Things like the Gospel, the Cross, discipleship, true repentance and salvation. Reading his books won't necessarily cause you to feel good about yourself but they will convict you and awaken you to the truth of God's word. Anything that sends you back to the bible and inspires you to further examine your heart & motives is a very good thing.

In his book, "The Jesus You Can't Ignore", MacArthur explores more on a common theme in several of his books; truth. Not just any truth but the truth according to Jesus Christ. In this day and age of post-modernism, moral relativism, tolerance and a growing emphasis on re-thinking God and the bible, we can be easily distracted from the core biblical principles like truth and recognizing false teaching. This is not a topic that is very popular in many churches today but one that Jesus and the Disciples spent a good deal of time teaching on. If we are supposed to be followers of Christ, doesn't it make sense that we should be passionate about the truth He taught? We should know how to defend this truth and recognize when it is being distorted, diluted or twisted.

Over at his blog, "Possessing the Treasure", Mike Ratliff has an excellent review of not only this book by John MacArthur but, why this topic is so important to everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I think you'll find this to be one of those topics that will reengage you in your walk to be a bold servant of Jesus Christ.

((read Mike's review here))

~ktf~
John

HOW TO DESTROY A CHURCH

2009-12-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

"The ways of destroying the church are many and colorful. Raw factionalism will do it. Rank heresy will do it. Taking your eyes off the cross and letting other, more peripheral matters dominate the agenda will do it-admittedly more slowly than frank heresy, but just as effectively over the long haul. Building the church with superficial ‘conversions’ and wonderful programs that rarely bring people into a deepening knowledge of the living God will do it. Entertaining people to death but never fostering the beauty of holiness or the centrality of self-crucifying love will build an assembling of religious people, but it will destroy the church of the living God. Gossip, prayerlessness, bitterness, sustained biblical illiteracy, self-promotion, materialism-all of these things, and many more, can destroy a church. And to do so is dangerous: ‘If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple (1 Cor. 3:17).” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
~ D.A. Carson ("The Cross and Christian Ministry")

This quote is a reminder to all of us that the local church is supposed to be a representation of Jesus Christ. The message of the Cross should be the primary function of every church which means, preaching the Gospel and discipling believers to share the Gospel outside of the church. When the church becomes known for its entertainment value, social programs, trendy "How To" messages or when people go there simply because everyone else does, that church has lost its purpose.

Church is about worshipping, glorifying and honoring God. It's a place for true followers of Christ to gather and praise Him; to learn more about Him. It's where the Word is taught and the Gospel comes alive through Holy-Spirit inspired preaching. The local church should be open to everyone and judgmental of none but never catering to or compromising for the world in order to make itself attractive to the so-called "seeker". Every church that claims to follow Christ ought to be focused on the Word and not what the latest marketing study determines is culturally relevant. When the church devotes its energy towards promoting itself in order to appeal to the unsaved person, something is wrong.

"If they don't hear the truth, cool music won't help. If they don't see the light, PowerPoint won't help. They're blind and dead. Our task is to go on preaching not ourselves, not our manipulated message, but repentance and submission to Christ Jesus as Lord." ~ John MacArthur ("Hard To Believe")

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). That alone should be the core mission statement behind every church; in their teaching, preaching, outreach and programs. We don't need to soften the message to make it easier for the unsaved world. We don't need to make the Word exciting to get their attention. Church doesn't need to be entertaining in order to lead people to the life transforming power of the Gospel. If people see God and His word as boring, the problem is not with the church but the soul of that person. Every true follower of Christ will hunger for the Word. Church should be a place of reverence for God where His Word is treated as Holy. The Sunday message or experience should be about theology not psychology. If the Word is preached rightly, hearts will be softened, eyes will be opened and lives will be transformed.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." ~ Romans 1:16

We need not dress-up the Word or church to make it appealing to the unregenerate world. Who are we to think that we know how to reach people with our silly methods, programs and research-proven topical series forms of entertainment? Has the local church forgotten who draws people to God? Have they forgotten what it is that humbles a heart and leads people to their knees in repentance? God doesn't expect us to attract people; He simply expects us to be obedient in teaching His Word. He is quite capable of doing the rest.

“No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” ~John. 6:44

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28: 19-20

~ktf~
John

Man-centered Religion -vs- The Gospel According to Jesus

2009-11-20T06:04:00.000-08:00

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." ~ 1 John 2: 15-17

"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." ~ Matthew 22:37

According to Robert Schuller (Crystal Cathedral) who many prominent church leaders have modeled their church movements after (Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, etc.)...

Man-centered theology:
(quotes from Schuller's book, "Self-Esteem: The New Reformation")

"This master plan of God is designed around the deepest needs of human beings- self dignity, self-respect, self-worth, self-esteem."

"Success is to be defined as the gift of self-esteem that God gives us as a reward for our sacrificial service in building self-esteem in others. Win or lose: If we follow God's plan as faithfully as we can, we will feel good about ourselves. This is success!"

"Once a person believes he is an "unworthy sinner", it is doubtful if he can really honestly accept the saving grace God offers in Jesus Christ."

This self-centered gospel goes completely against the Gospel according to Jesus which is really all about dying to self, taking up our cross and submitting fully to Him as our Lord and Savior. Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" starts out with reminding us it's not about us however, the underlying theme in the book and his later teachings are somewhat void of the real Gospel message of repentance, submission and obedience. Instead, there is a strong emphasis on moralism; do this and God will make your life better.

The Biblical Gospel is Christ-centered; not man-centered. It's about turning from our sinful, self-centered way of living and submitting fully to the life transforming power that comes from God's grace.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ~ Matthew 16:24-26

This was not an optional request directed only to Christians. This was Christ presenting the Gospel to all who sought to follow Him and be saved. Definitely not an easy message then or today. Christianity does not make sense to the unregenerate world. "Dying to self" is a tough concept to swallow in this day and age of "me, me, me". Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the Cross is foolishness to the lost. It simply doesn't make sense if not for the grace of God opening our eyes.

The problems we see today in the world can be traced directly back to a man-centered attitude. It started in the Garden and continues even in churches today that have watered-down the real Gospel in order to be attractive to men. It's about tolerance and being culturally relevant to the point that many churches look, sound and act just like the world.

None of this should come as a surprise...

"Dangerous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves."
~ 2 Timothy 3: 1-2

We need to recognize that our very nature is to focus on self. It's not an easy thing even for the most mature Christian to deny self but, when we spend time in the Word and understand the fullness of God's mercy, grace and love for us while we were yet sinners, then it starts to make sense. The Cross is more than someone dying for us; its everything. Christ is all we have! It's not enough to simply believe in Him. It's not enough to say we know Him. In the end, what really matters is that He knows us. The more we elevate Him in our lives, the less we will depend on self.

~ktf~
John

The Shack: Should You Go There?

2009-11-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."
~ 2 John 1: 9

Let me start out by saying I have not read "The Shack" nor do I plan on it.

Sometimes, it's not necessary to read something to know that it's of no value. I don't need to read "Playboy" to know that it's pornography. I don't need to read the Koran or the Book of Mormon to know that what they teach is contradictory to God's Word. In the case of "The Shack", enough has been said and written about it to know that it's filled with heresy.

Some who've read it claim it has brought them closer to God. To that I say, "What God?" Certainly not the God of the Bible. Not with all the blatant heresy that this book delivers.

Some say it's just a fictional novel; don't take it so seriously. Ok. Fine. Then why have so many people read it to better understand God? I find it perplexing that Christians can read this book and claim it has broadened their understanding of God especially when there is so much in it that goes completely against what the Bible says about His character. Sadly, I think there are many who've read this book and don't even see the errors, heresy or mis-characterization of God, Jesus and The Trinity as a whole. Like many, they enjoyed this book because it made them feel good and it provided a (false) view of God that they want to hear & believe. The Shack is just another example of mankind creating God in his own image to suit his emotional desires.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." ~ 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

There are several major issues with The Shack that every reader needs to be aware of; especially those Christians who see nothing wrong with it...

1) Unbiblical view of the nature of God, Christ & the Trinity

2) Unbiblical view of Sin and substitutionary attonement

3) Unbiblical view of Salvation

4) Rejection of traditional Christianity, Scripture and the role of the Church

5) Characterizing God through experience -vs- Scripture

6) False view of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ

7) Heretical view of the Father suffering

8) Promotion of Universalism

9) Wrong view of Faith and Reason

10) Eliminates Knowledge of God

Below, are a few links to some excellent reviews on "The Shack". Whether you've read it and liked it or, you're curious about it, I would highly recommend reading these reviews. To fully understand this book as well as the reviews, compare what it says against Scripture.

"The Shack"- Tim Challies book review

"The Shack"- Helpful or Heretical? A review by Geisler & Roach

"The Shack"- review by William Paul Young

Author of The Shack, Denies the Penal Substitutionary Atonement

In summary, this is not a book for those seeking to find out who the true God is nor, is it a book for the Christian hoping to deepen their relationship with God. If you want to know who God is; if you want to grow deeper in your relationship with Him or, if you're searching for answers, there is only one book that covers it all without confusion, distortion or sugar-coating: The Bible.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." ~ 2 Timothy 3: 16

~ktf~
John

The Cost of an Abundant Life

2009-09-16T05:44:00.000-07:00

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." ~ Romans 6:17-18

"The contemporary church has the idea that salvation is only the granting of eternal life, not necessarily the liberation of a sinner from the bondage of his iniquity. We tell people that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives, but that is only half the truth. God also hates sin and will punish unrepentant sinners with eternal torment. No gospel presentation is complete if it avoids or conceals those facts. Any message that fails to define and confront the severity of personal sin is a deficient gospel. And any "salvation" that does not alter a lifestyle of sin and transform the heart of the sinner is not the salvation God's Word speaks of." ~ John MacArthur (The Gospel According to Jesus)

When Jesus spoke of the abundant life in John 10:10, He wasn't referring to having your best life now on earth in the physical or material sense:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10

The word "life" used in this passage comes from the greek, "zoe" which refers to spirit and soul. Jesus was talking about eternal life in the context of His continued efforts to reach the Jewish people. They were under the bondage of sin and the law, controlled by the self-appointed, self-righteous religious leaders. Through Christ alone, we are free from this slavery to sin and the world system of good works. Only when we die to self and surrender to Him are we free to this "abundant life". No longer trusting in the law, religion or our own efforts to save ourselves, we are transformed to experience life on a completely different level.

Isn't it ironic that many pastors and teachers today are doing the exact same thing that Jesus warned of in John 10? In their efforts to attract people and build their churches, they promise a twisted form of the "abundant life". They talk of earthly gain, not spiritual freedom. They refer to things like being happy, whole, complete and purpose driven instead of the things Christ taught like humility and self denial. How tragic that some people are being deceived into thinking that if they simply "come to Jesus" then life will get better and they'll be happy. One need only read about the disciples and early church founders to see that despite their "coming to Jesus", they lived a life of persecution, suffering and poverty in many cases. This certainly wasn't their "best life now" in the way that Jesus is being "marketed" today.

No, the life Jesus was calling His disciples (and us) to is one that involves sacrificial, selfless living. The kind of living that produces faith and glorifies God. A life that points to Christ, not to self or earthly success.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." ~James 1:2-4

We are robbing God of His glory and keeping the truth from people when we fail to present a Gospel message that doesn't include sin and repentance. "Jesus loves you" means nothing to the person who has not been confronted with their sin. That's like offering a cure for a disease to a person who doesn't even know they're sick in the first place.

The abundant life is living with joy because of what Christ has done for us. It's living a life of contentment and peace, trusting fully in Him for all things. (Philippians 4: 6-13).

~ktf~
John

The Evidence of True Faith

2009-08-19T04:58:00.000-07:00

"Faith is not something dreamed, a human illusion, although this is what many people understand by the term. Whenever they see that it is not followed either by an improvement in morals or by good works, while much is still being said about faith, they fall into the error of declaring that faith is not enough, that we must do "works" if we are to become upright and attain salvation. The reason is that, when they hear the gospel, they miss the point; in their hearts, and out of their own resources, they conjure up an idea which they call "belief", which they treat as genuine faith. All the same, it is but a human fabrication, an idea without corresponding experience in the depths of the heart. It is therefore ineffective and not followed by a better kind of life."

"Faith however, is something that God effects in us. It changes us and we are reborn from God (John 1). Faith puts the old Adam to death and makes us quite different men in heart, mind, and in all our powers; and it is accompanied by the Holy Spirit. O, when it comes to faith, what a living, creative, active, powerful thing it is. It cannot do other than good at all times. It never waits to ask whether there is some good work to do, rather before the question is raised, it has done the deed, and keeps on doing it. A man not active in this way is a man without faith. He is groping about for faith and searching for good works, but knows neither what faith is nor what good works are. Nevertheless, he keeps on talking nonsense about faith and good works." ~ Martin Luther

"Faith without works is dead." ~ James 2:20

Our good works cannot save us however, they are the necessary validation in our lives that we have truly become born again. The one who claims to be a Christian and yet, their life consistently reflects that of the carnal world, has been deceived. Their belief rests only in a sinner's prayer they said as a child asking Jesus into their heart. This is why it is so important that preachers preach the word and that Christians present the gospel without watering it down or softening its message. God's grace is freely given to the humble yet, it is the Law that convicts us to the sorrow of our sin. Without a broken heart, a broken will, one cannot be saved. The intent of the gospel message is to bring us to repentance.

"Now, until a man confess his sin, and that with bitterness, it is a sign he loves it...A man will never leave sin till he find bitterness in it; and, if so, then he will be in bitterness for it." ~ Thomas Goodwin

"The gospel according to Jesus is the gospel according to His apostles. It is a small gate and a narrow road. It is free but it costs everything. And though it is appropriated by faith, it cannot fail to produce the fruit of true righteousness in the life and behavior of the believer." ~ John MacArthur

The Christian life should be one marked by spiritual growth where our faith is tested and strengthened by the struggles of life. Where we grow to become more sensitive to our sins, recognizing how offensive they are, being quick to repent and move on. The true follower of Jesus Christ strives for holiness and to live righteously not to prove how holy we are to ourselves, others or even God, but rather, out of our love for Him. True faith is demonstrated in obedience.

"What matters is not a momentary act of professing, but being persistently motivated by faith." ~ Ignatius, 1st Century Bishop of Antioch

~ktf~
John

"Are You a Church Worshipper?"

2009-08-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

"In a recent Christian Post article, Hybels once again revealed the humanist nature of the infamous seeker-sensitive church growth movement by posing the question:

"Do we still believe the local church is the hope of the world?"

You see, many Christians might look at that and not realize they’ve been subjected to a dialectic question designed to alter their spiritual priorities and get them on-board an alternative agenda. This is what trained facilitators do under the radar in many churches today.

But I would ask: Is that where your hope lies – in the local church?

Do you believe your church can save the world?

Did it save you?"

read the entire article here...
"Are You A Church Worshipper?" by Paul Proctor

Every true follower of Jesus Christ should be involved in a local church however, that alone should not be where their hope rests. We are to be active members of the Body of Christ and not simply "sponges" who depend on the local church to feed them and keep them on the narrow path. The above article is a great reminder of what the Biblical model for church is and a wake-up to those who may have their hope focus out of order.

~ktf~
John

Easy Street: The Broad Way

2009-08-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." ~ Matthew 7:13-14

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" ~ Proverbs 16:25

"The broad way is certainly easier. There is no precipice. There is plenty of latitude for those who want to sample the moral smorgasbord offered by the crowd on this road. You can just stroll and roam. There are hardly any limitations, no curbs, no boundaries. There is tolerance of every conceivable sin- just as long as you say you love Jesus. Or as long as you are religious. Or whatever else you want to be." ~ John MacArthur ("The Gospel According to Jesus")

"Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." ~ Led Zeppelin ("Stairway to Heaven")

The world wants to believe that all paths lead to heaven. They want options and they despise exclusivity because it goes against human nature; we want everything our own way. The narrow way to heaven is not about rules and legalism; it's about obedience to a new nature. The popular message today is tolerance & acceptance. Within this new attitude, there is no room (or tolerance) for the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. When someone calls themselves a Christian and yet, believes that there may be other ways to heaven besides Jesus, what does that say about their faith?

U2 has had a following of Christians for years because of the spiritual messages behind their songs. Bono has been elevated as a sort of spokesperson for Christianity because of his humanitarian efforts however, his position on the exclusivity of Jesus Christ says something completely different...While performing in concert with U2 back in 2005, Bono wearing a headband with the word "COEXIST" on it, stated the following:

"Jesus, Jew, Mohammed-all true. Jesus, Jew, Mohammed-all true."

Apparently, it's "cool" to be a Christian (like Bono) who accepts that there are other ways besides Jesus. This is the type of non-judgmental Christianity that the world likes unfortunately, it's not true.

How long before this verse is deemed hateful and intolerant?...

"I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me." ~ John 14:6

~ktf~
John

The Seeker-Friendly Gospel

2009-08-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

(Q & A from John MacArthur at the "Shephereds' Conference- 2005")

IS THE SEEKER-SENSITIVE MOVEMENT A NEW FORM OF LIBERALISM?

"Absolutely. It is the new liberalism. It is the new liberalism! It’s no different than the old liberalism, which was a social gospel. That’s what this is, only it’s not a social gospel, because it doesn’t reach out to the poor. It’s not the down-and-outers; it’s the up-and-inners. It’s a psychological gospel. So, the psychological feel-good gospel is the new liberalism. Nobody’s going to say that they deny the Word of God; it’s just not “relevant.” It’s just not relevant.

I’ve said this many times: I can listen to a guy preach—put anybody in front of me—and I’ll tell you what his view of Scripture is by what he says. If he doesn’t preach out of the Bible, I know what his view of Scripture is, I don’t care what he says. I don’t care if he wants to die telling me he’s a believer in inerrancy, if he gets up and does not preach the Word of God, that’s his view of Scripture leaking all over the place. Look, every preacher preaches for impact, for effect, for result. You’re up there saying what you think is going to get you the best result. If you think it’s foolishness and fun n’ games and song n’ dance and sermonettes for Christianettes—if you think it’s that kind of stuff—that’s what you’re going to do; but if you know, as Al [Mohler] was saying, that the power is the truth, that God has, as we’ve heard all week, has invested his power, as R.C. [Sproul] said, in his Word, then that’s what you preach. I mean, it’s that simple! It comes down to this loss of preaching. And I’ll tell you, how do you know it’s the new liberalism? Because you can’t stop a seeker-friendly movement, because it’s going to be redefined, it’s going to be redefined, it’s going to be redefined… It’s relentlessly being redefined because the culture changes so fast in a media-driven society. It changes so fast!

You know, Schuller is the architect of this. Robert Schuller is the absolute father. The grandfather of the movement, who was a little bit below the radar, was Norman Vincent Peale. Norman Vincent Peale is a classic liberal. The primary impact that Norman Vincent Peale has had on the world is through his leading disciple, Robert Schuller, who said to me, “I can sign the confession of my denomination and make the words mean anything I want them to mean.” Well, that’s classic neo-orthodoxy—or liberalism (whichever).

So, you’ve got Norman Vincent Peale, who creates this kind of liberal, social gospel; his number one disciple, positive-thinker Robert Schuller; Robert Schuller develops this concept of the church many years ago, where he goes into Orange County and he goes door-to-door, passes out cards, and tells people to write down what they want a church to be, and then he gives them what they ask for. He said in a speech at N.R.B. many years ago, “If you want to know how to build a church, ask the community, and give them what they want.” His most famous disciple trained into that model is Bill Hybels, and the second is Rick Warren. Rick Warren says, himself, that when he left seminary, he drove right to the Crystal Cathedral and was mentored there.

So, there’s a flow going on here. And where is it going? It’s going toward the Emerging Church. That’s why you can have all those people—Rick Warren and Brian McLaren—way out on the edge of the Emergent Church, you can have all those people at the same conference in San Diego all speaking, and, in between, sessions on Yoga. If you just look at the roots of something—and look where it’s going: if you let the culture define the church, there’s no way to catch up. So, now you go to Schuller’s church, you wouldn’t find anybody whose hair wasn’t gray, because they had their little niche for that little cultural group, and they go to the grave with them. And the same is going to happen with the others and the others and the others… It’s not transcendent. It’s not trans-cultural. It’s not even beyond their tiny little chronological zone. And that’s the problem with it, because if it’s culturally defined, it is its own worst enemy; it’s planned obsolescence.

To me it’s a metaphor, like looking at Oral Roberts University—has anybody ever seen Oral Roberts University? It looks like a parking lot for old spaceships that came out of the sixties, doesn’t it? Because, in an effort to be really, really modern, you become immediately obsolete. I look at that and I think, “That’s what this is and it never can reach beyond its own limits, self-imposed.” So, the illusion of the seeker-friendly movement is that it has the potential to have the greatest impact. The truth of the matter is its impact is narrow and limited and, in many, many cases, superficial—but it gives the appearance of impact. But stripped of any depth and any real continuity in content and things that come out of the Word of God, it is it’s own worst enemy.

I will tell you this, there’s really only one thing that I want to do in my ministry. There’s only one obligation that I have and it is this: to show people that the Scripture is the Word of the Living God, to be adhered to. I don’t want them to think I’m the authority, I don’t want them to think the culture is the authority; I just want them to know this Word is the authority. Now, how do you convince people of that if you don’t ever teach it? People coming through those kinds of environments, have a superficial, once-over-lightly view of Scripture. The depth of it utterly escapes them. The simplest apparent paradox in theology knocks them for a loop. They can’t think deeply about things and they’re, therefore, sentenced to a life of battling the flesh without ever being armed with sound doctrine to deal with it. I’m not picking on anybody, I’m just saying, once you move away from the Word of God, in my definition that’s “liberalism,” if you like that word. “Compromise,” whatever."

((online source: John MacArthur- 2005 Shepherds' Conference))

Scripture references that refute the basic concepts behind the Seeker-Sensitive/Friendly Movement:

- "There is no one who seeks God" (Romans 3:10-12). On the contrary, it is God who seeks man (John 15:16)
- Unbelievers reject the truth and the one true God (Romans 1:18-23)
- The Gospel is supposed to offend the unbeliever in order to bring conviction of sin that leads to repentance (1 Cor. 14:24-25, John 6: 59-66).

For more on the seeker-friendly church model, check out this site:
"Current Trends in Evangelism: The Seeker Sensitive Movement"

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." ~ Romans 1:16

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being avoided, softened and twisted today more than ever in an attempt to draw people into church or to fill a "God shaped hole". Throughout America there are churches embracing new ideas about how to "do" church and reach the unchurched, disenfranchised, seeker with a new & improved Gospel that isn't so offensive. A Gospel that invites people to "ask Jesus into your heart" without first dealing with the uncomfortable issues such as sin, God's wrath and repentance. Easy believism is NOT the Gospel that leads to genuine salvation

~ktf~
John

Spiritual Footprints: The Test of True Faith

2009-07-24T06:37:00.001-07:00

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." ~ 1 John 2:3-6

We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about. ~ R. C. Sproul

Thanks to the latest "Save the Planet-Be Green" trend, we now have carbon footprints to measure our impact on the environment. Of greater importance however, are the spiritual footprints Christians leave upon the world. These are the impressions we make upon others and are also the true test of our faith in Jesus Christ.

The problem with footprints is that they lie behind us and we are not aware of what they look like until we take the time to stop and look back. When it comes to the mark we leave on the world with regard to our witness for Christ, we often fail to recognize the effect we are having. Are we representing Christ in a way that would draw others to Him or, are we presenting a false picture of the Gospel by a lifestyle that contradicts what true Christianity is? Our lives reflect not only the influence and impact we have on the lives of others, but also who we really are. Many claim to be Christians but their lives demonstrate something else. All that we think, do and say publicly and privately reveal not only who we are but who's we are. If someone were to ask those who know you what is most important to you, what you love or enjoy the most, what would they say? As a follower of Jesus Christ, we are called to be separated from the world; we shouldn't blend in so well that we look, act and talk just like them. Our heart's desire should be to please God, not be loved by the world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17).

The world is full of superficial people. Those who claim to be someone they are not. This may be more evident amongst those who call themselves Christians than in any other group or religion. People who claim to know Christ but live like the world. Products of quick & easy conversions. They believe in God and accepted Jesus (or asked Him into their heart) without any brokenness of heart; without any understanding of the Gospel. Many claim they are saved without having any sense of being lost in the first place. Jesus addressed the issue of false converts and hypocrites to show us that being a Christian is not simply being religious. Perhaps the best illustration of this was during the Sermon on the Mount...

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' ~ Matthew 7:21-23

Our spiritual footprints reveal the pattern of our life and that which characterizes who we are. The true test of our faith is not how religious we are nor is it simply what we claim to believe. According to Jesus Christ, the evidence of true faith is found in our obedience...

"for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." ~ Ephesians 5:8-11

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." ~ Luke 9:23-24

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." ~Ephesians 5:1

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2

Every aspect of the life of a Believer should be Christ-centered and God-honoring. Some mistakenly confuse this with legalism. Certainly, that has been a problem since the beginning of the church however, our lives should be a reflection of God's Word purely out of our love for Him, not simply to abide by a set of rules in order to appear religious or good. The ultimate deception of Satan is to convince people they are saved when they are not. It all started in the Garden with pride.

There is a huge difference between living in obedience to Christ and living to appear holy in an effort to impress others. Our lifestyle should be set apart from the world. God has given us clear guidelines for how we are to live. Those who live in the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom...(1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Revelation 21:8).

We should be regularly checking our spiritual footprints by examining the pattern of our life to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Are we boldly sharing the Gospel or do we hide it? Do our activities outside of church align with our faith or do we live two separate lives? How is it that we can call ourselves Christians and yet, demonstrate a lifestyle at work, with friends or even on Facebook that contradicts the very principles that define a Christian? Sharing inappropriate jokes, using coarse language, boasting of how much beer we drank, watching movies and reading books that tickle our ears and feed the lust of the flesh, exploding in anger with those we love.. the list goes on. How can we call ourselves Christians and regularly be living like the world? It's one thing to stumble into sin, repent and move on but, when we live in it and see nothing wrong with it, something is clearly missing in our salvation experience.

A born-again, follower of Jesus Christ should be pursuing and striving for the things that leave God-honoring spiritual footprints. True, we will stumble and we will struggle but, we should be moving in the direction of the narrow way; not taking detours backwards. Some of the areas that demonstrate attributes of true faith are:

- Love for and submission to the Word of God. (Psalm 119)
- Love for the truth. (John 8:22-36)
- Love for the people of God. (1 John 4)
- Changed Life. (Matthew 7:15-20, James 4)
- Love of Holiness. (Galatians 4, Romans 7)
- Growth in sanctification. (1 John 2:3-6)
- Ever-growing sensitivity to sin. (1 John 1:8-10)
- A Right Attitude To This World. (Matthew 6:25-33, Phil. 1, 2 Cor. 5)

"Separation from the world has always been one of the evidences of God’s work of grace in the heart. Those who have really been born of God’s Spirit have always separated from the world, whereas those who are Christians only in name always refuse to come out and be separate. The subject is especially important today, because many are trying to make Christianity as easy as possible and to avoid the need for self-denial. "The world is a source of great danger to the soul. By "the world", I do not mean the physical world in which we live. When I speak of "the world" I mean those people who think only, or mainly, of the things of this world and neglect the world to come – those who think more about the body than the spirit, more about pleasing men than about pleasing God. By "the world" I mean these people, together with their way of life, their opinions, their tastes, their ambitions and their outlook. This is the world that is dangerous to the soul. This is the world from which we must come out and be separate." ~ J.C. Ryle (Practical Religion)

~ktf~
John

Lost and Found

2009-07-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

"We love because He first loved us" ~ 1 John 4:19

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost" ~ Luke 19:10

The greatest truth about Christianity is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That a Holy God would love such wretched sinners to the point that He poured out His wrath on His Son rather than on those who rightly deserved it is beyond human understanding. When we speak of the love of God, the Cross is the perfect picture of love. What makes Christianity unique amongst all the world religions is the great exchange; Forgiveness of sins, imputed righteousness and eternal life all freely offered without any effort or good works required on our part. We come as we are.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

What makes the Gospel so incredible is that even in our sinful, fallen state, God loved us first. Contrary to what many feel-good churches teach today, it is not us who accepts Jesus Christ nor is it us who seeks Him. Both of those would essentially be acts of works that go against what grace truly is. No, it is Christ who does the seeking and the accepting. We simply receive it through repentance and faith. If it were not for the grace of God, we would not even see our need for a savior let alone recognize that we needed forgiveness. What some call a "God shaped hole" or a life long search for purpose is actually the work of the Holy Spirit drawing us to Him. Some respond while others continue (hopelessly) looking for fulfilment in the things of the world. Those who do respond come with broken hearts, humbled by the Gospel, wretched sinners in need of salvation. They come just as they are but they don't stay that way.

If for a moment we could see all of history in a glimpse, the thing that would stand out the most would be the greatest love story one could ever imagine. God the Creator pursuing mankind despite his rebellious, adulterous, self-centered ways. Never giving up on us. Never losing His patience with us. Always looking out for us. Jesus told several parables as a way to illustrate this love God has for us. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) demonstrated a fathers love for a wayward son. In the below video, Paul Washer tells the story of a mothers love for her daughter and how far she went to find her. The message at the end describes what unconditional love is; similar to how God desires us to come to Him...

The Gospel invitation is to all people regardless of where you are or what you've done. The only requirement for Salvation is a contrite, humbled, repentant heart. Those who come as they are, repentant and trusting in Jesus Christ alone will be received with love by the Father.

Don't waste your life trying to be good enough (none of us are... Luke 18:19). Don't live burdened by the weight of religion that puts works as part of "The Way" to Jesus Christ. Eternal life is not found in what we do or how we live. It's not found in methods or quick prayers to ask Jesus into your heart.
When we reach the point of seeking Him, we can be sure that this too is a result of God first softening our hearts to His seeking of us through the Gospel. Likewise, Jesus should not be presented as a "quick fix" to life's problems nor should we offer Him up as a sort of "trial offer".

"Much of contemporary evangelism is woefully deficient when it comes to confronting people with the reality of their sin. Preachers offer people happiness, joy, fulfillment and everything positive. Present-day Christians are taught that all they have to do is find a person's psychological needs then offer Jesus as a panacea for whatever the problem is. It is very easy to get a response, because people are looking for quick solutions to their felt needs. But if that is all we do, it is not legitimate evangelism." ~ John MacArthur (The Gospel According to Jesus)

~ktf~
John

LOVING THE CHURCH

2009-07-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

I recently came across a new book for my summer reading list. It's from Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck, the authors of "Why We're Not Emergent". Their new book is entitled, "Why We Love The Church". The title might throw some of you off. It's not another one of those feel-good, how to attract the seeker to your cool, hip mega-church books. Rather, it's a reminder of what The Body of Christ Church looks like and what we as members of it should be doing (as opposed to what we can get out of it).

Here's a great quote from Ted Kluck...

"Church isn't boring because we're not showing enough film clips, or because we play an organ instead of guitar. It's boring because we neuter it of its importance. Too often we treat our spiritual lives like the round of golf used to open George Barna's Revolution. At the end of my life, I want my friends and family to remember me as someone who battled for the Gospel, who tried to mortify sin in my life, who found hard for life, and who contended earnestly for the faith. Not just a nice guy who occasionally noticed the splendor of the mountains God created, while otherwise just trying to enjoy myself, manage my schedule, and work on my short game."

This book is targeted towards those who are either Committed, Disgruntled, Waffling or Disconnected with or from their local church. "Why We Love the Church" presents the case for loving the local church. It paints a picture of the local church in all its biblical and real life guts, gaffes, and glory in an effort to edify local congregations and entice the disaffected back to the fold. It also provides a solid biblical mandate to love and be part of the body of Christ and counteract the "leave church" books that trumpet rebellion and individual felt needs.

In this day and age of anything goes when it comes to "doing church", we (the Body) don't need another trend, program or market-proven formula for making church exciting or attractive to the world. What we need is a return to reverence and awe of the Church that God intended for us to build and be a part of on a local level, not just as an observer/member of the "universal church".

Everyone is familiar with Jesus referring to "the rock" on which He will build His church...

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." ~Matthew 16:18

NOTE: Contrary to what the Roman Catholic church teaches, Peter was not the founding father of the church. Jesus used a sort of play on words when he spoke these words to him. Scripture clearly shows that Christ is the architect, foundation (the "corner stone"), builder and head of the church. Every believer in the Body is one of the "living stones" that make up the church.

This of course is the universal church. However, in Matthew 18:17, the focus is clearly on the local church of which all believers should be a part of. Throughout the book of Acts, we see many references to the origins of local church and then again, in the epistles we see instructions for the local church. Finally, in the book of Revelation, there are specific churches mentioned prior to the consummation of the local church with the New Jerusalem. How we "do" church is not so much as important as what we do with it. There should be no question that the primary purpose of the local church is to preach the Gospel and disciple believers to grow spiritually while sharing the good news with a lost and dying world. Everything else is secondary. We don't make the church look like the world in order to reach the world.

For more on this book, check out Frank Turk's review at the Pyromanics Blog

~ktf~
John

"THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER..."

2009-06-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

"Greener Grass..."
((from "REJOICE MARRIAGE MINISTRIES"))

"You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." These are the commandments the LORD proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me." ~Deuteronomy 5:21-22

Summer weather is finally in full swing in my part of the country. The daffodils and tulips have come and gone and now it's the iris' turn. I walk every day around my neighborhood and get a chance to see all the flowers come and go and the lawns throw off their winter brown to make way for their summer green. Up the street from me is a home with one of the greenest yards I have ever seen. I have often sat on my front porch and wondered what it was about this lawn that made it so much greener than the rest. This morning I took a different walking route so I could check it out. Know what I discovered? That grass was greener because it was a broadleaf grass; really what I considered to be rogue grass in my own yard. It wasn't greener grass; it was just different grass.

How many of our spouses, or maybe even us, have been tempted by greener grass on the other side? They looked at the thorns and thistles, the weeds and dry spots in their own yard and that was all they could see. Then they looked at the grass on the other side of the fence and thought, "That looks pretty good." Yep - the enemy stepped in with his masterful deceptions about a better life and greener grass. And another family fell prey to his lies.

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." ~John 8:44

The grass always looks greener on the other side - until you get there. For some of those we pray for, this realization comes at a price. This is often the time they look back and find that the grass in their own yard was much greener than they thought it was. Rather than spend time watering and fertilizing their own yard, they decided that it was just easier to move on. But when they got there they realized that the grass wasn't greener on the other side - it was just different grass. Now they find themselves in a weed field of lies and deception, not the true grass of a covenant family. They find themselves in a yard full of thistles and thornbushes that prick at their conscience and poke them every time they turn around.

"Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, 'I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.'" ~Hosea 2:6-7

So why don't they just go back over the fence? Many are convinced that they can turn this yard full of weeds into a beautiful lawn. Some don't mind living among the thornbushes. Some don't even see the thornbushes. And for many of the greener grass escapees, the yard they left is still pockmarked with unforgiveness and anger. There is nothing different over here than when they left.

What does your yard look like? Is it a yard still full of the weeds of bitterness and the brown spots of neglect? Is it a yard in need of water and fertilizer and tender loving care? Have you been working on your yard just to find that every day it looks the same? We don't hesitate to call the lawn care guy when we have a problem in our yard that we can't handle. Why do we hesitate to call on the Master Gardener to make our spiritual yards green again?

"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it-the LORD is his name: 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." ~Jeremiah 33:2-3

If bitterness or jealousy or anger still have a root hold in your heart, ask the Master Gardener for help. Offer these thoughts and emotions to Him every day if you have to. Water your yard faithfully with His Word and fertilize it with the Fruits of the Spirit. Take refuge under His wings when the storms come. Pray for the rain that washes everything clean. Before long you will see those brown spots turning green and the weeds disappearing. The hole in your heart has been filled with His love. Now it's your turn.

Those we love often cannot see the weeds they are living in. For these we pray for the opened eyes and unstopped ears. For those who think the weeds are good, we pray for that heart transplant that Charlyne so often writes about. And for those who are tangled in the weeds and can't see their way out, we pray that the Lord will open wide the way of escape. There is no yard so dead or weeds so copious that the Lord cannot find them and lead them home.

"The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." ~John 10:2-3

Been there; done that. If there is one thing I've learned in my stumbling through life it's this; "When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, it's time to start watering your own grass." Marriage is not simply trying to change your spouse, it's about unconditional love. It's about putting them before yourself, serving them and thinking of them, not just what you think they should be doing for you. When you live & love with this attitude, you'll be surprised how fulfilling your marriage can be.

~ktf~
John

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

2009-06-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

By our very nature, we all want to feel good about ourselves and we desire to be praised. In general, it goes against our human nature to desire to hear criticism or to put someone else above us. For the most part, none of us like to be wrong, corrected or have our weakness revealed.

Deep inside, we think we're pretty good.

God's Word say's otherwise... "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23) Jesus said "None are good but one" (Him). We're also reminded that our hearts are deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).

When it comes to religion and spiritual things, I've noticed an interesting reaction on Facebook and Blogs from time to time that sort of fits into the above condition of human kind.

If you post something in a public forum that talks about "God is love", people really seem to like that. Whether it's a feel-good, Hallmark-card verse taken out of context like "I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) or a simple reminder that Jesus wants us to be happy (which verse is that?). People like to hear things that make them feel good inside (who doesn't?).

However, if you post anything that reveals other attributes of God besides "He is love", like, He is just or His wrath is upon those who reject Him or that the unsaved are children of satan, or unless we confess & repent of sin and trust in Jesus, we're going to hell, most people generally don't want to hear about that sorta' stuff. If you dare point out heretical teaching of popular preachers/teachers/authors, you are quickly hit with the "Don't judge" card.

"You're being judgmental!" "Legalist!" "Religious whacko!"

In order for God to be love, He must also be just. He cannot simply forgive all sins just because He's a loving God; those sins must be paid for. We are unable to pay the great price for them. Christ did this. Salvation must start with recognizing our sinful condition and our wretched state. Not pretty but true and necessary. Paul spends the first 3 chapters of Romans exposing how wretched, sinful and lost we are before He gets to the "God is love" part.

What we want and what we need are often two very different things. Doesn't matter if we're 3 or 30. In order to really "get" the God Is Love thing, we need to first "get" that we are NOT deserving of this love simply because we're a pretty good person. Ouch. Secondly, we need to see that as a believer, we must be willing to "Die to self" and submit to Christ alone as our Lord and Savior. Let Him run the show.

Christianity is not like Burger King... "Have it your way" is what got us into this sinful mess in the first place. Coming to Jesus is a release from the slavery of sin into the freedom of salvation & redemption. If we're really honest with ourselves, the truth hurts. We often can't handle it. However, I believe deep inside of every human being there is a desire to know the truth no matter what.

We can spend our lives trying all we want to find happiness or to be a good person. We might even get what we want now & then. When it comes to eternity, "trying" isn't good enough. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ and He doesn't want our efforts. He wants our hearts.

You may not get what you want in this life but you CAN get more than you deserve in eternity but it will cost you. What are you willing to give now in order to really live forever and to avoid getting what you deserve later?

Trying doesn't work when it comes to getting the one thing in life that changes everything.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." ~ John 6:35

~ktf~
John

A Time To Judge

2009-05-08T05:47:00.000-07:00

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. ~ Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Believe it or not, there is a time to judge. The question is, "when?" These days it seems that any criticism, correction or pointing out of error is labeled as judging. Christians have a reputation of judging others because we're not tolerant. We're called legalists for not accepting what society deems as "normal". If we dare disagree with something or someone according to biblical standards, we are considered hateful, dogmatic, hypocritical and holier-than-thou. Christians and atheists alike commonly mis-use Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged."

The below article from "A Time To Love" magazine explores this controversial topic of judging from a biblical perspective. Solomon had it right in Ecclesiastes; there is a time for everything. Jesus and his disciples gave clear instruction on the topic of judging. We would do well to better understand what it means in order to better live out the Christian life and discern false teaching rightly.

Judge or Judge Not: Which is Right?
by Angela Dion May 2009

Many news headlines and stories for the past two years focus on how judgmental Christians are. What does God’s Word offer for guidance in this area?

Christians seem to fall into two categories concerning judging others. Either we judge with an iron fist, condemning anyone who doesn’t conform to our standards, or we never judge others, thinking: "Nobody’s perfect; Who am I to judge?" Are there people whom Christians should judge? What does the Bible teach us about judging?

WHAT IS JUDGING?

“In Greek, the word ‘judge’ means to condemn or acquit someone after a thorough investigation. It means to make an informed decision about the guilt or innocence of someone, and have the authority to carry out that decision,” offers mental health therapist Sue McHenry. Book and Bible study author Mike Ratliff adds, “The biblical definition of judging is that which our Lord used in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7) when he talked of people wanting to remove the mote from their brother's eye when they should first remove the log from their own. In other words, improper judging is saying something to another to bring that person down below us.”

There is a difference between a wise judgment and a judgmental attitude. Dr. Peter Beck, assistant professor of Religion at Charleston Southern University, notes the distinction between wise judgment and a judgmental attitude. “The judgmental condemn others for the very sins they harbor themselves. Wise judgment, however, keeps us from being condemned because of the errors of others.”

In her book, “Therapy with God” (Xulon Press, 2008), McHenry introduces “Speck-and-Log Therapy” as it relates to a judgmental attitude. She suggests, “When you notice yourself being critical and judgmental of someone else, take a minute to pray about that and ask Jesus to reveal to you where that might be a problem in your own life. Use your judgmental attitude as a barometer to look inside yourself.”

PEOPLE TO JUDGE

Clear of a judgmental attitude, there are three categories of people Christians can judge.

1. Ourselves. The first person we should judge is ourselves. McHenry uses the biblical example of Isaiah 6:1 to demonstrate. “This Scripture gives a beautiful illustration of that as Isaiah goes from the prideful, ‘Woe is you, Israel’ to ‘Woe is me, I am undone,’ because he finally saw the Lord high and lifted up. Having thus seen himself in direct comparison with God, his pride was broken and he repented. Then God was able to use him.”

Self-examination will guard us from making hypocritical and condemning judgments against others. In addition to Matthew 7, Romans 2:1-5 points out that we frequently are hard on others for the very things that are problematic for us. If we find ourselves judging others before we look at ourselves, often it’s an indication of sin in our own lives. Once we remove our own plank, then we can consider others.

We frequently are hard on others for the very things that are problematic for us. Ratliff responds, “The way of life, which does not judge others based on one’s own value system, results from surrendering to the Bible’s teaching on judging ourselves against God’s standards. When we do that, we do not judge others. Instead, we forgive them.”

2. False prophets. Christians have to be familiar with the basic truths of the Christian faith in order to recognize and discourage the deception promoted by a false prophet or blasphemer. Jesus spoke of false prophets when he said in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them."

Ratliff adds, “Our Lord commands us to make ‘judgments’ by discerning false teachings and teachers and then avoid and expose them. We are commanded to do this, but not hypocritically. Also, the goal of this judging should always be the other person's repentance and restoration, not their destruction.”

3. Christian brothers and sisters. Examples of biblical judging include Jesus turning over the tables of the money changers, Paul writing letters criticizing behavior in the churches and James accusing believers of showing favoritism to the rich. At times, we need to make a judgment on a fellow believer’s behavior.

Dr. Beck explains, "I am to call sin ‘sin.' I am to judge between right and wrong. I am to avoid sin on my part and prevent it on the part of others. If I don't, I am guilty by implication. Remember Peter's accusation on the day of Pentecost: ‘This Jesus whom you handed over to be crucified (my paraphrase).' Those people in the crowd didn't bind Jesus. They didn't beat Jesus. They didn't crucify Jesus. They stood by and did nothing to stop it. And they were found guilty by silent association."

We just have to make sure our motives are proper. Ratliff says, “The source of judging others incorrectly is pride. The humble righteous believer still has to judge, but it will always be in light of God’s values and will be his judgments.”

HOW TO JUDGE

The common thread throughout biblical judging is the motivation to glorify God. We must approach God in prayer before judging another, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal our motives and methods. Three conditions should exist before we judge sin in a fellow believer: love the other person, know the heart of the other person and desire to restore the other person.

1. Love. Love is the beginning point in any form of relationship that will bring glory to God. Also, you will be more likely to receive a positive response when you come to someone in love. McHenry cautions, “When you have a brother or sister mired in sin, first and foremost prepare your heart for humility through prayer. Ask Jesus to help you join him in his humble approach.” She continues, “Confronting our brothers and sisters about their sin is a responsibility we all share, but to do so in love, grace, encouragement and humility is the way of Christ and leaves you feeling uplifted and at peace.”

2. Know the heart. Before we judge other believers, we should know them. If we know the heart of the person, we’ll have insight into his situation. Develop a transparent relationship with the person first, then judge only if the situation warrants it. We don’t want to judge by what we perceive on the surface but by what we know to be true.

For example, if someone appears to have no self-control in finances, a discerning judge will know what his finances were like last year, if he’s signed up for the budgeting seminar, if someone else is helping him in this area, etc. An uninformed judge is a dangerous judge. Know the heart and meet the person where he is.

3. Restoration. The goal of proper judging should be restoration of the person. “Your purpose isn’t to humiliate them or beat them into submission. Your purpose is to restore them to a state of cleanliness before God,” says McHenry.

Ask: am I trying to elevate myself or deflate the other person, or is restoration really my motive? If our desire is honestly to restore the other person, we won’t approach him or her with a holier-than-thou attitude. If we examine our motives carefully, love the person and know the heart, restoration should be possible.

Dr. Beck gives a final word, “Jesus teaches that we are to be discerning, able to judge between right and wrong, recognizing and acknowledging error when we see it in the beliefs and corresponding actions of others. (Matthew 7:5-6, 15-20). This kind of judgment preserves us, the church and others from the sin that so easily corrupts the truth and undermines the Gospel.”

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." ~ John 7:24

~ktf~
John

BE THE MAN!!

2009-05-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

What does it take to be a man of God? The image of a man according to the world has been distorted, softened and feminized over the years to the point that men find it difficult to even know what their role is in society, marriage and the church.

Phil Johnson over at "Pyromaniacs" addresses this topic specifically with regard to the church. Here are a few excerpts from the article entitled:

"More on the Sissification of the Church"

"Most of the seminars, rallies, and books targeting evangelical men have actually made the situation worse. They are either dominated by feminine themes (personal relationships, dealing with your emotional hurts, learning the various "love languages," and other forms of sensitivity training)—or else they tend to paint a picture of masculinity that sounds like it is taken from The Brothers Grimm rather than Scripture."

"Until men themselves stop listening to those who define manhood in terms of beer, stogies, and cage fighting; until Christian leaders quit fooling around with various tokens of artificial manhood; and until Christian men en masse seriously begin to cultivate real courage, conviction, and commitment to Christ and the gospel, the problem will persist."

"...according to John Eldredge: "Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue."That's a fairy-tale perspective. It's an irresponsible little boy's notion of manhood. It lacks any biblical foundation whatsoever."

"In short, the problem is not that Christian women have overwhelmed the church with their feminine charms and seduced its focus away from where it ought to be. The problem is with Christian men who aren't manly enough to balance the equation."

"Real manliness is defined by Christlike character, and not just the Gentle-Jesus-meek-and-mild-style character, but the full-orbed fruit of the Spirit rounded out with strength, courage, conviction, strong passions, manly love, and a stout-hearted willingness to oppose error and fight for the truth—even to the point of laying down your life for the truth if necessary."

The real model for manhood is Jesus Christ. You don't see any references in scripture about Jesus boasting of how much beer he drank or how tough he was. He didn't have impressive toys or make crude jokes about women. Never do we see him grunting, cage fighting or bumping chests with the guys. And yet, He was the picture of masculinity as God designed it to be. Throughout scripture, God gives us examples of what it means to be a real man...

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:11

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ~ Matthew 16:24-25

How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. ~ Psalm 128:1-4

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. ~ 2 Peter 1:5-9

The man's role in marriage is defined in direct relationship to that of Christ and the Church:

For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, ~ Ephesians 5:23-25

Men are responsible for leading their family in the ways of the Lord:

A righteous man who walks in his integrity--How blessed are his sons after him. ~ Proverbs 20:7

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ~ Ephesians 6:4

As David's time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son, saying, "I am going the way of all the earth Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. "Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn... ~ 1 Kings 2:1-3

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."~ Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Men are called to be the initiators. The leaders not the followers. The one who stands...

“Initiation is the distilled essence of masculinity. Men have a responsibility in all relationships to be the primary initiator. If a male will not initiate then he is not a man. If a man will not initiate then he will live with the regret and failure of his passivity."

"The world cries for men who are strong: strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer...glad to shoulder the burden of manliness." ~ Elisabeth Elliot (author of "The Mark of a Man". Elisabeth's husband Jim, was martyred for his faith while sharing the Gospel in Ecuador; subject of the movie: "End of the Spear")

Men should strive to be disciplined, self-controlled and servants as Christ demonstrated. A true leader is one who serves and thinks of others first. A Godly man is one who's life is marked with the fruits of the spirit...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-25). As men of God, our hope should be in Jesus Christ; not our wives, not the best-selling "How to be a Man" book, not in "Men Retreats" and especially not in the ways of the world. He alone is our hope and our model for masculinity.

~ktf~
John

Real Hope, Real Truth

2009-04-28T06:18:00.000-07:00

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. ~John 18:36-38

"Idolatry is the sin in which Man makes something or someone other than God his or her god. Tragically, there are many false versions of Jesus Christ being worshipped in our time. These other forms of Jesus are not the real Saviour, but are man-made versions in the form that is easy for the unregenerate heart to love and worship. These idolatrous forms of Jesus never demand holiness and repentance. They never confront false teachers and false prophets because that would be divisive." (Mike Ratliffe- "Possessing the Treasure")

In these difficult times, people are searching for answers. They're searching for solutions to the economic woes and for a way out. Sadly, many are turning away from the truth; putting their trust in man or man-made systems. The below article identifies one way this is happening that should remind all of us where real truth and real hope comes from.

read the full article here...

"CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?"

~ktf~
John

Unfashionable Church

2009-04-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Interesting article over at 'The Christian Post' on Pastor Tullian Tchividjian who recently took over as Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida. For what it's worth, Tchividjian is the grandson of Rev. Billy Graham.

"Young Christian Leader Makes Case for 'Unfashionable' Churches"

A few great quotes from this article...

"...he is among those Christian leaders who believe that main problem churches face is not that they are culturally out of touch, but that they are theologically out of tune."

"And Jacksonville-born preacher is convinced that serious seekers today aren’t looking for something appealing and trendy. “They’re looking for something deeper than what’s currently in fashion,” Tchividjian insists."

“Truthfulness, not trendiness is what new generations are thirsting for,” Tchividjian writes."

"Tchividjian hopes to mobilize a generation of God-saturated missionaries who will “live against the world for the world” and not be “seduced by cool” or what’s fashionable."

Could this perhaps be the start of a shift from the Emergent, feel-good movement where church is all about attracting & entertaining the seeker to a more God-centered, theological approach? The surveys & polls have already shown that people are growing tired of the silly, squisshy churches as they hunger for more of the Gospel; a church where the focus is on God and His Word rather than the methods of man to keep them from being bored.

~ktf~
John

Why I Blog

2009-04-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

With the advent of the Internet came a whole new approach to communication. E-mails, instant messages, chat rooms, forums, bulletin boards, MySpace, Facebook and blogging. Now more than ever, everyone has something to say about everything or nothing at all. For those information-junkies (I'm one of them), there is an endless flow of fact, fiction, theory, opinion and everything in between available on the 'Net. For those who feel the need to share what they've discovered, observed, pondered or stumbled across, there is Blogging.

The purpose behind this blog is to share the truth. Not just any truth but more specifically, the truth that leads to Jesus Christ, the author of Truth. Despite what the post-modernist may think, truth is not relative. Some things are true whether you choose to believe them or not. Christ came in order that we may know life-changing truth. That in knowing this truth, we might be freed from the bondage of our sins. As such, what I hope to convey through this Blog is that which will encourage others to find and grow in the Way, Truth and Life of Jesus Christ. Just because we're passionate about something doesn't necessarily mean we ignore our responsibility to apply biblical principles in all that we do and say.

"If the tongue is a fire, the Internet is a nuclear bomb; and blogs, if wrongly used, are the radioactive waste that endangers us all." ~ Pastor Scott Thomas, Director of Acts29

THE RELIGIOUS SOAP-BOX

There are generally two topics that many people prefer to keep private and not talk about. Politics and religion. Why? Because everyone has an opinion and we see things differently. What's right for you may not be right for the next person. The question is, who defines what is right and true? If there is a God (and I believe there is), then He has established the standard of right and wrong. For the Christian, we have God's inspired Word to guide us in truth and morals. This Word is also where we find instruction for living and sharing the good news of the Gospel with the world. Evangelizing is not a special gift nor is it an option. All believers are called to preach, teach and share the truth of the Gospel. This Blog is one way for me to attempt to do just that.

SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

What motivates me to write or share the things I do on this Blog:

1) A PASSION FOR THE LOST

"Paul sought to save men; and because he sought to save them, he was not content merely to throw truth at them; but he went out of his way to get alongside them, and to start thinking with them from where they were, and to speak to them in terms that they could understand, and above all to avoid anything that would prejudice them against the Gospel...in his zeal to maintain truth he never lost sight of the needs and claims of people." ~ J.I. Packer

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." ~ Matthew 24:14

"for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" ~ Romans 10:13-14

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." ~ Acts 1:8

2) SHARE WISDOM FROM THE WORD OF GOD

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." ~ Titus 2:1

3) INSPIRE OTHERS TO SEEK THE TRUTH

"but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
~ Ephesians 4:15-16

"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." ~ Acts 17:11

"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." ~ 1 Timothy 4:16

4) IDENTIFY FALSE TEACHING

"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." ~ Jude 1:3-4

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." ~ Matthew 7:15

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." ~ John 7:24

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-5

5) PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." ~ 1 Timothy 4:2

"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 11

6) PERSONAL LIFE LESSONS

"The real test of being in the presence of God is, that you either forget about yourself altogether or see yourself as a small, dirty object. It is better to forget about yourself altogether."
~ C.S. Lewis ("Mere Christianity")

"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."
~ 1 Peter 3:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." ~ 2 Timothy 2:15

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
~ Titus 2:7-8

7) SHARE UNCOMPROMISING TRUTH

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." ~ Romans 16:17-18

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." ~ James 4:4

"This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith..." ~ Titus 1:13

TRUTH DIVIDES

If you're a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, one thing you will discover is that you will encounter resistance to what you believe and what you share. No matter how hard you try, sooner or later you're going to offend someone with what you say or write. Again, the purpose of this Blog is to share the truth of the Gospel in love, without compromise. I'm not a theologian nor am I without fault. Some of what I share comes from personal experience. Don't take what I say to be the final word on anything. There are much wiser biblical scholars and then there is the Word of God. I'll try to reference these sources whenever I'm trying to make a point. Check them out and above all, pray and ask God to reveal His truth to you through the bible.

"And you shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake. But he that shall endure unto the end, he shall be saved." ~ Mark 13:13

On occasion, some have confronted me regarding certain comments in my posts that seem to be speaking directly to them. Some have accused me of attacking them or their church. It's been said that if you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that squeals is the one that got hit. The Gospel offends. Never should we try to soften it in order to avoid this. The power of the Holy Spirit is what convicts us of sin and ultimately what opens our eyes to the truth that saves. Our responsibility is simply to share the truth in love. Both in our words and in our actions.

Christianity remains under attack from the world. Jesus warned us of this. Furthermore, there is a split taking place within evangelical Christianity as a result of the Emergent movement. In an effort to try and reach the lost, many have resorted to methods that appeal to world which often leads to compromising the Word of God. There is no room within the truth of the Gospel for tolerance of sin or compromise of moral principles that God put in place. Our purpose here on earth is to glorify God. We do this by preaching the Word and demonstrating love in all things in order that sinners be saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. God Himself is the one who does the saving.

IF WE BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME

No where in scripture does God instruct us to appeal to the world or become like the world in order to draw people to Him. Mega Churches, marketing, programs, entertainment, drama, music and charismatic preaching are pointless if the Gospel is not being rightly proclaimed. There is one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. How we present this is where it gets tricky. Our pride-filled, self-centered nature often leads us in an attempt to win others through persuasion, debate or coercion. We must be careful of our motives and focus on the main thing otherwise we may find ourselves winning the battles but losing the war.

Should we speak boldly for the truth, contend for the faith, and champion the gospel? Absolutely! Should we encourage each other to love and good works? Yes! Should we plead with others with tears to turn and repent if we see them heading down a wrong path? Unquestionably! But let us do so with self-sacrificial love, reverence for God and respect for one another. May we do so abandoning anger, wrath, slander, gossip, bitterness and malice. May we not strive to just be right, win an argument, publicly champion an issue, and on our blogs try to one up each other by tearing each other to pieces in the combox turning someone's life, ministry, and failings into blogging sport for the week. ~ Steve Camp

The goal should never be about numbers or success but rather, about teaching sound doctrine. Church was designed to be a place where Christians gathered to worship God. Where people are discipled in the truth and sent out into the world to reach the lost with the Gospel. Sadly, many churches have become like the world in order to please the seeker-sensitive crowd. This has led to more emphasis on a Social Gospel rather than a Cross-Centered Gospel.

"Spiritual decline...is the result of the presence of falsehood where there should be truth...gospel truth, not unity, was the first need....We can be sure that it will not be addressed effectively until there is renewed anointing of power upon those whose only authority is the Word of God." ~ Iain Murray

As I've said before, the purpose of this Blog is truth. If ever you come across something that contradicts the truth in what I write, confront me with it. I welcome your comments, critique and criticism. I will try my best to heed the advice I've offered above when it comes to sharing the truth in love. Certainly, I will fail at times. For that, I apologize in advance. My intent is not to cause dissension within the body of believers but at the same time, I will not sugar-coat the Word of God in order to avoid offending someone. I recognize that everyone is at a different point in their spiritual journey but, we should all be striving for the same thing.. to glorify God.

In summary, if you're only interested in "God is love", feel-good, best-life-now, purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive messages, this is probably not a Blog you'd like. If you're looking for God in the Shack, behind the Velvet Elvis or some sort of New Christianity, you're in the wrong place. If however, it's truth you are seeking without everything having to change, then you're in the right place.

~ktf~
John

The Cross: Your Best Life Now?

2009-04-11T07:46:00.001-07:00

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ~Luke 9:23-24

"God wants us to prosper financially, to have plenty of money, to fulfill the destiny He has laid out for us." ~Joel Osteen

What brought you to the Cross? What motivated you to become a Christian? Was there an emptiness within that the world could not fill or a longing for purpose in life? Perhaps you were driven by a fear of hell or inspired by an emotional sermon to accept Jesus into your life in order that your sins could be forgiven. Or, was it the power of the Gospel that brought you to your knees before a Holy God, revealing your sinful condition and need for salvation? Whatever it was, one thing is certain; The Christian life is not about having your best life now. It's not about finding happiness and having all of your earthly needs met. It's not even about comfort.

The abundant life Jesus promised us (John 10:10) was not a reference to the good things of life according to worldly standards. In fact, Jesus reminded us often to avoid being consumed with the things of the world. He also made it clear that to follow Him meant to deny ourselves and expect to be hated by the world (Matt. 10:22). That doesn't sound like your best life now does it?

Christ went to the Cross to suffer and die for us. The ultimate expression of love. The ultimate sacrifice. He paid the ultimate price; the payment required for our sins in order that we might be saved from God's just wrath. In order that we might be restored to the Father. His work on the Cross was the completion of His purpose on earth...

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. ~John 19:30

Those who followed Christ during His earthly ministry continued to do so after His death and resurrection. They remained "in Him" and they paid the price for their commitment to the Cross...

- Matthew was killed by the sword in Ethiopia.

- Mark died in Egypt after being dragged by horses.

- Luke was hanged in Greece.

- Peter was crucified upside down.

- James (the Just) was beat to death after being thrown from the Temple.

- James (the Greater) was beheaded.

- Bartholomew was flayed to death by whipping.

- Andrew was crucified.

- Thomas was killed by the spear.

- Jude (the brother of Jesus) was killed with arrows.

- Matthias was stoned then beheaded.

- Barnabas was stoned to death.

- Paul was beheaded.

- John was boiled in oil although he lived to die as a prisoner on Patmos.

Followers of Christ living their best life now.

When Christ told us to "take up our cross", He was referring to giving our entire lives to Him. Complete dedication to Him. Living for Him and not for self. His suffering on the Cross was much more than the physical suffering; It was experiencing separation from God and receiving the full wrath of God intended for us...

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ~Matthew 27:46

Through Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to God.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ~ Romans 5:9-10

The entire message of the Bible points to the completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Fallen man, lost in our sins, unable to save ourselves, unable to attain righteousness before a just God. God simply cannot forgive sin without payment for those sins. Because of our sins and rebellion from God, we deserve the full wrath of God. The perfect Law of God demands death for sin. Christ stepped in and took our place to save us. That is the purpose of the Cross.

Sadly, the true significance of the Cross has been watered-down over time. The Gospel message softened in order to not be so offensive. In striving to bring people to Jesus, many have left out the reasons behind the Cross and instead, focused on what Jesus can do for you in the here and now.

Consider all the programs and marketing strategies of churches today designed to draw people in. Church has become a place of entertainment to some extent. A place where your ears are tickled and your senses massaged with all sorts of feel-good topical presentations. The new approach to evangelism is meeting needs and focusing on social issues rather than getting to the root of our problems; sin. The Gospel of 21st America is no longer about slaying the sinner; It's about renewal, redirection and rediscovery. The Cross should be where we die and where we are reborn. This should be a daily process in the life of the believer. It should cut us to the heart and make us squirm. The Cross is where the old life ends and new life begins. No turning back to the false appeals from the world but instead, moving forward to the abundant life found only in Christ.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. ~ Galatians 5:22-25

The faith of Christ does not parallel the world, it intersects it. In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up onto a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him to a new life along with Christ...Let us preach the old cross and we will know the old power. ~ A.W. Tozer

~ktf~
John

His Blood Was Shed For Us

2009-04-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

Good Friday was not a good day for Jesus Christ. True, it was the beginning of the atonement for our sins but the price to be paid was great. Dan Phillips over at "Pyromaniacs" explains the contrast between the blood sacrifice, the cross and the price of our salvation...

A holy day- not a pretty day

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. ~ Hebrews 9: 22

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ~ 1 Peter 1: 18-19

But what does "the blood" mean in Scripture? It means not merely suffering, which might be well typified by blood, but it means suffering unto death, it means the taking of a life. To put it very briefly, a sin against God deserves death as its punishment, and what God said by the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel still standeth true, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The only way by which God could fulfill his threatening sentence, and yet forgive guilty men, was that Jesus Christ, his Son, came into the world, and offered his life instead of ours ~ Charles Spurgeon (MTP, vol. 40, p. 325).

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. ~1 Corinthians 15: 3-4

~ktf~
John

Amazing Love

2009-04-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

"Amazing Love" ~ Newsboys

"I’m forgiven because You were forsaken...I’m accepted, You were condemned "

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ~ Matthew 27: 46

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. ~ Ephesians 1: 7

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. ~ Colossians 2:13-14

"I'm alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me...Because You died and rose again"

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. ~ Romans 8: 9-10

"Amazing love, how can it be That You, my King, should die for me?"

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ~ 1 John 4:10

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5: 6-8

"...It’s my joy to honor You In all I do."

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

It's difficult if not impossible for us to imagine what it would be like to give our only child to be killed in order for someone else to live. To further expand this point, imagine that this person for whom your child would die is not even deserving of such love. Imagine the recipient of this great sacrifice was perhaps the most evil person to have ever lived. Would you sacrifice your only child to save Hitler?

That's exactly what God did for us.

He gave His perfect, sinless, innocent Son to atone for the sins of the most evil, wretched, vile human beings to have ever existed. The natural human response to love is that somehow we're deserving of it. When someone expresses love for us, we tend to think that it's because of something we have that's worth loving. Christ didn't die for good people. He died for those condemned. For those who rebel against God. Those under the wrath of God.

He died for me and He died for you.

We are these wretched people for whom a Father gave a Son to suffer and die for. Not only did Christ endure the physical suffering of death, He also experienced the full wrath of God by paying the price for our sins. This is beyond all human understanding. It simply doesn't make sense according to human standards. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh taking our sins in exchange for His righteousness. The cost to us? No charge... "Paid In Full". Ours is simply to receive God's grace by repenting (turning from) our sins and putting our trust in Christ.

My friend, it doesn't get any better than that.
THAT is truly "Amazing Love".

"In all I do, Let me honor You."

~ktf~
John

Why Man Rejects The Gospel

2009-03-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

One common theme amongst every religion is conversion. Reach the lost. Save souls. Transform lives. Make people believers and followers. Within so many churches across America today, there is an increased effort to reach the "un-churched". There seems to be no limit to the methods used as a way to attract people into church. It would appear that many churches believe if they can just get them into church, these "seekers" will accept Jesus and become fully devoted followers.

If the Gospel is being preached (as all churches claim they are), why then are we not seeing people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ? I'm not just talking about people coming to church and "asking Jesus into their hearts". I'm not talking about numbers and how many people were Baptized or how many people raised their hands during an altar call. I'm talking about a transformed life as God's Word defines it. I'm not ripping on any particular church or method; I seriously want to know. If the Gospel is being preached (or taught), why is it becoming increasingly more difficult to distinguish the Christian from the unregenerate person of the world?

“Every proposed method of salvation that leaves the issue dependent on human volition is defective. It has always been found that men will not come to Christ for life. The Gospel is preached to every creature; but all, with one consent, ask to be excused. The will of man must be changed; and this change the will cannot itself effect. Divine grace must here interpose. Unless God works in the sinner to will and to do, salvation is impossible.” ~ John Dagg ("Manual of Theology)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ~ I Cor. 2:14

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ~ 2 Cor. 4:4

Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ~ John 10:26

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. ~ Eph.2: 1-3

The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. ~Rom. 8: 7-8

~ktf~
John

Christian Blogging Rules of Engagement

2009-03-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...~ Romans 14: 1-23

The great thing about blogging is the ability to share what's on your heart & mind with a large audience. Unfortunately, blogging is not nearly the same as having a face-to- face conversation. When it comes to spiritual matters, what may seem right to one person is not necessarily how someone else sees it. God made each of us unique. Some, He pursues for a lifetime before they "get it". Others receive the Gospel early on. Still others will leave this world lost without hope, having rebelled against Him in pursuit of self regardless of how much evidence, religion or grace is demonstrated to them.

Regardless of where you are, there is one common trait each of us has. Pride. Without a doubt, this is one of the biggest sins we all struggle with. Pride rears it's ugly head quite often in the Christian camp. The more we learn about Him, the better we tend to think we are. The great human condition. Our natural instinct is to expect that everyone around us sees things as we do and when we do. Justification may be an instant transformation but the process of sanctification lasts a lifetime.

If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ, you will have a growing passion for the lost. This is how God intended the Gospel to be spread. A transformed heart sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. Armed with a bible and this zeal, we can either be the light He commanded us to be or, a stumbling block to those around us. Blogging lends itself to be grounds for debating everything from the Gospel to how a Christian should worship God at church on Sunday. The amazing thing about His Word is the power it has to transform lives. One cannot help but be affected by it's supernatural ability to open eyes, soften hearts, convict souls and keep us on the narrow way.

Long before there were Blogs, Christians were debating spiritual issues. The early apostles dealt with this on a regular basis within their circle and amongst the early churches. Some issues were trivial (such as what type of food is ok to eat) while others were core doctrine principles of the faith.

Romans 14 covers the gray areas of the faith and reminds us of the importance of demonstrating grace towards our Christian brothers and sisters; especially the new believers. Throughout scripture, we are instructed to contend for the faith, sharing the truth in love to all. Never are we to compromise the truth to avoid offending a fellow believer or the unsaved. That much is clear. Why then do we see so much friction within the church today? I think pride is a factor but I also believe that compromise is another reason. In our quest to share the good news, we often soften the message to make it attractive to a lost world. "God is love" is much more appealing than "you're going to hell". While both are true, they are not the full picture of the Gospel by themselves. One must not attempt to "sell" the Gospel with one while ignoring the other. In Romans 1:18 - 2:16. Paul describes the sinful condition of mankind. Not until Romans 3:21 does he get into the grace of God through the works of Christ. There is a God-designed order to the Gospel and we would do well to follow this in how we share it with the unsaved.

When it comes to Blog-Debates, we should always consider our motive for what we write and how we respond. Is our objective to win the debate, proving that we are right or, is it to speak and defend the truth? The same applies when it comes to sharing any of God's Word. It should always be delivered in the correct context and without using it to make a personal attack on someone. If you're trying to make a biblical point, do your homework; Don't "cherry-pick" verses. Finally, our thoughts, inspirations, views and opinions should always be proceeded by prayer.

Mike Ratliff over at "Possessing the Treasure" recently covered this issue in true Christ-like character. Regardless of what it is we're passionately trying to convey through our Blogs or conversations, there are some terrific principles to keep in mind in his article...

"A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break"

On a personal level, I apologize to those I may have offended in my zeal for conveying the truth. While the purpose and theme may be biblically sound, the delivery may not always have been. As the song says, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me...", I am without a doubt that wretch. As such, my rough edges, pride and sinful nature make me a work in progress. I thank you for your patience, grace and tolerance while sorting through the rambling Blogs that I post.

~ktf~
John

The Effects of Cultural Christianity

2009-03-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ~ 1 John 1: 6

Susan Yenser was raised in a Christian home. She "said the prayer" at a young age and went through all the motions of a typical Christian. Watch this humbling video and listen to her explain what happens when the Gospel is watered-down...

Christianity is not about perfection. It's about the direction we're moving in life.
It's about transformation and sanctification..."And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." ~ Romans 12: 2

The walk on the narrow way (Matt.7:13-14) begins with a broken and contrite heart softened by the Holy Spirit through the hearing of the Gospel. The journey starts at repentance & faith in Christ. It's more than just asking God to forgive you of your sins. There must be a repentant heart; a turning from sin; dying to self and trusting alone in Christ to save you. There is a cost...(Luke 14: 27-33)

I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.~ 2 Corinthians 7: 9-10

Is your hunger for the Word and righteousness or more of the world? Are you becoming more sensitive to your sin? Do you struggle with it or do you make excuses for it? (Romans 7: 7-25). Are you growing in holiness? Are you concerned for the lost and doing anything about it?

Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World
"Traditional methodology - most noticeably preaching - is being discarded or downplayed in favor of newer means, such as drama, dance, comedy, variety, side-show histrionics, pop-psychology, and other entertainment forms... In the past half-decade, some of America's largest evangelical churches have employed worldly gimmicks like slapstick, vaudeville, wrestling exhibitions and even mock striptease to spice up their Sunday meetings. No brand of horseplay, it seems, is too outrageous to be brought into the sanctuary. Burlesque is fast becoming the liturgy of the pragmatic church." ~ John MacArthur

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ~ 2 Corinthians 13: 5

Only through the grace of God are we called to repentance and faith in Christ.
Salvation is not a choice we make; It's a response to the Gospel call.

~ktf~
John

Remember Your First Love

2009-03-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ~ Revelation 2: 2-5

In this passage, Christ is reminding the Ephesians' that their passion and zeal for Him has faded. Their heart no longer burned with that deep love for Christ. Yes, they were doing good things. Yes, they were serving Him and keeping true to their faith. Through false teaching, they persevered. They recognized and confronted evil, remaining faithful to the Word. All of this, Christ recognized however, more important than this was that their love for Him had grown cold. They had become so wrapped up in religion and moral purity that they had forgotten what it was that transformed them in the first place.

How often we all are guilty of this today. We can be on fire for the Word, proclaiming the Truth of the Gospel, sharing the good news and yet, lose sight of the reason behind it all. In our passion for the lost, we must remain focused on the main thing... Our love for Jesus Christ (Mark 12:30).

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."... Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." ~ John 14: 21, 23

I think it's interesting how marriage is used throughout the Bible to demonstrate the relationship between the Church and Christ (Ephesians 5: 22-33). The love of the groom (Christ) for the bride (the Church).

Remember that powerful, passionate love you first had when you were dating your spouse? When you couldn't get enough of each other and nothing else in the world seemed as important? You couldn't sleep, concentrate or get them out of your mind. So too it was when we first became a Christian. When the Holy Spirit opened our eyes and transformed our hearts. It truly was a "born again" experience. The never ending desire to know Him more. You couldn't get enough of His Word. You looked forward to being around other Believers and sharing this new found love with everyone you came in contact with. As we became more aware of His great love for us, our thoughts, actions and desires changed. Why? Because through Him, we were awakened to a love for Him. It was Him who pursued us and Him who loved us first (1 John 4:19). Remember that feeling when your spouse first told you they loved you? Multiply that by a zillion and you start to scratch the surface of Christ's love for us.

How do we keep our love for Christ from growing cold? In the same way we do in marriage. We demonstrate love by putting them first and showing how much we value them. We move beyond mere feelings to a deeper intimacy through surrender and submission. Surrendering our will and submitting to His. Living for Him and dying to self. In marriage, we can say "I love you" and we can do all sorts of nice things for one another but, if we don't spend time cultivating intimacy, the love fades and we simply go through the motions. This is especially true in our Christian life when it comes to doing good things. We can go to church, go on mission trips, help the poor and be very religious however, unless we maintain a growing, intimate relationship with Christ by spending quality time with Him (bible study & prayer), the love (on our part) begins to fade.

Fortunately for us, God never stops loving us nor does He grow weary or bored with us. His love is an all-consuming love. It's because of this love that His Spirit reminds us when we're drifting from Him. On the outside, we may appear to be quite religious and God-loving. Inside however, we may have wrong motives and selfish desires. The key is to remain in Him and not become consumed with what we do but why we do it. Not because we look good or even feel good but because we love Him. If we love Him, we'll keep His commandments and we'll feed His sheep (John 21:17).

If we love Him, we'll desire more of Him, less of the world and less of us. We'll be consumed for Him to the point where everything else seems meaningless and we can't help but share Him with the world.

~ktf~
John

The Heart of the Gospel

2009-03-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

A simple explanation of the Gospel by R. C. Sproul...

((text from above video))

"There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, 'you can have a purpose to your life', or that 'you can have meaning to your life', or that 'you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.' All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.

The Gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.

The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the Gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity." ~R.C. Sproul

To those who question whether we should be boldly proclaiming this sort of message to the world, I ask you... How much do you really love others and especially God if you are more concerned about offending people with the Gospel? There should be a consuming passion within every true Believer to share this good news with every lost person. If this is not the case, perhaps your relationship with God is not all you think it is.

Consider how Paul presented the Gospel in Romans 1:18 - 3: 28. First, he gave a lengthy explanation of sin; how every human being is affected by it, how it separates us from God and how we are under the wrath of God as a result of sin. Paul goes on for 64 verses before he transitions into salvation (which he spends only 7 verses on). In order to see that we need a Savior, we first need to see WHY we need a savior.

~ktf~
John

Getting The Gospel Right

2009-03-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

MORALIZED PREACHING:

"If you get the Gospel wrong and don't distinguish between what the Gospel is and what morality is, then what you've done at best is restrained the hearts of people but, you will not see their hearts transformed. If you don't get the Gospel right then what ends up happening is men & women become conformed to a pattern of religion but they are not transformed by the Holy Spirit of God. Without the Gospel you inoculate people to Jesus Christ. You give them just enough of Him to never know Him." ~ Matt Chandler ("Desiring God Conference").

So the question is, what is the Gospel?

Is it compassion, feeding the starving, helping the poor, saving the planet or working towards world peace? No. What about spreading the love of Jesus Christ? Not exactly. These are effects OF the Gospel; not the Gospel itself. These are things that Christians should be doing but should not be confused with being the Gospel. Topical teaching on "how to have this or that" is pointless without the Gospel. Giving tips on how to overcome sin is pointless to the unregenerate person unless they first hear the Gospel and are transformed by the Holy Spirit.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. ~ Hebrews 5: 11-14

The Gospel is the Cross. Why Jesus Christ came, why He suffered a physical death and especially why He suffered the full wrath of God. Substitutionary atonement. He took our place. He paid the price for our sins. The Cross is what it's all about. By repenting of our sins and trusting in Christ, we are imputed with the righteousness of Christ. Through our belief, repentance and trust, through faith, we experience this life-changing grace of God. This is the Gospel.

Is this not the most important thing we should be sharing with every single person?

~ktf~
John

Ask Jesus Into Your Heart?

2009-03-15T18:13:00.001-07:00

"Do you want to be a Christian?" "Do you want Him to come into your life?"

Just ask Jesus into your heart.

Simply raise your hand, say this short prayer and you're now a Christian.

With so many churches today neglecting the preaching of the Gospel, the closest they even get to it anymore is this simple invitation to "Ask Jesus Into Your Heart". If even mentioned at all, it's often squeezed in at the end of the sermon (oops, I mean 'experience'). Somewhere just before or just after the offering. Usually with the emotional music playing softly in the background.

"Just pray this prayer and He'll come into your heart and heal you."

Heal you from what? How can all of these so-called seekers possibly understand what grace, salvation and justification is if they don't even hear WHY they need to be saved and from what? The Gospel is much more than simply asking Jesus into your heart. It's more than asking God to forgive you of your mistakes (sin just seems too offensive). What about repentance? What about trust in Christ? Nope. Just ask Jesus into your heart and you're good to go.

Given this ignorance of the Gospel, we shouldn't be surprised by the shocking results of so many surveys today. So-called Christians who don't believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Who don't believe in hell. Who don't believe in the wrath of God. Who see nothing wrong with abortion or homosexuality. Why should this surprise us?

The problem is that so many churches have changed the Gospel into something that will appeal to the world instead of presenting it as Jesus Christ taught it. No one wants to hear about the wrath of God or repentance. They want to have their best life now. "What can Jesus do for me?"
Most contemporary churches today focus their Sunday 'experience' on entertaining the seeker and building everything around them instead of glorifying God by preaching the Gospel.

Paul Washer shares what's wrong with the typical church invitation...

Here are 10 reasons NOT to "Ask Jesus Into Your Heart"...
(from Soli Deo Gloria... click to read the full detailed list)

1. It is not in the Bible.
2. Asking Jesus into your heart is a saying that makes no sense.
3. In order to be saved, a man must repent. (Acts 2:38)
4. In order to be saved, a man must trust in Jesus Christ. (Acts 16:31)
5. The person who wrongly believes they are saved will have a false sense of security.
6. Those who ask Jesus into his heart often end up an inoculated, bitter backslider.
7. It presents God as a beggar just hoping you will let Him into your busy life.
8. The cause of Christ is ridiculed.
9. The cause of evangelism is hindered.
10. Here is the scary one.People who have asked Jesus into their hearts, but never repented and put their trust in Christ, will perish on the Day of Judgment.

Salvation is not about us accepting Jesus; It's about Him accepting us. Nothing we can do will save us or make us good enough to be saved. It starts with a repentant heart and trusting fully in Jesus Christ. The transformation follows and it's the fruit of our life that demonstrates our salvation; not a simple prayer we say.

~ktf~
John

Great Sex: God's Way (Church Marketing 101)

2009-03-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4: 2-5

The marketing of church continues. Churches doing whatever it takes to draw the "seeker" in. What happens when these so-called seekers do come into the church, what are they hearing? Unfortunately, they're probably not hearing the Gospel or why they must be saved or even how (at least not biblically). What they are hearing is the social gospel. How to live a better life. How to be happy. How to be moral. How to be good. Apparently, the mega-church marketing experts think that simply coming to church will get a person saved. At least that's how it appears according to all the Barna & Pew Research polls. A great number of people claim to be Christians despite their positions on topics such as abortion, homosexuality, hell and a number of other issues rarely preached in churches today.

But sex sells.

'Great Sex: God's Way' sermons draw ire in rural Ala.
(another edgy promotion by a church to draw attention to itself)

What better way to draw people into church than to promote it with sex. Now, don't get me wrong. The bible has much to say about the topic of sex, especially when it comes to things like lust, fornication, adultery & homosexuality. Basically, the Word reminds us often to not live like the world. This includes sexual behavior. So the question is, should we be preaching on the topic of sex on a Sunday morning in Church?

I would say the real question is the motive behind the message. Is this simply another silly method of the seeker-friendly churches to look cool & relevant to the world or, is it a legitimate issue that needs to be addressed? There is no question that sexual immorality is a major issue in the world today. That's a no-brainer. What should be understood however is, if the church is so concerned about reaching the seeker and saving the lost, shouldn't we be preaching the Gospel? Doesn't it make sense to put salvation before the cleaning up of one's life? The problem is not that people need a more fulfilling sex life or that they need to do it "God's Way". No, the real problem is sin and that must be dealt with first otherwise, we're spinning our wheels trying to clean up the outside of someone when the inside is still wretched.

Save the sex series talks for the small group studies of genuine believers. Marriage enrichment groups. Men's Groups, etc. To broadcast to the world (with provocative methods & signs) that you're having a series on sex at church is nothing more than cheap marketing to make the church look appealing to the world. Didn't Jesus remind us to NOT be like the world or to desire to be loved by the world? (John 15: 18-19, 1 John 2: 15-16)

What should churches be teaching & preaching? Here's a simple response from the above article:

Evangelist Roland Belew, a self-described fundamentalist and former trucker who now preaches at a truck stop, said the whole idea goes against the teaching of New Testament apostles. "Paul said preach the Gospel," said Belew. "Talking about sex ain't gonna get nobody to heaven."

Communicating the gospel is the primary goal of the church. We can talk about having a better life, being good or doing good all we want to, but unless we address the heart of the unregenerate, we're simply making life more comfortable for them on their way to hell.

~ktf~
John

The Vanishing Church in America

2009-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

“Put your finger on any prosperous page in the church’s history, and I will find a little marginal note reading thus: ‘In this age men could readily see where the church began and where the world ended." ~ Charles Spurgeon

Ever since the release of the popular book, "Purpose Driven Church", there has been a flood of books written that are focused on "How to do church". Personally, I think we should spend more time teaching God's word the way it was intended instead of trying to repackage it to fit the constantly changing culture. There is a growing surge of seeker-sensitive megachurches attempting to reach the unchurched by turning God, the Bible and church into a product that appeals to those who are generally not interested in church. Their model is based upon surveys & marketing studies that reveal what people want. Funny, I don't recall reading anywhere in scripture where Jesus had his Disciples go out into the community and ask them what they wanted.

The Rev. Bob Pearle has recently written a book that sheds light on this growing trend. It's not another "how to" book to grow your church with trendy, cool, relevant methods. Rather, it's a wake up call to bring contemporary American churches back to a Biblical model for church.

The Vanishing Church: Searching for Significance in the 21st Century

(Interview & review of the book from the Ft. Worth "Star-Telegram")

Highlights from the book:

“The biblical New Testament church is vanishing from society today. Anything and everything is acceptable as long as it builds a crowd. Jesus wasn’t as interested in building a crowd as He was in telling the truth. Our responsibility as pastors and leaders is not to give people what they want necessarily but what they need.”

“Churches that have lost their doctrinal core are struggling with an identity crisis. . . . The effectiveness of a church’s ministry is largely dependent upon knowing her confessional identity and staying true to her original purpose.”

"Many churches follow "Wal-Mart" strategies of pleasing customers but often soft-soap hard biblical truths like hell, sin and salvation."

"The mysticism invading the early church then and the modern church today is much like Gnosticism…..Naturally this superior knowledge is advanced under the guise of humility."

"In vast auditoriums and smaller places people listen to preachers who roam the stage and tickle the ears with feel-good messages."

"Churches would be better served by pastors who believe and preach, without apology, the whole counsel of God." I translate his words to mean that we require fewer milquetoast pastors and more men of conviction in our church pulpits that are willing to preach the Word, and not worry about whom they might offend."

Pearle's book takes a deep look into what church has become and what it was intended to be. He breaks this down into three sections:

- Looking Inward:

A lost , confused world in desperate need of God's loving truth.

- Looking Backward:

Biblical & historical basis for ecclesiology; The study of the church.

- Looking Forward:

Challenges seeker-oriented methods, asserting that the key to tapping the power of the gospel lies in allowing the gospel appropriately to set the church apart from the culture rather than in churches’ sidling up to culture.

This book also covers topics that are often being overlooked or redefined in so many churches today such as...

The duties & responsibilities of the local church, observance of the Lord's Supper, church membership, the definition of marriage, the great commission, the danger of preaching that which is not doctrinally sound, believer's baptism, persecution that will come as a result of adherence to the teachings of Christ, spiritual discernment and testing teachings against scripture, social justice, the dangers of certain new interpretations of the Bible and how some churches are "selling out" in order to build membership.

Perhaps my favorite quote from this book is a simple yet profound reflection of the Gospel message and why it's so crucial for churches to be teaching it correctly:

"You have to hear the bad news that we are sinners, before your receive the good news of salvation"

~ktf~

John

Seeking Purpose, God or Self?

2009-03-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. ~ Psalm 14: 1-3

Our lack of desire to truly know God is an expression of our depravity and rebellious nature. It is not we who seek Him but rather, He who seeks us. What we do seek is self gratification. Happiness. Good times. Peel away all of the appearance of good things and deep down, what we really seek is a way to avoid God. I know what you're thinking, "But what about all of the seeker-sensitive churches?" "What about all of the religions in the world?" It would appear that there are a lot of people seeking God. Really? Or could it be that what we're really trying to do is make a god in OUR image to suit OUR desires? That's exactly why we have so many different religions. It wasn't enough that we had His Word; No, we had to re-shape God to fit us.

Enter the Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, Emerging Church movement.

Where church is all about meeting the felt needs of those outside of the church. Where church is done to attract these 'seekers'. After years of surveying the unregenerate (sorry, I mean seekers), and doing extensive marketing research, it was determined that the reason people were not interested in God or church was because.... God is boring and church is well... too churchy. Now we have thousands of churches across America bringing in thousands of people and giving them a false sense of salvation simply because they go to church now. So what exactly are these seekers getting fed when they come to church? Everything they've asked for, that's what. They are entertained, taught "How to have a better (fill in the blank)" and made to feel right at home in a church that looks & sounds like the world. No more stuffy church. No more condemnation or talk of sin and hell to make them feel uncomfortable. the Gospel of old doesn't 'sell' anymore. The new social gospel with a twist of moralism sprinkled on for good measure is the theme today. Topical. Relevant. Cool. Trendy. Something to change your life.

So what's wrong with that you say?

For more on this topic...
check out "Worshipping The Seeker" at Tim Challies blog.

There's nothing wrong with being sensitive to those we call "seekers" but we shouldn't be compromising the Gospel in the process. I believe it is possible to 'do' church in a culturally relevant way AND still preach (yes, I said preach) the Word. Despite what many think today, the Bible still is relevant and very capable of teaching us everything we need. Church is about glorfying God. Leave the silliness of the world IN the world please.

~ktf~
John

Confessing "Safe Sins"

2009-03-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. ~ James 5: 16

The following is from Prodigal Jon over at "Stuff Christians Like"

Have you ever been in a small group with people that confess safe sins? Someone will say, “I need to be honest with everyone tonight. I need to have full disclosure and submit myself in honesty. Like ODB from the Wu-Tang Clan, I need to give it to you raw!” So you brace yourself for this crazy moment of authenticity and the person takes a deep breath and says … “I haven’t been reading my Bible enough.”

Ugh, you, dirty, dirty sinner. I’m not even sure I can be in a small group with you any more. Not reading your Bible enough, that is disgusting. And then once he’s gone someone else will catch the safe sin bug too and will say, “I need to be real too. I haven’t been praying enough.”

Two of you in the same room? Wow, freak shows! I can barely stand it.

But what happens when people start confessing safe sins is that everyone else in the room starts concealing their real junk. I mean if I was surrounded by confessions like that in the eighth grade I would have instantly known I couldn’t follow the “not reading my Bible enough” guy with my own story:

“Soooo, this weekend when it was snowing I told my parents I was going to the dump to sled but instead I was really just digging through a 200 foot mountain of warm trash looking for pornography.” And the same principle would have applied to me in my late 20s. I wouldn’t have been honest sharing my struggles with Internet porn if everyone else confessed their “safe enough for small group” sins.

And that sucks. It sucks that as broken as we all are, as desperate as we all are for a Savior, we feel compelled to clean ourselves up when we get around each other.

But this blog has taught me something unbelievable. If I stop writing tomorrow, this will be the lesson I cling to the most.

When you go first, you give everyone in your church or your community or your small group or your blog, the gift of going second.

It’s so much harder to be first. No one knows what’s off limits yet and you’re setting the boundaries with your words. You’re throwing yourself on the honesty grenade and taking whatever fall out that comes with it. Going second is so much easier. And the ease only grows exponentially as people continue to share. But it has to be started somewhere. Someone has to go first and I think it has to be us.

We’re called to give the gift of second to the people in our lives. To live the truth, to share the truth, to be the truth.Let’s give the gift of going second. ~ Prodigal Jon

Great advice for all of us to remember in our small groups, life groups, bible studies and especially in our marriages. Opening ourselves up completely is not easy. No one particularly likes to be vulnerable, exposing our flaws and weaknesses. Being open, honest and genuine, even when it reveals our sinfulness is exactly what God desires from us as this shows the work of the Holy Spirit on our lives to humble our hearts and submit to Him. Doing so in marriage and close relationships w/other Brothers and Sisters in Christ draws us not only closer to one another but also, strengthens the Body (Church).

None of us should think that we have the market cornered on sin or that we've done something no one else has. Each and every one of us is wretched and sinful to the core. Confession is not only good for the soul, it's good for the person who confesses AFTER you :)

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. ~ 1 John 1: 8-10

~ktf~
John

Salvation: Consider The Cost

2009-03-02T02:40:00.000-08:00

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
~ Luke 9: 23-25

What is salvation costing me?

This is a question I ask myself several times everyday. In America, we know plenty about freedom but very little about persecution. We think that by wearing a Christian t-shirt, we are boldly proclaiming Christ or if we are laughed at for talking about Him then we are persecuted. Seriously, are we really living out what our salvation means to us? If salvation is all about the work of God through Jesus Christ demonstrating the Glory of God, how serious are we about proclaiming this in our lives, teaching and preaching? Or, are we more concerned about being accepted by the world. More concerned about not being offensive?

As we become less like the world and more like Christ, we will also become more offensive to the world. So too, if we share the Gospel as He did, they will persecute you as well.

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ~ John 15: 20

The cost of salvation and why we should be preaching the Gospel carefully.
(Paul Washer)

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ~John 14: 23

Obedience to the Word of God is not the requirement for salvation but evidence of it. All that is required has been paid for on the Cross. The power to humble our hearts and lead us to repent and trust comes through the Holy Spirit when we hear the Gospel.

Salvation WILL cost you but the price you pay is far less than what it cost to be given freely to you.

Consider the cost...
(click here for more on this topic including a song by Steve Camp about the cost)

~ktf~
John

Avoiding the "D" Word

2009-02-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

(from "Stuff Christians Like")

Getting Caught Off Guard By Divorce

I’m married, and if you are too, then statistically speaking, one of us is going to get a divorce.

I’m not writing that to be sensational, but I just want to be clear that it’s a big deal. And I don’t know if we Christians do a very good job of treating it as such.

Look at it this way: if one out of every two neighbors on your street got mauled by a bear, would you be more careful about bears? Would you buy books on how to keep your house safe from bears? Would you carry a gun and bear spray if there were in fact such a thing as bear spray? Probably. Yet, when it comes to divorce, we don’t do many equivalent things. And the ratios are equally as high as that bear scenario.

When was the last time you and your wife visited a counselor for just a tune up? What was the last book the two of you read together to strengthen your marriage? If you have kids, how many dates do you go on every month?

I fail at most of those things, so please don’t read finger-pointing in this post. My wife and I have far more fake dates at home (dinner after the kids are in bed) than real dates and for Valentine’s Day we got each other a hot water heater. It’s a “State Select” model which I’ve been assured is one of the sexier hot water heaters available. The finger is pointed at me. I just think divorce is something we should think about and maybe work on changing in our generation.

p.s. What's the best marriage advice you ever heard? Mine was that "In most relationships there is a "how person" and a "wow person." When the wow person tells the how person 'I've got a crazy idea, we should start a business and then learn how to paint and then go camping, etc, etc, etc, the how person will ask questions like 'where will we get the money for that, what about your job, when would we have the time?' They think they're contributing to the conversation but the wow person often takes it as an attack against the idea. So instead of saying "how" when a wow person comes up with a lot of ideas, the how person should say "wow" because the reality is that the wow person is going to execute maybe 1 out of 100 of the ideas and just wants to share the overflow of ideas with his wife. I'm the wow person in our marriage and my wife is the how. And that simple idea really rocked our world. John Woodall at North Point preached on that once. So what's the best marriage advice you ever heard? ~ Prodigal Jon

Having gone through a divorce myself, I never figured I would be one of the statistics. Just like dieting, everyone has a proven formula that works for them when it comes to avoiding the "D" word. Funny (ok, not really), but when divorce wipes out 21 years of marriage, you suddenly realize all the things you coulda, shoulda, woulda done differently. One can read all the marital books on love, intimacy, compatibility and still not 'get it'. Going to church together, praying together and learning each others 'love language' are not guarantees of success in marriage. Being equally yoked spiritually is a good starting point but this too is not a sure-fire defense against divorce.

You don't wake up one day and suddenly find your marriage in pieces. It's a slow fade. One that often starts with a drifting away into sin & self by one or both. Sadly, some do wake up one day and find that their covenant partner has given in and given up.

I think both see the clues. The question is, what do you do about it? Ignore the problems? Blame the other person? Or, do you remember your vows... "for better, for worse... till death do us part"? More than anything else, marriage survival depends on a covenant. My favorite line from the movie "Fireproof" is "Never leave your partner behind". That says it all. No matter what. The reality of life however is that we all have a sinful, self-centered nature. I sincerely believe this is the root cause behind most divorces regardless of the reasons given by those who leave.

Marriage requires both to make it work but divorce only requires one to give up.

The issue is not the mistakes we make or the faults we have. The issue is recognizing that each will fail to live up to your expectations at some point and that is where "for better or worse" comes in. Imagine if God 'left' us when we failed Him. One of the most common responses I hear from those considering divorce is, "I'm just not happy anymore... God wants me to be happy, right?"

Wrong. God wants us to be faithful; trusting in Him alone for our joy regardless of changing circumstances or feelings. No where in the Bible does God promise us happiness. What He does assure us of is His love for us. Love is His greatest gift to us and the most complex and difficult thing for us to understand. Why? Again, our sinful nature.... focus on self and not others. We can have everything in life and yet, if we have not love, we have nothing...

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... ~ 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8

~ktf~
John

Who Is Training Our Children?

2009-02-27T05:35:00.000-08:00

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ~ Proverbs 22: 6

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ~ Ephesians 6: 4

and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ~ 2 Timothy 3: 15

HOME SCHOOLING -vs- PUBLIC SCHOOLING

Many object to homeschooling or private Christian schools based on the fact that God has called us to be “salt” and “light” and to evangelize the world. Ironically, this is precisely why we chose homeschooling.

The Great Commission states: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I command you ” (Matthew 28:19-20, emphasis added). How is this likely apart from Christian education? How can I effectively “make disciples” of my children if I send them off to the government school forty-five to fifty hours per week? The Nehemiah Institute, The National Study of Youth and Religion, and the Barna Report have shown us clearly that our children do not even understand–let alone obey–all that the Lord has commanded. Moreover, how can our children evangelize our government schools if they don’t know what they believe and why they believe it? Not to mention that all of the evidence currently points to the fact that our children are the evangelized, not the evangelists, in our nation’s schools. They are the ones being carried away by every wind of doctrine. . . .

The Nehemiah Institute continues to demonstrate year after year that Christian children in government schools who actually retain anything close to a biblical worldview are the rare exception and not the rule. . . . Let me be clear–I applaud men and women whom God has called to teach in government schools. These people are front-line warriors, and they need to be right where they are. However, there is a big difference between sending fully trained disciples into enemy territory and sending recruits [children] to our enemy’s training camp.

If we do the latter, we shouldn’t be surprised when they come home wearing the enemy’s uniform and charging the hill of our home waving the enemy flag. ~ Voddie Baucham

The school system, be it public or private, should not be the primary source for the training of our children. Nor should this be left up to the church. Discipling our children must begin in the home. When it comes to teaching them the things of God, parents have the unique responsibility of teaching through the Word and by living out the Christian life. From an early age, a child should hear about the Gospel in order that their hearts will be open to the Holy Spirit. Children are not taught to sin... it's built in. This is exactly why they need to understand things like sin, God's wrath, hell, repentance, forgiveness, faith and the significance of the Cross. To simply teach them "God is love" or "Jesus is your best friend" without explaining WHY, is to deprive them of the life changing mercy & grace of God. Ultimately, we risk sending them into the world with a false sense of security that they are saved simply because they asked Jesus into their hearts.

~ktf~
John

Paul In The 21st Century

2009-02-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

How would the postmodern evangelical church of the 21st century respond to the Epistle of Paul to the Galatian church today?

Here's a satirical look from 'Sacred Sandwich'...

IF PAUL'S EPISTLE TO THE GALATIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY
(letters to the editor)

Something to think about when there is so much emphasis today on the emerging church methods that teach more about loving everyone to heaven and being tolerant (acceptant) of every new idea that comes along. America needs the the Gospel today just as much as the world did 2000 yrs ago.

Moral to this satire: Preach the Word and let God do the converting.

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." ~ Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 1: 6-10)

~ktf~
John

FADING FROM THE TRUTH

2009-02-21T16:43:00.001-08:00

In a previous blog, I wrote about Fading from the Way; how sin creeps slowly into our lives. The song from Casting Crowns ("Slow Fade") was part of the inspiration for that post and again, this particular post on Fading from the Truth. I've discovered in my own life just how easy it is to slowly fade away from the truth and into sin or deception. Quite simply, the less we rely upon the Truth of God's Word, the more susceptible we are to falling into sin.

"The journey from your mind to your hands is shorter than you're thinking"

We would do well to remember that the methods used by Satan to draw us away from God are specifically suited for each one of us to prey on our sinful, pride-filled nature. When it comes to deception, he's the best. Since the biggest threat to his cause is the Church, that is precisely where he does his best work. The twisting, distorting and watering-down of the truth is what caused Adam & Eve to bring sin into the world. Throughout history, this has remained a constant technique of Satan in his attempt to deceive mankind. You'd think we would have learned our lesson in the Garden.

The war against truth remains today; more intense than ever.

In this day and age of postmodern influence on the church, there is an increasing assault on truth. What is truth? Can we really know what is true? The Bible is and remains consistent when it comes to displaying clearly what is true, regardless of how man perceives things. The problem facing the church and those seeking the truth is not a lack of authority on the truth. No, the problem is we're taking our eyes off the Word and instead, we're trying to apply our own understanding to interpret what truth is according to the influence of the world.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me". ~ John 14: 6

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ~ John 8:31-32

In an effort to try and be more in-tune to and appeal to the culture, many churches are re-packaging the Gospel to make it less offensive. It seems there is more emphasis on tolerance than truth. Jesus not only revealed to us that He is the truth but, that if we continue in (live by) His Word, we will know the truth and with that knowledge (and commitment to His ways), we will be free. Free from what? Free from the bondage of sin. Free from the delusions and deceptions of the world. Slowly, we have chipped away at the truth by doubting and questioning Scripture. What used to be black and white has now faded into gray. Evolution. Homosexuality. The exclusivity of Jesus Christ. All are questioned. What used to be called sin is now defined as "just how God created us". To even think that there could only be one way to Heaven is being intolerant of all other religions. Even so-called Christian books and Pastors are teaching that "everything must change". How we read and understand the Bible. How we approach the Gospel. Less focus on literalism; more focus on thinking outside the box.

"It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray"

THE EMERGING MOVEMENT- Redefining Truth

In an article from Christianity Today, John MacArthur shares what he calls a metaphor for the whole emergent church movement. A young lady stated that she loves Donald Miller, the author of Blue like Jazz, because she wants to be religious but isn't prepared to let religion alter her lifestyle. “I’m a Jesus girl,” she said. “But I also like to go out and do tequila shots with my friends.”

Consider the countless best selling books that are changing the way Christians view the Bible and God. "The Shack", "Your Best Life Now", "Everything Must Change", "The Purpose Driven Life", "A New Earth and the Power of Now", "The Secret", "The DaVinci Code", "Velvet Elvis", "Sex God", "A Course in Miracles", etc, etc. The list goes on. All claim to have a new method, a new perspective on truth and knowing God. Is it any wonder why there is so much confusion within Christianity today? The Word is no longer good enough. The fade from the truth continues.

"Be careful little ears what you hear... Oh be careful little eyes what you see"

As Followers of Christ, we have been given a great gift. His truth has given us life and shown us the Way. Therefore, should not our deepest passion in life be to share this truth with the world?

Paul Washer speaking on the privelage we have in knowing the Truth...

John MacArthur's excellent book "The Truth War" is a refreshing reminder of this unseen battle that is taking place today. He points out how postmodern evangelicalism and the Emerging Church are deliberately dumbing down theology. To hear him explain the purpose behind this book, check out these two video clips... The Truth War (part 1) and The Truth War (part 2).

We can read all the inspiring books, watch all of the emotionally charged videos and attend all of the motivational conferences and still not find the truth unless we turn to the source. Jesus Christ. We can choose to follow those teachings that "tickle our ears" or, we can cling to the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) that has consistently brought men to their knees, humbled hearts, changed lives and given life & hope since time began.

"Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid"

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." ~ 2 Timothy 4:3-4

No doubt, we can find some truth in most everything. Even the most heretical teachings have a sprinkling of the truth in it. The question we need to ask ourselves is, "Why even waste our time or open our minds to false truths or partial truths when we have the real thing?" Truth is not what we make it to be. Truth remains truth whether we believe it or not. Even when popular opinion rejects the truth, our minds and our focus should remain on the truth; without compromise.

"The person who loves you most will tell you the most truth. One of the greatest distinguishing marks of a false prophet is that he will always tell you what you want to hear, he will never rain on your parade, he will get you clapping, he will get you jumping, he will make you dizzy, he will keep you entertained, and he will present a Christianity to you that will make your church look like a Six Flags over Jesus. And keep you so entertained you are never addressed with great issues such as these: Is God working in my life? Am I growing in holiness? Have I truly been born again?" ~ Paul Washer

Consider the words of Peter describing how some will come teaching heresies and spreading their false words causing many to fall into their deceptions...

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep". ~ Peter 2:1-3

In these times of tolerance, the Church must remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding and preaching of the truth. Either we stand for the truth with boldness of we lose the battle. Peter, Jude, James and Paul all took a stand against false teaching. They boldly spoke out against those distorting the truth and preaching a different Gospel. Were they more concerned with being tolerant in order to avoid offending someone? Absolutely not!. Were they more concerned with looking like the world in order to make the Gospel more appealing? I think not. If by speaking out against heretical teaching we are labeled legalists or divisive, we are in good company as many throughout the history of the Church suffered far greater persecution. (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

"Much of the visible Church nowadays seems to think Christians are supposed to be at play rather than at war. The idea of actually fighting for doctrinal truth is the furthest thing from most churchgoers' thoughts. Contemporary Christians are determined to get the world to like them - and of course in the process they also want to have as much fun as possible. They are so obsessed with making the church seem "cool" to unbelievers that they can't be bothered with questions about whether another person's doctrine is sound or not. In a climate like that, the thought of even identifying someone else's teaching as false (much less "contending earnestly" for the faith) is a distasteful and dangerously counterculture suggestion. Christians have bought into the notion that almost nothing is more "uncool" in the world's eyes than when someone shows a sincere concern about the danger of heresy. After all, the world simply doesn't take spiritual truth that seriously, so they cannot fathom why anyone would". ~ John MacArthur ("The Truth War")

People claim to want to know truth. This is obvious in all the things we devour searching for it. Unfortunately, when it comes to Biblical truth, many choose to accept only the truths that fit into their lifestyle or system of values. Sadly, America is losing touch with the truth of the Word because we simply don't want ALL of the truth. To borrow the famous line from "A Few Good Men"... "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!"

Test everything. Hold on to the good. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:21

"People never crumble in a day It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade"

~ktf~
John

Next 2009: A Passion for the Gospel

2009-02-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

NEXT 2009

He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God. ~Psalm 78:5-7

Where is your hope? Do you have a passion for Jesus Christ that motivates, inspires and drives you to live fully for Him? Has your spiritual walk fizzled or has it yet to begin?

Next 2009 is a conference that will awaken the next generation of Believers. Not with the latest trend or fad in contemporary, emergent style methods but by going back to the 'roots' of our Faith. This is not another self-help, feel-good, motivational conference for those looking to sharpen their leadership skills. It's about recommitment to the message of the Gospel... as Christ intended it to be.

A new generation of young Timothy's is needed, who will guard the sacred deposit of the gospel, who are determined to proclaim it and are prepared to suffer for it, and who will pass it on pure and uncorrupted to the generation which in due course will rise up and follow them. ~John Stott

For more on "NEXT 2009", check out their website... Next2009

Next 2009 Facebook Group

~ktf~
John

FADING FROM THE WAY

2009-02-06T07:19:00.001-08:00

"People never crumble in a day...It's a slow fade"
~Casting Crowns ("Slow Fade")

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ~James 1:14-15

Contrary to a popular phrase from the great theologian Flip Wilson, the devil does not make us do it. We are driven by our own sinful desires. It's in our nature. Ever since the first act of disobedience towards God in the Garden, humanity has been driven by a selfish pursuit of all things evil, wicked, lustful and greedy. We are consumed by the things of the flesh; the things of the world.

"Casting Crowns" released a song last year entitled, "Slow Fade" which portrays the effects of a sinful, self-centered life. The video that goes with the song brings to life a visual reminder of how we are dragged away, enticed and eventually destroyed by the sinful desires within...

"Be careful little eyes what you see...
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings"

We're often reminded that "the eyes are the windows to our soul"
(based on Matthew 6:22-23). There is much truth in that statement especially when we consider what the Bible has to say about our hearts...

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" ~Jeremiah 17:9 (also see Mark 7:21)

The process of sin often starts with the eyes. The appeal of the world. The lust and desire for things or people. Sin doesn't always manifest itself in a moment. Temptation and the path to sin is a "Slow Fade". Initially or on the surface, our desires may appear to be a genuine response to a need. This is the first deception of Satan. We need this, we deserve this or my personal favorites, "God made me this way" or "God wants me to be happy". The desires of the flesh and even of our hearts often lure us into things that present themselves as good. At least we try to convince ourselves of that.

Our salvation should not be taken lightly. We are sealed through Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross but not immune from the effects of sin.The movies we watch, the things we read or listen to and the places we go can have a significant influence even on the most mature Christian. Never underestimate our capacity to fall into sin (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

In truth, I believe we're all aware of our actions and when certain desires are wrong. We try to justify our desires or think that one little time won't hurt. What we fail to realize is that each turn from the truth is part of a slow fade that hardens our heart to the guiding from the Holy Spirit. The more we ignore His prompting or correction, the further away this voice becomes. Our decisions, choices and sins form a gradual picture of who we are. It's the little things we do (or don't do) that can lead us away from the narrow way.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~Matthew 7:13-14

"Be careful little feet where you go...
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow."

The consequences of our sins not only have an impact on us but, also on our children and those who are watching us. God calls us to be separate from the world. To live as light in a dark world. Consider too the testimony of our life to the world when we live and do as the world does.

"You'll never be able to speak against sin if you're entertained by it."
~John Muncee

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." ~Ephesians 5: 8-11

Each day we are faced with choices. What to think, decide and say. Where to go. What to do. We can choose to go with the flow, listen to our heart, follow a feeling or live by the Word. The Way may not always be easy, but through the Word, it will always be the 'light' that guides us to the truth and the life.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” ~Psalm 119:105

Not enough is preached about separation, not enough is preached against the world and the things of the world and its pleasures and its trinkets . . . . How can you love the very things for which Christ was crucified? Can you love the nails? Can you bless the hammer? Would you kiss the hands that crushed His head with a crown of thorns? Because when you say you know Christ and you are a disciple of Christ and yet you love the world, you do that very thing. Oh my friend, there is a great divide; a great separation. The Scripture warns us that those who are not separate now will be separated on that Great Day from the sheep and they will be labeled goats and they will find their place in Hell. ~Paul Washer

The words of this song have cut deep into my heart, reminding me of just how true it is that "people never crumble in a day... it's a slow fade". If we are not careful of the things we watch, listen to, think and say, we can very easily find ourselves, our marriages and even our lives fading away until there is only a shadow of what used to be.

~ktf~
John

Submission to One Another

2009-02-02T19:41:00.000-08:00

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. ~ Ephesians 5:15-21

For those who've not yet seen the movie "Fireproof", I highly recommend it. Not only does it emphasize the significance of the marriage vow, it also presents why we must first deal with sin in our life before we can 'fix' problems in our marriage. The heart of this movie is how the Gospel message is woven in. A must see!!

The theme "Never leave your partner behind" really magnifies and reinforces why God describes marriage as two becoming one flesh (Ephesians 5: 31). Contrast that with the bigger picture of Christ and the Church and it's clear to see how great His love is for us. This is the model for marriage.

Mike Ratliffe at his blog "Possessing the Treasure" gives an excellent review of this movie by reminding us what it means to be submissive to one another...

Read it here: "Submission To One Another"

~ktf~
John

WHAT ATTRACTS SOMEONE TO CHURCH?

2009-02-01T10:47:00.000-08:00

“As we commit ourselves to excellence in reaching people for Christ, help us to remember that the power is not in the methods or the means, but in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” ~ A.W. Tozer

In this day and age of Purpose Driven, Seeker Sensitive, culturally relevant, relational churches, it seems the primary objective is to get the person into church. If only we can attract the un-churched person into church and let them see that we're cool, relevant, funny and just like them, maybe then they'll like us and since we like Jesus, they'll like Him too!

And then what?

To be fair, I do believe that many churches want to see people get saved and become fully devoted followers of Christ. However, something has been lost in the process of attracting them with worldly methods instead of preaching the Gospel. We're more concerned about not looking like a church than we are in actually preaching and teaching according to the Word. We're afraid of offending someone or not being tolerant enough. Some even avoid using terms like "preach" because it sounds to pushy or in your face. Instead, we have 'experiences' and we 'communicate' a message. Did not Jesus preach the Word? (Matt. 4:17) Did not He teach the Apostles to preach? (Mark 16:15)

What have all these methods produced? As a result of marketing-driven church, what do we have? Large, attractive buildings with huge crowds. Is that the primary goal of the Gospel? Is this how we measure our success? It seems we have forgotten that the Church is made up of believers. Church should not be designed around the un-believer nor should it even be FOR the un-believer.

The notion that church meetings should be used to tantalize or attract non-Christians is a relatively recent development. Nothing like it is found in scripture; in fact, the apostle Paul spoke of unbelievers entering the assembly as an exceptional event ~ John MacArthur

Our purpose is clear; Glorify God. Our mission... Share the good news. Preach the Gospel. Reach the lost with the message of the Cross and magnify Jesus Christ in all that we do. Church is not about us. It's about Him. What we teach should draw people to Christ. How we live should draw people to Christ. How to have a better life is NOT the Gospel but, an effect of the Gospel. What attracts someone to church should be the desire to know God, experience salvation through repentance and faith and to grow spiritually. Needs oriented 'teaching' is not going to bring someone to Christ. No where in the Bible are we instructed to be constantly changing and adapting to the culture in order to reach the lost. Sure, we can deliver the message with a variety of methods but our focus should be on the message; not the methods. The level of excellence that so many churches strive to maintain tends to be more on the methods than the message. The result is a watered-down Gospel, weak or little spiritual growth and even false conversions.

Paul Washer reminds us of what church is supposed to be about...

“One of the most popular current errors, and the one out of which springs most of the noisy, blustering religious activity in evangelical circles, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them.” ~ A.W. Tozer

One former staff member of a popular mega church admitted that their church was "a mile wide and one-half inch deep.” (G.A. Pritchard- Willow Creek Church)

The Gospel message should be about showing people they are lost and in need of saving from God's wrath. Instead of trying to bring people to Christ to have their felt-needs met, It should bring people to Christ through repentance, forgiveness & justification. These are the real needs of mankind. The truth of the Gospel should expose sin, pride and self-righteousness, not be focused on building self-esteem or teaching people to be all they can be.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

2009-01-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God." ~ 2 Corinthians 5: 21

HOW DO WE REACH A LOST WORLD?

We reach them with the truth. No need to sugar-coat it, water it down or soften it up. The Word of God is more than sufficient to save people today just as it has done for thousands of years. The power of salvation starts in the heart when a person fully realizes they are a sinner, lost without hope. This is the point at which they begin to see how glorious, merciful and loving God is because of what He did for us in spite of our wretched, sinful condition. Through the Word, people will hear this message and through the Word, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin to soften hearts for the Gospel message.

Salvation is not about what Jesus can do for our lives (He already has done it). It's not even really about us... It's about Him and what He did for us. Grace. Mercy. Substitutionary Atonement. We are not deserving of this amazing grace nor is there any amount of good works that will save us.

We are called to proclaim the good news... The Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the message we are to share with the world. All of the acts of charity, compassion and "being the hands & feet of Jesus" mean absolutely nothing if we are not sharing the Gospel. Jesus didn't suffer and die on the Cross in order that we may have a better life... He did so in order that we may HAVE life in Him. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was to save us not from our sins but from the just wrath of God.

Listen to John MacArthur explain this simple yet powerful truth of the Gospel.
This is what it's all about!

~ktf~
John

FINDING THE WAY: TRUTH, LIGHT, TESTIMONY

2009-01-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

((conclusion of "Why Some Cannot Find The Way"))

TRUTH

The greatest thing we can do to show our love for others is to bring them to Christ. If our greatest joy in life is found in God, would we not then desire that others find this as well? How then do we introduce others to Jesus Christ?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~John 14: 6

Jesus was more than just a kind, compassionate teacher. He was (and remains) the Truth. If we are to desire that others find their desire in Him, we must share this truth with them. We do this through prayer, through outward acts of kindness, compassion & sacrifice and through sharing the Word of God. Through the conviction of sin, the softening of heart and the realization of the love & grace of God demonstrated on the Cross, the Holy Spirit begins to open their eyes and minds to the truth and it is this truth that will set them free from sin to experience the joy of God (John 8:32). We must remember that the sharing of the truth is not contingent on whether the results are what we expected or whether the truth is accepted. We do not compromise or change the truth.

"Jesus is not a pragmatist when it comes to loving people with the truth. You speak it, and if it does not win belief, you do not consider changing the truth." ~ John Piper

LIGHT

We live in a world consumed with self and the pursuit of earthly pleasure. As a result, many will not find God as they are 'blinded' because of this. They do not 'see' the truth because they are in darkness. There is a popular contemporary Christian song that talks about a "God shaped hole" in all of us. Some liken that to being this sadness or longing that can only be filled by God. While there may be some truth to that, I tend to believe that this "hole" within us is actually our conscience. We are created in the image of God and with an awareness of right & wrong. We go through life chasing after happiness only to find that it's short-lived or never enough. Some will live and die, never having found the true joy of life. Some find it later in life when they realize they are not good enough to meet God's standards and that only one thing (Christ), can fill this 'void' inside.

We are to be the light in this dark world that draws people out of the world and to the Son. This is exactly why Christians should not look and act like the world. We are to be different in a way that they will want what we have. Not the external but the internal. This is where the outward acts of love take shape. Giving without expecting in return. . An attitude of anonymity. All that we do should point to Jesus Christ. People should beA kind word. Sacrifice. Walking in their shoes. Listening. Forgiving. Acts of compassion with a humble heart drawn to Him and not impressed with our works...

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5: 16

In all the good that we do for others, our aim should be for them to know Christ. The full picture of love for one another means nothing if we think giving to the needy is enough without following through with sharing the Gospel. If we are content only with the satisfaction our giving provides regardless of whether they find salvation in Christ, we are not demonstrating love at all. Our compassion, generosity and kindness for all should remain even if they reject Christ.

TESTIMONY

Nothing speaks louder than experience. People can relate to others who are going through or have gone through what they have. The impact of what you share means that much more when you can demonstrate the effect it has had on your life. God is in the business of transforming lives. He does this through Jesus Christ. If someone is drawn to Christ because of what we do or say, it should be the result of them seeing the hope, peace, contentment and joy in our life. They won't find "The Way" through empty promises of having their best life now. The Christian life is not a guarantee of success or happiness according to the world. When Christ left the Apostles over 2000 years ago, what followed was not prosperity or popularity. They suffered far more than we ever will for the Gospel. Many gave their very lives for the sake of Him and His Word. Are we this willing to take up our cross and get out of the boat to serve & follow Him?

This attitude of serving Christ at all cost should be evident in our walk and talk. The world should be attracted to Him because of the work He has done in us. Regardless of the rejections or negative response we may get from the world (even demonstrating love), we must remain committed to sharing the truth without compromise.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." ~1 Peter 3:15-17

In the end, Christians can demonstrate the love of Christ, share the truth, be a light in the world and live a life that shows the transforming power of God and still, some will still not find the Way. Many will find that what they thought was the Way, was not (Matt.7: 21-23)The Bible reminds us that many will be deceived and reject the truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The very nature of man is drawn not to the things of God (1 Cor.2:14) but instead, to the things of the flesh. Self. Pride. Lust.

"If a man will reject God, even as a Savior, there must be a dreadful venom in his heart against God." ~ Charles Spurgeon

Mere knowledge of God is not what saves a man nor is it the lack of that sends him to hell...

"A man rejects God neither because of intellectual demands nor because of the scarcity of evidence. A man rejects God because of a moral resistance that refuses to admit his need for God." ~ Ravi Zacharias

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." ~ 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

~ktf~
John

FINDING THE WAY (pt.2): LOVE ONE ANOTHER

2009-01-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. 'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." ~Matthew 22: 36-40

Why do we do what we do? Why do some devote their lives to doing good towards others? Why are Christians known for their compassion and self-sacrificing more than any other religion? Because the One whom we follow led by example. Jesus Christ demonstrated the greatest act of sacrificial love that mankind has ever known. He suffered and died on the Cross, paying the price for every sin of every human being to ever live. Secondly, he demonstrated a love towards others that He expects us to have. Putting others before self. Teaching us to be humble servants. Desiring for others what we would desire for ourselves.

Our acts of love should be a direct response to our love for God. If we love Him, we will obey His commandments (John 14: 15). As a follower of Christ, our purpose is clear: Glorify God. How we live and what we do with our lives should revolve entirely around this objective. Above all other things, we are to glorify Him by loving Him, obeying Him and honoring Him.

I believe this command from God is likely one of the most difficult things we can do in life. Love is more than a feeling. It's more than doing something nice for someone. Throughout Christ's ministry on earth, He lived an example of perfect love. Reaching out to those in need, serving those who expected to serve Him. Accepting those others rejected. To actually love someone regardless of whether they are lovable or deserving of our love is outside of human understanding. The love God intends for us to have towards others is that we desire for them what we would desire for ourselves (Matt. 7: 12)

Take a moment to think about that kind of love. This is far beyond simply wanting to make someone feel good or bringing a smile to their face. This love requires us to step outside of our human nature. In order for us to wrap our minds around this, there must be a transformation within our very souls. Unless we first love God, it's impossible for us to love others according to His design for love. This ability to love comes through the life-changing experience of receiving Christ as your Lord & Savior. On our own, we are incapable of loving on this level.

"ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS HANG ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS"

What did Jesus mean by this?

"Why does he say it in this way? I think what he means is that when you see people love like that (fulfill the Golden Rule), what you are seeing is the visible expression of the aim of the Law and the Prophets. This behavior among people manifests openly and publicly and practically what the Old Testament is about, It fulfills the Law and the Prophets by making the aim visible. Loving God, however, is invisible. It is an internal passion of our soul. But it comes to expression when you love others. So loving other is the outward manifestation, the visible expression, the practical demonstration, and therefore the fulfillment of loving God and therefore of what the Old Testament is about." ~ John Piper "What Jesus Demands from the World"

Basically, our love for God is realized visibly when we sacrificially love others.
This brings a whole new perspective to our role as Christians. In loving others, we are loving Him and fulfilling the purpose of the entire Word of God. Not for our gain or pleasure but for His glory. Everything was created for His glory and everything that we do for Him should be with that same attitude. So then, what are the ways that we demonstrate this love towards others?

(part 3... TRUTH, LIGHT & TESTIMONY)

~ktf~
John

WHY SOME DO NOT FIND 'THE WAY' (pt.1)

2009-01-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."~ John 3:3

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. ~ Matthew 7:13-14

What is it that prevents a person from becoming a Follower of Christ?

No doubt, the mission of so many churches today is to reach the 'seeker' and the un-churched. Great efforts are made to understand what exactly the 'seeker' is looking for in a church.

Surveys are conducted to find out what it takes to get them into church. Research and marketing studies are used to determine the best methods for doing church. Many have grown tired of the traditional church and are desperately trying to change everything in order to appeal to the seeker.

Apparently, the Word of God is no longer interesting. The Gospel too offensive. Theology too boring. If church isn't entertaining, they simply won't come. Many popular books have been written to teach churches and pastors how to do church in a culturally relevant way so that people will like going to church. The successful model church today is constantly coming up with new ideas to align with the latest social trends in order to keep the people coming.

Despite the attention that so many popular mega-churches are getting, despite the huge turn-out of people and the record sales of catchy 'Christian' how-to books, the results of so many polls and studies are revealing a different story. The Emergent movement determined that everything must change. Well, things are changing but is it for the better?

Recent Barna & Pew research results show that just because someone claims to be a Christian does not necessarily imply that they believe everything about the Christian faith.

- 61% of Christians pick & choose from the beliefs of different denominations.

- Nearly 50% of Christians do not believe in hell.

- A third believe that Jesus sinned while on earth.

- Two-fifths don't feel that they have a responsibility to share their faith.

- 65% of Christians believe many religions can lead to eternal life.

- 29% of professing Christians believe salvation is based on what you do in life.

Even within some of the largest Christian churches in America, there are surprising results.

- 47% do not believe in salvation by grace.

- 57% do not believe in the authority of the Bible.

- 56% do not believe Jesus is the only way to God.

Instead of wondering why so many Christians have beliefs that contradict the Bible, isn't the bigger question, "Are they even saved in the first place?"

I think the answer is simple. We've stopped preaching the Word. We've softened the Gospel message and we've turned church into Burger King ("Have It Your Way").

We are reminded all throughout scripture that mankind is a wretched, self-centered being.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
~ Jeremiah 17:9

The things of God are offensive to the unregenerate person. They are ok with Christ's message of love but they really don't want to hear about sin, hell, repentance and the wrath of God.

These topics are often avoided in church so as not to offend the seeker. Theology is considered too boring or judgmental. It should come as no surprise then when we see the results of easy-believism church in America.

Many within the seeker-friendly churches argue that for too many years, the church was preaching a shallow, un-loving, judgmental Gospel. Unfortunately, there is a lot of truth in this to some extent. Instead of reaching out and demonstrating a Christ-like love in presenting the Gospel, some have attached works to salvation by focusing more on the rules than grace. Sadly though, the response has went to the other extreme and now we're seeing the results. People have forgotten that church is not about us. It's about Glorifying God.

"The grand design of God, from which He never has and never will swerve, is to glorify Himself: to make manifest before His creatures what an infinitely glorious Being He is." ~ A. W. Pink

The Law was given to show us our sinful condition; Not to keep us in line or enable us to work our way into Heaven. Love, grace and compassion should be evident in the lives of every believer. These should be the effects of the Gospel; Not the Gospel itself. Likewise, the highest act of honoring God is to share the good news of the Gospel to the unbelieving world. It's not enough to simply be kind or do nice things for people. This alone does not save a person just as going to church or reading the Bible does not save. The Holy Spirit saves when a person is humbled and their heart is broken over their sins before a Holy, Loving, Just God.

The responsibility of a Follower of Christ is first and foremost to glorify God...

“Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Secondly, we should be sharing the Gospel and living a Christ-centered life that is a testimony to the world of the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Our goal should not simply be to get as many people as possible into church. Nor should it be to lead people in a sinners prayer or get them to "Ask Jesus into their hearts". We are commanded to share the Gospel. The Holy Spirit does the rest. We need to be especially careful that we do not make compassion our goal. Acts of kindness and charity are to be the fruit of our salvation and not a substitute for the Gospel itself.
Church should be a place where God is glorified. Where His Word is preached and ALL of the focus is on Him; not us. It most certainly was not intended to be a place designed exclusively for the lost (seeker?) in order to make them feel comfortable. The church SHOULD be different from the world; not a trendy-copy where it's all about you.

Lastly, we should be striving individually and as a church to be transformed by the Word and led by the Spirit in all things in order that God is Glorified.

(Next: Part 2 "Love One Another")

~ktf~
John

GETTING IN THE BOAT (before we walk on water)

2009-01-10T12:27:00.000-08:00

"If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat"

(John Ortberg)

This post is not a book review to criticize or support John Ortberg. Instead, I'd like to focus on the bigger topic.... Getting INTO the boat

Before a person can "walk on water", they must already be in the boat.

Before Peter's faith was tested in Matthew 14: 28-31, he first got into the boat.

The realization of who Jesus really was caused Peter to recognize his sinfulness. It was at this point, Peter was called to "get into the boat" and follow Christ Luke 5: 1-11.

Note that Jesus didn't teach any of the disciples how to have their best life now nor did He work to build their self-esteem and encourage them to find their purpose in life. No, the first thing He did was reveal Himself to them. That alone was enough to cause them to leave everything behind and follow Him. Only after this did Christ begin to teach them the Way.

The problem within the church today is not so much about walking on water as it is getting into the boat in the first place. There seems to be more of an emphasis these days on experiencing the blessings of God than there is experiencing who God is and how to really know Him. Instead of teaching the 'seeker' how to be more fulfilled in life, how to be happy, how to improve this or even how to love others, shouldn't the priority be to teach the Gospel? There are hundreds of self-help books out there. Oprah has become somewhat of a 'religion' herself by promoting the latest guru of self-help to encourage us to find ourselves. Churches all across the country are jumping from one program to the next trying to appeal to the 'seeker' and be culturally relevant without coming across as too churchy.

Is this what Jesus intended when He commanded His disciples to share the good news? Does our motivation and passion to serve Christ come from a self-help book or topical Sunday message? Whatever happened to being awakened, led and fed by the Spirit of God?

The latest motivational book, message, conference or sermon is not what will transform a life to the point where someone will leave everything and follow Jesus. Only the Gospel of Christ can do this. Is it any wonder why so many people are not desiring to walk on water when they are taught that they too can become a Christian if they only "Ask Jesus into their heart"?

((Paul Washer- The true life changing Gospel ~Romans 10))

Only when we see what we are (a sinner) and where we're going (to hell) can we understand why we need to be saved and from what (God's wrath). Repentance and trusting Jesus Christ is what brings us into the boat from which we can walk on water. Without the saving power of the Gospel, everything else is meaningless. We can be purpose driven, have our best life now, be a barbarian, become wild at heart, discover blue like jazz, ponder the velvet Elvis, find God in the shack, seek a new earth and even believe that everything must change however, none of these will transform your life into a 'water-walker'. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God can life-change happen.

As for the popular social gospel that seems to be getting so much attention these days, this focus on compassion alone will not save a person. Only when a person has experienced the transformation that begins to take place when they hear the Gospel of Christ, can they be moved into the effects of the Gospel. Unless we first understand what it means to love God with all our heart, soul & mind, we will not be able to fully grasp the concept of loving others.

To those who are seeking God.... He can be found only through the Gospel and with a contrite & humble heart.

If you claim to be a Christian and are perfectly content just staying in the boat, you might want to do a thorough self-examination with God to make sure you're even in the right boat. Once you're "in", you cannot help but be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay in the Word and through it will come a burning passion to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world... both in word and in deed.

~ktf~
John

A YEAR TO BE THANKFUL FOR

2009-01-01T12:51:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Another year behind us, a new one to look forward to.

As we reflect on the year behind us, may it be a time of thanksgiving, not regret.

Indeed, we have much to be thankful for... the wonderful memories of the past and hope for the future. God has blessed us in spite of our shortcomings, mistakes and poor choices. This is what makes His grace so amazing!! In our wretched, sinful condition, He saved us. That which is most precious to Him (His Son), given to be the sacrifice, the payment, the substitute for our sins. Not just once or for a few but for ever and for all. How often we take this for granted or forget this most treasured thing that should be the source of our joy.

In our human nature, it's natural for us to be thankful for the superficial things in life. The things that we often tend to associate with happiness.... stuff. Earthly things. A job. Nice this or that. Prosperity. Food. Nice house. Health and even family. How often we express our thankfulness in this way.... "Life was good this year. I made a lot of money, did this, bought that, met him or her, found this, overcame that, won this, got promoted, moved into a new house". Bigger, better, more. Common indicators of what we often use to measure what is good, better or even blessings from God. Yes, health is important. Family important. Having our basic life essentials all very important. God certainly knows what we need. But, how often do we really stop and consider what we have to be thankful for? Where does our joy and contentment come from? What made 2008 a good year for you?

As a Follower of Christ, a Believer, a Christian, Born Again... whatever the title we like to put on it, do we fully appreciate what it is that makes us this? For many of us, it's difficult to even imagine being anything else. Sure, we could have been born somewhere else. Raised with different religious upbringing. Different values. We could be Muslim or Hindu or even an atheist. Still, we'd have things to be thankful for.

But we wouldn't have eternity to be thankful for.

Consider what Jesus spoke of concerning what really matters in life...

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." ~ Luke 9: 23-26

We value our life based on what we can see, experience and touch. Health. Food. Things. Yes, even love. God teaches us that these things although nice and even essential for our existence are really secondary to something else. Where we spend eternity. Despite what the latest pop-psychobabble, feel-good book may say, we were NOT created simply to experience success & happiness in life. At least not how the world measures it.

We were created to glorify God. Yes, even to the Muslim, the atheist, the Mormon. Each and every one of us has a primary purpose in life and that is to love, serve, honor and magnify God in all we do. As the popular book tell us, "It's not about you". And yet, we make it about us. "God wants me to be happy". We blame others when our little joy bubble bursts. We expect things from others in order that we might be happy. At some point, we are hurt, rejected, taken advantage of, disliked, disrespected, unloved, overlooked, stepped on, used, abused and have our self-esteem ripped away. And then... "Life sucks". Life is unfair. We blame the world and we say "Enough!.. I'm tired of worrying about everyone else. It's time I start thinking about ME first."

How utterly ridiculous we really are when it comes to being thankful.
It's a good thing that God Himself didn't respond that same way every time WE did those things (and more) to Him.

The very God who created everything, who loved us above all creation, who became flesh to suffer and die for us in order that we might know & love Him...The One who created within us the very thought and ability to experience what it is to be thankful. And yet, we rarely if ever thank Him for the very air that we breath let alone the greatest gift that could ever be given.... Life. Not just the here & now. Not simply 70 or 80 years of living and breathing. But eternal life. More than this, He DIDN'T give us what we deserved. Death. Eternity in hell.

The grace of God is the greatest thing we could ever be thankful for.
The Cross separates us from God's justifiable wrath.

Because of this, everything about our lives should be affected. Life becomes that much more precious. Family means that much more to us. Hope really means something. Everyday is a gift. Giving actually feels good. Love becomes more than a feeling; it becomes a way of life.

So, as we look back and look ahead, may our motives, thoughts, desires, passions and actions be Christ exulting, God glorifying. May the Way of Truth humble hearts, change lives and inspire all of us to share the gospel to every living person... in love. This is where true joy is found.

~ktf~
John

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO.... ??

2008-12-29T21:20:00.000-08:00

If you were to go back in time and ask the early Christians, "What is the Gospel?", what do you suppose their answer would be? One need not be a theologian to comprehend what the Biblical answer to this question is however, I'm surprised how often I hear or read a different definition of what the Gospel is these days. What is going on?

The Gospel:

The good news of God reconciling the world to Himself in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again.
1 Corinthians 15: 1-4
John 14: 6

Seems simple enough to understand and yet, there are all sorts of variations floating around today. Apparently it's not enough that Christ died for our sins; we must also add good works and compassion to the definition. Is feeding the hungry also the Gospel? Is building a home for the homeless sharing the Gospel? Promoting world peace, solving the AIDS crisis... are these all part of the Gospel?

Welcome to the Social Gospel.

If we do good things for people, they'll get saved. They'll see us being compassionate and recognize their sinful condition and need for a Savior. No need to preach to them (Romans 10:14-15). No need to share with them the reason they need to be saved. Just love them. Is that REALLY love?

Don't get me wrong. As a follower of Christ, we SHOULD be demonstrating compassion by helping the poor, feeding the hungry and loving others as Christ did. These are the effects of the Gospel (not the Gospel itself). This is the 'fruit' of our conversion. However, the message we should be sharing with the world is first and foremost Christ and the Cross. Jesus spoke very clearly about who He was, why He came and what He required of us. Yes, He demonstrated love & compassion through His miraculous healing's. yes, He taught us to love one another as we love ourselves. But the underlying message He preached was WHY He came. This message continued with His disciples. Christ spoke and many were saved (John 8: 28-30). The disciples preached the Gospel and many were saved (Acts 14: 21, Acts 5:42).

Contrary to what some think, there is only one Gospel. Not the Gospel of Jesus and the Gospel of Paul. Only one. Only through Christ's death and resurrection is righteousness imputed to the believer. Only because of God's grace are people saved from their sins; through repentance and faith. Each and every Follower of Christ should be sharing the good news of the Gospel (Mark 16:15).

Scripture warns us to avoid any other Gospel...

"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough." ~ II Corinthians 11: 3-4

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" ~ Galatians 1: 6-9

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” ~ Saint Augustine

"Avoid a sugared gospel as you would shun sugar of lead. Seek the gospel which rips up and tears and cuts and wounds and hacks and even kills, for that is the gospel that makes alive again. And when you have found it, give good heed to it. Let it enter into your inmost being. As the rain soaks into the ground, so pray the Lord to let his gospel soak into your soul."~ C.H. Spurgeon

“The church is the fruit of the gospel.” ~ Hywel R. Jones

~ktf~
John

WHAT'S MISSING IN SO MANY CHURCHES TODAY?

2008-12-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

What is the purpose of church? What is the Gospel?

What does it mean to be a Christian? How does one get to Heaven?

In this day and age of relativism, post-modernism and the emerging church movement, there seems to be more 'diversity' in the answers most people give to the above questions. Outside the church, the world views Christianity as just another radical, legalistic, judgemental religion. Inside the church, there are extremes... ultra-fundamentalists who condemn without loving. They isolate themselves instead of insulate themselves. On the other end of the pendulum, you have the emerging church looking, acting and sounding like the world in order to be relevant. Bible thumper -vs- Bible changer.

Who's right? What is the Biblical model for "doing church?" What is the primary role of a Follower of Christ today?

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?

Quite simply, I believe the Gospel is the message of Christ's purpose here on earth (I Cor. 15: 1-4). To seek and to save those who are lost (Luke 19: 1-10). To spread the good news of salvation to the world (Mark 16: 15-16). I think one of the problems in so many churches today is that the focus is more on the EFFECTS of the Gospel rather than on the Gospel itself. The Bible is filled with what it means to be a Christian, how to become one and what we are to do but, the primary theme from Genesis to Revelation is God's glory being revealed through Christ and the redemption of mankind through the Cross.

WHAT SHOULD THE CHURCH BE PREACHING TODAY?

The Gospel message. The heart of this message is "repent and trust" however, the entire BIBLE should be preached with a focus on the Gospel because THAT is exactly what God has revealed throughout the OT and NT. Everything points to Christ therefore, shouldn't the passion and purpose of the local church be to point to the Gospel in every message they teach?

((Paul Washer... "The True Gospel"))

There seems to be more of an emphasis on drawing people into church rather than teaching the Gospel. More emphasis on programs, marketing, seeker-sensitive, purpose-driven, How to improve your____, topical, feel-good, experience-centered messages rather than THE message that Christ lived & died for.

Quite honestly, I think there is more attention put on DOING GOOD than there is in on teaching what salvation is all about. More focus on compassion than evangelism. More focus on being the hands & feet of Jesus rather than spreading the Gospel message. More focus on teaching people to help the poor, feed the hungry and love the unloved -vs- teaching them about WHY Christ came in the first place.

Very little is said about sin, God's wrath (John 3: 35-36), the depravity of man, hell, repentance and what it really means to trust Christ. Seriously, do most seekers really understand what the popular church-lingo REALLY means?

"Cross the line of faith", "Ask Jesus into your heart", "Accept Jesus into your heart", "Ask Jesus to be your forever friend"... etc, etc.

Where in the Bible does it even say these things? Are churches clearly teaching what it means to be saved? Saved from WHAT? If most people consider themselves to be "good", why do they need to be saved? In the average church today, the typical Sunday message (or 'experience') says nothing about what it takes to become born again. Maybe at the very end (somewhere just before or after the offering), there is a brief reference... "If you don't know where you are on your faith journey, or if you have not crossed the line of faith or asked Jesus into your heart, you can do so by saying this simple prayer..."

That's it??? God sends His Son to die on a Cross for the sins of all mankind and the best we can do is offer a 1 minute infomercial??

And we wonder why the results of so many MEGA-church 'reveal' studies, surveys & polls show that many people who regularly attend church don't even believe or accept the basic tenants of the Christian faith. Because the Preacher (Shepherd) is not teaching the Word (feeding the sheep... John 21: 15-17)!!! They're preaching feel-good messages to entice people to come to church. Bait & Switch. Lure them in with catchy 'relevant' promotions ("How to have a better sex life"), tell them that God has a plan for them and that Jesus loves them. Then what? They say a simple prayer and suddenly they're 'in'?

It seems there MUST be a middle ground in how we do church. I agree that the old, fundamentalist approach may not have been the perfect Biblical model for church however, we now have the opposite extreme taking place. Instead of being consumed with the latest fad or technique for 'doing church', what if churches simply followed the Biblical method for sharing the Gospel.... just preach the Word and let the Holy Spirit do the rest (Romans 10: 14-21).

~ktf~
John

Dangers of the Emergent Church

2008-12-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.For certain persons have crept in UNNOTICED, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." ~ Jude 3 - 4

~ktf~
John

HOW CAN YOU BE RIGHT WITH GOD?

2008-11-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Are you a good person?

The answer that most people give (Christians included), is usually "yes".

For the most part, we consider ourselves to be good because of what we do or don't do. We compare ourselves to others who we consider to be much worse than us. The bad people. Yes, even within the Church, we like to broadcast our goodness or elevate our good-self over that of others. Look at what I've done. I'm nice to people. I sacrifice my time & money. I help at the local soup kitchen. Feed the hungry. Give money to the poor. I tithe. I devote all this time to this ministry or that. I go on missions trips. Read my Bible. Pray. Go to church. Love my wife & kids. Doesn't all of that make me a good person? No. For the believer, these 'good works' are evidence of our faith. (James 2: 14-26). Fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23). In and of themselves, these works do not save us nor do they make us good before a Holy God. It's not enough that we try to justify our goodness through our works. We often base our goodness on what we don't do as compared to those we consider 'bad' or even 'evil'. Hitler... now THAT was an evil person. Criminals, child abusers, adulterers, terrorists, greedy corporate CEOs. Bad people.

Our human nature is at it's very core self-centered and self-righteous (Proverbs 14: 12). Think of #1 first (Philippians 2: 21). This is exactly why the 2nd most important commandment from Christ was to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22: 37-40). Our 'scale' of goodness is based on what we do compared to others who don't do as much or do much worse. This is the sin condition plain and simple.

Regardless of your religion, your lifestyle, what you think of yourself or even what others think of you, we are not good (Jeremiah 17: 9). Yes, I know, there are countless self-help books out there (many in the Christian bookstore too) that want you to believe that deep inside, we're all good. Contrary to this popular opinion, God makes it very clear that we are not good...

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ~ Mark 10: 17-18.

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. ~ Isaiah 64: 6.

Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of our lack of goodness and the wickedness of man... Psalm 14: 1-33.

The truth is, mankind is incapable of fully understanding what 'good' is according to God's standards as a result of our depravity and rebellion against Him (I Corinthians 2: 14), (Ephesians 4: 18).

In this short video clip, Paul Washer explains the universal sinfulness of man and our attempts to impress God with our goodness. How can we really be right with God? The key lies in humility. Being humbled before God and recognizing our sinful condition; unable to save ourselves. Unworthy of God's grace but acknowledging that only through this grace are we saved.

As a follower of Christ, good works are the result of a transformed life (Romans 12: 2) and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2: 13). These works of obedience should not be viewed as things worthy of praise but as one doing what was commanded in the first place (John 12: 43). A child who makes his bed. An employee who completes a task. A soldier who obeys an order. All are acts of obedience; not things worthy of accolades and praise.

Likewise, the Christian should be doing good. Not as though this will save us but out of love for God who has demonstrated His kindness through the sacrafice of Christ for our sins (James 2: 14-26). Our goodness and works will not save us. Nor should we elevate ourselves higher than others because of what we do (or don't do). The reward every believer receives in the end will be a result of our faithfulness alone in Jesus Christ....

His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." ~ Matthew 25: 21

~ktf~
John

Contending for the Truth

2008-11-09T19:06:00.000-08:00

As good stewards we must maintain the cause of truth against all comers."Never get into religious controversies," says one; that is to say, being interpreted, be a Christian soldier, but let your sword rust in its scabbard, and sneak into heaven like a coward.Such advice I cannot endorse. If God has called you by the truth, maintain the truth, which has been the means of your salvation. We are not to be pugnacious, always contending for every crotchet of our own; but wherein we have learned the truth of the Holy Spirit, we are not tamely to see that standard torn down which our fathers upheld at peril of their blood.This is an age in which truth must be maintained zealously, vehemently, continually. Playing fast and loose as many do, believing this to-day and that to-morrow, is the sure mark of children of wrath; but having received the truth, to hold fast the very form of it, as Paul bids Timothy to do, is one of the duties of heirs of heaven. Stand fast for truth, and may God give the victory to the faithful.We must believe the gospel and maintain it, for it is committed to our trust.

((The above excerpt from a sermon preached by Charles Spurgeon in1876))

Here we are 140 years later and not much has changed. There are still people who live like the world and call themselves Christians. The truth is still questioned, doubted and not taken seriously. Even by the church.

As a follower of Christ, we should be passionate about sharing the Gospel. Expressing the truth in love and keeping verses such as Ephesians 4: 29-32 and 1 Peter 3: 15 in mind so as to encourage others. Likewise, we are reminded of the effectiveness of the Word (2 Timothy 3: 16 and Titus 1: 9).

Our purpose in life is to Glorify God. We do that by loving Him and loving others. The key is to do so without compromising the Word or grieving the Holy Spirit in our testimony (words & actions). It's relatively easy to share the message of "God loves you" to the world however, there are going to be times when the whole truth is not as popular.This is exactly why we need to be 'consumed' with the Word of God. Our human (sinful) nature can easily get in the way of the Gospel. Our pride, arrogance and selfishness can all distort the truth. Faith comes through hearing the Word. Our words and actions should be Christ-like. Boldly proclaim the Gospel with love and compassion.

We should be in the Word daily to understand better how to correctly use the 'sword of the spirit'.

~ktf~
John

The People Have Spoken... Now What?

2008-11-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

America has a new President. Barack Obama. Whether you like him, trust him, believe in his agenda or not, he will be the new President come Jan. 20th 2009. As a Follower of Christ, we understand that our responsibility is to give him the respect and honor he deserves as President. This includes praying for him and his family. The Bible reminds us to obey and pray for those He has put into positions of leadership. Sen. Obama faces challenges that this country has not seen in decades. Without the support of the people, his administration and the grace of God, these challenges can be potentially disastrous for our Nation. As Christians, we must be dedicated in prayer that God will give wisdom, protection and diligence to this new administration.

The results of this election were not a mistake nor were they against the will of God. He knew the outcome and allowed Obama to win. As such, we must respond as Christians recognizing the challenges he and our nation faces. Failing to acknowledge our roles as representatives of Christ will bring disrepute not only on ourselves but also the Gospel.

The people have spoken. Free-will was exercised. Choices were made and as a result, a new era in this Nation has begun. Not only has this election crossed the race-barrier and given hope to people of all color that we are equal but, it has also reiterated that this is still a democracy. Freedom still reigns.

The Bible is filled with examples of God not interfering with mankind's decisions or free-will. In many cases, He gave the people exactly what they wanted even to the point of letting them worship other gods. The Israelites went through one 'life-lesson' after another as God let them have their way. When they asked Samuel for a king, (1 Samuel 8: 7-22) God gave them one despite the outcome. They wanted to "be like all the other nations". Sound familiar?

There is no doubt that America is in for a change. On the left, the people have put their hope & trust in the person they believe will bring a change for the better. On the right, the people were reluctant to embrace this 'change'; They stood for something more than economics and social issues. Regardless of where we stand, we can expect there will be frustrations and disappointments in the days to come. Our behavior and attitude as Christians must remain consistent with the Word and not based on circumstances or feelings. Our trust and hope must remain in Jesus Christ. It is God who raises leaders, creates nations and it is He who also brings them to an end in His timing. Now more than ever, our prayer life must be moved to a higher level. How fervent we pray is not nearly as important as what we are praying for. Yes, we will have a more liberal President. Yes, our nation and world is facing a major economic crisis. However, the more critical issue that demands our obedience to prayer is much bigger.

The people have spoken. They've chosen a President based on what they felt was most important to them. The economy. World peace. Shared wealth. Affordable health care. A green planet. Issues that affect every one of us. Issues that affect our quality of life. What this election revealed is that most people are more concerned about these issues than they are life itself. The life of the unborn. They chose a President who supports abortion. One who supports the homosexual lifestyle to the point of having it accepted as normal behavior, degrading the God-designed marriage of one man, one woman. He will pave the way for this detestable lifestyle to not only be normalized but also protected and taught to our children in school.

Essentially, the people made it quite clear that morality and Christian values are no longer as important as they once were. From a purely 'worldly-perspective', that might be understandable in today's economic uncertainty. However, history has shown us time and time again that when a nation turns from God, they eventually cease to be a nation. We cannot and must not give in, give up or have a defeatist attitude. Now more than ever, we need to stand for what is right and defend the essential principles that define Christianity. God's word does not allow for compromise; nor should we. We must be willing to work with the President without compromising our Christian principles. However, we must also be prepared to confront and oppose those issues that defy or reject the the character and fundamental doctrine of God.

May our prayers be that God will change the heart of not only the President and his administration, but also those of the people who have turned to the world for their hope.

Jesus Christ remains our hope. The Gospel remains as our mission to the world. The Church needs a wake up call to get back to preaching the Word instead of trying to market God to the 'seeker'. No doubt, this country... this world needs change for the better. That change is found only in Jesus Christ.

~ktf~
John

Total Depravity- Our Sinful Nature................(Paul Washer)

2008-10-31T06:27:00.000-07:00

Would you consider yourself to be a good person? Do all people really have a good heart? Is the justice of God right to forgive us or to give us what we deserve? How great is God's love?

Listen to this message and then consider how great God's love is when you realize how evil mankind is and yet, God unleashed His wrath on His own Son to save us. When Christ was on the Cross, it was not the physical suffering that killed Him; It was the wrath of God being poured out on Him. You may ask, "Why so much emphasis on God's wrath and our sinful, wretchedness?" Why not more on God's love and His mercy? Simple... Because in order to fully understand the Gospel and grasp the fullness of how much God loves us, one must first recognize their depravity and the depth of their sinful nature. The world often takes for granted God's love. They acknowledge Him when things go their way. When they are blessed financially or they get a job, new house, have a child or find their soul mate. We think that God loves us because we're good or because somehow we deserve it. When bad things happen, we question Him. "Where is He now?" We can't understand how a loving God would let evil things happen.

The bigger question should be...
"How can a loving and just God let us experience even a moment of good?"
For that matter, why is there even ANY good in this sinful, fallen world?

The answer is simple. God's grace. God's mercy. THIS is the heart of the Gospel message. This is why Christ suffered and died for us on the Cross. This is the message that must humble us to our knees in order that we may be saved from our sins. Understanding WHY we must be saved gives a whole new perspective on being Born Again. Understanding that we deserve hell and not heaven causes us to value His love much more. Experiencing God's grace is what will transform us into the image of Christ and move us to live for Him with a passion.

This message by Paul Washer doesn't sugar coat the Gospel. It cuts right to the heart of our sinful condition and why we disparately need a savior. If you've already repented of your sins, trusted in Christ and have made Him Lord of your life, this message is a reminder of how much God loves us. There a isn't 'feel-good' message out there that can compare with knowing that God loves you after listening to this.

~ktf~
John