Well I'm back from the Holy Day. I had a good Christmas. I hope you did too.
My sister gave me a 400th anniversary edition of The Holy Bible of 1611. It's a good one. Not one of those fakes that is just a KJV with a fancy cover. It's not the 400th anniversary of the KJV. But this is a good one. It is so nice to see all the original spelling and the introductory letters. And the complete Apocrypha including the stuff left out of the Douay version of 1610. (Or at least all that they had translated in 1611.) Christmas Eve I must have read Luke 2:1-20 five times. And a couple more times Christmas morning. I have been using it in my devotional time. The old spelling takes just a little getting used to. But it is worth it to see all the original footnotes and cross references.
My mom gave me a copy of "How to read the Bible for all its worth." I'm about half finished with it already. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to do some really serious study. I guess the best description I can give it is that it helps to see the difference between exegesis and hermeneutics and how to do both effectively and efficiently. I wanted it because it is required reading for most Theology degrees I have looked into. That's something I plan for 2011 Lord willing is to go back to school and study Theology. That's something I have always wanted to do. Mainly for the diploma but also to see what it is like to study under a formalized curriculum. My Pastor says going back to school might slow down my studies. But we'll see if God will open that door or not. I have other plans for 2011 Lord willing. I'll probably write about those next week.
My sister's boyfriend gave me a copy of "The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread" by Dr. Richard Booker. It is based on a sermon outline from 1961. The sermon was preached by Dr. W. A. Criswell at The First Baptist Church in Dallas Texas on New Year's Eve 1961. The story goes that every Sunday when it was time for the service to end Pastor Criswell would say to his congregation, "I seem to be out of time." So as a gift to him on New Year's Eve they told him he could start preaching at 8pm and preach until midnight. Then they would have a fellowship dinner in celebration of the New year. He began at 8pm preaching a sermon he had written that traces the blood of Christ from Genesis to Revelation. It is said that at midnight he looked out at the congregation and said, "I seem to be out of time." So the sermon went 4 hours and he never finished. I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as I finish the other book.
I know some people think I'm a geek for all the time I spend in study. But that's what moves me. I want to learn. I don't study to prove myself right or to prove someone else wrong. I study because I want to know the truth. And the truth will make us free. Amen? You will rarely ever learn the truth if you insist on having your Bible spoon fed to you. In fact you will probably just be fed false doctrine instead.
2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." KJV
I like this one too. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God…" NKJV.
Some people say "Oh that's a bad translation because it says you don't have to study!" No No! That's a good translation because it gives a clearer understanding of what is in the Greek. It doesn't say don't study. It says be diligent! That means study and them some. What good is study if there is no learning? And what good is learning if there is no application? We are to do everything diligently to present ourselves approved before God. And this begins with study. But it must also include prayer, and living what we learn, and sharing what we learn with others. (Hence the reason for my blog.)
Peace and blessings to you all.
Shannon
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Why I Celebrate
This blog may be controversial for some people. I'm sorry if this offends anyone in any way. But I have to be honest. It is my duty as a Christian and my privilege as an American to tell the truth. Christmas is fast upon us. And I must address the issue.
Like it or not I do celebrate Christmas. I celebrate it with respect for my Lord and Savior The King of Kings. It is a day set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ and the amazing gift that God has given to the people of this world. I am fully aware that December 25th is not likely the actual date of His Birthday. The actual date is more likely in the spring according to what the scriptures indicate. I do realize that He existed from the beginning of eternity and what we are celebrating is His birth into the flesh as Emmanuel. And I do realize that Christmas did come from some pagan origins that predated the birth of Christ thanks to the Roman Babylon. And that Christianity has just adapted the Holiday into a Christian religious Holiday. But I will celebrate Christmas. I am honoring my God and His Only Begotten Son when I do.
It is not about the presents we give each other. Although we do give gifts in memory of the gift God has given us. It is absolutely not about Santa. Just pull the n out of the middle and slide it back and you have Satan. Although Saint Nicolas was a real person who took the commandments of God to give, give to the poor, give to the widows, give to the fatherless, and give cheerfully, and he took them very much to heart. But it's not about him. It's about the One who inspired him. It is not about reindeer. Although reindeer are real. They just can't fly. It is not about a snowman coming to life. It is about a murdered Savior King who came back to life.
It's not "X-MAS". That is just an atheistic way of trying to offend Christians. The "X" is an ancient symbol. But it is not a symbol for "Christ". It properly stands for "That thing which is missing." So actually "X-MAS" is linguistically correct because when you spell it like that Christ is missing from Christmas. And I believe that will preach. And the word Mass does not mean "to send away". Although it is derived from a Latin word "missa" which is derived from another Latin word "mittere" which does mean "send away". The "mas" in Christmas comes from "mass" which is of pagan catholic origin. Still not necessarily good but it does not mean to "send Christ away". So if Christ offends you then all I can say is take down your lights and tree and return all the gifts and go back to work.
And for those who call themselves Christians who believe I am going to Hell for celebrating Christmas I feel sorry for you. For one thing you don't know what a Christian is. You think you are Christian because of all your legalism. But that is not Christian that is Pharisee. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans 10:4) And besides that you are allowing the devil to talk you into giving up a beautiful Holiday where we can celebrate the birth of our Savior King and have a day or two of peace and good will. That is something this world needs all year and needs badly. The devil is stealing God from you. It is so sad to me. Two years ago I had a number of internet friends who drifted away over this and other similar issues. Like when is the real Sabbath day, what is the Hebrew name for Jesus, the Cross is a satanic symbol, if we don't live under the law of Moses we are not Christian, Paul was a false apostle, and all sorts of ridiculous little heresies like that. The devil blinded them and took the joy and freedom of their faith in God. And he led them into a life of labor in vain trying to save themselves. And all these issues would come up again in the spring when talk of Easter started. That is another pagan Holiday adapted by Christians. And I'll post another blog similar to this when that time comes. When you separate yourself from the children of God you are going to be led astray. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
Don't take away the praise and honor that Christ deserves.
Have a very Merry CHRISTMAS!
Peace and blessings to you all.
Shannon.
LUKE 2:8-15"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
Like it or not I do celebrate Christmas. I celebrate it with respect for my Lord and Savior The King of Kings. It is a day set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ and the amazing gift that God has given to the people of this world. I am fully aware that December 25th is not likely the actual date of His Birthday. The actual date is more likely in the spring according to what the scriptures indicate. I do realize that He existed from the beginning of eternity and what we are celebrating is His birth into the flesh as Emmanuel. And I do realize that Christmas did come from some pagan origins that predated the birth of Christ thanks to the Roman Babylon. And that Christianity has just adapted the Holiday into a Christian religious Holiday. But I will celebrate Christmas. I am honoring my God and His Only Begotten Son when I do.
It is not about the presents we give each other. Although we do give gifts in memory of the gift God has given us. It is absolutely not about Santa. Just pull the n out of the middle and slide it back and you have Satan. Although Saint Nicolas was a real person who took the commandments of God to give, give to the poor, give to the widows, give to the fatherless, and give cheerfully, and he took them very much to heart. But it's not about him. It's about the One who inspired him. It is not about reindeer. Although reindeer are real. They just can't fly. It is not about a snowman coming to life. It is about a murdered Savior King who came back to life.
It's not "X-MAS". That is just an atheistic way of trying to offend Christians. The "X" is an ancient symbol. But it is not a symbol for "Christ". It properly stands for "That thing which is missing." So actually "X-MAS" is linguistically correct because when you spell it like that Christ is missing from Christmas. And I believe that will preach. And the word Mass does not mean "to send away". Although it is derived from a Latin word "missa" which is derived from another Latin word "mittere" which does mean "send away". The "mas" in Christmas comes from "mass" which is of pagan catholic origin. Still not necessarily good but it does not mean to "send Christ away". So if Christ offends you then all I can say is take down your lights and tree and return all the gifts and go back to work.
And for those who call themselves Christians who believe I am going to Hell for celebrating Christmas I feel sorry for you. For one thing you don't know what a Christian is. You think you are Christian because of all your legalism. But that is not Christian that is Pharisee. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Romans 10:4) And besides that you are allowing the devil to talk you into giving up a beautiful Holiday where we can celebrate the birth of our Savior King and have a day or two of peace and good will. That is something this world needs all year and needs badly. The devil is stealing God from you. It is so sad to me. Two years ago I had a number of internet friends who drifted away over this and other similar issues. Like when is the real Sabbath day, what is the Hebrew name for Jesus, the Cross is a satanic symbol, if we don't live under the law of Moses we are not Christian, Paul was a false apostle, and all sorts of ridiculous little heresies like that. The devil blinded them and took the joy and freedom of their faith in God. And he led them into a life of labor in vain trying to save themselves. And all these issues would come up again in the spring when talk of Easter started. That is another pagan Holiday adapted by Christians. And I'll post another blog similar to this when that time comes. When you separate yourself from the children of God you are going to be led astray. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
Don't take away the praise and honor that Christ deserves.
Have a very Merry CHRISTMAS!
Peace and blessings to you all.
Shannon.
LUKE 2:8-15"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."
Monday, December 13, 2010
Never Give Up
I was reading a devotional recently that talked about how Saul Paul of Tarsus was such a hardened man. He persecuted the early Christians with an intense zeal. Acts 8:3 says Saul "made havoc of the church" And the end of Acts 7 and Acts 8:1 shows Saul attended and approved of the killing of the deacon Stephen. Then in Acts 9:1,2 Saul is leading this "great persecution" mentioned previously in Acts 8:1,2. Saul was a hardened man. In his only defense he was confused about the truth of Christ and honestly thought he was doing a good work for the Lord. But he was hardened none the less. He was the last Pharisee or Jew of any rank that we would expect to see yielding to Christ only to become perhaps the most influential missionary in the history of the Christian Church. In Acts 9:3-22 we see that Saul met the resurrected Christ. And when he did he broke. We see his conversion and the beginning of his powerful ministry. From his earliest days of preaching Christ the Messiah he was preaching with such power and authority that even the most devout Jewish leaders were not able to argue his doctrine. Saul became known as Paul. And he became as zealous for Christ as he once was zealous against Christ. That is what God can do. I am reminded of a song that is beautiful and inspiring to me. "Even the Hardest Heart" by White Heart. It was on an album released in the late mid 90's. In the lyrics it says "Let's all stand together and pray for a shower of love for even the hardest heart…we're praying, believing, that even the hardest heart, even the hardest heart, will break like the dawn and be changed by the song of love. Even the hardest heart." That to me is beautiful. If you know someone who doesn't know Christ don't give up. Continue praying for them. James 5:16 says "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." The effectual fervent prayer is a highly active prayer. It is an efficient prayer. It is to be mighty in prayer. Pray fervently. Pray diligently. "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. No one is ever so hard that God can't reach them. It is a sad truth that not everyone will yield to Christ. But if they won't bend God can break them. And when they break if they will finally call upon the Lord and yield to Christ then it is a beautiful brokenness indeed. So if you love Christ, and you love them, don't give up. Continue to pray for them. Continue to let the light of Christ shine brightly in your life. And continue to be ready to offer them the Gospel of reconciliation in love, patience, and understanding. Whatever you do, don't give up.
May you be blessed, inspired, and encouraged.
Peace and blessings,
Shannon
May you be blessed, inspired, and encouraged.
Peace and blessings,
Shannon
Monday, December 6, 2010
Fulfilling His Joy
Philippians 2:1-11
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This is a beautiful passage of scripture that shows us how we really ought to behave within the body of Christ. Paul is telling the church at Philippi, and us, that we are to serve God with the right attitude and for the right reasons. In short, we are to be humble about it. Looking closely at what he is saying we can see that we first must be "likeminded". Paul is pleading with them to be in agreement. Or at least to be understanding of each other. Like-mindedness is to be in agreement. But he goes on urging us to have the same love. In this we cannot debate what love that must be. For a Christian there is only one love. And that is the love of Christ. If we do not share the love of Christ we are doomed from the start. Remember that John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved," reminds us in 1 John 4:8 that "…God is love." And he also pointed out in 1 John 4:20 that if we say we love God but hate our brothers or sisters in Christ, then we are liars. So back to what Paul is saying in out text here, We are to love one another and be of one accord. This means we are working together for a common goal. What is that goal? To be like Christ, obedient to God, doing all things for His honor and glory. He says that we are not just to look after our own concerns but after the concerns of our brethren, and our church, as much as our own. When we humble ourselves and put others first, that is when we are truly being Christ-like. We see that Christ Himself came to earth in the form of a man of flesh and blood, and became a servant. He obeyed the Father all the way to the Cross. And in between he put His disciples and His Father before Himself. Remember when He washed their feet? (John 13) He humbled Himself because of His love for His disciples and His love for His Father. Again, Paul reminds us that when we are humble, and put others first, God sees this act of obedience, and He blesses us. Now we will back up to the third verse to see some of the meat in this passage. Paul says not to do anything through "strife or vainglory". This is the key that I really wanted to share here. We are not to do anything from as desire to prove ourselves better than someone else. This is self-righteousness. And we are not to do anything to debunk or belittle someone else. This is strife. And it leads to divisions among our brethren. This is bad. And unfortunately it is something we see far too much of. We are also reminded that whatever work we do is for the honor and glory of God the Father and Christ His Son. We are not to be working for our own praise or to magnify ourselves. This is vainglory. Remember Christ said if we do these things for the honor and praise of men then we have our reward. (Matthew 6:2-16) We must humble ourselves and do all that we do for the honor and glory of Christ. It is Him that the world needs to see, not us. It is Him who can save, not us. It is Him who deserves the praise, not us. Paul told his readers that by doing this they would fulfill his joy. And we would do well if we would realize that in following the teaching in this passage of Scripture, we will be giving the same joy to Christ our Savior.
And just a short reminder; None of this is for our salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and sealed by the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30)
I hope this will bless and inspire you.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Shannon
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
This is a beautiful passage of scripture that shows us how we really ought to behave within the body of Christ. Paul is telling the church at Philippi, and us, that we are to serve God with the right attitude and for the right reasons. In short, we are to be humble about it. Looking closely at what he is saying we can see that we first must be "likeminded". Paul is pleading with them to be in agreement. Or at least to be understanding of each other. Like-mindedness is to be in agreement. But he goes on urging us to have the same love. In this we cannot debate what love that must be. For a Christian there is only one love. And that is the love of Christ. If we do not share the love of Christ we are doomed from the start. Remember that John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved," reminds us in 1 John 4:8 that "…God is love." And he also pointed out in 1 John 4:20 that if we say we love God but hate our brothers or sisters in Christ, then we are liars. So back to what Paul is saying in out text here, We are to love one another and be of one accord. This means we are working together for a common goal. What is that goal? To be like Christ, obedient to God, doing all things for His honor and glory. He says that we are not just to look after our own concerns but after the concerns of our brethren, and our church, as much as our own. When we humble ourselves and put others first, that is when we are truly being Christ-like. We see that Christ Himself came to earth in the form of a man of flesh and blood, and became a servant. He obeyed the Father all the way to the Cross. And in between he put His disciples and His Father before Himself. Remember when He washed their feet? (John 13) He humbled Himself because of His love for His disciples and His love for His Father. Again, Paul reminds us that when we are humble, and put others first, God sees this act of obedience, and He blesses us. Now we will back up to the third verse to see some of the meat in this passage. Paul says not to do anything through "strife or vainglory". This is the key that I really wanted to share here. We are not to do anything from as desire to prove ourselves better than someone else. This is self-righteousness. And we are not to do anything to debunk or belittle someone else. This is strife. And it leads to divisions among our brethren. This is bad. And unfortunately it is something we see far too much of. We are also reminded that whatever work we do is for the honor and glory of God the Father and Christ His Son. We are not to be working for our own praise or to magnify ourselves. This is vainglory. Remember Christ said if we do these things for the honor and praise of men then we have our reward. (Matthew 6:2-16) We must humble ourselves and do all that we do for the honor and glory of Christ. It is Him that the world needs to see, not us. It is Him who can save, not us. It is Him who deserves the praise, not us. Paul told his readers that by doing this they would fulfill his joy. And we would do well if we would realize that in following the teaching in this passage of Scripture, we will be giving the same joy to Christ our Savior.
And just a short reminder; None of this is for our salvation. We are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) and sealed by the Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30)
I hope this will bless and inspire you.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Shannon
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Faithful Man.
The Faithful Man.
(from Faith for the Family Journal February/March 2007 Volume 1 / Issue 1)
(more resources at FaithfortheFamily.com)
The Faithful Man…
Is strong in the Lord.
"…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1
Commits to faithful men what he has learned.
"…commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
Stands firm during hardships.
"…endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Refuses to be entangled with this world.
"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life…" 2 Timothy 2:4
Seeks to please Christ in all things.
"…please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4
Strives lawfully obeying God's commands.
"…yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." 2 Timothy 2:5
Continues laboring for the Lord and reaps the fruit of his labor.
"The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits." 2 Timothy 2:6
The faithful man is faithful to God in his personal walk, in his home, and in his church.
(from Faith for the Family Journal February/March 2007 Volume 1 / Issue 1)
(more resources at FaithfortheFamily.com)
The Faithful Man…
Is strong in the Lord.
"…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1
Commits to faithful men what he has learned.
"…commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
Stands firm during hardships.
"…endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Refuses to be entangled with this world.
"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life…" 2 Timothy 2:4
Seeks to please Christ in all things.
"…please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:4
Strives lawfully obeying God's commands.
"…yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." 2 Timothy 2:5
Continues laboring for the Lord and reaps the fruit of his labor.
"The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits." 2 Timothy 2:6
The faithful man is faithful to God in his personal walk, in his home, and in his church.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Our God given privilege
What are we to be doing? If we have truly been born again is it enough that we are saved? Are we to just sit back and wait for God to take us on to Heaven? No! God left us in this world for two reasons. One of those is so that we can grow in His image. By learning the truth in His word and applying it to our life we grow. And we are growing to perfection. We aren't perfect yet. Actually we will never be in this body. But we are to be growing in that direction. Hebrews 6:1 says "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God," Also see 1 Peter 2:2 "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" And 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." The first reason God doesn't immediately take us away when we are saved is that we are to spend time "growing" in Him by studying His word and living it.
The second reason, and a very important reason, is that we are to be reproducing in the Spiritual sense. We are to be spreading the Gospel. Sharing our faith. Bearing fruit. John 15:2,8 says "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." One way we bear fruit is by the spiritual growth that is seen in our life. But another important way we bear fruit is by leading others to Christ. Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Understand that this growth as well as leading others to Christ or "converting sinners" or being "soul winners" is not something we can do ourselves by our own will and intellect. It is only done by the Holy Spirit and it is evidence of the Spirit at work in us. I just want it to be understood that I am not preaching the works of man here. This has to be the work of the Spirit. Otherwise it is vanity.
The reason I am trying to make this point clear is that there are many Christians who seem to think this is someone else's job. Christ made it clear. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." We call it "the great commission". This teaching is repeated and reinforced in Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." and John 20:21 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." There are also a number of passages in the epistles that encourage this kind of discipleship.
But there are two things I think we need to address concerning the great commission. The first is the word "preach" seen in Luke and often substituted for the word teach in the passage in Matthew. Many people see this and they immediately think of a "Pastor". They will say "Women can't do that." Wait! This doesn't say anything about a "Pastor" (Bishop) or about having authority over anyone. This is the job of every disciple of Christ regardless of gender or age. I am not talking about teaching, preaching, or pasturing from the pulpit. There are people around you that you can "preach" the Gospel to. There may be people at home, neighbors, at the store, wherever you are or go there is someone who could use the Gospel. You don't have to "preach" to preach. You can give someone a tract. You can relate scriptures into a conversation. One good method that has been practiced for over a thousand years is to get people to ask you questions. Raise their curiosity. Then all you have to do is give honest, scripturally sound answers. The point is that this sharing of the faith is for every child of God. Not just Pastors.
The second point I must make is that sharing the Gospel and following the great commission is still everyone's job. This was not a commandment that died out with the apostles. "Oh. But He was talking directly to His disciples." That is the devil trying to keep you quiet. Don't listen to him. It is a common theme throughout the New Testament that we are to be His witnesses. We are to spread the good word that Christ is the only way to eternal life. 2 Corinthians 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:" I can't get over this modernized gospel that says things like spreading the Gospel was just for that small group of people and limited to that short period of time. Now God will draw to Himself the people He wants to save. That is heresy. And another heresy floating around is this new doctrine that we can't suggest a sinner need repent. Because they can't repent until after they are saved. That's pig slop that is! Christ said in Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Repent and Believe! Beware of extreme dispensationalism!
These are frightening times we live in when I listen to some of the things coming out of pulpits in America today. Our grandparents knew better. Why would we need to change the Gospel to "fit our times"? Christ doesn't change! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." And His Gospel doesn't need to change! Remember those good old hymns we used to sing? "I love to tell the story…" If we love Christ wouldn't we want to tell His story? Wouldn't we, having been "lost but now I'm found", having seen the light shining through the darkness, wouldn't we want to "Go tell it on the mountain"? We shouldn't actually see this as a "duty" or a "responsibility". We should see it as a privilege. We should be thankful that we are able to tell the story. Then we will want to take it "Around the corner, around the world" and "Bring them in from the fields of sin"
I hope this blesses and encourages you. I hope it inspires you.
Peace and blessings.
Shannon
The second reason, and a very important reason, is that we are to be reproducing in the Spiritual sense. We are to be spreading the Gospel. Sharing our faith. Bearing fruit. John 15:2,8 says "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." One way we bear fruit is by the spiritual growth that is seen in our life. But another important way we bear fruit is by leading others to Christ. Solomon said in Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Understand that this growth as well as leading others to Christ or "converting sinners" or being "soul winners" is not something we can do ourselves by our own will and intellect. It is only done by the Holy Spirit and it is evidence of the Spirit at work in us. I just want it to be understood that I am not preaching the works of man here. This has to be the work of the Spirit. Otherwise it is vanity.
The reason I am trying to make this point clear is that there are many Christians who seem to think this is someone else's job. Christ made it clear. Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." We call it "the great commission". This teaching is repeated and reinforced in Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." and John 20:21 "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." There are also a number of passages in the epistles that encourage this kind of discipleship.
But there are two things I think we need to address concerning the great commission. The first is the word "preach" seen in Luke and often substituted for the word teach in the passage in Matthew. Many people see this and they immediately think of a "Pastor". They will say "Women can't do that." Wait! This doesn't say anything about a "Pastor" (Bishop) or about having authority over anyone. This is the job of every disciple of Christ regardless of gender or age. I am not talking about teaching, preaching, or pasturing from the pulpit. There are people around you that you can "preach" the Gospel to. There may be people at home, neighbors, at the store, wherever you are or go there is someone who could use the Gospel. You don't have to "preach" to preach. You can give someone a tract. You can relate scriptures into a conversation. One good method that has been practiced for over a thousand years is to get people to ask you questions. Raise their curiosity. Then all you have to do is give honest, scripturally sound answers. The point is that this sharing of the faith is for every child of God. Not just Pastors.
The second point I must make is that sharing the Gospel and following the great commission is still everyone's job. This was not a commandment that died out with the apostles. "Oh. But He was talking directly to His disciples." That is the devil trying to keep you quiet. Don't listen to him. It is a common theme throughout the New Testament that we are to be His witnesses. We are to spread the good word that Christ is the only way to eternal life. 2 Corinthians 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:" I can't get over this modernized gospel that says things like spreading the Gospel was just for that small group of people and limited to that short period of time. Now God will draw to Himself the people He wants to save. That is heresy. And another heresy floating around is this new doctrine that we can't suggest a sinner need repent. Because they can't repent until after they are saved. That's pig slop that is! Christ said in Mark 1:15 "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Repent and Believe! Beware of extreme dispensationalism!
These are frightening times we live in when I listen to some of the things coming out of pulpits in America today. Our grandparents knew better. Why would we need to change the Gospel to "fit our times"? Christ doesn't change! Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." And His Gospel doesn't need to change! Remember those good old hymns we used to sing? "I love to tell the story…" If we love Christ wouldn't we want to tell His story? Wouldn't we, having been "lost but now I'm found", having seen the light shining through the darkness, wouldn't we want to "Go tell it on the mountain"? We shouldn't actually see this as a "duty" or a "responsibility". We should see it as a privilege. We should be thankful that we are able to tell the story. Then we will want to take it "Around the corner, around the world" and "Bring them in from the fields of sin"
I hope this blesses and encourages you. I hope it inspires you.
Peace and blessings.
Shannon
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Spurgeon on the economic crisis
This is an excerpt from a sermon preached by C. H. Spurgeon on the collapse of Overend, Gurney and Company, (known as "the bankers' bank") which collapsed in 1886 leading to the collapse of over 200 other companies. It is amazing and disturbing to see how history does repeat itself. The financial troubles are a demonstration of the foolishness of atheism and the belief that you can have morality without Christianity. It is also implied that this will soon effect the modern "Mega Churches" built on financial wealth, the prosperity gospel, and Godlessness. I hope you will read this. Spurgeon preached this sermon on the morning of January 10th 1869. Tell me it doesn't sound like something from the news we have been hearing for the last two years.
Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits."
"During the last two years, some of the most notable commercial reputations have been hopelessly destroyed. Men in the great world of trade, who were trusted, around whose characters there hovered no cloud of suspicion, nor even the shade of doubt, have proved themselves reckless of honesty and devoid of principle."
"The fiery trial has been too much for the wood, hay, and stubble of many a gigantic firm. Houses of business which seemed to be founded upon a rock, and to stand as fast as the commonwealth of England itself, have been shaken to their foundations and have caved in with a tremendous crash. On all sides we see the wrecks of great reputations and colossal fortunes. There is wailing in the palace of sham, and desolation in the halls of pretense. Bubbles are bursting, windbags are collapsing, paint is cracking, gilt is peeling off."
"Probably we have more of this to come, more revelations still to be made of apparent wealth which covered insolvency, as a rich paper may cover a mud wall; crafty schemes which duped the public with profits never made, and tempted them to advance to deeper speculations, even as the mirage of the desert mocks the traveler."
"We have seen in the public prints, month after month, fresh discoveries of the modes of financing adopted by the villainy of this present age, to accomplish robbery respectably and to achieve felony with credit. We have been astonished and amazed at the vile tricks and shameless devices to which men of eminence have condescended. And yet we have been compelled to hear justifications of gigantic frauds, and have even been compelled to believe that the perpetrators of them did not consider themselves to be acting disreputably, their own previous success and the low state of morality together, having lulled them into a state in which conscience, if not dead, thoroughly asleep."
"Some ages may have been great in science, others in art, and others in war, but our era overtops every other in the proficiency of it's rascals; this is the classic period of chicanery, the golden age of fraud. Let a man have a base heart and a seared conscience and a plausible mode of address, and let him resolve upon deluding the public out of millions, he need not travel to learn the readiest method, he can find examples near at home, among high professors and the great ones of earth."
"My brethren, these noises of falling towers on the right, these sounds of crumbling battlements on the left, these cries of the shipwrecked everywhere along the costs of trade, have not only awakened within me many thoughts relative to themselves and the rottenness of modern society, but they have made me muse upon similar catastrophes evermore occurring in the spiritual world. Unrecorded in the journals and unmoored by unregenerate men, there are failures and frauds, and bankruptcies of soul, most horrible to think upon. There is a spiritual trading just as pretentious, and apparently just as successful, as your vaunted limited liability juggle, but really just as rotten and as sure to end in hopeless overthrow."
"Speculation is a spiritual vice as well as a commercial one. Trading without capital is common in the religious world, and puffery and deception are everyday practices. The outer world is always representative of the inner; the life which clusters round the Exchange illustrates that which gathers within the church; and if our eyes were opened, and our ears were able to hear, the sights and sounds of the spirit world would far more interest us and sadden us than the doings which begin in the directors' boardroom and end we know not where"
"We should see at this moment colossal religious fortunes melting into abject spiritual poverty. We should see high professors, much reverenced and held in esteem, brought into shame and everlasting contempt. We should see the wealthy in divine matters, whom men have unwisely trusted as their guides and counselors as to their souls' best interests, unmasked and proved to be deceitful through and through."
"I seem at this moment to be peering into the world of spiritual things, and I see many a Babel tower tottering and ready to fall; many a fair tree decaying at the heart; many a blooming cheek undermined by disease. Yes, a sound comes to my ear of men in the church, apparently rich and increased in goods, who are naked and poor and miserable, and great men whose towering glories are but a fading flower."
"There ever have been such, there are many now, and there will be to the end. the supply of deceivers is sure to be maintained, since the text tells us that all the ways of men are clean in his own eyes; there is a propensity in nature which leads men, even when they are most wrong, to judge themselves most right."
"The text at the same time the terrible conclusion to which all self-deception will certainly come, for the judgment of man concerning himself is not final, and there comes a day when the Lord who weigheth the spirits will reverse the verdict of a perjured conscience, and make the man to stand no longer in the false light which his conceit has thrown around him, but in the true light, in which all his fancied glory shall vanish as a dream."
Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits."
"During the last two years, some of the most notable commercial reputations have been hopelessly destroyed. Men in the great world of trade, who were trusted, around whose characters there hovered no cloud of suspicion, nor even the shade of doubt, have proved themselves reckless of honesty and devoid of principle."
"The fiery trial has been too much for the wood, hay, and stubble of many a gigantic firm. Houses of business which seemed to be founded upon a rock, and to stand as fast as the commonwealth of England itself, have been shaken to their foundations and have caved in with a tremendous crash. On all sides we see the wrecks of great reputations and colossal fortunes. There is wailing in the palace of sham, and desolation in the halls of pretense. Bubbles are bursting, windbags are collapsing, paint is cracking, gilt is peeling off."
"Probably we have more of this to come, more revelations still to be made of apparent wealth which covered insolvency, as a rich paper may cover a mud wall; crafty schemes which duped the public with profits never made, and tempted them to advance to deeper speculations, even as the mirage of the desert mocks the traveler."
"We have seen in the public prints, month after month, fresh discoveries of the modes of financing adopted by the villainy of this present age, to accomplish robbery respectably and to achieve felony with credit. We have been astonished and amazed at the vile tricks and shameless devices to which men of eminence have condescended. And yet we have been compelled to hear justifications of gigantic frauds, and have even been compelled to believe that the perpetrators of them did not consider themselves to be acting disreputably, their own previous success and the low state of morality together, having lulled them into a state in which conscience, if not dead, thoroughly asleep."
"Some ages may have been great in science, others in art, and others in war, but our era overtops every other in the proficiency of it's rascals; this is the classic period of chicanery, the golden age of fraud. Let a man have a base heart and a seared conscience and a plausible mode of address, and let him resolve upon deluding the public out of millions, he need not travel to learn the readiest method, he can find examples near at home, among high professors and the great ones of earth."
"My brethren, these noises of falling towers on the right, these sounds of crumbling battlements on the left, these cries of the shipwrecked everywhere along the costs of trade, have not only awakened within me many thoughts relative to themselves and the rottenness of modern society, but they have made me muse upon similar catastrophes evermore occurring in the spiritual world. Unrecorded in the journals and unmoored by unregenerate men, there are failures and frauds, and bankruptcies of soul, most horrible to think upon. There is a spiritual trading just as pretentious, and apparently just as successful, as your vaunted limited liability juggle, but really just as rotten and as sure to end in hopeless overthrow."
"Speculation is a spiritual vice as well as a commercial one. Trading without capital is common in the religious world, and puffery and deception are everyday practices. The outer world is always representative of the inner; the life which clusters round the Exchange illustrates that which gathers within the church; and if our eyes were opened, and our ears were able to hear, the sights and sounds of the spirit world would far more interest us and sadden us than the doings which begin in the directors' boardroom and end we know not where"
"We should see at this moment colossal religious fortunes melting into abject spiritual poverty. We should see high professors, much reverenced and held in esteem, brought into shame and everlasting contempt. We should see the wealthy in divine matters, whom men have unwisely trusted as their guides and counselors as to their souls' best interests, unmasked and proved to be deceitful through and through."
"I seem at this moment to be peering into the world of spiritual things, and I see many a Babel tower tottering and ready to fall; many a fair tree decaying at the heart; many a blooming cheek undermined by disease. Yes, a sound comes to my ear of men in the church, apparently rich and increased in goods, who are naked and poor and miserable, and great men whose towering glories are but a fading flower."
"There ever have been such, there are many now, and there will be to the end. the supply of deceivers is sure to be maintained, since the text tells us that all the ways of men are clean in his own eyes; there is a propensity in nature which leads men, even when they are most wrong, to judge themselves most right."
"The text at the same time the terrible conclusion to which all self-deception will certainly come, for the judgment of man concerning himself is not final, and there comes a day when the Lord who weigheth the spirits will reverse the verdict of a perjured conscience, and make the man to stand no longer in the false light which his conceit has thrown around him, but in the true light, in which all his fancied glory shall vanish as a dream."
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