Many people today have the idea that the church is a hospital for the spiritually ill. Now I understand that there are some individuals who are weak in the faith, or those who struggle in their Christian walk, and these should receive help. It is scriptural (Gal 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
It is also true that an unbeliever may come into the assembly, but the presence of God should be so noticeable to them that they are either truly saved, or feel uncomfortable enough in their sin, to not play church for the rest of their lives (1 Cor 14:24-25; Acts 5:11-14).
In acts 5:11-14, great fear fell upon the people after the deaths of Annanias and Sapphira. Notice how unbelievers did not associate themselves with the church. The presence of God was there, and a casual individual did not want to go in and hang around and yet have no desire to repent and serve Christ. Yet we see that people were indeed being saved and added to the Church.
The difference is this. The Church of Acts was going out and winning the lost, then bringing them in and making disciples. Today, we want them to come in, and we hope that in time something will click and they will get saved. Sadly, we see people spend their entire lives in church trying to overcome multitudes of sins and habits, needing to be led through all manners of issues affecting their homes and relationships, all because they are not getting saved. The church is seen as a divine hospital for the patching up of sinners, and for the most part, that is all that is happening, a lot of patches, but very few transformed lives.
Once again, I understand the need for compassion, and the call on our lives as Christians to reach out to help the weak and needy, but we are going about it wrong for the most part.
We are told in the book of Ephesians that the assembly of believers, the Church, is where we come to be equipped for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12). The Church is comprised of true believers, who have been born into the kingdom of God. The epistles are written to Saints, ones who are separated unto the service of God. These are holy people, not unrepentant sinners.
It is true that Jesus tells us that there will be tares sown along side the wheat. A tare looks like wheat, but does not bear "fruit". In the world there will be individuals who may pass as Christians, but in reality they are not. Many of them fill our churches ever week (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43). We must do what we can to make sure that any unbeliever who would be in one of our churches would come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but this is not the purpose of our gathering together as believers!
As I said, the Church is the gathering of redeemed people, the Bride of Christ! We are to be equipped to go out and do the works of service that God has called us to. Paul tells us that we are to grow up into maturity, no longer being tossed back and forth like children, carried away by false doctrines (Ephesians 4:13-14).
The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to press on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). Many of us can relate to the fact that we ought to be teachers, but are in need of being taught the basics after years of Christianity (Hebrews 5:12-14). I believe that much of this comes from a hospital mentality; the church exists to fix us and patch us up. Sadly many never seem to get beyond the patching up stage.
We are called to go into all the world and make disciples, and the Church is where the training, and praying, and encouragement, happens. This is where many of the missionaries of old received their callings (Acts 13:1-3). Men were made strong in the presence of the Holy Spirit, in the midst of the gathering of the Saints of God. We are called to encourage one another on to good deeds, as we assemble together (Hebrews 10:24-25).
We are in a war of a spiritual nature, and need all the training and edification that we can get. We cannot remain infants, and expect to be effective in our service to Christ our King. We are to be advancing the Kingdom of God in the face of a wicked world dominated by satan, and all his devices. We must be strong, we must be filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We must grow to a mature man, complete in Christ.
If you are struggling, find true deliverance in Christ Jesus, and press on to maturity. Don't settle for a life of struggle and bondage. The Christian life is one of victory. We are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37). Go on to maturity, and do your part to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Come to church and be encouraged to go out to the battle field!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
What Your Speech Says About You.
From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
Can a fig tree my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:10-12 NASB
Consider what James is saying here. There are many supposed followers of Christ who use filthy language on a regular basis, with little or no thought of what they are saying, or how offensive it is.
James is telling us that those who both bless and curse, are an anomaly. They deviate from what is a set rule, from the way things are supposed to be. Look at the examples he presents in nature. Fresh and bitter water do not come from the same fountain, figs come from fig trees, olives come from olive trees, and salt water does not produce fresh. There is something wrong with the testimony of an individual claiming Christ, but using filthy language.
Look what Jesus says about our speech in Matthew's gospel.
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matthew 12:33-37 NASB
These are very sobering words that we as Christians need to take very seriously. We tend to think that somehow, because we have made a profession, or said a prayer, that what we do does not matter. In this instance our speech is a very accurate indicator of our spiritual life, or lack thereof.
Look at what Jesus is saying here. Our speech comes out of what fills our hearts. The ruling preference of our lives determines what flows out of our mouths. If Christ is on the throne of our hearts, we will speak in a manner consistent with this. If we are in control of our lives, if Christ is dethroned, or we have never even been truly saved in the biblical sense of salvation, our mouths will run consistent with that.
You will say that no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). I agree! An individual apart from Christ cannot tame his tongue, or any other sin or bad habit in his or her life! We need Christ on the throne, the Holy Spirit dwelling in the temples of our hearts. When we walk by the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16), including our speech!
What does your speech say about you!
Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
Can a fig tree my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:10-12 NASB
Consider what James is saying here. There are many supposed followers of Christ who use filthy language on a regular basis, with little or no thought of what they are saying, or how offensive it is.
James is telling us that those who both bless and curse, are an anomaly. They deviate from what is a set rule, from the way things are supposed to be. Look at the examples he presents in nature. Fresh and bitter water do not come from the same fountain, figs come from fig trees, olives come from olive trees, and salt water does not produce fresh. There is something wrong with the testimony of an individual claiming Christ, but using filthy language.
Look what Jesus says about our speech in Matthew's gospel.
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
"But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Matthew 12:33-37 NASB
These are very sobering words that we as Christians need to take very seriously. We tend to think that somehow, because we have made a profession, or said a prayer, that what we do does not matter. In this instance our speech is a very accurate indicator of our spiritual life, or lack thereof.
Look at what Jesus is saying here. Our speech comes out of what fills our hearts. The ruling preference of our lives determines what flows out of our mouths. If Christ is on the throne of our hearts, we will speak in a manner consistent with this. If we are in control of our lives, if Christ is dethroned, or we have never even been truly saved in the biblical sense of salvation, our mouths will run consistent with that.
You will say that no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). I agree! An individual apart from Christ cannot tame his tongue, or any other sin or bad habit in his or her life! We need Christ on the throne, the Holy Spirit dwelling in the temples of our hearts. When we walk by the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16), including our speech!
What does your speech say about you!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
A Word of Encouragement.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB
As this year draws to a close, and we face the dawning of a new year, I would like to encourage you to hold fast your commitment to Christ Jesus.
Many of you desire to know God in a deeper way, and I would encourage you, like Paul, to pursue Him with a renewed passion (Philippians 3:7-17). As the above passage in Hebrews states, it takes diligence, faith, and patience (perseverance). At times it can seem so easy to just give in, as the world seeks to gain our attention with all of it's attractions.
Hold fast your confidence firm until the end (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36). Serving Jesus is far better than anything that this world can offer us. Knowing Him intimately is the greatest reward that one can find. Don't lose it!
The scriptures tell us to not grow weary in well doing, for in the end we will reap the reward of eternal life (Galatians 6:8-9). This is eternity, face to face with our Savior.
So in the coming days and months, be diligent. It takes effort, commitment. But through faith we overcome and gain the victory (1 John 5:4).
so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11-12 NASB
As this year draws to a close, and we face the dawning of a new year, I would like to encourage you to hold fast your commitment to Christ Jesus.
Many of you desire to know God in a deeper way, and I would encourage you, like Paul, to pursue Him with a renewed passion (Philippians 3:7-17). As the above passage in Hebrews states, it takes diligence, faith, and patience (perseverance). At times it can seem so easy to just give in, as the world seeks to gain our attention with all of it's attractions.
Hold fast your confidence firm until the end (Hebrews 10:23, 35-36). Serving Jesus is far better than anything that this world can offer us. Knowing Him intimately is the greatest reward that one can find. Don't lose it!
The scriptures tell us to not grow weary in well doing, for in the end we will reap the reward of eternal life (Galatians 6:8-9). This is eternity, face to face with our Savior.
So in the coming days and months, be diligent. It takes effort, commitment. But through faith we overcome and gain the victory (1 John 5:4).
Monday, December 29, 2014
No More Sacrifice For Sins.
Many professed believers hold a very lax view on sin, and the need to repent of it. Some seem to think that it doesn't matter how they live, because it is all covered by the blood of Jesus.
We see something different in the Word of God however.
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said "Vengeance is mine, I will repay", and again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:26-31 NASB
Contrary to what we might believe, we cannot just go on sinning and presume upon God's grace. As this passage shows us, if we continue in a willful lifestyle of sin, we cannot expect the blood sacrifice of Jesus to atone for our sins.
The writer takes us back to the Old Covenant where those who sinned willfully against the law were put to death without mercy. This was because God, as a just and holy being could not tolerate sin, and even though in His mercy He provided a sacrificial system for sins committed in ignorance, yet His justice demanded retribution in the case of a willful sin. The only chance one had was to throw oneself on the mercy of God, such as David does in Psalm 51:1-19.
If the judgment of God was severe under the Old Covenant, how much more severe will it be under the New Covenant where we have the blood sacrifice of Christ, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
By our deliberate sin, we trample the blood that has sanctified us, and insult the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who convicts us of sin, and is responsible for drawing us to Christ!
That is why we are told "If you hear My voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15). Our only hope is to cast ourselves upon the mercy of God with repentant hearts.
We are told if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). If we sin we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). This is not meant as blanket covering for a life of sin however. It is for those who are striving to live for Christ, but fall. Sin should be the exception, not the rule.
It is a dangerous thing to become careless with sin. If you are playing with it now, if you are allowing a known sin to exist in your life, repent now! Cast yourself upon the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and be washed clean. If you don't, there is no longer a sacrifice for you.
We see something different in the Word of God however.
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said "Vengeance is mine, I will repay", and again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:26-31 NASB
Contrary to what we might believe, we cannot just go on sinning and presume upon God's grace. As this passage shows us, if we continue in a willful lifestyle of sin, we cannot expect the blood sacrifice of Jesus to atone for our sins.
The writer takes us back to the Old Covenant where those who sinned willfully against the law were put to death without mercy. This was because God, as a just and holy being could not tolerate sin, and even though in His mercy He provided a sacrificial system for sins committed in ignorance, yet His justice demanded retribution in the case of a willful sin. The only chance one had was to throw oneself on the mercy of God, such as David does in Psalm 51:1-19.
If the judgment of God was severe under the Old Covenant, how much more severe will it be under the New Covenant where we have the blood sacrifice of Christ, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
By our deliberate sin, we trample the blood that has sanctified us, and insult the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who convicts us of sin, and is responsible for drawing us to Christ!
That is why we are told "If you hear My voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15). Our only hope is to cast ourselves upon the mercy of God with repentant hearts.
We are told if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). If we sin we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). This is not meant as blanket covering for a life of sin however. It is for those who are striving to live for Christ, but fall. Sin should be the exception, not the rule.
It is a dangerous thing to become careless with sin. If you are playing with it now, if you are allowing a known sin to exist in your life, repent now! Cast yourself upon the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and be washed clean. If you don't, there is no longer a sacrifice for you.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Selfishness or Love.
I have seen many people debating the issue of eternal security. While some are indeed honest seekers of truth, many appear to have selfish motives at heart.
Sadly many individuals who claim to be Christians seem to be interested in how much sin the can be involved in, and yet remain saved. This only shows that these individuals are selfish at heart. They have had a "legal" experience with Christ, but not one that has changed the ruling preference of the heart.
The individual who loves Christ is not concerned with how much he or she can get away with and not lose their salvation, they are concerned with staying as far away as they can from anything that would grieve the heart of the Savior, and bring reproach to His name.
The issue with them is not self, but devotion to Christ. Love is not self seeking (1 Cor 13:5), but chooses the highest interest of Christ for His sake
What kind of salvation do you have? A legal one that concerns itself with your own interests, or are you poured out for Christ?
Sadly many individuals who claim to be Christians seem to be interested in how much sin the can be involved in, and yet remain saved. This only shows that these individuals are selfish at heart. They have had a "legal" experience with Christ, but not one that has changed the ruling preference of the heart.
The individual who loves Christ is not concerned with how much he or she can get away with and not lose their salvation, they are concerned with staying as far away as they can from anything that would grieve the heart of the Savior, and bring reproach to His name.
The issue with them is not self, but devotion to Christ. Love is not self seeking (1 Cor 13:5), but chooses the highest interest of Christ for His sake
What kind of salvation do you have? A legal one that concerns itself with your own interests, or are you poured out for Christ?
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Heavenly Minded.
There is a saying that one can be so heavenly minded, that they are of no earthly good. It seems that if someone gets passionate about Jesus, gets serious about living for Him, they are shut down by some professed believer who is a little uncomfortable with their zeal.
However, this is what God calls us to as followers of Christ,
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NASB
As followers of Christ, our life does not consist in the abundance of the earthly things we possess (Luke 12:15). Our life is not about all of our temporal, earthly pursuits (2 Tim 2:4). Jesus teaches us that even the necessities of life are not to become the end all of our existence here in this life (Matt 6:25-34).
Sadly, too many professed believers spend their lives in the hustle and bustle of this world. Days are filled with jobs, daycare, after school activities, and so on. There are too few hours in a day to juggle everything that we try to pursue. In the eyes of the world, this is wonderful, as we climb the ladder to success.
But at what cost? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul (Mark 8:36). While we chase the temporal things of this life our prayer life dwindles, our hunger for the word diminishes, and our love for the presence of Jesus Christ grows cold.
To be earthly minded causes us to be ineffective for the kingdom of God. While we pursue temporal things, the eternal things slip away. We wonder why our unsaved loved ones never get saved, but how can we expect them to when we are too wrapped up with ourselves to make an honest effort to reach them? Jesus teaches us to lay up treasure in heaven, not on this earth (Matt 6:19-21).
Consider the Apostle Paul. He claimed to do only one thing. That was to pursue Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). Out of that one thing however, flowed missionary trips, church planting, the writing of 2/3 of the new testament, and a multitude of other exploits that advanced the kingdom of God in a way that no other man has probably equaled in the history of the Church.
Paul was a dead man, crucified with Christ, yet Christ lived through Him (Gal 2:20). In other words, he had no personal plans of his own. His mind was not on the temporal things of this life, he was focused on Jesus, and doing those things that Christ called him to do.
Imagine what we could do if we had this same attitude. What if we would forget about material success, and only live for the kingdom of God. We would have to adjust our standard of living quite a bit, but in the eyes of eternity it would make a great difference. Imagine what would happen if we were empty of self and full of the Spirit? Think of the souls we could reach with the power and presence of God.
Set your mind on the things above! This is where your life is, if you truly belong to the kingdom of God.
However, this is what God calls us to as followers of Christ,
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NASB
As followers of Christ, our life does not consist in the abundance of the earthly things we possess (Luke 12:15). Our life is not about all of our temporal, earthly pursuits (2 Tim 2:4). Jesus teaches us that even the necessities of life are not to become the end all of our existence here in this life (Matt 6:25-34).
Sadly, too many professed believers spend their lives in the hustle and bustle of this world. Days are filled with jobs, daycare, after school activities, and so on. There are too few hours in a day to juggle everything that we try to pursue. In the eyes of the world, this is wonderful, as we climb the ladder to success.
But at what cost? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul (Mark 8:36). While we chase the temporal things of this life our prayer life dwindles, our hunger for the word diminishes, and our love for the presence of Jesus Christ grows cold.
To be earthly minded causes us to be ineffective for the kingdom of God. While we pursue temporal things, the eternal things slip away. We wonder why our unsaved loved ones never get saved, but how can we expect them to when we are too wrapped up with ourselves to make an honest effort to reach them? Jesus teaches us to lay up treasure in heaven, not on this earth (Matt 6:19-21).
Consider the Apostle Paul. He claimed to do only one thing. That was to pursue Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). Out of that one thing however, flowed missionary trips, church planting, the writing of 2/3 of the new testament, and a multitude of other exploits that advanced the kingdom of God in a way that no other man has probably equaled in the history of the Church.
Paul was a dead man, crucified with Christ, yet Christ lived through Him (Gal 2:20). In other words, he had no personal plans of his own. His mind was not on the temporal things of this life, he was focused on Jesus, and doing those things that Christ called him to do.
Imagine what we could do if we had this same attitude. What if we would forget about material success, and only live for the kingdom of God. We would have to adjust our standard of living quite a bit, but in the eyes of eternity it would make a great difference. Imagine what would happen if we were empty of self and full of the Spirit? Think of the souls we could reach with the power and presence of God.
Set your mind on the things above! This is where your life is, if you truly belong to the kingdom of God.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
The Importance of Prayer.
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
1 Peter 4:7 NASB
Prayer is one of those things that seem so easy, yet are so hard to actually put into practice. We tend to get so busy with our lives and the things around us, and neglect prayer.
To be sure, we offer up quick little prayers when faced with troubles, we may even allow time for "devotions" and prayer, but to really pray with earnestness, we know little of.
The above text calls us to be of sound judgment and sober spirit. We may not realize it, but we are in a spiritual war, facing foes that are of a spiritual nature, that cannot be defeated by human wisdom or means (2 Cor 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:12). We must not underestimate them, but realize that only through Christ can we overcome them. It is fatal to our souls to be so filled with the things of this life, that we fail to pray with the earnestness that is required of us.
Look at the example of Elijah. He was a man like us, but accomplished much through earnest prayer. We are encouraged by this, to pray earnestly and effectually as well (James 5:16-18).
The King James text calls it fervent prayer. This is an intense white hot effort. It is not speaking of quick prayers, lacking faith, while our minds wander to other things. This is focused prayer inspired and breathed through us by the Holy Spirit.
This is what is meant when we are called to pray in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20). It takes work. We must be committed to the cause with all our being. We cannot be filled with the things of this life, or we will have no room for the things of the Spirit!
Yield up your lives to the control of the Holy Spirit, and let Him empower you to pray with the earnestness that gets the answer! Be of sound judgment and sober minds, because the end is near, the days are evil, and only the presence and power of God in our lives can make the difference!
1 Peter 4:7 NASB
Prayer is one of those things that seem so easy, yet are so hard to actually put into practice. We tend to get so busy with our lives and the things around us, and neglect prayer.
To be sure, we offer up quick little prayers when faced with troubles, we may even allow time for "devotions" and prayer, but to really pray with earnestness, we know little of.
The above text calls us to be of sound judgment and sober spirit. We may not realize it, but we are in a spiritual war, facing foes that are of a spiritual nature, that cannot be defeated by human wisdom or means (2 Cor 10:3-4; Ephesians 6:12). We must not underestimate them, but realize that only through Christ can we overcome them. It is fatal to our souls to be so filled with the things of this life, that we fail to pray with the earnestness that is required of us.
Look at the example of Elijah. He was a man like us, but accomplished much through earnest prayer. We are encouraged by this, to pray earnestly and effectually as well (James 5:16-18).
The King James text calls it fervent prayer. This is an intense white hot effort. It is not speaking of quick prayers, lacking faith, while our minds wander to other things. This is focused prayer inspired and breathed through us by the Holy Spirit.
This is what is meant when we are called to pray in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20). It takes work. We must be committed to the cause with all our being. We cannot be filled with the things of this life, or we will have no room for the things of the Spirit!
Yield up your lives to the control of the Holy Spirit, and let Him empower you to pray with the earnestness that gets the answer! Be of sound judgment and sober minds, because the end is near, the days are evil, and only the presence and power of God in our lives can make the difference!
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