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Saturday, November 26, 2011

reviewing passages on the Created

    In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1 ESV)

    So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
(Genesis 1:21 ESV)

    So God created man in his own image,
        in the image of God he created him;
        male and female he created them.
(Genesis 1:27 ESV)

    These are the generations
    of the heavens and the earth when they were created,
    in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
(Genesis 2:4 ESV)

    This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
(Genesis 5:1-3 ESV)

Noah's favor = mercy from God
    The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
(Genesis 6:5-8 ESV)

    And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
    “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.
(Exodus 34:10-16 ESV)

    “For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
(Deuteronomy 4:32-35 ESV)

    For I will proclaim the name of the LORD;
        ascribe greatness to our God!
    “The Rock, his work is perfect,
        for all his ways are justice.
    A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
        just and upright is he.
    They have dealt corruptly with him;
        they are no longer his children because they are blemished;
        they are a crooked and twisted generation.
    Do you thus repay the LORD,
        you foolish and senseless people?
    Is not he your father, who created you,
        who made you and established you?
(Deuteronomy 32:3-6 ESV)

    The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
        the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
    The north and the south, you have created them;
        Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
    You have a mighty arm;
        strong is your hand, high your right hand.
(Psalm 89:11-13 ESV)

        How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever?
        How long will your wrath burn like fire?
    Remember how short my time is!
        For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
    What man can live and never see death?
        Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah
    Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,
        which by your faithfulness you swore to David?
    Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked,
        and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,
    with which your enemies mock, O LORD,
        with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.
    Blessed be the LORD forever!
    Amen and Amen.
(Psalm 89:46-52 ESV)

    But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;
        you are remembered throughout all generations.
    You will arise and have pity on Zion;
        it is the time to favor her;
        the appointed time has come.
    For your servants hold her stones dear
        and have pity on her dust.
    Nations will fear the name of the LORD,
        and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.
    For the LORD builds up Zion;
        he appears in his glory;
    he regards the prayer of the destitute
        and does not despise their prayer.
    Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
        so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
(Psalm 102:12-18 ESV)

    When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
        and you renew the face of the ground.
    May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
        may the LORD rejoice in his works,
    who looks on the earth and it trembles,
        who touches the mountains and they smoke!
    I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
        I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
    May my meditation be pleasing to him,
        for I rejoice in the LORD.
(Psalm 104:30-34 ESV)

    Praise the LORD!
    Praise the LORD from the heavens;
        praise him in the heights!
    Praise him, all his angels;
        praise him, all his hosts!
    Praise him, sun and moon,
        praise him, all you shining stars!
    Praise him, you highest heavens,
        and you waters above the heavens!
    Let them praise the name of the LORD!
        For he commanded and they were created.
    And he established them forever and ever;
        he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
    Praise the LORD from the earth,
        you great sea creatures and all deeps,
(Psalm 148:1-7 ESV)

      To whom then will you compare me,
        that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
    Lift up your eyes on high and see:
        who created these
?
    He who brings out their host by number,
        calling them all by name,
    by the greatness of his might,
        and because he is strong in power
        not one is missing.
(Isaiah 40:25-26 ESV)

    When the poor and needy seek water,
        and there is none,
        and their tongue is parched with thirst,
    I the LORD will answer them;
        I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
    I will open rivers on the bare heights,
        and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
    I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
        and the dry land springs of water.
    I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
        the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.
    I will set in the desert the cypress,
        the plane and the pine together,
    that they may see and know,
        may consider and understand together,
    that the hand of the LORD has done this,
        the Holy One of Israel has created it.

(Isaiah 41:17-20 ESV)

    Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
        my chosen, in whom my soul delights
;
    I have put my Spirit upon him;
        he will bring forth justice to the nations.
    He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
        or make it heard in the street;
    a bruised reed he will not break,
        and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
        he will faithfully bring forth justice.
    He will not grow faint or be discouraged
        till he has established justice in the earth;
        and the coastlands wait for his law.
    Thus says God, the LORD,
        who created the heavens and stretched them out,

        who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
    who gives breath to the people on it
        and spirit to those who walk in it:
    “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
        I will take you by the hand and keep you;
    I will give you as a covenant for the people,
        a light for the nations,
(Isaiah 42:1-6 ESV)

    But now thus says the LORD,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
        he who formed you, O Israel:
    “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
        I have called you by name, you are mine.
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
        and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
    when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
        and the flame shall not consume you.
    For I am the LORD your God,
        the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
.
    I give Egypt as your ransom,
        Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
(Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)


    I am the LORD, and there is no other,
        besides me there is no God;
        I equip you, though you do not know me,
    that people may know, from the rising of the sun
        and from the west, that there is none besides me;
        I am the LORD, and there is no other.
    I form light and create darkness,
        I make well-being and create calamity,
        I am the LORD, who does all these things.
    “Shower, O heavens, from above,
        and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
    let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
        let the earth cause them both to sprout;
        I the LORD have created it.
(Isaiah 45:5-8 ESV)

    I made the earth
        and created man on it
;
    it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,
        and I commanded all their host.
    I have stirred him up in righteousness,
        and I will make all his ways level;
    he shall build my city
        and set my exiles free,
    not for price or reward,”
        says the LORD of hosts.
(Isaiah 45:12-13 ESV)

    Truly, you are a God who hides himself,
        O God of Israel, the Savior.
    All of them are put to shame and confounded;
        the makers of idols go in confusion together.
    But Israel is saved by the LORD
        with everlasting salvation
;
    you shall not be put to shame or confounded
        to all eternity.
    For thus says the LORD,
    who created the heavens
        (he is God!),
    who formed the earth and made it
        (he established it;
    he did not create it empty,
        he formed it to be inhabited!):
    “I am the LORD, and there is no other
.
(Isaiah 45:15-18 ESV)

    Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!
(Malachi 2:10-12 ESV)

Jesus teaches on Creation.
    Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
    And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
(Matthew 19:1-6 ESV)

Jesus affirms Creation and Election.
    For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
(Mark 13:19-20 ESV)

    Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
(1 Corinthians 11:9 ESV)

    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand (predestined), that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

    Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
(Ephesians 3:7-12 ESV)

    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  
(Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)

    Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
(1 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV)

    Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
(Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV)

    Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
(Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV)

    “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
        to receive glory and honor and power,
    for you created all things,
        and by your will they existed and were created.

(Revelation 4:11 ESV)

    And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.   
(Revelation 10:5-7 ESV)

If you reject the Doctrine of Creation - you reject the very Words of God Himself and you may as well tear all of these Books from you're Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Isaiah, Malachi, Matthew, Mark, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and 1 Timothy, Hebrews and Revelation

reviewing passages on the Creator


    To whom then will you compare me,
        that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
    Lift up your eyes on high and see:
        who created these?
    He who brings out their host by number,
        calling them all by name,
    by the greatness of his might,
        and because he is strong in power
        not one is missing.
    Why do you say, O Jacob,
        and speak, O Israel,
    “My way is hidden from the LORD,
        and my right is disregarded by my God”?
    Have you not known? Have you not heard?
    The LORD is the everlasting God,
        the Creator of the ends of the earth.
    He does not faint or grow weary;
        his understanding is unsearchable.
(Isaiah 40:25-28 ESV)

    “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
        “and my servant whom I have chosen,
    that you may know and believe me
        and understand that I am he.
    Before me no god was formed,
        nor shall there be any after me
.
    I, I am the LORD,
        and besides me there is no savior.
    I declared and saved and proclaimed,
        when there was no strange god among you;
        and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.
    Also henceforth I am he;
        there is none who can deliver from my hand;
        I work, and who can turn it back?
    Thus says the LORD,
        your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
    “For your sake I send to Babylon
        and bring them all down as fugitives,
        even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice.
    I am the LORD, your Holy One,
        the Creator of Israel, your King.”
(Isaiah 43:10-15 ESV)

    For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
    Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
(Romans 1:21-25 ESV)

    On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.(Colossians 3:6-10 ESV)

    For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
    “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
        what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
    Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
(1 Peter 4:17-19 ESV)

If you reject the Doctrine of Creation - you reject the very Words of God Himself and you may as well tear all of these Books from you're Bible: Isaiah, Romans, Colossians and 1 Peter

Friday, November 25, 2011

reviewing verses on Creation

    Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
(Genesis 2:1-3 ESV)

Jesus affirms Creation and a literal Adam and literal Eve
But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
(Mark 10:6-9 ESV)


Jesus affirms both Creation and Election
    For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the Elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
(Mark 13:19-20 ESV)

Caveat - earliest manuscripts do not have Mark 16:9-20 so I don't take this passage as Biblically authoritative - only helpful. 
    And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
(Mark 16:15 ESV)

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
(Romans 1:18-20 ESV)

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
(Romans 8:18-23 ESV)

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
    “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
        we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:35-39 ESV)

    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:15-20 ESV)

    But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
(Hebrews 9:11-14 ESV)


Peter affirms both Creation, the Flood and the Eternal punishment of the Reprobate.
   This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
(2 Peter 3:1-7 ESV)


Jesus affirms the beginning of all things, as God's creation.
    Jesus said, "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation."
(Revelation 3:14 ESV)

If you reject the Doctrine of Creation - you reject the Words of God Himself and you may as well tear all of these Books from you're Bible: Genesis, Mark, Romans, Colossians, Hebrews, 2 Peter and Revelations

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

confession of sin

Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from old. Remember not the sins of my youth, and my rebellious ways: according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord...For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Turn to me and be multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.

Psalms 25:6-7, 11, 16-18

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Not Even the Apostles Had Their Own Doctrine

We, however, are not permitted to cherish any doctrine coming from our own will, nor to choose those doctrines which another has introduced from his private fancy. In the Lord’s apostles we possess our authority; for even they did not choose to introduce anything of themselves, but instead faithfully delivered to the nations the doctrine which they had received from Christ. If, therefore, even “an angel from heaven should preach any other gospel” than the one delivered by the apostles, he would be called accursed by us.
-- Tertullian, from his work Prescription Against Heretics

On Trusting What God Has Revealed & Rejecting What He Hasn't

Ambrose of Milan, one of the great theologians of the early Church gives us some sage advice in De Vocatione Gentium, Bk. 17 that we would be wise to heed today:
“The things which God wishes to be hidden are not to be examined; and the things which He has made manifest are not to be rejected, lest we as ingrates be improperly curious toward the former and damnably ungrateful for the latter.”
In other words, beware of today's Post-Modern mystics who claim that they're being given "new truths" by the workings of the Holy Spirit. When you take the time to compare their nudges, whispers, dreams and visions to the written word of God what you'll discover is that these folks are not getting "new truths" from God but are instead being fed the same old lies the devil has been spewing from the beginning of human history.

The Sobering Statistics of False Doctrine


Satan, the world and the flesh are continually bent upon falsifying the word of God or the pure doctrine, and never before has such perversion been carried on so variously and extensively as at the present time, so that in our day millions are being carried off in to eternal death by the poison of false doctrine.
- A. Graebner, Theological Quarterly, 1898

Sadly, Dr. Graebner, billions are being infected and poisoned today.

Social Justice Jesus

This is a public service announcement: 

Have you been hearing about "Social Justice Jesus" in between bong hits at your Emergent cohort drum-circle then please review the beautiful satire at http://www.letterofmarque.us/social-justice-jesus/
where a Christian pokes fun an the False god of the Progressive, Seeker-sensitive, Purpose-driven, Liberal theology of the Emergent un-church.

Then repent and believe the Good News!


Martin Luther on Romans 1:17 - The Key that Unlocked the Reformation


The one who by faith is righteous shall live. (Romans 1:17 )
“At first I clearly saw that the free grace of God is absolutely necessary to attain to light and eternal life; and I anxiously and busily worked to understand the word of Paul in Rom. 1:17: The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel. I questioned this passage for a long time and labored over it, for the expression ‘righteousness of God’ barred my way. This phrase was customarily explained to mean that the righteousness of God is a virtue by which He is Himself righteous and condemns sinners. In this way all the teachers of the church except Augustine had interpreted the passage. They had said: The righteousness of God, that is (id est), the wrath of God. But as often as I read this passage, I wished that God had never revealed the Gospel; for who could love a God who was angry, who judged and condemned people? This misunderstanding continued until, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, I finally examined more carefully the word of Habakkuk 2:4: ‘The just shall live by his faith’ From this passage I concluded that life must be derived from faith…. Then the entire Holy Scripture became clear to me, and heaven itself was opened to me. Now we see this brilliant light very clearly, and we are privileged to enjoy it abundantly”
- Martin Luther

Appearances Can Be Deceiving


The person who regards the present as the horrible end times is thought to be greatly mistaken. But appearances can be deceiving. The cry of “Here is Christ! There is Christ!” that resounds from so many pulpits is precisely what makes our age so dangerous and abominable, and it demonstrates that the final, evil days of the world are approaching. For it is mostly a false Christ who is now being preached and praised in order to deceive even the elect. There are now many preachers and laity, both learned and unlearned individuals, who no longer believe the Bible is God’s Word and faith in Christ is the only way to salvation. With their own imagined virtue and good works, they believe that they have made God their debtor, that He must rightfully receive them into heaven after their death, and that He must eternally reward them. They do not want to think of themselves as sinners who are in need of a Savior. The Word of the cross is foolishness and a stumbling block to them.…
For wherever one preaches Christ as a mere man and not as the true God, fully of the same substance, power, and glory as the heavenly Father, one preaches a false Christ. Wherever one presents Christ only as an example and as a teacher of wisdom and virtue, and not as the Lamb of God who died on the cross for the sins of the world and thereby reconciled mankind with the heavenly Father, one preaches a false Christ. And whoever accepts this Christ of the unbelievers has forsaken the true Christ and placed his confidence in a dream being, one who never existed except in the imagination of unbelieving fools. Christ Himself says, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), and “all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father” (John 5:23).               
C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It

Law and Gospel in a Nutshell


Now Scripture sets forth two kinds of teaching—Law and Gospel. The Law, in condemning sins and setting forth the gravest threats of God, is that hammer (Jer. 23:29) through which God breaks rocks, that is crushes the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humbles it, so that truly and earnestly acknowledging the multitude and magnitude of sins and of the wrath of God over sin, the mind begins to hate and detest sin, to fear the wrath and judgment of God so that it is unwilling to perish eternally under them but sighs and struggles with groaning that it may be freed from them. There the Law indeed has and sets forth promises of life, but on condition of perfect fulfillment… The Gospel, however, teaches that what was impossible for the Law on account of the flesh, God provided by sending His Son (Rom. 8:3). Therefore it shows Christ, the Lamb of God, born under the Law for us, in order that He might make satisfaction to the judgment of God, revealed in the Law, by His obedience and suffering on our behalf. This Mediator the Father sets before us in the Gospel as a propitiation by faith in His blood through the remission of sins (Rom. 3:25). “For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who believes in the Son should not perish but have eternal life” (John 6:40). Thus the Gospel proclaims, offers and sets before contrite and terrified consciences the grace of God, reconciliation and remission of sins freely on account of the merit of Christ; and it is His will that everyone should lay hold of and apply this benefit of the Mediator to himself.
- Martin Chemnitz

If I had to describe Christianity...

If I had to describe Christianity...

via 3 New Testament authors I would say that Christianity is like - John (the Apostle not the Baptist), Paul and the Author of Hebrews.


via 3 Classic Church Fathers I would say that Christianity is like - Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin and Martin Luther.


via 3 Contemporary theologians I would say that Christianity is like - R C Sproul, Chris Rosebrough, and Al Mohler.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Hebrews 9:13-15


13For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:26-28


26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:19-25

The Full Assurance of Faith
 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:28-31


28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Why I hate the modern ecumenical - unity movement.



About 1/2 of the people unifying are not even Christians

They do not preach or teach the Gospel.
The Gospel being Salvation by Grace alone - through Faith alone - won on account of Christ's work alone.
They do not stress the Continual Proclamation of repentance and trust in Christ's finished work accomplished for the forgiveness of sins.  
Instead they teach a lighter version of the Law, they preach Good Works done for a right standing before God, they do not teach Christianity they teach Morals-ism.

There is no Unity without Truth. I can't hold hands with heretics, false teachers and apostates. Scripture forbids it.
 
Although I am neither a Presbyterian nor a Lutheran I can proudly stand along side actual Confessional/Reformation Christian bodies like the PCA and the LCMS and I can support their ministries because Historically they teach what confessional Baptists teach (see the 2nd London Baptist Confession 1689 at-  http://www.spurgeon.org/%7Ephil/creeds/bcof.htm)

That however is not what these "unity" idolaters want, they don't want similar doctrinal brotherhood. They want Christians to become non-christians thereby making everyone equal in Sin, instead of proclaiming the Gospel to them and calling sinners to repentance and trust in the finished work of our Lord and God, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My intro to kid's Praise Factory tonight



God treated the first sinners with justice and mercy


Can anyone tell me: How Did Bad Things Come into God’s Good World? Did bad things come through – our being good?
No, Bad Things Came through Sin!

Does anyone know what Romans 5:12 says – Did Sin entered the world through 5 men?
No, Sin entered the world through one man. 


Today were going to be talking about the big idea that:
God Treated the First Sinners with Justice and Mercy


Opening ACTS Prayer

Sovereign Lord, I want to praise you today for being so perfectly just, and yet so very merciful. I want to confess that, like Adam and Eve, I have tried to hide my Sin and have blamed others for my faults, I want to thank you for not treating us as our Sin deserved by instead you sent us a Savior, help us, Lord, to be honest with you and others regarding our sin. And help us to trust in Jesus for our Salvation. We praise you – Amen.


Bible Story & Supplemental Reading
God punishes Adam and Eve, but promises them a Savior, And New Heavens and Earth: Like Eden, But So Much Better           

Our Bible Story is called  – Going Home:


The Garden of Eden had been closed to Adam and Eve. God had sent them away – away from the peaceful land, away from the pleasant trees, away from its good food, and away from the fellowship with God.

Now Adam and Eve were sinners – they were separated from God, choosing evil, rejecting His good ways, they had been thrown out of their home, they would have to work and it would often be difficult, unfruitful and unsatisfying – basically it would be hard now, they would get tired and sick, they would grow old and die, they would fight, and be selfish and their children would grow up to be just like them. This is what the Bible calls – being dead in Sin.

Oh, why hadn’t they trusted their Lord, why didn’t they believe in Him and what He had said? Eden was gone now and they were without hope – or were they?

God already had a plan. Adam and Eve deserved no relief from their punishment but God, who is rich in mercy, gave them hope. He said He would come again - later and He would walk amongst men and women as He had done in the Garden but this time, instead of waiting to see if we would be obedient, He would be obedient for us. He would be perfect, since we are not. He would die for our sins, He would Save us and those who turned from loving themselves, turned from loving sin, to those who believed in Him, He would give them His perfect life, and they would spend forever - with Him.

And it gets better; one day, He would make new heavens and a new Earth even better than the world we live in now, even better than Eden. It will be a new home where we could live with Him. But Adam and Eve and their kids would have to wait, they would have look forward with faith – believing God for this Gift – the gift of a Savior, the gift of a new heavens and a new Earth – their new home where they could live with God forever.

But it will be better than this world, better than a hard life, better than fighting sin, better than being mean and selfish, it would be better than being with other - mean and selfish people, this life is hard because its supposed to be hard. A hard life was God’s punishment for the Sin back in the Garden.

But God said through his prophet Daniel – Don’t give up, have faith – the Savior is coming! And through the prophet Isaiah God had said – I am the Savior, it will be me who comes, I will pay for your Sin!

Then at last, Jesus came and he said – Believe in me, I am the Life, I have come down from heaven, believe me. Jesus lived a perfect life, he died on a cross, he paid for our sin, he is our Savior and we trust in him, and in what he did, and what he promised us. He rose from the dead, he beat Satan, he went to heaven, and he’s making a new home for us so that one day we might live with him forever, when he comes again.

His best friend, John, had a vision, this vision is called the Book of Revelation and in the vision Jesus said – Don’t stop now, have faith, one day I will come again and I will gather my people together to be with me. And we will see him, and we will see the new heavens and the new Earth and we will be together with God in a better world- better than Eden, with better gardens, a better city, with better trees and a beautiful river and God will take care of us - like a Good Sheppard takes care of His sheep. He will protect us and provide for us, and we will love each other and worship Him because he treated us with Justice and with Mercy.

Did you know today many of God’s people still suffer and they are still waiting and they ask – When can we see Jesus? – When will we see the better heavens and a new Earth? – When can we go home, to be with Him forever?

But He says to His people – Don’t give up now; have faith and wait - He is coming!  

Luther's Prayer at the Diet of Worms

This is Martin Luther's prayer the night that he was given to think over
whether he would recant his 95 theses.


O God, Almighty God everlasting! how dreadful is the world! behold how its
mouth opens to swallow me up, and how small is my faith in Thee! . . . Oh!
the weakness of the flesh, and the power of Satan! If I am to depend upon
any strength of this world - all is over . . . The knell is struck . . .
Sentence is gone forth . . . O God! O God! O thou, my God! help me against
the wisdom of this world. Do this, I beseech thee; thou shouldst do
this . . . by thy own mighty power . . . The work is not mine, but Thine. I
have no business here . . . I have nothing to contend for with these great
men of the world! I would gladly pass my days in happiness and peace. But
the cause is Thine . . . And it is righteous and everlasting! O Lord! help
me! O faithful and unchangeable God! I lean not upon man. It were vain!
Whatever is of man is totering, whtaever proceeds from him must fail. My
God! my God! dost thou not hear? My God! art thou no longer living? Nay,
thou canst not die. Thou dost but hide Thyself. Thou hast chosen me for
this work. I know it! . . . Therefore, O God, accomplish thine own will!
Forsake me not, for the sake of thy well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ, my
defence, my buckler, and my stronghold.
Lord - where art thou? . . . My God, where art thou? . . . Come! I pray
thee, I am ready . . . Behold me prepared to lay down my life for thy
truth . . . suffering like a lamb. For the cause is holy. It is thine
own! . . . I will not let thee go! no, nor yet for all eternity! And though
the world should be thronged with devils - and this body, which is the work
of thine hands, should be cast forth, trodden under foot, cut in
pieces, . . . consumed to ashes, my soul is thine. Yes, I have thine own
word to assure me of it. My soul belongs to thee, and will abide with thee
forever! Amen! O God send help! . . . Amen!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

my day to lead the Church at Colossae class at church - notes


Church at Colossae – Colossians 1:5b-10

Background

Although Colossae’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223-187 BC). Colossae’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.

The Church at Colossae began during Paul’s 3 yr ministry at Ephesus. Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (Col 2:1); but Epaphrus (1:5-7). Epaphrus apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus (see Acts 19 in 53-55 AD), then likely started the church in Colossae when he returned home. Several years after the Colossian Church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it – one not identified with any particular historical system. Epaphrus was so concerned about this heresy that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome (Acts 28:16-31) sometime between 60-62 AD where Paul was a prisoner, (That is why its called one of Paul’s Prison Epistles). Paul bears witness to Epaphras’ struggling in his prayers for Colossae and his work of service there and in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:12-13)

So the heresy, its funny today how few Christians or Churches talk about heresy today since many of the NT Epistles were written specifically because of heresies, and not only the Bible - but all classic Christian Creeds and Confessions were written to refute Heretics who were influencing the Church and corrupting the faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)- “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” The Colossian heresy was a philosophy that mixed Grace with works, obedience to ceremonial rituals of the OT, rigid asceticism, worship of spiritual powers/angels, and mystical experiences. I don’t know if this surprises you but many parts of this old heresy are still in vogue in American Churches today: Examples would be the Church of Christ – who make Baptism a good work you do to earn your salvation, Messianic Jews - require circumcision, some ascetics – which say that being wealthy or even having material luxuries is inherently bad, some Catholic practices like prayers to angels – angel charms – angel worship, some Pentecostal experiences – which say you have to speak in tongues or be slain in the spirit to be “really saved”.

Read Colossians 1:5b-10

Verse 1:6 – The worldwide proclamation of the Gospel (Read Luke 24:45-47 - the proclamation of repentance and the forgiveness of sins won in Jesus is for all nations) this Gospel had already reached Rome –which was seen as the whole of the known world or the whole civilized world in its time and this meant that the Gospel was already going forth everywhere because it had already invaded Rome. The Gospel was never meant to be only for ethnic Jews, God’s promise to Abraham was that the blessing will go forward to all peoples – “And in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” -Genesis 12:3 and Daniel 7:14 and Revelations 5:9 - also both say to all peoples, languages and nations

Verse 1:6
Does bearing fruit here in vs. 6 refer to people being saved? Yes, I think so.

Verse 1:9
How can we acquire the knowledge of God’s will, spiritual wisdom and understanding today?
Both of these come by the Holy Spirit and through Scripture.

Verse 1:10
Now walk worthy – so live in away that is consistent with being a Christian.
How would we decide what a worthy way to live our lives would be - if we didn’t have Scripture? It would be very subjective wouldn’t it?   

Galatians 5:19-25 – cover the Fruits of the Flesh vs Fruits of the Spirit

How should we be bearing fruit today – lead people to Christ, praise God, be generous, live a Godly life, display holiness, have a deepening love for God’s Word, obedience, expanding faith, greater love for others.

In closing
Before we go another side note does anyone know who delivered the letter from Paul to the Colossae Church – hint its not Epaphras – it was Tychicus who was accompanying the runaway slave Onesimus back to his master Philemon, who was a member of this Colossian Church. So while spending time in the Word this week read that quick letter to Philemon as well as it would have come along side this letter from Paul to the Colossae church.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

why is "Free-Will" heretical?

Its not the Will part of Free-Will that is not Biblical/Christian its the Free part of Free-Will that is not Biblical/Christian. 

This post does not allow enough space for all the Scriptural texts that validate this however just buy a bible and open it to any book in the Bible and read and you will see God is Sovereign and "in Control" of all events in History. Sorry if that makes you feel mad or sad or giddy or frustrated or even free-d from years of emotional guilt and pain and frustration. Its just how it is; if it weren't; then God would not be God (the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe - dictionary.com) and I don't write based on how my posts will make you feel - I write as a Christian, and I bring the Truth, the Bible, and Orthodox Church doctrines from the last 2000+ years of Christianity. You can hate, reject or disagree with what I say - I don't really care; but if you hate, reject or disagree with the God that this blog points you to then you do so at your own Eternal peril.

If God exercises providential (directing) control over all events, are we in any sense free? The answer depends on what is meant by the word free. Sometimes people will argue endlessly over this question because they never define clearly what they or their opponent in argument means by free, and the word is then used in various ways that confuse the discussion.

The kind of freedom that is often assumed by those who deny God's providential control of all things (AKA Non-Christians - no matter if they are non-Christians in the Church or non-Christians outside the church) is a freedom to act outside of God's influence, sustaining and controlling activity, a freedom From God that includes being able to make decisions that are not caused by anything external to ourselves. Scripture makes no allowance for this idea. Scripture nowhere says we are FREE in that sense.

That kind of freedom is impossible since Jesus Christ is indeed continually carrying along things by the Word of His Power -Heb 1 and since God - the Father accomplishes ALL things according to the council of HIS WILL - Eph 1. Since this is true to be outside of God's providential control would simply be not to exist! An absolute FREEDOM, totally free from God's control, is simply not possible in a world providentially sustained and directed by God Himself. If that is what someone means by "Free-Will" - then it is inconsistent with Scripture to say that we have a free-will at all.