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.

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!

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.

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.