Missionary Minded

My Bible iPod Touch

2011-10-25T00:53:00.001-06:00

counterfeit christianity

2011-04-11T19:34:00.004-06:00

a counterfeit gospel, with a counterfeit lord and savior, will only bring (and gladly welcomes) counterfeit surrender and counterfeit repentence. It produces only counterfeit conversions that rest in counterfeit security based on counterfeit assurance. In eternity there is no counterfeit heaven, only hell for those who are not His (and He cannot be fooled). We must be true to The Truth (His Word and Person)! John 14:6

Theology Matters

2010-09-14T19:06:00.001-06:00

Theology Matters - Dug Down Deep - Joshua Harris from waterbrook multnomah on Vimeo.

Above and Beyond

2010-08-31T19:13:00.000-06:00

Biblical faith acknowledges the legal dimension of sin, recognizing that the just requirements of the law have to be satisfied. Yet it also perceives that sin is basically the sundering of a personal relationship between God and humanity and that the greatest need is not the payment of debt but reconciliation.

The deepest meaning of the cross is that God, out of His incomparable love, chose to identify Himself with our plight and affliction. The suffering of Christ was the suffering of vicarious love, and not simply a penal suffering canceling human debt. Salvation means that Christ's merits are transferred to the deficient sinner and also that God's forgiveness is extended to the undeserving sinner. Christ not only pays the penalty of sin, but He does more than the law requires: He accepts the sinner unto Himself, adopting that person into His family as a brother or sister. He gives sinner's a writ of pardon and embraces them as a shepherd who has found the lost sheep.

Just as sin is deeper than the infringement of law so love goes beyond the requirements of the law. The answer to sin is a forgiveness that was not conditional on Christ's sacrifice but one that was responsible for this sacrifice. God did not forgive because His law was satisfied; yet because He chose to forgive, He saw to it that the demands of His law were fulfilled.

Donald G. Bloesch
(excerpt from "The Portable Seminary" by David Horton)

Amazing

2010-08-07T17:30:00.002-06:00

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

2010-07-13T11:22:00.002-06:00

THE CHARACTER OF GOD
THE HOLINESS OF GOD
Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot look on wickedness with favor. Habakkuk 1:13

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2

THE JUSTICE OF GOD
For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will behold His face. Psalm 11:7

But the LORD of hosts will be exalted in judgment, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. Isaiah 5:16

God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day. If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready. Psalm 7:11-12

THE DEPRAVITY AND CONDITION OF MAN
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment... Isaiah 64:6

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, 'CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.' Galatians 3:10

THE GREAT DILEMMA
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Proverbs 17:15

Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly? Genesis 18:25

GOD'S ACTION
While maintaining His holiness and justice, the Bible also affirms that God is love, and that in love He has responded to the plight of man.

MOTIVATED BY LOVE
God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:8-10

THE CROSS OF CHRIST
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

THE RESURRECTION
He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:25

MAN'S RESPONSE
REPENTANCE begins with a recognition and confession that what God says about us is true-we have sinned.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:3-4

A genuine recognition of our sinfulness and guilt will also lead to genuine sorrow, shame and even hatred for what we have done.
For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Romans 7:24

Apparent sincerity of confession alone is never definite evidence of genuine repentance. It must be accompanied by a turning away from sin.
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil. Isaiah 1:16

...therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:10

FAITH DEFINED
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

...and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

FAITH BASED ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...' Acts 16:31

EXAMPLE OF A BELIEVER
...worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh... Philippians 3:3

THE BASIS OF GENUINE ASSURANCE
True conversion: A true Christian is a new creation and will live a life that reflects God's radical work of re-creation in his/her life.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? Matthew 7:16

Assurance is based upon self-examination in the light of Scripture.
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

TEST OF BIBLICAL ASSURANCE
1 John 1:5-7 (Walking in the Light), 1 John 1:8-10 (Confession of Sin), 1 John 2:3-4 (Obedience), 1 John 2:9-11 (Love for the brethren), 1 John 2:15-17 (Hatred for the World), 1 John 2:24-25 (Perseverance in Doctrine), 1 John 3:10 (Righteousness), 1 John 4:13 (Spirit's Testimony), Hebrews 12:5-8 (Discipline)

On My Cross

2010-07-08T16:06:00.000-06:00

Red Letters

2010-07-07T16:38:00.003-06:00

Most people are so familiar with red letter Bibles that we assume they have always been around. Actually the first red letter New Testament was published in 1899 and was included in a full Bible in 1900.

This common trait of most modern Bibles originated from one man - Louis Klopsch could rightly be called the inventor of the red letter Bible. Klopsch's idea of printing the words of Jesus in red originated in Luke 22:20, which says: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which I shed for you. This inspired Klopsch to ask his mentor what he thought of printing the words spoken by Jesus in red, to which he replied, "It could do no harm and it most certainly could do much good."

So with that little history lesson :) We must realize that the "red letters" are no more inspired, no more authoritive, no more the Word of God than any other passages in Scripture. It is easy to look at what Jesus said, and hold it in a higher regard than the rest of the Bible. But, ALL scripture is God breathed! When Jesus preached the "Sermon on the Mount" the message is equally infallible & authoritive as when we read the letters from Paul to the churches (as an example). We should read the Word under the submission to what it says regardless of who God is using to speak in His Word.

That being said, there is currently a Bible that has the entire Bible red lettered (the Old Testament has the words spoken by God in red). For anyone who could benefit from this as a study tool - here is the link.

A few verses

2010-07-05T17:23:00.001-06:00

A few verses from Romans

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

A few verses from John

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:31

man and the moon

2010-06-29T20:50:00.004-06:00

The moon... a ball of dirt that reflects the light of the sun into this world. I have heard the analogy that the Church's purpose is much the same - as men, we are only dirt that God has exalted to reflect the light of the Son (and His Gospel) into this dark world.

However, I was thinking recently about this analogy, and the thought came to mind that the moon does not always shine fully; we see only a half moon at times, a fingernail sliver at times, and there are those times that the moon is completely eclipsed.

Well if you're at all familiar with why we see the moon differ in these ways; it is because the earth is between the sun, and the shadow of the earth covers the moon, resulting in only a portion of the moon reflecting the sun (with an eclipse, the shadow of the earth will cover the entire moon).

And so it is with us as Christians. The more we allow the world between us and God, the less we reflect the light of the Son and His Gospel.

Should anyone agree with me (about anything)?

2010-06-27T16:27:00.004-06:00

Over the last several days I have been thinking about the value something has depending on where it comes from - especially in regard to preaching (or things of the sort).

I was reading recently about the need for a statement of faith (and I am not against such a need) and the idea was presented that although ultimately the Bible should in essence be our statement of faith; many people may say they believe the Bible and yet disagree on various doctrines (that could be very important).

Along with this, I was listening to one of my favorite preachers and as I was listening he said that for the same reason (two can believe the Bible and disagree on what it says), that we should look to the teachings of the great preachers in history (and I am also not against looking to these preachers).

But what I was thinking about is whether it is better to hold the Bible as the only authority, look to it to find a truth on a particular subject, and be wrong in your understanding; or to believe something because a great preacher (modern or historical) said so, and that teaching be right?

The closest thing that came to mind on the subject in the Bible is when Paul went to the Bereans. Paul wrote most of the books in the New Testament - and if we can imagine him coming to our church, every word he said would probably be recorded on our note paper. We would probably reference his sermon often and say "Paul said..." and so on. But, the Bereans did not respond this way - their response is as follows:

Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

So although the famous Paul was preaching; the authority was (and is) still Scripture.

I think that I would rather someone (who believes the authority of Scripture) disagree with me on a subject (assuming they have looked to the Bible for its stand on that subject) than for them to believe anything because they agree with me. If the subject is an essential doctrine - we should be able to open Scripture (as the authority) to show them their error.

We should look to the teachings of the great preachers in history, but "with all readiness of mind, searching the scriptures whether those things are so". But that's just my thought, I am sure there are those who say differently.

Asleep in the Light

2010-06-26T14:06:00.000-06:00

Who's your Father?

2010-06-25T15:37:00.003-06:00

It is a common false belief that the Father (God) is the father of all. It is true that He is the Creator of all, but does that mean he is everyone's father? Let's look to Scripture.

John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do...

Jesus spoke to these people in the New Testament and declared their father was the devil. And also we read

Romans 9:8
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Looking at these, we can see that one cannot say the Father is their father - something must occur for the change in parent.

Romans 8:15
...but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Just as we can understand the process here when a child is born to people but becomes the child of others through adoption - so it is with God. There must be an adoption to claim that God is our Father. You must repent and place your faith in Christ alone. For those who have, how do you know God is your Father?

Hebrews 12:5-8
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

This is a warning to all of us that claim to have God as our Father - are you chastened? It is not my words here, but the Word of God, that if you are not, you are not His.

God's reflection

2010-06-20T10:36:00.003-06:00

How holy is God? What we say when we answer this, may not be what we actually believe. Our life is what reflects our true belief. If we live as if our sin is minimal, it is because we believe God is not absolutely - completely - uncompromisingly - HOLY; that His holiness is equally minimal. Not only that, but if God is Holy and lives in us; than should not His holiness be poured out in the way we live our life - is it possible for any other outcome if He truly does live in us?

if A=B & A=C & A=D; then B=C & C=D

2010-06-17T12:55:00.007-06:00

Confused by the title? You may ask why would I title this post with what looks to be a mathematical equation? Well, actually this isn't so much a mathematical equation as much as it is a simple truth. Yes many of us were taught this truth in math class - but it is no less a truth that can be applied anywhere whether the variables are numbers or not.

With that in mind, let's look to Scripture. We read in the beginning part of John 1:1 that "In the beginning was the Word..."

So the first variable (relating to my title) is who is the Word (what is A)? - The Word is Jesus (B). In Revelation, John saw a vision of Christ returning, and the "title by which He is called is the Word of God" (Rev 19:13,16). And so the Word (A) = Jesus (B)

So we move to the next variable; the ending part of John 1:1 says "...and the Word was God." The Amplified Bible expounds further to read "...and the Word was God Himself". So C= God Himself. Which is to say Jesus (B) = God Himself (C).

Moving further, we read in John 1:14 "and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...". So then next variable, D, is not a noun (person, place, thing) but rather a verb (action) and D = becoming flesh and having dwelt among men.

When reading this passage in John, it is common to understand and see that the Word is Jesus, that Jesus (from eternity, entered time and) put on flesh, and dwelt among men. We can also establish the Deity of Christ from this text.

But why would I write (what may very well be an awkward post) to state the Deity of Christ (when it could be so much simpler)? - It is because I would like to meditate on the Scripture in this way:

God Himself became flesh and dwelt among men. (C=D)

How amazing is this; that the King of the universe & Creator of all (John 1:3) - God Himself, became as one of us, and then died for us. To me, this is incredibly humbling. I am the one who deserves death. My sin leaves me hopeless in front of a God that cannot overlook it; and yet He chose to be the sacrifice that pays the penalty which belongs to me. God offers you the same; if you will repent and place your faith in Jesus, He will grant you the gift of eternal life.

does He know you?

2010-06-17T03:52:00.001-06:00

Study Bible & Bible Study

2010-06-15T07:02:00.002-06:00

I love study Bibles. They can add a whole new depth to our Bible reading because of the countless information they contain. There are study Bibles from our favorite preachers, and from good publishers. There are study Bibles that focus on specific aspects; like history, evangelism, apologetics, the Christian walk, etc. There are more broad study Bibles, more in depth, and on and on it goes. And as I said to start, I love them.

But, when does our study Bible's extra biblical information become what we study? And are we neglecting actual Bible study and instead just reading; reading the Bible, then reading the notes? Bible study is essential to Christian growth, study Bibles can help - but they do not replace.

How well do you know Him?

2010-06-12T20:34:00.002-06:00

One of the ways in which surrendering to Christ is termed is coming to know Him. It is the same to say I know the Lord, as it is to say I am born again, or to say I am saved. Equally, when asking someone if they are a Christian, one can ask do you know the Lord?

But for us who do know Him, there is the question, how well? When we are introduced to someone we can say we know them, but the deepness of that relationship is dependent on how much time we spend with them, and getting to know them better.

With Jesus, how do we get to know Him better? By studying and reading His Word! So there is a necessity in being in the Word daily. We can say we know Jesus if we are Christians (that is if we have repented and put our faith in Him), but to know Him well - we must look on Him and listen to Him through Scripture.

Seeker Friendly

2010-06-09T06:27:00.002-06:00

Nobody wants to offend someone else, or at least I would say that our desire is not to offend people, but when we speak the message of God - and the consequence is that people are offended - do we, or should we, change or tweak the message to be "seeker friendly"? That is to say, is it good to make the message more agreeable with most, for the sake of not being offensive?

I absolutely would say that we should not be offensive, but the message cannot change! And the message of the Gospel is offensive. It is offensive because it is personal, it speaks to the individual. And it is offensive because the message is that we are wicked. Can we make this less offensive? Only if the message changes, and if it changes it is not the Gospel.

Galatians 1:9-10
⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
¹⁰For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Addicted

2010-06-07T06:33:00.003-06:00

What do we think of when we hear or think of the word "addicted"? Most of us probably think of something negative - and for the most part, we are right. Addictions to many awful and sinful substances rule and destroy lives; however, Scripture uses the word only once:

1 Corinthians 16:15
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

I thought of this verse because over the last several months I have had the privilege of teaching the Way of the Master basic and intermediate courses at my church and one of the participants, Melanie Betts, shared this testimony yesterday at church with the congregation (I don't know how to upload the audio so here is the link to the Church's sermon archive - click "June 2010", then "a brother behind the scenes", then "Melanie Betts Testimony").

If only we all sought to be addicted to the ministry of the saints. Thank you Melanie.

Living Sacrifice

2010-06-05T16:58:00.002-06:00

In the Old Testament we read of many sacrifices offered to God on altars - in which an animal was slain. But we read in Romans that we are to be "living sacrifices". But what is the difference between being a living sacrifice and a dead one? For us, it is the ability to leave the altar. We are not laid on an the altar unable to do anything about it - we choose to be on the altar (and we can choose not to be).

We read of those who have died for Jesus, but how many of us live for Him? To do so, to die daily to self and live for and in Christ, is not a calling of great service - it is merely our reasonable service. There is much pretending that as Christians our life is still ours to do as we choose, but the reality is that if we live as we should - we don't live, we die and we allow Christ to live through us.

Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Will of the Father

2010-06-02T18:25:00.001-06:00

Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do

2010-06-02T06:25:00.002-06:00

In the Bible as we look at the account of Jesus' crucifixion, we read:

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...

It is understood that Jesus was speaking about those who were crucifying Him 2000 years ago. That Jesus was looking on the created who were killing their Creator, the very Son of God. But what strikes me, and humbles me, is that I (and you) are just as much to blame as they were. Jesus died for our sin, because of our wickedness, it is our lawlessness that nailed Jesus to the cross. And just as much as He was speaking to the people in front of Him, I believe He was also looking across time - looking at us, and in His death (the way in which He made it possible) He said "forgive them, for they know not what they do".

Heavenly Minded is the only way to be any earthly good

2010-05-31T21:25:00.002-06:00

There is a saying that I think most of us have heard at some point in time, and it goes like this "too heavenly minded to be any earthly good". This particular saying will no doubt place an image of someone that we may know or have met that could fit this description; but if we really consider what this saying says - rather than what it implies, it is absolutely wrong. I won't go into the details of what it implies that can be extracted into something that is worth thinking about, because I think it would be more beneficial to look into the statement itself.

When Jesus gave us an example of how to pray, one of the things He said was:

Matthew 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

To truly be heavenly minded would be having this request made with your every breath, thought, action, purpose - It is to live in the world but not of the world, consumed with kingdom work (bringing the Gospel to this lost and dying world). Really, the problem within modern Christianity is that we are not heavenly minded enough - and for this we seem to be of no earthly value. If we desire to impact this world for Christ, the only way is to be in His will, with His message. This is the only way we can be any earthly good.

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness...

Proof Against or For

2010-05-29T22:37:00.003-06:00

Christianity can be proved wrong. Well, not in the sense that there is evidence, but that there is an evidence that would prove Christianity wrong (if it existed).

1 Corinthians 15:14-19
¹⁴And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
¹⁶For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
¹⁷And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
¹⁸Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

In this passage of Scripture we can see that everything we hold true about Jesus and salvation - the Gospel itself - would all be false if the resurrection is false. So first, there is the challenge to anyone who asserts that Christianity is wrong; prove it, if there is any proof Jesus did not rise from the dead, you are right and Christians are wrong. Not only that, but we are of all men most miserable.

However, this same event proves Christianity is true. If Christ is risen; our preaching and faith is not in vain, we are not in our sins, we have hope beyond this life, and it is all men without Him that are most miserable.

Because Jesus Christ died for our sins (paying our fine for breaking God's law) and rose from the dead - we can put all our trust in Him and look forward to the resurrection when He will raise us up into eternal life.