Christian Apologetics: Scientific Evidence for a Creator God

Dying for Company

2012-01-07T20:38:00.001-06:00

Nursing homes are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. There are literally thousands of people today living in nursing homes who have never had anyone visit them once. A great number of them never receive visitors. And many of these residents will die within the first two years of living there. Are these two facts related? Are people literally dying for company? I believe there is strong correlation that this is true.

Today, there are over 1.5 million residents in the U.S. in Nursing Homes.   Of these residents, 60% receive no visitors at all if they have no relatives living nearby. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, when a person moves into a nursing home, their number of visits declined by half, regardless of their age. What do all these numbers mean? It means that when people are forced to enter a nursing home due to declining age, inability to care for oneself, by disease, or by accident, they are often forgotten by society.

Another sad statistic is that people do not live very long after they enter a nursing home. Research indicates that between 50%-60% of people admitted to care homes die within the first 2 years. Even worse, the mortality rates are highest in the first 6 months of entering into a nursing home.

The church I am pastor of has a deacon’s mother living in one and recently, one of our members has had to enter such a facility. One of my favorite things to do is to visit these residents there.   I read out the Bible to them or I just sit and listen to them and help them catch up on what’s happening in the church or in their community. I sometimes have dinner with them. However I don’t restrict my visits to only those residents whom I know. Many of these men and women are literally dying to have someone to talk to. They thrill to have someone to just sit and listen to what they want to say. They love to have someone hear them speak of their lives when they were active in the community, working, or raising their children.

I write letters to prisoners in state prisons and in Death Row but I truly believe a large part of the forgotten ones are those who are confined, by no choice of their own, to nursing homes. Being out of sight, they are frequently out of mind. I feel it is one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have. To have these people share their life with you is so enriching to me. I urge you to visit someone in a nearby nursing home, an assisted living center, or a facility such as these, because many of them are dying - dying for company. I believe it is what Christ would have us do and if He were here, He Himself would be doing.

Timeless Security in a New Year

2011-12-25T14:43:00.001-06:00

With all of the uncertainty of today, there is security in placing your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. God desires that all of His children prosper and be in good health, but He never promises that we will be rich or will never get sick. Happiness is based on happenings. God never promises happiness. The fact is that God will even use things that go badly in this life for our best (Rom 8:28). He can not make that promise to those who are not calling Jesus Lord and Savior. They are on their own. Joy, on the other hand, is a promise to all believers. They can know joy even during trials and troubles as James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” If you truly don’t have a relationship with God today, you can do that now and have the only eternal security there is in this world. That security is in having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (John 6:37, 10:28-29).

January is named after the Roman god Janus. This is the time of year when most people look back at the past year. Still, others are eagerly looking forward to what’s ahead. Replaying the past contributes perspective. The past is tied to the present but can sometimes put a drag on the future. Janus is named the god of beginnings and is where the month of January gets its name from. But I must tell you that Janus should be more concerned about looking forward than looking back for there is another God of beginnings but this God is the One and Only True God. Many people make New Year’s resolutions only to find that they fade into the days, weeks, and months.

The Apostle Paul stressed looking forward and pressing on to the high prize of our calling. If you’re driving down a highway, it can be highly distracting if you continually look back. It can even be fatal. In Colossians 1:28-29, Paul uses the verb form of the noun race which translates “agonizomai” from which agonize comes from. This is a God-given race, one that’s designed specifically for you and for me. We do agonize but we never give up. There is not another minute your money can buy so I pray you can redeem the time well and spend it for God’s purposes. So shall family, friends, and acquaintances not soon be forgotten. Happy New Year. Now, if I can just remember to write 2012 when writing checks!

The Ministry of Martha

2011-12-16T16:48:00.002-06:00

My beloved wife’s name is Martha. She would be upset with me if she knew I wrote this about her. Her ministry is more than a pastor’s wife. It is truly the work of the Lord, Jesus Christ. My wife’s name not only means “a lady”, it is a reflection of Jesus’ heart. She is indeed the hands and feet of Christ. Not only does she help abandoned animals, donates to the poor, gives extra time for struggling students, but she helps those abandoned by society. For the last year or more she has taken care of a Para from the elementary school who may be living in her last days. She has worked for over 30 years as a 4th grade teacher and she has prolonged this Para’s life or perhaps even saved it. Let me explain.

A friend of hers, I will call her Julie, has been a Para at the elementary school where she has worked for many years. This lady was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. She had taken so many sick days to care for this lady, to run her to doctors’ appointments, to take her to chemotherapy treatments that she is about out of sick days and personal days with only half the school year gone. Today she is sitting beside her bed in the ICU of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas helping her with chipped ice, rearranging her pillows, finding nurses to aid her with her pain medicine. She is exhausted yet she has sat in doctors offices, in ICU surgery waiting rooms, and in the ICU Surgery Recovery Units for hours upon hours - sometimes not arriving home till late. And she has papers waiting for her in her classroom to grade. She had Parent-Teacher Conference packets to make. She had grades to enter into the computer,. She has lesson plans for her and for the sub. And she has work awaiting her at home.

This wife of mine is more than a friend…she is a saint of God who has missed church services to be with her friend who had no one else. Even though about half of the teachers have promised to help escort her to the doctor and hospitals for about 48 visits this year, only one time did another teacher help her. She alone has answered calls past midnight to console and comfort this woman. She has left in the middle of the night to help feed her, bring her meals, pay some of her bills, buy her gift certificates, and has been the difference of life or death to her.

A friend is as a friend does. Many of Julie’s teacher friends and personal friends have offered help but none have actually done so. Even her own minister has not even visited her at her home. This fact makes me made, but not Martha. She simply fills in the gaps. This gift from God to me has been more than a wife. She has been a friend, a nurse, an advisor, a counselor, and friend to the end - whenever that may be. Stored up for her is a crown that the Lord has reserved for such woman of faith. She has been at the same elementary, working in the same classroom of 4th grade, and worked tirelessly for any who need it, since she graduated from college. Perhaps the greatest wife any husband could ever have - and more than I deserve - my beloved wife has been criticized for not attending the church I pastor at. So I am preparing to tell the congregation how unfair they have been when they ask, “Where is your wife?” I would hope they would now give her the benefit of the doubt. What she has done in secret has done in plain sight in heaven. I do not deserve such a woman as this but the Lord was gracious to me anyway.

The ministry of Martha is more precious than rubies, more important than medicine, more saintly than most will ever know. I am proud to call her my wife. I know she would be embarrassed to know that I wrote this about her. What husband is more proud, what spouse is more inspired, what work is more important? I can not compare my ministry with hers. She far exceeds me by light years. Yet it pleased the Lord to have her be my wife. My beloved Martha. Did I mention that she is the most beautiful woman in the world to me? What is more precious to the Lord than this labor of love than the Ministry of Martha?

The Origins of Christmas

2011-12-12T15:09:00.001-06:00

Christmas is a special time of year and one of the greatest of the Christian Holidays. In fact, the word holiday originally comes from the word Holy Day. It seems to be politically incorrect for many to say "Merry Christmas" because of the myth that this nation was founded on the separation of church and state. In reality, the term "separation of church and state" is not found in the U.S. Constitution, in the Bill of Rights, or in any U.S. Civil Laws. This was a statement coming from Thomas Jefferson when he wrote this in a personal memoir due to the fear of the nation having a state-sanctioned religion which was the very reason that many came to this nation in the first place.

The word Christmas is from the Old English words "Cristes Measse" which essentially means a "Christ Mass". This was a holy convocation that celebrated the arrival of the "Christ" or Messiah. Christ means "the anointed" in Greek (Christos). Today we celebrate Christmas on December 25th, the Winter Solstice. This day is the day which has the longest period of darkness in the Northern Hemisphere - the day when the sun ends its southward retreat and begins to move northward and the daylight portion begins to increase. Many of the early Christians thought that since the Pagans celebrated the "rebirth" of the sun on December 25th, the perfect parallel is that this pictured the birth of the "Son of God." No specific date for the birth of Christ is known although scholars believe it was in the late autumn. Regardless, the birth of Christ is a day in which Christians celebrate the earthly arrival of the Son of God in human flesh. Without this arrival of Immanuel (or "God with us"), humans would have no way in which to be reconciled to God since our sins had separated us from Him since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden.

Immanuel - God With Us

One of the Old Testament names for Jesus Christ is Immanuel which means "God with us." The coming of Jesus Christ was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The Old Testament prophet Micah was very specific about where Jesus would be born and for what purpose, writing, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans (or rulers) of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" Him (Micah 5:1-2). Another Old Testament prophet pointed to the miraculous conception or immaculate conception to come, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you (plural, meaning you all) a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (literally, God with us)” (Isaiah 7:14).

Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary, was told to "not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,(means "Savior") because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: (Micah) “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(Matt 1:20b-23). The Father of Jesus was God the Father, He was conceived by God the Holy Spirit, and was born of a virgin to become the only begotten Son of God who was to die for the sins of those who would come to believe in Him. This fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy from Psalms 2:7, "You are my Son, Today I have begotten You." This is mentioned in Hebrews 1:5-7 "You are my Son; today I have become your Father"...“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son” And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire."

So celebrate this Christmas that Jesus came to save those that were lost - to dwell as "God with us" and to rescue us from the sins that had separated us from Him. We therefore wish you a Merry Christmas...made merry be His coming to earth, being born of a virgin, living a sinless life as the only Son of God, and rescuing us from our sins. A Savior has been born to us and we thank God for Him. The greatest gift of all came at Christmas. It is a mass - a holy convocation. A mass for Christ Who came to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). There is no greater gift that has ever been given to humans. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

What Christians Believe

2011-12-05T15:44:00.001-06:00

Christians want to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Christians may vary about smaller issues but generally agree with the below statements about God and the Bible. Christians may disagree but not be disagreeable. As Philip Schaff once wrote, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.“ Here are the essentials:

Christians believe that Jesus was literally conceived and born of a virgin named Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-33).

Christians believe that Jesus lived a sinless life (1 Pet. 2:22; 1 Jn. 3:5).

Christians believe that salvation is in none other than through the name, person, work, and grace of Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6; Jn. 3:16; Rom.5:8).

Christians believe that all 66 books of the Bible are the “only” inspired word of God to the world. Christians do not acknowledge the Apocrypha, Psuedopigrapha, or the Gnostic Gospels, to be “inspired scripture” (Tim. 3:16).

Christians believe that God is the creator of all things, is all-powerful, all-knowing, and in control to do as He wills (14:15; Jer. 32:17; Eph. 3:20; Psa.139:1-4; 1 Sam.2:6-9; Psa. 24:1).

Christians believe that all of humanity has fallen short of God’s glory and is in need of salvation; hence the reason Jesus came to the earth (Rom. 3:23; Rom. 6:23; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 14:6).

Christians believe that God is one, but reveals Himself thorough the persons of the Trinity as The Father, The Son as Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Christians believe that each Person of this Trinity is God (1 Cor. 8:6 6:44; Rom. 1:7; Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1 Acts 5:3; Heb 9:14; John. 4:24).

Christians believe that those who die without salvation go to a literal place called hell (Psalm. 9:17; Psa.73:12-19; Luke 16:23.26; John. 12:48).

Christians believe that those who belong to Christ will inherit eternal life in a literal Kingdom of Heaven (Isaiah 65; Zech. 14).

Christians believe that Jesus will return to gather His people, as well as the resurrection of the dead in Christ at His return (1 Cor. 15:21-23).

Christians believe in the water baptism of believers in Christ (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 22:16).

Christians believe that Christ is the Head of the church, which should be governed by Him and that ministers are simply under-shepherds (Eph.5:23).

Christians value growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord (2 Pet. 3:18).

Christians value learning from each other as iron sharpens iron so Christians sharpen one another (Prov. 27:17).

Christians value God’s calling of those ministry (Mat. 28:18-20; Acts 2:17; Gal. 3:28).

Christians value the advancement of the Gospel of Christ for the establishment of salvation, forgiveness, and the perpetuation of Christianity (Mat. 28:18-20).

Christians value the pursuit of unity (at the foot of the cross) among brothers and sisters in the Christian faith (Eph. 4:13).

Christians value the independence of ministers so that they may follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the direction and government of their ministries (Act. 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2-4; 16:6-7; 20:22, 21:4).

Christians value as our only creed, the inerrancy of scripture as being perfect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 19:7).

Christians value leadership that duplicates our Lord’s servant heart (Mat. 20:27; John 13:14).

Christians value fellowship among for the sake of strength, encouragement, edification, exhortation, prayer, and support (Rom.14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11; Eph. 2:21-22; Php. 4:8).

“Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior” (Eph 5:23).

Christians pledge to correct our beliefs when they find error in order to be aligned with theologically sound doctrine and biblical truth (John 4:24).

That’s what Christians believe.

To read more about what Christians believe, read What We Believe

Black and Bruised Friday

2011-11-26T12:37:00.001-06:00

The recent Black Friday is one of the main reasons that I do not go shopping on that day. It is much too dangerous. It reminds me of one of the food chains famous slogan but please allow me to change it slightly: “31 Million Served - 57 Injured”. Reports of people getting pepper sprayed but hostile customers, a grandpa getting run over, hundreds suffering injuries, people getting robbed, stun-gunning of customers, shop lifting reports by the hundreds, store security personnel being overwhelmed. It is just not worth it to me. All of this just to save some money. People have died from shopping on this day. It is like they are saying, “release the hounds. “

It is ironic that one day after a holiday geared toward being thankful, holiday shoppers are people you want to stay out of the way of for fear of being trampled under foot. Why do we seem to be so desperate to save money at the expense of the considerations of others? Do we really need this day anymore? I know it is traditional but it is like a veritable running of the bulls. Some traditions are just not worth it. I choose to stay home and shop online. It is much safer and certainly more peaceful. Statistically, there is more shoplifting on this day than on any other day of the year. We are stealing, bullying people, shoving and pushing, and doing anything we can to save a few dollars. Some of the stores this year opened at midnight on Black Friday. A few even opened at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening - all for the sake of saving some money. It seems to me that the stores are just as responsible for this as some of the customers.

Why do they insist on opening a literal floodgate for a select, lucky few while the vast majority will arrive too late to claim any real savings? Are stores that desperate to make money that they endanger the safety and welfare of their customers? The Los Angles Fire Department had to respond on Thursday night to at least 10 people being injured in a line of people waiting for a Wal-Mart store to open up at 10 p.m. Millions of shoppers go from a day of giving thanks to a day of wanton greed. It saddens me to see the thankfulness on Thanksgiving Day turn into a war zone where older people and children are at most risk. No wonder Santa delivers gifts in the middle of the night. He fears for his life.

Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus was asked in Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” How terrible that many make a mad dash for the stores to buy gifts at all costs while missing the true reason for this season. The greatest gift ever given was something that no one could afford to buy yet it was completely free (John 3:16). Read this for more about the Christian Walk

The Origins of Thanksgiving

2011-11-15T15:55:00.001-06:00

The original Thanksgiving goes all the way back to 1619 near Plymouth, Massachusetts and was actually an anniversary of the settlement there. There is some historical evidence that Spanish explorers observed a Thanksgiving feast in 1655 while in Florida. The date credited to the origin of Thanksgiving was in 1621 because of the colony’s first successful harvest.

A little known fact is that in 1623, the Thanksgiving feast included fasting and prayer for God’s provision. It is hard to imagine a fast during Thanksgiving today but giving thanks and fasting were common practice in pre-Colonial America. It was not until the 1660’s that the Thanksgiving feast became an annual event. Prior to that, it was a feast of thanksgiving to God and not necessarily a large meal. Giving thanks in such dire circumstances seems ironic in contemporary America. For most of the Early Americans, it was observed on dates that the states individually felt best. It was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln, under the influence of Sarah Josepha Hale, unified the nation in observing Thanksgiving on the final Thursday of each November.

When I used to teach Sunday school, I asked my students if Thanksgiving was in the Bible. They all agreed that, no it was not in the Bible. I told them that thanksgiving, little “t”, was in the Bible but it was not the same as the national holiday that America and Canada celebrate. Giving thanks is an offering to God. One of the offerings that were voluntary was that which was called the Peace Offering. This is found in all of Leviticus chapter 3 and in Leviticus 7:11-34. This was a freewill offering of thanksgiving to God for all He has done. This was one of the few offerings that was not commanded but was to come from the heart of the worshipper.

The New Testament and Old both mention giving thanks to God. Psalm 106:1, "Praise you the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever." Psalms 140:1, "Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto Your name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Psalms 92:1, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High" Colossians 3:17, "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." We can see that giving thanks is a free will offering that is well pleasing to God.

It is hard to grumble for your circumstances when we are giving Him thanks. Hebrews 13:15, "... let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks." Psalms 54:6, “Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good.” Psalms 86:12 (Psalms 9:1; 138:1), I will give thanks...with all my heart.” When you give thanks willing to God it is actually a sacrifice to Him. He is well pleased with this. So I pray you will always be thankful to God just as I thank God for all you all (Col. 3:15).

For more on Thanksgiving, read Thanksgiving Bible Verses: 15 Great Scripture Quotes

The Powers in the Message - Not the Messenger

2011-11-05T13:49:00.001-06:00

In my latest door-to-door evangelism I was so inspired by those who have no hope in this world. I was also edified by Christians praying for me that an open door of the gospel would provided. I take heart in the fact that God uses the least regarded and less significant people sometimes to proclaim the gospel because He is more glorified in it. For many years I was ashamed of the gospel but today I have a heart for the lost and a passion to spread the hope that is only in Christ alone. The power is in the message and not the messenger. God adds to the body of Christ - I do not. If the message depended upon me, then I would be going in vain. That is comforting. Consider these edifying Scriptures:

Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

I Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

I Corinthians 4:19-20 “But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

I Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

I Corinthians 1:17-18 “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

I Corinthians 2:1-5 “When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive (words of) wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.”

Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Acts 5:39 “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

We have the great privilege of turning the world upside down. In actuality, we could really say that we can turn the world right side up because the world may not recognize that it is now upside down. We can show them which side is truly the right way up - or as the Scripture says, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6b).

For more on the gospel read Jonah and the Great Fish: A Bible Study and Commentary

Become as Little Children

2011-10-27T20:01:00.000-05:00

A very touching true story was also about a young boy. This boy showed the trusting faith and deep love that is unconditional in children. He knew that his older sister was very sick and she needed to receive a blood transfusion very soon and since her blood type was extremely rare, only her brother's blood type would help. The boy's father asked him if they could use his blood to help his sister. The boy thought for just a few seconds and then, said yes. When the boy was lying down next to his sister and seeing his blood being removed from his body and being transferred to a machine that would used for his sister, tears started coming out of his eyes. His parents seeing the boy's tears asked if he was okay. The boy ask his parents, “Will I see you in heaven?” The father said, “Yes, son, some day”. The boy said, “I will miss you.” His father said, “Son you’re not going anywhere. You‘re still young“. The boy then said, “I thought you died when your blood is gone”. It was then that the father realized that his son thought he was going to give all of his blood to his sister and then die. After hearing this, both of parents began crying and the father said, “Son, you're not going to die....they are only going to take some of your blood.”

The boy understood that once all of his blood was gone that he would die, yet he still willingly gave his blood to save his sister and please his parents. This was the reason that they boy hesitated for a while when the parents had asked him if he could give his blood to help his sister. Not knowing the fact that the boy would only have to give some of his blood, and thinking that he was going to give all of his blood, he was still willing to gave it – and give his life for his sister. The boy naturally thought that once all of his blood was gone that he would die and that explained why he cried silently while he gave blood. He was thinking that he wouldn't see his family for a long time – and that is the reason why he had asked them if he would see them in heaven. The boy was still willing to give his life for his sister but he wanted to make sure that he would see them in heaven some day.

How touching and how very precious is the unconditional love of children – and this boy in particular. This boy had a child-like faith and trust in his parents who had told him that if he believed in and had faith in Jesus Christ, that he would go to heaven. That is why Jesus said that we have to have this same child-like trust, faith, and belief in Him in order to be saved. That type of love is close to Jesus’ unconditional love for us. He has such a passionate desire to save us that He died for us. Likewise, we must come to Jesus in humble obedience, in trust, and have faith in Him. The way in which we share the Gospel with children involves the faith and trust that the boy had – we believe in the only One Who can save. Believe in Him and anyone can be saved (Acts 16:30-31). Once a person is saved they can be sure they are saved (John 10:8-29). He never breaks His promise. Its not what we do, but what He has done (John 3:16). Any that come to Him as a little child in complete trust, faith, and full assurance will be saved (Acts 4:12, Matt 18:2-4).

For more on salvation, read Is Jesus the Only Way?

Should Harold Camping Be A Stockbroker or a Sports Bookie?

2011-10-21T16:33:00.000-05:00

Since Harold Camping has failed in predicting the end of the world several times now, I have an idea. Perhaps he should be in the Stock Market business. He might have better luck in choosing what stocks to buy and which ones to avoid. But of course, what good are stocks if the world’s going to end anyway.

The sad fact is that hundreds of failed prophecies have come and gone. These so-called “prophets” are actually a sign of the times. Did not Jesus say that no man can know the hour when He will return? If Harold Camping reads the Bible, then why does he skip this verse? He is actually doing more harm than good. He should consider himself lucky that He doesn’t live in the Old Testament times because he would have been stoned to death for being a false prophet.

He is also doing harm to those who are truly evangelical Christians. He brings shame to the name of Christ in my opinion. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 that no one will know the day or even the hour, yet Camping has falsely claimed to know both the day and the hour three times now. I believe that even in baseball you get three strikes and you are out. Perhaps his credibility will be totally gone now. I hope that those who support him financially will understand that he can not possibly know when Christ will return. The fact is that he might be better off being a bookie in Vegas and predicting sports scores. When he picks a team, then the wise thing to do is to pick the other team, because given his track record, he is 0- 3. At least he has a perfect score…perfectly wrong.

Don’t let this man fool you. Christ is coming back and He could come back at any time now, but He will actually come back when we least expect it. And we can not expect any human to know this.

Read this for more on biblical signs of Christ's return.

The Radical Christian

2011-10-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

The book I am reviewing is a book that I highly recommend for you to read. It is an amazing book by David Platt called Radical. This book is one that may just change your life and the destiny of scores of others for eternity. It asks the questions that most believers never even think about. For example, we are told that a First Baptist Church celebrated their new “$23 million dollar” building (16) while in a small side column announced that the Baptists had “raised $5,000 to send to refugees in western Sudan” where 350,000 refugees were dying of malnutrition (16). They spend twenty-three million dollars for a new building and five thousand for 350,000 starving people. I am not criticizing Baptists of course because mega churches are doing this throughout the nation.

Almost 700,000 people die every day, nearly 30,000 die every hour, and approximately 500 die every minute. That number is increasing every day. Now understand the fact that only 33% of them are Christians (and in reality is likely less than 33%). So today, 462 thousand people will die and be separated from God forever. How many hear the gospel is up to those of us that make up the 33%.

There is a huge disconnect between the “Christ of Scripture” and Christianity. Today there are still more than one billion people who have never heard of Jesus. Mega-churches are doing miniscule giving and even less in proclaiming the gospel.

One group of church leaders gathered for almost two weeks to study God’s Word from 8 to 12 hours a day…yet the average Christians read their Bible twice a week and that is usually in church (if they even bring a Bible). These men were farmers and they said “we will leave our fields unattended for the next couple of weeks so we can learn the Old Testament” (24). When the group finished Malachi, they said, “We would like to learn the New Testament today” (25). These villagers were hungry for the Word and were willing to lose their crops, their livelihood, to hear the Word of God.

What if we took away from our churches the cushy chairs, the amazing sound system and music, the air conditioning, and all the creature comforts from our churches: would we still be hungry for the Word of God? God is a loving Father but He is also a wrathful Judge for those who are not Christ’s. In a cemetery you will see hundreds of dead corpses…but today millions of “dead men walking” (without Christ) and actually many churches have spiritually dead corpses that only the Word of God can bring to life (30).

Today we say “Let Jesus come into your heart” or “read this sinners prayer”, “sign this card” or just come forward and “walk the aisle and accept Jesus“. The problem is that there is not one Scripture in the Bible where this is done. No where are we told to “bow your heads, close your eyes, and repeat after me.” We ask “just accept Jesus”. “Do you really think Jesus needs our acceptance” (37)? A serious warning is given by Jesus where He says right after the Sermon on the Mount, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many (get that!…MANY!) will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord’ did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plain, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers” (Matt 7:21-23)! How shocking is that!? MANY will be “eternally shocked to find that they were not in the kingdom of God after all” (38).

Being a pastor this makes me want to run down the aisle of the church I am under shepherd of and yell to them to “wake up!” How many people are sitting in the church that are truly not converted and sold out to Christ enough to die for Him? Many, again Jesus says that it is MANY, who might think that they are saved when they truly are not (38)! We have all swallowed the easy ticket ride to heaven and that God will tolerate our sin all along the way (38).

The gospel beckons us to “die to ourselves and to believe in God and trust His power” (46). To see the futility of our inability to “accomplish anything of value apart from Him” (46). Jesus said that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5)! This is where God actually delights in us when we realize we are totally helpless without Him. God frequently puts His people in “positions where they are desperate for His power, and then He shows His provision in ways that display His greatness” (48).

We have the false idea that a church is successful if the parking lot is full, we have huge mega complexes, we have charismatic preachers, we have an awesome church band, start of the art sound systems, and expansive worship centers with plush seating (49). What is the glaring need? It is an utter and completely, desperate need for God’s power. The small band of 12 disciples knew they needed God’s power and could not rely upon themselves. They understood that of themselves they could do nothing.

In Acts 2 is says that “three thousand were added to their number that day” (v 41) and the “Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (v 47). There were also “a great number of people who were brought to the Lord” (Acts 11:24) and a host of Gentiles “who were appointed for eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). The point is that God draws people to Christ but we still have to share it with them. “A scene where the church radically trusts in God’s great power to provide unlikely people with unlimited, unforeseen, uninhibited resources to make His name know as great” is not of our doing but of Gods (53).

One tiny little church could do more in one month in the power of God’s Spirit than a 50,000 member church could do in a year apart from God’s provision. God holds all the resources of the universe in the palm of His sovereign hand and He is “ready and waiting for the people of God who desire to” reveal and display His glory for all to see (59). Why do we not ask God to accomplish only what He can accomplish? The greatest need we have right now is to fall on our face, hands, and knees and lay prostrate before Him and plead with Him to reveal Himself in a mighty way. To display His radical power in and through us which enables us to accomplish for His glory “what we could never” even dream of doing “in our own strength” (60).

God has created us to go to all ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20/Acts 1:8) but we settle for sitting in the pews and maybe going to our own town but God is calling all people groups to Himself to be worshipped and not just those in the U.S. God’s will is to spread His glory to all ends of the earth and to all nations and people groups. The sad thing is that most have made the gospel “me-centered”: He sought me, He caught me, He bought me, He taught me, what I ought be. He choose me. He saved me. He forgave me. It is as if we are the objects of His faith instead of Him being the object of our faith. We are not the end of the gospel but for His holy name’s sake, the beginning; to bring it to others. God is at the center of the universe and we are not (71).

Why did Jesus create us? To simply save us? No, He created us to use us to bring the message of salvation to others. We like the benefits of salvation…the beneficiaries but not the ambassadors. We like to sit back and enjoy salvation instead of getting out to bring the gospel to others; the purpose for which we were created. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations and not just to disciple our own selves. We like to send money for missionary work, to fund overseas missions, to pray for missionaries, to pray for other nations to know Christ…and while we sit comfortably in our cushioned church pews. The Great Commission is the great omission for 95% of Christians even though Jesus command is for all to go to all. I have heard others tell me why they won’t go door-to-door with me. They say “I’m not called to that.”

If you had a cure for cancer, would you just swallow the cure and say nothing to anyone!? I would hope not but this is exactly what most Christians are satisfied with doing; or not doing. How can you say you have a heart for God and want to be obedient will being willfully disobedient to the Great Commission? It is like we pick and choose what we want to obey. We like the idea of having the benefits (be saved, blessed, sins forgiven) and claim the promises but we obey selectively what we want. So we might say “we have a heart for God” but it is less than 5% of His heart for most (76). Shouldn’t our hearts burn within us to make the glory of God known to others since from Genesis to Exodus God has stated His specific and clear purpose to glorify His name? I am glad that God has not given us only 5% of His promises or that I will forgive 5% of your sins or bless you by about 5%.

The consequences of activities within the church ignore the consequences outside of the church; people go to hell that die without Christ. Paul was continually going and preaching the gospel. He didn’t stay to set up church boards, make comfortable buildings, or fill the church with self-occupying activities. We are told to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded us…and that is to tell others about Christ and then have them tell others about Christ and those saved to tell others about Christ. They intentionally took the gospel outside of their own cities and towns.

One pastor once said that rich people (remember that 94% of Americans are rich according to the world’s standards) who neglect the poor are simply not God’s people. We is the most frightening is that many who sit in churches today are playing church and have a religion called “churchianity“. We falsely judge churches by the size of their parking lot, their sanctuary, and their list of activities.

Believers give only 2.5% of their income to support the church. Every single year churches spend over $10 billion dollars on church buildings and they own $230 billion in church property. David Platt believes that building fancy churches is indicative of vanity and pride. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. We spend billions on buildings yet leave fractions for evangelism. John Calvin once said that “Half of the church’s funds should be allotted specifically for the poor” (129). Today, it is less than one half of one percent that churches spend to help the poor! Chip Ingram, teacher and pastor, once said that you can tell where a person’s heart is; just look at their checkbook ledger.

What David Platt said is so true about what people think: “I can’t do everything, so I won’t do anything” (130). That is a lie straight out of the pit of hell. The poor widow who gave all she had in Luke 21 will be blessed above and beyond all that most believers do. You could tell her treasure was in the same place that her heart was; in giving. You express your love for Christ and exalt His glory by radical abandonment of giving and of witnessing. In God’s plan to spread the gospel there is no plan B (156). We are His one and only plan. Try to find anyplace in the New Testament where a person comes to faith without the aid of a witness.

Today 1.5 billion people are as yet not reached by the gospel and this is more than five thousand people groups (158). In one remote village that no one has ever even heard of Christ the tribal leader brought out to the missionary there a Coke. Funny, but Coca Cola does a better job of reaching lost tribes than does a God-command church (159). If you want to know what God’s will is…this is it! To save those who are lost and we know that God does not take pleasure in the eternal death of the wicked. Jesus said that he who seeks to save his life will lose it but he who wants to lose his life will gain it (eternally).

Two missionaries once went to a cannibalistic island and they were killed. A few years later another small group of missionaries went and they could certainly have said that it is risky, unsafe, and they could lose their life. But that tribe finally did heard the gospel and many in that tribe came to saving faith. If the missionaries had played it safe, that tribe would not know about Jesus Christ. Once again, David Platt makes a potent statement: “The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ” (167). But do we not want to have a deep, personal, and meaningful relationship with Christ? Nearly all believers would say yes…but might not want to take risks like these missionaries took. And if not, then they would miss out not only on eternal rewards but on a deeply satisfying relationship with Christ that in the future and in the present will be abundantly joyful.

My own journey into a risky, dangerous, and unsafe place was once when I preached at a church in Pueblo, Colorado. It was in the middle of what the one local Hispanic man called “a Hispanic ghetto. I was warned by him to be careful, to not go alone, and to be cautious. And after preaching on the evangelistic message of “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” (see chapter five) nearly one in four came forward that day to believe in Christ. There was such a mass that came forward that the church leadership had to double up on speaking to the many who came forward. Former and present drug dealers, former prisoners, murderers, gang leaders, and the like came forward. Now what if I had talked myself out of going to preach inside the center of this “Hispanic ghetto?” There would have been dozens who might have missed the gospel message and not have been saved. The church membership said that “Wow, you really started something….” I corrected them and said that it was the Holy Spirit that was convicting them. The power was in the message and not in the messenger. But they still needed the messenger.

God can and does deliver us from harm but if He sovereignly chooses, oh no, the worst thing that could happen would be that we would be ushered into the presence of God. How terrible (being factitious)! I love what Jim Elliot once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

We are asked to pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He might send forth more laborers because the harvest is great and few laborers are willing to go into the fields. There are no shortages of believers but a severe shortage of those believers who would enter into the harvest. Jesus could have told us to pray for the lost. I am not saying that we shouldn’t but He told His disciples to pray for more laborers. I think the point is that we are not praying as we ought. I confess this too. I have tried to discipline myself to do this more than once or twice a day. So pray I do and pray for more laborers since only about 1 in 20 will go out into the fields to help in the harvest. Less than 1 in 30 has ever lead more than one person to Christ in their lives. How tragic! Jesus commands us and Paul does too to pray always, without ceasing, and to pray for laborers to come to the great harvest. Time is running out. Christ will come back soon perhaps. Will He come back as Judge for those who haven’t heard the gospel or as King for those who have and been born-again? You can help decide for some whether Christ is their King or their Judge.

Connect your giving with your going. I have a friend, Jerry Woods, a retired pastor who spends his own money and connects it with going. His primary harvest field is wherever he happens to be. In the store, waiting in line at a gas station, or just walking down the street. He has and still yet will impact the kingdom of Christ for His glory forever and ever. He will be shaking a lot of hands in eternity while people tell him, “thank you for telling me about Christ”. Over and over again I am sure. I thank God for this man. He came to me at a time when I was about to give up. I was the only one in my town going door-to-door, into the stores, at the mall, sharing the gospel. He has the passion for the Great Commission and great compassion for the lost. He has re-ignited a fire in me. We have held each other up in prayer and in proclaiming Christ and to increase the glory of Christ by bringing many sons and daughters into the kingdom of heaven. I thank God for Jerry.

Someday in eternity, we will not look back on our time on earth and say, “Boy, I wish I had not embarrassed myself by sharing the gospel with that man”, “Oh, how I wish I had not been laughed at telling that lady about Jesus”, “It’s too bad that I was humiliated for trying to teach people how they can go to heaven.” No, we will more likely say, “Oh how I wished I had share the gospel with more people”, “It is too bad that I was more of a bold witness for Christ with (so and so) while I had the chance.” Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late. I feel we are living in the end times. I am not saying that He is coming back right away, but for anyone that dies today, their end is then. Their chance is over. They don’t get a second chance to get saved.

I too was one who was not going for many years but I repented of this. If you or I don’t go, it is a sin of omission and just the same as saying, “I don’t care about you even though I know you are heading to hell…it is taking me out of my comfort zone to talk about Christ.” I know this sounds harsh. I may face some criticism for this but it is worth it if I can convince only one other person to share their faith with others. It is a risk I am willing to take. Are you willing to take it too? I am praying to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth more laborers for the harvest is indeed great. I pray to God you will join me in the work.

For more on how to evangelize, read "How to Evangelize Door-to-Door"

David Platt, Radical. Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, CO.: 1984, 2010.

Charles Spurgeon on the Ten Commandments

2011-09-07T16:51:00.000-05:00

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) is one of my favorite preachers of old. He really knew how to evangelize. In his lifetime he is known to have preached to over 10 million people. His audiences averaged about 10 thousand. He taught the Ten Commandments because he realized that they were timeless. He had 500 men praying in the boiler room during services so that the Holy Spirit might convict some to come to faith.

He was one of the boldest preachers and witnesses for Christ that has ever lived. He once said, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

The first four of the Ten Commandments were vertical, which related to God and mankind. The last six were related from mankind to each other. Put together they formed the first cross which pointed to Calvary.

Here are some of the most famous quotes from Charles Spurgeon on the Ten Commandments.

The ten commandments, like ten great pieces of cannon, are pointed at thee
to-day, for thou hast broken all God’s statutes, and lived in the daily neglect of all his
commands.

The Ten Commands surround us on all sides, and encompass all the movements of
body, soul, and spirit, comprising under their jurisdiction the whole range of moral
action; they hold us under fire from all points, and nowhere are we out of range.

I find it sometimes profitable to myself to read the ten commandments, and to think
over my sins against each one of them. What a list it is, and how it humbles you in
the dust to read it over!

Read the Ten Commandments, and pause at each one, and confess that you have
broken it either in thought, or word, or deed. Remember that by a glance we may
commit adultery, by a thought we may be guilty of murder, by a desire we may steal.

The law of the ten commandments is strictly just; it is such a law as a man might
make for himself if he studied his own best interests, and had wisdom enough to
frame it aright. It is a perfect law, in which the interests of God and man are both
studied; it is not a partial law, but impartial, complete, and covering all the
circumstances of life. You could not take away one command out of the ten without
spoiling both tables of the law, and you could not add another command without
being guilty of making a superfluity. The law is holy, and just, and good; it is like the
God who made it, it is a perfect law.

"I do not believe that any man can preach the gospel who does not preach the Law." Then he warns, "Lower the Law and you dim the light by which man perceives his guilt; this is a very serious loss to the sinner rather than a gain; for it lessens the likelihood of his conviction and conversion. I say you have deprived the gospel of its ablest auxiliary [its most powerful weapon] when you have set aside the Law. You have taken away from it the schoolmaster that is to bring men to Christ . . . They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and holy Law. Therefore the Law serves a most necessary purpose, and it must not be removed from its place."

Spurgeon once showed some visitors around his church but he first took them to the boiler room in the basement and showed them 500 men that were to be praying during his sermon. They were praying that the Holy Spirit would allow the message to take root and effectually change them. What a prayer warrior he was and one of the greatest preachers of all time. He helped in the salvation of millions of souls.

For more visit here.

Faith Healers or Fake Dealers?

2011-09-01T16:59:00.000-05:00

I have so many friends that I keep in contact with. Brothers and sisters in the Lord and I continually put them on my daily prayer list. Recently we had one of our members request an anointing for healing. Let me say that God does not ever guarantee healing in this day and age. I would say that any preachers that lay claim to miracle healing powers to let them go to the hospitals and empty them. Let these instant healing ministers go to the children cancer wards and empty them. Let them fly to Africa and stop the endemic of AIDS. I say that God is the One that heals. No man has that power. God can heal but it is when He chooses. There is no power in laying on of the hands, no power in reading those who are sick at so called “healing services”. They only thing they are rich in is money, prestige, and power.

When someone is not healed immediately or even later then the “minister” claims that it was because they didn’t have the faith. Is there even one example though where Jesus could not heal someone on account of their lack in faith? Or was anyone not healed by Paul, Peter, or the other apostles because the person lacked faith? No, this did not happen even once. In fact the apostle Paul asked three times to be healed and what did God tell him? In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” Who had more faith that Paul?! The point Paul was making was that sometimes God allows infirmities to remain in us to keep us close to Him and to be dependent upon Him. He is shown strong in our weaknesses. Sadly, people who are not healed by these so called “faith” or “miracle healers” either feel it is because their faith is weak or that God is punishing them. In a few cases they fall away from the faith becoming disenchanted in God. These fake healers make shipwrecks of many sincere Christians. Ironically, you never see them use the biblical model of anointing with oil. Have they never read the Bible to see how God’s Word addresses it? Apparently not!

So what do you do when you do needing to be healed and the doctors have been unsuccessful. First of all, do seek medical attention. One of the disciples was a physician (Luke). And do ask for fellow believers to pray for you and/or ask to be put on what we have in our church; a prayer chain where one member calls another member and so forth to pray for you. Finally, you can follow the biblical model of requesting an anointing of oil by the elders of the church. This could be a pastor, an actual elder, or deacon. The perfect model of the ordinance of anointing with oil is found in the Bible. Let the Bible always be our guide when we anoint the sick and pray the prayer of faith over them.

Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:14, 15).

“Let Him Call for the Elders of the Church”

The one who is sick initiates the call for anointing. The elder or church member does not coerce, require, or make compulsory the anointing. It can be suggested but the person must make the request themselves as James says, “Let him (or her) call for the elders of the church” The sick person takes the initiative, indicating faith. He or she calls for the “elders,” not special healers, nor does he go to healing campaigns, nor does he or she give themself up to any auto-suggestive therapeutic influence, nor does he express belief in holy waters and bones and relics. They call for the elders of their own church who are representative of the universal Church of which Christ is the head.

These two verses should be seen in the contextual framework where they have been placed by their author in order to feel their own atmosphere. Before the anointing with oil, a reading of this scripture validates to those who are present, the church elders, and the one being anointed, that they are following biblical principles and guidance. Elders can include deacons, deaconesses, elders, priests, pastors, or associate pastors.

“Let Them Pray a Prayer of Faith”

James states “let them pray” which means those who are also at the anointing can pray along with the church elder and they are to pray the “prayer of faith.”

James asks the question, “Is Any Among You Sick?” This is addressed strictly to believers. James says “among you.” This means that the elders are not to anoint a non-believer because they are not “among you” in the Body of Christ. “Sick” is a strong word with primary reference to bodily sickness. No doubt psychosomatic difficulty would be included, but physical infirmity is not excluded.

“Let Them Pray Over Him, Anointing Him with Oil”

The oil has traditionally been olive oil for its significance during Old and New Testament anointings. It is symbolic of the anointing of God and there is no special medicinal properties in the oil but there is significance in obedience to the use of the anointing by elders and the use of oil. The anointing was to come first, then the prayer. The sentence can be correctly read, “Let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil.”

The Significance of the Anointing with Oil

Some students claim that the Greek word James used was purely a secular term. However a study of its use in the Old Testament leads us to accept James’ use of it as having sacred and ceremonial significance. The Old Testament was translated from the ancient Hebrew into Greek by about 200 BC. We can see how the Jewish rabbis used it in the following passages in the biblical tradition:

Genesis 28:18, 19 with 31:13 – The Hebrew word for anoint is the one from which comes
“Messiah.” The incident described was one of sacredness and solemnity. The translators used the same word, which James used in our text passage.

Exodus 30:31 – The oil is used in this incident for a sacred purpose. The word for anoint is translated with James’ word.

Exodus 40:14, 15 – The word “anoint” occurs twice in the fore part of verse 15 and James’ word is used as the translation of the sacred word. “Anointing” occurs in the latter part of the verse and is translated differently by the word from which we get the word “Christ.” Thus James’ word and the word from which comes “Christ” are both used for the same ritual.

Numbers 3:3 – Again James’ word is used for an anointing which is sacramental. It should be noted that the New Testament writers frequently quote from the Septuagint as Holy Scripture. At least thirty times they quote from it directly. We conclude therefore that James rightfully used his word for a sacred ordinance.

The Significance of the Oil Itself

Oil was used in biblical times in at lest five ways: cosmetical, reverential, funereal, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes. Perhaps the most frequent interpretation of the oil in our text passage is that of a medicinal application. However, the fact that James instructs to call for the “elder” of the church and the above discussion will provide sufficient ground for considering the oil as having sacred significance. Oil was often used by the Hebrews and in New Testament times also as having symbolical reference to the Holy Spirit. The anointing and consecrating of the Tabernacle and its furniture would be a case in point. Our point is more definitely taken in the following considerations:

1 Samuel 10:1-6 – The anointing with oil expresses communication of the Holy Spirit to
Saul.

1 Samuel 16:13, 14 – The gift of the Spirit, symbolized by the anointing with oil, having been conferred upon David, the Spirit was necessarily withdrawn from Saul, for there could be but one king.

Zechariah 4:1-6 – The question “What are these?” is answered in verse 6 with the words “by my Spirit.” The oil flowing into the lamps symbolized the Holy Spirit who was to strengthen Zerubbabel in his work in restoring Jerusalem.

It is advantageous to note that the Holy Spirit is the principle of physical life and sustenance: Psalm 36:9; Genesis 1:1, 2; Psalm 33:6; Genesis 2:7, compare with Job 27:3; Psalm 104:29, 30, compare with Job 12:10.

Jesus performed His miracles of healing and did all the work of His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 3:16; Luke 4:1-14; John 3:34; Acts 1:2; Acts 10:38. We are to remember that Christ is the Head of the Church which is represented by the elders in this ordinance of anointing.

Key Points Summarized

1. This anointing is a sacramental and not a medicinal application of the oil.
2. The oil is a Scriptural symbol of the Holy Spirit.
3. The anointing with oil symbolizes the coming of the Holy Spirit, who is the life principle of the earth and in whose power Jesus healed, upon the sick person in healing power.
4. The anointing is a service of highest consecration and most complete dedication to
God’s will and service as when Aaron was ordained high priest and David was consecrated as king.

“In the Name of the Lord”

James does not say “into the name” as does Jesus in Matthew 28:19, but “in the name.” The same phrase is used in Acts 2:38 of baptism and in Acts 3:6 and 16:18 with reference to healing. Scholars tell us that the phrase indicates or expresses “in the authority of.” The authority of Jesus with reference to baptism is stated in Matthew 28:18, 19. The authority of the anointing comes from Jesus as stated in Mark 6:7, 13.

“Let Them Pray over Him . . . The Prayer of Faith Shall Save the Sick . . .”

James 5:13-18 is an argument for the efficacy of prayer in all kinds of afflictions. One special instance is given, that of one sick. Elijah is given as an example of the efficacy. But not all who have been anointed and prayed for live. And not all will be healed. The anointing is not compulsory in that God will or should heal. God’s will is sovereign and is always best for all in all circumstances. Let there never be any accusation about lack of faith of someone is not healed. The sick has faith or he would not call for the elders. Those who are believers have faith. So it is not a lack of faith at all.

For more about God answering prayer, read Does God Answer the Prayers of the Unsaved or Unbelievers?

Pray for your Pastor

2011-08-29T14:15:00.000-05:00

I have sat on Pastoral Search Committees and now as a pastor I am not sure I would have chosen me! But imagine hearing about this pastoral candidate. This pastor had very serious health concerns. He has had chronic health problems for many years. He also has been in prison several times. From a background check we discovered that he was even involved in a few riots and was thrown out of a few cities he tried to preach in during revivals. And he also had the experience of being one of the worst Christian persecutors in history. Even worse, He was adding to the Word of God while only preaching out of the Old Testament. Would the Pastoral Search Committee consider this man?

The Committee wholeheartedly said “NO!” “Not a chance.” They would have to look elsewhere.

I said, “fine, because the man’s been dead for 2,000 years…he was the apostle Paul.”

Today we tend to look at the exterior and we judge before we even hear a man preach. Some are judged because they are too young (I Tim. 4:12). Other’s are deemed to be too old or even judged because they can not speak very well or eloquently (Exodus 4:10). But thankfully, God looks at the heart. The church I used to attend has lost another pastor. Here are some startling statistics about pastors today and the reasons that you should be praying for them. I am selfish I suppose for I am a pastor.

The average pastor stays at one church for about 5 years.

On average it takes about 18 months to find a new pastor.

Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout or contention in their churches.

Four thousand new churches begin each year, but over seven thousand churches close.

Fifty percent of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.

Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.

Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.

Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years. Ninety percent of pastors said their seminary or Bible school training did only a fair to poor job preparing them for ministry.

Eighty-five percent of pastors said their greatest problem is they are sick and tired of dealing with problem people, such as disgruntled elders, deacons, worship leaders, worship teams, board members, and associate pastors.

Ninety percent said the hardest thing about ministry is dealing with uncooperative people.

Seventy percent of pastors feel grossly underpaid.

Ninety percent said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be before they entered the ministry.

Seventy percent felt God called them to pastoral ministry before their ministry began, but after three years of ministry, only fifty percent still felt called.

Again, I suppose I am being selfish but I am a bi-vocational pastor so I work, go to seminary, have a pastorate and a family too. So we covet your prayers in a big way.

For more on church membership and your pastor read "What Does the Bible Say About Church Membership and Attendance?"

Carnal Christians

2011-08-04T19:04:00.003-05:00

How to Start a Spiritual Conversation

2011-04-27T14:32:00.000-05:00

How do you start a spiritual conversation with those who don’t know Christ? Here is a superb way that works that I have tried with much success. It works with co-workers, neighbors, friends, or family. It is something that I learned in how to share the gospel when I don’t go door-to-door in our church’s Outreach. You can do it in the checkout line, at the post office, at the gas station, or anywhere that there are people at. It is easy to remember and it is one word which is an acronym. It’s the acronym called “firm.”

Firm is from Darrell W. Robinson‘s, People Sharing Jesus book. Firm is an acronym as a way to easily remember what to say when conversing with someone you want to share the Gospel with. The first thing you I recommend that you pray before, during and after conversation…or during a prayer walk.

Here is a fact you can always know for certain. You will never meet a person that God does not love. They don’t exist.

You will never meet a person that God does not want saved. They don’t exist.

Even bad witnessing is better than no witnessing at all. God is more glorified in weaker vessels than He is in polished speakers or slick presentations. There is power in the Word of God and the Holy Spirit does the actual calling to Jesus by God the Father (John 6:44). Here is what the acronym stands for and what it entails in the evangelization process.

Family: Find common ground

Where did you grow up? How long have you lived here? Where are you from? Tell me about your family? Do you have children? How many children do you have?

Interests: Ask about what interests them.

Is it sports, schools, hobbies, or work? What do they do for a living?

Religion: The world is very spiritual, existentialism, yoga, Wicca, etc.

Do you have a church in town you attend?
What’s your religious background?
Do you think about spiritual things very often?
Then just…listen.

Message: Have you come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way or say you are still in the process? (leave them an easy out)

Here are the possible responses that you will receive:

When they say, “Yes“, ask them “When and how did you come to know Him? Do you think you know Him personally?”

When they say “NO”, say “May I share with you how you can come to know Him personally?” If the say no, say “Do you mind sharing with me about your reluctance to know Christ?” If the say that they are still in the process this may actually mean no…or it may be their way of wanting to know more. You can ask them, “Then have you given some thought to it or may I share with you how you can come to know Him personally?”

Conclusion:

If they decide to make a decision right there, here is the way to ensure that they understand the Gospel and how they can come to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is not about receiving Jesus into their life or into their heart, but it is based upon belief: Believing that He was God, came to earth and born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died for our sins and was resurrected so that we might be resurrected someday. You can copy this down or memorize it. This is a simple decision card that you can use to lead someone to Christ. It is as simple as ABC.

A. Admit you are a sinner. "There is no one righteous, not even one ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 and 6:23. Ask God's forgiveness. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

B. Believe in Jesus. Put your trust in Him as your only hope of salvation. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 (See John 14:6.) Become a child of God by receiving Christ. "To all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 (See Revelation 3:20.)

C. Confess that Jesus is your Lord. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 (See verse 10.)

For more visit What Christians Want to Know

What Christians Want to Know

2011-04-26T16:17:00.000-05:00

There is a new website that I have had the great privilege to write for and another Associated Content writer to write for (Josh Wiley). You may know Josh already and you may already know me, but this website takes on some of the most difficult issues and theological questions that Christians and non-Christians struggle with. It is called What Christians Want to Know. It will deal with some really interesting questions like:

What is the unforgivable sin?
What are the signs of Jesus’ Second Coming?
Does God hear and answer prayers of unbelievers?
Is getting a tattoo okay for a Christian?
Can a Christian commit suicide and still enter into heaven?
Is it okay to be angry with God and still be a Christian?
Does God still heal today?
Why does God allow suffering if He is a good God and all powerful?
Why did God command Israel to sometimes kill all the men, women, children, babies, and even the animals in the Old Testament?
How can God condemn people to hell who have never heard the gospel, i.e, those in the deep jungles?
What prevents a believers prayers from being answered?
Do miracles still happen today?
Is it sinful or lusting when you look at a beautiful woman or a handsome man?
Is it sin for Christians to smoke?
Do Babies go to heaven?
Is gambling a sin?
What is the gift of speaking in tongues?
Are there guardian angels?
What is the best Bible translation?
Is getting a tattoo okay for a Christian?

Some of these articles are already written but in the future, all of these questions will be addressed using God’s Word, the Bible, as the standard. If you can think of some other questions that are not addressed here, please comment and leave your question and if its in the Bible, it will be answered. If the answer is not in the Bible, I will not even guess since this means its God’s prerogative to know and we have no business knowing or guessing about it. But sometimes the answer is “I don’t know.” And I’m okay with that.

For more on this site, visit What Christians Want to Know

What Christians Want to Know

2011-04-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

What Christians Want To Know is a website designed to be a trusted source on highly searched for Christian topics and questions, that relies on the Holy Bible as the truth. We intend to equip, encourage, and energize Christians through the truth revealed in God’s holy word. Our writers will come from different backgrounds and have different writing styles but all will use the Bible as their source. We encourage those interested in writing for us to join us in making this website a trusted source in the Christian community.

What Christians Want to Know hold to values that represent the essence and personality of the Body of Christ. They are the standards by which our culture and unity are kept. The contributors of this website hold fast to the Christian virtues below:

We value growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord (2 Pet. 3:18).

We value learning from each other as iron sharpens iron so we sharpen one another (Prov. 27:17).

We value God’s calling of those in ministry (Mat. 28:18-20; Acts 2:17; Gal. 3:28).

We value the advancement of the Gospel of Christ for the establishment of salvation, forgiveness, and the perpetuation of Christianity (Mat. 28:18-20).

We value the pursuit of unity (at the foot of the cross) among brothers and sisters in the Christian faith (Eph. 4:13).

We value the independence of ministers so that they may follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the direction and government of their ministries (Act. 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2-4; 16:6-7; 20:22, 21:4).

We value as our only creed, the inerrant Word of God (scripture) as being perfect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 19:7).

We value leadership that duplicates our Lord’s servant heart (Mat. 20:27; John 13:14).

We value fellowship among Christians for the sake of strength, encouragement, edification, exhortation, prayer, and support (Rom.14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11; Eph. 2:21-22; Php. 4:8).

“Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior” (Eph 5:23, GW).

The contributors of What Christians Want to Know submit to the will of God and when error is exposed, pledge to correct the writings to align with theologically sound doctrine and biblical truth (John 4:24).

Visit What Christians Want to Know

The Parent’s Guide to Protecting Children from Pedophiles

2011-03-28T15:24:00.000-06:00

I recently read and reviewed the book, The Parent’s Guide to Protecting Children from Pedophiles and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. The author reveals clear signs and symptoms of children who have had to endure such a terrible and criminal act. Anywhere from 15 % to 25 % of women and 5% to 15% of men where sexually abused as a child. These are conservative figures since many never report this to authorities and live with it. Worse, 40% of such abuse occurs within the immediate family; parents themselves, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and other close relatives.

This book gives real hope for both the victims and for the offenders in breaking free from its effects. This book includes evidences from children’s behaviors in order to protect children from the hidden dangers of pedophilia that lurk everywhere in our society today. Sadly, this problem continues to grow worse with each passing year. These pedophiles leave in their wake ruined lives, wrecked emotions, and permanent scares. In some instances in creates havoc for future, adult relationships and in worse cast scenarios, makes children or latter adults contemplate feelings of worthlessness or even suicide. In a few cases it creates pedophiles from those who were abused.

The abuser receives short term, instant gratification while the abused endure a shattered lifetime. The abuser may receive five minutes of pleasure at the abusers lifelong expense. The author points out that the abuser often convinces themselves that it is “love” while it is in actuality one of the greatest crimes of humanity. It is self-serving, self-gratifying lust at the expense of another human being.

The book is filled with expert analysis of pedophilia’s schemes and places and times that children are most at risk. It also gives clues from a child’s behavior that may indicate sexual abuse. The author gives hope for recovery for both the victim and the offender. There is hope available. Recovery is possible. This book is an excellent source for protecting your children whether you’re a parent, foster parent, grandparent with custody, teacher, or day care provider. It is a must read for anyone with young children. Particularly since most pedophiles are within the families relatives.

This 120 page paperback is only $8.95 so the author is not intending to make money but to help protect children from the mental ravages of sexual abuse. If ever there was a book that deals with the wretched scourge that is afflicting our children, this is it. The author has done a sterling job in preventative measures and dealing with children after the fact. As a father and grandfather, I want to protect my own children and grandchildren in every what possible. This book was truly an eye-opener.

Our children are our most precious resource. I believe we must do everything possible to protect them. It is critical to preserve their innocence, their self esteem, their worth and their dignity as a human being. They have every right to expect that their caregivers to do so. Children are not in a position to consent to sexual activity. We must protect them ourselves. Their very lives depend upon it and upon our diligence as caregivers.

Available on Amazon.com

Torn Apart/Restored

2011-03-15T12:17:00.000-06:00

I recently read and reviewed a book. I didn’t get paid for it. And I didn’t receive any payment for reviewing this book at all except for receiving great satisfaction in reading a true story of God’s redemptive love. Torn Apart/Restored is a story of how God took a man and woman and a marriage that was torn apart and restored it. What seemed to be a hopeless situation was turned into a marriage full of hope. What looks impossible for humans is nothing at all to God. The story of Pastor Darin and Gloria Carroll is an amazing testimony to the power of God that defies human logic and swims upstream against all odds and is contained in the book Torn Apart/Restored. It reveals that no one is ever beyond the redemptive and unconditional grace of God.

Darin and Gloria, and even their daughter, Chandra, retell a story that is straight from the diaries of their hearts. Presently the pastor at Victory Life Ministries in Pueblo, Colorado, this family took all that life threw at them and survived, thanks to the mercy and grace of God. They were able to salvage their lives that were headed for hell to point them to heaven. Darin was steeped in a world of crime, drugs, gangs, and alcohol. The powerful biography of this family gives anyone who is presently struggling with addictions and a sin-riddled life hope of an eternal future full of joy and forgiveness.

At one point, the court psychologist had given up on Darin. Even the courts had felt he was beyond rehabilitation and deemed him a Career Criminal. Darin’s wife had apparently given up on him, at least before she came to know Jesus Christ as Savior. Even Darin had given up any hope in changing his life.

Darin had grown up being angry with his father; he was infested in an environment of drugs, gangs, alcohol, and crime. At one point, Darin grew ruthless in his treatment of anyone he came in contact. As a youth, he went forward in an altar call to accept Jesus but was living with one foot in the world and one foot in the church. Marrying at the age of eighteen, it wasn’t long before his marriage and his world began to crumble.

When Gloria was nearly divorced twice she was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. She felt God had plans for Darin and her despite there being no evidence in her husband to the contrary. In a freak accident, while Darin was holding a gun, he accidentally shot and killed a woman. Darin’s personal struggle with a demon had such a stronghold that at times it controlled his thinking and his behavior. He was held captive in such a vice gripe of a wicked spirit that he could be freed, not by any human effort, but only by the power of God. That and his wife Gloria’s unrelenting prayer and unconditional love.

Gloria, in her transformation, would even share the gospel with the drug dealers, boldly asking them, “Do you know that Jesus loves you?” These hard core drug dealers were astounded. They had never heard anything like this before.

Ironically Darin became free while incarcerated. How amazing that many prisoners were set free while behind bars. Life in prison was dangerous since there were relatives of the girl he had killed in the same facility that he was at. This made him pray fervently and with desperation. God was faithful and answered prayer and prayer for his protection.

The touching entries in diary form by Gloria and Chandra, their daughter, were particularly compelling. They gave unique, up close perspective of their personal struggles. I highly recommend this book to anyone. As a pastor who deals with prisoners and was a former prisoner himself, I feel this book would be a great blessing for any prisoner, prison library, prison ministry, or even a church library. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. It is about as riveting and real-life non-fiction book that I have ever read in my life. Finally, it is the story of how only God can change the human heart and that mankind, left to himself, is powerless against the struggle of evil and sin in the world.

When you read Torn Apart/Restored, you will read about how this family moved from disasters to pastors and went from terrible mess to wonderfully bless. This book shows that the human heart in even the worst circumstances possible can be redeemed and restored by the power of God and by prayer. This family shows that it is not all the sinners’ responsibility; it is their response to His ability. Holiness is not the way to Jesus…Jesus is the way to holiness.

Torn Apart/Restored, by Darin Carroll, co-authored by Teila Tankersley, with special guest writers Gloria Carroll and Chandra Bryan. Available on Amazon.com. ISBN 978-1456536303

Christian Books

2010-12-08T14:45:00.000-06:00

Do Babies Go To Heaven? What happens if a young child, or infant, or baby dies? Do they go straight to heaven? What does the Bible say. The answers are found in the Bible.

Teaching Children the Gospel, How to Raise Godly Children This book shows how to share the Gospel with children in a way that they can truly understand it. It also uses biblical principles on how parents can raise Godly children in a secular world.

Blind Chance or Intelligent Design?, Empirical Methodologies and the Bible

This books shows evidence for Creation, the historicity of Jesus Christ and His resurrection and provides evidence that shows evolution could never have happened, using scientific, philosophical, logical, mathematical, archeological, and historical reasons that are quantifiable, measurable, and empirical.

Are The Ten Commandments Still Relevant Today?

2010-12-03T18:44:00.000-06:00

Do you think the Ten Commandments are still valid for this day and age? Are they outdated? Do you think Jesus nailed them to the cross? What does the Bible say and what does Jesus say about the Ten Commandments.

The Vertical Commandments

The First Commandment

Looking at the first Commandment reveals that we are not to put anyone or anything before God. These were spoken of as valid in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. In the Old Testament it reads "I am the LORD your God, Which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." (Ex 20:2, 3) Jesus reiterated this command in the New Testament saying, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall your serve.” (Matt 4:10/Luke 4:8)

Further, Jesus said "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Mt 6:24)

The Second Commandment

What exactly is idolatry? The Second Commandment reads "You shall not make unto yourself any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous GOD, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; And showing mercy unto thousands who love Me, and keep my commandments." (Ex 20:4-6)

Jesus showed that some people considered money or gold more important than the temple which seems to be a violation of the second commandment. (Mat 23:16) And what your imagine God to be, if it is not based upon what the Bible says, is creating a god after your own imagination and in your own mind’s likeness.

The Third Commandment

The Old Testament clearly states that "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain." (Ex 20:7)

How many times have you heard on TV, radio, or from other people say, “Oh my God! “. Even worse is trying to use God’s name in profanity and this includes Jesus holy name. That is a violation of the Third Commandment.

Jesus reference this in the New Testament saying "Our Father which is in heaven, Hallowed be your name." (Mt 6:9/Lk 11:2) He continued, "I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment." (Mt 12:36) And "This people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Mt 15:8,9)

The Fourth Commandment

The Old Testament states that we should "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, six days shall you labor, and do all your work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God: in it thou shall not do any work, thou, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor the stranger that is within your gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Ex 20:8-11)

This is the only commandment of the ten that Jesus did not seem specifically mention except by saying "For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." (Mt12:8/Lk 6:5)

He further says that “it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." (Mt12:12) A day of rest is useful and beneficial for humans and it is in our best interest to take one day in seven to rest the body.

The Horizontal Commandments

Commandments five to ten are designed to keep humans in a right relationship with one another.

The Fifth Commandment

Honoring your parents and foster parents or step parents is the first one given to humans in relation to other humans. Why!? Because the family is the bedrock of any society and when children are disobedient and disrespectful, then these children later become the society itself and there is a downward spiral of decay and morality. This commandment is placed above that of murder, and stealing, because none of these would likely occur in such a grand scale if this commandment were kept in the first place.

The Sixth Commandment

This commandment is often mistranslated into “You shall not kill” when it is literally “You shall not murder”. That is a huge difference. If someone is going to come in and kill your family, it is not a sin to prevent this slaughter by first killing the person trying to murder innocent people. Police do not murder criminals that are trying to kill other people including themselves. They are killing to prevent further killing of innocent people. That is not murder. It is defending themselves or others in the line of duty.

This commandment does not prohibit nations from going to war to defend their nations or from hunting or killing animals for the purpose of food.

The Seventh Commandment

The generally accepted standard of today is that adultery is outdated and since there are no laws in the United States making this punishable by law or by criminal courts, then it is acceptable. Unless you’re the one being cheated on! Adultery wrecks lives and shatters families and leaves in it wake destroyed lives; of the parents, children, and grandparents. Of course divorce is permissible under certain conditions and if anyone is being abused then it is the best course of action. Even though this commandment’s value is not so obvious to society, it’s being kept does help to cement the family structure into stabilizing factors in society.

The Eighth Commandment

This seems to be generally accepted that we should not take away from others things that don’t belong to us. Stealing is punishable by fines or imprisonment, depending upon the severity of the crime. This commandment’s value is obvious to society. Here is where the breaking of the Tenth Commandment (coveting) can cause the breaking of the Eighth.

The Ninth Commandment

White lies are lies nonetheless. Lying is only hurting oneself. I remember that every time I lied, I had to use additional lies to cover the original lie up. Bearing false witness in a court is even criminal and punishable by fine or imprisonment.

The Tenth Commandment

This commandment is one of the few that are internally broken. And it is one that is the hardest to discern. No one gets arrested for coveting neighbor’s goods. This is the same thing as being jealous of a rich person or wishing you had their BMW or their one hundred thousand dollar home. This commandment can not be seen by others but by God alone and the person in whom it resides.

No one is able to keep all of the commandments, but the fact that we can’t keep them perfectly doesn’t mean that we should disregard them. Jesus still spoke about the validity of the Ten Commandments but realized that no one can be saved apart from Him and no one is saved by keeping these Commandments. The first four are about our vertical relationship with God. The last six are about our horizontal relationship with our fellow human beings. Jesus is the one and only way to salvation and no one can inherit eternal life by keeping the commandments, but the Commandments do show the way that God desires that we live. Their result lived out produces happiness.

2010-11-09T19:28:00.001-06:00

But God..
"but God" it is fantastically good news even if you think you have too much baggage, too many sins to overcome, too much to have forgiven. Rest assured that Holiness is not the way to Jesus, Jesus is the way to holiness.
Read More

Hells Best Kept Secret

2010-10-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

The church I am pasturing is training in one of the most powerful, effective, and little-known evangelism methods there is. And one that has not been used much at all but the same one that Jesus used. In fact, its not used for most church’s Outreach or by the majority of Christians when sharing the Gospel with others. This powerful evangelistic tool is called Hell‘s Best Kept Secret. Its a production of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. It is from the ministry of Living Waters and uses the Law of God, in the form of the Ten Commandments to reach the person’s inner conscience. Jesus used this method of evangelism. Do did Paul, John, so did Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Martin Luther, and dozens of other famous preachers in the last few hundred years.

The trend in evangelizing the lost lately has been to use this type of language: Just let Jesus come into your heart…Jesus loves you…He will fill that God-shaped vacuum in your life….you will find peace, happiness, joy, and total fulfillment. The only problem is, Jesus never did this. Nor did Paul or John….and this type of evangelism is not found in the Bible.

Let’s see how Jesus told the young rich man who asked “How may I have eternal life?”. "Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, 'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?' 'Why do you ask me about what is good?' Jesus replied. 'There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.' 'Which ones?' the man enquired. Jesus replied, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.' "'All these I have kept,' the young man said. 'What do I still lack?' Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus pointed the man to the Ten Commandments. He didn’t say, “Just let me come into your heart…or let me fill that God-shaped vacuum in your heart….or I love you.” No, he pointed the man to the Ten Commandments. For the young rich man, his money was more important and thus, he was worshipping it above God. That’s breaking the First Commandment.

Everyone is born with a conscience. Conscience literally means; con (with) science (knowledge). Here’s how God’s Law can circumnavigate the opposition to the Gospel and the cross and go directly to the lost person’s inner conscience, which then lets the Law convict them of their own sin. Romans 2:14-16 speaks of this conscience: “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Their conscience also bearing witness, Paul says, about God’s Law indicated that they have a moral compass that they are accountable to.

What converts the soul? “The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7). The Way of the Master uses an four-letter abbreviation for how to use the Law of God to help reach the inner conscience of the lost. And it uses a simple four letters, W D J D. You can remember it by thinking “What did Jesus do?”. But here’s what this simple set of letters stands for and how you can talk to someone who is not saved:

W - Would you consider yourself a good person?

Most will say, “Yes, I do.” Then…

D - Do you think you’ve kept the Ten Commandments?

Most will say, yes, some of them. I’ve never killed anyone. But then you can ask them, “Have you ever told a lie?” Most will say “Yes”. Then, “What’s that make you?“. Most will say “A liar”

Then ask, “Have you ever stolen anything?” Again, most people will say “Yes”. Then, ask them, “What does that make you?”. Most will say, “A thief”.

Next, ask them “Have you ever lusted in your heart when you looked at a man or woman” (depending on with whom you are speaking). Most will, again, say “Yes.” Then say, Jesus said “anyone who looks at a woman (or man too) and lusts in their heart after them has already committed adultery with her.” Jesus reckons hating someone with murdering someone in their heart.

J - Then, by your own admission, you are a liar, a thief, and an adulterer. If God were to judge you according to the Ten Commandments, would you be guilty or innocent. Most answer “guilty”.

D - Do you think your destiny will be heaven or hell? Most will say “Heaven” because they believe God is a good God and would never send me to hell…since I have done a lot of good things in my life”. Let’s try this scenario in front of a judge. You just stolen something or got busted with cocaine. Do you think the judge will let you go just because he’s a good person? No, it is because he is a good man that he will convict you. If you tell him that you’ve done a lot of nice things in your life, do you think that will help you? The Bible says in Revelation that all liars, adulterers, thieves, and murderers will be thrown into the lake of fire. Ask, “Does that concern you?”

By the way, if they say “Hell” is their destiny, then ask them, “Does that concern you?”. Now, you can point them to Jesus.

Jesus knew that the young man was not perfect in his commandment keeping after all, and He confronted the young man with the hardest decision of his life. The one thing that struck right to the man's heart, that kept him from being perfect, was his love of money. He thought he was keeping the commandments, and Jesus didn't actually contradict him or condemn him. But to ask him to truly love God above all else, even to the point of giving up his vast wealth, seemed like an insurmountable difficulty! And after only a moment's thought, the young man decided which of the two, God or mammon, he would rather serve.

Now if you come out with the message of the cross, when they think they are a good person, it will be as Paul said: The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18). But if you are a doctor and you tell your patient that they are incurably sick and terminally ill, showing them the x-rays, the lab results, and show them that they don’t have long to live, then they become very interested in the cure. If you try to give them the cure (Jesus) before they understand they are sick (condemned sinners), then they will never take you seriously. It’s like telling them that someone’s paid their $25,000 fine for a traffic violation that they never new they had violated.

James says they must be, “Convinced of the law as a transgressor” (James 2:9). The law is “The power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). The Law of God stops the mouth of the sinner. It stops their excuses like “They are a good person”., because, “Now we know that whatsoever things the law says, it says to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Rom. 3:19)…“for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:20). It gives definition of the law: “Sin is transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4 ). Paul continues, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid! No, I had not known sin but by the law” (Rom 7:7). “Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24 ).

A.B. Earl said, “I have found by long experience that the severest threatenings of the Law of God have a prominent place in leading men to Christ. They must see themselves lost before they will cry for mercy; they’ll not escape danger until they see it.”

“But we know that the law is good if it is used lawfully for the purpose for which it was designed.” 1 Tim. 1:8 (The Amplified Bible) “The commandment is a lamp and the law is light.” Proverbs 6:23 “By the commandment sin became exceedingly sinful.” Romans 7:13

This is not talking about the Old Covenant Laws like sacrifices, ritual washings, and ordinances. Those where nailed to the cross by Jesus perfect, atoning sacrifice. For more on this powerful evangelization program, visit the highlighted links and request information. I am in no way associated with these websites, nor was I paid or compensated in any way. I just wanted to pass one of the most powerful ways to share the Gospel, using the person’s own conscience to bring them to the need for the Savior. Let the Law do its work. The Law does the converting, by the Holy Spirit (Psalm 19:7).

Listen to what Charles Spurgeon says, who was one the greatest evangelists that has ever lived. "If men do not understand the law, they will not feel that they are sinners. And if they are not consciously sinners, they will never value the sin offering. There is no healing a man till the law has wounded him, no making him alive till the law has slain him." The first use of the law is to manifest to man his guilt. When God intends to save a man, the first thing he does with him is to send the law to him, to show him how guilty, how vile, how ruined he is, and in how dangerous a position. You see that man lying there on the edge of the precipice; he is sound asleep, and just on the perilous verge of the cliff. The law acts with man as the physician does when he takes the film from the eye of the blind. Self-righteous men are blind men, though they think themselves good and excellent. The law takes that film away, and lets them discover how vile they are, and how utterly ruined and condemned if they are to abide under the sentence of the law.”

Desperado

2010-09-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my son and me a Branson, Missouri, playing “cowboys”. Talk about some real desperadoes. There were times when I have been desperate. I had no shelter, no home, no car, no food, no job, no money and no friends. I was so far down, I could only look up. All I had to offer were two empty hands. I had exhausted all options. I was desperate and in my desperation, I cried out to God. This is exactly when I came to know Him. Actually, he had sought me, then caught me, then bought me, and finally taught me…what I ought be: A child of the King.

We are all pilgrims, on a journey, through trials and tribulations and I discovered that what you tolerate, you will never change. And God uses circumstances to call us to Himself in about 10 to 15% of the times. The remaining times that we come to know Christ are through other Christians. When you hit bottom, there is no place to go but up. They leave us thinking, “What will I do now?”, and “What are my options?”.

When we are self-sufficient, God can not use us. When we are rich and have all our needs met, we have no need for God. This happened time and again to ancient Israel. But, when we become desperate and only a miracle can help us, we turn to God. When we come to the end of our rope and to the end of ourselves, there was God…waiting all the time. Waiting for us to come with nothing to offer but open, empty hands.

God actually desires us to be in desperate need of Him. To have a total dependence upon Him is to be completely in His will. Ironically, we have victory when we totally surrender. I am a father and grandfather…and I must admit, I was joyful when my children came to me for help or advice. They knew that I would help them and give them the advice or things that they needed. What they needed and what they wanted were not always the same thing. This is much the same as God the Father desires. He wants us to be earnestly depending on Him for all things.

A 100% dependence upon God is a person that has bowed the heart and humbled themselves. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Just like my children, when they were in trouble, and the more desperate they were, the more my attention was completely undivided. God hears and answers us in our time of need…but He will not listen or answer those who are going on in life in their own strength.

It is in times when our backs are against the wall and we cry out in desperation that He hears and answers us. When our own strength fails us, remember that He is faithful to bring us into His strong and loving arms (Luke 15, 1 John 1). Ironically, when we are weak, we are strong.

As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:10: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He desires us all to be desperadoes…desperate for Him, who is our present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). In that sense, we are really all desperadoes.