Sound The Trumpet

I am not legalistic, I am not a pharisee and I am not a liberal

2011-12-31T18:10:00.000-05:00

Many people like to label those of us who believe the Bible as legalistic. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What is legalism? With regard to religion, it is the belief that salvation is gained through good works. One could also make the application that a strict adherence to rules is required. With that in mind, am I a legalist? Absolutely not.

First, salvation is by grace through faith. There is nothing we could ever do to earn our salvation.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Knowing that salvation is not according to anything one could do, it is impossible to use this definition to label me as a legalist.

As far as a "strict adherence to the law" goes, we have a schoolmaster in the law which shows us our need for salvation. Once a person is saved, we are made free from the law. As one who is saved, I enjoy the freedom to do whatever I wish. However, knowing I am free from the law and having been saved from the fires of hell (the fire I deserved), I willingly serve my Lord and do as He wishes. How can I know what the Lord wants for me? I can look to the Word of God.

Now that we see who the legalist is not, who is the real legalist? The real legalist is the one who looks for loopholes, the one who lives his life according to the exclusions and omissions from the Word of God.

When the Word of God is so clearly against the use of alcohol, the legalist will point out that there is no clear "thou shalt not drink beer."

When the Word of God is clear about worldly associations and entertainment, the legalist will say there is no clear commandment saying, "Thou shalt not listen to (supposedly) Christian rock." The legalist will point out that the Scriptures do not specifically prohibit going to movies, wearing pants (or other immodest apparel).

The legalist would point out that the Bible does not directly say, "thou shalt not date."

The legalist would point out that the Bible does not say, "thou shalt not go lay naked on the beach nor go with those who would lay naked."
**I know, some of you are saying you don't go to the nude beach, but the Bible gives a clear definition of "naked" and that standard is met at every beach.**

The legalist would point out that there is no clear prohibition against the abuse of drugs and tobacco.

When the legalist dilutes the Word of God into any of the corrupt versions, they may even claim there is no prohibition against women or sodomite preachers.

When we look at those who would twist Scripture or take things out of context to thwart God's Word or to suit their flesh, we also see a clear example of the true pharisee. The pharisees did not know Christ, but they knew the law. I am amazed at how well today's pharisees (let's use the modern term for them: liberals) know the Word of God when it suits them, and ignore it when it does not.

The point is, I am not the legalist. I am not living by a strict set of rules. It is the the modern pharisees, the liberals who are always looking for a way to escape the will of God who are the legalists. It is these modern pharisees who twist and ignore the Word of God to suit their own flesh.

I Am Not Independent!

2011-12-29T16:42:00.001-05:00

There are many who claim Independent Baptist Churches are not really independent. Well, they are right. They got us. Our secret is out! At least, I am certainly not independent.

In his day, Paul dealt with an issue in the Corinthian church where people were following certain men. Some followed Apollos, some follow Paul and some follow others. Today, some follow Bob Jones, some follow Peter Ruckman, some follow John Calvin, some follow Jack Hyles and some follow others. Consider the following passage:

1Co 3:3-7 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (4) For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (5) Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? (6) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7) So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Paul referred to these who followed men as carnal. So, following Paul's example, I refuse to be a follower of men. If we stopped there, many would label me as independent, but I am not. In fact, there is a man who I diligently try to follow. Who, do you ask, is that man? Jesus.

Am I independent? No. I am a bond-slave who has been bought with a price. I strive to do my Master's bidding and serve Him every day. Is this service laborious? Absolutely not. I am thankful for my Master's work in my life. He rescued me. I was on a broad path of destruction. There were many people on this path with me: co-workers, friends, relatives and strangers. Sadly, there are still many on this path. However, there was a day when Jesus, my Master, came along and showed me the end of this broad path. He offered me an alternative. He showed me that it was my sins which were taking me down this road. He also showed me how a debt had accumulated for my sin. Finally, through His Holy and Precious Word, He showed me that the debt had been paid. How was the debt paid? Who paid it? My master purchased my redemption with His own blood.

You may also be on this path, but the same blood which purchased me can set you free as well.

Do You Believe?

2011-12-24T19:42:00.000-05:00

Do you believe??

SANTA IS OMNISCIENT – He knows exactly what everyone is doing, all year long and he keeps a record of when you are good and bad. Then, at the end of every year, children, who believe, are rewarded based on their works.
Ultimately, there is one who will judge: Jesus.
Re 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Re 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

SANTA IS OMNIPOTENT – The weather doesn’t hinder Santa at all. No matter how bad the storm nor how strong the wind, Santa was able to accomplish his goals. It is almost as though Santa can control the weather.
We know there is only one who has ever calmed a storm: Jesus.
Mark 4:37-39 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

SANTA IS OMNIPRESENT – Let’s face it. The only way the fat man could make all the stops he makes, in the short amount of time he has (less than a second), he must be everywhere at once. That does not even take into account the creepy claim that he can “see you when you’re sleeping.”
Psalms 139:7-8 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (8) If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Proverbs 15:3 ¶ The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
SANTA IS ETERNAL – Though generations are born, age and die, Santa never ages.
Mal 3:6a For I am the LORD, I change not
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

SANTA IS WORSHIPPED – This is, perhaps, the saddest fact of all. I received a card one day which depicted a child kneeling beside his bed as though he were praying. His hands were folded and his eyes were closed. Above his head in a cloud was a picture of Santa. To whom was the child praying? Many other children, when asked, do not know who Jesus is, but they certainly know Santa.
Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
God is clear about this. We are to worship no one (or no thing) other than Jehovah.

Of course, it’s all in fun, right? After all, telling a kid to believe in something that isn’t real doesn’t really hurt anyone, does it? It isn’t like Santa is a lie or anything.
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

John 6:60-71

2011-12-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:60-71 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? (61) When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? (62) What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? (63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (67) Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. (70) Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

When the Spirit of God makes someone alive, there is a definite, certain change in their life. They are new, refreshed. They are a completely different person. Jesus was taking His message of eternal life to the multitudes. As Jesus delivered this message, there was one who traveled with them who was against Him. Judas was, as Jesus described, a devil. If a devil can get in among Jesus and the eleven other disciples, how easy would it be for us to be deceived by a devil? We need to always be walking with God and relying upon the Holy Spirit of God to guide us and to protect us.

John 6:52-59

2011-12-02T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:52-59 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (53) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. (57) As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (58) This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. (59) These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Jesus must shed His own blood and sacrifice His own body to pay for our sins. When we are saved, we are taking part in the blood which was shed for us and the body which was sacrificed for us. That is the eating and drinking to which Jesus is referring. We are not literally eating the flesh and drinking the blood to be saved but we are allowing the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood and body to be applied to our sin.

John 6:39-51

2011-12-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:39-51 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (41) The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. (42) And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (43) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (45) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (46) Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. (47) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (48) I am that bread of life. (49) Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The Jews are upset with Jesus. When they think of bread from heaven, they think of the manna the Jews ate as they wandered in the wilderness. Now, Jesus comes along and claims to be the Bread of Life. This angers the Jews. They do not understand what Jesus is telling them. Jesus tries to explain to them that all the people who ate the manna in the wilderness (read the book of Exodus) have died. However, whoever eats the Bread of Life (or believes in Jesus) will be saved. The bread Jesus is giving them, His own body, is what will be sacrificed on the cross later in our study.

John 6:28-38

2011-11-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:28-38 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (30) They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? (31) Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. (32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (36) But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. (37) All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

As the people were traveling with Jesus, Jesus was doing miracles to show that He was God. The multitude enjoyed the miracles. Perhaps some enjoyed the show, perhaps some enjoyed being healed and there were some who enjoyed the free meals. But Jesus did not come to provide for their daily meals; Jesus came to offer them everlasting life. Many of the people who were following Him did not understand this. They were only interested in their needs for the moment. Which is more important: having your next meal or being saved?

John 6:22-27

2011-11-29T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:22-27 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (23) (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) (24) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (25) And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? (26) Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. (27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

In yesterday’s devotion, we read about how Jesus fed this multitude then traveled to Capernaum. Remember how they all wanted to make Jesus their king. Now, they realize Jesus and the disciples have left them and they want to follow them. However, Jesus knows their hearts. 2 Thes 3:10 says, “…if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Jesus realized that this multitude was not following Him to see the miracles, nor were they following Him to be His disciple (to learn from Him). They were following Jesus to get the free meal. There are many people who even come to church and become free-loaders. No, they may not all ask for food. Some may just sit and soak up the blessings of being in a good church without doing anything in the church. What do you do for Jesus and the church?

John 6:10-21

2011-11-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

John 6:10-21 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (12) When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. (13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. (14) Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (15) When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. (16) And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, (17) And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (18) And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (20) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (21) Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

There was another great miracle here: Jesus took two little fish and five barley loaves (about the size of a biscuit) and fed five-thousand men, plus the women and children. That was an incredible miracle. Jesus not only fed this large multitude with this little bit of food, but they took up more scraps than they had to begin with. This proves that Jesus can provide for any need which we may have. At times, it may seem like everything has turned against us, but Jesus is still in control. Just as Jesus fed that multitude, Jesus can take care of our needs.

John 6:10-21

2011-11-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:10-21 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. (11) And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. (12) When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. (13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. (14) Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. (15) When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. (16) And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, (17) And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (18) And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (20) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (21) Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

John 6:1-9

2011-11-27T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 6:1-9 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. (2) And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. (3) And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. (4) And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. (5) When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (6) And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. (7) Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. (8) One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, (9) There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

Many people were sick and were following Jesus to be healed and to see how Jesus would heal other people. With so many people following, Jesus wanted to show his disciples another great miracle. So, Jesus asked Phillip how they would feed all these. Phillip answered saying they only had two hundred pennies. How would such a little amount of money buy food for this entire multitude? Another of the disciples pointed out that a boy was in the crowd with five loaves and a few fish. Jesus would use this to do a great miracle!

John 5:43-47

2011-11-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

John 5:43-47 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (45) Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. (46) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. (47) But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

Many of the Jews know the Law of Moses. Some have even memorized the first five books of the Bible. As much as they knew about the Bible, the Word of God, they did not know the Living Word. When they stand before God, their accuser will be the very books so many of them memorized. It is proof that we can know about Jesus without ever really knowing Jesus in salvation. Do you really know Jesus in sweet salvation?

John 5:37-42

2011-11-25T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 5:37-42 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. (38) And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. (39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

When Jesus stood to speak, He had His own testimony to show who He really was. People could look at the miracles Jesus did and see that He was telling the truth. In addition to the miracles, Jesus had the testimony of the Scriptures to show who He was. Still, the Jews did not know that Jesus was the Son of God, that He was their Messiah. If they had only trusted Jesus, trusted the Scriptures, trusted John the Baptist, they could have known the love of God and they could have known Salvation.

John 5:31-36

2011-11-24T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 5:31-36 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. (32) There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. (33) Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. (34) But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. (35) He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (36) But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Jesus said, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” In verse 36, Jesus said, “…the same works I do, bear witness of me…” Can Jesus lie? No, of course Jesus cannot sin. Jesus cannot lie. In fact, Jesus cannot sin at all. So, if Jesus is saying He is God, is He really God?
We can stand and tell everyone around us how we know we are a Christian. However, no matter what we say, what we do will show the people around us what we really are. What do your actions tell people about you?

John 5:24-30

2011-11-23T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 5:24-30 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (25) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. (26) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; (27) And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (28) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (30) I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Jesus is trying to explain why He is here: to offer everlasting life to all who believe. You see, there will be a time when everyone will be resurrected (will come out of their grave). Everyone will stand before Jesus. Those who are saved will be a part of the Resurrection of Life while those who are not saved will be a part of the Resurrection of damnation. The saved will go to heaven and the ones who are not saved will go to hell. What makes the difference? Verse 24 holds the key. Those who believe will be a part of the Resurrection of Life. Do you believe?

John 5:17-23

2011-11-22T08:00:00.003-05:00

John 5:17-23 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. (18) Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. (19) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (20) For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. (21) For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. (22) For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (23) That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

You can almost imagine the Jew’s hatred for Jesus growing just as a pot boils harder and harder. Every word out of Jesus mouth made them more and more angry. Now, they are ready to kill Jesus, but His work is far from over. Jesus is here to save people from hell but the Jews want to keep their power structure in place.
Now, as if the Jew’s hatred for Jesus is not strong enough, Jesus explains how he and God the Father are indeed one and how God the Father has given power to Jesus. In the eye of the Jewish man, this is blasphemy.

John 5:10-16

2011-11-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

John 5:10-16 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. (11) He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. (12) Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? (13) And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. (14) Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. (15) The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. (16) And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

The more we study Jesus, the more we understand how the Jews did not like Jesus. Here, Jesus (who is God, by the way) healed someone and the Jews are accusing Jesus of breaking the law. Remember, Jesus is the one who created the law. By the way, Jesus is also the one who created the Jews, you and I. If Jesus wants to heal one of us, He can. If Jesus wants to do anything, He can. But, it will get more interesting before the end of this chapter.

John 5:1-9

2011-11-20T08:00:00.004-05:00

John 5:1-9 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (2) Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. (3) In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. (4) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (5) And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. (6) When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (7) The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. (8) Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. (9) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Imagine not being able to walk, but knowing a cure was only a few feet away. Every year, you come to this healing pool, but you are pushed aside by people wanting their own healing. How would you feel after thirty-eight years of trying? That is exactly how this man felt. If only someone would help him into the water. No one ever did.
Ah, but one day, Jesus came by. When Jesus came by, this man who could not walk did not need help getting into the pool of water, he drank of the Living Water, he trusted in Jesus and Jesus made him whole.

John 4:46-54

2011-11-19T08:00:00.007-05:00

John 4:46-54 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. (47) When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. (48) Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. (49) The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. (50) Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. (51) And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. (52) Then inquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. (53) So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. (54) This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

When we get toward the end of the book of John, we will see that Jesus did many more miracles than could ever be recorded. Here, we see another miracle. A nobleman rushes in to see Jesus – his son is dying. This nobleman is rich, powerful and yet he cannot save his own son. Can Jesus save his son? Jesus said the Jews were looking for a sign. They wanted proof of the power Jesus had. Jesus gave them their proof. Jesus proved Himself to this nobleman by healing his son. Even today, the Jews are still looking for proof that Jesus is their Messiah. Even today, they do not believe. What do you believe?

John 4:39-45

2011-11-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

John 4:39-45 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. (40) So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. (41) And many more believed because of his own word; (42) And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (43) Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. (44) For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. (45) Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.

This woman had just believed in Jesus – she had just been saved. As soon as she was saved, she ran back to her town, to her people and family and told them what had happened. She was so excited that her soul had been rescued. In fact, her joy was so great that others around her wanted what she had. They wanted to know more about Jesus too. When people are around you, do they see the joy of the Lord in you? Do you make people want to get to know Jesus?

John 4:27-38

2011-11-17T08:00:00.005-05:00

John 4:27-38 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? (28) The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, (29) Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (30) Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. (31) In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. (32) But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. (33) Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? (34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (35) Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (36) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (37) And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. (38) I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Harvest time is upon us! Jesus explains to the disciples that the fields are white, or ready for harvest. Everywhere we go; there are people around us who need to be saved. There are people around us who are ready to be saved. However, we often fail to tell people about Jesus. How often do you tell someone what Jesus has done for you?
Jesus was also telling them that no one person is ever responsible for someone being saved. Sometimes, people may plant a seed of faith. Others may encourage that seed to grow. Finally, someone may come along with just the right words to help that person saved.

John 4:20-26

2011-11-16T08:00:00.006-05:00

John 4:20-26 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. (21) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. (22) Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. (23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (25) The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (26) Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

The Jews are still looking for the Messiah, but what is the Messiah? The Word Messiah means anointed. Jesus is the Messiah, He is the one anointed by God. Not only is Jesus the anointed one, Jesus is also our Deliverer, our Salvation. Jesus is the Savior of the world. Today, there are many people who do not know Jesus as their Savior. The Jews are among these people. They are still looking for the Messiah to come. Are you looking for the Messiah or have you already accepted Jesus as your Messiah, as you Savior?

John 4:15-19

2011-11-15T08:00:00.005-05:00

John 4:15-19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. (16) Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. (17) The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: (18) For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. (19) The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

This woman is asking for the water. At first, she still does not completely understand what she is asking for. Jesus is quickly able to prove that He is more than just another man. He explains to her that she has had five husbands. Jesus also tells her that the man she is with now is not her husband. How would a normal man, who she had never met, know this? A normal man would not, but Jesus is no normal man. What does Jesus know about you that no one else knows?

John 4:9-14

2011-11-14T08:00:00.006-05:00

John 4:9-14 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (10) Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (11) The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? (12) Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? (13) Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Sometimes, we refer to Jesus as the Living Water. Sometimes, we say that Jesus offers us the Water of Life. This woman had come to a well to draw water to drink. She was thirsty. However, she did not know just how thirsty her soul was. Jesus offered her this Water of Life or the gift of life. Jesus was offering to save her. At first, she did not understand who she was talking to and she did not understand how Jesus could give her water when He didn’t even have anything to draw the water. Soon, she will understand all of this.

John 4:1-8

2011-11-13T08:00:00.008-05:00

John 4:1-8 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (2) (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (3) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. (4) And he must needs go through Samaria. (5) Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. (6) Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. (7) There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (8) (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

What is a disciple? A disciple is someone follows another person or someone who learns from another. If we are following Jesus and learning from Him, we are His disciples. Are you a disciple of Jesus? Are you doing what Jesus wants you to do? Are you learning what Jesus wants you to learn?

John 3:32-36

2011-11-12T08:00:00.005-05:00

John 3:32-36 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. (33) He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. (34) For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. (35) The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. (36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John had testified of Jesus for some time, yet there were only a few people who believed him. Those who did believe the testimony of John the Baptist were saved. These people have everlasting life. However, those who did not believe what John the Baptist said have the wrath of God. Which is better?
What does it mean to be saved? What does it mean to not be saved? Pretend someone asked you how to get saved. Could you answer them? Use the next page to briefly describe what you would say to them.

John 3:27-31

2011-11-11T08:00:00.004-05:00

John 3:27-31 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (28) Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. (29) He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. (30) He must increase, but I must decrease. (31) He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. .

Everything we ever get which is good comes from God. This includes our salvation. The Jews were still trying to get John the Baptist to say something they could use against him. John the Baptist kept telling these Jews that he was not Jesus. Then John the Baptist explains why he was so happy. John the Baptist explains that he was the friend of the groom and that Jesus was the groom. When there is a wedding, it is natural for the friends of the groom to be happy. This is why John the Baptist was happy. John the Baptist adds, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John the Baptist was telling the Jews that Jesus was the most important person. Do you see good in your life because of Christ?

John 3:22-26

2011-11-10T08:00:00.006-05:00

John 3:22-26 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (23) And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. (24) For John was not yet cast into prison. (25) Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. (26) And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. .

The Jews were always confused about Jesus. The Jews were also looking for every chance they could find to catch Jesus or His disciples in a mistake. This is just another example of the Jews trying to cause problems. They were asking who was right: Jesus or John the Baptist. They were both baptizing and the Jews didn’t know what to think. Of course, both John the Baptist and Jesus were right in what they were doing.

John 3:17-21

2011-11-09T08:00:00.004-05:00

John 3:17-21 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. .

Can you imagine what heaven must be like? Can you imagine anyone leaving heaven and coming to the earth to live? That is what Jesus did. This passage tells us why Jesus left heaven and came to the earth. God came to the earth to save all of mankind. Everyone doesn’t want to be saved. Remember from chapter 1 where we saw that Jesus was the light, but most men don’t want to receive the light (Jesus). In this passage, Jesus is explaining that men love to live in darkness. People love to live in their sin. Sin is fun, no one wants to give it up. Jesus offers us a chance to come out of the darkness and come to Jesus – the light.

John 3:13-16

2011-11-08T08:00:00.004-05:00

John 3:13-16 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. .

Jesus refers to Numbers 21. Because the people were speaking against God, God sent serpents in among the people. Anyone who was bitten by one of these serpents would die. God, in His mercy, gave them an escape. God instructed Moses to hold a brass serpent (snake) up on a pole. When someone was bitten, all they had to do was look at one of these serpents and they would be healed.
Jesus explained that He would be lifted up just as Moses lifted up a serpent. Jesus went on to explain that anyone, no matter who they were, could believe in Jesus and be saved.

John 3:7-12

2011-11-07T08:00:00.006-05:00

John 3:7-12 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (9) Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? (10) Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (11) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. (12) If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? .

Jesus had already told Nicodemus that he must be born again and Nicodemus did not understand how this could be. Jesus was trying to explain to Nicodemus that there are many things that we do not understand. We don’t understand where the wind comes from or where it goes, but we believe in the wind. Likewise, we cannot see how someone can be saved or born a second time, but it is still true that we must be born again.

John 3:1-6

2011-11-06T08:00:00.011-05:00

John 3:1-6 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. .

Jesus told Nicodemus something very strange. Jesus said a man must be born a second time. At first, Nicodemus did not understand this. He thought, “How can someone be born again when he is grown?” Nicodemus did not realize Jesus was talking about a Spiritual birth. When a baby is born, that is their physical birth. That is the birth of water Jesus was speaking of. However, Jesus said a person must be born of water and of the Spirit to see the kingdom of God.

John 2:23-25

2011-11-05T08:00:00.003-04:00

John 2:23-25 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. (24) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, (25) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. .

As we read in John 21:25, Jesus performed so many miracles that all of them could not be recorded. John 2:23 shows us another example of this. He did many miracles, but they were not all recorded.
Do you really believe Jesus did so many miracles? Can you image what it would have been like to follow Jesus when He was alive?

John 2:18-22

2011-11-04T08:00:00.003-04:00

John 2:18-22 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? (19) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (21) But he spake of the temple of his body. (22) When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. .

The Jews were always looking for a sign. They did not believe Jesus was the Messiah and they still do not believe in Him. When Jesus ran the merchants and money changers out of the temples, the Jews were almost mocking when they asked what Jesus was trying to show them. The answer is simple: Jesus wanted them to know that His house was not to be a store. But Jesus also said He could rebuild the temple in three days if it were destroyed. When Jesus said that, He was not talking about the actual building, He was talking about Himself. He knew that the Jews would try to destroy Him and He knew that He would come out of the grave after three days.

John 2:15-17

2011-11-03T08:00:00.003-04:00

John 2:15-17 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (16) And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (17) And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. .

As the Feast of the Passover was approaching, Jesus went to the temple. When He got there, he found people selling things and changing money inside the temple. The temple was a place of worship – God never intended it to be a place where people bought and sold things to make a profit. However, that is exactly what these people were doing. They were trying to make a profit in God’s house. Jesus was very angry with them. He was so angry that He made a whip out of some small cords and drove these profiteers out.
Do you think it makes Jesus happy when people sell stuff in church?

John 2:12-14

2011-11-02T08:00:00.003-04:00

John 2:12-14 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (13) And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, (14) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: .

The Feast of the Passover was a very important time for every Jew. This feast was when all of Israel looked back to the time when they were delivered from the Egyptians. Remember how the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians? Remember how God killed the firstborn of all the Egyptians? Remember how God skipped over the houses which had lambs blood on the door? That was the Passover or the time when the angel of death passed over. This was a very important day for the Israelites and everyone wanted to go to the temple to make a sacrifice. Of course, whenever a lot of people get together, there will also be a lot of people trying to sell stuff and make a little money. Does Jesus want the temple (or the church) to be a place for us to sell stuff and make money?

John 2:9-11

2011-11-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

John 2:9-11 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (11) This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The servants have filled the pots with water and Jesus made that water into sweet, unfermented grape juice. Now, the ruler of the feast is confused. They have been drinking for a long time. Usually, when they had a big feast like this one, they would put the best of the sweet-wine out first. When that was gone, they would put out some that was a little older out. So it would go until they would eventually get down to the wine which had spoiled. Now, the servants are putting out the best wine of the day. Some of the people there knew what Jesus had done. Jesus had performed His first recorded miracle.

John 2:5-8

2011-10-31T08:00:00.005-04:00

John 2:5-8 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (6) And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

Jesus is the living Word of God. He would certainly never do anything to contradict (go against) Himself or His written word. Proverbs 20:1 tells us, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” God wants us to be wise. Do you think Jesus, Himself, would help people sin? Of course not.
As we study the Bible, we must remember that there are times when one word can mean many different things. The word “wine” is one of those words. It is used in the Bible to represent two different kinds of drink. One is sweet-wine or what we just call grape juice. It is not fermented and does not contain alcohol. Another kind of wine is fermented and does have alcohol in it. This is the wine which makes people drunk and which is sinful to drink.
What kind of wine do you think Jesus made?

John 2:1-4

2011-10-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

John 2:1-4 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (2) And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

We are reading about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry here on earth. Jesus did many miracles. In fact, we are told in John 21:25 that there is not enough room in the world to contain all the books we would need to record all the miracles Jesus did. As we continue to study the book of John, we will see Jesus do many miracles.

In this passage, we also see a very interesting response. When Mary asks Jesus to make more grape juice, he says, “mine hour is not yet come.” What do you think He was telling her? Later, Jesus hangs on a cross to pay for all of our sins. That was his hour. As you will see, Jesus will go ahead and make the sweet wine for the wedding feast.

John 1:43-51

2011-10-29T07:00:00.000-04:00

John 1:43-51 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. (44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (48) Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. (49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (50) Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. (51) And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” Jesus told Nathanael where he was before Phillip called him. He was under a fig tree. For Jesus, was this a great miracle? Is there anything Jesus cannot do? No. He could certainly tell one man where he was a few minutes ago. If Jesus could tell Nathanael where he was a few minutes ago, can He see where you were yesterday? What you were doing? What you said? Jesus knows everything we do, everything we think and everything we say. Would Jesus be pleased with everything you said or did?

John 1:35-42

2011-10-28T07:00:00.001-04:00

John 1:35-42 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (37) And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (38) Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (39) He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (40) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

As these disciples see Jesus coming, they wonder and ask Jesus, Where do you stay? Where is your home? Jesus invites them to come and to follow him. Jesus is gathering the disciples which will follow Him. Notice how, when these men began to follow Jesus, they did not have any concern for the things they were leaving behind. They were not concerned with their houses or their jobs. Their very first concern was following Jesus and doing what Jesus wanted them to do.

John 1:26-34

2011-10-27T07:00:00.005-04:00

John 1:26-34 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (27) He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (28) These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. (29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (30) This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (31) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (32) And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (34) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John the Baptist is being investigated by the Pharisees. “Who are you?” “What are you doing?” “Are you a prophet?” John the Baptist explains to them that there is one among them which they don’t know yet. John the Baptist explains how this one who is among them is far better than he is. John the Baptist even says he is not worthy to unlatch the shoes of this mystery person. Today, we know John the Baptist was talking about Jesus.

The next day, John sees Jesus coming and explains how he knew it was Jesus.

John 1:19-25

2011-10-26T07:00:00.003-04:00

John 1:19-25 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? (20) And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (21) And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (22) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (23) He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (24) And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. (25) And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

The Pharisees had a system set up where they used the Old Testament to control the people. There were many laws which God had given the people. However, the Pharisees had added many more rules to the Law. The law grew to the point where it made life very difficult for the people. Now, these Pharisees were hearing about John the Baptist and how he was baptizing people. This was not the custom and the Pharisees were getting a little nervous about it. So, they sent some people out to investigate things.

John 1:11-18

2011-10-25T07:00:00.004-04:00

John 1:11-18 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

We are beginning to see a theme. In verse five, we see The Light shining and the darkness does not comprehend or understand it. In verse ten, we see that the world was made by him, but did not know him. Now, in verse eleven, we see that Jesus came to His own people, and His own people, as a whole, did not know Him. For thousands of years, the nation of Israel has been looking for their Messiah - Jesus. The Old Testament perfectly describes Jesus. The Old Testament also describes how Jesus will come. Even with such a perfect description, the Jewish people did not recognize Jesus when He came. In fact, they rejected Him and later killed him.

We also begin to see the difference between the Law which came through Moses and the grace which Jesus gives us.

John 1:5-10

2011-10-24T07:00:00.005-04:00

John 1:5-10 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

This passage continues the introduction of Jesus. Now, we are seeing Jesus described as The Light. Jesus is the Light of the World. He is not light in the sense of lighting our day. He is the light in the sense of lighting our walk toward God. We see an example of our relationship to The Light, or Jesus, in the relationship of the moon to the sun. The moon reflects the light of the sun. As Christians, we should reflect the light of Jesus.

We are also introduced to John. Just as sometimes we know many people who have the same name, there are some different people in the Bible who have the same name. We are studying the book of John, but in this passage, we are studying different man named John. This is John the Baptist. John the Baptist was sent by God to tell the world around him of the coming of Jesus.

John 1:1-4

2011-10-23T07:00:00.004-04:00

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John takes us back to the beginning of the world and introduces us to The Word. John tells us that The Word was both with God and the Word was God. So, from the beginning of this book, we see that The Word and God are the same. This relationship is very important. It shows us that The Word (Jesus) and God are the same. This is the foundation of a very important doctrine, the doctrine of the Trinity. As you study the Bible and learn more about God, you will also learn more about the Trinity

It is also very important to see that the world was made by God. Without God, there would be nothing. We would not be here. The trees and animals would not be here. The oceans and mountains would not be here. Nothing would exist. Everything is here because God made it.

Esther 9:29-10:3

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 9:29-10:3 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. (30) And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, (31) To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. (32) And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book. (10:1) And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. (2) And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? (3) For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

God’s will has been completed. Esther and Mordecai were willing to do whatever God needed them to do. Because they were willing, God was able to use them to save an entire nation of people. Meanwhile, Haman did not want to honor God. Because of Haman’s sin, thousands of people were killed. Who do you honor today? Do you want to serve God? Are you willing to do whatever God may want you to do? Sometimes, it will be hard. Sometimes, people will give you a hard time for serving God. Are you willing to serve Him despite all of this?

Esther 9:23-28

2011-10-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 9:23-28 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; (24) Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; (25) But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. (26) Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, (27) The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; (28) And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

What did Haman’s sons do to deserve to die? Did we read any account of them doing anything to the Jews? To Mordecai? To Esther? No, we didn’t. Still, these ten sons were hanged. Why? Have you ever considered how one little sin might affect many people? Haman’s sin resulted in thousands of people being killed, including his ten sons. Is your little sin worth it? You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose the consequences.

Esther 9:15-22

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 9:15-22 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. (16) But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, (17) On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (18) But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. (19) Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. (20) And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, (21) To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, (22) As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

God’s people were given a great victory. The victory was so great that Haman made the anniversary a national holiday. Do we need a special day, a holiday, to worship God and tell people about Him? Could we not be thankful to God all the time? Shouldn’t we always look for ways we can show people how thankful we really are?

Esther 9:7-14

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 9:7-14 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, (8) And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, (9) And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, (10) The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. (11) On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. (12) And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. (13) Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. (14) And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons.

Go back in time for a moment. Go all the way back to when Esther’s mother and father died. Now, pretend Esther had gotten bitter. Pretend that she had been angry with God and didn’t want anything to do with him. Would God have been able to use her to save His people?

Esther 9:1-6

2011-10-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 9:1-6 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) (2) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. (3) And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. (4) For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. (5) Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. (6) And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

After all that happened, there were still people who hated the Jews. Even though the king’s heart was turned toward the Jews, people hated them. Even though the king gave a decree that they would not be hurt, people still hated them. Sometimes, we must all realize that there will be people who will hate us just because we serve God.

Esther 8:11-17

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 8:11-17 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, (12) Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. (13) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. (14) So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. (15) And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. (16) The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. (17) And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

The order has gone out from the king. No one would dare touch the Jews. God’s plan has worked. Do you allow God’s plan for you to work in your life?

Esther 8:7-10

2011-10-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Esther 8:7-10 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. (8) Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. (9) Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. (10) And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:

God used Esther and Mordecai in a mighty way to save all the Jews. God’s plan was being fulfilled through Esther. We never know what God may have in store for us. We never know when God may need to use us. It is our job to always be ready to do whatever God may need us to do. Are you ready?

Esther 8:1-6

2011-10-14T00:01:00.007-04:00

Esther 8:1-6 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. (2) And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. (3) And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. (4) Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, (5) And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: (6) For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

Esther’s moment has come. This was the point God prepared her for. Esther and Mordecai had the favor of the king, but the orders to kill all the Jews still stand. If the orders are carried out, all her people, and even the queen herself, will be killed. God has put everything in place to save his people.

Esther 7:8-10

2011-10-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 7:8-10 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. (9) And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. (10) So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

Sometimes, we must wonder if God does not have a sense of humor. The way everything worked out, Haman, Mordecai’s enemy, gets hanged on his own gallows. God’s plan is almost complete.

Esther 7:5-7

2011-10-12T00:01:00.006-04:00

Esther 7:5-7 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? (6) And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. (7) And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

The tide has turned. The king sees Haman as the one who wants to destroy his queen. God’s plan is being fulfilled. Has God done things in your life that you don’t understand? Is it possible God is molding you so He can use you for something big?

Esther 7:1-4

2011-10-11T00:01:00.006-04:00

Es 7:1-4 So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. (2) And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. (3) Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: (4) For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

God’s plan is coming to pass. The king loves his queen, Esther, and is willing to give her anything she wants. The king is even willing to give her up to half the kingdom. All she is asking the king to do is save her people. When she was a little child, she may not have understood why both her father and mother died. She may not have understood why she should be the queen. Now, we see God’s plan through it all. God was in control and God mapped every detail out for her.

Esther 6:12-14

2011-10-10T00:01:00.008-04:00

Esther 6:12-14 And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. (13) And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. (14) And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Haman and his friends still thought they were going to win. They thought they would kill Mordecai and all the Jews. They did not know God and they certainly did not know God already had everything worked out. Mordecai and Esther were still just obeying and honoring God. Do you obey and honor God as you should?

Esther 6:6-11

2011-10-09T00:01:00.002-04:00

Esther 6:6-11 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? (7) And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, (8) Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: (9) And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. (10) Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. (11) Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.

Sometimes, it seems as though God has a sense of humor. This is a perfect example of how God looked at all the details of this problem and worked out a perfect solution. God even worked out the details of how to get the king to favor Mordecai. It is absolutely amazing to see God work all this out. But, this isn’t over yet. What else is God going to do?

Esther 6:1-5

2011-10-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 6:1-5 On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. (2) And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. (3) And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. (4) And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. (5) And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

The king remembers that Mordecai had saved his life and asks what had been done to honor Mordecai. The chamberlain tells the king that nothing had been done. The plot is really starting to thicken. What do you think will happen? Is God still in control?

Esther 5:11-14

2011-10-07T10:18:00.005-04:00

Esther 5:11-14 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. (12) Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. (13) Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. (14) Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

Haman and his friends have everything figured out. Now, they believe they know how to get Haman’s enemy killed. Haman even thinks he is the king and queen’s friend. It really is starting to look bad for everyone, but God is still in control. This story is not over yet. In fact, it is really starting to get exciting. How will God work all of this out?

Esther 5:6-10

2011-10-07T00:01:00.005-04:00

Esther 5:6-10 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. (7) Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; (8) If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. (9) Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. (10) Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

God’s plan is falling in place. When she was younger, Esther may not have realized how God would use her. Now, she has been serving God and she is starting to see God’s plan for her life. You may not know God’s entire plan for your life right now. Just focus on your next step, not what is way down the path. Are you doing God’s will for your life today?

Esther 5:1-5

2011-10-06T15:20:00.000-04:00

Esther 5:1-5 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. (2) And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. (3) Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. (4) And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. (5) Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

I would have been afraid to go before the king without an invitation, but it was God’s will for Esther to do this. Though any normal person would have been afraid, Esther had prayed and fasted. She knew this was God’s will for her life and she was willing to die to see God’s will carried out. There may be times when we do not understand what God is doing in our life. We may not understand how God is moving and working in our life. Still, we must always obey God.

Esther 4:13-17

2011-10-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 4:13-17 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. (14) For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (15) Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, (16) Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (17) So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Mordecai has an excellent point. Esther is a Jew also. Even though she is the queen, she would be killed with all of her father's house as well. What did she have to loose? Perhaps she could have lived a lie and completely denied her heritage. Ultimately, this still would have been a lie and her family would be dead. What would she gain? Instead, Esther bathes her actions in fasting and prayer. She has her maidens to join her as well as all the Jews in Shushan. Since God promises to hear the prayers of the righteous. What do you think will happen to Esther? How great would your faith be?

Esther 4:9-12

2011-10-04T00:01:00.002-04:00

Esther 4:9-12 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. (10) Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; (11) All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. (12) And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.

Esther was certainly afraid. Almost anyone who went in before the king, who was not called, would be killed. She had not been called but Mordecai was asking her to go before the king. If she did this, she could only hope that God would turn the king’s heart and not kill her too.
How far would you be willing to go for God? Would you be willing to risk your life? How much do you trust God?

Esther 4:6-8

2011-10-03T00:01:00.003-04:00

Esther 4:6-8 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. (7) And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. (8) Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.

God’s plan is unfolding before our eyes. Mordecai is asking Esther to plead for the safety of the Jews. God has made her the queen. God has put her in a place where may be able to save the Jews. What if she had refused to go? What if she had so much sin in her life that God could not use her? Is there something in your life which would prevent God from using you?

Esther 4:1-5

2011-10-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 4:1-5 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; (2) And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. Es 4:3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. (4) So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. (5) Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

An entire nation of people is morning. It seems as though they will be destroyed and there is nothing they can do about it. However, they still do not realize that God has a plan and Esther is a big part of that plan. God has put her in place as the queen. Soon, God will use her. Are you willing to let God use your life fully? Could He put you in a position to help someone?

Esther 3:12-15

2011-10-01T00:01:00.006-04:00

Esther 3:12-15 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. (13) And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. (14) The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. (15) The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Again, it looks like a very dark time has come. The command has been given: kill all the Jews. Would God stand by and allow His people to be destroyed? Before Haman was born, God knew what he would do. Before Esther was born, God had a plan to save His people. Likewise, God has a plan for each of us. We must make sure that we are ready and able for God to use us.

Esther 3:7-11

2011-09-30T00:01:00.005-04:00

Esther 3:7-11 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. (8) And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. (9) If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. (10) And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. (11) And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.

Now, it is not just Mordecai who is in danger, but the entire Jewish population. An entire race of people is in danger. However, there is a Jewish queen sitting beside the king and no one knows it. Perhaps we are starting to see why God wanted Esther to be the queen. Perhaps God is working things out so that HE can use one person to save an entire race of people. Perhaps God is working things out to use one person to save HIS chosen people. What is God planning to do with you?

Esther 3:4-6

2011-09-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 3:4-6 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. (5) And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (6) And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Now, people know Mordecai is a Jew and they hate him for it. Haman wants to kill him and all the Jews that live in the entire kingdom. Are you starting to see why Esther is so important as a queen? We never know what God has waiting for us on tomorrow, but we do know that God has already worked everything out for HIS glory!

Esther 3:1-3

2011-09-28T00:01:00.004-04:00

Esther 3:1-3 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. (2) And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. (3) Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

The only person we should bow to is The King. No, we should not bow to a king here on earth, but King Jesus. Mordecai knew that this man was not worthy of a bow. How often do you and I put things ahead of God? Is there something in your life which takes you away from God? Is there something in your life which you honor or respect more than God? Would your actions say you have something in your life which is more important than God?

Esther 2:20-23

2011-09-27T00:01:00.007-04:00

Esther 2:20-23 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. (21) In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. (22) And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. (23) And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

There are still a lot of things going on that no one understands. In this passage, Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the king. The right thing to do is to let the king know about the danger. Sometimes doing the right thing will not have immediate rewards, but it does build our character and our testimony. A good testimony is worth more than anything we can own. A good testimony could even be worth someone's life. What will Mordecai's testimony be worth to him?

Esther 2:17-19

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Es 2:17-19 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (18) Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. (19) And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate.

Even though they did not understand what was going on, Esther and Mordecai were trusting God to take care of them. Now, Esther was in a position where she could have a great deal of power as well as a great deal of influence over the king. Might it be possible that God has put her here for a reason? Could it be that God has something special in store for her? God does have something special in store for all of us. The real question is whether we are willing to allow God to work in our lives.

Esther 2:12-15

2011-09-25T00:01:00.015-04:00

Esther 2:12-15 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;) (13) Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house. (14) In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name. (15) Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Esther still does not know what will happen to her, but God does. God has a plan for her, just as God has a plan for all of us. We don't understand God's plan. Often, we don't even understand what God's plan is for our lives. However, we must simply trust God. God is in control and God will accomplish his will: both for us and for His glory.

Do you really trust God no matter what might happen?

Esther 2:9-11

2011-09-24T00:01:00.005-04:00

Esther 2:9-11 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. (10) Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. (11) And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Sometimes, we do not understand what God is doing with us or in our lives. We may not even realize that God IS doing something with us. However, we must always remember that God is in control. Even in Esther’s case, God was in control, working out a miracle. Neither she nor Mordecai knew what was going to happen, but they did trust God. Little did they realize what a great miracle was about to happen because they trusted God.

Esther 2:5-8

2011-09-23T00:01:00.006-04:00

Esther 2:5-8 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; (6) Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. (7) And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. (8) So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

It may seem like she has no choice in what is happening around her. It may even seem like a dark time for Esther. But, we have to remember that even when the times look dark, that God is in control and God has a plan.

Esther 2:1-4

2011-09-22T00:01:00.006-04:00

Esther 2:1-4 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. (2) Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: (3) And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: (4) And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

The king has come to his senses and knows what he has done. Perhaps he even regrets what he did to Vashti. Even though he is the king, he cannot undo what he has done. The law of the Persians and the Medes cannot be changed. It is permanent. We all do things which are wrong. Sometimes, our sins seem to have very small consequences. Sometimes, our sins cause big problems for us and even those around us.

Esther 1:18-22

2011-09-21T00:01:00.001-04:00

Esther 1:18-22 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. (19) If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. (20) And when the king's decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. (21) And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: (22) For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

Even though Vashti was right for not doing the evil thing the king asked her to do, she was punished severely. She lost everything she had – all her wealth, her servants, her home and her status as queen. Still, what she did was right. Every day, there are people in the world who get saved and every day there are saved people who are murdered because they believe in Christ. Every day, there are parents who reject their children because the children get saved. Would you be willing to lose everything to please God?

Esther 1:13-17

2011-09-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 1:13-17 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: (14) And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) (15) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? (16) And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. (17) For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

Vashti had disobeyed the king, but what the king was asking her to do was wrong. Sometimes, there may be a man-made law which is not right in God’s eyes. Sometimes, unsaved parents, teachers and employers will ask a saved person to do something that is wrong. No matter who your authority is, it is always right to serve God. There may be a time when obeying God might mean disobeying an earthly authority.

Esther 1:7-12

2011-09-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Esther 1:7-12 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. (8) And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. (9) Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. (10) On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, (11) To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. (12) But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

There are many times in life when people want us to do something we know is wrong. Sometimes, even people who are in authority want us to do bad things. This happened to the queen. Her husband wanted her to come and dance in front of a bunch of drunken men. She did the right thing and refused. Sometimes, like the queen, we are even punished for doing the right thing. Still, we must do the right thing, no matter what may happen.

Esther 1:1-6

2011-09-18T00:01:00.004-04:00

Esther 1:1-6 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) (2) That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, (3) In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: (4) When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. (5) And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; (6) Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

Worldly people want to put on a good party. They want the party to be the best one anyone has ever been to. Sometimes, it even seems like people will put more work into having a good party than we put into serving God. Which is more important: serving God or a fancy party? Do you always do your best for God or is there something else you work on?

September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T22:52:00.000-04:00

As the day draws to a close, I take a moment to reflect upon the state of our country. As I do on every Sunday, I was in church today exercising my right as an American Citizen to worship as I please. It is because the United States is a Christian nation that I can worship God. Because America is a Christian Nation, the Mormon can do what they do. And because America is a Christian nation, the Muslim can pray to whomever they pray to. Of all mainstream religions, it is only the Christian which is truly tolerant of others. If a Muslim is adherent to the teachings of their book, and that same Muslim is given the opportunity, that Muslim will try to force you to convert to Islam. This is not tolerance. It was an outgrowth of this very belief which led a group of Muslims to attack the United States of America on September 11, 2001. Their attack was a success on many fronts. Initially, we could all see thousands of people die. What we did not see on that day was the perpetual change of the face of America. We could spend hours talking about the numerous ways Americans have so willingly given up their privacy and their rights. Are we really any safer? No. More importantly, September 11, 2001 saw a great revival of the public naming of God. It was commonplace for people to spontaneously sing "God Bless America." It was equally common for people to invoke God's name in prayer. I wouldn't presume to believe that everyone who used God's name during those weeks was saved, but I believe God smiled as this great Christian nation seemed to turn toward Him. Sadly, it was not long before those calls to God were silent. What changed? We forgot we were in a war. No, not necessarily a war with Islam (though our country is at war with Muslim aggression), but in a war with powers and principalities we cannot see. More importantly, we are in a war which no amount of missiles or bombs can fight, let alone win. We are engaged in spiritual warfare and we, as a nation can only win if God is on our nation's side.

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Yes, this verse does specifically apply to the nation of Israel, but we must remember that we, as Christians, are adopted children. If we, as a nation, will humble ourselves, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways God will hear our cries -- God will hear from us in Heaven. As long as we, as a nation, embrace the enemy, God will not smile upon us and we will be vulnerable for another calamity.

A Glorious Creation

2011-09-10T20:20:00.001-04:00

For personal reasons, I have been working toward regaining a certification I once held. In the process of regaining that certification, I must take (and pass) Anatomy and Physiology. In this case, I am taking the equivalent of two semesters of college-level A&P in four weeks. My brain hurts every time I think about all that I must retain to pass this class. However, so far, the class has been quite exciting. I expected the class to be memorizing which bones were where, the names of various muscle groups, etc. When this class started, I was shocked to see that our study would begin on the molecular level then progress to the cellular level. As we have progressed, I am learning just how wonderfully our bodies are assembled and how skillful our creator had to be. I had never considered the complexity of the simple cell. We all studied cellular construction in middle and high school. However, I do not recall ever learning anything to this depth about the cellular biology and human anatomy.

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

Ge 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The time will shortly come when we will be studying which muscle is where, what each bone is called and so on. But now, I am simply amazed at the intricacy of cellular anatomy and the glory of God revealed through our very construction. Anyone who spends any time at all studying the human body (or any animal) must see the hand of a Supreme Creator. Anyone who denies that Supreme creator is willingly ignorant.

Which is more expensive: Daycare or College?

2011-08-30T23:02:00.001-04:00

FoxNews released an article in which they describe how one year of daycare is more expensive than one year of public college in 36 states. In some states, daycare for one child is said to be in the range of $18,000 per year, per child. That cost does not include the damage done to the child -- the emotional trauma the child faces when it is ripped away from its mother and rent-a-mom steps in.

I know there are cases where a single mom has to work. However, I would venture to say that the overwhelming majority of daycare kids are the result of parents who are more interested in their career or their lifestyle than the care of the kids.

Of course, there is God's plan. No one is brave enough to admit it, but we all know what it is!

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Notice how God describes this behavior as holy. These are some of the things God wants a woman to do to be holy: to be discreet, chaste and keepers at home. God didn't say that the ladies should be the bread-winner, God wants the chaste, holy ladies to be at home. You know what? If the ladies are at home, there's no daycare expense. Not only is there no daycare expense, there is no separation trauma for the kids!

As an extra, added bonus, if mom is home with the kids, she can also be a teacher of good things to her children. If mom isn't at home, who's teaching the kids (and what are they being taught)?

Short Answers

2011-06-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

We receive many comments and questions from our blog. Sometimes, we answer the questions directly, some of the comments are trollish and are responded to with the delete key and some are here. So, here are a few of the short-answer kind of questions...

Question:
Isn't the head of the church in Rome?

No. The head of the church is Christ. Ephesians 5:23 The local church here on earth is led by its Pastor. God never establishes a 'chain of government' for the church. The idea of people ruling over groups of churches is an idea contrived by man.

Question:
Would you ever consider going to a Bible church or are you strictly Baptist?

While a real Baptist Church is a Bible church, we must sadly accept that there are differences in connotations of words. While words have specific definitions, their connotations may be completely different. Sadly, this has come to be true with many "Bible" churches. There certainly are good "Bible" churches out there, but it seems that the majority of them are leaning away from the Word of God and toward liberalism.

Question:
Did God really intend for man to rule over women? Aren't men and women equal? Can't they do the same things?

I believe God plan, from the beginning, was to have man and women be equal. However, Eve was deceived. As a result of Eve being deceived, women were placed under the leadership of men. Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This is an all-consuming, sacrificial love. Then, the real, Biblical love of a man should earn the respect and following of his wife. Just as the Bible commands the husband to love his wife, the wife is commanded to submit to her husband. Again, the key lies with the husband. If the husband is a tyrant, he is not being obedient to God. His love for his wife should be such that she wants to please him. I am planning to deal with this in more detail in a coming post. Be sure to look for a post entitled, "Who Rules the Roost."

Question:
Isn't gluttony a sin? Is gluttony preached against at your church?

Yes, it is. Before I get into the detail of the answer, let me say that I was not born yesterday. I realize that the author of this comment is attempting to take a pot-shot at me. That is fine. There are many people who do not like the fact that I preach the truth. They are especially concerned when the truth I preach lands squarely on their sin. As they attempt to take this juvenile shot at me, they do not know that I have lost over 70 pounds. Now, back to the answer.
Gluttony is a sin. It is an overindulgence. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines a glutton as, "One eager of any thing to excess." So, one can be a glutton for food, one can be a glutton for alcohol, one can be a glutton for Facebook, one can be a glutton for gossip, one can be a glutton for ... Well, you get the idea. Some things, in moderation, are acceptable, but in excess, they are a sin.
Is gluttony preached against at our church? Yes, just like every other sin under the sun. You should visit sometime. If you're saved, the Spirit inside of you will be right at home, but your flesh will not be happy!

Can We Be Sinless?

2011-06-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

For the last eleven weeks, or so, in our Wednesday night Basic Training, we have been covering the book of John. A few weeks back, we didn't have our usual Wednesday night. That particular night, our Pastor had a special burden on his heart (maybe I'll post on that later) and wanted the entire church family together. On that night, we were supposed to cover John chapter 9. In particular, I was set to preach on this passage:

Joh 8:1-11 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (2) And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (3) And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (7) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

This is a very clear passage on the mercy Jesus extends to one who repents as well as an illustration of Jesus' disdain for the Pharisee. In this passage, we see the Pharisees bring in this woman. From the passage, we see the woman had been taken in the very act of adultery. How did this happen? Had the Pharisees been minding their own business, how would they have discovered her sin. Yes, adultery is a sin. Many believe the Pharisees actually arranged the adultery, thus making them as guilty as she was. When they brought her in and presented her to Jesus, they tempted Jesus by reminding him of the Law of Moses. Specifically how the Law of Moses commanded that someone who was guilty of adultery should be stoned. Jesus showed the woman grace and mercy. Jesus also stooped and wrote on the ground. We can only speculate as to what Jesus wrote. Some speculate that Jesus listed some of the sins of the Pharisees. Some speculate that Jesus actually listed the names of the ones who were guilty of committing adultery with this woman. Regardless, the Pharisees left and Jesus was there with the woman. In the conclusion of this passage, Jesus instructs this woman to "sin no more." What was Jesus instructing her to do? Jesus didn't really expect her to never sin again did He? That's not what sin no more means, or is it?
First, let's look at the reasons people believe we will all sin in the future. They look at verses such as the following:

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

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Notice how, in each of these verses, the sin is a past-tense event. There is nothing in any of these verses which indicate a future of sin. These verses all point to the present or to the past. To claim that these verses prove that everyone will sin in the future is a laughable application of Scripture. Actually, it is a quite sad application of Scripture as it proves a lack of Biblical understanding. It also illustrates the compromiser's attempt to comfort their own flesh.
Some will also use John 8 and point out how Jesus asked the one without sin to cast the first stone. Then say none of them were without sin. They are correct: none of those men were without sin. They were all unsaved and under the curse of the law. They were also all unrepentant. They had never sought forgiveness for their sins. Finally, in all likelihood, they were guilty of the very sin they were accusing this woman of.
The simplest truth is that we are in a generation of compromise. Still, there are many people who, though living in sin of one kind or another, have the Holy Spirit inside them. The Holy Spirit convicts them of their sin and they are looking for a way to justify it, even to defend their sin. This is a sign of the generation we are in. This peculiar, ungodly notion fits hand-in-glove with the flight away from the Word of God to other (per)versions, the flight from God-honoring churches to so-called non-denominational churches, and the absolute flight from Godly standards to the standards of the world. The claim that it is impossible to live a victorious Christian life, free from sin, is one from the depths of hell. It sounds like something a foolish woman preacher would feel "lead to preach".
So, what does God say about living a holy life? We see in John 8:11, above, that Jesus, God made in the form of a man, that He expected this woman to never sin again ("sin no more"). Was she special? No. You may recall form John 5:14 that Jesus told the leper He had healed to "sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon thee." Again, Jesus was giving a clear warning to this man. This leper was told that he should never sin again or something worse than leprosy would befall him. If there is anyone who knows the frame of man and the heart of man, it is Jesus. After all, it was Jesus who stooped down into the Garden of Eden and formed man out of the dust of the ground. It was also Jesus who lived, robed in flesh, just as we do every day. It was Jesus who was tempted in all points, just as we are. Knowing the frame of man, Jesus told these two to "sin no more."
Some may argue that the time when Jesus walked on earth was a special time and there were special directives for certain people. It was special time, but this was no special directive. You may recall this passage:

Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

I know. If you are one who claims we are all doomed to sin, you will quickly point out that this is an Old-Testament passage, as if to claim that we can ignore anything in the Old Testament we do not like. However, if your claim is true, you cannot ignore Peter as he reaffirms the principle in this passage:

1Pe 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

In their vain attempts to thwart God's will for our lives, some even attempt to redefine words such as holy. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines holy as

Properly, whole, entire or PERFECT, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy,when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly.

With that definition in mind, we can see that Peter's affirmation of Lev 20:7 agrees perfectly with Jesus' admonition to the leper and the woman taken in adultery. Peter's statement is also a directive for us. We are to live a HOLY life. We may fail. We may fail often. However, when we sin we must realize that we have failed.
Our goal should be a sin-free life. However, when we are wrapped in flesh, how can we ever hope to accomplish that goal? This is where many people give up and succumb to the will of their flesh. At the realization of this very point, many people simply give in and enjoy their sin. This is not God's will for our lives. The first thing we must do is realize God does want us to live a sin-free life. Can any Christian in their right mind really believe God wants us to sin? Think of what Christ went through to pay for our sins. Take time to study that absolute torture He endured for us. Not just the torture of the Cross, but the beatings, the mocking, the scourging, the guilt of all the sins of all of mankind and worst of all, being forsaken by God the Father. Consider what God the Father endured as His only begotten Son endured all of this for our sin. Could any real Bible-believer ever contend that God wants us to sin? No. But there are only two choices: either God does not want us to sin, or He does.--- No, God does not want us to sin. Instead, God sent the Holy Spirit to help the believer. Moreover, God gave us His Word. Yes, that Blessed Old Book is the key.

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

We must memorize Scripture. When we memorize Scripture and use the verses we learn, we can defeat sin. There is more to combating sin. You cannot combat sin when you feed it, but that is another discussion.
Where are you today? Do you feed your flesh with the sin of the world or do you feed your Spirit with the Word of God. Perhaps you do not even know what the Spirit of God is, but something inside of you is tugging at your heart telling you that you need to be saved. See, if you are not saved, you cannot defeat sin and you cannot live a victorious life. You can only do these things with the help of the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Spirit of God will not come into you until you are saved. If you are not sure if you are saved, or know you are not saved, please follow this link to learn more about how to be saved.

The Whoredom of Contemporary Churches

2011-06-11T22:01:00.002-04:00

What is a contemporary church and why is it wrong?

I was recently asked this question in response to a comment I had made regarding contemporary churches.

First, in this context, the word contemporary simply means of the present time or modern. So, we could equally say that a contemporary church is a modern church. In itself, there is nothing wrong with a church having modern aspects to its operation. For example, when Paul preached, he did not have the benefit of using a public address system. A modern church service is certainly aided by the use of some kind of public address system. The congregations Paul preached to did not have the benefit of electric lighting, air conditioning, heating, indoor plumbing and many other modern conveniences. None of these conveniences are contrary to the Word of God. In fact, they all assist us in spreading the Word through preaching.

If using modern conveniences and technologies does not harm the spread of the Gospel and does no violence to Scripture, what is wrong with ‘modern’? Often, we must look at the connotative meaning (common use) of a word as well as its denotative (dictionary) meaning. Compared to the churches Paul started, I attend a modern church, but I do not attend a contemporary church. What is the difference?

There are several aspects which will identify a contemporary church. The most predominate of these aspects will feed the contemporary church’s root in liberalism. That first issue is a compromise on the Word of God. As soon as a church moves away from the Blessed Old Book (for the English-speaking people, this is the King James Version Bible), compromise begins. We have discussed the Word of God and the KJV on many different occasions. The KJV-Only road has two ditches which will lead to error. The first is the position that anything called a Bible is okay. At their root, these other versions are translations of inaccurate or incomplete original manuscripts. The other ditch is the so-called Ruckman position which claims that the KJV translators in 1611 received a second revelation and were able to correct the original texts (as if Paul didn’t get it exactly right).

Ultimately, it comes back to the contemporary church’s position on the Word of God. There are three basic positions one can adopt concerning the Word of God:

The Bible is the Word of God

This is the foundation of our faith: the Bible is the Word of God. If we did not believe the Bible is the Word of God, we have freedom to apply the Bible as we see fit. We would believe there is nothing divine about the Bible and there is nothing special about it. However, when we accept that the Bible is the Word of God, we must acknowledge that God exists and that God has spoken. Moreover, we must acknowledge that God has spoken to us in a personal letter. The natural conclusion is that we must honor and obey the letter God has written to us. We must also acknowledge (as anyone with any common sense would) that God cannot lie and cannot break HIS promises. If we accept these facts, we must also accept that God’s Word is absolute truth.

The Bible becomes the Word of God

Those who adopt this position believe the Bible is a guide for life, but is not necessarily God’s letter to us. The Word of God is what the individual decides to apply to their life. It is only the Word of God if God chooses (in the individual’s opinion) to apply it to their heart.

The Bible contains the Word of God

Parts of the Bible are God’s Word, parts are not. You decide. Under this premise, the reader of the Bible (or whatever the reader calls the Bible) has the liberty to discern for himself what is and is not actually the Word of God. If the reader doesn’t like what he reads, he can simply discount it believing it is not God’s Word.

At any rate, the contemporary church will be identified by it's flawed position on the Word of God. If someone builds a building on a flawed foundation, the entire building will be off. Likewise, a church which does not have a foundation upon the Word of God (which is in an English speaking country, the KJV Bible) will be off just as much as any building built upon a weak, flawed foundation.

When the contemporary church dilutes the Word of God through incomplete or imperfect versions, the Gospel and the commands to spread the Gospel will also be diluted. Many members of contemporary churches are taught that a confrontational evangelism is not God's intention. As believers, we are to share our testimony and the Word of God with others to convince them of their need for salvation. Contemporary churches teach that that a social gospel is the real need. They teach that it is more important to fill a belly than share the Bread of Life. We are not commanded to feed the poor - we are commanded to preach the Gospel. It is through the foolishness of preaching that men are saved. God never promised to feed all of the poor or needy, He promised to take care of His children (no, everyone who draws a breath is not a child of God. Only the saved are children of God).

As soon as the King James Bible, the only true standard, is removed the decline of that church will begin. So, when you look at the contemporary church, you will see a church which has little, if any, preaching on sin and personal standards. There will be no preaching on separation, dress standards or personal holiness of any kind. It is very likely that sin will never be mentioned. If it is mentioned, it will only be in the most vague of terms. Of course, there are also many contemporary churches which openly endorse sin. I know of one contemporary church which participated in evangelism by passing out shot-glasses which simply said, “Give Jesus a shot.” How disgusting. Many contemporary churches will see nothing wrong with alcohol consumption or, in many cases, fornication. Another church, in their advocating of “sexual health” suggested that married couples abstain from physical relations for one month. At the same time, the same “Pastor” recommended that unmarried couples take more time to explore and experience all the joys of the physical relationship. There are also the contemporary churches which ignore the Word of God when it comes to homosexuality. Some merely condone the activity in their church while others believe there is nothing wrong with ordaining homosexuals to the ministry. The Bible is clear: homosexuality, adultery and fornication are all sins, and they are all sins which are endorsed in many contemporary churches.

In the same line, the contemporary church will likely not have a Biblical stand on marriage and divorce. So, their "pastor" will likely condone the marriage of people who are divorced, thus condoning their continual lifestyle of adultery. There are many churches which ordain deacons and pastors who are divorced and remarried. The Bible teaches that the pastor and deacon must be the husband of one wife.

Another clear indicator that a church is a contemporary church is the music. Praise bands and worship teams are the norm in many churches one would label as contemporary. Music is important to worship, but the music must be in order and the music must not violate other principles of Scripture. When the music sounds like a rock concert and the music “ministers” look and act no different than the world, you can bet you’re in a contemporary church. We have discussed music many times before. You need only search this blog for articles on music. There is not, necessarily, one genre which is correct. So long as the music is, well, music, and is distinctly different from the world’s music and praises the Lord or edifies the saint, there is nothing wrong with it. However, the so-called Christian contemporary music of our day is not distinctly different than the secular counterpart. Even if the CCM music has a different sound, it is likely performed by ecumenical performers whose goal is money, not praising the Lord.

Does the church yoke up with other churches of different denominations? Regardless of what your denomination is, if you even claim one, hopefully you are a member of that church because you believe what that church teaches. Why would you attend one kind of church and support another, different kind of church? Two different kinds of churches (denominations) will have different beliefs. If they were not different, they would be the same! The Bible commands that we should not yoke-up with unbelievers. Are other denominations non-believers? If they do not believe salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, they are.

The idea of joining with people who have different beliefs is what we call the ecumenical movement. The ecumenical movement has its roots as far back as the ancient nation of Israel. When the Israelites took wives from other nations (Exo34:16), they were compromising with those other nations to fulfill their physical desires. This is no different than the contemporary church which seeks to please the attendee’s flesh through music and entertainment or which seeks to please their congregation by condoning their sin (perhaps actively condoning or passively condoning it by not preaching on it). The Lord compared this mixing in with the unbelievers to adultery. Remember, adultery is a sin we can commit in our heart. The Israelites were God's people. At the same time, they were seeking physical pleasure outside of their relationship with God. Today, in the church age, the believers are the bride of Christ. When we 'covet' a lifestyle we cannot have, when we look to the worldly pleasures, when we step out of God's will for our lives, we are committing spiritual adultery. In Revelation 17 the Lord refers to the great whore as the one “…with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” With that in mind, the contemporary church is nothing more than a whore house for those who wish to commit their spiritual whoredoms.

There are as many ways a contemporary church can compromise as there are ways the human flesh can devise ways to sin. There simply isn’t enough time to detail them all. The shear simplicity is that the contemporary church is defined by the contemporary book it uses. From the use of a flawed book, the only possible result is a flawed walk with the Lord, if any at all. If the pastor of a church accepts that the Bible is absolutely the Word of God and preaches that truth, that church will have biblical standards and cannot, by definition, be a contemporary church.

Did Jesus Ordain Socialism?

2011-06-05T13:04:00.002-04:00

There are some who claim socialism or even communism is a better way for America. Some even go so far as to claim Jesus was a socialist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. First, what is socialism? Dictionary.com defines socialism as a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. In America, the socialist movement is one where a few people want to confiscate the earnings of the middle class workers and use those earnings to support those who do not work or otherwise cannot support themselves. So, was Jesus a socialist? Consider this passage:

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. (17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. (18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. (21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: (25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: (27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. (28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

As we consider this passage, we must consider it in the light of our own role. We are only stewards who have been trusted by the Lord to oversee His wealth on earth. With that in mind, we notice is that the man delivered his goods to his servants, each according to the servant's ability. He knew one servant was wise and could be trusted with more than the other two. He knew one servant was unwise and could not be trusted. To this one he gave the least. The second was not as wise as the first, but not as foolish as the third. His amount was between that of the first and third servants. So, likewise, the Lord knows each of our talents and abilities. To some, He will entrust more of His wealth to look after. To some, the Lord will entrust less of His wealth to oversee. When the man returned, He was anxious to see what the servants had accomplished with his wealth. Two of the servants invested their master's money and each doubled what they invested. The third hid the master's money and only returned what he had been given. Some would say that no loss is a gain, but what did the Lord say? The Lord had some harsh words for this third man. The Lord called him wicked and slothful (vs 26) and rebuked him for not investing the money. The Lord called this man an unprofitable servant and ordered him cast into outer darkness. Not only was this man unwise, he was, apparently not saved.
From this passage, the first principle we see is that the Lord wants us to be wise with what He has given us. We should invest. We should take what the Lord has given us and make it grow. In contrast, Socialism teaches that the ones who do not work, the lazy and wicked, should receive that for which they did not labor. What does the Bible say about that concept?

2 Thess 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Again, the Lord is taking a very strong stand! He is not endorsing the socialist position that everyone deserves a good bed, three hot meals and all the care they want, whether they work or not. Socialism encourages a man not to work. If he works in a socialist system, he will be only slightly better off than the man who does not work. The Bible cries out: If a man does not work, he should not eat! I would lean toward making an allowance for the one who is physically unable to work. But the majority of those collecting state-sponsored welfare are physically able to work and choosing not to work. This is a sin!
Then there are those who do not work enough.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

There are families where there is not enough income to support the family and the family is forced to rely upon the state for support. The Bible has a clear opinion of the man who fathers a family he cannot support. I would not be so bold. I would say he lacks self control or wisdom. Perhaps he does not know the Lord and does not have the benefit of guidance from the Holy Spirit of God. However, the Lord says this man is worse than an infidel. There are families where there is no father. Families where the baby-daddy (a term which sickens me for a number of reasons) spent the night with this woman this week and that woman the next. As a result, he has babies all over town. This is a shame and the children pay the price. These men should be found and forced to support their children. The women who willingly permit the abuse of their bodies to gain welfare income should be dealt with as well.
In Scripture, there is no role for the state to tend to the needs of God's children. This is God's duty. We often lose sight of just what a need is. God promises to provide two things. In 1 Tim 6, Paul instructed Timothy to be content with food and raiment. If you have a full belly and a coat for your back, you should be praising God! Anything more is a blessing. God didn't promise nice cars, cell phones, high-speed internet and cable television. God didn't even promise a dry roof over your head.
Acts 6 defines the creation of the deacon. What is the role of the deacon? The deacon is to attend to the physical needs of the widows and the truly fatherless.
One last point. Who is a child of God? God promises to provide for the child of God. This is usually met by providing the husband in the family the physical and cognitive ability to work. Is everyone who draws a breath a child of God? No. This is a popular misconception. If you see no evidence of God's provision in your life, if you are unable to find work when you look, if you find yourself defeated at every turn, perhaps you need to look inside yourself. Are you like that third man, the fool who is bound for outer darkness? Is hell waiting for you? Do you know for sure you are saved?

Super Saturday

2011-05-28T22:18:00.002-04:00

A Super Saturday? You better believe it was. We had another outing, today, with our young people. Remember, we're running a program for the third through sixth graders. It is a lot like a program by Positive Action called Sigma, but we have modified it for this age group. It's working really well. I have actually been amazed at what some of these kids can do. Anyway, our outing didn't work exactly like we thought it was going to work. We were hoping to play Big-Ball Volleyball using a 36" diameter ball and a church bus for the net.

I wish you could have been there. I have some video and pictures, but I don't want to post too many videos and pictures of church kids without their parent's permission. It was a little hard for the kids to get the ball over the bus when some of the kids were barely bigger than the ball itself! So, we decided to play kick-ball with the big ball instead. There were a couple of skinned-knees, but everyone is okay and everyone had a great time.

After we played five innings of kick-ball, everyone was tired and needing a snack. But first, we feasted on the Word of God as Bro. Keith Linzy gave a short devotion.

After we had our snack, the kids were rested and ready to go again LOL, so we played a few more games inside with the big ball. Ahh, you should have been there!

So, Super Saturday draws to a close. We're tired, sunburned and looking forward to a splendid Sunday. Our Pastor doesn't miss church often (we don't believe the Pastor should be gone half the time - is he called to pastor or to be an Evangelist? See this...), but this past week he and his family took a much needed vacation. We know he will be in the pulpit recharged and ready to go. It promises to be a great service. Of course, they all are. Nothing whipped up, nothing man-made, just the man of God preaching the truth of the Word of God.

Do the work of an evangelist...

2011-05-28T20:02:00.006-04:00

Some Pastors seem to be absent from their church every other Week. Why is that? I must say, I am thankful for our Pastor who rarely misses a service. More than that, I know my Pastor is in town if I need him. I don't have to wonder if he will be at visitation. I know he's doing the real work of an evangelist. One absentee Pastor defended his absence from the pulpit claiming Paul admonished Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. He was referring to the passage below:

2 Tim 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

In this passage, Paul is giving Timothy a charge concerning the ministry. It is a number of different instructions every Pastor should take to heart. First, Preach the Word. Above all else, the Pastor is to preach the Word of God to his flock. In his preaching the Pastor is to do several things: he is to be instant in season. The Pastor's preaching should be relevant to the day in which he lives. Timothy had no purpose in preaching against Internet pornography or prime-time television. Those were not the problems of his day. Another interpretation of be instant in season, out of season is to be willing to preach the Word regardless of what the people may want to hear.

In his preaching, the Pastor is to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. The majority of the PASTOR'S preaching is supposed to be corrective (or preventative) in nature. Too many pastors are throwing little sugar-stick candy sermons which only make the people feel good or comfortable in their sin. Of course, these pastors are preaching like this because of Paul's warning in verse three: their people will not endure sound doctrine. Perhaps these Pastor's have no backbone, perhaps real preaching would be a conviction to them, perhaps they just have no testimony (you can tell this in their rebellious kids).

Paul gives some other warnings and gets to verse five where he instructs Timothy to watch, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, etc. What is the work of an evangelist? We have assigned the title of Evangelist to someone who travels from church to church as an itinerate preacher. Most of the time, the visiting Evangelist is not really Evangelistic in his preaching. Many Evangelists are afraid to preach hard on sin. They fear they will loose their meetings if they don't leave a congregation feeling good. They are just more sugar-stick preachers. Paul never intended Timothy to be an itinerate preacher who neglected his church. Paul's instruction to Timothy was to evangelize his Jerusalem. The Pastor is to work at reaching his community. This is the evangelistic work of the Pastor.

Who would want a shepherd watching his sheep if the shepherd were absent from the field half the time? The church represents sheep entrusted to an under-shepherd. That under-shepherd is the Pastor.

Seducing Spirits

2011-05-25T09:13:00.002-04:00

We receive a few comments here. Some are challenging, some are encouraging, some are funny and some are just sad. I shouldn't be surprised when I receive comments from people who do not want to hear what the Bible says. That is prophecy coming to pass.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3) Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth

This past Sunday night, our Pastor preached on this topic. His application was on the reprobate mind and how some will hear the preaching of the Word of God and reject it. He preached about how someone can only reject God for so long before God will give them over.

I have a slightly different thought. How, in the latter times, these seducing spirits will be a corrupting influence in society.

As we look around society, we see a minority of people affecting our rights. In fact, this minority represents less than seven percent of our society. However, they are a vocal small minority. Who is this small minority? The sodomites.

I am not one who will say that we should punish the sodomite or commit them to some mental institution. I do not believe the sodomite should be denied access to health care, equal access to jobs or promotions. In fact, in the general, day to day society, I do not believe they, as a group, should be treated any differently than anyone else who is guilty of fornication.

However, the Bible does speak clearly about how people got to the point where they could chose this abominable sin. God describes in a fair amount of detail, how one gets to the point where God will literally give them over to a reprobate mind.

Romans 1:19-25 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Do you see the process here? First, God reveals Himself to all mankind. We are all born with a knowledge of God and a desire to seek and to serve Him. This is why it is so easy to guide a child into a saving knowledge of God and a life of service to God. This is the desire God puts into a child. However, the first step one takes down this road is rejecting God. This is compounded when parents place their children into a sociological morass called the public school. In the public school, Christ is only mentioned as a part of a swear word, as a study of mythology or when the Catholic persecutions are purported to be in the name of Christ (Christ never encouraged anyone to convert another by force or at the edge of a sword). Christianity is, in many schools, mocked and ridiculed by the evangelistic secular humanist and her religion: evolution.

As the child grows, having this seed of humanism planted in them and nourished, they begin to actually believe there is no God. Still, God continues to woo them. Every breath we draw is a gift from God. Every ounce of energy we use to walk through our day is a gift from God. God could certainly demand and even force the worship of every breathing soul. That is not what God wants. That would be akin to a man saying he wants love then forcing himself on a woman. That would be anything but love. God does want our worship, but He also wants our love. The saints of God (see Saint Randy... for an explanation of who is really a saint), those who are genuinely saved, are also the bride of Christ. Would anyone really want an unwilling bride who does not love her groom? Of course not! Christ is wooing the lost person to come into the fold. Still there is a point when Christ must walk away and give that lost person over to their reprobate mind.

As one continues to grow in stature and age and continues to accept the gifts God gives, they may also continue to reject God. As they reject God they will move deeper into the depths of sin, their imaginations become vain and sin continues to darken their heart until there is a day when God realizes He cannot work with this person any longer. They have, in their own minds, changed an incorruptible God into nothing more than an idol. I believe God, in sadness, finally realizes this person is lost and will never accept Christ. With supernatural sadness, God gives up. God stops wooing this person. Until that point, their fall into sin has been restrained by the protections of the Spirit of God, held up by the wooing of God. But when God gives up, the free-fall begins. Puffed with knowledge, these people claim to be wise. True wisdom is only in the one who fears God. No matter how many degrees one may have, or what level of skill he has attained, the one who rejects God is a fool.

Having no restraint in their sin from the Holy Spirit of God, this person now plummets into depths of sin he never before imagined. Soon, he finds he has sinned against himself.

Romans 1:26-32 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Both men and women who find God has given up on them will quickly succumb to the lies of the devil whose only goal is the destruction of your flesh so he may then destroy your soul. Those who are given over will find themselves in vile affections: men lying with men and women with women. Yes, the lifestyle of a sodomite is one of the results of God giving up on you. This one will also receive a fit recompense for their error. Recompense simply means to compensate or to pay. Sodomy, and its consequences, is a payment for rejecting God. Sodomy is only one in a list of traits which may identify the one in whom God is not working. The list is a long one which includes: fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable and unmerciful. These are all sins and are all on par with sodomy.

All of the sins listed in that last paragraph are the fruit or the result of God giving up on you. However, they are all sins on par with each other. They are also all sins which can be committed by anyone. As you read this today, you may feel a little tug in your heart. Don't reject it. That may be the Holy Spirit of God wooing you. Don't say no. It may be the last time God reaches out to you before He gives you over. Will you heed that call in your heart today. You see, even if you are in the most vile of sin, God may still be calling you. Because you are even reading this proves that God is still working in your life. You may pretend to mock, but yet you are here reading what the preacher has to say and, more importantly, reading the Word of God. To turn from your sinful nature and accept Christ is a simple step to take. Will you take that step today? Click here to learn how to be saved.

Israel's land...

2011-05-23T10:59:00.000-04:00

The current occupant of the White House, Mrs Obama, has proposed (through her mouth-piece, Barry) that the borders if Israel and "Palestine" be returned to their pre 1967 positions. This would create an indefensible position for Israel. Rather, people should read the Word of God and understand that Israel is rightfuly due all the land from the river Nile, westward to the river Euphrates.

Ge 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Another Stellar Sunday.

2011-05-16T07:41:00.003-04:00

Wow, where to begin. Sunday was, well, another stellar Sunday. It is hard to imagine how church can keep getting better. Yet, church just keeps getting better and better. We wrapped up revival last week with Bro. Eddie Davis. It was great. Preacher preached Sunday morning and evening - both services were great, and an older gentleman was saved! Sunday night, a bunch of people were baptized, and their testimonies blessed our hearts. I was blessed to be allowed to preach in the Sunday afternoon service. I thought I would share a video of our youth choir. This video was from the Monday night revival service. I am sure you will agree, they are the best youth choir around :)

Today...

2011-05-10T22:39:00.000-04:00

Yes, today was a good day. I spent the day completing the classroom requirements to become an instructor for the American Heart Association in the Heartstart program as well as the health care provider Basic Life Support. We are in the process of setting up a Medical Emergency Response Team at our church. On a typical Sunday, we may have three-hundred or more kids at the church. It is our responsibility to care for them. It is also our responsibility to care for the many people who regularly attend our church. I am thankful the Lord is giving me another chance to use some of my skills and knowledge. I am also thankful our Pastor has a vision to care for his people.

How was the revival tonight? Great. There was a young lady who was saved a few weeks ago. She and her husband have been faithful ever since. Monday night, her brother came with them and he was saved! All three of them were back again tonight.

There is one more night of revival ... maybe. Revival may extend into Thursday. Check and see.

Oh, God is so good!

Time...

2011-05-09T07:33:00.002-04:00

I really wish I had time this morning to tell you all how good yesterday's services were. Of course, yesterday was Mother's day. Bro. Davis preached on the mother of the home being a type of the Holy Spirit. How if the mother is out of fellowship with the Lord, the whole house will be askew. I have never looked at the mother as being a type of the Spirit, but it is quite true. In that relationship, the father is a picture of the head, the mother a picture of the Spirit and the children a picture of the son. That new perspective really put a whole new spin on things. The wife, the mother has always been an honored position in the home. Despite what others may claim, this is the Biblical view - this is the view that anyone who is a real believer in the fundamentals of the Word of God will have. Then, yesterday afternoon, I preached to the adults from Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14:22-33 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. (23) And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (24) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. (25) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (32) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. (33) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

The title of my message was Constrained to Sail. So, first, Jesus sent them from the safety of the shore into the storm. Of course Jesus knew the storm was coming. In fact, I believe the disciples could have seen the storm coming as well. Nevertheless, they chose to obey God and enter into the ship. As a result of their obedience, they were in a storm being tossed from wave to wave. Suppose they had said no. What would they have missed? We can read about four different, distinct miracles they would have missed seeing. What a blessing came from being in a storm. This passage always encourages me: it reminds me that the storms we have faced over the last few years were of God. It also makes me remember that God sent very distinct miracles for us. Then, in the PM service, Bro Davis preached from Mark 6, about being in the storm! You will want to make sure you come by this week. Bro. Eddie Davis will be preaching Monday-Wednesday night. Service starts at 7pm. Aside from my pastor, I believe he is one of the greatest living preachers around. He is certainly my hero.

Baptisms...

2011-05-02T11:08:00.000-04:00

I am way behind in praising God for those who have turned from their sin unto salvation over the last few months at our church. There have been four who were saved just in our group of 'tweens over the last few weeks. There have been many more throughout the church. Of course,when your pastor sets a goal of reaching 10,000 homes in one year, what should we expect?

So often, we are quick to praise the Lord over professions of faith. This is right. We should rejoice and praise the Lord when someone repents of their sinful nature and turns to God in salvation. Sadly, some of these professions are just not real. Sometimes, people will "get saved" to get out of trouble. Sometimes, people will pass through and "get saved" to try to get money or something else from the church. Sometimes, people will genuinely get saved. The proof of the fruit is watching to see who remains. If someone claims to get saved this morning, but you cannot find them tonight, were they really saved? Someone who is genuinely saved will genuinely want to serve God. They will genuinely want to please God. They will start working toward giving up their old habits. The drunkard will be convicted over drinking. The drug addict will be convicted to give up his addiction. The gossip will be convicted to stop her mouth.

I thank God for our pastor who is not quick to deal with someone who claims to be saved. The true fruit is the fruit which remains, right? Those who make a profession and disappear are likely not truly saved. No, we cannot know for sure, but we can look at the fruit. At our church, we're running a little behind. I believe it was six people who have remained and were baptized last night (I lost count). Our pastor is planning to baptize six to eight people every Sunday night for the next four weeks. Our church is, indeed growing. God is honoring Pastor's unwavering stand on the Word of God.

Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

A great week (and it isn't even Sunday yet)!

2011-04-30T22:53:00.000-04:00

"How has this week gone," you ask? I am so glad you asked.
Last Sunday was awesome. It was Easter Sunday. No, the Easter Bunny didn't make an appearance. We didn't have a fashion show either. Church should not be about a fashion show or about being seen. Church is about worshiping God and hearing the preaching. It was the Laodicean church, as I recall, which was focused on fashion. The Laodicean church was also the church which was lukewarm, which God said he would spew out. Anyway, the church was full, the Spirit of God was moving, hearts were troubled by the preaching and some families were helped. But, that was Sunday.

Monday night, we had a men's meeting and fish fry. I am not one who loves fresh fish. I like it processed to the point it tastes like chicken, but this was great. Aside from the fish, our souls were fed as Bro. Michael brought a devotion.

Tuesday, rest.

Wednesday, church. Usually, we are working with our 3rd - 6th graders in BASIC Training, but this week we were in the main service. It was one of those foggy services - and that was before the preaching. Really, Preacher's message paralleled the theme of this blog. He preached about why we, as preachers, must sound the trumpet of warning. I needed the encouragement. Wednesday night through early Thursday morning, we prayed the storms would pass us by. I am so thankful the Lord chose to spare us and our home from any damage!

Friday, our youth traveled to a church in South Carolina. The glory fell again. God was certainly moving in a magnificent way. The youth choir sang and testified. Several people testified from the floor. There was some more testimonies and then the preaching. Again, our preacher took us to the same passage, but he delivered a different slant on the passage. It was a different challenge to the preachers and again, I was blessed and encouraged beyond measure.

As Saturday draws to an end, I am tired. We took our BASIC Training kids on a little hike. Aren't they a great looking bunch? Isn't it great that all the young ladies look like young ladies while the young men look like young men? I am so thankful our preacher has entrusted their training to us. BASIC Training is a lot like SIGMA. We have been in SIGMA before. When it is done right, it is a great program, but SIGMA is not quite the right fit for this age group.

As I said, we took this group on a little hike in a local national park. We had a bus ride from the church to the park. Almost immediately, I was impressed (again). With other "church groups" I have been around, there was an endless barrage of crude remarks and worldly music (or ringtones). Not this group. We were no more than out of the church parking lot before the singing started. It was YOUTH CHOIR and it was incredible! No one was sharing their iPod with their worldly music (not even any of the supposed adults), they were singing praises to God. Why are these 'tweens singing and praising God on the bus? They look up to a Godly group of teens who do the same thing. I love following the youth choir when they travel. You see, our youth group enjoys hearing preaching (of course, some of these young men are genuine preachers and do, occasionally, preach) and they enjoy singing praises unto God. For our youth, a trip is a chance to have good clean, innocent fun. It isn't about being with their boyfriend or girlfriend. It isn't about sharing an iPod with the world's rotten music. When the youth choir get to wherever they're going, they've already been to church. They have already been worshiping God. They don't have to spend half the night at the alter confessing what they did on the bus ride to wherever they're going, they show up full of the Holy Spirit. For them, it's about God. I was blessed, today, to enjoy a few minutes of that on the way to the park today.

After all of this, I get to go to bed looking forward to Sunday. I am so blessed.

Have I?

2011-04-15T08:37:00.003-04:00

Have I bragged on our church lately? I didn't think so.. There are many churches around which are called 'Baptist'. There are even some which are called Independent, Fundamental Baptist. However, in our all travels - visiting literally hundreds of churches, I have to say there is only one which is as Biblically solid and yet as balanced as our church. The Word of God is preached without apology, but with love. People are saved on a regular basis and the congregation is real. Perhaps this is the important part. The congregation is real. It is not a congregation composed of one or two families which run the church. Nor is it a congregation filled with graduates or students of a Bible college. It is a congregation composed of a cross-section of our community. We have people who are wealthy, people who are poor. People of all races attend our church. Recovering addicts are in our church and serving along side of people who have served God all their lives. However, social classes are irrelevant. Everyone is equal in our church just as everyone is equal at the foot of the cross. I love our church. I must also say that I love the ministries in which the Lord allows us to participate. We have just recently started a program with the third-sixth graders. It is much like Sigma, but modified slightly to fit the needs and skills of this age group. I must say, I have been so impressed with our young people. They still don't really understand what we are doing, but they are loving it. When it is operated correctly, Sigma is a great program. On another note, there has been a lot of conversation about the recent 20/20 episode claiming to expose IFB churches. One thing I have seen in some IFB attendees, and even a few so-called preachers, is hypocrisy. People will paint on their fundamentalism when at church yet act like the rebels they are everywhere else. It is these hypocrites which are the ones giving us a black eye. They are the ones who make us all look like hypocrites. We are not all hypocrites. How can a man preach against Hollywood when he has cable television in his office? How can a man preach against worldly music at one moment, then joke about his favorite drunken country singer the next? How can a man preach on Ephesians 6 and the order of the home when his children are in rebellion? Yes, when you examine IFB churches, you will see they are full of people and people are sinners. You will also see they are led by men who are sinners. The difference, the critical difference, is in wisdom.

Pr 10:17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

A wise man will respond to instruction, even if he is a leader. When the Lord shows the pastor of some error, the man of God will respond. However, many so-called preachers are too proud to admit they are sinners. They are unwilling to give up their pet sin. Because there are some churches which are led by men who may not even be saved, should we throw out every IFB church? Of course not! The true Independent Baptist Church is the only church which can trace its heritage back to Christ! The true Independent Baptist Church which holds to the fundamentals is the only church which has the true path to salvation and service. As IFB churches, we are independent. Unlike other churches, IFB churches do not have an earthly authority outside of the church. The Pastor is the leader of the church and Christ is the head of the pastor. (Does that mean that the pastor 'rules' every aspect of a church member's life? No!) One reason why our church is so blessed is our pastor. He has a wonderful balance of preaching the truth and seasoning it with grace. The 20/20 episode mentioned a Facebook page for people who were "recovering" from being in IFB churches. Is it possible these people were never really, genuinely saved? I believe there are many people in our IFB churches who are not saved, including many deacons, Sunday school teachers and even Pastors who are not saved. I am absolutely convinced that these who are not saved are the source of hypocrisy. I am also convinced that when these kids (unsaved) grow up and leave the authority of their home, they jump into absolute rebellion. You see, one who is not saved does not understand the things of God. The Bible is foolishness to them and the standards of the Bible (which they do not understand) are repulsive.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Second, we often see standards forced upon people, but the "why" behind the standard is never taught. So, a little girl is told she must dress a certain way, but she is never taught the concept of Biblical modesty. Kids are taught that they should not drink alcohol, but they are never taught the Biblical reasons why consuming alcohol is a sin. (yes, Jesus turned water into wine. No, Jesus did not contradict Scripture and make alcoholic wine.) Perhaps the worst case is the kids who are taught to listen to their pastor then go home where momma and daddy live a different way. Each of these cases, in their own way, produce rebels. Anyone who studies the Word of God with a sincere desire to learn the truth will see that they must be in an IFB church. I am not saying that one must attend an IFB church to be saved. However, if one is genuinely saved and responding to the Spirit of God, he will be IFB. One last thing... Dr. Surrett of Emmanuel Baptist Church recently posted this in response to the 20/20 episode. It is an excellent examination of the core fallacy of the 20/20 episode.

Saint Randy...

2011-04-07T20:41:00.000-04:00

It appears as though on May 1, 2011, the current Pope will recognize the former Pope's entrance into heaven. This entrance, combined with current Pope's declaration that this person may now intercede on behalf of a believer who prays to him amounts to what the Catholic Church calls Beatification. It is what the Catholic church describes as the third of four steps in becoming a saint. How sad. These poor followers of the various Pope's believe they must go through all these man-made hurdles to achieve sainthood. How sad it is that these deceived masses believe their hope is in praying to someone who is already dead. Where to begin? First, I am thankful that I do not have to wait until some time after my death for another man to decide whether or not I qualify to be a saint. First, if we are to believe Paul, the true saints of God are among the living. Consider:

Romans 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

If we are to believe Saint Paul, he was going to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. Why would he waste time ministering to the dead? He would not. So, we see the saints are living. So, who are the saints? Again, if we trust Saint Paul, we can see a trend...

1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

In 1 Cor 1:2, Paul is writing to the saints which are in the church of Corinth. So, we should assume that the saints are church members. There are many other examples of this trend. Saints are nothing more than saved church members. So, guess what, I am officially a saint! More importantly, my sainthood is not determined by someone else. My salvation, and therefore my sainthood, were purchased by Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary when my sin debt was paid. That purchase became a free gift which I could choose to accept through my own free will. There was nothing I had to do to earn my salvation and there is nothing I need do to obtain sainthood. I really pity the followers of the Catholic church. As a saint of God, I do not need to await beatification to enter into heaven. It is not up to the Pope to determine my eternal destiny. I am saved therefore, I am destined to spend eternity at the feet of Christ. However, there is another aspect of beatification: intercession. According to the Catholic church, one who has been beatified may accept prayers and intercede on behalf of those on earth. Like much of the Catholic doctrine, this is in direct contradiction to the Word of God. While we are all to intercede for each other in prayer, we should not pray to each other. Prayer is an offering and a sacrifice which must only be offered to God. Moreover, prayers to the dead have, traditionally, only been made by the pagans who worship their dead. If you look at the foot of Peter in the Basilicia of St. Peter, you will see his toes have been worn and polished by years of worshipers who touched or kissed his foot. You draw your own conclusion: are they worshiping Peter? There are certainly many who pray to him. I am certainly a saint (as I am saved by the grace of God), but I would never allow you to pray to me. Worse than intercession, the idea of mediation comes in to play with those who have been beatified or anointed as saints by the Catholic church. It is claimed by some that a saint can petition on your behalf and can even argue our case, so to speak, before God on our behalf.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

There is only one mediator: Jesus Christ. To claim that anyone else can be a mediator between you (or I) and God is nothing more than idolatry.

Sharia Law in US Court

2011-04-05T21:44:00.000-04:00

A St. Petersburg, Fla newspaper reports that a circuit judge will be not be using state law or US federal law to decide a case. Hillsborough Circuit Judge Richard Nielsen will be using Muslim Sharia law to decide the case instead. The last time I checked, the United States was a Christian nation, founded by Christians upon Christian principles. The last time I checked, the Koran was not acknowledged in the US Constitution nor was it acknowledged in US or state law. Why is it that a judge will now be using the Koran as a guide in deciding the merits of this case? The title of this blog is Sound the Trumpet. If you read the "About..." section, you will see that one of the purposes of this blog is to sound a warning to people -- a warning to show the dangers which face our nation as well as the church. At the moment, our great Christian nation is fighting a war in several countries. From our perspective, these are wars against terror and wars defending the rights of individuals to determine their own destiny. However, from the viewpoint of our opponent, these are separate fronts in a single holy-war. There are many in the world who believe the teachings of a man named Mohammad are true. They believe all people must convert to Islam, even if it means they be converted at the edge of a sword. God would never condone this. Today, that holy-war is being waged on our own soil as well. There is a rich Muslim heritage of hate toward anyone who bases their faith in the Word of God. There is a custom of hate which goes back to God's rejection of Ismael. If you recall the Word of God, Isaac was the one chosen by God, not the son born of adultery. While our brave soldiers are fighting for freedom on foreign soil, sharia law is coming to America. The population of the United States stood together and rallied when our great Christian nation was attacked by Muslims on Sept. 11, 2001. Where are the cries of God bless America and the rallies as our nation is attacked through the use of Muslim sharia law? While our brave soldiers are fighting for the freedom of other nations, our nation is being destroyed from within and there is hardly more than a peep from our people.

1Ti 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We need to pray. As Christians, we need to pray for all to be saved. We also need to pray for those who are in authority and we need to pray for all of these to be saved. Moreover, we should pray that God will guide leaders, in ways they do not understand, to protect our nation and the liberties we enjoy. We should pray that our leaders come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We should also pray that the eyes of all Americans be opened and the Muslim attackers be revealed for who they really are.