"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

Zeal and Love (Part 2)----A Lesson From the Ephesian Church

God’s ways never cease to amaze me. On Sunday mornings I’m currently preaching through 1 John. On Wednesday nights, I’m teaching through Acts…..and right now we are dealing with the same basic issue in both studies. Obedience and love. I never could have planned it that way…..but God worked it that way. Its just a reminder of how awesome He really is….and a reminder that I have far less control over my sermons than I think. God really is in control.

     When I wrote the last blog on “Zeal and Love” I planned on tying in the 1 John passage with our Wednesday night passage. I got side-tracked and realized I had said enough when I began to ponder the perfect obedience and love which was demonstrated by Christ upon the cross. Now I’m ready to move on with the thought of Obedience and Love…..and in Acts 20 we see a perfect example of a group of people BIG on obedience….the Ephesian church.
     Paul had warned the Elders that savage wolves would attack the church, bringing with them “twisted teachings” to destroy the sheep. He exhorted the Shepherds to be on guard against them and protect the sheep from these inevitable attacks. So, did the Ephesian church heed his counsel, or not? Ordinarily, we may not have known…BUT it just so happens that the church of Ephesus was one of the churches addressed by Jesus (through John) in the book of Revelation. Jesus began by praising the Ephesian church for what they did right. You wanna guess what that was? They confronted false teachers. In all honesty, its seems quite a testimony to the church when you consider Paul exhorted these Elders in the mid-50’s A.D. and when Revelation was written in the 90’s A.D.---they still had a reputation for testing teachers and rejecting false doctrine. Probably some of the ones who Paul led to Christ in the 50’s were still in the church in the 90’s…..and they remained faithful and zealous. Jesus said to them, “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.” (Rev 2:2-3 NASB)
     They sound great don’t they? They worked hard. They were known for their “deeds” as all Christians should be. They didn’t tolerate evil. They persevered. It all sounds wonderful….until you read the next thing Jesus said. “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Rev 2:4 NASB) Jesus didn’t really elaborate. Because He didn’t really have to. His words should have cut them like a knife…..and they should have known immediately what He meant. In all their zeal to protect the sheep…..they forgot to remain passionate about the Shepherd. And zeal….without love…is worthless. Jesus continues, “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.” (Rev 2:5 NASB) Jesus simply reminds them of their past love for him. Maybe if they stopped long enough to think about it….they could remember how steeped they once were in sin. And how Paul had led them to the Lord and discipled them and modeled Christ-like love and commitment for them. (Acts 19) Paul also exhorted them to be zealous against wolves. AND PAUL WAS ABSOUTELY RIGHT IN DOING IT. And they obeyed. But over the years something happened…..they drifted from their “First Love.” The obedience was there…..but it was a mechanical and legalistic brand of obedience. They defended Jesus’ Name (v. 3)…but they forgot Jesus’ Love.
     Ironically, Jesus ends by once again commending them. “Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 2:6-7 NASB) And therein lies the greatest irony…..The Holy Spirit (through Paul) pleaded with the Ephesian Elders to confront wolves. Do you know who the Nicolaitans were? THEY WERE WOLVES! They were the very ones who came in after Paul’s departure and wreaked havoc upon the church. They twisted doctrine, and encouraged the people to engage in gross immorality. The Nicolaitans claimed that Christians could live however they wanted, since they were under grace…..and Jesus praises the Ephesians for “hating their deeds”…..but in their zeal for obedience….they forgot to love.
     Isn’t it strange how the Ephesian Church shows us both extremes? The Church was SO zealous in their obedience that they failed to love. The Nicolaitans were so “free-spirited” that they failed to obey. Of course the Nicolaitans were lost and depraved. The Ephesians were mis-guided believers. They were so close to being what God called them to be. In a sense they did the hard part….they obeyed. But, as Paul said, “Without love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3)
     I mentioned in the last blog that Jesus is the perfect example of Obedience and Love. But Paul also gives us a good example….especially in the area of confronting wolves in love. And really this is where the Ephesians needed the lesson. They were good at confronting wolves….but they forgot their first love. Not so with Paul. Make no mistake…he confronted wolves. Hymenaus and Alexander he “handed over to Satan.” (1 Tim. 1:20) Also he told the Corinthians to confront the unrepentant adulterer in their church by, “delivering him over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.” (1 Cor. 5:5) Alright, Paul had the zeal down….but what about love? Was Paul showing love? Absolutely….its clear when you see why Paul did these things. He handed Hymenaus and Alexander over to Satan “so they would be taught not to blaspheme.” In Corinth he delivered the adulterer to Satan, “so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” Paul’s motive in fighting wolves was not only to protect the church…but also to see the wolves saved….and the only way for a wolf to become a sheep without destroying the other sheep is for him to be “handed over to Satan” and be so tormented that he repents. Paul was zealous. Paul obeyed. And Paul loved. He loved the church. He loved the lost. And most importantly…he loved the Lord Jesus. That was ALWAYS His “First Love.” Just as it should have been for the Ephesians….and it should be for you.
     Perfect obedience is rooted in perfect love. If the love for Christ is missing, then the obedience will be hollow, mechanical service. But, if the love is there and the obedience is missing….then it will be a phony and worldly lifestyle. Both obedience and love are required. You need to commit to having both. Obedience and Love. Zeal and Grace. Either extreme is harmful. Perfect obedience is edifying. The Ephesians were on the right track….but they lost their first love. We must stay on the right track to….and guard the church against false doctrine….and live lives of purity…and encourage others to do the same….but we must do it out of love. Love for them. Love for each other. And most importantly…Love for our “First Love” Jesus. Whom we love…….because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

In All Your ZEAL…Don’t Forget LOVE

This was apart of the message on Sunday morning.  And strangely enough it will come up again in Wednesday night’s Bible Study.  Obedience is necessary for any believer.  In fact if the obedience to Christ’s commands is missing from your life, then you can rest assured that you’re NOT SAVED.  Does that seem judgmental of me to say?  Well, I wasn’t the one who said it.  John did (and we all know who inspired Him, don’t we?).  “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3)  But John doesn’t leave it there.  As I said on Sunday….if you have the obedience, but don’t have the love, then you’re simply a legalist.  And doesn’t Paul bring that thought out so clearly in 1 Corinthians 13?  “If I have the gift of prophesy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:2-3)  Now Paul knew something about obedience.  If you take even a cursory look at his epistles you’ll see he continually pleads with believers to be obedient to their Lord.  Obedience is vital.  Obedience is imperative.  But so is Love.

            Human nature being what it is…..we all tend to slide towards one extreme or the other.  Some people are spiritually wired for obedience.  They’re usually “thinkers and doers.”  Tell me what to do…and I’ll do it!  People like this don’t really struggle so much with the idea of obedience.  They struggle to fulfill it…but the idea of required obedience makes sense to them.  Incidentally, this would be the category I would fall into.  Maybe you too…..But not everyone.  Some people slide to the other extreme.  They think requiring obedience can be unnecessarily harsh.  After all, we’re called to love right?  The second group is in danger of being so merciful, and kind, and compassionate, that they run the risk of going easy on obedience.  Maybe that’s you.

            Now which group is right?  Hopefully you’ve guessed….they’re both right….AND they’re both wrong.  Perfection is our goal, which means you can’t just blow off your weakness by bragging about your obedience or your gracefulness, because….BOTH ARE REQUIRED!  Search your heart and realize what extreme you may be in danger of….and FIGHT against it.  Obedience and Love are both required….and where do we go for that PERFECT example?  Jesus Christ.  Remember the cross?  Let me go back a little further….remember the Garden of Gethsemane?  “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”  (Matt. 26:39)  In a sense, Jesus was NOT looking forward to the cross.  He was fully GOD AND fully MAN.  And what man would ever long to be brutally murdered while the wrath of God is being poured out upon Him?  And YET…… “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Is that obedience?  IT’S UNFATHOMABLE OBEDIENCE!  Is that love?  IT’S UNSPEAKABLE LOVE!……..and it’s our model.  HE is our model.  HE loved His Father SO MUCH that DIS-obedience was simply not an option.  The two are inseparably linked…..Sinful man doesn’t see it.  But obedience and love ARE NOT at odds….they go “hand in hand”……or maybe I should say….they go “nail in hand” ... at the cross…..I planned to write more, but I’ll have to leave it for another blog…..because I simply have to stop….. and meditate upon the GLORIOUS truth of an OBEDIENT and LOVING Lord, who died on the cross to pay an awful, awful, awful price……..for me. (To be continued)

            

My Latest Clash With the "Kansas City Star"

I don’t know why I read the Kansas City Star…..It usually just irritates me…at least the “Faith” section on Saturdays does.  My conflict with them goes back several years.  They have a special section in which they have 2 local ministers answer some deep religious question.  Of course 95% of the ministers they ask are WAY LEFT liberals….and they also ask Hindus, Muslims, Jews., etc.  Anyway, back in 2000 they asked some question about whether or not homosexuality was wrong.  Both “ministers” (one Catholic and one Unitarian) gave “pro-gay” answers….and it galled me.  Don’t get me wrong….I expect those kind of answers from liberals…..what galls me is when they claim God and Scripture to be on their side with such lunacy.  So….I wrote them both letters…and I wrote Helen Gray at the KC Star.  Gray was very polite and said she understood my point of view (although I suspected she was rolling her eyes as she said it)….the Catholic ignored me…..the Unitarian got “hoppin’ mad” at me….and we exchanged a couple of letters.  I should probably point out that the tone of my personal letters is usually a little different than my tone in a pulpit sermon….and rightly so.  There’s a difference between telling a group of people “thus saith the Lord” and pleading with an individual privately, “thus saith the Lord.”  The point is…I was very polite with the Unitarian…..I told him that the Bible was quite clear about homosexuality and that I lovingly encouraged him to re-think his views.  When it was all said and done (after his initial tirade against me)…he told me he would read the verses I gave him (I’m not sure he’d ever really read the Bible)…and that we may just have to disagree as brothers in Christ.  Needless to say…I didn’t consider us “brothers in Christ” but that’s another story.

            A few months ago I wrote a “letter to the editor” critical of The Star’s religion editor Bill Tammeus.  He basically wrote that Christians who thought their way was the only way to Heaven were motivated by fear and ignorance of other religions.  I called him on it….and surprisingly The Star printed it (click here to read it:  http://blogs.kansascity.com/unfettered_letters/2006/06/faithfulness_no.html).  I think they like to print a letter critical of themselves every once in a while so they can claim to be impartial (yeah right)…..But Tammeus is out of control again….so I’ve written another letter. 

            Last week Tammeus said that ministers who believed in Hell were preaching something that was “a figment of their own imaginations.”  Obviously, I took offense because I’m one of those ministers.  But more importantly….the Bible makes it pretty clear that Hell is real, and many are going there.  So for a “Faith” reporter to “poo poo” the idea of Hell is dangerous….and irritating.  THIS WEEK…Tammeus defends gays….He says Ted Haggard should embrace his gayness and quit calling homosexuality a sin….because it’s damaging to do that. Now, I’m not surprised that Tammeus believes this way….he’s a typical liberal…but in his article, he claimed that neither God, nor the Bible condemn homosexuality…..and that’s just dead wrong. (to read his article click here (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/living/religion/16090442.htm)

            With that said…..I wrote another letter to the editor that will probably not get published…..and so….now that I have my own blog site…..I’ve chosen to publish it myself.  You can read the whole thing at the end of this blog.  The Star only allows letters to be 150 words….which is really hard for me to do.  If you read my blogs, you know that some of my “titles” are more than 150 words…..But that’s all The Star allows, so I have to play by their rules…..and so I do.

            Perhaps you’re wondering….. “doesn’t Shane have anything better to do with his time than criticize the KC Star?…..he’s obviously fighting a losing battle.”  Well, you’re probably right…on both counts.  But here’s my reasoning…..I’m more than likely NOT going to change Bill Tammeus’ mind.  Seventy-something year old liberals aren’t going to change their squirrelly views because of one of my letters.  BUT….Tammeus and others like him need to be held accountable for their "Biblical dishonesty."  Guys like him are TREMENDOUS stumbling blocks to other people.  And stumbling blocks need to be confronted….and preferably removed.  Of course Tammeus recently retired (HOORAY) then the KC Star turned around and hired him back as an independent consultant and reporter (BOOOO).  Anyway….I think he stepped WAY OVER the line this time….so I called him on it.  We’ll see what happens….but here’s the letter I sent them: 

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Dear KC Star,

So what Bible is Bill Tammeus reading anyway?  Last week he criticizes those who believe in the existence of Hell (though Jesus spoke of it often).  This week he suggests the fallacy of those who “think the Bible and God condemn gayness.”  Saying that after “careful study” he has found the Bible has “precious little to say about homosexual acts.”  What’s he talking about?  Both the Old and New Testaments consider homosexuality to be sin (See Genesis 19 and Romans 1 for examples), and the “precious little” the Bible says is all bad.  God and the Bible actually have some pretty strong opinions on the matter.

            Tammeus can believe whatever he wants.  But to suggest that God and the Bible don’t condemn homosexuality is patently absurd and asinine beyond belief.  Maybe The Star should accommodate Tammeus’ liberal ramblings by publishing him under the category of Opinion rather than Faith.

Sincerely Yours,

Shane Kastler

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By the way…..these big-time, liberal indoctrinators, also known as "print newspapers"….are dying a slow (and I think much needed) death.  Things like the internet, talk radio, and cable TV news have really been taking a chunk out of the KC Star’s wallet.  Now, we can get our news from Fox as opposed to choking down The Star’s left-leaning swill….so there is some cause for hope.  In my opinion the only print newspaper worth reading is the Linn County News (www.linncountynews.net).  Its NOT skewed with liberalism….it actually allows people like ME to write a column….and MOST IMPORTANTLY….I get weekly updates on what the Murrays are having for dinner in the "Trading Post News." (Ha Ha……Sorry Kirby….But I really DO find it interesting.)

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If you’re near Pleasanton, I hope to see you at church tomorrow…..the sermon will be about How to Know You’re a Christian (from 1 John 2:3-6).  If you’re NOT near Pleasanton….you will be able to hear the sermon on my blog site within a day or two.  Needless to say….it’s a pretty important topic……

Some New (and Exciting) Changes to Pastor Shane’s Blog…AND Some Old Thoughts on Limited Atonement From Charles Spurgeon

This blog will be brief, and informational as opposed to long and painful….

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I have taken a bold leap into the 1990’s and figured out how to post the audio of my sermons on the blog site.  If you look on the right side of the homepage towards the bottom you will see a new heading called, “My Audio Sermons.”  Under that you’ll see the title and the text.  You can click on the arrow for “play” (you may have to click twice)….give it a couple of seconds….and then listen to me “rant and rave” for 35-45 minutes.  I currently have the first few sermons from my 1 John series on there, including the controversial sermon on Limited Atonement (similar to the blog, but longer…and a little louder). 

            This leap into the 1990’s also means I now have the capability to burn CDs of my sermons instead of only cassette tapes.  I still haven’t figured out how to record them onto 8-track tapes yet (sorry Clark)….nor how to copy them onto “33” records (sorry Tom)……So you’re stuck with cassette tapes, CDs, or the internet files.  It actually took me quite a while to figure this out…but remember, I’m now 33 years old…which makes me quite an antique in “computer years.”  Any 8 year old kid in the church could have probably showed me how to burn CDs and upload them to my website in a matter of minutes….but us dinosaurs have to figure things out slowly.

            I also now have a box on the blog site for people to “sign up” to be on my e-mail list.  You simply type in your e-mail and hit “go.”  Then when it asks for what list you want to be on click “blog list.”  And the e-mail address will be automatically added to my list.  You can also remove your e-mail address from my list.  The next time you get one of my e-mails announcing a new blog, simply go to the bottom of the e-mail and click on “unsubscribe” (I know it’s the day some of you have dreamed of).  You can take your e-mail address off of my blog list…and I’ll never even know it….That way my fragile, little feelings won’t get hurt.  So, if you’re one of those people that get numerous e-mails from “Shane Kastler” that you never open (like my wife Erin).  Then you can unsubscribe……(sorry Erin, you CAN’T unsubscribe….you remember what you said about “for better or worse?”.....well, this is the “worse” part…you HAVE TO endure my mass e-mails and blogs).

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OK, enough of the fun, NEW stuff….now for some more thoughts on some fun, OLD stuff:  Limited Atonement.  First of all, let me say that I’m happy to see such an interest in this deeply theological topic.  I was surprised so many people even read the blog, and more surprised at all the comments….that’s a good sign.  The people who read my blogs are deep thinkers (or maybe you’re just REALLY bored).  Either way, I’m thankful for you. 

            I’ve come across a couple of quotes from Charles Spurgeon regarding Limited Atonement.  Those of you who know me well----know that I’m a great admirer of the 19^th century Baptist preacher from England. In fact, I named my only son after Charles Spurgeon (Andrew Charles Kastler)…..incidentally he’s also named after my dad and brother (both named Charles)…and Andrew Fuller (the 18^th century Baptist preacher from England). Spurgeon fascinates me.  He was a spiritual “freak of nature.”  He knew 7 languages and was reading John Owen by the time he was 10 years old.  He could have debated deep points of theology with anyone….and yet his sermons were so understandable that the illiterate common laborers of England could comprehend them.  By the time he was 21 years old he was one of the most well-known preachers on earth.  He pastored the largest church in the world (Metropolitan Tabernacle). He founded an orphanage. He started a Pastor’s college (though he never attended college himself). He printed a monthly magazine. He started a “gospel tract” ministry. And he launched dozens of other ministries from his church.  God used him in fascinating ways….and the world HATED him for it.  The London press (believe it or not they were godless and cruel even then) frequently blasted him in the newspapers for being an uneducated, and unsophisticated buffoon, who was too loud and too old fashioned.  The educated elite, the liberals, and the press despised him….The common laborers and the members of his church adored him.  So you might say, the wolves couldn’t stand him….The goats were intrigued by him.  And the sheep were crazy about him. And, I believe, the Lord was very pleased with him.  (For more information on “wolves, goats, and sheep” see my blog on “Animals in the Church” under “Living the Faith” in my Archives)

            Spurgeon unashamedly preached the whole gospel…..He preached about Heaven AND Hell.  He preached Divine Sovereignty in election AND man’s responsibility to repent and believe.  He pleaded with sinners to turn to Christ, while reminding them that they never would without God’s intervention.  And…..Spurgeon preached and strongly believed in the doctrine known as Limited Atonement.  I encourage you to read some of Spurgeon’s sermons when you get a chance.  He’s easy to understand and he’s easy to find.  He is the most published author in the English language, and many of his sermons are on the internet.  I’ll close this blog with a couple of quotes from Spurgeon…..and a couple of links to where you can read these sermons on Limited Atonement in their entirety.  Keep studying….and God Bless.  Until next time…

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From a sermon by Charles Spurgeon entitled “Particular Redemption”---

“Now, beloved, when you hear any one laughing or jeering at a limited atonement, you may tell him this. General atonement is like a great wide bridge with only half an arch; it does not go across the stream: it only professes to go half way; it does not secure the salvation of anybody. Now, I had rather put my foot upon a bridge as narrow as Hungerford, which went all the way across, than on a bridge that was as wide as the world, if it did not go all the way across the stream.”

“We cannot so belie our reason as to think that the intention of Almighty God could be frustrated, or that the design of so great a thing as the atonement, can by any way whatever, be missed of. We hold—we are not afraid to say that we believe—that Christ came into this world with the intention of saving "a multitude which no man can number;" and we believe that as the result of this, every person for whom He died must, beyond the shadow of a doubt, be cleansed from sin, and stand, washed in blood, before the Father's throne. We do not believe that Christ made any effectual atonement for those who are forever damned; we dare not think that the blood of Christ was ever shed with the intention of saving those whom God foreknew never could be saved, and some of whom were even in Hell when Christ, according to some men's account, died to save them.”

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(To read entire sermon click here:  http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0181.htm)

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From a sermon by Charles Spurgeon entitled “The Death of Christ”---

“Some believe in an atonement made for everybody; but then, their atonement is just this. They believe that Judas was atoned for just as much as Peter; they believe that the damned in hell were as much an object of Jesus Christ's satisfaction as the saved in heaven; and though they do not say it in proper words, yet they must mean it, for it is a fair inference, that in the case of multitudes, Christ died in vain, for he died for them all, they say; and yet so ineffectual was his dying for them, that though he died for them they are damned afterward. Now, such an atonement I despise—I reject it. I may be called Antinomian or Calvinist for preaching a limited atonement; but I had rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of man be joined with it”.

(To read entire sermon click here:  http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0173.htm)

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For more information on the amazing life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon go to http://www.spurgeon.org/  This is a wonderful website that is run by Phil Johnson, a native Oklahoman (so he must be OK, right?) who is the Executive Director of John Macarthur’s Grace To You ministries in California.

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One more quote (this one from John Piper) on this topic:

"The grammatical parallel between John 11:51-52 and 1 John 2:2 is so close it is difficult to escape the conviction that the same thing is intended by John in both verses.  John 11:51-52, "He prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." 1 John 2:2, "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."  The "whole world" refers to the children of God scattered throughout the whole world.  If "the whole world" referred to every individual in the world, we would be forced to say that John is teaching that all people will be saved, which he does not believe (Revelation 14:9-11). The reason we would be forced to say this is that the term propitiation refers to a real removal of wrath from sinners. When God's wrath against a sinner is propitiated, it is removed from that sinner. And the result is that all God's power now flows in the service of his mercy, with the result that nothing can stop him from saving that sinner.  Propitiated sins cannot be punished. Otherwise propitiation loses its meaning. Therefore if Christ is the propitiation for all the sins of every individual in the world, they cannot be punished, and must be saved. But John does not believe in such universalism (John 5:29). Therefore it is very unlikely that 1 John 2:2 teaches that Jesus is the propitiation of every person in the world."

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To read this entire article, click here:  http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByTopic/105/1487_What_We_Believe_About_the_Five_Points_of_Calvinism/

OK, sorry….I was wrong…this blog wasn’t “short and informational”…it ended up being “long and painful”….but still informational…

LIMITED ATONEMENT: Did Jesus PAY FOR The World or The Sheep?... And Why You Should Care

Warning!!!! This blog is about the doctrine of Limited Atonement….it’s theological in nature, it may be confusing at times. It’s controversial. You may not agree with me, and worst of all…..its LENGTHY…..Read if you’re interested….Ignore if you’re not. 

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This past Sunday, the sermon was over the doctrine that the reformers called Limited Atonement, also known as Particular Redemption.  Basically the sermon attempted to answer the question:  Who did Jesus’ death on the cross actually pay for?  The World or the Church?

            As I continue to preach through 1 John, I decided to stop at chapter 2, verse 2 and preach a message on the phrase, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only, but also those of the whole world.”  My goal was to try and explain what “whole world” means (at least my understanding of it) and then pray that the Holy Spirit would cause our thanksgiving to soar as we pondered the atonement Christ provided on our behalf.  So let me cut to the chase and give a synopsis at the front and then expound:  I think “whole world” is more of a general term and clearly doesn’t mean Christ paid for “every individual.”  I DO think that salvation is offered to everyone….and everyone rejects it because they are “dead in their sins” (Eph. 2:1) and think the gospel “foolish” in their natural condition (1 Cor. 2:14).  I could be wrong…..but based on the two verses I just cited….Paul would be wrong too….as well as the ONE who inspired Paul.  OK, enough small talk, let the theologizing begin…..

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Anyone who believes in Hell, believes in Limited Atonement to some degree.  If Christ PAID FOR all, then NONE should have to pay in Hell.  Therefore if you believe that some people will go to Hell, then you believe the Atonement is limited to those who turn to Christ.  I don’t think any Christian would argue that one.

            Some would say that Christ PAID FOR everyone, but not all people partake in that payment until they add their “faith in Christ” to the payment.  This is certainly an acceptable viewpoint for a Christian….but its one that I believe is still somewhat lacking.  Either Jesus PAID FOR me or He didn’t.  I have a real problem with the idea of a “hypothetical payment.”  Whereas we tell people Jesus paid for their sins…..but they’re NOT REALLY paid for until they turn to Christ.  This view could be called Unlimited Atonement, and is espoused by many solid, Biblical Christians.  Of course if this view is true, then Jesus’ death MIGHT NOT have paid for anyone.  After all, if NO ONE had chosen to turn to Him, His death theoretically would have been meaningless…..but at least God the Father would have been proud of Him for giving it the “ole’ college try.”  I think there’s a better view… A view that shows Christ making a definite, all-sufficient, and complete (“It is finished!”) payment for the sins……of His people.  Of the church…..of the sheep……dare I utter the “E” word….. of the elect.

            If you stop and think “Limited Atonement” through to its logical conclusion, you see that it goes “hand in hand” with the Doctrine of Election (for my views on the doctrine of election, read my two blogs under "Theology" in the Archives)  It stands to reason:  if God chose us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1) then it really wasn’t a mystery to Him whose sins were being paid for on the cross.  After you wrestle with these deep things of God and come to the conclusion that election is biblical (though admittedly hard to understand), you begin to see something truly beautiful.  A Sovereign AND Gracious God, who doesn’t owe salvation to one solitary soul, since all have sinned and turned from Him (Romans 3:23).  Yet, in His Grace has a plan…..and it’s a perfect plan….God doesn’t leave anything to chance.  He chooses.  He pays for.  He draws.  He convicts.  He redeems.  And eventually He glorifies.  God’s perfect plan of redemption started before the world began, is being worked out today in numerous lives, and will come to completion at the end of time.  I have NO DOUBT that God is WAY MORE sovereign than even most Christians realize.  But is this idea Biblically supported?  I think you see the entire idea succinctly declared in Romans 8:  “And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” (Romans 8:30 NASB)  How did he justify?  By accepting Christ’s atonement on the cross.  How does he ultimately glorify?  By allowing us into Heaven to “behold His glory” (John 17:24).  Who goes to Heaven?  Those who are justified (atoned for).  Is that everyone?  Clearly NOT.  Thus you have a LIMITED atonement.  It’s God’s perfect plan of salvation….and thankfully for us…God Never Fails. 

            But, what do we make of verses that seem to talk of a Universal of Unlimited Atonement?  Verses like:  "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NASB)  or “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not ours only, but also those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)  How do we interpret passages like this in light of Jesus’ words:  “I have come to give my life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 26:28)  Clearly “many” doesn’t mean “all.”  Or Jesus’ declaration in John 10:  “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NASB)  Notice He didn’t say “all”…He said “the sheep.”

           Sunday morning I offered 3 possible conclusions to this apparent dilemma:  The first option (which I reject completely) says, the Bible is wrong.  Jesus and John had two completely different ideas of the atonement’s extent.  I think most of us can safely rule out that option.  Option Two:  Jesus paid for all, but not all actually receive the payment in the end.  This is certainly better than option one, but still falls short….at least in my view….because it still has Jesus PAYING FOR (not simply offering, but PAYING FOR) SIN….and if sin is PAID FOR…then why should it have to be eternally PAID FOR again in Hell.  Of course you could always say, “It’s a mystery.”  Jesus paid for all, yet only some receive the payment, yet God is still just, etc., etc.  That’s an option….but I prefer option three.  Jesus paid for the sheep, and “world” is a general term.  And Sunday morning, I offered one passage in particular as a defense for my view.  It’s a passage that speaks of BOTH the atonement….AND the world…but it seems to elaborate on what “world” means.  In Revelation 5, speaking of Jesus it says:  "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Rev. 5:9 NASB)  And THERE, I believe is the answer to the question.  Jesus purchased for God (atonement), people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (in other words---THE WORLD!).  Can you see how “world” doesn’t mean every soul on earth?  We use “world” in a general way all the time….and so did people in Biblical days.  Of Jesus it was said by the Pharisees, “The world has gone after Him.” (John 12:19)  Of Paul and his cohorts it was said, “These men have upset the world.” (Acts 17:6)  In both cases, “world” is used in a general sense….and so it is in the passages dealing with the atonement.

            One more problematic passage I’ll deal with….1 Timothy 4… “We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (1 Tim. 4:10 NASB)  What does THAT mean?  Well….we know, we know, we KNOW that it doesn’t mean “savior” as in “eternal salvation” right?  Because if it does then the rest of the New Testament is wrong.  So what does it mean?  In what sense is God the “Savior” of “all men?”  Well, first you have “common grace.”  God could send EVERYONE to Hell the first time they sin…..but He doesn’t.  He shows them grace.  You might even say they are “safe” temporarily, and hence the word “Savior (one who saves).”  Furthermore you also see “restraining grace.”  This world COULD BE much more messed up than it is….but God puts the “restraints” upon man’s depravity…and ALL MEN benefit from that.  All men are “safer” (Savior) because of that.  You could even push the text to say God is “Savior” in the sense that He offers eternal salvation to ALL MEN when He doesn’t have to.  Of course, one more thing to keep in mind….the Greek word for “Savior” can also mean “Deliverer.”  And perhaps we would be more comfortable translating it as such, in this case. 

            OK….I’m almost done….my hand hurts from typing (and my brain hurts from thinking)….Incidentally, if anyone is still reading at this point…I would LOVE for you to e-mail me and let me know….because I have a suspicion that there are only 2 or 3 of you left by now (Brian K. being one of them).  I could be wrong.  I’ve been wrong before.

            So, what’s the point?  What difference does your view of Limited Atonement make?  I think that it causes your thankfulness to God to SKYROCKET when you believe that Jesus death on the cross was NOT a hypothetical payment….but that He actually PAID FOR YOU, individually.  This doctrine should be EXTREMELY humbling, and GOD glorifying.  Who am I (and who are you)….that God HIMSELF should suffer and die so that we would (not could) WOULD be bought…paid for….washed clean….given a new life on earth….and welcomed into HIS eternal kingdom in Heaven?  I don’t deserve it.  No one does.  BUT….I’m thankful for a God that leaves NOTHING to chance.  He sent His Son to live a perfect life and die a perfect, atoning death to pay for individuals.  To pay for me….and you (if Christ is your Lord)…..and for ANYONE else who will turn to Him as Lord (though WE have no clue who will and who won’t)…..It’s a privilege….It’s an honor…..It’s better than anything else in the universe….to be one of the sheep, who was paid for….BY THE LAMB OF GOD, who takes away the sins of the world…..every tribe, every tongue, every people, every nation, every ONE…of His elect……………Until next time…

“Animals” In The Church: Sheep, Goats, Wolves, and Paranoid Pastors

Paranoia goes “hand in hand” with the Pastorate.  It might surprise you to know that every good and faithful Pastor/ Elder is a little paranoid…..AND SCRIPTURE COMMANDS HIM TO BE.  The passage we are studying in our Bible Study tonight is from Acts 20:25-32, where Paul exhorts the Ephesian Elders to:  “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert…” (Acts 20:28-31 NASB)

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A good Shepherd HAS to “be on guard” for the flock.  In the Old Testament, David was known as a good Shepherd.  He’s also well known for the Psalms he wrote, and for his ability to play the harp.  No doubt he practiced these skills while spending those long days and nights out with his sheep.  But make no mistake….while David was writing poetry and singing songs…he was doing it with an eye fixed on the horizon scanning for possible predators.  His harp wasn’t all he carried……word has it he was pretty handy with a sling shot too (isn’t that right Goliath?).  So what’s the point?….

            Pastors, Elders, and really all Christians must be on guard for the purity and unity of the church.  Now, that’s a notion that flies completely in the face of our modern sensibilities…where no one is allowed to take a stand on anything….and you’re certainly not allowed to make your view the authority.  But what about GOD’S view?  If a church is going to be a church in the Biblical sense, then it must regard God’s Word as true and authoritative….it must seek to be a witness in a lost world…and it must have Shepherds that are “on guard” for potential problems.

            With that said….here are three different kinds of “animals” that exist in the church.  First, there are sheep.  No surprise here….sheep are Christians.  They follow the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ.  They come to church for worship, fellowship, etc.  They are “born again” and desire to follow Christ.  They can easily stray….they sometimes stink….and they occasionally act like the world, but not for very long because “sheep” have the Holy Spirit living within them to guide, comfort, and convict.  Those are sheep.

            Everyone who’s not a sheep could be considered a goat, but I want to differentiate between two different kinds of “lost people” that I will call “goats” and “wolves.”  Keep in mind…they’re both lost and both heading for Hell, unless they become sheep.  But for church purposes, we need to differentiate.  So here goes….

            Goats pose no real threat to the church, per se.  They could cause problems, but that’s not why they’re really at church.  They’re attitude is generally indifferent.  They’re there on Sunday morning because the wife made them come, or because they think going to church is just the “thing to do” on Sunday morning.  Others are deceived “Christians” (notice the quotation marks) who think they’re saved….or maybe even phony “Christians” who know they’re not saved….but simply don’t care. (For examples of this see 1 John 1, or if you attend my church, think back to the 4 sermons I just finished preaching on 1 John 1).  One more type of goat is what might be called a “seeker.”  (Please be patient while I go on a diatribe.)  When I say “seeker” I’m NOT talking about this mythical creature that wonders the world looking for “meaning” because they have a “God-sized hole in their heart.”  Its true we were created to worship…and its true that we all know deep down that God exists and that He should be worshiped….But the fact is people are born “enemies of God” (see Ephesians 2) and really have no desire to please anyone but themselves.  I’m sorry if that sounds harsh….but it’s Biblical, and if you have small children, you know it’s a reality.  No one has to teach a 2 year old to be selfish, and to cry and throw a fit when they don’t get their way.  They do it naturally.  Why?  Because they have a sinful nature.  Why?  Because they inherited it from Mom and Dad who are no better than the kid….just older and more able to disguise the sin nature.  When I say “seeker” I mean someone who is curious about Christianity….and according to the Bible, the reason they’re “curious” is because the Holy Spirit is drawing them (see John 6:44).  Romans 3:10 says, “No one seeks after God.”  This is why I have such a problem with the “seeker-sensitive” approach to church that has become so popular.  It starts with a false assumption that all people are “seeking” God…then it attempts to package the gospel in a way that “seekers” will respond….INSTEAD OF preaching the truth…the whole truth…and nothing but the truth like Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, John, etc. did.  OK, diatribe is over, now back to the main topic.

            Some “goats” may be “seekers” who are being drawn by the Holy Spirit…we are glad they came to church and we pray for their salvation.  The door is always open to sheep and to goats….but NOT to wolves.

            Wolves are dangerous…and are ignored at the church’s peril.  Wolves are NOT indifferent….they are hostile to the church, to God, to Christians, and to the gospel.  But beware….they are sometimes disguised as sheep.  Paul said not to be surprised at that since even Satan disguises himself as an “angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)  Wolves must be taken seriously.  Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that he had warned them about things like this constantly for three years “with tears.”  Sheep being destroyed by wolves broke Paul’s heart….and he never allowed it.  The hard part for us is determining whether someone is a “goat” or a “wolf.”  We MUST be watchful and prayerful and ask God to direct.  But Jesus does tell us that wolves will eventually make themselves known: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matt 7:15-20 NASB)

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So what do you do with wolves?  Paul “handed them over to Satan.” (see 1 Tim. 1:20 and 1 Cor. 5:1-5)  Why?  Because he hoped Satan would torment them so bad that they would repent and be saved.  It IS possible for a wolf to become a sheep…in fact Paul is probably the biggest example….But one thing Paul NEVER did….he didn’t allow wolves to stay in the church and risk harming a sheep’s faith or a goats chances of salvation.  If a wolf is to be saved….it’s going to have to take place outside the fellowship of the church, in most cases.

            So what are you:  sheep, goat, or wolf?  I’m a Pastor….which means I’m a sheep of Christ that also serves as an under-Shepherd of His Church…..and NOW you know why I’m so paranoid.  The Bible commands me to be.  You also know why I’ll never have a sign in front of the church that says, “EVERYONE WELCOME” because everyone is NOT welcome.  Lost people are welcome no matter what sin they may be struggling with.  Druggies, drunks, and fornicators are welcome.  Obviously sheep are welcome……but not wolves.  Anyone who has a desire to destroy the Lord’s church is NOT welcome……but that’s OK…there are plenty of other church’s that don’t mind having wolves around….since many churches in our day……are being pastored by them.  It’s scary.  It’s sad.  But its true…….So, what kind of “animal” are you?

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P.S.---For my next “paranoid” blog, I may write about my belief that Barrack Obama is the Anti-Christ, Hillary is the False Prophet, and the Great Tribulation will be starting sometime shortly after November of 2008.  If I’m wrong about Obama, then my second guess is Oprah.  Hillary’s too mean to deceive anyone.  But what about Obama?.....Hmmm…very interesting isn’t he?

            

The Un-mortified “little” Sins That Lead To “BIGGER” Sins

Suppose for a moment you have a terminal disease.  Your body is destined to be destroyed, and your death is imminent……UNLESS……you get up everyday and read the dictionary for one hour in the morning.  Sounds boring, right?  BUT YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT…….would you do it?  If the doctor says you’re dead in 6 months without it….would you do it?  I think most people would.  It would be hard, it would require a little bit of discipline….but if your life depended on it……it’s a small price to pay.

            There’s another “small” thing your life really does depend on….actually several “small” things…but I’ll just mention two….prayer and Bible study. No, missing a quiet time won’t kill your physical body……but prolonged time away from communion with God through prayer and Bible study will absolutely destroy your spiritual life, and starve your soul.

            This past Sunday, I mentioned a book by John Owen called, The Mortification of Sin.  Owen was a Pastor and Theologian who lived in the 1600’s.  Yes, its an old book…..but, it may be the best book EVER WRITTEN (apart from the Bible) on dealing with sin in your life.  It’s not hard to read, and its not very long…..but it can change your life if you take the time and effort to read it.  I recently heard a Pastor testify to the fact that he would probably NOT be in the ministry today were it not for this book.  The great Bible scholar J.I. Packer has said that no one outside the Bible has affected his life more than John Owen….and no book of Owen’s has affected him more than The Mortification of Sin.  It’s really THAT powerful.  As I read it, I find myself constantly highlighting things Owen says about how to fight sin in your life.  He says things, that I would just never in a million years even think of…..but I’m glad HE did, and I’m glad he wrote them down, so that poor, miserable sinners like me could benefit from them 400 years later.  And one of the things he mentions is this………

            Sometimes the struggles we have with the “bigger” sins, (i.e., the ones that cause us the most anguish and harm) come about in our life because of our guilt in the “smaller” sins.  I’ll give you an example……I’ve never believed that adulterous affairs involving Christians, “just happen.”  I recently heard the tragic account of two families that were very active in a church.  Both husbands, both wives, both sets of kids…..active in church, and devout Christians (or so it seemed).  Now both families are ruined because one husband and one wife decided they love each other (instead of their spouse).  Incidentally, their feelings aren’t really LOVE…they’re really LUST.  But I’m sure they’re blind to that reality, because sin blinds you to the obvious.  Now how does a sin that HUGE happen? One of two ways:  Either, they’re NOT really saved to begin with (which is VERY possible in that situation)….OR there was a prolonged season of spiritual drifting….of straying off the narrow road……of UN-MORTIFIED “smaller” sins that led to the BIGGIE of adultery.  Have you ever thought about the fact that your lack of a “quiet time” tomorrow morning might lead to your having an affair 3 years from now?  That’s what John Owen is writing about.  We neglect the little sins……and then God “hands us over” to the bigger sins.

            Did you get up and start your day in God’s Word this morning?  Your life really does depend upon it.  Are you not a morning person?  Then you BETTER have ended your day in God’s Word.  Not a night person?  Then you BETTER have enjoyed a nice long lunch break with God.  Do you see my point?  If you’re not faithful…..DAILY in God’s Word and prayer…..you’re setting yourself up for BIGGER sins.  Or do you think you’re incapable of BIGGER sins?  Never forget this fact…..the ONLY man ever described as being a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) was later guilty of adultery, followed by a murder to cover up his affair. (see 2 Samuel 11-12)  BIG sins don’t “just happen” in a Christian’s life….at least not most of the time.  There’s a progression…..there’s a slippery slope…..There’s a neglect of the “smaller” things….that lead to a tragedy involving the BIGGER things.

            Is there grace with God?  Yes.  Is he “faithful and just” (1 John 1:9) to forgive? Yes.  BUT, will sin destroy your life, if you don’t fight it?  Absolutely.  King David’s life was never the same again.  God forgave him, and still loved him…..but the consequences of David’s sin were horrendous. His family completely fell apart, and he never enjoyed peace in his life again. (see 2 Samuel 12:10-14) 

            The road to “life-ruining sin” begins today….or maybe it begins tomorrow morning….when you choose 30 more minutes of sleep instead of breakfast with Jesus.  Just remember….today you have a choice….you can “discipline thyself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7) ….or you can take the first step down the road to destruction…..by neglecting the “little” things……but LOOK OUT!  Sin MUCH, MUCH more deadly awaits around the corner.  Will you indulge…..or will you mortify?

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P.S.---For more on The Mortification of Sin by John Owen, click on these links:

For The Mortification of Sin from CVBBS:

http://www.cvbbs.com/inventory.php?target=indiv&search_back=keywords%3DJohn+Owen%26searchstyle%3Dall%26page%3D2%26session%3Dfaa77508b36a042874feb9500216d7de%26title_keyword%3D%26isbn_keyword%3D%26publisher_keyword%3D%26author_keyword%3D%26sort_by%3D&bookid=5513

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For The Mortification of Sin from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mortification-Sin-Puritan-Paperbacks/dp/0851518672/sr=8-1/qid=1163485520/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3776581-8444634?ie=UTF8&s=books

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For an updated version of The Mortification of Sin along with 2 other Owen works:

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Sin-Temptation-John-Owen/dp/1581346492/sr=8-3/qid=1163485520/ref=sr_1_3/103-3776581-8444634?ie=UTF8&s=books

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For an article about John Owen:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1466_The_Chief_Design_of_My_Life_Mortification_and_Universal_Holiness/

The BEAUTY of God's Gospel---A Holy Father, A Perfect Plan, A Loyal Son, & A Forgiven People

I think this Sunday’s sermon may take your love for GOD to a whole new level.  Not because of my preaching (in fact I’m praying that I don’t mess it up), but just because of the sheer glory of the passage, and the stunning truth it proclaims.…. Here’s the passage:

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;  and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.  (1 John 2:1-2  NASB)

I’m not going to post the entire sermon on this blog.  But I DO want to point some things out, that I’ll elaborate on Sunday.  The first thing is that as Christians WE ARE TO SEEK HOLINESS in our lives.  John mentions this because in the last chapter he just told us “God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:9)  And human nature being what it is would cause people to read 1 John 1:9 and assume they have a “free pass” on sin.  “Hey, looky there!…It says we can sin all we want and He’ll still forgive us!”  Sadly, that is the mentality of many so-called Christians and that is preached in many churches, but I fear that scores of people are misled and COMPLETELY  misunderstand 1 John 1:9.  Read the rest of the chapter and the rest of the book….John continually hammers away at the fact that those who truly “have fellowship with the light (Jesus Christ)” DO NOT WALK IN THE DARKNESS.  We are called to lives of holiness.  True Christians WILL pursue and desire lives of holiness…….BUT IF (and when) you sin….there is forgiveness in Christ.  Make sense?  1 John 1:9 is not a “free pass” on sin….it's a guarantee of forgiveness for those who TURN FROM sin in repentance.  But HOW can those sins be forgiven by a God who is JUST?  Because they’re paid for…..on the cross….by Christ.  That’s where we’re going on Sunday…..

           “And if anyone sins…”  Do you see that phrase found in verse one above?  I call this the “hypothetical guarantee.”  I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it’s accurate.  IF anyone sins (hypothetically), then we have an advocate.  Of course is it REALLY hypothetical?…..No.  The “if” quickly becomes a “when.”  But John’s point is that we should pursue perfection, though IF we fail…..God will forgive…..And WOW!…Do we ever fail!  We fail all the time…..and where would we be without an ADVOCATE?!!  We would be doomed!  Eternally doomed.

            “We have an Advocate with the Father.”  First I want to clear up a misconception.  Some think we are sinners (which is true), and God the Father is mean and hates us, and therefore Jesus is our “go-between” who talks the Father into accepting us, based upon the cross.  While there are parts of that that are true, it’s a pretty messed up picture of God the Father….and it’s not accurate.  Here’s the truth.  We are sinners.  And God the Father hates sin (by the way, so does Jesus and the Holy Sprit)…..and is COMPLETELY JUST in His righteous and holy Judgment of Sinners (you, me, and everyone else).  YET, even though God in his JUSTICE--WILL judge sin….in HIS GRACE HE chooses to pour that judgment out upon someone else.  Someone who doesn’t deserve it….yet someone who WILLINGLY laid down His life to pay the price.

            This is the BEAUTY of the gospel.  That God doesn’t just wink at sin, rub our little heads, and say:  “Ah shucks!  Its OK, keep on sinning you little reprobate! I love ya just the same.”  Now, that’s the picture much of modern American Christianity paints, but it's DEAD WRONG.  GOD hates our sin, and rather than simply ignoring, forgiving, and forgetting (which would be unjust)……HE PAYS FOR IT ON OUR BEHALF!  Do you see the beauty in that?  The VERY ONE who hates it and is bound to judge it…….steps in…..and takes it UPON HIMSELF in the person of Jesus Christ.  My question is this:  How can you hear things or read things like this and not be OVERWHELMINGLY AND COMPLETELY in love with God for this RIDICULOUS amount of grace He has lavished upon you? Christians should be looking for ways to serve a God so great…..but most Christians act like they’re doing God a favor if they show up on a Sunday morning once a month for an hour…..Then they gripe if it's more than an hour and they miss the Chiefs kickoff.  Is that right or is that wrong?  I HOPE in YOUR case its wrong…..examine your heart and see.

            There is nothing as glorious as the Triune GOD.  In this passage of a mere two verses we see the Glory of the Gospel.  The Father who is Just also has a perfect plan to pay for His people.  The Son willingly makes the payment, because of His love for the Father, and for the Sheep.  The Holy Spirit testifies to a lost and dying world of the Son’s sufficiency to save, and the Spirit, draws, convicts, prods, encourages, counsels, and seals you in Christ.  God is good.  God is GREAT!  God is GLORIOUS!  And we should marvel at His love….as we see The Plan, involving The Advocate, who made The Payment, to the Glory of The Father…….on behalf of....The Worms. Who freely choose sin over Him.  Unthinkable….isn’t it?  Yet He saves, changes, and cleanses because of His amazing grace.

            Do you love God?  Do you love Him even more when you ponder 1 John 2:1-2?  I’m preaching from 1 John….but let me close, with the Apostle Paul…one who knew a lot about sin, and forgiveness, and the beauty of Christ…… “Oh, the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him, deserving a pay back? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36) ……. Amen, Brother Paul!  May we truly grasp the BEAUTY and the GLORY of The Father….The Son….and The Holy Spirit…..………See you Sunday…….if the Lord tarries.

The Judgment Our Nation Deserves

I believe America is in trouble. Serious trouble. Try to imagine a dog lying down asleep in the highway with a semi truck bearing down on him. As you watch the truck get closer and closer you try to warn the dog, but he ignores you. You hate to see what’s coming…but the inevitable will happen in a matter of seconds. America is that dog. God is that semi truck. The only difference is….that the dog has done nothing to deserve what’s coming. America DOES deserve what’s coming. And what’s coming….is the Judgment of God…

As I watched the election results Tuesday night, I couldn’t help but think I was seeing Romans 1 come true before my very eyes. Read this Scripture passage….and see if you can do it without shuddering: “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32 NASB) Its almost scary to see the similarity between Romans 1 and today’s America. In a national election, people all over this country chose to willingly put into power a group of people who are committed to the legalized murder of innocent children. That sounds harsh. But that is the absolute truth. I know, I know….there are other issues besides abortion. Right? Yes there are. Iraq, the economy, taxes, Social Security, etc., etc. (click here to read a good article on why the abortion issue is so important http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TopicIndex/47/1524_OneIssue_Politics_OneIssue_Marriage_and_the_Humane_Society/) Let me be frank for a moment….I’m somewhat ashamed to live in a country that is more concerned with its checkbook than it is with the murder of babies. Our country USED to be better than that. What’s happened? How can we be so depraved? Read the above verse again and you’ll see the answer. Our nation has chosen depravity over God….and God will hand us over to the evil we have chosen. And mark my words….its going to get worse. Let these words sink into your ears: President Hillary Clinton. Does that scare you? It should. 

Let me pause for one moment and make a disclaimer. I toe the line of NO political party. I think there is plenty of corruption on both sides, and every election involves choosing the lesser of two evils. What do you expect in a world full of sinners? For the record…I’m a registered Independent, who almost always votes Republican (Although I think I did vote for a Democratic dog catcher once in the late 1990's...can't remember for sure).  Its nothing personal...I just believe the Republican agenda is closer to being right than the Democratic agenda.  In fact I was a Republican my whole life until I became a Pastor. I decided to register Independent so no one could accuse me of supporting a party. (Of course as a Pastor, my Constitutional right to free speech was taken away by Lyndon Johnson, years ago.  Pastors and churches aren't legally allowed to have political opinions.  Its fascism at its best.  Thanks LBJ!)  But politics in America is no longer about choosing the best person to represent you. Politics in America is about pushing an agenda. The Democrats agenda is pro-death (abortion, and in some circles euthanasia), pro-gay, and pro-government. Its anti-children, anti-God, and more specifically, anti-Christian. That doesn’t describe every democrat. But that IS the party’s agenda, whether you like it or not. And that party has gained a lot of ground in America. And IF that party wins the presidency in 2008.…God’s Judgment will be in full swing…and its not going to be pretty.

The ironic thing about God’s Judgment is that he simply gives us what our depraved minds want. Our nation has rejected God….and we will reap the consequences of it. I hope I’m wrong….but I don’t think you’ll ever see another President as conservative as George W. Bush. He was God’s appointed man (according to the Bible, all leaders are placed by God, either as a blessing or a curse). He was elected in two of the closest races in American history. And he’s been allowed to appoint 2 solid Supreme Court Justices. We should thank God for that, but now the Judgment we deserve is coming.

Our nation’s stiff-arming of God is nothing new. Its been happening for some time. Easily you could point to the 1960’s as a sharp turn in our nation’s morality. Sin became popular. Sin became common. And by 1973 sin (i.e, murder) became legal. God is no longer welcome in the public schools, and now metal detectors are needed to keep the kids from killing each other. Drugs and violence are rampant.  And disrespect for teachers is common.  Real discipline is unheard of....and in fact illegal in most states.  Recently I heard a politician bragging about how much money the casinos had raised for education. Now stop and think about that one! An industry that thrives on suckering people out of their money, with ties to organized crime, prostitution, and drugs is funding the schools where kids are taught that God doesn’t exist, homosexuality is a cool alternative lifestyle, and pre-marital sex is encouraged. Excuse me if I don’t celebrate. Our nation has turned from God….and now God will judge our nation.

You know this happened before in the Old Testament. As Tim Smith preached at our recent revival: Habakkuk asked God to change the nation of Judah…and God’s response was to JUDGE the nation of Judah by letting the Chaldeans conquer them. Do you think America is any better than Old Testament Judah? So what will our judgment be? China? Russia? No I fear something worse….President Hillary Clinton with a Democratic controlled House and Senate, followed by the untimely death of a few Supreme Court Justices. We’ll be longing for the Chaldeans to invade by then.  Do you want to know how bad it REALLY is?  Ted Kennedy was re-elected Senator for the ump-teenth time by Massachusetts, winning 70% of the vote.  TED KENNEDY!!!!  (I'm thinking about asking Senator Brownback to make a motion that we give Massachusetts BACK to England.....as a matter of fact, maybe we should throw in Rhode Island as well.  Oh, what the heck, lets just give them the whole East Coast...New England and Old England deserve each other). 

I’m telling you….our country is SERIOUSLY messed up….and its getting worse. I’ve said before that we should be embarrassed that something like abortion is even debated. Both political parties should agree on the heinousness of infanticide. Yet, inexplicably abortion is NOT ONLY LEGAL…it is DEFENDED, and even praised. Its Romans 1--- “murder…inventers of evil…unmerciful…unloving.” As I watched Nancy Pelosi speaking to a cheering crowd about how she was going to make America better….I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. So you know what I did? I read Romans 1.….I shuddered….I braced for the coming Judgment….and I wrote this blog.

Pray for America. We need it now worse than ever. Regardless of who’s on “The Hill”…GOD IS ON THE THRONE…and He’s the ONE really in charge. If He chooses to judge us, then know that we deserve it. If He shows us grace, then thank Him for it….But remember, our country has been shunning Him for decades….and Tuesday night, by a free election of the people, we chose to give control to a group of people who’s platform OPPOSES THE ALMIGHTY. Bible verses are coming true before our very eyes….and they’re Bible verses…..that speak….of Judgment. Consider yourself warned…..

Are You Righteous?….Are You Sure?… 3 Kinds of Righteousness That ALL CHRISTIANS Should Have

I talked a little bit about this at the end of Sunday’s sermon. Now I’m going to expound on it a little bit more. Be advised….if you’re still reading, then you’re doing better than 85% of people who exited this blog as soon as they saw the word “expound” in the last sentence…

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Are you righteous or not? Here’s why its important, and why you need to examine this in your own life: Many claim to be righteous (and claim to be saved) who are not. A brief examination of their life would show that clearly. Sadly, many of them will never do the self examination required. Another reason why this is important: Many Christians fail to see the inescapable link between their standing in Christ and their behavior in the world. Like we’ve talked about in 1 John….those who have fellowship with God, “will walk in the light.” (1 John 1:7) I’m going to now explain 3 different types of righteousness: imputed, positional, and practical. By the way…if you’re still reading, then you’re doing better than the 95% of people who made it through the first paragraph, but exited this blog when they read the last sentence containing the phrase: “I’m going to now explain.”…..Congratulations…you’re the cream of the crop….keep reading…

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Imputed Righteousness-----If I’ve mentioned this phrase once, I’ve mentioned it 100 times. I’ve taught it to the Youth, and I’ve taught it on Sunday mornings. It is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is granted to our account (imputed) because of our relationship with Him. Most Christians have a pretty firm grip on the idea of Jesus paying for our sins….but sometimes we forget that we are also credited with His perfect life. Nowhere is this better explained than in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (NASB) This is the great, glorious, divine, switcheroo…..We get His perfection, credited to us….He gets our sin, credited to Him on the cross. Therefore, on the Judgment Day, when we stand before the Lord with eternity hanging in the balance, the Righteous Judge will look at us…..and see the perfect life of Jesus. That’s Imputed Righteousness.

Positional Righteousness-----This is very similar to Imputed Righteousness. It has to do with our “position” in Christ. If you want to get technical (and you probably don’t), Positional Righteousness, comes after Imputed Righteousness. In other words, we are given the perfect life of Christ (Imputed Righteousness). After that we are in a state of Positional Righteousness. Our “position” before God is righteous…not because of our good works, but because of Christ’s perfect work. Are you still with me? I hope so, because the next one REALLY affects your life…

Practical Righteousness-----This is simply the “practice of righteousness.” In other words, if you are righteous by imputation, and by position….THEN YOU WILL ALSO BE RIGHTEOUS IN PRACTICE. You will be committed to a life of righteousness because of your love for God and what He has done for you in Christ. This is where many so-called Christians fail miserably….because THEY ARE NOT REALLY CHRISTIANS. This is what John continually hammers away at in the epistle of 1 John.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6 NASB) By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. (1 John 2:3 NASB) If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15 NASB)  If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. (1 John 2:29 NASB)

I could go on, but for time’s sake I won’t. Do you see the clear teaching of Scripture? If you are saved, then you will (on some level) imitate Christ by living a life of righteousness. This doesn’t mean you will never sin. This doesn’t mean every Christian is at the same level of spiritual maturity. But it DOES mean that all true Christians will have a desire to be righteous and holy and Christ-like in how they live.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road……If you know someone (or you are that someone) who is NOT following Christ with their life….and is NOT bothered by sin in their life….and is NOT interested in Christian fellowship….and is NOT interested in personal holiness…..THEN that person is probably NOT saved. The only reason I say “probably” is because it is possible for a Christian to fall into sin, FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, in which they don’t appear to be convicted (though if they are truly saved, they will be convicted), and they don't appear to be committed to personal holiness. But if that person continues in sin for very long, then they are not showing the fruit of a Christian, and should therefore be considered lost. Listen to what Jesus said: "If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15-17 NASB)

In other words…consider him lost. Some of you have loved ones that you’ve confronted WAY MORE than 3 times about their sin….and they don’t repent. Should you consider them, “saved and backslidden” OR should you consider them “lost and perishing.” Clearly they are lost and perishing….they have NO PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS, because they are not POSITIONALLY RIGHTEOUS …because they have no IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS…and are therefore “dead in their sins.” (Eph. 2:1)

I’m not saying this because I simply want to “burst your bubble” about the condition of that straying loved one. I’m saying it because we need to recognize the lostness of these people and approach them (and pray for them) as lost people. Many of them have heard the gospel a million times…..and they don’t care. Pray for a change of heart, and continue to look for opportunities to point them to the cross.

Commit yourself to a life of Practical Righteousness. If you’re saved, then the desire WILL be there. But it will take some discipline to live the life. Be overwhelmed at the amazing grace of God…..that Christ paid for your sins….and granted you HIS PERFECT LIFE. Recognize your Positional Righteousness in Him…and live your life “in the light” of Practical Righteousness because of your love and devotion to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Until next time…

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