The Glory of God's Creation

Controvercial Bible Study Begins

2010-07-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

I begins a 5 week series on the "Last Days." Everyone receives my book and study guide, "Why I'm an Amillennialist." I will cover issues dealing with the antichrist, another kingdom age, rebuilding the temple of God, the tribulation, the resurrection and rapture of the church, the second coming of Christ, the final judgment and the new heaven and new earth. Begins Sunday night. 6-8 pm. Child care available.

Why We Preach Expositionally

2009-12-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

This is a good reason why we use the expositional preaching style here at PRBC.

God’s Word gives clear primacy to exposition.

Many preachers and pastors today question whether the Bible really gives us any reason to think that expositional preaching is the best way to preach.
But the prophetic nature of preaching and the performative nature of God’s Word reveal exposition to be best suited to unleashing the power of the text.

Exposition is primary because preaching is prophetic.

To say that preaching is prophetic is not to say that it is either predictive or ecstatic utterance – preachers are ambassadors, not prognosticators; and their source of revelation is God’s mediated written word, not His immediate verbal word. It is rather to say that preaching is about receiving God’s word and communicating it to God’s people in a way that is faithful to God’s intention.
Preaching is prophetic because it conveys God’s Word to God’s people. Exposition best handles the prophetic nature of preaching because the expositional sermon is unique for taking the point of the passage as the point of the message. It is therefore the best way to remain faithful to the content and intent of God’s Word in any given text.

A Positive Example: Nehemiah 8:7-8

…the Levites explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. They read from the book, from the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading(Nehemiah 8:7-8).
The content of their preaching is God’s revelation, not their own ideas. So their preaching is prophetic – they receive God’s word and give it to the people.
The method of their preaching is to explain the meaning and significance of a portion of God’s Word to God’s people. This is the heart of expositional preaching.
The effect of their preaching is that the people understand and obey. This is the goal of expositional preaching – that the people hear and heed the Word of God.

A Negative Example: Jeremiah 23:16,18, 21-22

Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. But who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? I did not send these prophets, but they ran. I did not speak to them, but they prophesied. But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds” (Jer 23:16, 18, 21-22).
The content of their preaching is from their own imagination. Speaking primarily from our own anecdotes and illustrations displeases God. Expositional preaching disciplines us to constrain our words to the parameters of God’s Word.
The method of their preaching involves a refusal to stand in God’s council to hear and obey His word. An expositor’s first task is to stand in God’s counsel by bowing under God’s Word.
The effect of their preaching fails to turn God’s people back to God’s ways, but rather lead them into futility. An expositor’s goal is to speak God’s Word to God’s people so that they will walk in God’s ways.

Exposition is primary because God’s Word is performative.

God’s Word performs what it prescribes. It is its own power for accomplishing itself. If this is so, then exposition is primary because it best unleashes the performative intention of God’s Word on the lives and hearts of God’s people.
When God speaks,His very word actually creates the reality that it commands. Six times in Genesis 1 we read: God said and it was so (1:6, 9, 11, 14, 24, 29-30).
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it (Isa 55:10-12).
Look up the following verses. What is God’s Word doing, or able to do? John 17:17; Acts 12:24; 19:20; 1Thess 2:13; Heb 4:12; James 1:18, 21; 1Peter 1:23-25.

Taken from
www.9marks.org

Fasting and Prayer

2009-12-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

Acts 13:1-2 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said

Notice that these five men were corporately fasting and praying. They were seeking God's will. Then God spoke. Prayer and fasting is what we, the church, should be doing. These men were "ministering to the Lord and fasting." It seems to be a forgotten discipline in our day. Why?

Alarming circumstances brought Jehoshaphat to proclaim a fast for all Judah (2 Chron. 20:3).

Look what Esther did.
Esther 4:15-16 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."

Jesus launched His ministry with fasting.

Fasting and prayer deepens our desire for God and His will. I believe fasting quiets the flesh so we can focus on God and the things of the Spirit. As we so humble ourselves before a holy God, the Holy Spirit deepens our love and hunger for God...for the lost...and for His church.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

Worth the listen and viewing

2009-11-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

I Will follow Him

2009-11-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

The Impossible Gospel

2009-10-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is the first paragraph of my new book. The proceeds from the sale of this book will go to those who will attend Pathways in January, to help with the cost of this 12 week class. Want a copy? Call me at 805-226-9670, or leave a comment with your name and address, or go to Amazon.com. $10.00

What I'm about to say will be impossible for you or any human being to understand. But I think I need to qualify this statement. Let me state the premise of this book. Scriptural truth is impossible for the fallen human mind to comprehend or understand (1 Cor. 1:18). By one's own intellect, human beings cannot grasp the truths contained in Scripture. Not only will you not understand, you will think it foolishness to varying degrees. Why? Scripture truth, the Bible, which would also include the gospel, can only be understood by the human mind and intellect through the miraculous work, and intervention of the God's Holy Spirit. It's foolishness to the unbeliever. If this is true, it has profound implications for us and to the church in our era....theo-logical implications.

The Holy Spirit's Love

2009-09-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

It's interesting what Salvation does in a persons life. When the Spirit enters a life many things begin to happen. What Donna and I experienced was our old friends eventually did not desire our company at the their "parties" any longer...fine by us. Even stranger for me were the people who I thought were strange (church goers), all of a sudden were not strange. I liked them...I loved them. It's amazing what the Holy Spirit does in that respect.

The same thing happened to the apostle Paul. Those he hated, those he was trying to destroy, after the Spirit entered into him, he loved. It happened within three days. "We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). The fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Love is powerful. It's Christ's love in us. It overlooks a multitude of sins...doesn't seek it's own way...it's kind (1 Cor. 13). May we let the love of Christ control us (2 Cor. 5:14).

Religious Freedom?

2009-09-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

Joe, the Believer

2009-09-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

More Important Than Many Sparrows

2009-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

I just came inside from our patio area. I woke up this morning, made the coffee and grabbed my sermon. I went outside and sat on my favorite patio chair with coffee in hand. It was already 65 degrees out there this morning...very comfortable. It's supposed to be 110 today. This is one of my favorite times. What a great setting for "going through" my sermon text for Sunday morning.

My little friends were also out there this morning. Who are they? The finches. We have a feeder 20 feet from where I study. One day one of them flew into our sliding glass door. There he was, laying on his side, motionless. After waiting a couple of minutes, I went over to him, and picked him up in my hands. All of a sudden he awoke and flew off. They're learning to trust me. After all, I'm the one who feeds them, leads them beside still waters, our back yard fountain. In these difficult, hot days, these little guys need water. You can see where I'm going with this analogy.

If our future days should get hot, tough out there, we can trust Him.

Psalm 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

For our name's sake? No, for His.

Heirs of Salvation

2009-08-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

In our Bible study Thursday morning, I saw something in the following passage I had not seen before. The Scripture is a never ending well of wonder.

Gal 4:1-5
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. NASU

Paul uses the human example of children who are heirs of all the fathers wealth, even though they, as children, are no better than a slave. Paul then compares this spiritually to believers, who, prior to the Spirit entering their hearts, while they are also held in slavery to the elemental things of this world, are, none the less, heirs. Paul states this in the very next verse.

Gal 4:6-7
6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
NASU

Paul calls them sons prior to the Holy Spirit entering their lives. Because they are heirs, God sent forth the Spirit into their hearts.

We see this same truth in Hebrews 1:14. Speaking of angels, the writer says:

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? KJV

Somehow the angels know who the heirs of salvation are prior to them becoming saved. They will protect them, minister to them. God will not lose any of His chosen. This truth is also seen in 2 Peter 3:9. He won't come until all the heirs are saved. None that the Father gives to the Son will perish. He's not willing that any of these heirs perish.

Galatians 3 Test

2009-07-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

We had fun in our Mens Bible Study this morning. I gave them a test that we worked through during the Galatians study. Thought I would throw it out there for any to see and take. By the way, the Tutor is referred to in Gal. as the Law of Moses.

1. T F Abraham was saved by faith.
2. T F When God gave His Law to Moses 430 years later, the basis of salvation changed.
3. T F Abraham and the others who lived before the law were saved by faith only because they did not have God’s law.
4. T F The covenant with Abraham was conditional. Whereas, the Mosaic covenant was completely unconditional.
5. T F The covenant of Law is long past, but the moral demands of the Law have not diminished.
6. T F Only God’s grace can produce what the Law cannot.
7. T F Unbelievers must know the truth about their state.
8. T F The church must never offend the unbeliever.
9. T F The believers righteousness is actually based on Law.
10. T F Law and Grace cooperate in bringing the lost sinner to Jesus Christ.
11. T F The Law does not make us sinners.
12. T F The Law reveals to us that we already are sinners.
13. T F The Law is a mirror in that it reveals our righteousness.
14. T F There is a lawful use of the Law, and an unlawful use of the Law.
15. T F When people claim they are saved by keeping the Ten Commandments, they are revealing their ignorance of the true meaning of the Law.
16. T F The purpose of the Law is not to condemn but to save.
17. T F Forgiveness of sin means nothing to a person who does not know he is sinful.
18. T F It is pointless to preach grace until the impossible demands of the Law, and the reality of guilt before God, are preached.

19. Q. What does it mean to be kept in custody under the law?
20. Q. How does the Law lead us to Christ?

21. T F Since we are no longer living under the Law, we don’t need a tutor.
22. T F Israel could not see the Tutor, only the Teacher.

23. When did the Tutor’s job end?
a. At the birth of Christ.
b. At the death of Christ.
c. At the resurrection of Christ.
d. At the destruction of the temple in 70 A. D.
e. When I became a believer.
f. None of the above.

24. Why is there no further need for a temple in Jerusalem?
a. It was associated with the Tudor.
b. Its purpose was fulfilled.
c. There’s yet a future need for a temple.
d. All of the above
e. a and b

Answers are in comments below.

Unforgettable Day

2009-07-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Donna and I experienced one of those events we will never forget.

Here are some of the ingredients that made this day positively unforgettable.

1. The baptism of Matt and Rebeckah Wagster.
2. They were baptized on their ranch by Darren Rusco and Christopher Key.
3. A four-wheeling journey to a mountain spring.
4. A steep (and I mean steep) hike down to the waterfall and pool.
5. Wading through the creek to get to the upper pool of spring water.
5. 100 + temp.
6. Many young children watching and having fun.
7. The trek back up the mountain.
8. Tired, sore muscles... the good kind of sore.

Quite a setting for a baptism.
The water felt good on such a hot day.

Fellowship

2009-07-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

I find this passage very interesting. The Lord found His 12 apostles worthy. Worthy of what?

Acts 5:41
41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

It sounds like this was a high honor...to suffer shame for Jesus. Here's the shame they suffered.

40 ...and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.

The Sanhedrin, most likely, removed their cloths, tied them to a post, and had each of them flogged with 39 lashes with a nine-tale whip like common criminals.

They were counted worthy to experience fellowship with Jesus. The fellowship of His sufferings. After they were commanded by their government not to speak in the name of Jesus, this is what they did.

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

What a high honor.

Why Arn't We Crying Out To God?

2009-07-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we looked at this prayer of the church.
Acts 4:29-30 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, (boldness) 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

They were not just "open" to these things, they greatly desired them. They prayed for them to come. All of these things come from God's hand. When was the last time you cried out to God for these things?

WHY DID THEY CRY OUT TO GOD FOR THESE THINGS? Let's face it, this was the generation that had more compelling evidence of the truth of the resurrection than any generation since. Hundreds of eyewitnesses to the risen Lord were in Jerusalem.

This was the generation of believers whose preaching was more anointed than any other generation to follow…Peter, Stephan, Paul, Barnabas…

Why did this generation feel such a passion to see God stretch forth his hand to heal and do signs and wonders among them? Why did they ask for boldness? One reason is none of these come from within the believer. Boldness is not normal. It comes from God. Why aren't we asking for these things?

Here's why the first century church were. The answers are found in Acts 5:12-14.

1. Unity (12)
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

When God moves among a group, it brings people together…in unity and love and awe. The “they” is referring to the church.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them (the church); however, the people held them in high esteem.

Why did the people dare not associate with them?
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.

There were no insincere, superficial followers in this church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira. The people feared the deadly potential of joining the church.

But the Christians were held in high esteem.

They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

Q. Why?

2. To Help People Come To Saving Faith (14)
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

Why aren't we crying out to God for these things?

Cedillo's in Mexico

2009-07-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share with you a video that Darren and Christopher asked me to put together for the Sunday morning worship service. Benito is translating the Scripture into their heart language. It's really cool that PRBC has a part of this ministry. You really get a little of the flavor of their gathering time together. Just think, we'll be worshiping with these folks from time to time throughout eternity...Can you sing their song?

Safely Home but off again Thur

2009-06-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

We thank the Lord for a good trip to Texas and back again. No car trouble, no motel trouble, no weather trouble, no people trouble. We met many very polite and friendly people along the way. We also noticed something very interesting in Texas. Most of the drivers obeyed the speed limits in the towns and on the highways. It felt like a slower life style in those areas we observed compared to busy California. The cost of living is much less in Texas. Gas is one dollar a gallon cheaper there. We paid 2.49 and four days later we paid 3.49. Can you believe that??? You can buy a house there for 240 K that would cost 500 or more here. Donna noted that food is cheaper in the stores. Another interesting fact about Texas is the state is not in debt. They have a balanced budget. California can learn a thing or two. But we're very happy to be back home even though we may pay more for what we have.

But Thursday we head to the Sacramento area. Donna and her sister will be attending a Beth Moore conference. I might even play a game of golf. We'll be back Monday. Back in the saddle again, and thankful for it.

P.S. On our way home we passed this truck. We honked our horn as we went past him. He blasted his air horn until we were out of range. It was cool. I love his boldness. It encourages me.

Our first meal back home was a great home cooked dinner last night at my moms house. Many of you don't know, but my mother used to be the cook at special events at the Country Club in SLO for hundreds of people at a time. She hasn't lost her touch.

Back home we go

2009-06-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Donna and I are here in the motel room on this last morning. The hair dryer is drying hair and I just packed a suit case and placed it by the door. We are heading back this morning. It's already hot and humid out there at 8:45 AM. We had a great time here. What a wonderful opportunity to pray, and read the Word of God here in our motel room. It's been really good to get away and be alone with my wife these days. We both look forward to our journey back home. Well, I'm going to our complimentary breakfast and bring it back to the room as we continue to pack.

Thanks for your prayers. May the Lord bless you as He has blessed us. I'll, most likely, blog one or more times on our trip home. Remember, all that you do today, do it for the glory of the LORD.

2009-06-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Highlights today: Todd Agnew concert; Fellowship with Kevin, Jennifer, Kassey and Kimmey Ivie; Triple A baseball game; Hot dogs at the game; Sleep in the Motel.

We Arrived

2009-06-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon to Lubbock, TX

2009-06-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

We've had a great trip to this point. Thanks to all who have prayed for us and our trip.

Home to Grand Canyon

2009-06-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

We left for Texas yesterday. I include just a few highlights...Well, maybe not so high, except for the Grand Canyon. That was huge and deep!

Vacation - First Leg

2009-06-06T00:17:00.000-07:00

Just got back into town Friday. Refugio was great and one day was wet. Avila was warm and refreshing. I thought I would put together some of our camping and family photos in memory of this trip, and recognition of the 84th birthday of my amazing mother, Jean Rusco.

The Bible's Gospel Under Attack - Pt. 2

2009-05-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

What is the gospel that Paul preached to the Galatians?

If someone asked you, “What must I do to be saved?” how would you answer them?

Let’s look at how some would answer today.

“Ask Jesus to come into your heart” (Let Him in) Rev. 3:20
Rev 3:19-20
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

This is addressed to the saved…the church at Laodicea, not to the unsaved.

“Give your heart to the Lord”
Proverbs 23:26 is the only time a phrase like this is used, and it’s not in regard to salvation.

“Turn to Christ”
Turning gives the idea of repentance, but where’s the faith?

“Pray to receive Christ”
It’s not a prayer that saves anyone, it’s faith in Jesus.

“Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins”
He will when we believe in Him. But the Bible never expresses salvation that way.

“Confess your sins”
The only passage that tells us to confess our sins in 1 John 1:9, and that is addressed to believers.

"Accept and invite Him into your life today"

Do you notice what is troubling about each of these gospel statements so prevalent today?…Ask, Give, Turn, Pray, Confess, Accept, Invite …Yes, they are all generated by man.

Eph 2:8-9
8 … and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

John 1:13
13 …nor of the will of man, but of God.

Rom 9:16
16 … It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire

Gal 2:16
a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus,

Gal 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Faith in, and believing in Christ are the biblical words used for salvation. Why are they often missing in our gospel message today?

The gospel is impossible (1 Cor. 1:18) for any person apart from an aggressive move of God’s grace to that person. Charles Spurgeon agrees.

"We have before us now an announcement very startling, some say very obnoxious. Coming to Christ, though described by some people as being the very easiest thing in all the world, is in our text declared to be a thing utterly and entirely impossible to any man, unless the Father shall draw him to Christ."

The Bible's Gospel Under Attack - Pt. 1

2009-05-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

From the beginning of the church the Bible and the Gospel of Salvation have been challenged by false teachers.

2 Peter 2:1-2
there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;

This is what happened in the Galatian churches. Paul was very grieved about the false teachers who were perverting the gospel of grace he had so carefully preached and taught while in Galatia.

He was deeply grieved that the truth of God’s sovereign and free gift of forgiveness and redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, was being corrupted, made crooked, by the teachings of salvation by works…Namely that a gentile must believe in Jesus, and become a Jew surgically and ceremonially to become a Christian. Then they would have to obey and follow certain laws to maintain righteousness from the Lord.

In present day terminology, you must “do something” to be saved, and you must “do something” to remain saved. Paul writes:

Galatians 1:6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

Very strong words.

Any distortion of the gospel perverts the nature, the work, and grace of Christ.

Jude writes about false teachers:

Jude 3-4
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Even if Paul himself, or one of his associates were to change their teaching, and add any human work, the saints should not listen, but treat them like heretics, …which they would then be.

Even an angel from heaven should be rejected if they were to present a different gospel.

In other words, it doesn’t matter who the person is.
How well they are known.
How godly and good they may appear to be.
How many people come to their meetings.
Even if it is an angel from heaven…

No messenger should be believed or followed, or listened to if his teaching does not square with God-revealed apostolic doctrine.

“But he’s so kind and loving.” But what is his doctrine of salvation?
“But he promotes unity and harmony.” But what is his gospel?
“But I see Christ in him.”
“But look at the miracles that are happening.” But what does he believe???

What is the gospel that Paul preached to the Galatians?
Coming soon.

So you want to write a book?

2009-05-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

It's amazing that I can read "The Impossible Gospel" not once, but several times and not see the misspelled words. Some I just missed, some I didn't know and didn't check for the correct spelling. Here's a few examples:

When referring to the navy, is it Navel, or Naval?
When referring to the church walkway, is it aisles, or isles?
Is it "I'm going to hear this renown speaker" or "I'm going to hear this renowned speaker"?
Is it "God is supposed to build you up" or "God is suppose to build you up"?
Is it "God should not make you feel so bad about yourself" or "God should not make you feel so badly about yourself"?
Is it "Many post-modernists and other pastors also left the stadium." or "Many post-modernists and other pastors also leave the stadium.

There are many more exampls. Thesse kind of erorrs can greatley hindre the purposse of the book...It's now oficially remooved until i can make the neccessary chances...changes.

The Impossible Gospel

2009-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

Let me state the premise of this book. Scriptural truth is impossible for the fallen human mind to comprehend or understand. By one’s own intellect, human beings cannot grasp the truths contained in Scripture. Not only will you not understand, you will think it foolishness to varying degrees. Why? Scriptural truth, the Bible, which would also include the gospel message, can only be understood by the human mind and intellect through the miraculous work, and intervention of God’s Holy Spirit. It’s foolishness to the unbeliever (1 Cor. 1:18). If this is true, it has profound implications for us and to the church in our era…theo-logical implications.

Simply stated, faith does not come from human decision, choice, or human intellect. If this were the case, the wise people of this world would be smart enough to believe. It would be this group of people who would be saved. But we all know that's not what happens. That why Paul writes, 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world" (1 Cor. 1:26-27). I don't want to insult you...but God chooses the foolish ones. The church today must throw human decision, intellect, and choice away when it comes to salvation. Then only God receives the glory, and rightly so.

Want to a copy? Pick one up at church, or give me a call (805-226-0452).

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Not being a mother, I say the following by faith. The responsibility of Motherhood is both rewarding and consuming, especially during the early years. I think this picture just about sums it up.

The book of Proverbs begins,
"The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel."
Solomon was a great king and the son of a great king. He was famous and powerful. People bowed in his presence. They did what he said. He had immense authority and honor.
I think we can learn from how he treated his mother in this exalted role.

You recall who his mother was? Bathsheba. She had married his father David under very sinful circumstances—very displeasing to God. But she was his mother, and this is what it says in
1 Kings 2:19 So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king arose to meet her, bowed before her, and sat on his throne; then he had a throne set for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.

When she entered the room Solomon rose for her. He bowed to her. He even called for a throne to be put beside his for their conversation. Even kings should bow when their mothers enter the room.

There are at least three things Solomon tells us in Proverbs 1:7-9 about family.

1. The Family is God's Idea.
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

Solomon takes for granted that there are mothers and fathers and children in relationship, and accountability.

The family is just a given with Solomon. It used to be with us also. Sad to say it can't be taken for granted any longer.

2. The family is God's basic school for instructing children how to live in the world. Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

The father is an instructor and the mother is a teacher. Therefore the family is a school.
God ordained you mom, and dad, not just to be fruitful and fill the earth with people, but to fill the earth with instructed people and taught people. Be careful who you give the responsibility to teach your children. It’s ultimately you.

3. The foundation of family instruction is the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

In other words, … What is it that runs through your lives, daily teaching, correcting and disciplining that gives unity and meaning to it all?—The answer is "the fear of the Lord."

The reverence, fear, and the trusting of God is what family's are for.

The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.
• Science begins to then, make sense.
• History begins to unfold as you see God’s plan unfolding.
• Economics and world events find their meaning beginning with the fear of God.

The family is a school.

Implications of Truth Pt. 2 Amazing Grace

2009-04-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we Christians make, or listen to statements without understanding the implications of what it really means. I can remember asking God, in prayer, for the salvation of my family members not yet saved. This implied He was able to save them. Most in the churches today make the same requests. The implication is they believe God can answer their prayer. Yet at the same time we are taught that God does not violate the will of the unsaved. They themselves must freely choose to receive Jesus. The latest author I’ve read said God “cannot” violate the human will. Why then do we ask God to save them if God cannot change them, and give them a heart of flesh to replace their hearts of stone?

To pray for someone’s salvation implies:
1. That God can save them.
2. That since no man seeks for God (Rom. 3:11), we're asking God to violate the will of the unsaved in order to save them.
3. That since man is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), we're asking God to make them alive (Eph. 2:5).
4. That since men love darkness, we're asking God to shine the light of His glory and grace so they see can see Jesus.

God's amazing grace, among other things, is His unmerited favor. Amazing grace is given to the unsaved completely undeserved and unmerited. God sends His Spirit to open the blind minds of the unbelieving...the Cross no longer foolishness. That's why we praise Him and love Him. Yes, God calls us to proclaim the gospel, but salvation and forgiveness is all Him. "Lord, thank You for Your grace. We bow before You."

Songs Past & Present

2009-04-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

Music has always been a part of our life. From grade school I have listened to that new 50's & 60's "rock" music. In Junior High School I was in a "rock" band called "The Vibrations." I played the tenor sax, or tried to. As we listened to the radio in those days, the words seemed to concentrate on teenage "falling in like." We refer to them now as secular lyrics, because we are Christians. In Donna's and my youth the lyrics said just as you are listening right now. That's why we can listen to them today and most of them gender good memories. You know...the older you get, the more fun it is to look back on your lives together. The Lord has always been good to us...even in the rough times, but how thankful we are that the Lord has been with us and taught us through the good and the bad. We love Him so much. Because of His love, our love as husband and wife continues to grow! And grow! Here are some of the "Oldies" that we remember. They really expressed my heart in our youth and still do now in the wrinkle years.

If you come from the Boomers era, take time...and enjoy with your spouse.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF TRUTH - PT. ONE

2009-04-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we Christians make, or listen to statements without understanding the implications of what it really means. Here’s an example. I was with a group of believers last night, from several different churches, talking about missions. After our meeting someone said, “You know, there’s going to be a very last person saved.” He was correct. But what are the implications of this truth? Let’s think…
1. God will one day bring an end to salvation.
2. There will be, most likely, billions of people on earth unsaved at that moment.
3. This means God has determined who that last person is.
4. It also means God has determined the fate of the billions who will be unsaved on that day.
5. This means God determines who will be saved and who will not.
6. Therefore, the following biblical words literally mean what they say. (Chosen, elect, predestined, appointed, enabled)
7. This means “grace” is a free gift, and not activated by human choice.
8. This means the unsaved do not accept Jesus, He accepts us.

The Abundant Life? Pt. 2

2009-04-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

Mark 8:34-35
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."

The Abundant Life?

2009-04-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

James 5:7-9
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

These first century Jewish believers need for patience was due to the previous text. They were being mistreated. The answer to the tribulation they were suffering is the Lord is coming. He’s the Judge who is standing right at the door.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts;

James now gives these saints an example of the patience they and we need today.

James 5:10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Zechariah was murdered.
Jeremiah was rejected by men, and stoned to death.
Ezekiel was rejected by his people.
Isaiah was sawn in two (Heb. 11:37).
Hosea endured a heartbreaking marriage.
Elijah and Amos had to run for their lives.
Micah was smashed in the face by those who heard him.
Daniel was removed from his home, and eventually thrown into a lions den.
John the Baptist was thrown in prison and beheaded for the truth.

They were in the will of God, yet they experienced persecution and suffering.

Why were these faith hero’s stories recorded in Scripture? For our instruction (Rom. 15:4).

When I became a believer in Jesus in 1974, the gospel message included this quote. “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” It’s referred to as “an abundant life.” Never think that the abundant life Jesus came to give produces ease and pleasure. The Word of God teaches the opposite.

Matt 5:11-12
11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What Happens When Jesus Comes?

2009-04-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

When the Scripture says the coming of the Lord is near, we must understand near in relation to the entire scope of all the ages. Many ages have past since the creation of man. The age in which you and I live is referred to as "The ends of the ages" (1 Cor. 10:11), “The consummation of the ages" (Heb. 9:26), and the "last hour" (1 John 2:18). It’s also referred to many times in Scripture as the last days. In other words, it's almost over for mankind here on this sin cursed earth. When compared to all time, His coming is near! James says believers are to live with "Patience." “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7).

Why? What’s going to happen when the Lord comes?

1. He’s coming with all His saints who are now in heaven (1 Thess. 3:13).

2. He’s coming with an angelic shout and a trumpet call. The bodies of the saints will rise first. It’s called the resurrection. Then the living saints will then be changed and up they will go (1 Thess. 4:16-17). All this takes place in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52).

3. Not just believers, but all unbelievers will also rise at the coming of the Lord (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-32).

4. The lawless one will also be killed by the appearance of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8).

5. The earth and all its works will be burned up and melt with fervent heat. The context of this passage is the second coming of our Lord (2 Peter 3:9-11). He's not slow concerning His promise to come.

6. The angels also come with the Lord, then judgment day occurs for all mankind. All peoples are placed into their eternal dwelling place – the lake of fire, or heaven (Matt. 25:46).

Matt 25:31-32
31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him;

All the preceding occurs at the second coming of Christ.

In other words, the ages will culminate, the ages will end at the second coming of Jesus Christ. We now live in the last days. How then should we now live?

Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming (1 John 2:28).

Patience My Brethren

2009-04-08T13:43:00.000-07:00

James has some tough things to say to the ungodly rich in this world (See Blog post below, The Unsaved Rich), and how they mistreat God’s people. Look what he writes.

James 5:4-6
4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

Notice in verse 4, those who did the harvesting cried out to God. Why? Injustice. Their pay was withheld. Now notice the name James ascribes to the Lord. “the Lord of Sabaoth.” Sabaoth means “armies,” or the Lord of armies, or the Lord of hosts. If one day we should experience injustice, remember, the Lord of armies is watching, and is ready to repay.

Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

How are we to act and live in the meantime? Read the next verse.

James 5:7-8
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

When the Scripture say the coming of the Lord is near, we must understand the scope of the ages. The age in which you and I live is referred to as "The ends of the ages (1 Cor. 10:11) and The consummation of the ages (Heb. 9:26). It's almost over for mankind here on this sin cursed earth. His coming is near! When the Lord comes, He will repay. He’s coming with His armies. It’s going to be a wonderful day for us, but a day of wrath and judgment for them. May we live with "Patience."

My next post will ask the question, “What will happen when Jesus comes again?”

She Won!!!

2009-04-06T21:06:00.002-07:00

I'm going to tell you something that I still find it hard to understand or believe. During the month of March my wife turns into the biggest college basketball "nut" I've ever seen. Why? Because Darren has us and many others fill out the March Madness National College basketball tournament. We select the winners and losers of the 64 team brackets. WELL, guess who won this year? Ya...she watched every game she could...cheering, groaning...etc.

North Carolina just won the championship game. She picked North Carolina. She had me take this picture and put it on my blog. How did I do this year? Well, anyway here's her gloating.

The Unsaved Rich

2009-04-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

James gets tough with the unsaved rich.
James 5:1-3 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

There’s only one place where moths and rust won’t destroy.

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys

Not a good idea to store up treasure, especially in the “last days.” What are the “last days?”

1. The ends of the ages (1 Cor. 10:11) 2. The consummation of the ages (Heb. 9:26) 3. The days in which the nations will stream to the mountain of the house of the Lord – the church. (Isaiah 2:2) How then shall we live in the last days?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;
Life is brief, a vapor. Marriage should not reduce one’s devotion to the Lord, and service to Him.

30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;
The believer should not get so swept up in the emotions of this life as to lose their hope, purpose, and endurance. Steadfastness is required in the last days.

31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
The believer is not to be swept up in earthly affairs so that heavenly matters become secondary.

Here's a principle in the Kingdom of God. What we keep, we lose. What we give to God we keep...and He adds interest to it.

Plans That Result In Sin

2009-04-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

Can I share with you our Men's Bible study this morning? We're studying the letter of James. Some Christian men made some plans. We found out it was evil and sinful. Oh, not in what they said, but in what they did not say.

Here's what they said.
James 4:13
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."

They left their Lord out of their planning. James gives two reasons why it was foolish for these men to leave God out of their plans.
Reason #1:
James 4:14
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.

We simply do not have control over our lives. Man cannot control future events. He has neither the wisdom or the power to control the future. For him to boast to that effect is sin; making himself God. (See also Prov. 27:1)

Reason #2:
James 4:14
You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Life is short. (Read Job 7:6; 14:1-2; Psalm 90:10-12)
We count our years at each birthday, but God tells us to number our days.

Planning and making decisions is not wrong. Sin enters when we leave God our of our decision making and planning.

How then should we respond? "if the Lord wills" (v. 15). It's not so much the statement, but the attitude of the heart. The same plans and decisions can be made by two believers. One can be sinful, and the other not, based upon your desire for God's will to be done.

Not only did these men ignore God's will to be done in their lives, they were actually arrogant in their decision.

James 4:16
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

The Word of God says it was evil. Why? In their arrogance they did not acknowledge God. They left Him out. With this context in mind, read the following verse.

James 4:17
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. NASU

What's the right thing?

I'm going to continue to share our nuggets with you..."if the Lord wills."

Sleep

2009-04-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

I told you I would let you know how my night went after the bad dreams the previous night (see previous blog). I did close my day in prayer. I gave thanks to the Lord, I prayed for others, and lastly I asked God to keep the demons out of my house tonight, if in fact it was the enemy who caused those awful dreams. The result? I slept all night long, and awoke refreshed. Thank You Lord.

One Of Those Nights

2009-03-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

Last night was one of "those" nights. I think we've all had them from time to time. The exact cause I really don't know, although I have a good speculation. After reading my book for about 45 minutes I threw the big pillow, propping my head, off to the side next to my book, laid my head down on my soft pillow and fell peacefully asleep for the night. I awoke about 4 am from a horrible nightmare. The Bible says, "in everything give thanks" so I did. I was thankful this was only a dream. After my amazement with how vivid this dream was, and how I could remember the awful details, I then turned to my side, closed my eyes, and fell asleep once again. It wasn't long before I found myself actively participating in another, although completely different, nightmare. Donna said I was thrashing all over the bed. She even attempted to wake me up...to no avail. After waking up a second time, I was amazed. Two in a row...vivid, graphic, awful. What's going on here? I wondered if this was an attack from the devil. Once again I was thankful to God that this was only a dream. What was my course of action at this point?
Sunday evening I just finished a four week, six hour class on spiritual warfare with a group of 36 men. Assuming these nightmares were empowered by the demonic realm, I simply did what I had been teaching the men to do. "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:6-7). I humbled myself before our God, who controls all things. I worshiped and gave thanks to Him for who He is. I then resisted the devil. I told him to leave my presence, and my house. Tonight I will close my day in prayer. I will worship the Lord, thank Him, pray for others, and lastly I will ask God to keep the demons out of my house tonight, for a restful night of sleep. I'll let you know how it went.

Marriage...Christ and His Bride

2009-03-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Why did Jesus die? There are many answers to this question. Let me highlight one.

1. TO GIVE MARRIAGE IT’S DEEPEST MEANING
Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
gave Himself up for her,

The church is also referred to as the bride of Christ (Rev. 19 & 21).

God’s design for marriage (in the Bible) pictures the husband loving his wife the way Christ loves His people…His bride.

God’s design for marriage pictures the wife responding to her husband the way Christ’s people should respond to Him.

Jesus came to call His bride, and to die for her, to display the way marriage was meant to be.
Jesus loved His bride to the point of death, and told her, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

God’s idea for marriage begins for the first two people… Adam and Eve.

Paul quotes Genesis 2:24

Ephesians 5:31-33
31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Then in the very next passage Paul interpreted what he quoted.

32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

This means that in God’s mind & eternal plan, marriage was designed to display Christ’s relationship to His people. It’s called a mystery because this purpose of marriage was not clearly revealed until the coming of Christ.

And look at the very next verse:

33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

Love and respect between a husband and wife is a picture of Christ’s love for His Bride…the world is watching.

Since this mystery was in God’s mind from the beginning, it was also in Christ’s mind when he faced death.

Husbands: Among the many reasons for Christ’s suffering, is this…He was telling you husbands how to love your wife.

Eph 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

Will you suffer for the well being of your wife? Give up your rights? Will you suffer disappointments or abuses... even from her?

TEXAS

2009-03-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

Donna and I just returned from visiting our Missionaries, Kevin and Jen Ivie, in Leander, TX. We spent five days with them and their family. We flew 1500 miles, and I think we drove at least another 1500 miles. One of my purposes was to see what they are doing in their mission work as Awana missionaries. I was also able to speak to the parents and children of 8 churches who attended the Awana Quiz. Kevin and Jen are very busy people. Kevin took me with him to meet with a pastor who may become one of his Awana churches.

We also were able to see the sights and sounds of Austin and San Antonio. Here's my lunch after church. I had no idea how big it would be.

I also learned a few things about the Alamo and the significance of that battle that I had never known. Did we like Texas? Yes.

There's Power in That Name

2009-01-31T09:12:00.000-08:00

The name of God has power. The following incident took place in the garden on the Mt. of Olives the night Judas betrayed Jesus.

John 18:
4 "Whom do you seek?"
5 They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am ." And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.
6 So when He said to them, "I am ," they drew back and fell to the ground.

This is significant. The people who came to arrest Jesus were knocked backward, struck by the power of God, and to the ground they went when He identified who He was.

It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Yes, you’ve come to arrest Me, but you’re not in control here. I’m in control. You’re here by My Father’s will…not your will. And you will bow before Me when I tell you who I am.

When God sent Moses to the children of Israel in Egypt, Moses asked who shall I tell them sent me? God said, "Tell them 'I am' sent you." Jesus said the following about Himself.

John 8:56-58
56 " Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 57 So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am

Jesus claimed to be "I am."

You know, going back to Mark 14…If I was in a group of people, and all of a sudden found myself on the dirt, and not just me, but everyone with me…I think I would have asked a question or two. “What just happened? How did this happen?” Who did this?” Who is this Man?”

There’s no written account of anyone asking those questions.

One day every knee shall bow before the great I AM.

Cruise and Contrast (But For God's Grace...)

2009-01-12T15:27:00.000-08:00

Donna and I just returned from a 3 day cruise to Mexico. We cruised from Long Beach with 2,300 other people, all of whom had a completely different motivation for the cruise. We went with a group of Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary Alumni. The real reason I went was because professor David Needham would be the speaker. He was my favorite professor while at Multnomah. He's more than a good speaker. He speaks from the depths of his heart. The Spirit of God always ministers to me when this man speaks. Our dinner tables were assigned to us. Guess who Donna and I were with for every dinner? The Needhams!!! Listening to his teaching was worth it, but having the chance to talk with him was beyond my expectation.

What a contrast there was between these two groups on the Carnival Paradise ship. While we were drinking the spiritual water of life, listening to professor Needham in this very ornate lounge, there were many more people in the adjacent casino and bar drinking something else, yelling, screaming, laughing...etc., you get the picture.

David Needham talked about worshiping a joyful God, the glory of God, God's joy in us and our joy in God and each other. The world certainly has a different kind of happiness. My heart went out to those people. Especially the ones who woke us up at 3:30 in the morning, drunk, yelling, and saying things I can't write...etc.

After I woke up by the commotion outside the door, I looked out the window. This is what I saw. It blew me away. I had to grab my camera. (Click on photos for a larger view).

The ship was three football fields long. This was our first cruise. I was amazed by many things these last three days. The size of that ship...the money spent on that ship...the food on that ship....the 57 different nationalities of workers on the ship. But to be honest with you, if not for the fellowship of the believers, and the great teaching, the Carnival Fun Ship would not be our kind of fun.

Here's a couple of shots of the ship. They told us this ship is ranked as the second most popular among all the Carnival cruise liners. I now know why.

I have to admit, the food was good...and plentiful. It's now diet time.

Another Miracle from God

2008-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Name: Hayden Emily Rusco
Birthday: Born 12-18-08
Time: 3:30 A.M.
Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.

Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.

The Purpose of Christmas

2008-12-17T15:42:00.000-08:00

Q. What is the purpose of Christmas?

The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).

The devil’s works are to keep the unbeliever under the penalty of sin – spiritual death. But Christmas came (Jesus became a human being) and He lived a completely sinless life. Therefore, He had “NO” penalty of sin to pay for himself. That qualified Him to pay your penalty for sin, and set you free from paying it yourself, thereby receiving God’s forgiveness. (Substitutionary atonement). All that the Father gives to the Son receives this great gift.

Acts 10:43
“…through His name everyone who believes in Him receives
forgiveness of sins."

Q. Are those works destroyed in your life? Your eternal destiny in heaven depends on it.

An Almost Shocking Experience

2008-12-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

Five o'clock A.M.??? and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I got up and made the coffee. This is a good time to go over my sermon on Sunday morning. After my third cup of coffee, my heart began doing something it had never done before. It began beating very irregularly...very fast and quick, then slow. I was sitting there on my front room couch feeling like I had just run a sprint from home plate to third base. When Donna and I came to the conclusion it wasn't going to settle into a normal pulse rate, she drove me to the Emergency Room at Twin Cities Hospital. I've never missed my responsibility of preaching/teaching my sermon on a Sunday morning. I waited, but after calling Dr. Lemm to tell him we may not make today, he urged us to go to the hospital.

It was weird listening to my heart beating so irregularly, as I lay there on the emergency room bed. The doctor and staff were great. When we had a moment, the doctor and I were talking baseball. He had an autograph baseball signed by Mike Schmidt. I told him Mike took my position while playing in the Phillies organization. We both laughed.

The doctor gave me the options I had. Really only one made sense. Although it was the one I didn't want to do. They were going to shock my heart back to a normal pulse rate. I asked if I could go to the restroom first. They said yes. They were getting ready, and I walked into the restroom. I said, "Lord, what's going on here? I'm OK with not preaching my sermon today, but Lord I just don't want to get shocked. Lord, is that possible?" I walked out and as I was walking down the hallway I felt different. I placed my fingers on my wrist and my pulse was beating normally. As I walked into the room I told everyone my heart was in rhythm. They said, "Sure..."
When they hooked me back up to the heart machine it was music to my ears.
They kept me for another ninety minutes. It maintained. That was an almost shocking experience. Thank you Lord. And thank you all at PRBC who were praying for me. I think it was the same time you were praying that my heart went back.
I'm now sitting here on that same couch listening to the rain with a thankful heart. Literally.

P.S. No more leaded coffee.

The Shack

2008-11-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

My Observations

Imagine that you were asked to write a fiction novel. It will be about a man named Mack whose 6 year old daughter was killed by a kidnapper. Mack and his family are completely devastated by this senseless killing. Still struggling with the death, a few years later Mack receives a note from Papa (God) asking him to meet with God at this particular shack in the mountains. Mack actually goes and yes, Papa shows up. Not only does Papa show up, so does Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Your goal in this fiction novel is to use your biblical knowledge of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and write a dialogue between the four of them. The questions on Mack’s heart are obvious. Why did Missy (6 year old daughter) die? God, what was Your role in her death? “If you couldn’t take care of Missy, how can I trust you to take care of Me?” p.92. Good question…Welcome to “The Shack..”

Obviously your understanding of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will be the key to this story. The theology of author William P. Young certainly shines through in this fictional novel. Yes, its fiction, but he is teaching about the Christian God. I have to admit, as I was reading, I was brought to tears several times as I identified with Mack's loss of his daughter. But I also found within his teaching doctrinal error which is pervasive in the Christian church in our day. I would not be concerned except for the unusual acceptance by many believers today. As a shepherd of God's flock, I have the responsibility to oversee, to watch for myself and for all the flock the Holy Spirit has made me overseer. I must warn and bring to light the not-so-subtle error in this book.

My blog would simply be too long if I cited each biblical error, but here’s a few.

1. God (Papa) is actually portrayed as a “big black woman.” p. 88-89.

2. In the book Papa says, “I’m neither male nor female.” But in Scripture God is called Father.

3. “When we three spoke ourself into human existence as the Son of God we became fully human…we now became flesh and blood.” p. 99.
God the Father and God the Spirit did not become human flesh, only God the Son. There are three distinct Persons in the Godhead.

4. “Do you understand,” she (God) continued, “that unless I had an object to love – or, more accurately, a someone to love…then I would not be capable of love at all?” p. 102.
This is error. God is love. He doesn’t need a person to love to be capable of love.

5. “The God who is – the I am who I am – cannot act apart from love!” p. 102.
Yes He certainly can. Read the Old Testament. The author does not see the wrath of God, or the hatred of God.

6. The writer paints a picture of only a loving God. Mack asks a good question of the Three. “Are there any (people) who you are not especially fond of?”
“She (God) lifted her head and rolled her eyes as if she were mentally going through the catalog of every being ever created. “Nope, I haven’t been able to find any. Guess that’s jes’ the way I is.” p. 118-119.
I know of many in Scripture that God was not especially fond of. God hated Esau (Rom 9).

7. The writer portrays the Christian God as follows. “I don’t need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment…It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.” p. 120.
If you are a believer, I hope you understand that God will certainly punish people for sin (Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6).

8. p. 122-123; undermines biblical authority.

9. p. 147-148; If women ruled, the world would be a much calmer and gentler place.

10. p. 148; In the answer of why Jesus became a man, the writer quotes Jesus as saying, “I came as a man to complete a wonderful picture in how we made you.” What’s wrong with just getting biblical and saying I became a man to take upon myself God’s wrath, to become sin. To pay the penalty for the sin of the many. But the writer doesn’t see God as a God of wrath.

11. The writer pushes throughout the book the doctrine of salvation by man’s choice. “We will never force that union on you.” p. 149.

12. p. 192 Here’s a very popular teaching today. The author writes, “Through his death and resurrection, I am now fully reconciled to the world.” Mack answers, “The whole world? You mean those who believe in you, right?” “The whole world, Mack. All I am telling you is that reconciliation is a two way street, and I have done my part, totally, completely, finally. It is not the nature of love to force a relationship but it is the nature of love to open the way.”

According to Young, the way was opened 2000 years ago. This view believes Jesus’ work is completely done. He’s now in heaven watching and hoping for you. It is now up to each man, woman, and child to choose Jesus. He’s out of the picture. Each person must make the decision “on their own” to receive Jesus or not. In this view, each person must now search for Him. As the song says, “wise men still seek Him.” Are men, in their depraved, sinful state, wise enough to seek Him? R.C. Sproul writes,

We do not “find” God as a result of our search for him. We’re found by him. The search for God does not end in conversion; it begins at conversion. It is the converted person who genuinely and sincerely seeks after God. Jonathan Edwards remarked that seeking after God is the main business of the Christian life.

Those who believe this view have a difficult time with the following: We who have believed in Jesus are all drawn, chosen, elected, enabled, appointed, called, predestined, given mercy, made alive, and granted salvation by God’s sovereign purpose and power. The Spirit of God must DRAW every person to salvation. To say the Godhead is no longer involved in salvation is heresy.

13. Another troubling heresy is the teaching that God is not involved in bad things that happen. Missy’s death was not God’s idea. p. 165; “But I still don’t understand why Missy had to die.” “She didn’t have to, Mackenzie (Mack). This was no plan of Papa’s. Papa has never needed evil to accomplish his good purposes.” p. 222; “I did not purpose Missy’s death, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use it for good.”

My question is how can one take comfort in a God who is not in control? Can someone take my life, or my grand children's lives outside of God's will? This is heretical teaching. Can thousands of people die in a 9/11 outside of God's will? This heretical teaching is called dualism. God and Satan are battling it out. Two equal powers battling it out for the souls of mankind. This teaching describes an unbiblical, weak, god. This god is one who cannot control the destiny of mankind.

Matt 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

If a sparrow can’t die outside of God’s will, certainly a human being can’t.

14. p. 185; “Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don’t ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes. That will only lead to a false notion about me.”

Quite the contrary:
Isaiah 45:6-7
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.

Job certainly did not believe in the author's god.
Job 1:21
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD."

15. Let me close with the following quote from the book.
p. 225; “In Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me”

If all humans sins are forgiven, all humans will go to heaven. Can somebody be sent to hell with their sins forgiven?

Ok. Your assignment is to now re-write this fictional novel. How will you write the dialogue between Mack and God? How will you respond to Mack's questions? I believe the author's, biblical understanding is greatly lacking. Therefore, I do not recommend this book.

Why the Providence of God is Critical For Every Believer to Understand

2008-11-17T21:36:00.001-08:00

While in Valencia last week we finished the details that must be done after a death in the family. The funeral service was to be held on Saturday, at 1: pm. We got up that morning knowing we had all morning to prepare, pack and drive the 30 minutes to the funeral home in Glendale. But God had other plans that day. A fire had burned all night and Interstate 5 was was closed. We now had to go back to the coast and take 101 to Glendale. It took us over 5 hours to make that drive. Everyone else from Interstate 5 was also on the detour to 101. God altered our plans. We had a choice to panic, or trust God's providence. We called the funeral establishment and told them our predicament. They waited over an hour and we finally arrived. I walked directly from the car to the front and began the funeral service for my uncle in my blue jeans and golf shirt. No one minded. Uncle Bob would have liked it that way.

God's Appointments

2008-11-13T12:16:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we were to move Donna's uncle Bob up north to Vacaville. There he would be closer to family. But he took a turn for the worse. The previous Saturday I could not understand anything he mumbled. Sadly, he was no longer physically able to make the move. He was looking forward to it. The one thing he said that could be understood was, "I'm sorry."

Tuesday morning I received a call from the Care Facility and was told he would not make it through the day. We packed and before we left home he had died. I'm doing the memorial service for him Saturday, here at Glendale, and the graveside service at Rose Hills directly after that. Donna and I have been here with her sister and her husband since Tuesday. We've cleaned and prepared his house and listed it for sale. In one day we had an offer on the house. We've accepted it. Uncle Bob's 100 day Medicare payments for his care ran out the very day he died. When we were at the Funeral home yesterday, I looked at his discharge papers from the Army. He served during WWII. But something I didn't know...He was awarded for heroism, 4 Bronze Stars. He never spoke about it. He died on Veterans Day. We'll be back Saturday night. Can't wait to go to church Sunday.

1 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted (Eccl. 3:1-2).

True - False Test

2008-11-11T17:05:00.000-08:00

You know how I love True-False statements. Answer them and then answer the question, "Why?"

1. T F The righteousness of Christ that is transferred to us is the righteousness He achieved by living under the Law for thirty-three years without once sinning.

2. T F The righteousness of Christ that the believer receives is the righteousness Christ had from eternity past.

3. T F Jesus had to live a life of obedience before His death could mean anything.

4. T F Jesus did not have to acquire merit through His sinless life for His atonement to have effect.

5. T F Without His life of sinless obedience, Jesus' atonement would have had no value at all.

6. T F We need to see that not only did Jesus die for us, He lived for us.

Duties to Government & God

2008-11-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

In light of the recent election results, Scripture teaches that our duties to government are actually duties to God.

Romans 13:1-2
1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-15
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Guess who was the king when Peter wrote this letter? Yes, the most wicked, anti-Christ king... possibly of all time...Caesar Nero

1 Timothy 2:1-3
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

Q. When are our duties to government stopped by our duties to God?

Let's Talk Church

2008-10-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

When a person becomes a Christian, he doesn’t just join a local church because it’s a good habit for growing in spiritual maturity, although it is. He joins a local church because it’s the expression of what Christ has made him—a member of the body of Christ.

We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...a church. This attitude has even produced a generation of church shoppers and hoppers. Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion." It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.

When does a church become healthy and perfect? A healthy church is not one that’s perfect and without sin. A healthy church is not a church that's figured everything out. Rather, it’s a church that continually strives to take God’s side in the "struggle" against the ungodly desires of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It’s a church that continually strives to conform itself to God’s Word.

Wow, what a great striving this is!

Areas of Sin That Have Come To Light

2008-10-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Driving to see my mother yesterday, rehabilitating in Sunnyvale from hip surgery, I saw several grain silos along highway 101. The James passage came to my mind.

James 4:13-17
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

They seem to be normal people in this passage, talking about business, and how to make more money. Who of us have not had this kind of thought or conversation? But their talk was evil. Why? It was not of faith. They left God out.

Romans 14:23
whatever is not from faith is sin.

We live in this world and must respond and interact with it. But how often do we engage in idle chatter about worldly things, and leave God out of it and out of the attitude of our conversations? Paul wrote to Timothy, avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, (2 Timothy 2:16).

Could it be that we Christians often find ourselves committing these kinds of sins? Sins of omission? It drains us of spiritual power. Sin weakens us...strains our marriages. Is it true that we should be constantly seeking (Matt. 6:33), and placing our mind on things above? I believe if you remove these sins of omission, you will experience a much greater degree of freedom from the sins of commission. I must say, the following passages have found new meaning in my own life.

Colossians 3:1-2
…keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

...Rejoice always...in everything give thanks...pray without ceasing...

Proverbs 3:5-10
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Divorce and Remarriage

2008-09-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Are the exception clauses in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 intended to provide for divorce and remarriage when one of the partners commits adultery?

This is the question I will address in light of the apparent absolutes spoken by Jesus, and elsewhere in the Word of God. The question rose from a recent sermon, which included Mark 10:11-12. Some of my teaching on this passage is found in the previous blog, "What Did Moses Command?"

Mark 10:11-12
11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;
12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

Luke 16:18
"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

Q. Would the hearers and readers in the first century have assumed that the above absolute statements of Jesus included exceptions (Matt. 5:32; 19:9)? I have significant doubts.

Look at the second half of Luke 16:18; he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
This could refer to a man who has divorced his wife, and remarried according to the first half of this verse. If the traditional view of Matthew’s exception clause is correct, then this woman is free to remarry…but not according to Jesus.
This could be an unmarried man who becomes married to a woman who is divorced. The divorce appears to be referred to by Jesus as a real divorce. If this man marries this divorced woman, he commits adultery. Why? Because God considers her still married to the husband who divorced her.

Let’s look at the exception clause in Matthew 5:32, which, I believe is not an exception clause at all.

Matthew 5:32 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

This is simply saying that through divorce, a man makes his wife an adulteress…except in the case where she has made herself one...unchastity.

Where’s the exception clause here?
Q. If a man divorces his wife for the cause of unchastity, or not, isn’t she made to commit adultery either way, if she remarries?

Another interesting clue about the “clause” passages is how Matthew uses the word porneia in each passage, instead of moicheia which is translated, adultery. If adultery was what Matthew meant, why did he use the word porneia? Porneia (fornication) describes sexual activity by the unmarried. Matthew uses both words side-by-side in Matthew 15:19. Therefore, Matthew conceives porneia (fornication) as something different than adultery.

This clue leads us to the following clue. In John 8:41 the Jewish leaders indirectly accuse Jesus of being born of porneia…that Mary had committed fornication and Jesus was the result of this act. Now, looking back at Matthew 1:18-20, Joseph and Mary are betrothed to each other, not yet married. Betrothal is much more significant than our engagement. Joseph was going to (put away) Mary for this assumed porneia, and Matthew says he was “just” in his decision. Keep tracking with me. Now in Matthew 19:9, in order to avoid an inconsistency between what Matthew says about Joseph and what Jesus says about divorce, the Spirit of God, through Matthew, inserts the exception clause in order to show that the kind of divorce that one might pursue during a betrothal, on account of fornication, is not included in what Jesus had said about adultery. This is why the word porneia is used. Mary was not accused of committing adultery. She was only betrothed to Joseph. Joseph believed she committed porneia (fornication), not adultery, being not yet married.

Therefore, the exception clause in Matthew 19:9 was written to the Jewish culture in which a divorce (putting away) could take place in the betrothal stage. Putting a woman away in the betrothal stage cannot result in adultery. That’s why the word porneia is used, and not adultery. That’s why in the gospel of Mark and Luke, written to Gentiles, there is no exception clause. It’s only found in Matthew, which was written to the Jews. There is also no exception clause in Romans and 1 Corinthians.

We live in an age that holds a very liberal view of divorce and remarriage. Many in the churches today have experienced divorce and remarriage. How should a Christian couple, who’ve been divorced and remarried, respond to this teaching of Jesus? Here are some suggestions.

• They should say the same thing the Word of God says about the marriage. That’s what confession is. There is complete and total forgiveness from God, not only positionally, but experientially according to 1 John 1:8-9.
• They should not attempt to return to the first partner after entering a second union.
• They should not separate. The Bible does not give prescriptions for this particular case, but it does treat second marriages as having significant standing in God’s eyes. There were promises made and a union formed. Promises are to be kept and the union is to be sanctified to God. Staying in a second marriage is God’s will, and their ongoing relationship should not be looked on as adulterous.
• They are to live their lives to the glory of God, coming along side others with biblical truth and comfort for those who are struggling, encouraging and comforting others with the same comfort they received from God.
• They must receive and believe God’s forgiveness for them, and then live in the present to God’s glory.

What Did Moses Command?

2008-09-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

One day Jesus was put to another test.

Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.

Matthew writes it like this:
Matt 19:3
Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?"

Jesus answers:
Mark 10:3-9
3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"
4 They said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

They were quoting the well known passage on divorce found in
Deut 24:1-4
24 "When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house,

Q. What does “he has found some indecency in her” mean?
Since adultery would mean possible death…This may be something less than adultery.

and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house,
2 and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man's wife,
3 and if the latter husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife,
4 then her former (1st) husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, (WHY?) since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.

The 1st husband cannot take her back because she is defiled.

Q. How did she become defiled? She had sexual relations with another man.
This passage does not advocate divorce. But attempts to limit its worst consequences for the wives.

God considered the first husband and wife as one flesh.

And even though a certificate was given, she became defiled by her second marriage. She committed adultery.

1 Cor 7:10-11
10 the wife should not leave her husband (divorce)
11(but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

It’s interesting, when Jesus said "What did Moses command you?"
The Pharisees went to the Deut. 24 passage.

But Moses also wrote the Genesis 2:24 passage on marriage, which Jesus now quotes as He continues in Mark 10.

"Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment
6 "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. 7 "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, 8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

There is God’s commandment.

Jesus is re-stating and recovering God’s will for marriage.

His opponents ask what is permissible.
Jesus asks what is commanded.

Once again, this blows the disciples away. They have questions.
Mark 10:10-12
10 In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again.
11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;
12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."

Why? Because the man and woman are now one flesh. Not two. Joined together by God, and He doesn’t unjoin them.

Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

These must be the words of husband and wife.
"TILL DEATH DO US PART"

Rom 7:2-4
2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
3 So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.

Till death do you part. It's a picture of death to the law and our marriage relationship to Jesus Christ.

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.

Is divorce and adultery the unforgivable sin? NO! Is there forgiveness? Absolutely!
What about abandoment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7)?
And what about the Matthew passages which give grounds for divorce? Coming Soon.

Kingdom Greatness

2008-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game was Willy Mays. He was one of my hero's from a young age. As a young boy I was listening to the Giants playing the Dodgers. Willy hit four home runs in that game. As a 10 year old I went to my first Big League game at the Los Angles Coliseum, and watched Willy hit one over the big fence in left field. That fence was only 201 ft. from home plate. Thirteen years later, in 1972, I found myself pitching batting practice to the New York Mets. It was Willy's last year, and he was now playing for the Mets. It was a moment I won't forget. When he came to bat, I thought if I could throw a few pitches past him, maybe make him look bad, I would be noticed…After every pitch I threw for a strike, all I saw was a white streak, line drive. Even in his last year he was great. Why was Willy Mays great? Because he was the best, the first, the greatest at what he did.

I, personally, still have that competitive spirit. Paul had it. He said, “run the race to win.”
The disciples also had that desire. One day Jesus asked His twelve men, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest (Mark 9:33-34). Why were they silent? Guilt…shame…Their silence was a wordless confession.

Jesus recognizes in his disciples' desire for greatness a good thing…But they defined greatness by the standard and morality of the kingdom of this fallen world. Here's how Jesus set them straight.

35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." 36 Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me" (Mark 9:35-37).

True greatness is not wanting to be first while others are second and third and fourth, but true greatness is the willingness to be last.

And true greatness is not positioning yourself so that others praise and serve you, but true greatness is putting yourself in a position to serve everyone else.

So Jesus doesn't condemn the quest for greatness. He radically transforms it. Go ahead and pursue it, he says. But the path is down, not up.

EX: Take pastors for example…The measure of true greatness is not how many people attend the church.
Or how much praise he receives.
Or how many books he has written.

But rather, how much heartfelt desire exists to serve others.
How much willingness to decrease while others increase.

Why did Jesus use the child as an example? In Jesus day, children and women were largely auxiliary members of society. Girls under 12 could be sold by their fathers as slaves. He is teaching us, we are to receive children, the least, the insignificant of society. When we do, we are receiving Him, ministering to Jesus, but more than Jesus, to God Himself. If a man receives the poor, the people who have no influence, and no wealth, and no power, the people who need things done for them, Jesus says he is receiving Me.

Getting old is not for sissies

2008-09-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

When we walked out of the building this time, we were crying. Donna's uncle Bob is 92, blind, can hardly hear, and can't walk. He's in an assisted care facility in Glendale, CA. Now add confusion, and dementia.

Donna and her sister are the only family he has.

I wheeled uncle Bob out to the patio. We talked and ate lunch. He's had no desire to eat, so Donna fed her uncle. He actually ate. We carried on a good conversation for the first couple hours. After lunch Donna left the table for a moment, and uncle Bob told me, "Dave, you married one great woman." "You're right uncle Bob, I married up."

I said, "Uncle Bob, the most important thing now, is where you are going to spend eternity." He broke in and asked me what hell is like. I told him what the Bible says, and finished with, "Bob, you don't want to go there." I once again explained the gospel to him. It's interesting, because you have to speak loudly for him to hear. Therefore, all the other people on the patio could easily hear the gospel also.

Shortly after this uncle Bob completely left us. He went to another place, another realm, driven by dementia. It must have been an awful place, because it was "so hard" to listen to him like that. He did not come back. We left...until next time. Getting old is not for sissies.

Back To The Future

2008-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ok, go to Mark 8:27. Travel with me into the future. But first, mark your place in Mark, and then turn back to Matthew 7. We're going back...to the future. Here's the scene. It's the great day of God's judgment. We see many people standing before the throne of Jesus Christ. Many of these people have preached in Jesus name most of their lives on earth. Many have done miracles, and all in the name of Jesus. And now, here they are...finally standing before the Person of Jesus, the Christ, the One in whom they have invested their lives., the One in who's name they were ministering. There's only one problem! ALL of them...all of these people were believing in the wrong Jesus.

"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS'"
(Matthew 7:22-23).

Now go to Mark 8:27. "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Who do you say that Jesus is? It's eternally important. If one is believing in a different Jesus, they are also believing a different gospel. Believing a different gospel will not result in salvation.

Partially Back. (Read "Time Marches On" first below)

2008-08-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

Before I left the care facility last night I told uncle Bob, "You're safe here." When Donna and I arrived at the facility today, the staff told us they did not have to sedate uncle Bob last night. That was great news. He was sleeping when we entered into his room. When he awoke, we heard something wonderful. Uncle Bob was in his right mind. All day he spoke with us, laughed with us, and complained a little to us about this most recent change point in his life. He ate the donut and Donna helped him sip the coffee we bought for him. Although very weak, and with an injured back, uncle Bob came back mentally and emotionally. I pray tomorrow will be the same.

We were all amazed when he began recounting my wedding day 39 years ago. He told me some of my baseball friends were writing all over my GTO. He remembers them questioning if Dave would like this. They said they didn't care...Uncle Bob laughed. He has a great laugh. Then he told me he was one of the ones who wired dozens of tin cans to the rear of my car. He laughed again. I never knew that. Do you know what? I really want to see this man in heaven with us...I really do!

Time Marches On

2008-08-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

He was one of those young boys who put on a uniform, was trained to kill, and went to fight a war on the other side of this world. The war was WW ll. His name is Robert Ingram. I know him as Uncle Bob. After surviving the fighting in Europe and Africa, he came home and married the sister of my wife's mother. All the years I've known him, I've not been able to get him to talk about his war experiences. Uncle Bob is now 92 years old. I performed his wife's funeral ten years ago in Los Angeles, and he asked me to do his also. This man has lived in the same house in Pasadena for over 50 years. The last several years he's lived without sight, with very little hearing, and mobility. They never had children. He has outlived his other family members. Donna and her sister Joyce Lindsey are his family.

Monday, while at the hospital comforting a friend, I received a phone call. Uncle Bob had fallen.
His care person found him on the floor Monday morning unable to get up. She had cooked his dinner on Friday and went home. How long was he there on that floor? From Friday night? He doesn't remember how he fell or how long he was there. When we arrived that evening at the Glendale Memorial Hospital, we found this man dehydrated, confused, fearful, and at times knowing who we were, and at times not.

When we were cleaning his house today, memories, and sadness came over me. Uncle Bob may never again enter his house. He's entered another "change point" in life. We all have these change points. Some are easier than others. Just by being here in this motel room is a change point in our lives also.

We found a care facility for our uncle. It's a great facility. But at best it's not good. Tomorrow will be our last day here. My brother-in-law and us will be visiting him every other week.

Donna's uncle is still there in that tent that has almost completely worn out. Here's the real scarry part. His spirit will never wear out and will exist eternally in heaven or hell. But the preaching of the cross has always been foolishness to him. We're asking our Lord not to require his soul until the blinders are removed from his mind and uncle Bob receives the gift of God...His eternal salvation.

Travel with me in your imagination...

2008-07-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Travel with me in your imagination for a few moments. You just heard that one of the greatest preachers, not only in our era, but possibly of all time would be preaching and presenting the gospel at Dodger Stadium. You are asked to bring your friends and family to hear the gospel from this man.

Many from your church and community are driving to the stadium. When you arrive at the parking lot you see that many people are already there. There are many busses and vans. You know that not only will there be thousands of non-believers in attendance, but there’s also thousands of Christians from many different churches and denominations. There will be many very well known Christian leaders in attendance. All desire to hear this man in person. They all want to know just how this man of God is so successful.

The stadium is packed. And after some great singing this man of God walks up to the podium and microphone. There’s a giant screen in left-center field for all to be able to see this man up close. The first thing you notice is that he’s not very tall. As a matter of fact, he’s not impressive looking at all. But most know it’s not how a person looks, but rather, what he says that’s important. As he begins to address this huge crowd, you quickly have a sense of uneasiness. It’s not long before you realize he’s not all that great of a speaker either. But you think to yourself, “Well, he’s not impressive looking, not a dynamic speaker, it must be what he says that makes him one of the greatest preachers.”

As you listen, question marks are forming in your mind, as he teaches the following.
“There is no one here who is righteous.
There’s no one here who understands God’s truth.
Not one of you seeks after God.
There is not one of you here today that is good, not even one.”

You are thinking, “What?” At the same time you begin to hear a noise of rumbling across this great crowd. It’s the sound of thousands of people talking, looking at each other…question marks. As he continues to speak, you begin to see people rising from their seats and actually leaving the stadium. Those who teach the health and wealth gospel are almost sprinting out of the stadium. They’re saying, “What kind of positive confession is this? Doesn’t he
know you receive what you sow, what you say?

Many unbelievers are now out of their seats and also heading for the stadium gates. They have been taught on TV and elsewhere that God is love. They’ve heard that God has a wonderful plan for their lives. God is supposed to build you up, not tear you down. He’s suppose to make you feel good about yourself, to build up your self-esteem, not make you feel so bad about yourself.

He continues...
Your words are rotten.
Your heart is deceitful.
Your mouths are full of bitterness, void of peace…”

The church growth experts were found walking up the isles shaking their heads. It was certain they were not going to find anything here to help them attract unbelievers into their churches. Let’s face it, every student of “The Basic Principles of Church Growth” knows you don’t invite unbelievers in and then tell them how sinful and horrible they are. The church must become relevant, and meet their needs. It must never offend, or condemn.

Many post-modernists and other pastors were out of there. They know that the
church only properly functions when it’s tolerant, loving, and inclusive. All this emphasis on sin, and unrighteousness will not draw people to God’s love. And it will certainly not keep people in the church. People need to feel accepted, not rejected and condemned.

Many of the best-known and successful pastors were seen leaving the stadium.

Well, as unbelievable as it sounds, there was now only a small group of people left sitting in the stands listening to this preacher. And as you look more closely at this small number, you see that most of them do not appear to be numbered among the upper crust of society. And as you continue to look at them, you can’t believe what you are seeing. Most are crying…sobbing. Some actually on their hands and knees with faces to the ground.

Then the Apostle Paul walks down from the platform, down to this little group of men and women, and he shares with them the incredibly good news of Jesus Christ. That He died, taking upon Himself God’s wrath that you deserved. He was buried, and rose again from the dead. All who believe in Him are forgiven of their sin because Jesus bore their sin and it’s penalty on the cross.

Matthew 5:3-4
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Of course, the points of Paul’s message are taken from Romans chapter 3. What do you think? Might the list of responses be similar in “Christendom” today?

What Defiles A Man?

2008-07-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

I'm now at that age when I must be very careful what I eat. The three C's - Calories, Carbs, and Cholesterol, are now on my radar, and I try to keep much of them from entering into my stomach. Why? For very real physical reasons. Do you know that's hard to do as a pastor? There are so many great cooks in this church. And most of them specialize in deserts. UG! But even though our physical bodies will become physically defiled, I'm excited about what Jesus said.

Mark 7:18-23
Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,
19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)

Food is physical. I'm glad eating food, (though the 3 C's may hurt the body), does not defile the heart, which is spiritual. But keep reading. Then I have a question.

20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.
21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

According to verse 20 and 23 the works, deeds (sins) that come from within defile the man. This then raises the following question: Which of the following statements is more accurate?
1. A person is sinful because he sins. Or
2. A person sins because he is sinful.

Or stated another way:
1. A person’s heart is defiled because he sins. (v. 20, 23) Or
2. A person sins because his heart is defiled.

Number 2 is the more accurate statement. So here's a multiple choice question.

What then will God judge mankind by on judgment day?
a. Whether he believed in Jesus from his heart, or not.
b. Whether he accepted Jesus into his heart, or not.
c. Whether his works, deeds were good, or not.
d. Whether he was baptized, or not.

Correct answer: Read the following verses.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

John 5:28-29
“do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds, to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

Matthew 16:23
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.”

Romans 2:5-8.
“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation”

Q. What will God look at on judgment day?
Yes, our deeds, our works, actions. It reveals the spiritual condition of our hearts.

In that courtroom, standing before the Judge, your heart will be on trial.

Prov 27:19
As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man. (NIV)

And deeds reveal the heart.
answer (C)

Theological and Logical

2008-07-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

Is the Covenant God made with Abraham conditional, or unconditional? Most will answer, and rightly so, that the Abrahamic Covenant is completely unconditional. God will accomplish and fulfill His covenant apart from any works or preset conditions upon mankind. If one answers unconditional, it will have theological, and logical conclusions. Here they are.

The unconditional fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham is fulfilled in the church, as all families of the earth are blessed by the seed of Abraham...Jesus. It is literally fulfilled by people believing the gospel, people from every nation. The unconditional aspect comes right back to the question of how do people become saved? Is it their choice, or God’s choice? The answer is both theological and logical. If the fulfillment of God’s Covenant with Abraham is God’s predetermined, unconditional, sovereign will and it is fulfilled by people from every nation believing the gospel, then a person’s belief in the gospel is God’s predetermined, unconditional, sovereign will. It’s not left to chance, or to the choice of man.

This is what’s known as a syllogism. A syllogism is a formal deductive argument made up of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. If the major, or minor premise is untrue, the conclusion will be untrue. If both the major and minor premise are true, the conclusion will always be true. Here’s an example:

Major premise: All birds have feathers.
Minor premise: Penguins are birds.
Conclusion: Penguins have feathers.

Let’s look at another syllogism:
Major premise: The Abrahamic Covenant is fulfilled by God’s unconditional, predetermined, sovereign will.
Minor premise: Individual belief in the gospel results in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant.
Conclusion: Individual belief in the gospel is God’s unconditional, predetermined, sovereign will for the individual.

God has not left the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant into the hands of man’s choice, or into the hands of chance, or into the hands of God’s passive foreknowledge. God has not called His unconditional covenant conditional. If the fulfillment of the covenant is all His work (major premise), and the covenant is fulfilled by people being saved (minor premise), then people being saved is all His work (conclusion). Therefore, the gospel is impossible for a man, women, or child apart from a miraculous move of God’s grace to that individual.

Storms

2008-07-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

Q. Did Jesus deliberately send His friends into that storm? YES

The excitement of this miraculous multiplication of food (Mark 6:32-44) was a lesson for the 12 disciples. The storm was the test, the exam after the lesson.

Q. How often does the Lord teach us something and then test us to see if we learned it? That has often been the case in my Christian life.

1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

Be discerning. Sometimes we are caught in a storm because we have disobeyed the Lord. Jonah is a good example of that. But sometimes the storm comes because we have obeyed the Lord. Because we are learning and growing in our faith.

Jesus had the 12 feed the thousands...He would supply the miraculous, they would supply the feet. Possibly up to 15,000 men, women and children were fed. He told them to get into groups of 50, and groups of 100. That would have been 75 groups of 100 people, and 150 groups of 50 people. 225 groups of people spread out over the grassy hills. The 12 disciples carried baskets full of food to each of these groups. Then they collected 12 baskets full of leftovers. It's getting late...dark...and after eating yourself, what's the last thing you want to do? Ya, row across the sea again. That's probably why the Scripture says Jesus, "made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side" (Mark 6:45).

Well, that evening, He brought the wind against His disciples, and they're struggling out there. It's after 3 am before Jesus walks by them...on the water. THEY DO NOT PASS THE TEST.

Jesus gets into the boat...calms the sea, and gives them an "F" for failure...and fear.

After they see that He calms the wind, Scripture says, "And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened" (Mark 6:51-52).

Their hearts are hard. They cannot grasp who Jesus is in their everyday life. They can't simply trust Him in the storm.

THEY MUST LEARN AND PASS THIS TEST...SO MUST WE.

Preaching, Casting, Healing

2008-06-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if you were told that you had a job to do. You are to take a friend with you and begin traveling to the cities in SLO County. First you are to go to San Miguel. Your next stop...Shandon. From there you are to travel to Cambria, then to San Simeon. Then Morro Bay. Here's what you both will be doing in each town. Telling the people in that town to repent. Also, that the kingdom of God is at hand. You're going to love this one...You are also to confront demon possessed people and cast out the demons. You are also to annoint the sick with oil, pray for them and heal them. I know what you are thinking... "What???" One more little thing. You can't take any money, extra clothes, or food with you. You can only take your faith in God, trusting that He will actually take care of both of you.
By the way, if they don't appreciate your ministry, if they think you're nuts, you are to shake the dust from that city off your feet as a testimony against them. And then go to the next city.

Are you ready for this assignment? Would you be a little nervous as you and your friend take off on your way, first to San Miguel? "Preach, demons, heal...?"

You might now have a little appreciation for the 12 disciples as they were sent out in pairs just like the description above. Without Jesus walking with them (Mark 6).

Bridge Inspectors

2008-06-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

The following is a blog article from one of my Seminary professors, Dr. John Wecks...and I actually wrote a response.

No Tolerance for Intolerant Inspectors
June 10th, 2008 http://blogs.multnomah.edu/johnwecks/

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to find a flaw in this thing.”

“A flaw? Who cares? This structure serves a greater purpose. You are too picky. Nothing is perfect. You need to loosen up and be more tolerant of flaws.”

So they left the primary support for the huge bridge like it was. Traffic was heavy on the bridge because it worked. After all, this bridge was doing something useful and helpful, such as connecting people.

This kind of thinking that produces sloppy inspection of a physical bridge that puts lives in physical danger would not be tolerated.

How much more should we be careful of the ways we carry the precious cargo of the gospel to reach out and connect with people’s souls and eternal destinies?

Careful inspection of a personal bridge that might put souls in eternal danger should not only be tolerated, but encouraged.

Gal. 1:6-9; Acts 20:29-31; 1 Cor. 6:13; 1 Pet. 5:8

One Response to “No Tolerance for Intolerant Inspectors — UHD 14:6”
By David Rusco on Jun 19, 2008

Dr. Wecks, you certainly don’t have to publish this, but I have a concern with the purity of the gospel and how it’s presented. I’m (trying) to write a book. It begins with, “What I’m about to say will be impossible for any human being to understand. Not only will you not understand, you will think it foolishness to varying degrees.” Why? Scriptural truth can only be understood by the human mind and intellect through the miraculous work of God’s Holy Spirit. In other words, the Word of Truth is so supernatural, only the Holy Spirit can make it understandable to the human mind. This has profound implications for the church in our era.

1 Corinthians 2:12-14
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

The things freely given to us by God are revealed in the Word of God. And there is only one way to know what these things are.

13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

In other words, without the Spirit of God the unbeliever cannot understand the Bible. It’s foolishness. How is it made understandable? Many in our era attempt to remove certain theological words to make the gospel easier to understand. Or they add to the gospel making it more attractive…ug!

Only by Divine grace is it understood. Only by the miraculous work of God’s Holy Spirit can His Word be understood.

I believe it is here that many in the church have minimized. The gospel is impossible for the natural man to understand (1 Cor. 1:18). If the gospel could be understood by natural human ability, then preachers would use, as Paul writes, “cleverness of speech.” Sadly, many are doing just that. But God sent Paul to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void (1 Cor. 1:17).

This is a partial result of my "bridge inspection." I certainly agree with Dr. Wecks. Where are the bridge inspectors in our day?

Let me finish my sermon!

2008-06-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

Time constraints prevented me from finishing my teaching Sunday morning on Fathers Day. Let me review...If you remember, I finished with the text from Mark 5:42. Jesus raised the twelve year old daughter of Jairus from death. Luke writes, 8:55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. I finished by talking about our spirit. God has given every man, woman, and child an eternal spirit. It's the real you. And your spirit will live forever somewhere. Either eternal hell, or Heaven. How important it is that we all die as a believer in Jesus.

My sermon would have continued a little later with a question. Why do you think Paul devotes twice as much writing to the husbands obligations as to the wives? Husbands, you are the God appointed leader of your household, even though you and your wife are equals in God's eyes.
Scripture says,
1 Corinthians 7:3-4
3 Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does;

Of course, this is referring to the marriage bed. How often have I heard this passage quoted without looking at the rest of verse 4. Here it is.

and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

The wife has authority over your body men. And you know what the topic is.

Men! Here's the key word for your wife...Romance

Women! Here's the key word for your husband...It's a three letter word that begins with the letter...well, you know.

I was going to tell a story about Darren and Jennifer Rusco. They just celebrated their wedding anniversary. While at the restaurant, they noticed another couple. They didn't know them, but knew they had been married for quite a while. Well, this other couple were sitting on the same side of the booth. They were talking, and laughing. The husband had his arm around his wife... hugging, talking...you get the picture. Well Jennifer and Darren were watching all this. Then Jennifer spoke across the table and asked Darren, "Honey, why don't you ever do that?" Darren replies, "Honey, I don't know that lady!"

Bible Study on Heaven

2008-06-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

Summer Sunday nights in July (6 - 7:15 pm) we will ask and answer several questions on the subject of Heaven. Where will we spend eternity? Will we have bodies? What age will we appear to be? Will we eat in heaven? Will we work? Will we know each other? Will there be animals? How about our pets? Will there be marriage? You all are invited and encouraged to attend. Child care available. Bible study by Pastor Dave.

Week 1: "Heaven - Is there really life beyond the grave?"

Week 2: "Why should we think about heaven?"

Week 3: "What will heaven be like?"

Week 4: "Heaven and the rest of your life."

Dave's New Book; Click here for link

2008-06-05T22:01:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. I actually published a book. No, it won't be on the best seller list. No, I won't be featured on the 700 Club, or Fox News. Frankly, it's not for everyone. It's teaching on the doctrine of Last Days, complete with charts. It will challenge the typical teaching on this subject in the church in our era...long overdue.
Needless to say, I was excited today when Donna brought the book to the church office. I had a smile beeming from ear to ear. I felt like George Macfly when Biff brought Georges long-awaited book into his house, in "Back to the Future."
Click the link above the cover photo if you want to know more about the book and possibly buy it. I'm still not too sure how it works. The publisher is Wordclay.com. They will ask you to register to buy a copy.
The issues I'm teaching on are stated on the book cover.
Israel; The Church; The Rapture; The Tribulation; The Second Coming of Christ; The Kingdom of God, among other issues...And yes, I'll actually sign it! That is, if you don't burn it first.

Memories

2008-05-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. I just celebrated my 59th birthday! What I'm going to say isn't wisdom, just logic. The older you get the more memories you get. Another chapter was added to one of my memories last night. Donna and I went to our grandsons school musical. It was great. After the musical we all went to McDonalds. As I was sitting there someone said to me, "Dave, five of your former basketball players are here tonight."
In my late 30's (early 40's?) I coached varsity boys basketball at North County Christian School. He was right. Out of the seven or eight players that year, five of them were once again together. This was a night that may never be duplicated again this side of heaven. Let me explain why.
Two of these young men married two of the Highschool girls who kept my scorebooks. And not only were these seven friends together last night, but also the parents, who are now grandparents. I remember sitting in many restaurants with these grandparents after our games, enjoying our fellowship, talking about the game that night.
These 5 young men, now in "their" 30's, are blessed with 17 little ones, running all over the place. They are now beginning to form their own memories. You can imagine...we took over Big Mac last night.
In closing, let me say something else. These five men are all following Jesus. Two of them are Pastor/teachers. One is a missionary, serving Christ in Africa. Two are leaders/teachers in the local church. Isn't that something? Thanks Lord for the memories.

Their Last Day

2008-05-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Connie was standing in my office sharing with me that on Saturday, May 9th, she and her husband Bob would make their last trip to the Paso Robles Youth Authority. As she was talking, her eyes became tearful, and her voice began to break.

Bob and Connie Masten have been going to the Youth Authority (a prison and school for teenage young men who have been convicted of a crime), for over 29 years. Every month they would ask people from the church to bake cakes. Bob and Connie would travel to the institution, carrying their cakes through the gates. The invitation would go out to all those young men having a birthday that month. The Masten's, and the friends who would go with them, would spend time with these young men, playing board games, singing happy birthday, and eating cake. A short message of God's love and forgiveness was also shared. Some of the boys told Connie this was their first birthday cake and party ever. Can you imagine?

I asked Connie how many cakes do you think people baked during those three decades? She actually kept track...1,146 cakes!

On judgment day Jesus will speak to both the saved and lost. He will say to the saved that they ministered to Him, and came to Him. The conversation continues...

Matt 25:39-40
39 "When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40 "The King will answer and say to them, "Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

Bob and Connie, you've been ministering to Jesus these 30 years. The Lord bless you both for your years of faithful service.

A Promise and a Warning

2008-05-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

In Mark 4:23 Jesus tells His disciples to hear, to listen. In verse 24 He asks for more.
24 And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to."

Or consider carefully what you hear…Don’t just listen!!! The passage continues:

By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.
25 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him."

How will these disciples respond to the light of Jesus, and the Word of the Kingdom? Passively, or actively.

By your standard of measure it will be measured to you (24b)
What they pour out from their life will be poured out back to them.

The same is true for the believer today.

Here’s a timeless, kingdom principle: You will reap what you sow.

If you pour out your life for the kingdom of God, God will pour back to you, to that same measure.
and more will be given you besides (24b).

If you are faithful with what God has given to you…He gives you more.
If we are not…He takes the hidden talent away.
NO!!! I'm not talking health and wealth (the prosperity gospel).

MORE of WHAT? More Truth to apply to your life.
He gives us a greater desire and urgency to glorify God.
A greater compelling capacity to love Him.
A heart wrenching, yet wonderful capacity to love others…to expend our lives for them.

God has given to you and I the responsibility here to do…or not do.
Here’s that relationship between the sovereignty of God and our responsibility.
Here’s the tension where God's Word says,
he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
But we read shortly after this,

12...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (live it out, pour it out)
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).

It’s His power. It’s our choice to measure out, to pour out ourselves to do the Word.

Jesus is not looking for passive listeners. He wants active listeners.
He’s drafted us to the team.
John 15:16
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit,

And to those Christians who just will not give their lives away…will lose what they have.

They’ll lose everything they might have had in Jesus.
They become mired more deeply in indifference, biblical ignorance.
Becoming spiritually insensitive.
There's little worse than to see a Christian loving the world.

SO THIS PARABLE IS BOTH A PROMISE AND A WARNING.

A Spiritual Activity

2008-04-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

When we think of spiritual things, or spiritual activities, we normally think of church related, or missions related activities. Let me add another to the list. Having the grandchildren over for dinner, playing with them until bedtime, tucking them all into their sleeping bags and blankets, with the expectation of rising "early" in the morning (5 AM). What were we going to do at that outragous hour of the morning? We all went to the spiritual activity of watching hot air balloons blow up and take off into the crisp, early morning air. What a wonderful "spiritual" activity with my wife and grandchildren. The amazing thing was all four of these young ones woke up bright eyed and ready to go. I wish I could have said the same thing about Donna.
What a great day as the sun rose up over
the horizon.

It was quite a sight to watch these huge balloons rise up into the air and slowly float away. It wasn't long before they were all floating away into the dawn. After this we went to the big M and had breakfast for real.
I simply would not trade this time with my grandchildren for anything.

Is God Still God?

2008-04-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

In my men's Bible study we are studying Isaiah. Assyria, the ruling power in Isaiah's day, has been conquering cities in the southern kingdom of Judah, and finally reach the city of Jerusalem. They taunt the city's people and their king Hezekiah.

"Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, 'The LORD will deliver us.' Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?" (Isaiah 36:18)

Hezekiah responds correctly by going to God with the enemies threats.
Isaiah 37:
17 "Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God.
18 "Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated all the countries and their lands,
19 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them.
20 "Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, LORD, are God."

Here's how God answered King Hezekiah's prayer:
36 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead.
37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home and lived at Nineveh.

The Assyrians were unaware their victories were all part of God’s greater plan.
God had decreed the collapse of nations and the turning of cities into ruinous heaps.

Isa 37:26
26 "Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, From ancient times I planned it.
Now I have brought it to pass,
That you (Assyria) should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps.

And now God will crush the very nation He raised up.
Isaiah 14:24-27
The LORD Almighty has sworn,
"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. I will crush the Assyrian in my land; on my mountains I will trample him down. His yoke will be taken from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders." This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.

Deuteronomy 32:39
There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.

Is God still God?

Daniel 2:20-21
"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 "It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;

He's still God, and we can still trust Him. He will accomplish His plan for the nation we live in.

Golfing for Jesus

2008-04-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I removed my checkbook, wrote a check to North County Christian School, and proceeded to play 18 holes of golf. It was their annual, Scramble, April Fools Golf Tournament. It was an opportunity to golf with three other men I had never golfed with before, and two of the men I hadn't known before Saturday. It really was "golfing for Jesus." The Athletic department raised several thousand dollars that day. The entry fee was a worthy cause, even if you didn't receive a golf round and lunch. How'd we do? Out of the 20 teams, we came in forth place. I've been golfing in this tournament for over 20 years now.
In the early days, it was known for the bad weather. We golfed in rain, lightning and thunder storms. One year as we were approaching the 9th green, it began to hail. As a matter of fact it was difficult to see our white golf balls on the green, because the green was covered with white hail. I'll never forget, as Barbara Clark stepped up to her ball, we were all laughing. She had about a 15 foot putt. She knew she had to hit it harder because of the hail. There it went, bouncing over the hail. There was no way she could make this putt. Just as it approached the hole it bounced up into the air and down into the cup. We still laugh and remember those days.
Golfing for Jesus? Yes! "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Growing In Fertile Soil

2008-04-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

It was 4: PM on Sunday evening, and I was enjoying the conclusion of the Masters Golf Tournament...my favorite tournament of the year. As I was watching the golf, I began thinking about the Sunday evening meeting which was to begin in just two hours. I found myself writing a song between golf shots. I grabbed my guitar and actually taught it to the congregation that night before we began our second study entitled "Don't Waste Your Life." I think I'll make it our theme song for the Sunday evening series. It's a simple little song. By popular demand, here's the words.

This Sunday morning I continue in the gospel of Mark, chapter 4:1-20. Jesus tells the parable of the sower. The traditional teaching of this parable interprets the seed as the gospel. The 4 soils as 4 different responses to the gospel. I have a few questions to ask Sunday. Here a portion of the text with a couple of my questions.

Mark 4:10-12
10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.
11 And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

Q. Who are those on the outside? Unbelievers

Q. What are parables? Simple stories which illustrated a spiritual truth.

Q. Why did Jesus use parables? Two reasons…
1) to reveal spiritual truth to His followers.
2) to hide spiritual truth from "outsiders."

12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN." Quoting Isaiah

Again… Why did Jesus speak and teach in parables?
To keep those on the outside on the outside.

Q. What is the seed? The word. Verse 14 says, "The sower sows the word.”
Matthew refers to the seed as "the word of the kingdom." (13:19)

Word = Gk. logos …or the Truths of the Kingdom.

So the “seed” the sower sows can be more than the salvation message (gospel).

Here are three important conclusion which may shift the traditional view of the parable of the sower.

1. Therefore, the soils should not purely be seen as responses to the gospel, but responses to the Word.

2. Remember, the truths of the parables were not going to the unsaved.
LOGIC: According to the traditional view of the second soil, how could the Word (parable) be received with joy by an unbeliever when it’s designed to be not receivable. To the unbeliever, the Word is referred to as foolishness. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised (1 Corinthians 2:14).

3. So the “word,” the seed being sown into the hearts of people are the truths of the Kingdom of God.

That can only occur in believers lives and hearts.

So allow me to offer another view of the 4 soils.
Instead of describing 4 types of responses to the Gospel, could it be that the 4 soils describe 4 different ways a person responds to the Word of the Kingdom? INCLUDING BELIEVERS.

Sunday morning @ 10:30...for the rest of the story.

Sunday Night Church?

2008-04-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

I remember in the 1970's, as a new believer, going to church on Sunday mornings, and then going back to church in the evening. I loved the more informal fellowship, singing, and teaching. The leadership at PRBC has been promoting a Sunday evening gathering, which began last night. Over 120 high school, college age, and older... have committed themselves, and re-instituted Sunday evenings once again. The subject is "Don't Waste Your Life."

We divided the sanctuary room into ten small groups of 8-12 people, with a discussion leader at each table. I believe our time together was interesting and profitable.

Each Sunday night will begin with prayer, singing, and then a 6 - 10 minute video of images, and music (no voices), which will allow us to slow down a little. Each video will characterize the theme of the evenings study. This is certainly a different concept, especially in our quick paced, instant, get it done culture in which we live. When I first saw it, my inclination was to eliminate these videos and just cut to the chase...to go directly to the 8 -10 minute teaching of John Piper. I'm glad I didn't.

Next week the topic is the beauty of Christ, my joy. Let me close with a quote from John Piper.
"God being glorified and God being enjoyed are not separate categories. They relate to each other not like fruit and animals, but like fruit and apples."

Do your homework, and see you next Sunday morning and EVENING!

Opportunity for God's Glory

2008-04-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

As you know, last week PRBC had Peter Whitebird here to minister in song and testimony. They were running low in their CD's, so they called to have more shipped to them. They needed a local home address for delivery, so Pete asked me if the shipment could come to our home. "Sure." I said. They came back through Paso on Friday, the 4th, to pick up their CD's and have dinner with Donna and I. That day Pete and I were talking about what we mostly talk about...TRUTH. We were talking about the God we both serve, especially His complete control of all things, which ultimately end for His own glory. And wouldn't you know it...about 9:30 last night, as we were sitting in our living room drinking coffee, enjoying our fellowship...it happened. "Crash!" The squeal of tires and the sound of metal crunching just outside my living room window. We rushed out through the front door. There it was...a young man did not make the turn correctly, and crashed into the Whitebird's van. Glass everywhere. Yes, the young man was OK. The police got him on a DUI and off he went. Pete and Judy have to be in King City by 3:30 today (Saturday). All their equipment is in that van, now with dents, the rear window missing, and broken glass all through their tightly packed van. "LORD, is this You." Does He cause all things to work together for good, for those He has called, for those He loves (Romans 8:28)? Yes. It's interesting, we were just talking about this verse in Romans. By faith we were giving thanks to God. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 5:20). I know this, that if a sparrow cannot fall from the sky apart from the Father's will (Matthew 10:29), this accident could not have happened apart from the Father's will. Job certainly understood that. Let me give you just one result of this accident. Our neighborhood, who were on the scene, knows who Pete Whitebird is, and that Donna and I are believers in Jesus. We were also able to treat this young man and his parents, who live down the street, with kindness and understanding. This story will continue.

Pastor Dave

Miracles in my life

2007-12-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

My son Darren, Grace VanPatten, and I were talking in the church office the other day. I was telling one of the stories about what the Lord had done in my life. Darren said, “Dad, you should write some of these stories down.” I said I’d take a stab at it. So here are some of those stories. Some of them may seem “a little out there.” But true, as I remember them. I refer to these things as God’s miracles. Some are little miracles, some, not so little. Let me begin with the greatest of all miracles, when God transfers a person from spiritual darkness to His marvelous light… forgiveness, and salvation from sin and its penalty, eternal death.

The Lord began to draw me and my wife Donna during my third year of professional baseball. My brother-in-law, Richard Lindsey, was a man who believed in Jesus. He served in the Navy, on a nuclear submarine stationed on the east coast. I was playing baseball in the Carolina League, in Virginia. Shortly after meeting him for the first time he asked me if I was going to go to heaven when I died. I thought, “What kind of a question is that?” I said, “Yes.” He then asked me, “How do you know?” After a long pause, I had to say, “I don’t know.” They would continue to witness and share their faith with us. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t the time for me to trust, to believe in Jesus.

Two years later, after being traded to the Mets, I was playing on the west coast. One of my teammates was a Christian man named Rick Baldwin. One road trip he told me all about Jesus. I liked Rick, he actually became a good friend, but I just did not believe in Jesus Christ. It still made no sense to me. It’s interesting, at the same time I went from the east coast to the west, my brother-in-law and his wife were also transferred to the west coast, to Mare Island Navel Station. And they continued to have a godly influence in our lives. God never gives up.
After playing six years of minor league baseball, I found myself “released,” which means I was fired from baseball. I began working at Cuesta College, in San Luis Obispo. My job was caring for the baseball and football fields and the surrounding grounds. I worked with a man named Dave Webster. He was a Christian. He was actually a missionary with the Navigators, a Christian ministry that worked on college campuses. He would bring teaching tapes for me to listen to. He would run with me after work. I remember him giving me a little card with the following verse written on it. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). It seems funny now, but at that time I didn’t understand what it meant.

The other man that worked with us was not a believer in Jesus. He would make fun of Dave and Christians in general. I began to see a contrast between a believer in Jesus and a non-believer. Even though the non-believer was funny and intelligent, my respect went to Dave Webster. Yes, Dave was also intelligent, but much more serious in his attitudes. The Lord was drawing me. But I did not believe or trust in Jesus as a result of our conversations. It still made no sense to me. As I look back, I certainly see how the Lord was drawing me to Himself. But the following story did not help the draw.

At the very same time I was making extra money as a referee for a Church basketball league which played once a week at the Cuesta College gymnasium. I would referee three games, and get home about midnight. The first two games both went into overtime. So when the third game also went into overtime, it was already midnight. It was late. So I told the scorekeeper to set the clock for three minutes, instead of the usual five minutes. One of the players came up to me, very angry, and said to me, “You can’t do that. We want five minutes, not three.” I was tired, and stubborn, and would not change the time. He continued, “I’ll have your job for this.” He continued speaking harsh to me, but now he began poking me in the chest with his finger. If I had ever done that while playing high school, or college basketball, they would have thrown me out of the game. So I said to this man, “If you hit me again with your finger, you are out of the game, and out of this gym.” Remember, this is a church league. He could not contain himself. He continued in anger poking me. I then booted him out of the game. He wouldn’t leave. I told him that if he would not leave, I would forfeit the game to the other team. He finally left the gym. The score keeper said to me, “I’m sorry for all this. He should know better.” I asked, “Who was that?” He said, “He’s our pastor.” But even though this incident was at the same time God was drawing me, this did not have a negative influence in my life. As I look back on it from my present perspective, now myself a pastor, I know that pastors are just men. We all must battle with the sinful flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

After this, my wife Donna wanted to go to church. I resisted for several weeks. But we finally went to the Atascadero Bible Church. She just thought it looked good for families to go to church together. So, in our minds, that’s why we went. God had a completely different reason. I remember sitting in the back. I didn’t know any of the songs. I have to admit, I was uncomfortable there. Then Pastor E.B. Claud began to speak. I found myself drawn to what he was saying. He was teaching the Bible, verse by verse. The pastor was also telling us about Jesus. The same Jesus that Richard, Rick, and Dave talked about. Guess what? Something happened inside of me. I had to go back the next week. We’ve been going back for 34 years now. I found myself actually believing in Jesus. More than that, I was falling in love with the Man who took away my sins penalty. I remember having a great desire to learn what the Bible said. I remember praying and saying, “Lord, I want to know what Your Word says.” He began answering my hearts desire. Jesus also began doing some other interesting things in our lives. Here are some of those stories Darren asked me write down.

At the very same time of our transformation, which means, our believing in, and trusting Jesus Christ, something else wonderful happened to me one evening. During my baseball career, I began having epileptic seizers during my sleep. Maybe from being hit once too many times in the head. But in our Atascadero apartment, on Olmeda Street, strange things were happening to me. Every night I would wake up. After opening my eyes, everything appeared to be yellow. My heart would be racing. I felt like I had just sprinted from home plate to third base. I also felt fear and panic in my mind. I hated to go to bed each night, not knowing what would happen that night. One evening Donna was tucking Dan to bed, while I was in the living room fretting. I don’t really know how to explain what happened next. I’ll do my best. Don’t think I’m nuts, but the best way to explain it is I just experienced a whole bunch of love while sitting in that chair. I felt an intense amount of love inside me. But it wasn’t me. It was wonderful. Nothing I had ever experienced before. I remember getting up, going into the bedroom and helping tuck Dan into bed. Then as Donna and I walked out of the bedroom, that love was still so intense, that I remember placing my hands behind Donna’s legs to actually help her walk out of the bedroom. It sounds strange now when I think back on it, but that love didn’t want her to walk by her own strength. I believe that was a little taste of God’s love, and how He, so much, wants to help us, in every aspect of our lives. Even to the point empowering every step we take. Oh, by the way, that night I slept all night long. I never again experienced those weird things happening to me. “Thank You Lord.”

My job ended at Cuesta College. Chris Key, a new friend of ours from the Bible Church, who also owned Key Termite, asked me to work with him one day killing termites. Being out of work at the time, I said yes. After the days work, he asked me if I could do this for a living. I thought I could do it for a little while. He said the only way he could hire me was with a government grant which would pay half my salary for the first year. I prayed and asked the Lord for that grant. As I was driving to the government building in San Luis Obispo to apply for this grant, I had a peace within me. As I inquired about the grant, the lady behind the desk told me she didn’t have any grants left. They were all being used. I told her, “Thank you anyway.” I was disappointed. I said to the Lord, “Well, I guess You have a different job for me.” Just as I turned to walk away, her telephone rang. And just as I opened the door to leave the building, she called out to me, “Young man, come back here.” She told me the phone call was from a person who just quit the program, and turned his grant back in. She said she would give it to me, and I can begin work tomorrow. I have learned there are no coincidences in God’s kingdom. “Thank You Lord.”

We rented a little house in Atascadero. The house didn’t have a cooking stove or a refrigerator. We didn’t have the money to buy them, so we prayed and asked the Lord for help. From an advertisement, we found a very cheap stove located in a warehouse. It needed some work. It was set up for propane, not gas. When I went to pick it up, the man at the warehouse asked me if I would take something else off his hands. It was a refrigerator. He just gave it to me…free. “Thank You Lord.” Donna’s dad turned the stove into a gas cooking stove. Our faith was growing.

We needed a car. Yes, we still didn’t have much money. So we prayed and asked God for a car. Our friends asked us if we had found one yet. “No, we’re praying.” They said, “The car is not going to drive into your driveway.” In other words, you have to go find one.
Meanwhile, my mother, living in San Luis Obispo, was driving past a gas station on Laurel Lane. She knew the owner. As she was driving by she saw a car with a sign in the window that said, “$700.00.” She turned around and asked about the $700. car and if she could show the car to her son. The owner said, “Yes, but how did you know I was asking $700 dollars?” Mom said, “I saw the sign in the window.” The owner said, “There’s no sign in the window.” “I saw it.” my mom said. They went and looked at the car, and there was no sign. But the owner was asking $700. for the car. My mother took that car and drove into my driveway. We were able to make very reasonable payments. “Thank You Lord.”

The car was a Buick Electra. It was a big boat that floated down the freeway. Everything actually worked on the car except the defroster. I could never get any air to blow out of it. One rainy evening Donna and I offered to drive a carload of pregnant ladies to San Luis Obispo. Something else about that car, the trunk leaked. After a few rains, I actually found a fertile harvest of green grass and mushrooms growing in the trunk carpet. As we took off, with all that breathing and moisture in the air, I found there was just as much water on the inside of my windshield as on the outside. Add the bright lights from the opposite traffic, and I, and everyone else simply could not see out my front windshield. I told the ladies my defroster never worked. I tried to wipe it with a cloth. Nothing worked. I couldn’t see. We asked God for help. Directly after our prayer, that defroster came on. Not only came on, but was blowing very hot air. Everyone became very silent. And very quickly the warm air dried up the moisture. “Thank You Lord.” By the way, that defroster never worked again after that. Do you think God actually did that for us? Let me just say, if it wasn’t God, then we were seeing some incredible coincidences.

One morning I, and my seven year old son Dan were in the field behind our rented house. He had a mini bike. We made a little track for him to ride. But we just could not start that little motor. I pulled that engine cord, and pulled and pulled. I did everything I could think of. No, there was one thing I didn’t do. Pray. Why is it that we often wait until there are no options left, before we pray? I said, “Dan, let’s pray. ‘Lord will You help us start this motor?’” The very next pull that motor started. “Thank You Lord.”

One day our family decided to go to the Mid-State fair in Paso Robles. One thing I dislike about the fair is trying to find a parking place. Is it alright to ask the Lord for something like a good parking place? We asked. At this time they still allowed parking next to the front entry. Now that area is reserved for busses only. As we were slowly driving past the front gate, a man popped out and stopped my car. He came up to the window and asked if I wanted his parking place. YES! He pulled out and I pulled in. Not only was it a good parking place, it was the very best parking spot at the Mid State Fair, right next to the front entry. “Thank You Lord.” Coincidence? Luck?

One day, on my job for Key Termite, my friend and I were doing a termite inspection in Arroyo Grande. The young mother’s toddler was crying. His little face was hot and red with a fever. She called her husband to come home, who just happened to be a doctor. My friend went under the house to inspect for termites, while I crawled into the attic. We agreed to be praying for the young boy as we were crawling. About twenty minutes later when we went back into the home. The child was no longer crying. He was no longer red with a fever. As a matter of fact he looked perfectly happy. More than that, he was playing with his toys, having a great time. At that point the father drove up. He rushed in only to find his son happy as could be. The mother said to her doctor husband, “I don’t know what happened. He just got better.” My friend and I were able to tell them why we believe he was better. “Thank You Lord.”

One day we were taking a lunch break while fumigating a house in Santa Maria. This is the process of covering the house with tarps to kill Drywood termites. An older man came walking across the street. He was complaining about everything, about our government, complaining about taxes, complaining about… etc. He asked me what I thought. I said, “Sir, do you really want to know what I think about these things?” He did. He sat down on the curb next to me and I told him about the state of mankind as a result of sin. I told him there’s a God who can change that. I pulled out a gospel tract and began to explain to him the truth about man’s state of sin and separation from God. I told him about Jesus Christ and what God accomplished through His Son’s death on the cross. He was listening intently. I read to him a prayer which was written in the tract. He told me, “That’s a beautiful prayer.” I asked him if he would like to pray with me. He didn’t want to there at the curb, but asked if he could take the tract home. I said, “Sure.”
The next day we were taking the tarp off the house, when I heard this man coming across the street calling to me. I came down from the roof. He asked me if I had any more of those little booklets. I asked him why. He told me he read the tract and prayed and talked to the Lord. He then took the tract to his next door neighbor. He read, believed and prayed. Then they both went to the next neighbor. The same thing happened. My chin dropped. “Thank You Lord.”

Another day in Santa Maria, we were doing a fumigation. The next door neighbor came over to talk to us. He was a retired Army Major. I believe these are divine appointments. God’s drawing process. Just as He drew me to Himself, He continues to do the very same thing in other people’s lives. These meetings are not by chance. Once again, the Lord opened up a door for us to talk about our testimony and Jesus Christ. But this Army Major would not listen. We offered him a gospel tract, but he would not take it. Later we prayed for him. The next day we returned to remove the tarp. As we were about to leave, he came out to talk to us once again at the sidewalk. The wind was blowing that day in Santa Maria. As we were talking, I noticed something blowing up the sidewalk, past his house, all the way to where we were standing. It stopped at this mans feet. My friend Doug and I couldn’t believe it. It was a gospel tract. He reached down, picked it up and put it in his pocket. He wouldn’t take the gospel from us, but we figured an angel must have blown it up the sidewalk, and he took it from him. We didn’t know where that tract came from. Just another day on the job. “Thank You Lord.”

One day I went to a house in Atascadero to look at what the home owner thought might be termites. She was right. The owner of Key Termite at that time was a Christian man named Mickey Maxwell. He gave us permission to share with people about Jesus. I scheduled with the home owner to come back in a couple of days to take care of their termites. But before I left I handed to her a gospel tract and asked if she might read it. She took it. When I returned to do the job, I asked her if she had a chance to read the booklet. I later learned she was 97 years old. She turned to me. The only way I can describe it, is this lady, probably 5’ 2” tall, weighing 100 pounds, walked up to me, 6’6” tall, weighing in at 230 lbs., yelling, cursing, and screaming at me, and actually backing me up. She was so red in the face, and angry. I was praying, “Lord please don’t let her have a heart attack.” To put it mildly, she didn’t like Jesus. And just at that moment, a senior citizens van picked her up. As I was preparing to treat the termites, the house keeper was in the adjacent kitchen area doing the dishes. I asked if she had heard all that. She then came over to me and began the same tirade. Wow, I thought, “It can’t be me. They don’t even know me.” She went back to the kitchen area, and I began drilling and treating the Subterranean termites, thinking, what did I get myself into here? I was learning about spiritual warfare in my church. I was wondering if this could be that. Were these demons screaming at me? I remember praying a foolish prayer. It went something like this. “Lord, if You want me to use my spiritual warfare authority here, then have her drop or spill something.” Kind of like Gideon’s fleese prayer. Then I thought to myself, that was a dumb prayer. I said, “Lord, forgive me.” Thirty minutes later, I was just about finished with my job when the housekeeper came from the kitchen, walking through the living room past me, carrying the garbage bag from the kitchen. The garbage can was out by the street that day. And guess what happened? She dropped the garbage bag and spilled it all over the living room carpet, next to me. It took me a few minutes to remember what I had prayed. I could hardly believe it. I didn’t know what it meant to use your “spiritual warfare authority.” But as I was leaving, she confronted me again. She said to me, “I know who you are.” But she didn’t really know me. I’d never seen her before. What did she mean? All of a sudden I knew what she meant. This was most likely a demon speaking through her to me. Yes, the evil spirits know who believers are. We are indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit. And He’s greater than evil spirits. He’s almighty God, the Spirit. The third Person of the Trinity. I answered back to her, or to the evil spirit, “And I know who you are. ‘Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.’” I told this lady about Jesus but she turned and left the house. I never saw her again. As I was leaving that house, I remember being so encouraged, so excited by the power and total control that God had in that situation. “Thank You Lord.” We are to proclaim the gospel and leave the results with God.

One day we were to fumigate a house in Atascadero. We pulled up to the house. It had a tall chain link fence around the property. We had the key to the house, but we did not enter through the gate. Why? A mean German Shepherd dog was barking, frothing at the mouth, desiring only one thing…to chew up some termite men. The owner was not home, so we just waited for awhile. It looked like we couldn’t do the job that day. That dog just would not shut up. He was absolutely going wild. I thought to myself, “I wonder if an evil spirit could do this to a dog?” I remember that Jesus cast demons into some pigs one day. I know this sounds a little silly, but I thought I would use some of that “spiritual warfare authority” here, and see what would happen. So I looked at that mad dog, and said, “Satan, if you’re causing this dog to respond to us like this, then I command you to stop. Leave him alone.” Instantly, he stopped barking. And the dog’s tail literally curled under his hind legs, and he walked away, to the back yard. We just looked at each other. We could hardly believe it. We didn’t believe it, because we would not enter through the gate. But where was the dog? What actually happened here? Eventually, we mustered up enough courage to slowly enter through the chain link gate, ready to sprint back through the gate at a moments notice. The house had a large back yard. When we finally looked back there, we saw the dog laying in front of his dog house, located about 200 feet behind the house. We completed the fumigation. And once again we were astonished by what had happened that day. “Thank You Lord.”

Now you know why some people thought I was nuts when I would go to church each Sunday and share some of my experiences with them. Jesus has not changed. We do. His presence, power, and promises are always with us. He desires His children to seek, and desire Him above all things. Let me stop here with two passages of Scripture.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

Matt 6:31-34
31 "Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear for clothing?'
32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Why the Church Needs a Re-reformation

2007-11-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

The evangelical church today has their roots in the protestant reformation. In centuries past, protesters protested various doctrines of the Catholic church. Many, through the centuries, have been put to death by the church at Rome, and/or branded as heretics for their doctrinal convictions. Much of the protesting centered around the teaching of how a person receives God’s forgiveness. Men like John Wycliffe, branded as a heretic, died in 1384. John Huss, branded as a heretic by the Roman church, was put to death in 1415. William White was burned to death in 1424 for his beliefs.

A change point in history would begin in 1483. A man named Martin Luther was born in Isleben, Saxony. In 1507 Luther was ordained to the priesthood. In 1512 he received his Doctor’s degree in theology, where he chaired Biblical Theology at the University of Wittenberg, which Luther held for the rest of his life. Through his study of the Word of God, Luther also protested the church’s teaching that man’s will has the ability to choose his eternal destiny. “At the heart of Luther’s theology was a total dependence on the freedom of God’s omnipotent grace rescuing powerless man from the bondage of the will.” [1] “Luther saw this bondage of the will as the root issue in the fight with Rome and its most discerning spokesman, Erasmus.”[2] The protestant movement was born over this issue.

The church in our era has made the claim, correctly so, that man is saved by God's grace alone. A work of His favor which is completely unmerited. We're not saved by deciding to be baptized, eating a wafer and drinking the cup, or deciding to confess our sins to a man, or by choosing the correct church. But by teaching the will of unsaved man must decide about Jesus, and make the correct choice, makes grace merited. Is the unsaved will of man in bondage? Can unsaved man choose to do anything that pleases God, including the choice of his own salvation? Much of the evangelical church today teaches that man has the responsibility to choose his own eternal destiny. Concerning unsaved man, J.I. Packer and O.R. Johnston, state in the introduction of the translation of Martin Luther's greatest work, "The Bondage of the Will,"

“He has no power to please God. He is unable to do anything but continue in sin. His salvation, therefore, must be wholly of Divine grace, for he himself can contribute nothing to it; and any formulation of the gospel which amounts to saying that God shows grace, not in saving man, but in making it possible for man to save himself, is to be rejected as a lie. The whole work of man’s salvation, first to last, is God’s; and all the glory for it must be God’s also.”[3]

An example of a gospel presentation in which man’s will is given the responsibility to choose is found in the gospel tract, Steps to Peace With God, published by World Wide Publications, a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The following is stated in Step 2:

“God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and freedom of choice. We chose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.”

Is it really the choice of man that separates him from God? Where does Adams sin come into this equation? This teaching was a primary issue of contention in the reformation. The booklet tells us that unsaved man is separated from God because of his own choice. Therefore, the answer to this separation is simply another choice. This was the teaching of Luther’s contemporary, Erasmus, in his book, The Freedom of the Will. Piper writes, “Erasmus’ exaltation of man’s will as free to overcome its own sin and bondage was, in Luther’s mind, an assault on the freedom of God’s grace and therefore an attack on the very Gospel itself.” [4]

The teaching of the freedom of the will of the unsaved man is very prevalent in today’s churches. When I became a Christian in 1974, the teaching was echoed in the Gospel tract written by Bill Bright called “The Four Spiritual Laws” where he writes under Law Four, “We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will.” Why do we need a re-reformation? Because the teaching of many Christians today concerning how men, women, and children are saved is not Scriptural when it comes to the will of man, presently in bondage to sin and death. What does the Bible say? I present the following principles.

1. Understanding biblical truth (including the gospel) can only occur if God gives to you the ability (grace) to understand and discern it.

Therefore, an unsaved man cannot will, or choose to understand the Gospel. It’s not by an act of the will that a man is saved.

The Bible says: The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Only the Holy Spirit can make God's Word understandable to the human mind and heart. Because the unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1; Col 2:13), no amount of eloquence on the part of the speaker is able to grant him life. Because he is spiritually blind (2 Cor. 4:4), no amount of human logic or reason is able to open his eyes to the truth. And because he is spiritually enslaved to sin (John 8:34), no amount of persuasion is able to free him from his unbelief. It's from hearing the message of the gospel that God removes the blinders from the unbeliever's mind and gives a person the grace and faith to believe in Jesus.

So faith (to believe) comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom 10:17).

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- (Eph. 2:8)

The “gift of God” is both the extension of His grace and the faith to believe the impossible gospel. God allows a person to discern it. And the result is salvation and forgiveness. This new heart supernaturally comes to a man by a sovereign act of God’s will, not by a sovereign act of man’s will.

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44)

“...no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." (John 6:65)

2. God determines each man’s destiny. Men do not write their own.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:9)

If God has not destined us for wrath, we have but one conclusion. He, then, has destined us for salvation. These first century believers were not destined for eternal separation in hell. But God destined them for obtaining eternal salvation.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Rom 5:9).

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation
(2 Thess. 2:13).

In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:4-5)

When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed
(Acts 13:48).

If God pre-determines the believer’s destiny, it follows that He, therefore, must also pre-determine the unbeliever’s destiny. Herein lies the emotional difficulty with many believers who do not believe the Scripture concerning this sobering truth. This will actually cause some to ignore, or re-define the passages, such as those above, that teach us about God’s work of choosing, electing, appointing, drawing, enabling, and destining sinners to salvation.

7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,
"GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY" (Rom 11:7-8).

for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE (1 Peter 2:8-9)

These people from the nation of Israel were hardened by God and appointed by God for doom…The word “appointed” is the same word “destined” in 1Thess. 5:9. They had no choice. God gave them eyes to see not and ears to hear not. This is what it means that God is sovereign in salvation.

Romans 9:18-24
18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

As emotionally difficult as this is, God desires to not have mercy on some, and it also means He desires, and has mercy on others. Many of us will say, “That’s not fair. How then can God, on judgment day, find fault and judge those who are lost? He never gave them a chance. They can’t resist His will. That's just not fair." This is exactly the next argument Paul raises.

19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?"
The argument is, “God, you can’t fault them, or judge those who are not chosen.” Here's the authoritative answer.

20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this, "will it?
21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
In other words, God will do what He wants. He has the right to make a vessel for honorable use (saved), and to make another for common use (unsaved). The will of man does not determine how God will make each vessel.

22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?
God has had much patience with the vessels of wrath He prepared for destruction. The following verse explains why.

23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

I certainly don’t understand all of God’s ways. Some of His ways are not fair according to our standards. His ways and thoughts are high above mine. But we must never ignore, or change God’s Word to make Him line up with our ways and our thoughts. I see this occurring in many churches today. It's dangerous. I believe it leads to the justification to change other doctrines that don't align with our thoughts and emotions. I believe it has a water-shed effect of watering down the purity and even questioning the need for the study and adhearning to the doctrines of the faith. Therefore, my prayer is for a re-reformation in the church today. We desperately need it.

Giving glory to God, the author and finisher of our salvation.

Dave Rusco

[1] John Piper, the Legacy of Sovereign Joy, p. 108.
[2] Ibid., p. 109.
[3] Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will, translated by J.I. Packer and O.R. Johnston, p. 48.
[4] John Piper, the Legacy of Sovereign Joy, p. 109.

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The Repainting of Velvet Elvis

2007-09-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

“Test it. Probe it. Do that to this book. Don’t swallow it uncritically.”

OK, this is my test, my probe of what Rob Bell is asking the reader to do on the back cover of his book, Velvet Elvis. I am sitting at my computer as I read. I will make comments as I proceed. I've been asked to read this book. I already know that some believers like it, while others dislike it. I'm going to reserve this critique to the issues I would be critical of as I probe the teaching.

As stated on the front cover, Rob Bell is repainting the Christian faith. That’s a bold statement in itself.

P. 012:
He wants to keep reforming. And what he means is reforming “theology.” “Our beliefs about God, Jesus, the Bible, salvation, the future.”

I must say, at this early point in my reading I have a caution flag. Theology is the painting Bell is concerned about reforming. Let’s continue.

P. 021
Bell writes, “Jesus at one point claimed to be the “the way, the truth, and the life”. Jesus was not making claims about one religion being better than all other religions. That completely misses the point, the depth, and the truth. Rather, he was telling those who were following him that his way is the way to the depth of reality.”

If Bell’s meaning of “depth of reality” is Christ is the only way to the Father in heaven, then we’re tracking on the same track. It doesn’t sound like he's trying to make that interpretation. It may be that Bell has missed the point of what Jesus said.

John 14:5-6
5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The point here, is going to the Father only through Jesus who is the way, the truth and the life. His use of the phrase “depth of reality” keeps my caution flag up at this point.

P. 022
Bell refers to the springs on a trampoline as follows. “I would call these the doctrines of the Christian faith. They aren’t the point.”

Ok, my caution flag has just been joined by another flag. I hope he is not subtly attacking the doctrines of the Christian faith. They are the point. They are the very foundation of our faith and our daily living as believers. But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.

Bell writes,
“Take, for example, the doctrine – the spring – called the Trinity. This doctrine is central to historic, orthodox Christian faith. While there is only one God, God is somehow present everywhere. People began to call this presence, this power of God, his “Spirit”. So there is God, and then there is God’s Spirit.”

UG…Bell writes, “God is somehow present everywhere. People began to call this presence, this power of God, his “Spirit”.

This is simply not true. People did not “begin to call this presence, this power of God, his “Spirit.”. Jesus taught very clearly about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Spirit is seen in the Old Testament and clearly taught in the New Testament. People didn’t “begin” to call this presence…his Spirit. I now have more than just caution flags. I now proceed with a Berean attitude to what this man is trying to teach me.

Bell writes, “This three-in-oneness understanding of God emerged in the several hundred years after Jesus’ resurrection.”

Bell writes, “It is a spring, and people jumped for thousands of years without it. It was added later. We can take it out and examine it. Discuss it, probe it, question it. It flexes, and it stretches.”

“It was added later?” It’s amazing, I find myself, on page 22, needing to defend the doctrine of the Trinity. This spring was not added later, unless he is referring to Jesus' day as later than the Old Testament days. In any case, what's there to probe here? Very deceptive. This is beginning to sound like a liberal theology which has no place in the Christian church. Our words are not absolute, but God’s Word is.

P. 026
Bell continues to question the importance of holding to all the “springs” or doctrines of the Christian faith. He asks, If one of the springs were removed, would you still be able to bounce on the trampoline? My answer: If our doctrines were actually springs on a trampoline, yes, you could remove a few of them and continue to bounce. But our foundational doctrines are not springs. Next, he gives the example of the “spring,” or the doctrine of the virgin birth.

Bell writes, “What if that spring was seriously questioned? Could a person keep jumping? Could a person still love God? Could you still be a Christian?

Good question. In other words, is Jesus the same Jesus if someone believes the gospel writers lied about the virgin birth? If a person believed a man named “Larry” actually was the father of Jesus, (Bell's example in his book), that would make Jesus the Son of Larry, rather than the Son of God. Could this Jesus, the son of Larry save? It appears that Bell would answer “yes.” I, without hesitation, would answer “No.” This would be a different Jesus, a different gospel, taught by a different spirit (2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:4). There are many different Jesus' out there. I played baseball with a man named Jesus. That Jesus could never save. Only the Son of (Fathered by) God. The doctrines of the Christian faith are not springs on a trampoline. If one removes the truth of the virgin birth, the credibility of Scripture and the gospel writers are all discredited. It all falls. His liberal attack is no longer subtle.

Bell writes, “But if the whole faith falls apart when we reexamine and rethink one spring, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place, was it?” P. 027

Our Christian faith rests on certain doctrines. The virgin birth is one of them. It certainly does not rest on the doctrine of “last days.” But Bell is picking on Jesus Christ, the Corner Stone. Remove it, and the building crumbles. He appears to be stumbling on the Stone.

The other issue is the purity of the Word of God. The issue is the defense of the faith once delivered to the saints. The foundational doctrines of the faith come as a package. The imputation of sin, the virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, the atoning death on the cross, His burial and resurrection three days later, His ascension, providing forgiveness of sin for all who believe in Him are a package deal. Yes, if any of these are removed, our “whole faith” falls apart. The trampoline falls. The resurrection is another spring on the trampoline, that if removed, the whole trampoline falls. Paul said if Christ did not raise from the dead we are still in our sin, not saved.

P. 027
Bell writes, “I am far more interested in jumping than I am in arguing about whose trampoline is better. You rarely defend the things you love. You enjoy them and tell others about them…”

Is Mr. Bell making an excuse for his poor doctrine?

Bell writes, “You rarely defend the things you love”?
I love my Lord, my wife, my children, my church. When they are attacked, I will certainly defend them. Wouldn't you? I also love the Word of God…When the Word is being attacked, I will certainly defend it. Wouldn't you? When our faith is attacked, we must contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Especially the Shepherds of the local church. That's one of their responsibilities. Is there really a need to repaint the Christian faith (doctrines)?

P. 034
Back to the trampoline analogy, Bell writes, “Talking about trampolines isn’t jumping; it’s talking. Two vastly different things. And so we invite others to jump with us, to live the way of Jesus and see what happens. You don’t have to know anything about the springs to pursue living “the way”.

I understand Bell's desire for believers to live their faith. But he's throwing out the baby with the bath water and doesn't even know it. Is Bell actually saying, “You don’t have to know anything about the springs (doctrine, the teaching of Scripture), to pursue living “the way?” Yes, he is. I disagree with him.

Psalms 119:11-12
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes.

John 17:17-20
17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
18 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20 "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;

Our Christian life flows from our doctrine, or our knowledge of Truth, God’s Word. If you are going to pursue living the way of Jesus, you must know what the Word (Jesus) has to say. You must know the doctrines of the faith.

Bell has a problem with doctrine. Doctrine is not dead. It's not dry. From it flows all our life decisions, direction, attitudes, worship and trust. But experience without doctrine is very liberal and dangerous. It looks like Bell has not seen a true expression of God's Word flowing from a persons life that studies to show themselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

P. 048
Here's an example of Bell's theology.
Bell writes, “Notice what Jesus says in one of his first messages: ‘I have not come to abolish [the Torah] but to fulfill [it].’ He was essentially saying, ‘I didn’t come to do away with the words of God; I came to show people what it looks like when the Torah is lived out perfectly, right down to the smallest punctuation marks.’”

What did Jesus mean when He said, "I did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it." Here’s Bell’s interpretation. “He was essentially saying, ‘I didn’t come to do away with the words of God; I came to show people what it looks like when the Torah (Law) is lived out perfectly.” Is that what Jesus came to do? To show us how to live the Law? No! Was not Jesus’ meaning in fulfilling the Law, the giving of His life as the spotless Lamb of God, the atoning sacrifice, and thus taking on Himself the penalty of breaking the Law – death? He lived a sinless life, only to fulfill the Laws penalty. Jesus was the only One who could fulfill, perfectly, the demands of the Law. The liberal understanding is that Jesus came to be our example, to show us how to live out the Law. In Bell's own words, Jesus "came to show people what it looks like when the Torah is lived out perfectly." Except the purpose of the Law was to reveal sin, condemn man, and reveal man’s complete inability to keep it (Romans 3:19-20).

P. 50
Bell writes, “Notice what Jesus says in the book of Matthew: ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’”

Bell continues,
“What he is doing here is significant. He is giving his followers the authority to make new interpretations of the Bible.”

Here’s another step in his progression toward liberalism. Bell continues to lay a foundation for reinterpreting the springs in the trampoline (the doctrines of the faith). He now has laid the foundation for making “new” interpretations of the Bible. I would say to proceed with great caution from here.

P. 58
Bell writes, “Is the greatest truth about Adam and Eve and the fruit that it happened, or that it happens? This story, one of the first in the Bible, is true for us because it is our story. We have all taken the fruit...Their story is our story…The story is true for us because it happened and because it happens.

The greatest truth about Adam and Eve is the fact that it happened, not that it continues to happen. It’s true because it happened. It’s recorded in Scripture. That’s what makes it true. Mankind’s present state of sinfulness is because of Adam. The earth is groaning because of Adam. We are not responsible for our own spiritual death, Adam is. Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Our sin today as believers is certainly not the same as Adams sin. It does not continue to happen. We have actually been restored. Our sonship is not broken when we sin. We do not spiritually die when we sin, but Adam did.

P. 67-68
Bell writes, “This is part of the problem with continually insisting that one of the absolutes of the Christian faith must be a belief that ‘Scripture alone’ is our guide. It sounds nice, but it is not true.”

He continues to build upon his foundation of reinterpreting the doctrines of Scripture, and repainting the Christian faith. Incredibly, Bell says “Scripture alone” is not our guide. I certainly disagree with his understanding of the sufficiency and necessity of God’s Word for the light and guide of our life. Bell is repainting Elvis. I won’t buy it. I don’t like his painting. It’s subtle, liberal, and dangerous. All of our teaching and experiences must line up with Scripture. At least, it must never disagree with the intent of the revealed Word. Example: We find no Christian radio in Scripture, but there’s no violation with the principles in the Word of God, so we are safe to proceed with Christian radio.

Every believer ought to have "red flags" flying everywhere when someone teaches them, "It's not true that Scripture alone is our guide." Yes, Scripture alone is our guide. 2 Peter 1:2-4; Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Note: I would have thrown this book down long ago, if it werent' for the knowledge that Christians are reading it and actually believing what Bell is teaching. It's hard for me to understand how a mature believer could receive this teaching and not judge it for what it is.

P. 112
Not to be too picky again, but Pastors don’t have moral failures because they are looking for a break that will certainly come when caught in immorality.

P. 119
I keep finding statements as I continue to read, such as the following.
“It is hard to look deep inside yourself. My experience has been that very few people do the long, hard work of the soul. Maybe that’s why Jesus said the way is narrow.”

What? That’s not why Jesus said the way is narrow. The way is narrow because eternal life is only found in Jesus Christ. The road is broad that leads to destruction, and many find it. I know Bell is calling for us to rethink, reinterpret the Words of God, but how can any teacher make this kind of statement about the narrow road meaning the hard work of the soul? Is anyone holding him accountable for his principles of biblical interpretation?

P. 131
Bell attempts to remove the supernatural power of God from Jesus’ initial call to the disciples to follow Him. Why did these men just up and leave their nets and follow Jesus when Jesus said, "Follow me"? Bell’s answer: because a rabbi believes they could do what he does. I have to admit, this one is interesting and different. I believe there was more to their call and choosing than we can see.

P. 134
Bell believes that since the Jewish rabbi only chose disciples that he believed in, that Jesus (a rabbi) only chooses those He believes in. Bell writes, “The entire rabbinical system was based on the rabbi having faith in his disciples.”
Bell writes,
“God has an incredibly high view of people. God believes that people are capable of amazing things.”

Does this mean Bell believes that Jesus chose His disciples based upon their ability that Jesus saw in them? I must also disagree with his theology that God has an incredibly high view of people. It’s just the opposite. God sees people dead in trespasses and sins. God believes there is none good, no not one. God sees the complete inability of you and me.

1 Cor 1:26-30
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus,

He makes us alive. He completes the good work in us. All glory goes to Him.
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). God does not believe that people are capable of amazing things, as Bell states. Jesus said, "for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

P. 146
Bell now makes a revealing “reinterpretation” statement. “Heaven is full of forgiven people. Hell is full of forgiven people. Heaven is full of people God loves, whom Jesus died for. Hell is full of forgiven people God loves, whom Jesus died for. The difference is how we choose to live, which story we choose to live in, which version of reality we trust.”

This is certainly a “new” interpretation of Scripture. Is it true? Let me ask a couple of questions. How can hell be full of forgiven people…whom Jesus died for? Let’s get doctrinal. A forgiven person is a Christian. Their sins are no longer held against them. A forgiven person cannot go to hell, because Jesus would have paid sins penalty for that person. That’s what the atonement is all about.

Acts 10:43
"Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." Unbelievers in hell are not forgiven

Bell is revealing his dangerous, liberal theology at this point very clearly. The person who does not believe in Jesus and dies, contrary to what Bell teaches, will die in his sins…unforgiven, condemned. Certainly not forgiven.

John 3:36
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

How can the wrath of God adide on forgiven people?

John 8:23-24
23 And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

This does not sound like they will die in forgiveness.

2 Peter 3:7
But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

There's a difference between ungodly men and godly men.

Isa 13:9
Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it.

Men in hell are not forgiven men.

Does God love all people? I know of one person in hell that Scripture says God hated. His name was Esau.

Rom 9:10-13
10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;
11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,
12 it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER."
13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED."

Bell writes, “The difference is how we choose to live,”

The difference between the man in heaven and the man in hell is how they choose to live? This is certainly a reinterpretation of Scripture. This sounds like Bell is preaching a works based salvation, a different gospel.

Galatians 1:8-9
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

P. 147
Bell writes, “There is this place, this realm, heaven, where things are as God desires them to be. As we live this way, heaven comes here. To this place, this world, the one we’re living in.”

Heaven will not come to this sin-cursed world. This world is presently the devils realm. Jesus said we are not to love the world or the things in the world (John 2:15). Jesus said, in this world we shall have tribulation (John16:33). Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).

Bell writes, "As we live this way, heaven comes here. To this place, this world, the one we're living in." I'm sorry, Scripture simply doesn't teach that. That sounds like the gospel I was taught in the 1970's. Believe in Jesus and all your problems will go away.

Jesus is calling a people out of this sin-cursed world. Jesus said, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:3).

P. 147
Bell writes, “For Jesus, the question wasn’t how do I get into heaven? But how do I bring heaven here?” … “The goal for Jesus isn’t to get into heaven. The goal is to get heaven here.”

Wow! So, according to Mr. Bell, the real issue for Jesus was trying to bring heaven here. He actually means, "to this place, this world, the one we're living in." According to Bell, this is the job of the Christian church. Is it really our job to get heaven to come to this sin cursed earth? I would like to see the Scripture that backs this statement. Jesus taught just the opposite. This is postmillennialism.

But if you believe Bells repainting of the Christian faith, then the foundation of Scripture is not always the issue. Scripture alone is not our guide. You can remove “springs” and question the doctrines of the faith. You are free to make new interpretations. This is very scary.

Let's listen to how Jesus prays before He returns to heaven.

14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 " They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:14-16).

"Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).

And when He returns, the earth and its works will be destroyed and burn in judgment.

Only after His wrath is poured out, only after his final judgment of all mankind, will he create new heavens and a new earth. The purpose of the church is not to bring this “new heaven and new earth” to this present earth.

P. 148
Bell writes, “As a Christian, I want to do what I can to resist hell coming to earth. Poverty, injustice, suffering – they are all hells on earth, and as Christians we oppose them with all our energies. Jesus told us to.”

Jesus told us to? With all our energies? Where does Scripture tells us this?
As a Christian, I don’t want to resist hell coming to earth. I want to proclaim the life-saving gospel to as many people as I can to keep them from going to hell.

Bell writes, “What’s disturbing then is when people talk more about hell after this life than they do about hell here and now.”

I’ll guarantee you that the hell after this life is ultimately more important to talk about than the hell here and now! This is a liberal believer whose new theology should find no acceptance in the Christian church.

P. 150
Bell continues, and writes, “The goal isn’t escaping this world but making this world the kind of place God can come to. And God is remaking us into the kind of people who can do this kind of work.”

No. Our goal, our work is making disciples of all nations. God doesn’t need for us to make this world the kind of place He can come to. He’s here, calling out a posterity for His name. This is a direct heretical attack on the Word of God.

P. 156 & 192 footnote 140
Bell advocates the “principle of first meaning.”

All I can say is…?

P 160
Bell states, “Remember, when God made the world, he called it good. Why would God destroy something he thinks is good?

God called the creation good before the fall. The present creation is groaning. And Bell forgets that God did destroy the world He created with the flood. He will once again destroy this world in the judgment of fire on the Day of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:7
But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:13
This present world will be destroyed. But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

P. 164
Bell writes, “To try to prove there was an empty tomb wouldn’t have gotten very far with the average citizen of the Roman Empire; they had heard it all before.”

I totally disagree with Bell’s statement. From the following passage it doesn’t sound like they had all heard it all before.
Acts 17:18-20
"He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities," -- because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?
20 "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean."

The Word of God, which includes the truth of the resurrection, is spiritually discerned. In other words, it’s foolishness until the Holy Spirit opens an individuals mind to understand it (1 Cor. 1:18; 2:14). The resurrection is the foundational truth of the gospel message. We must proclaim it, and leave the proving to the Holy Spirit. Bell seems to approach the gospel from a human and intellectual point of view. Salvation is by God’s miracle of grace, not through human intelligence. And it comes through “hearing” the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17).

Bell continues, “This is why so many passages about the early church deal with possessions and meals and generosity. They understood that people are rarely persuaded by arguments, but more often by experiences.”

The example of a godly life is certainly crucial to the presentation of the gospel. But salvation only comes from hearing the Word. The apostle Paul certainly did not hold to this idea. Nor the twelve apostles. Nor should you and I.

Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

Conclusion: Although I found myself agreeing with what Bell wrote in the last few pages of his book, his repainting of the Christian faith went, in my opinion, well beyond the bounds of what Scripture allows. As a shepherd of a flock of God’s people, I would not recommend this book. I believe this repainting of the Christian faith falls into the camp of heresy.

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Train yourself for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8)

2007-08-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Spring Training camp of the

7b…train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7b-8)

The Greek word for “train” is gumnazo. From it comes our English words “gymnasium “and “gymnastics.” It actually means “to exercise naked – to train” We won't go "that" far...but
the word speaks of the rigorous, strenuous, self-sacrificing training an athlete undergoes.
Paul was playing off the cultural training of the Greek athletes of his day.

"In order to excel, you must be
completely dedicated to your chosen sport.
You must also be prepared to work
hard and be willing to accept destructive
criticism. Without 100 percent
dedication, you won't be able to do
this." Willie Mays

We are playing off the training of baseball players in the typical month of Spring Training.

Just as the athlete, the believer must hone his skills. But before we begin to look at our offensive and defensive skills, we must first lay some foundational truths concerning the league and competition we each find ourselves in as believers in Jesus Christ.

This "league" is not God verses Satan.

Some believe there are two equal forces battling it out,
while mankind is held in the balance. In this scenario
God takes risks with us, not being able to accomplish
the desired end.

But here is the biblical truth:

God is in compete control of all the affairs and
activities of the opponent, (the devil and his fallen angels).
God determines and completes His desired end.

God is in complete control of this league, and what happens during our life here.

Lamentations 3:38
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster.
I, the LORD, do all these things.

Ephesians 1:11
(God) works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will

God controls the entire game. He controls our opponent’s activity. He has already determined the outcome. Guess who wins?

We have an incredibly good contract with the Owner, but before we look at our contract, I want to discuss a couple of foundational truths of why, and how it is, that you are on the team called the Saints.

Did you know that you are a first round draft pick?
The Father (Owner) drafted you, chose you.
John 6:44
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;

The Greek word “draws” is helka, which means “to drag.”
(See also John 6:65)

The biblical words are chosen, elect, appointed.

Jesus chose the apostles:
John 13:18 Jesus said,
I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen;

Acts 1:2
He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.

God chose those who would see the risen Christ.
Acts 10:40-41
40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God,

God chose those of the Nation of Israel who would obtain eternal life.
Romans 11:7-8
What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen
obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

God appointed us to be one of His “New Jerusalem Saints.”
John 15:16
"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit,”

Acts 13:48b
and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

The chosen are loved by God.
Colossians 3:12
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,

2 Thessalonians 2:13
brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation.

Ephesians 1:4-5
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Because God has chosen you, you now are His possession.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION,
A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION

The Owner chose you and now owns your contract.

Q. Will He ever release your contract to the opponent? John 10:29
"My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”

Romans 8:31
If God is for us, who is against us?

No, God will never release your contract to the opponent. We all formally played on the opponent’s team. But thankfully, we were bought with a great price. God transferred you from the kingdom of darkness to His eternal kingdom. Your contract is now an eternal Covenant.

Rom 8:35-39
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let's now look at your incredibly good contract with the team’s Owner.

The following are some of the “terms” of our covenant contract:

It is not based upon our ability to perform (Titus 3:5).

Our contract is eternal. He will never release us, or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Every need we have will be supplied (Philippians 4:19).

Tribulation, persecution and trials come with this covenant contract, but our Owner will always measure them according to our ability to endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

We will all one day be inducted into the “Saints Hall of Fame” (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

With this contract you receive an incredible eternal dwelling in heavenly places (2 Corinthians 5:1-2).

Since it all comes from God, all adulation and praise must go to Him through the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:11).

It’s from this confident and very grateful stance that we have a great desire to be godly. To be holy, as He is holy. From this foundation and framework we now train.

OK, in Football there are players who specialize in only offense.
Others specialize only in defense. Not so on the Saints.

We must each specialize in both defense and offence.

And since a good offense only thrives from a good defense, let’s first hone our defensive skills.

"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is
physical." Yogi Berra

Well, might I say, "The spiritual life is ninety percent defense. The other half is offense."

Remember, we are here to train. Train for what?

…train yourself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7)

Godliness is holiness. It literally means to separate.

Godliness requires separation from the secular to the sacred.
To be holy in our conduct. To play the game without errors. Keeping our eyes from gazing at the bleachers.

We live in a world under the authority of Satan (John 14:30; 16:11; 1 John 5:19).

But we are not of this world. Satan is no longer our ruler; Christ is our ruler (John 12:31; Matthew 12:28-30; Ephesians 1:19-23; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:13).

In Christ we have protection and authority over Satan, and He has equipped us with the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us discern the evil scheme’s (the offense) of the devil (our opponent). To the extent we fail to use our defensive skills, in other words, utilize Christ’s protection, authority and truth…to that extent we are in danger of being deceived and devoured by Satan.

We must have a very good defense, because our opponent, the devil, has a very good offense that comes against you and your family. He uses a three-fold offense in which he tries to cause you to stumble, to take you down, keeping you from godliness. His goal is your defeat.

If our defense is to be effective, we need to understand what kind of offense the opponent is using against us. Any good coach will understand that.

The devil’s three-fold offense:

The World... (It’s cultural lies for success, happiness, self-fulfillment)

The Flesh... (It’s lusts and desires are found in Galatians 5:19-21)

The Demons... (unseen fallen angels trying to entice each of us)

All are working together to make and keep us weak and ineffective…to bring and keep ungodliness in our lives.

The devil’s offense (the world, flesh, demons) has three basic plays, or schemes, directed toward us.

TEMPTATION
ACCUSATION
DECEPTION

Victory over TAD is God’s will, and the ultimate goal of Spring Training.

A Baseball defense example:

The batter is the opponent.
The batted ball is a (TAD) temptation, accusation, or deception.
You’re at your position, on the field playing the game (life), hopefully being alert.

I remember one game, while playing shortstop, I made 7 errors. And this is professional baseball. I got chewed up out there. I remember thinking and hoping that the ball would not be hit to me. That's NOT exactly the defensive mentality you must have while playing shortstop.

Your opponent’s goal is for your error. He wants to “eat you up” with that ball (devour you). He wants to surprise you when you’re not alert.

1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith,

The quicker you see the ball off the opponents bat, the quicker you respond and the better you handle it and make the play. And you only see it quickly if you expect it (being alert). It won’t take you by surprise, and you can make the play.

Ok. Let’s go to the chalkboard and look at sin's progression in the believer's life.

We all receive thoughts. Often our thoughts are not originating from our own minds. Therefore, we must judge what enters our minds. Is it truth, or lies? If it's designed for our harm, we must not dwell on that deceiving thought. If we indulge, and continue with those thoughts we are on that downward path above.

Christians can end up in bondage and varying degrees of demonic control in one or more areas of their lives. Dwelling on sinful thoughts is the wrong choice. You will find the power of those thoughts gaining strength in your mind. You may actually enjoy those thoughts, even though there may be resistance in your mind in the beginning. A habit of thought forms and that fantasy becomes more and more powerful. The demons can take more and more control of your thinking in that area.

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

Areas of compulsive sin in a believer’s life may be rooted and empowered by demonic bondage and control.

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Q. Why is there a need for a good defense in our life?

Our position as Saints in Christ is eternally secure. But we can be controlled by Satan if we remain under his offense and influence long enough (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Ownership, possession is not the issue. Our Owner is the Triune God.

If we continually allow the devil’s offense to deceive us in an area, he can control our thinking and behavior in that area to varying degrees.

Therefore, our need for a great defense.

Satan carries on his worldwide ministry of evil and deception through an organized army of spiritual forces (demons, evil spirits, fallen angels, Ephesians 6:12).

What do we know about our opponent?
See Romans 8:38-39; Colossians 1:16; 2:15.

Chalkboard Time: Read Luke 11:24-26

Luke 11:24-26
24 "When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless
places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25 And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.
26 Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first."

Q. What do we learn about demons from these verses?

Answers:
1) Demons can exist outside or inside humans. 2) They are able to travel at will. 3) They are able to communicate. 4) Each one has a separate identity. 5) They are able to remember and make plans. 6) They are able to evaluate and make decisions. 7) They are able to combine forces. 8) They very in degrees of wickedness.

A few good points:
The devil’s offense suggests to our minds ways to serve ourselves instead of God. We may be tempted by “good” things instead of God’s “best.”
Remember, every sin a person commits is preceded by a temptation. Temptation is not a sin. Therefore, lets deal with the temptation and head off the sin.

Q. Why is temptation so tempting? Because it's something that looks good, and something you want.

When the devil hits a ball at you, its God’s will that you always make the play and throw him out.

Take that thought captive. Do not dwell on it. Put your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1). I simply say, when confronted with a deceiving thought, or lie, "I don't receive that." Then I'll pull out my sword - the Word of God, and quote the truth about that thought. I simply out-truth the lies. And the Truth will set you free from the lies.

So...come on...be alert...watch...look for, and make every play (take every deceiving thought captive). Conquer your biggest sin in the next 30 days. Yes, you can do it. We must all out-truth the lies of the world, flesh, and the devil. Watch for T.A.D.

OK, grab a bat...I mean a sword! It's time for offense.

When I went to my first spring training camp with the Philadelphia Phillies I was blown away with some of the people I saw. I saw some of the guys I used to watch on TV. These were "real" baseball players. Who was I? It took me years before I really knew that I could actually play baseball with those guys. Then it was too late. Do not make that same mistake while playing on the team called the New Jerusalem Saints. You must know who you are, and you must know some things about your authority and power that comes from wearing the uniform of the Saints.

Luke 10:17-20
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." NIV

Jesus gave His disciples power and authority over evil spiritual forces.

Q. Do Christians today have the same claim to Christ’s authority and power? (John 14:12; Ephesians 3:16-21)

John 14:12
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”

One of Jesus' works was authority over the demons. The one who believes in Jesus also has this same authority from Jesus. Jesus said this is not the truth we are to rejoice in, that the spirits submit to us, but we rejoice that our names are written in heaven. But it's still a fact that the spirits submit to us.

Therefore, this is the basis for resisting the devil when he hits a TAD at you. When you, as a member of the Saints, submit to God, and resist the devil, guess what the devil must do? Yes, flee from you. That's because of the authority and power you now have as a Saint.

Baseball Offense Example:

Remember, you always have a bat in hand (Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God). You've stepped into the batters box. The pitcher (our opponent) wants to strike you out. He wants to sit you down on the bench. He wants to take you out of the game. Be looking for the pitch. Be alert. The proper mental, thinking aspect of hitting a baseball is as follows. "I'm going to swing and hit this next pitch. I'm all over it...here it comes...I'm going to hit it...but if it's not in the strike zone, I'll let it go." You're going to hit every pitch...unless it's a ball, outside the strike zone.

When he throws that fiery dart (fastball) at you, you're waiting for it. You must respond in faith (holding up the shield of faith). You must be aggressive. You can't just take it. You must resist the TAD with the Sword (Scripture).

For example, if he throws the, "You're worthless, hopeless" ball at you, you say what God says about you, and name that lie for what it is. "That's a lie, I have been chosen and appointed by God to bear fruit (Jn. 15:16). I am the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). I am God's workmanship, created for good works (Eph. 2:10). I have been redeemed, forgiven of all my sins (Col. 1:14). I am God's child and His creation (Jn. 1:12). You just out-truthed the lies of the evil one. You just hit a home run.

In the spiritual realm, if you don’t believe you have authority, you’re not going to exercise it. If your belief is weak, your expression of it will also be weak and ineffective. But if you grasp with confidence the authority that Christ has conferred upon you, you will exercise it with confidence….You may consider yourself just a “rookie” at the plate, stopping the devil’s fiery darts in your life, but Jesus Christ is a seasoned veteran, and you’re on His team, the Saints.

Spiritual Armor = The Saints Uniform
We are never told in Scripture to be afraid of demons. The only thing big about a demon is its mouth. Demons are habitual liars. In Jesus Christ, the Truth, you are equipped with all the authority and protection you need to deal with anything they throw at you or hit at you.

Read Ephesians 6:10-18 From this passage we are taught what our uniform consists of.

The Belt of TRUTH
The belt holds the other body armor in place. The enemy’s weapon is the lie. We stand firm in the truth by relating everything we do to the truth of God’s Word.

Q. In what areas are we most often tempted to compromise the truth?

The Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
Our righteousness in Christ is our protection against Satan’s accusations about our position as a child of God. Righteousness is from God (Romans 1:17) at salvation.

Q. In what ways are we tempted to doubt our righteousness from God?
Q. How should we respond to these doubts?

The Shoes of the Gospel of PEACE
When you receive Christ you are united with the Prince of Peace. At that point you have positional peace with God (Romans 5:1), and can have the practical peace of God as you walk in His Spirit and let the Word of Christ richly dwell in you
(Colossians 3:15-16). The Shoes promote the following two things.
1. The devil uses divisive schemes in interpersonal relationships, but the shoes of peace act as a peacemaker among believers (Romans 14:19). They promote fellowship and reconciliation.
2. We proclaim the gospel, the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And forgiveness of sins for all who believe in His name.

The Shield of FAITH
Biblical faith is simply what you believe about God and His Word. The more you know, the more faith you have. The less you know, the smaller your shield will be and the easier it will be for one of Satan’s lies, fiery (fastballs) darts to reach its target. When a deceptive thought, (TAD) enters your mind, meet it head-on with what you know to be true about God and His Word.

Q. In what ways are you growing your shield of faith?

The Helmet of SALVATION
Should your shield of faith be small and leaky, be confident that the helmet of salvation guarantees your eternal victory. The helmet is your salvation. As you struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil on a daily basis, stand firm knowing that your salvation does not come and go with your success or failure in spiritual battle; your salvation is your eternal possession. Satan may disrupt your daily victory, but can do nothing to disrupt your position in Christ (Neil Anderson, The Bondage Breaker, p. 83).

The Sword of the SPIRIT (The Word of Truth)
The Saints are equipped to advance (offense), not just to defend ourselves. We must learn, and speak God’s Truth in the face of the opponents lies. And it's Truth that sets captives free, as we search and rescue the perishing.

One other important weapon: Prayer

In addition to the six pieces of armor God has provided for our protection, there is another key weapon – prayer.
God has not only equipped us with everything we need for protection, but He has also equipped us and authorized us to pray for our fellow team members.

Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude. Walter A. Mueller

Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life. Jonathan Edwards

Let's talk about Demonic Control in the believer's life. Is it possible? Does the Lord actually allow a believer to fall into sin to the extent that one or more demons can bring that believer into bondage in one or more areas of their life? Yes.

The devil’s goal in his relentless barrage of (TAD) temptation, accusation and deception, is to gain increasing measures of control in our lives.

The issue is control, not ownership or possession.

To be demonized means to be under the control of one or more demons to one degree or other, in one or more areas of our life.

If you continue to allow the devil's schemes to influence you, you can lose control to the degree that you have been deceived.

Ephesians 4:26-27
26 BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. (foothold, place)

The Greek word for opportunity is topos. It means “a place.” A locality.
Of its 96 uses in Scripture, 86 refer to an actual locality.

When a foothold (place) is taken in a believer’s life, the demons have more power in their temptations, accusations, and deceptions. In the Progression of Sin chart shown earlier, this “place” results in varying degrees of bondage to these deceiving spirits in one or more areas of your life.

Possible demonization in the Scriptures:

The woman crippled for 18 years (Luke 13:10-18).
The apostle Peter (Luke 22:31-34). Was it his pride (v. 24)?
Believers in need of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Believers entertaining jealousy and selfish ambition (James 3:14-16).
Believers swayed by deceiving spirits and demonic doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
(See also 2 Timothy 2:25, 26).
The man involved in immorality with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1-13).
Believers who entertain anger (Ephesians 4:26, 27). (See also 2 Corinthians 2:10,11).
Believers in need of guarding against being devoured by Satan (1 Peter 5:6-9).
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).

Galations 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

This was written to believers being tempted to return to the bondage of the Old Covenant Law. By way of application, we have the responsibility to stand firm and guard our freedom. But if we discover that we have lost our freedom in any area, we also are responsible to reclaim our freedom as believers in Christ.

If you suspect the enemy has a foothold in an area of your life, then it’s time to take specific steps of obedience to confess and forsake sin, renounce any involvement with Satan and his kingdom, and declare dependence on God, (submit to God, resist the devil).

Suggested reading: (Material and quotes in this study taken from:)
The Bondage Breaker, Neil T. Anderson

Demon Possession & the Christian, C. Fred Dickason

The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Ed Murphy

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A Humble Winner

2007-07-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking this morning of the blessings I have received. But let me backup a little. One of the accusations the devil gives me, goes something like this. “I’ve never won. I'm always coming in second, or third place. It’s my lot in life.” There’s some truth to this accusation. As a young boy growing up, I was never on that baseball, or basketball team that went all the way to be “champions.” And though I had a 6 year career of playing professional baseball, I never made it to the big leagues. You get the picture…and when something doesn’t go like I expect it, or want it to, you can almost count on the tempter to be there every time doing his thing.

This morning I was just thinking of a few things that God has given to me. First, God has extended to me the forgiveness of my sin. Forgiveness…and because of that, I have been given eternal life. He has granted to me to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Secondly, He’s allowed me to understand His Word, and to learn it. And, of course, there is no learning the Word without following the Word. He has granted to me to be a doer of the Word, the Bible. What did I do to deserve this? And God has given to me my wife, who also loves the Word. And she just happens to be my best friend. Then came the stewardship to raising two wonderful boys. Beyond the scope of my family, God gave to me a great desire to study and teach others what I know, to stimulate others to love and good deeds. What a privilege this is! I was thinking, “I don’t deserve all this.” Then God allowed me to join with other men, who together, are all called to shepherd, to oversee and teach a group of fellow believers. What a stewardship this is. What did I do to deserve all this? And, of course, the answer is, “nothing.” It has all come from God’s hand…freely. It’s called GRACE…unmerited, undeserved favor from God. But I found it interesting that I would even ask the question, “What did I do to deserve all this?” It’s ingrained in all of us to earn what we have. We must do something, work for it. And for most things God does command that we work. But, simply stated, God’s grace is not grace if we earn it. I am truly on the winning Team this time. But I must say, it wasn’t because of my ability, or my intelligence, or me being able to logically come to a conclusion about Jesus Christ and His salvation. Therefore, if a person is required to do anything to be saved, then it’s no longer grace, but earned. And if we are taught that salvation, forgiveness of sins, is received by the work of “choice,” it’s somewhere between infringing on the purity of God's grace, to eliminating "by grace alone." I am who I am because of God’s work, not mine. I don’t understand why He chose me, but I do understand that He did. I’m very grateful. I love Him…only because He first loved me.

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The Impossible Gospel

2007-06-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

The following is actually a booklet (gospel tract) that I created to help explain the impossibility of a person being saved apart from divine, sovereign grace.
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What I’m about to say will be impossible for any human being to understand or truly believe.

Not only will one not understand, but it will also be foolishness to him or her in varying degrees.

WHY? Because understanding the things in the Bible can only occur if God gives to you the ability to
understand and discern them.
Therefore, on your own, with your own intellect it’s impossible to understand the Gospel.

The Bible says:
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:18

Only the Holy Spirit can make God's Word understandable to the human mind. Because the unbeliever is spiritually dead (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13), no amount of eloquence on the part of the speaker is able to grant him life. Because he is spiritually blind, no amount of human logic or reason is able to open his eyes to the truth. And because he is spiritually enslaved to sin, no amount of persuasion is able to free him from his unbelief.

Understanding this truth brings to me an urgency to proclaim the message about the good news of Jesus Christ. It's from hearing the message of the gospel that God removes the blinders from the unbeliever's mind and gives a person the grace and faith to believe in Jesus.

The Bible says:
Faith (to believe) comes from hearing the message
Romans 10:17

Faith to understand
and believe in Jesus Christ
is a gift from God.

The Bible Says:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God- Ephesians 2:8

The “gift of God” is both the faith to believe the impossible gospel, and the result- being saved.

Nature is used to explain how biblical truth is received:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6

The good news about Jesus Christ is referred to as seed. Man plants and waters the seed, but only God can make it grow.

Jesus spoke of this impossible gospel:

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” John 6:44

“...no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." John 6:65

Therefore, it is virtually impossible for a person to come to Jesus Christ, believing in Him, unless God the Father draws him and enables him.

My prayer for every person, is that God would grant them to believe, with their heart, the wonderful truth about Jesus Christ.

The first century church in the city of Philippi was granted this gift:

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ…to believe on Him. Philippians 1:29

So the question is, do you believe the following?

In God’s eyes, spiritually, all mankind are: dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1

God’s righteousness requires justice. The (justice) payment for sin is the death penalty (Romans 3:23).
Jesus satisfied God’s justice.

The Bible Says:
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18

(Jesus) gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age.
Galatians 1:4

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; Romans 10:9

Do you believe this?

Maybe you are actually believing this for the first time. Some of you have believed the gospel for quite some time. In either case, give thanks to the Lord for the miracle of believing the impossible gospel with your heart, resulting in forgiveness of sins, and eternal life.

A prayer doesn't save a person, but talking to God is a proper response from a person who has received Jesus Christ and eternal life. This might be a suggestion. "Oh, Lord, I don't understand it all, but I do believe in You. I don't know why You've chosen me, but thank You Lord for giving to me the gift of eternal life, the forgiveness of my sin. Thank You for paying the penalty for my sin on the cross. I ask You to make of my life what You desire. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name, Amen.

But what if I don't believe the gospel?

Then you would would be just like the younger brothers of Jesus. They grew up with Him, played with Him, worked with Him, ate with Him, and maybe even, to some degree, fought with Him. But when Jesus began His 3 1/2 year period of telling people about the kingdom of God, and doing many miracles, they also did not believe in Him.

For not even His brothers were believing in Him. John 7:5

But after His death and resurrection to life, something occurred in the minds and hearts of His brothers. Jesus went from being just their older brother to being their Lord. A few days after Jesus went back to heaven we find a group of believers gathered together. Look who’s with them?

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. Acts 1:14

My prayer for you who do not believe in Jesus is that God will yet one day open your heart to receive the greatest gift known to man...Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of sin, resulting in eternal life in heaven.

If this is the beginning of a new life for you, the following are some suggestions to help you begin and continue in the Christian life.

Attend a church where Jesus Christ is preached and honored as God.

Read your Bible every day. May I suggest beginning in the Gospel of John.

Talk to God. Pray all the time. Thank Him often.

Tell other people about Jesus Christ. Tell what has happened in your life and how you became a person who believed in Jesus.

He's chosen, and called you to serve Him, and others. Demonstrate this by your life.

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I believe this to be the biblical gospel

2007-06-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

My oil painting of the Lamb of God

God’s forgiveness is received by those who believe in Jesus Christ.

“All the prophets testify about Him (Jesus) that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

Acts 10:43

What are sins?
Any act or attitude, which fails to measure up to the standards of God’s glory and righteousness.

Can anyone measure up
to the standards of God’s righteousness?

Mankind has lost the ability to measure up to God’s standards. God’s first created man and woman chose to disobey God, and because of that choice, sin and death have been passed on to every human being since.

“sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men” Romans 5:12

We have no choice in this matter. All are born with a sinful, rebellious nature. We’re born separated from God’s righteousness.

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. There is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12

How then can man attain to God’s
righteousness?

Since it’s impossible for man to attain to God’s righteousness…
God’s mercy must reach to man.

God said to Moses…
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.” Romans 9:15-16

The Bible says… God…
“saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:9

It is God who saves us and calls us.
It is God who reaches man.

(God) made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in sins-
it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:5

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

How can I receive God’s forgiveness and
His righteousness?

God will give you the faith to believe His Truth, the Gospel…with conviction.

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.” 1 Thess 1:4-5

God’s forgiveness and righteousness are received by all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

“All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." Acts 10:43

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” Romans 3:22

Do you believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for your sin—the death penalty—to bring you to God?

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the
unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

The Bible says…

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12

Has God given you the faith to believe in Jesus Christ?

If so, thank Him and ask Him to make your life what He desires it to be.
Dear Lord Jesus, I don’t understand it all, but I do believe in You. I don’t know why You’ve chosen me, but I thank You Lord for giving me the gift of eternal life, the forgiveness of sin. Thank You for paying the penalty for my sin on the cross. I ask You to make my life what You desire. I want to trust and follow You. Teach me how Lord. Thank You for giving me faith to believe in Jesus. In His Name I pray, Amen.

Believing in Jesus (salvation) is God’s gift to you.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

Assurance of our salvation is based on the authority of God’s Word, the Bible. As God has chosen you to believe in Jesus (His gift of faith), He has, therefore, chosen you to follow Jesus (to live by faith).

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