The Impossible Gospel

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

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?

Joe, the Believer

More Important Than Many Sparrows

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

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

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.