Posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Old Baptist Hymns
I sure do miss the old hymns. I know I am just a young man and I used to not think so. But i do now. There is life in those hymns because there is scripture in those hymns. There is the cross in those hymns. There is the blood in those hymns. There is repentance in those hymns. There is surrendering in those hymns. There is doctrine in those hymns. There is Jesus in those hymns!
Praise God! Give me that old time religion! Power-points and electric guitars can't duplicate it! Only the Holy Spirit can!
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.........
Free Will Baptist Hymn Book:
Praise God! Give me that old time religion! Power-points and electric guitars can't duplicate it! Only the Holy Spirit can!
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.........
Free Will Baptist Hymn Book:
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Israeli Jews bless the sun in rare 28-year prayer
Saw this about the Israeli Jews blessing the sun. Sounds like their hearts are back in Egypt. This is why God judged them and they were carried off to Babylon!
Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
In Revelation 11:8 it say's that Jerusalem will be like Sodom and Egypt. Well it sure is!
In June 2008 Israel had a gay/pride parade in Jerusalem.
Source:
Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
In Revelation 11:8 it say's that Jerusalem will be like Sodom and Egypt. Well it sure is!
In June 2008 Israel had a gay/pride parade in Jerusalem.
Source:
Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
America's wishy-washy pastors
America's wishy-washy pastors
By:Joseph Farah
America achieved its independence and freedom in the 18th century in large part because colonial pastors stood up for biblical principles, preached them, lived them and refused to back down from them – even in the face of death.
The American War of Independence has been accurately called a "pulpit revolution" for this reason. It was inspired by great men of God who recognized evil and called it by its right name.
What a difference two centuries, combined with affluence and the corporatization of the 501(c)3 church culture has made.
A good example of this was on display on CNN's "Larry King Live" this week, as "America's Pastor" Rick Warren did a soft shoe act on his role in the same-sex marriage battle over Proposition 8 in California."You know, Larry, there was a story within a story that never got told," he said. "In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be. During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never – never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going. The week before the – the vote, somebody in my church said, Pastor Rick, what – what do you think about this? And I sent a note to my own members that said, I actually believe that marriage is – really should be defined, that that definition should be – say between a man and a woman.
"And then all of a sudden out of it, they made me, you know, something that I really wasn't," Warren continued. "And I actually – there were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends – the leaders that I knew – and actually apologized to them. That never got out. There were some things said that – you know, everybody should have 10 percent grace when they say public statements. And I was asked a question that made it sound like I equated gay marriage with pedophilia or incest, which I absolutely do not believe. And I actually announced that. All of the criticism came from people that didn't know me. Not a single criticism came from any gay leader who knows me and knows that for years, we've been working together on AIDS issues and all these other things."
What are we to make of such mealy-mouthed, wishy-washy, namby-pamby hokum?
It's a great illustration of America's most prominent church leader equivocating and backtracking and saying almost nothing coherent so that he will offend no one.
Let me lay it on the line: This is not the way Yeshua talked or behaved. It is not the example of the one whom Rick Warren claims to emulate and worship. There is nothing prophetic or biblical or courageous or principled about this kind of Christian witness.
click here to read more
By:Joseph Farah
America achieved its independence and freedom in the 18th century in large part because colonial pastors stood up for biblical principles, preached them, lived them and refused to back down from them – even in the face of death.
The American War of Independence has been accurately called a "pulpit revolution" for this reason. It was inspired by great men of God who recognized evil and called it by its right name.
What a difference two centuries, combined with affluence and the corporatization of the 501(c)3 church culture has made.
A good example of this was on display on CNN's "Larry King Live" this week, as "America's Pastor" Rick Warren did a soft shoe act on his role in the same-sex marriage battle over Proposition 8 in California."You know, Larry, there was a story within a story that never got told," he said. "In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be. During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never – never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going. The week before the – the vote, somebody in my church said, Pastor Rick, what – what do you think about this? And I sent a note to my own members that said, I actually believe that marriage is – really should be defined, that that definition should be – say between a man and a woman.
"And then all of a sudden out of it, they made me, you know, something that I really wasn't," Warren continued. "And I actually – there were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends – the leaders that I knew – and actually apologized to them. That never got out. There were some things said that – you know, everybody should have 10 percent grace when they say public statements. And I was asked a question that made it sound like I equated gay marriage with pedophilia or incest, which I absolutely do not believe. And I actually announced that. All of the criticism came from people that didn't know me. Not a single criticism came from any gay leader who knows me and knows that for years, we've been working together on AIDS issues and all these other things."
What are we to make of such mealy-mouthed, wishy-washy, namby-pamby hokum?
It's a great illustration of America's most prominent church leader equivocating and backtracking and saying almost nothing coherent so that he will offend no one.
Let me lay it on the line: This is not the way Yeshua talked or behaved. It is not the example of the one whom Rick Warren claims to emulate and worship. There is nothing prophetic or biblical or courageous or principled about this kind of Christian witness.
click here to read more
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
“Does Doctrine Matter?” Part 2/By: Derek Melton
Part 2.
“Does Doctrine Matter?”
By Pastor Derek Melton
www.pryorcreekcommunitychurch.org
Study Notes
It is quite challenging to traverse beyond this preeminent doctrinal truth unto other truths, simply because of the gross misappropriation of the Gospel in our current religious culture. The love of pleasure that has inundated our society has crept into the hallowed sanctum of the church. Subsequently, the pulpit has cowered down, and traded its birthright for a bowl of cultural porridge.
With this loss of biblical truth, there has in its place come a new gospel that is culturally palatable, hyper-tolerant, seeker-sensitive, and benefit driven. This is a gospel that is accepted among the throngs of pleasure pursuing parishioners simply because it is perceived as a means to their end of self-gratification – through riches, fame, favor, preeminence, and a life filled with pleasure.
Therefore the pulpit spends its time watering the inordinate seeds of wicked desires within its congregation with man-made religious maladies in the name of church growth and cultural religious success. The true Gospel is never preached amongst these seeker sensitive crowds because of its offensive nature and unpalatable demands. Hence, hours are spent in seminars, and in conventions, instructing these spineless puppets behind the pulpit, how to use the benefits of the Gospel to draw crowds and build great and successful ministries.
All the while, the Spirit of God is grieved, the true Gospel is perverted, and multitudes of unsuspecting church-goers are bound by deception and sin with no power to break free from their dungeon of despair that is ultimately leading them to an irreversible eternal damnation. I am aware that many of you think I am taking this far too serious, or maybe you feel that I am over reacting, or reading into our religious culture a norm that is not as pronounced as I am mentioning.
Beloved, I truly believe it is much worse than I am mentioning, and not better than. If you feel that I am too radical and out of touch, then I am concerned about the power of deception that is being asserted over your mind and heart. It may be that you are a candidate for doctrinal apostasy! Beloved, if the benefits of the Gospel are the motive for your commitment to Christ, you are an idolater and are an enemy of the Gospel and its Sovereign King for you are a lover of His gift and not His person. Beloved, let me ask you a question: “if the benefits of the Gospel were stripped away, would your love for Jesus Christ waiver and diminish?”
I understand the depth of the challenge in that question, but a love that finds its commitment within the dividends that are accrued is a feigned love. But a love that is birthed out of a passionate and abiding adoration for the character, (or the attributes that are ascribed to that individual that makes that person who they are), of that person is a lasting and pure love – regardless of the benefits ascribed therein. It is my great concern, that multitudes of church attending professors of Jesus Christ are in love with what He gives, but they are not in love with who He is in His divine character.
Much of this dreadful condition attributed to the pulpit and the rubbish being fed to the people. It is unfortunate but true, that multitudes of pulpiteers spend the majority of their time discoursing upon the benefits of the Gospel, while grossly neglecting the God of the Gospel. From this malady comes a generation of church attending professors of Jesus Christ that are wonderfully taught about what Christ can give, but sadly they have no idea who Jesus Christ is.
They have not been taught Christ. Just as the Apostle’s address to Ephesus:
Ephesians 4:20
“But ye have not so learned Christ;” KJV
Once again I must mention that when the benefits of the Gospel leave our peripheral vision and remove Christ from our direct vision to replace Him, we are in great error! In the Apostle’s address to the Hebrew believers, he stated: “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith”. This is a challenge for us to fix our eyes, our direct vision, to the person of Jesus Christ, for our growth, maturity, and success.
No where is it mentioned that we should remove Christ from the center of our focus, and for us to fill our eyes with benefits that make our life more comfortable and easy. Once again, it is the chief end of man to glorify God and with this end before us, let us spend our time, energy, and passion, glorifying God – as God!
Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” KJV
It would be easy for me to camp out here for several more hours, but it might be a little over the top, and there is other things for us to learn in regards to true Doctrine. Now, the second article or question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is as follows:
Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Now, we discussed at length the first article, to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever is the chief end of man. All true, Gospel doctrine flows from this truth. Any doctrinal matter, any scriptural matter, any truth that flows from another direction is a false gospel. Every subsequent truth must flow from this foundation; God must be glorified as God in all things!
Now, the second article of the Westminster Catechism gives us the means whereby this end is attained. We learned the Who, and now we must learn the How. It is one thing for us to have an understanding that God must be glorified in all things, even in our lives, but it is wholly another thing for us to understand how this is to be “fleshed out” or fulfilled in our lives.
Being so, we must know that it is impossible for us to fulfill the chief end of man in the glorifying of God without the second revelation which is the means to achieve the chief end. The means to achieve this end is the Word of God. The second article states that the Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the ONLY rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” KJV
First of all let me say that it is impossible to glorify God apart from the Word of God and the knowledge ascribed therein. I read earlier from Romans 1 where the Apostle mentions a people that knew God but did not glorify Him as God. We might ask: “how can someone know God and not glorify Him as God?” To this we must answer that the knowledge of God is inherently or instinctively within every man. Every created being has an instinctive awareness of the existence of the Creator; not justifying faith, nor converting grace, but instinctive awareness. It is manifest within them!
So, it is important for us to understand that the knowledge of God that is instinctive is not sufficient unto the glorifying of God – for these mentioned by Paul had knowledge but God was not glorified.
The instinctive knowledge of God must lead us to the Word of God whereby we learn by the Holy Writ how God is glorified by such un-glorious creatures such as we. In my opening remarks I made mention that it is impossible to glorify God apart from the Word of God. The Word of God is the rule, the only rule, whereby we are directed upon how we must glorify Him and enjoy Him.
As we mentioned earlier in this message, multitudes of church attending professors in Jesus Christ have a knowledge of God. Yet, this knowledge of God cannot glorify God because the rule of their faith is opposed to or deviated from the written Word of God. How you may ask? The chief desire of their pursuit is merely the benefit of the Gospel versus the God of the Gospel and this is knowledge disproportionate to the Truth. Any knowledge that is disproportionate to the Truth does not, nor can it glorify God.
Beloved, all scripture is given by the inspiration of God that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. It might be correctly interpreted to say that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God that the man of God might be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto the glory of God, for what value are the good works if they are not for His glory?
One of, if not the greatest obstacle standing between modern Christianity and the glory of God is the great lack in the knowledge of and confidence in the sufficiency of the scriptures. Great hosts of church attending, and good mannered people, are knowledgeable in what their church is teaching, or in what their denomination believes, but altogether ignorant of what the inspired scriptures say. Being so, the foundation of their spiritual lives is laid by quaint sayings, and partial truths of denominational or non-denominational beliefs.
Many of these doctrinal establishments if stripped of all of the money, popularity, cultural power, and witty presentations, would be found greatly lacking in purity of doctrine and scriptural sufficiency. It is with these mentioned artifices that the doctrinal and scriptural deficiencies become palatable and even desirable. Yet, they act as a catalyst to inoculate good intentioned people against their primary end, to glorify God.
Acts 17:10-11
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.”
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” KJV
We will never be free from Rome until we abandon the practices of Rome. Let me explain. In Roman Catholicism in the 15th and 16th centuries, and even before, the priests alone were permitted to handle and study the Word of God. The common man was wholly unable to study the Word of God as it was only the learned priests that could understand the native tongues of the manuscripts. Being so, the church controlled what the people believed simply because they were unable to hear anything except what they were told by the clergy. The priests handled the Word of Truth and instructed the people upon what they wanted them to know.
From this, great heretical beliefs were formed and practiced. Most of you here know the history of the reformation – but Protestant reformers diligently labored to put the Word of God in the hands of the common man that he might study and search the scriptures as the Bereans of the Apostles days. Of course we know that great men of God such as William Tyndale burnt and perished at the stake for his work placing the Word of God into the hands of common men in their native tongues.
Now, it is Rome that presses the injustice of clergy alone handling the scriptures, not Christ! Beloved, we must abandon the maligned practice that leaves the study of the scriptures wholly in the hands of clergy. We as Christ’s dear children have a divine mandate to study the scriptures!
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” KJV
Notice the language the Holy Spirit uses; “workman”. The Greek translates this as a laborer. This is the common man and not the laity alone being mentioned. Oh beloved, scriptural neglect is the path that scriptural deviation trods upon; and scriptural deviation is the path that scriptural apostasy trods upon; and it is scriptural apostasy that reserves the mist of darkness forever for the apostate!
This gross neglect of the study of the scriptures has led to a demise in the evangelical community at catastrophic proportions. I attribute this to Rome mindsets that leave the diligent study of God’s Word to the clergy. Hence, the misinformed evangelical has no plumb line whereby he might measure the truth. He must simply rely upon what he has been told by clergy and the scriptural purity and accuracy is left wholly upon the shoulders of the clergy leaving the parishioner vulnerable to his doctrine.
A book by George A. Marsden, "Reforming Fundamentalism" quotes a survey of student belief at one of the largest Evangelical seminaries in the US. 2 The poll indicated that 85% of the students "do not believe in the inerrancy (free from error) of Scripture."
This book also lists the results of a poll conducted by Jeffery Hadden in 1987 of 10,000 American clergy. They were asked whether they believed that the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God in faith, history, and secular matters: the following stated no.
95% of Episcopalians,
87% of Methodists,
82% of Presbyterians,
77% of American Lutherans, and
67% of American Baptists said "No."
However, the Christian laity is far more supportive of the inerrancy position. The Barna Research Group reported in 1996 that among American adults generally:
58% believe that the Bible is "totally accurate in all its teachings"
45% believe that the Bible is "absolutely accurate and everything in it can be taken literally."
Support dropped between that poll and another taken in 2001. Barna reported in 2001 that:
41% of adults strongly agrees that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches
They also published beliefs by denomination and metagroup:
Above average:
Pentecostal / Foursquare: 81%
Assembly of God: 77%
Christian, non-denominational (mostly Fundamentalist) 70%
Baptist: 66%
Seventh-day Adventist: 64%
Church of Christ: 57%
Below average:
Presbyterian: 40%
Methodist: 38%
Lutheran: 34%
Latter-day Saints (Mormon): 29%
Catholics: 26%
Episcopal: 22%
While I am aware of margins of error in any poll, there is a certain disturbing realism that shows that serious error has entered into the evangelical church and one of the catalysts is the lack on the part of individual evangelicals to study the scriptures personally and diligently. I know that I am getting away from the scope of my message but these issues are worth mentioning.
Oh beloved, the Word of God is the means whereby God is glorified in our lives. It is acutely impossible for us to glorify God as God apart from the Word of God understood and applied in our lives personally. It is imperative that we not only study God’s Word but it is equally as important that we teach our children the Word of God and disciplined study habits that their souls may find refuge in Christ and their lives given to the glory of God.
The Word of God is the ONLY means whereby we glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
“Does Doctrine Matter?”
By Pastor Derek Melton
www.pryorcreekcommunitychurch.org
Study Notes
It is quite challenging to traverse beyond this preeminent doctrinal truth unto other truths, simply because of the gross misappropriation of the Gospel in our current religious culture. The love of pleasure that has inundated our society has crept into the hallowed sanctum of the church. Subsequently, the pulpit has cowered down, and traded its birthright for a bowl of cultural porridge.
With this loss of biblical truth, there has in its place come a new gospel that is culturally palatable, hyper-tolerant, seeker-sensitive, and benefit driven. This is a gospel that is accepted among the throngs of pleasure pursuing parishioners simply because it is perceived as a means to their end of self-gratification – through riches, fame, favor, preeminence, and a life filled with pleasure.
Therefore the pulpit spends its time watering the inordinate seeds of wicked desires within its congregation with man-made religious maladies in the name of church growth and cultural religious success. The true Gospel is never preached amongst these seeker sensitive crowds because of its offensive nature and unpalatable demands. Hence, hours are spent in seminars, and in conventions, instructing these spineless puppets behind the pulpit, how to use the benefits of the Gospel to draw crowds and build great and successful ministries.
All the while, the Spirit of God is grieved, the true Gospel is perverted, and multitudes of unsuspecting church-goers are bound by deception and sin with no power to break free from their dungeon of despair that is ultimately leading them to an irreversible eternal damnation. I am aware that many of you think I am taking this far too serious, or maybe you feel that I am over reacting, or reading into our religious culture a norm that is not as pronounced as I am mentioning.
Beloved, I truly believe it is much worse than I am mentioning, and not better than. If you feel that I am too radical and out of touch, then I am concerned about the power of deception that is being asserted over your mind and heart. It may be that you are a candidate for doctrinal apostasy! Beloved, if the benefits of the Gospel are the motive for your commitment to Christ, you are an idolater and are an enemy of the Gospel and its Sovereign King for you are a lover of His gift and not His person. Beloved, let me ask you a question: “if the benefits of the Gospel were stripped away, would your love for Jesus Christ waiver and diminish?”
I understand the depth of the challenge in that question, but a love that finds its commitment within the dividends that are accrued is a feigned love. But a love that is birthed out of a passionate and abiding adoration for the character, (or the attributes that are ascribed to that individual that makes that person who they are), of that person is a lasting and pure love – regardless of the benefits ascribed therein. It is my great concern, that multitudes of church attending professors of Jesus Christ are in love with what He gives, but they are not in love with who He is in His divine character.
Much of this dreadful condition attributed to the pulpit and the rubbish being fed to the people. It is unfortunate but true, that multitudes of pulpiteers spend the majority of their time discoursing upon the benefits of the Gospel, while grossly neglecting the God of the Gospel. From this malady comes a generation of church attending professors of Jesus Christ that are wonderfully taught about what Christ can give, but sadly they have no idea who Jesus Christ is.
They have not been taught Christ. Just as the Apostle’s address to Ephesus:
Ephesians 4:20
“But ye have not so learned Christ;” KJV
Once again I must mention that when the benefits of the Gospel leave our peripheral vision and remove Christ from our direct vision to replace Him, we are in great error! In the Apostle’s address to the Hebrew believers, he stated: “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith”. This is a challenge for us to fix our eyes, our direct vision, to the person of Jesus Christ, for our growth, maturity, and success.
No where is it mentioned that we should remove Christ from the center of our focus, and for us to fill our eyes with benefits that make our life more comfortable and easy. Once again, it is the chief end of man to glorify God and with this end before us, let us spend our time, energy, and passion, glorifying God – as God!
Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” KJV
It would be easy for me to camp out here for several more hours, but it might be a little over the top, and there is other things for us to learn in regards to true Doctrine. Now, the second article or question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is as follows:
Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Now, we discussed at length the first article, to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever is the chief end of man. All true, Gospel doctrine flows from this truth. Any doctrinal matter, any scriptural matter, any truth that flows from another direction is a false gospel. Every subsequent truth must flow from this foundation; God must be glorified as God in all things!
Now, the second article of the Westminster Catechism gives us the means whereby this end is attained. We learned the Who, and now we must learn the How. It is one thing for us to have an understanding that God must be glorified in all things, even in our lives, but it is wholly another thing for us to understand how this is to be “fleshed out” or fulfilled in our lives.
Being so, we must know that it is impossible for us to fulfill the chief end of man in the glorifying of God without the second revelation which is the means to achieve the chief end. The means to achieve this end is the Word of God. The second article states that the Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the ONLY rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” KJV
First of all let me say that it is impossible to glorify God apart from the Word of God and the knowledge ascribed therein. I read earlier from Romans 1 where the Apostle mentions a people that knew God but did not glorify Him as God. We might ask: “how can someone know God and not glorify Him as God?” To this we must answer that the knowledge of God is inherently or instinctively within every man. Every created being has an instinctive awareness of the existence of the Creator; not justifying faith, nor converting grace, but instinctive awareness. It is manifest within them!
So, it is important for us to understand that the knowledge of God that is instinctive is not sufficient unto the glorifying of God – for these mentioned by Paul had knowledge but God was not glorified.
The instinctive knowledge of God must lead us to the Word of God whereby we learn by the Holy Writ how God is glorified by such un-glorious creatures such as we. In my opening remarks I made mention that it is impossible to glorify God apart from the Word of God. The Word of God is the rule, the only rule, whereby we are directed upon how we must glorify Him and enjoy Him.
As we mentioned earlier in this message, multitudes of church attending professors in Jesus Christ have a knowledge of God. Yet, this knowledge of God cannot glorify God because the rule of their faith is opposed to or deviated from the written Word of God. How you may ask? The chief desire of their pursuit is merely the benefit of the Gospel versus the God of the Gospel and this is knowledge disproportionate to the Truth. Any knowledge that is disproportionate to the Truth does not, nor can it glorify God.
Beloved, all scripture is given by the inspiration of God that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. It might be correctly interpreted to say that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God that the man of God might be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto the glory of God, for what value are the good works if they are not for His glory?
One of, if not the greatest obstacle standing between modern Christianity and the glory of God is the great lack in the knowledge of and confidence in the sufficiency of the scriptures. Great hosts of church attending, and good mannered people, are knowledgeable in what their church is teaching, or in what their denomination believes, but altogether ignorant of what the inspired scriptures say. Being so, the foundation of their spiritual lives is laid by quaint sayings, and partial truths of denominational or non-denominational beliefs.
Many of these doctrinal establishments if stripped of all of the money, popularity, cultural power, and witty presentations, would be found greatly lacking in purity of doctrine and scriptural sufficiency. It is with these mentioned artifices that the doctrinal and scriptural deficiencies become palatable and even desirable. Yet, they act as a catalyst to inoculate good intentioned people against their primary end, to glorify God.
Acts 17:10-11
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.”
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” KJV
We will never be free from Rome until we abandon the practices of Rome. Let me explain. In Roman Catholicism in the 15th and 16th centuries, and even before, the priests alone were permitted to handle and study the Word of God. The common man was wholly unable to study the Word of God as it was only the learned priests that could understand the native tongues of the manuscripts. Being so, the church controlled what the people believed simply because they were unable to hear anything except what they were told by the clergy. The priests handled the Word of Truth and instructed the people upon what they wanted them to know.
From this, great heretical beliefs were formed and practiced. Most of you here know the history of the reformation – but Protestant reformers diligently labored to put the Word of God in the hands of the common man that he might study and search the scriptures as the Bereans of the Apostles days. Of course we know that great men of God such as William Tyndale burnt and perished at the stake for his work placing the Word of God into the hands of common men in their native tongues.
Now, it is Rome that presses the injustice of clergy alone handling the scriptures, not Christ! Beloved, we must abandon the maligned practice that leaves the study of the scriptures wholly in the hands of clergy. We as Christ’s dear children have a divine mandate to study the scriptures!
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” KJV
Notice the language the Holy Spirit uses; “workman”. The Greek translates this as a laborer. This is the common man and not the laity alone being mentioned. Oh beloved, scriptural neglect is the path that scriptural deviation trods upon; and scriptural deviation is the path that scriptural apostasy trods upon; and it is scriptural apostasy that reserves the mist of darkness forever for the apostate!
This gross neglect of the study of the scriptures has led to a demise in the evangelical community at catastrophic proportions. I attribute this to Rome mindsets that leave the diligent study of God’s Word to the clergy. Hence, the misinformed evangelical has no plumb line whereby he might measure the truth. He must simply rely upon what he has been told by clergy and the scriptural purity and accuracy is left wholly upon the shoulders of the clergy leaving the parishioner vulnerable to his doctrine.
A book by George A. Marsden, "Reforming Fundamentalism" quotes a survey of student belief at one of the largest Evangelical seminaries in the US. 2 The poll indicated that 85% of the students "do not believe in the inerrancy (free from error) of Scripture."
This book also lists the results of a poll conducted by Jeffery Hadden in 1987 of 10,000 American clergy. They were asked whether they believed that the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God in faith, history, and secular matters: the following stated no.
95% of Episcopalians,
87% of Methodists,
82% of Presbyterians,
77% of American Lutherans, and
67% of American Baptists said "No."
However, the Christian laity is far more supportive of the inerrancy position. The Barna Research Group reported in 1996 that among American adults generally:
58% believe that the Bible is "totally accurate in all its teachings"
45% believe that the Bible is "absolutely accurate and everything in it can be taken literally."
Support dropped between that poll and another taken in 2001. Barna reported in 2001 that:
41% of adults strongly agrees that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches
They also published beliefs by denomination and metagroup:
Above average:
Pentecostal / Foursquare: 81%
Assembly of God: 77%
Christian, non-denominational (mostly Fundamentalist) 70%
Baptist: 66%
Seventh-day Adventist: 64%
Church of Christ: 57%
Below average:
Presbyterian: 40%
Methodist: 38%
Lutheran: 34%
Latter-day Saints (Mormon): 29%
Catholics: 26%
Episcopal: 22%
While I am aware of margins of error in any poll, there is a certain disturbing realism that shows that serious error has entered into the evangelical church and one of the catalysts is the lack on the part of individual evangelicals to study the scriptures personally and diligently. I know that I am getting away from the scope of my message but these issues are worth mentioning.
Oh beloved, the Word of God is the means whereby God is glorified in our lives. It is acutely impossible for us to glorify God as God apart from the Word of God understood and applied in our lives personally. It is imperative that we not only study God’s Word but it is equally as important that we teach our children the Word of God and disciplined study habits that their souls may find refuge in Christ and their lives given to the glory of God.
The Word of God is the ONLY means whereby we glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Post Trib Rapture
THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
&
THE FIRST RESURRECTION
OR KNOWN TODAY AS THE RAPTURE
ACTS
1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
As Jesus went up there were two men. These men told the disciple's in this same manner Christ will come back. Remember the two witness's in Revelation. After three and ½ days they will be resurrected and caught up in the air with Jesus Christ. These two men who will be murdered on the streets of Jerusalem will be resurrected that very moment Jesus Christ breaks through the heavens.
Revelation
11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
MATTHEW
24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other
MARK
13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Jesus makes it clear! At his coming he will gather his elect on earth & in heaven.
EPHESIANS
1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The mystery of his will is that when He comes back he will gather his people to Him. In the fulness of times. When it is finished . When the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of the Lord. It will not be in phases or in secret.
The scriptures make it clear. He returns, gathers together those that are His, and He takes back the earth.
1 CORINTHIANS
15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1st. He returns
2nd. The 1st resurrection
3rd. Then the end. What happens at the end? Armageddon.
Now God can create a man in the twinkling of an eye out of the dust of the earth
on a certain day. Why is it so hard for people to believe that God can gather his people and defeat His enemies all in one day?
2 THESSALONIANS
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Notice in verse 1. he say's " by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,". He doesn't say by our gathering together unto him and then 7 years later the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul say's that Christ will come back and get his people and destroy the anti-Christ with the brightness of His coming (verse 8).
In verse 2. Paul say's ", as that the day of Christ is at hand."
What is the day of Christ? Look back at verse 1. The day of His coming and our gathering together unto him and in verse 8. at His coming he destroys the ant-Christ. It is (1) day. He doesn't say Christ comes back in secret , gathers us up, we all go back to heaven, wait seven years, and then finally for a 2nd time he comes back and destroy's the bad guy's. He say's it all happens in one day.
In verse 3. Paul say's let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
He say's not to be deceived about his coming! These day many are deceived
about how the second coming of Jesus is going to be. Many a preachers and prophet's of gold are preaching peace and safety to the Christian people. Here in the blessed land of the U.S.A. many a Christian believe no harm will come to them
and no persecution will come to the Christians in America. Because we are a "Christian nation" no judgement will fall on this great land because we are in the land.
Maybe these preacher's of peace should build a time traveling machine, go back in time and tell the early Christians who were martyred that! Go back to the day's of the reformation and tell those christian's you will see no harm. When the red horse of communism rose up and slaughtered millions of christians if only the late great Hal Lindsay or Tim LaHaye were there to tell them "don't worry you will see no harm".
While Hitler was in power he murdered 6 million Jews. But no one ever tells you that 9-10 million other's (mostly Christian's) died in those death camps. Those Christians were not raptured out of persecutions.
Every body knows what happened in 1948. Israel became a nation again. But no one tells you that in 1948 24.7 million Christians were martyred in China under Mao.
I guess so called bible prophecy teacher's don't find that remotely related to bible prophecy. 24.7 million christians were murdered for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
They would not deny Him and they were slaughtered by the Communist.
Why many preacher's will not tell you this is either they just don't know the facts and only preach what they have been taught, or they know if you knew how many millions of Christians have been martyred in the 1900's you would begin to question their pre-trib rapture theory.
One of the reason's I believe that there will be a falling away is because many believed that they would escape persecution. But when it comes and looks them in their face they will blame God , think that God has forsaken them, and say the Bible must not be true cause it said we would escape tribulation. Even though the bible does not say we will escape tribulation.
Be not deceived!
So the day of His coming and our gathering together unto Him will not happen until there is a falling away and the man of sin revealed. So that is two things that must happen before that day.
1. Many deceived
2. Anti-Christ revealed.
Today they say we wont be here to see the Anti-Christ. Oh yeh! Why?
The early persecuted church thought that Nero was the Anti-Christ.
The persecuted Christians of the reformation thought the Pope was the Anti-Christ.
The persecuted Christians in Russia thought Stalin was the Anti-Christ. In 1934 Joseph Stalin attempted to wipe out the entire Christian church. Under his regime 40 million murdered.
To be continued..................................
&
THE FIRST RESURRECTION
OR KNOWN TODAY AS THE RAPTURE
ACTS
1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
As Jesus went up there were two men. These men told the disciple's in this same manner Christ will come back. Remember the two witness's in Revelation. After three and ½ days they will be resurrected and caught up in the air with Jesus Christ. These two men who will be murdered on the streets of Jerusalem will be resurrected that very moment Jesus Christ breaks through the heavens.
Revelation
11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
MATTHEW
24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other
MARK
13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Jesus makes it clear! At his coming he will gather his elect on earth & in heaven.
EPHESIANS
1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
The mystery of his will is that when He comes back he will gather his people to Him. In the fulness of times. When it is finished . When the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of the Lord. It will not be in phases or in secret.
The scriptures make it clear. He returns, gathers together those that are His, and He takes back the earth.
1 CORINTHIANS
15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1st. He returns
2nd. The 1st resurrection
3rd. Then the end. What happens at the end? Armageddon.
Now God can create a man in the twinkling of an eye out of the dust of the earth
on a certain day. Why is it so hard for people to believe that God can gather his people and defeat His enemies all in one day?
2 THESSALONIANS
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
Notice in verse 1. he say's " by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,". He doesn't say by our gathering together unto him and then 7 years later the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul say's that Christ will come back and get his people and destroy the anti-Christ with the brightness of His coming (verse 8).
In verse 2. Paul say's ", as that the day of Christ is at hand."
What is the day of Christ? Look back at verse 1. The day of His coming and our gathering together unto him and in verse 8. at His coming he destroys the ant-Christ. It is (1) day. He doesn't say Christ comes back in secret , gathers us up, we all go back to heaven, wait seven years, and then finally for a 2nd time he comes back and destroy's the bad guy's. He say's it all happens in one day.
In verse 3. Paul say's let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
He say's not to be deceived about his coming! These day many are deceived
about how the second coming of Jesus is going to be. Many a preachers and prophet's of gold are preaching peace and safety to the Christian people. Here in the blessed land of the U.S.A. many a Christian believe no harm will come to them
and no persecution will come to the Christians in America. Because we are a "Christian nation" no judgement will fall on this great land because we are in the land.
Maybe these preacher's of peace should build a time traveling machine, go back in time and tell the early Christians who were martyred that! Go back to the day's of the reformation and tell those christian's you will see no harm. When the red horse of communism rose up and slaughtered millions of christians if only the late great Hal Lindsay or Tim LaHaye were there to tell them "don't worry you will see no harm".
While Hitler was in power he murdered 6 million Jews. But no one ever tells you that 9-10 million other's (mostly Christian's) died in those death camps. Those Christians were not raptured out of persecutions.
Every body knows what happened in 1948. Israel became a nation again. But no one tells you that in 1948 24.7 million Christians were martyred in China under Mao.
I guess so called bible prophecy teacher's don't find that remotely related to bible prophecy. 24.7 million christians were murdered for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
They would not deny Him and they were slaughtered by the Communist.
Why many preacher's will not tell you this is either they just don't know the facts and only preach what they have been taught, or they know if you knew how many millions of Christians have been martyred in the 1900's you would begin to question their pre-trib rapture theory.
One of the reason's I believe that there will be a falling away is because many believed that they would escape persecution. But when it comes and looks them in their face they will blame God , think that God has forsaken them, and say the Bible must not be true cause it said we would escape tribulation. Even though the bible does not say we will escape tribulation.
Be not deceived!
So the day of His coming and our gathering together unto Him will not happen until there is a falling away and the man of sin revealed. So that is two things that must happen before that day.
1. Many deceived
2. Anti-Christ revealed.
Today they say we wont be here to see the Anti-Christ. Oh yeh! Why?
The early persecuted church thought that Nero was the Anti-Christ.
The persecuted Christians of the reformation thought the Pope was the Anti-Christ.
The persecuted Christians in Russia thought Stalin was the Anti-Christ. In 1934 Joseph Stalin attempted to wipe out the entire Christian church. Under his regime 40 million murdered.
To be continued..................................
“Does Doctrine Matter?” By: Derek Melton
“Does Doctrine Matter?”
By Pastor Derek Melton
www.pryorcreekcommunitychurch.org
Study Notes
Romans 6:16-18
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
1 Timothy 4:16
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
When we hear the word “doctrine” we automatically cringe with a seeming dread having misunderstood the beauty and truth ascribed to this word. Our culture has wrongfully defined doctrine as a dogma that is only applicable to theologians for debating purposes, being beyond the grasp of, and relevance to, any normal believer. It is perceived as an abstract subject void of any practical properties whereby the average Christian might benefit from it.
The common Christian immediately feels a negative mood come over him when this word is mentioned ascribing to it thoughts of boredom, or lofty intellectual religious idealism, far too complicated to be useful, or that doctrine is solely purposed for seminary professors and the students underneath their care. Moreover, we trust that our spiritual leaders, such as Pastors and Elders, have a vivid understanding of doctrinal matters and being so, we leave the matter entirely in their hands as we graciously withdraw from the idea exclusively.
The embrace of this negative mood, or the tolerance of it, is the bedding ground for a torrent of unbiblical or extra biblical practices to creep into the church and the private lives of Christ’s redeemed people. Being so, it is my intention in these messages to deliberately and systematically destroy these infected ideas concerning this topic and to firmly establish us in the concreteness of authoritative scripture. First of all let me share with you a passage of scripture in regard to our faulty ideas concerning doctrine.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasoning’s and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” AMP
I think it is fair and accurate to say that we all have ideas and feelings in regard to certain subjects such as doctrine that are inaccurate, and heavily influenced by our upbringing, our culture, and even our religious teaching in church. These influences are powerful, and they assert themselves in the regulation of what we embrace, what we tolerate, and what we reject and cast away.
The Word of God tells us here that mighty weapons ordained of God are available to refute these ideological strongholds or theories and reasons that are set against the knowledge of God, or Truth. These weapons lead every thought, or idealism, into captivity, unto the obedience of Christ. Simply put, the Word of God, and its assertion, through its anointed declaration or preaching, will demolish these mind-sets, prejudices, and inaccurate beliefs, that we hold fast too the keep us in bondage.
Being so, it is my intention to boldly declare through the preaching of the Word of God, the truth about doctrine and its importance to the preacher and the newest believer alike. It is my prayer that our Lord open up the eyes of our hearts, to enlighten our understanding, that we may embrace pure doctrine with all zeal and passion.
John MacArthur said:
Doctrine matters. What you believe about God, the gospel, the nature of man, and every major truth addressed in Scripture filters down to every area of your life. You and I will never rise above our view of God and our understanding of His Word.
Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ's sheep.
J.I. Packer
Doctrine is the framework of life – the skeleton of truth, to be clothed and rounded out by the living grace of a holy life.
Adoniram J. Gordon
Doctrine is the necessary foundation of duty; if the theory is not correct the practice cannot be right. Tell me what a man believes, and I will tell you what he will do.
Tryon Edwards
We may invigorate our faith and renew our courage by reflecting that divine power has always attended the preaching of doctrine, when done in the true spirit of preaching. Great revivals have accompanied the heroic preaching of the doctrines of grace, and that whole lofty mountain range of doctrines upon which Jehovah sits enthroned, sovereign in grace as in all things else. God honors preaching that honors Him. There is entirely too much milk-sop preaching nowadays, trying to cajole sinners to enter upon a truce with their Maker, quit sinning, and join the church. The situation does not call for a truce, but a surrender. Let us bring out the heavy artillery of heaven, and thunder away at this stuck-up age as Whitefield, Edwards, Spurgeon and Paul did, and there will be many slain of the Lord, raised up to walk in newness of Life.
J.B. Gambrell
"A nontheological faith cannot explain itself, but too theological a faith loses contact with the reason for its existence. . . . Too much enthusiastic faith without a corresponding degree of theological understanding is almost certain to lead to error, perhaps to serious heresy. Too much doctrine unaccompanied by a living and growing faith is the recipe for dead orthodoxy." Harold Brown
"It is of exceedingly great importance that we should have right notions and conceptions of the nature, attributes, and perfections of God. It is the very foundations of all religion, both doctrinal and practical; it is to no purpose to worship God, except we know what we worship. . . . It is impossible we should love, fear, and obey God as we ought, except we know what He is, and have right ideas of His perfections, that render Him lovely and worthy to be feared and obeyed." Jonathan Edwards
Contrary to shallow and unscriptural cultural religion, doctrine does matter. In fact, doctrine is imperative, insomuch, it is impossible to truly be regenerated apart from sound doctrine. Hear my heart beloved; I am not speaking of dry, dull, incomprehensible religious jargon. On the contrary; I am speaking of the very oracles of God, the very fundamentals of the faith, the very tenants of the Christian life, that define who we are as God’s dearly beloved children.
One of the greatest pitfalls in modern Christendom is the doctrinal deficiencies we exhibit. Many good hearted people are passionately following every new gimmick on the market of religious fanfare simply because they are not doctrinally aware and secure. They are like chaff, blown about by every new wind of unsound doctrine, because they are not anchored to Christ in sound doctrine.
Ephesians 4:14-15
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: KJV
Beloved, if you are not anchored in solid biblical doctrine, you will be tossed about by every cunning and deceitful tactic of satan. Doctrine matters!!! Now, back to our introductory scriptures in Romans and 1st Timothy.
· Biblical doctrine and salvation/freedom from sin are inseparably tied to one another.
It is altogether likely that the flood of false converts in the church today are a direct result of the false doctrines that have crept into the church. The Apostle Paul in his address to the Church at Rome mentions their former entanglements with sin, and the wholehearted subjection to its power, being eradicated by obedience to the form of doctrine that had been delivered unto them by apostolic preaching. Paul goes on to say, “being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” This is the effect, but the cause is the preaching of sound doctrine that had been embraced by the hearts of the believers at Rome. It is important that we see the link here between deliverance from sin, and the preaching of biblically sound doctrine. It is not necessary for you to correct me after the service in regards to the work of the Spirit of God in the conversion of souls for I am in wholehearted agreement. But what you may have forgotten is that the Spirit of God works in concert with the agency of the Word of God or sound doctrine, to regenerate the hearts of sinful men.
Mark 16:20
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” KJV
Could it be that the carnality in today’s assembly is fueled or empowered by the fleshly doctrines being sown into the hearts of the people on a weekly basis? I believe that it has some merit, not exclusive, but some merit. It is a biblical truth that the doctrines of grace, regeneration, repentance, faith, and other fundamental doctrines, work as preparatory graces unto the sealing of the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” KJV
The modern contemporary church has greatly undervalued the great doctrines of the faith, and placed greater emphasis upon frivolous ideas and practices and thereby robbed its subjects of the greatest need in Christendom; regeneration! The changes in dynamics are noted by the inordinate emphasis being placed upon the benefits of the gospel while neglecting the gospel itself. The secondary has overtaken the primary and the danger lies in the motive underlying the whole thing.
The secondary becoming the primary is indicative of the corruption and greed that strokes the please me nature of Adamic beings. Gospel benefits removed from Gospel context is idolatry my friend. The Gospel declares that we must be crucified upon a personal cross and the rendering of ourselves dead. From this death, by faith and hope, comes a resurrection by the power of God unto salvation and thereby its benefits. The reversal of that order is that we might experience the benefits of redemption while neglecting and avoiding the Gospel altogether. This is acutely heretical my friend, but it is the consensus among a growing number of contemporary professors of Jesus Christ.
Beloved, the Apostle Paul warned young Timothy to “take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” It is the responsibility of the ministers of Jesus Christ to preach biblical doctrine; but it is the responsibility of the followers of Jesus Christ to subject themselves to such preaching, teaching, and exhortation.
It is shameful that we are greatly lacking in doctrinal knowledge. This lack is the cause of our lack to break the bands of wickedness in our lives. This lack is the cause of our weakness against sin. This lack is the cause of our susceptibility to erroneous doctrine. This lack is the cause of our inability to defend the faith. This lack is the cause of our drifting away from truth unto lies. It is the lack of doctrinal knowledge. Again, I am not suggesting doctrine alone is sufficient, it is not. I am aware of the need for the Spirit that gives life, but you must understand our need for doctrinal truths planted in our heart that the Holy Spirit may find something within our lives to which He can agree with and in turn work with.
I am not promoting dogma, or legal Christianity. I am not preaching that hyper-theology replaces obedience, the work of the Holy Spirit, or any such thing. What I am preaching is the need for pure doctrine, deeply planted into our hearts, soundly garrisoned in our minds, and implemented by faith into practical holy living. Paul gave us a grand description of this in his address to Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” KJV
Many of the pulpiteers of the past fifty years acted as though the first and last object of their calling was the salvation of souls, everything being made to bend to that aim. In consequence, the feeding of the sheep, the maintaining of a Scriptural discipline in the church, and the inculcation (The action of impressing by repeated admonitions) of practical piety, was crowded out; and only too often all sorts of worldly devices and fleshly methods were employed under the plea that the end justified the means; and thus the churches were filled with unregenerate members. In reality, such men defeated their own aim. The hard heart must be ploughed and harrowed before it can be receptive to the gospel seed. Doctrinal instruction must be given on the character of God, the requirements of his Law, the nature and heinousness of sin, if a foundation is to be laid for true evangelism. It is useless to preach Christ unto souls until they see and feel their desperate need of him. A.W. Pink
It is my earnest intention, not only to preach to you sound doctrine, but to show you your need of it, and to by the help of the Holy Spirit, to give you a desire for it. Our shallowness in doctrine is the predecessor of shallowness of living. Our lack of stable doctrine is the culprit of instability in our lives. A man never can live beyond his doctrine. It is your responsibility to heed sound doctrine, to embrace sound doctrine, and to live sound doctrine. Not the crusty theology of university professors, but the living doctrines of Jesus Christ! Oh beloved, the character of God is essential doctrine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is essential doctrine, clothe yourselves in it, test yourself with it, examine yourself by it, and give yourself to the proclamation of it. For in so doing, you will save yourself, and those that hear you!
1 Timothy 4:1-2
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” KJV
2 Peter 2:1-3
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” KJV
One of the greatest delusions to mark the end of times is a doctrinal delusion. In a generation that all but rejects disciplined study of doctrinal truths we find a snare that is capturing multitudes of church attending professing believers in Jesus Christ and bringing them under strong delusion.
This marked distaste for biblical doctrine is the gateway through which heretical and damnable fallacies flow – leading astray multitudes into exciting new religious experiences, authentic experiences, powerful experiences, yet, demonic experiences that manifest in the corridors of what men have deemed a church. These pandemic episodes are empowered by spirits of seduction, wrapped in the guise of modern fundamental excellence, applauded by cultural acceptance, leading its blinded followers into experiences that are sensually intimate and borderline erotic.
The idealism that I am referring to is not some distant occurrence waiting to fulfill itself in the future. No, this is happening right now, in our city, being participated in by people that you possibly know and love. I mentioned the word pandemic earlier, and emphatically so. The influences of these seducing spirits, and the power of their demonic doctrines, are pandemic.
Many unaware believers are not too concerned about these ongoing and relatively new forms of worship – but beloved they are the most deadly poisons that hell has emitted to date. Those that are fellowshipping within the sanctums of these seductive religious practices are twice dead to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.
You may question why we need to mention these things in our preaching, and I must instruct us that the lack of biblical doctrine and the practical adherence is the very catalyst that empowers spiritual seduction and opens avenues to fall head-long into doctrinal error or better said demonic doctrines.
Beloved, not everything that looks like Jesus is Jesus. Not every assembly that uses the Name is a true church. There is the use of the Name of Christ amiss. There is an assembly of people in a religious setting that is amiss. Without the foundation being laid of solid biblical doctrine, we cannot call any assembly a church; even if it plays guitars, sings religious songs, lifts up hands, preaches sermons, and makes altar calls. This does not constitute a church beloved.
The reason that we can comfortably coexist with these heretical demonically empowered religious assemblies is because the depth of our doctrinal deficiencies is so acute we can barely tell the difference. Dearest people, if we are not individually and corporately rooted and grounded in scriptural doctrines, truths, we can rest assured that we will gladly cohabitate with the very spirit of anti-Christ that is vehemently set against God and His glorious Truth simply because we lack the biblical foundation to differentiate between the two.
Creeping onto the religious scene is a powerful movement of organized and demonically empowered cultists called emergent Christians. Beloved, this is no Christianity, make no mistake about it! Nonetheless, it is the fastest growing “religious cult” in the western hemisphere. Let me read to you some of their beliefs, and you will see that you know people who claim to be born-again, that have the same beliefs. Mind you, these are not born again!!!
Emergent Church Theology
www.apologeticsindex.org
The world is radically changing and the church must radically change with itEmergents believe postmodernity represents a dramatic break with the past and that only an extreme transformation in the church can keep the church relevant and effective in this environment. What is needed, they say, is not just a change in methodology. We need a new kind of Christian.
Since the Church has been culture bound for so long we must reexamine and question every belief and practice in the Church, finding new ways to define and express theseVisiting emergent blogs, one will find that absolutely any doctrine or moral standard can be questioned. It seems at times that emergents are engaging in a complete reinvention of Christianity accompanied by a radical redefinition of Christian terms.
We have no foundation for any beliefs, therefore we cannot know absolute truthCritics of the Emerging Church movement insist that emergents misrepresent epistemological foundationalism (the belief that we do possess some knowledge that serves as a basis for further knowledge) as requiring “bombproof certainty,” something contemporary foundationalists insist they do not hold to. What contemporary foundationalists do believe is that we can possess real knowledge that is so certain it requires extraordinary evidence to refute it. [13] D. A. Carson points out that emergent postfoundationalism is based upon yet another of their false antitheses, saying “In effect the antithesis demands that we be God, with all of God’s omniscience, or else forever be condemned to knowing nothing objective for sure.” [14] Additionally, emergents fail to consider the scriptural teaching of faith as something God-given which does possess supernaturally certain knowledge (Mt 21:21, Eph. 2:8, Heb 11:1). Emergents do not seem to realize that critiquing secular foundationalism is not the same as critiquing Evangelical foundationalism. In A New Kind of Christian McLaren’s fictional altar ego, Neo, says even Scripture is neither authoritative (in a “modern” sense) [15] nor a foundation for faith. [16]
Since we cannot know absolute truth, we can only experience what is “true” for our communitiesPostmodern philosophers and theologians insist that truth is only known and validated within communities (“There are no Metanarratives only local narratives”). While this implies that truth is culturally relative and that true cross-cultural communication is impossible (those outside a community must first join a community before they can understand the community’s ideas), postmodern authors communicate to people of various communities simultaneously, apparently expecting them to all equally understand their intent.
Since we cannot know absolute truth we cannot be dogmatic about doctrineEmergents see orthodoxy as “generous,” [17] that is, inclusive of many beliefs Christians have historically thought of as aberrant or heretical. Many leading emergents echo McLaren’s refusal to assert Christianity’s superiority to other world religions.
Since we cannot know absolute truth we cannot be dogmatic about moral standardsAbsolute stands on issues such as homosexuality are viewed as obsolete. Activities such as drinking, clubbing, watching sexually explicit movies, and using profanities are seen by some emergents as opportunities to show those who are not part of the Christian community that postmodern Christians do not think they are better than them through any false sense of moral superiority. [18]
Since we cannot know absolute truth, dogmatic preaching must give way to a dialogue between people of all beliefsEmerging Christians do not posture themselves before the world as though they were the light and the world were in darkness. Instead of “preaching” to the “lost” they join in “conversation,” with people of various beliefs. Conservative Evangelicals seem not to be truly welcome to contribute their distinctive content to this conversation since they represent the old, rotting corpse of “modernism.”
Since propositional truth is uncertain, spiritual feeling and social action make up the only reliable substance of ChristianityEmergents consider propositional truth a “modern” (and thus outmoded) fascination. Postmoderns think and communicate in narratives. [19] Since the pursuit of truth is portrayed as a never ending journey with no solid starting point, they consider the only legitimate measuring rods of Christianity to be experience and good works. Without a solid footing in revealed truth, however, emergents have no firm foundation for knowing which experiences are valid and which works are good (something they do not seem to notice).
To capture a sacred feeling we should reconnect with ancient worship formsTrappings such as burning candles and events such as silent retreats are popular in the movement. Embracing these premodern forms further breaks their connection with “modern” Christianity.
Since sublime feeling is experienced through outward forms, we should utilize art forms in our worshipMany participants in the movement see appreciating art for art’s sake as a spiritual experience.
Through conversation with them, “outsiders” will become part of our community, and then be able to understand and believe what we teachThe postmodern approach is not to try to persuade people to believe, it is to try to befriend people into joining. This is commonly expressed as Robert Webber does when he says “People in a postmodern world are not persuaded to faith by reason as much as they are moved to faith by participation in God’s earthly community.” [20] There is a false antithesis in such statements, however. We do not have to choose between a purely cerebral attempt to talk others into believing correctly on the one hand and offering an open, unqualified invitation to our group on the other. The Bible teaches us to proclaim the gospel message with reliance upon the Holy Spirit to empower, illuminate, and convict (1 Co 2, 1 Thess 1:9). When such proclamation is absent, as it is in the Emerging Church movement, there is no prophetic voice coming from the church calling sinners to repent and believe the Gospel (Ac 2:38, 16:30-32).
All are welcome to join the “conversation” as long as they behave in a kind and open-minded manner.Emerging believers reject any posture which hints at exclusivism. Dogmatic Evangelicals, however, are not treated as kindly in the conversation as others are (something many emergents admit).
The ultimate goal is to make the world a better placeThe Emerging Church movement envisions a utopia in which the oppressed of the world are free, the poor are no longer impoverished and the environment is clean. This paradise is achieved through social activism. Many emergent leaders think it is selfish folly to live for the return of Christ.
The masses that are following these demonically empowered lies are captivated by them only because they are not lovers of the Truth! Beloved, it is the love of the Truth, doctrinal Truth that is our safeguard against these doctrinal anomalies. Listen to the Word of God:
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” KJV
Doctrinal neglect fuels doctrinal deficiency which leads to doctrinal apostasy. It is altogether possible to attend a doctrinally sound church and remain a doctrinally unsound pew-warmer. Attending a church that preaches sound doctrine is not a safeguard exclusively. We must be lovers of the truth; believers that diligently search the scriptures to see if these things be so.
A true love of the Truth will be demonstrated by a diligent and disciplined study of the scriptures as well as being submitted to the preaching of the doctrines of Christ. We may ask; “how can we increase in doctrinal knowledge and revelation?” The answer may be summed up in the following.
Prayerful study of the Bible with strict attention being paid to foundational doctrinal subjects.
Being perpetually submitted to the powerful preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word.
Surrounding yourself with like minded believers that are lovers of the Truth.
Separate yourself from fellowship with those who participate in idolatrous religious practices.
Read books upon solid biblical doctrinal subjects. IE Regeneration, Repentance, Faith, the Character of God, the 2nd Coming of Christ – by doctrinally accurate authors. (most of which are 100 years old or older)
Spend time in prayer, petitioning the Sprit of Truth, to illuminate the Truths of God’s Word to your heart.
Now, I want to begin a trek in laying a foundation for historic and authorative biblical doctrine. Albeit it is imperative to mention the need for sound biblical doctrine, it is equally imperative for us to understand what constitutes biblical doctrine, and what these doctrines are. Throughout history men have produced documents outlining the fundamentals of pure biblical doctrine. One of these historic documents is the Westminster Catechism. It is biblically sound, lining out the doctrines of the Christian faith as directed by the Word of God. The first three articles of the 107 articles in the shorter catechism are as follows:
Shorter Westminster Catechism
Question 1: What is the chief end of man?Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Question 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?Answer: The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
The subsequent 104 articles are in proportion to the first 3 articles, albeit important, time constraints prohibit us from doing a lengthy instruction upon them. Now, coinciding with the first article of the Catechism, all biblical doctrine hinges upon and rotates around the principle that man’s chief end is to glorify God; it is the purpose for his creation. Being so, any doctrine that gives emphasis to, or centers around, man’s delight, comfort, happiness, fulfillment, entertainment, or any other man centered purpose is flawed and unbiblical doctrine.
True biblical doctrine is rooted and grounded upon the Truth that God is the center of all things, and that man’s purpose is to glorify God. There are current doctrines being heralded abroad that promote the idealism that God is man’s servant. Whenever man becomes in want, whenever man becomes uncomfortable, whenever man suffers lack, whenever man is bored, it is the responsibility of God to meet the needs and desires of man.
Beloved, many of you here today have been influenced by these devilish doctrines. Beloved, it is not the responsibility of God to serve you, it is not His responsibility to entertain you, and it is not His responsibility to meet your needs and desires, on the contrary! It is man’s responsibility to glorify God and hence meet and to minister to His desires, whence our purpose in creation.
Therefore, any doctrinal issues that deviate from this principle we must deem heretical and void of truth. For example, as we spoke of in our first message upon this topic, when the benefits of the Gospel begin to overtake and overshadow the Gospel itself it begins to deviate away from the foundational truth that man is to glorify God. When the emphasis placed upon the benefits of the Gospel becomes out of balance, the idealism shifts to the purpose of the Gospel to be given to the well-being and blessedness of mankind.
The reality of the true Gospel is that its end is always to the glory of God; even when the subjects of the Gospel are benefited therein. Beloved, as beneficiaries of the Gospel, the chief end of the Gospel’s purpose in benefiting man is to glorify God.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” KJV
Oh beloved, let us think right, let us think biblically, the chief purpose of God in redeeming mankind is not to save man from hell, although mankind is saved from hell by the mercies of our great God. No, the chief purpose of God in redemption is the glorification of God – for His good pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5-12
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” KJV
Psalms 106:7-8
“Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” KJV
Daniel 9:19
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” KJV
Oh beloved, we truly are the subjects of the benefits of the Gospel, yet, the purpose for each of them is not for the glory of man, but for the glory of God. God is glorified in His omnipotent power being asserted over His dominion. When God ordains mankind to be beneficiaries of the Gospel it is only as He is glorified therein. Man’s purpose is to glorify God, and the Gospel is God’s chosen means toward that end. Any deviation from this biblical doctrine is flawed and devilish, and it robs God of His glory. Can I make this any clearer? The foundation upon which the Gospel is built is the honor and glory of God.
The premise of much of today’s doctrine is wholly man-centered. We call this humanism. It is subtle but evident in many culturally embraced religious communities. This is quickly identified by whom the doctrine gravitates around as its chief subject; more times than not, man is the theme of the doctrine. Just this week I was looking on the web at a familiar church and its messages. The messages centered around the blessedness of man and his well-being while upon earth. How can man become more successful; how can man become happier; how can man earn more money, etc.
Now do not misunderstand, in the new birth there are benefits and we truly are beneficiaries. Yet, the chief end of these benefits is that God might be glorified and not man! Hence, we must understand that all true biblical doctrine has its true expression in the glory of God. Being so, if we hear a gospel that emphatically pronounces and declares the well being and the blessedness of man, or the fulfilled man, the happy man, the overcoming man, when taken out of the context of these being a means to an end – and that end being the glorification of God, we can know this is a damnable doctrine being empowered by seducing spirits.
It is from these doctrines we must flee unto the refuge of Christ, from whence all true and beautiful biblical doctrine flows!
By Pastor Derek Melton
www.pryorcreekcommunitychurch.org
Study Notes
Romans 6:16-18
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
1 Timothy 4:16
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
When we hear the word “doctrine” we automatically cringe with a seeming dread having misunderstood the beauty and truth ascribed to this word. Our culture has wrongfully defined doctrine as a dogma that is only applicable to theologians for debating purposes, being beyond the grasp of, and relevance to, any normal believer. It is perceived as an abstract subject void of any practical properties whereby the average Christian might benefit from it.
The common Christian immediately feels a negative mood come over him when this word is mentioned ascribing to it thoughts of boredom, or lofty intellectual religious idealism, far too complicated to be useful, or that doctrine is solely purposed for seminary professors and the students underneath their care. Moreover, we trust that our spiritual leaders, such as Pastors and Elders, have a vivid understanding of doctrinal matters and being so, we leave the matter entirely in their hands as we graciously withdraw from the idea exclusively.
The embrace of this negative mood, or the tolerance of it, is the bedding ground for a torrent of unbiblical or extra biblical practices to creep into the church and the private lives of Christ’s redeemed people. Being so, it is my intention in these messages to deliberately and systematically destroy these infected ideas concerning this topic and to firmly establish us in the concreteness of authoritative scripture. First of all let me share with you a passage of scripture in regard to our faulty ideas concerning doctrine.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasoning’s and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),” AMP
I think it is fair and accurate to say that we all have ideas and feelings in regard to certain subjects such as doctrine that are inaccurate, and heavily influenced by our upbringing, our culture, and even our religious teaching in church. These influences are powerful, and they assert themselves in the regulation of what we embrace, what we tolerate, and what we reject and cast away.
The Word of God tells us here that mighty weapons ordained of God are available to refute these ideological strongholds or theories and reasons that are set against the knowledge of God, or Truth. These weapons lead every thought, or idealism, into captivity, unto the obedience of Christ. Simply put, the Word of God, and its assertion, through its anointed declaration or preaching, will demolish these mind-sets, prejudices, and inaccurate beliefs, that we hold fast too the keep us in bondage.
Being so, it is my intention to boldly declare through the preaching of the Word of God, the truth about doctrine and its importance to the preacher and the newest believer alike. It is my prayer that our Lord open up the eyes of our hearts, to enlighten our understanding, that we may embrace pure doctrine with all zeal and passion.
John MacArthur said:
Doctrine matters. What you believe about God, the gospel, the nature of man, and every major truth addressed in Scripture filters down to every area of your life. You and I will never rise above our view of God and our understanding of His Word.
Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ's sheep.
J.I. Packer
Doctrine is the framework of life – the skeleton of truth, to be clothed and rounded out by the living grace of a holy life.
Adoniram J. Gordon
Doctrine is the necessary foundation of duty; if the theory is not correct the practice cannot be right. Tell me what a man believes, and I will tell you what he will do.
Tryon Edwards
We may invigorate our faith and renew our courage by reflecting that divine power has always attended the preaching of doctrine, when done in the true spirit of preaching. Great revivals have accompanied the heroic preaching of the doctrines of grace, and that whole lofty mountain range of doctrines upon which Jehovah sits enthroned, sovereign in grace as in all things else. God honors preaching that honors Him. There is entirely too much milk-sop preaching nowadays, trying to cajole sinners to enter upon a truce with their Maker, quit sinning, and join the church. The situation does not call for a truce, but a surrender. Let us bring out the heavy artillery of heaven, and thunder away at this stuck-up age as Whitefield, Edwards, Spurgeon and Paul did, and there will be many slain of the Lord, raised up to walk in newness of Life.
J.B. Gambrell
"A nontheological faith cannot explain itself, but too theological a faith loses contact with the reason for its existence. . . . Too much enthusiastic faith without a corresponding degree of theological understanding is almost certain to lead to error, perhaps to serious heresy. Too much doctrine unaccompanied by a living and growing faith is the recipe for dead orthodoxy." Harold Brown
"It is of exceedingly great importance that we should have right notions and conceptions of the nature, attributes, and perfections of God. It is the very foundations of all religion, both doctrinal and practical; it is to no purpose to worship God, except we know what we worship. . . . It is impossible we should love, fear, and obey God as we ought, except we know what He is, and have right ideas of His perfections, that render Him lovely and worthy to be feared and obeyed." Jonathan Edwards
Contrary to shallow and unscriptural cultural religion, doctrine does matter. In fact, doctrine is imperative, insomuch, it is impossible to truly be regenerated apart from sound doctrine. Hear my heart beloved; I am not speaking of dry, dull, incomprehensible religious jargon. On the contrary; I am speaking of the very oracles of God, the very fundamentals of the faith, the very tenants of the Christian life, that define who we are as God’s dearly beloved children.
One of the greatest pitfalls in modern Christendom is the doctrinal deficiencies we exhibit. Many good hearted people are passionately following every new gimmick on the market of religious fanfare simply because they are not doctrinally aware and secure. They are like chaff, blown about by every new wind of unsound doctrine, because they are not anchored to Christ in sound doctrine.
Ephesians 4:14-15
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: KJV
Beloved, if you are not anchored in solid biblical doctrine, you will be tossed about by every cunning and deceitful tactic of satan. Doctrine matters!!! Now, back to our introductory scriptures in Romans and 1st Timothy.
· Biblical doctrine and salvation/freedom from sin are inseparably tied to one another.
It is altogether likely that the flood of false converts in the church today are a direct result of the false doctrines that have crept into the church. The Apostle Paul in his address to the Church at Rome mentions their former entanglements with sin, and the wholehearted subjection to its power, being eradicated by obedience to the form of doctrine that had been delivered unto them by apostolic preaching. Paul goes on to say, “being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” This is the effect, but the cause is the preaching of sound doctrine that had been embraced by the hearts of the believers at Rome. It is important that we see the link here between deliverance from sin, and the preaching of biblically sound doctrine. It is not necessary for you to correct me after the service in regards to the work of the Spirit of God in the conversion of souls for I am in wholehearted agreement. But what you may have forgotten is that the Spirit of God works in concert with the agency of the Word of God or sound doctrine, to regenerate the hearts of sinful men.
Mark 16:20
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” KJV
Could it be that the carnality in today’s assembly is fueled or empowered by the fleshly doctrines being sown into the hearts of the people on a weekly basis? I believe that it has some merit, not exclusive, but some merit. It is a biblical truth that the doctrines of grace, regeneration, repentance, faith, and other fundamental doctrines, work as preparatory graces unto the sealing of the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” KJV
The modern contemporary church has greatly undervalued the great doctrines of the faith, and placed greater emphasis upon frivolous ideas and practices and thereby robbed its subjects of the greatest need in Christendom; regeneration! The changes in dynamics are noted by the inordinate emphasis being placed upon the benefits of the gospel while neglecting the gospel itself. The secondary has overtaken the primary and the danger lies in the motive underlying the whole thing.
The secondary becoming the primary is indicative of the corruption and greed that strokes the please me nature of Adamic beings. Gospel benefits removed from Gospel context is idolatry my friend. The Gospel declares that we must be crucified upon a personal cross and the rendering of ourselves dead. From this death, by faith and hope, comes a resurrection by the power of God unto salvation and thereby its benefits. The reversal of that order is that we might experience the benefits of redemption while neglecting and avoiding the Gospel altogether. This is acutely heretical my friend, but it is the consensus among a growing number of contemporary professors of Jesus Christ.
Beloved, the Apostle Paul warned young Timothy to “take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” It is the responsibility of the ministers of Jesus Christ to preach biblical doctrine; but it is the responsibility of the followers of Jesus Christ to subject themselves to such preaching, teaching, and exhortation.
It is shameful that we are greatly lacking in doctrinal knowledge. This lack is the cause of our lack to break the bands of wickedness in our lives. This lack is the cause of our weakness against sin. This lack is the cause of our susceptibility to erroneous doctrine. This lack is the cause of our inability to defend the faith. This lack is the cause of our drifting away from truth unto lies. It is the lack of doctrinal knowledge. Again, I am not suggesting doctrine alone is sufficient, it is not. I am aware of the need for the Spirit that gives life, but you must understand our need for doctrinal truths planted in our heart that the Holy Spirit may find something within our lives to which He can agree with and in turn work with.
I am not promoting dogma, or legal Christianity. I am not preaching that hyper-theology replaces obedience, the work of the Holy Spirit, or any such thing. What I am preaching is the need for pure doctrine, deeply planted into our hearts, soundly garrisoned in our minds, and implemented by faith into practical holy living. Paul gave us a grand description of this in his address to Timothy.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” KJV
Many of the pulpiteers of the past fifty years acted as though the first and last object of their calling was the salvation of souls, everything being made to bend to that aim. In consequence, the feeding of the sheep, the maintaining of a Scriptural discipline in the church, and the inculcation (The action of impressing by repeated admonitions) of practical piety, was crowded out; and only too often all sorts of worldly devices and fleshly methods were employed under the plea that the end justified the means; and thus the churches were filled with unregenerate members. In reality, such men defeated their own aim. The hard heart must be ploughed and harrowed before it can be receptive to the gospel seed. Doctrinal instruction must be given on the character of God, the requirements of his Law, the nature and heinousness of sin, if a foundation is to be laid for true evangelism. It is useless to preach Christ unto souls until they see and feel their desperate need of him. A.W. Pink
It is my earnest intention, not only to preach to you sound doctrine, but to show you your need of it, and to by the help of the Holy Spirit, to give you a desire for it. Our shallowness in doctrine is the predecessor of shallowness of living. Our lack of stable doctrine is the culprit of instability in our lives. A man never can live beyond his doctrine. It is your responsibility to heed sound doctrine, to embrace sound doctrine, and to live sound doctrine. Not the crusty theology of university professors, but the living doctrines of Jesus Christ! Oh beloved, the character of God is essential doctrine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is essential doctrine, clothe yourselves in it, test yourself with it, examine yourself by it, and give yourself to the proclamation of it. For in so doing, you will save yourself, and those that hear you!
1 Timothy 4:1-2
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” KJV
2 Peter 2:1-3
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” KJV
One of the greatest delusions to mark the end of times is a doctrinal delusion. In a generation that all but rejects disciplined study of doctrinal truths we find a snare that is capturing multitudes of church attending professing believers in Jesus Christ and bringing them under strong delusion.
This marked distaste for biblical doctrine is the gateway through which heretical and damnable fallacies flow – leading astray multitudes into exciting new religious experiences, authentic experiences, powerful experiences, yet, demonic experiences that manifest in the corridors of what men have deemed a church. These pandemic episodes are empowered by spirits of seduction, wrapped in the guise of modern fundamental excellence, applauded by cultural acceptance, leading its blinded followers into experiences that are sensually intimate and borderline erotic.
The idealism that I am referring to is not some distant occurrence waiting to fulfill itself in the future. No, this is happening right now, in our city, being participated in by people that you possibly know and love. I mentioned the word pandemic earlier, and emphatically so. The influences of these seducing spirits, and the power of their demonic doctrines, are pandemic.
Many unaware believers are not too concerned about these ongoing and relatively new forms of worship – but beloved they are the most deadly poisons that hell has emitted to date. Those that are fellowshipping within the sanctums of these seductive religious practices are twice dead to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever.
You may question why we need to mention these things in our preaching, and I must instruct us that the lack of biblical doctrine and the practical adherence is the very catalyst that empowers spiritual seduction and opens avenues to fall head-long into doctrinal error or better said demonic doctrines.
Beloved, not everything that looks like Jesus is Jesus. Not every assembly that uses the Name is a true church. There is the use of the Name of Christ amiss. There is an assembly of people in a religious setting that is amiss. Without the foundation being laid of solid biblical doctrine, we cannot call any assembly a church; even if it plays guitars, sings religious songs, lifts up hands, preaches sermons, and makes altar calls. This does not constitute a church beloved.
The reason that we can comfortably coexist with these heretical demonically empowered religious assemblies is because the depth of our doctrinal deficiencies is so acute we can barely tell the difference. Dearest people, if we are not individually and corporately rooted and grounded in scriptural doctrines, truths, we can rest assured that we will gladly cohabitate with the very spirit of anti-Christ that is vehemently set against God and His glorious Truth simply because we lack the biblical foundation to differentiate between the two.
Creeping onto the religious scene is a powerful movement of organized and demonically empowered cultists called emergent Christians. Beloved, this is no Christianity, make no mistake about it! Nonetheless, it is the fastest growing “religious cult” in the western hemisphere. Let me read to you some of their beliefs, and you will see that you know people who claim to be born-again, that have the same beliefs. Mind you, these are not born again!!!
Emergent Church Theology
www.apologeticsindex.org
The world is radically changing and the church must radically change with itEmergents believe postmodernity represents a dramatic break with the past and that only an extreme transformation in the church can keep the church relevant and effective in this environment. What is needed, they say, is not just a change in methodology. We need a new kind of Christian.
Since the Church has been culture bound for so long we must reexamine and question every belief and practice in the Church, finding new ways to define and express theseVisiting emergent blogs, one will find that absolutely any doctrine or moral standard can be questioned. It seems at times that emergents are engaging in a complete reinvention of Christianity accompanied by a radical redefinition of Christian terms.
We have no foundation for any beliefs, therefore we cannot know absolute truthCritics of the Emerging Church movement insist that emergents misrepresent epistemological foundationalism (the belief that we do possess some knowledge that serves as a basis for further knowledge) as requiring “bombproof certainty,” something contemporary foundationalists insist they do not hold to. What contemporary foundationalists do believe is that we can possess real knowledge that is so certain it requires extraordinary evidence to refute it. [13] D. A. Carson points out that emergent postfoundationalism is based upon yet another of their false antitheses, saying “In effect the antithesis demands that we be God, with all of God’s omniscience, or else forever be condemned to knowing nothing objective for sure.” [14] Additionally, emergents fail to consider the scriptural teaching of faith as something God-given which does possess supernaturally certain knowledge (Mt 21:21, Eph. 2:8, Heb 11:1). Emergents do not seem to realize that critiquing secular foundationalism is not the same as critiquing Evangelical foundationalism. In A New Kind of Christian McLaren’s fictional altar ego, Neo, says even Scripture is neither authoritative (in a “modern” sense) [15] nor a foundation for faith. [16]
Since we cannot know absolute truth, we can only experience what is “true” for our communitiesPostmodern philosophers and theologians insist that truth is only known and validated within communities (“There are no Metanarratives only local narratives”). While this implies that truth is culturally relative and that true cross-cultural communication is impossible (those outside a community must first join a community before they can understand the community’s ideas), postmodern authors communicate to people of various communities simultaneously, apparently expecting them to all equally understand their intent.
Since we cannot know absolute truth we cannot be dogmatic about doctrineEmergents see orthodoxy as “generous,” [17] that is, inclusive of many beliefs Christians have historically thought of as aberrant or heretical. Many leading emergents echo McLaren’s refusal to assert Christianity’s superiority to other world religions.
Since we cannot know absolute truth we cannot be dogmatic about moral standardsAbsolute stands on issues such as homosexuality are viewed as obsolete. Activities such as drinking, clubbing, watching sexually explicit movies, and using profanities are seen by some emergents as opportunities to show those who are not part of the Christian community that postmodern Christians do not think they are better than them through any false sense of moral superiority. [18]
Since we cannot know absolute truth, dogmatic preaching must give way to a dialogue between people of all beliefsEmerging Christians do not posture themselves before the world as though they were the light and the world were in darkness. Instead of “preaching” to the “lost” they join in “conversation,” with people of various beliefs. Conservative Evangelicals seem not to be truly welcome to contribute their distinctive content to this conversation since they represent the old, rotting corpse of “modernism.”
Since propositional truth is uncertain, spiritual feeling and social action make up the only reliable substance of ChristianityEmergents consider propositional truth a “modern” (and thus outmoded) fascination. Postmoderns think and communicate in narratives. [19] Since the pursuit of truth is portrayed as a never ending journey with no solid starting point, they consider the only legitimate measuring rods of Christianity to be experience and good works. Without a solid footing in revealed truth, however, emergents have no firm foundation for knowing which experiences are valid and which works are good (something they do not seem to notice).
To capture a sacred feeling we should reconnect with ancient worship formsTrappings such as burning candles and events such as silent retreats are popular in the movement. Embracing these premodern forms further breaks their connection with “modern” Christianity.
Since sublime feeling is experienced through outward forms, we should utilize art forms in our worshipMany participants in the movement see appreciating art for art’s sake as a spiritual experience.
Through conversation with them, “outsiders” will become part of our community, and then be able to understand and believe what we teachThe postmodern approach is not to try to persuade people to believe, it is to try to befriend people into joining. This is commonly expressed as Robert Webber does when he says “People in a postmodern world are not persuaded to faith by reason as much as they are moved to faith by participation in God’s earthly community.” [20] There is a false antithesis in such statements, however. We do not have to choose between a purely cerebral attempt to talk others into believing correctly on the one hand and offering an open, unqualified invitation to our group on the other. The Bible teaches us to proclaim the gospel message with reliance upon the Holy Spirit to empower, illuminate, and convict (1 Co 2, 1 Thess 1:9). When such proclamation is absent, as it is in the Emerging Church movement, there is no prophetic voice coming from the church calling sinners to repent and believe the Gospel (Ac 2:38, 16:30-32).
All are welcome to join the “conversation” as long as they behave in a kind and open-minded manner.Emerging believers reject any posture which hints at exclusivism. Dogmatic Evangelicals, however, are not treated as kindly in the conversation as others are (something many emergents admit).
The ultimate goal is to make the world a better placeThe Emerging Church movement envisions a utopia in which the oppressed of the world are free, the poor are no longer impoverished and the environment is clean. This paradise is achieved through social activism. Many emergent leaders think it is selfish folly to live for the return of Christ.
The masses that are following these demonically empowered lies are captivated by them only because they are not lovers of the Truth! Beloved, it is the love of the Truth, doctrinal Truth that is our safeguard against these doctrinal anomalies. Listen to the Word of God:
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” KJV
Doctrinal neglect fuels doctrinal deficiency which leads to doctrinal apostasy. It is altogether possible to attend a doctrinally sound church and remain a doctrinally unsound pew-warmer. Attending a church that preaches sound doctrine is not a safeguard exclusively. We must be lovers of the truth; believers that diligently search the scriptures to see if these things be so.
A true love of the Truth will be demonstrated by a diligent and disciplined study of the scriptures as well as being submitted to the preaching of the doctrines of Christ. We may ask; “how can we increase in doctrinal knowledge and revelation?” The answer may be summed up in the following.
Prayerful study of the Bible with strict attention being paid to foundational doctrinal subjects.
Being perpetually submitted to the powerful preaching of the whole counsel of God’s Word.
Surrounding yourself with like minded believers that are lovers of the Truth.
Separate yourself from fellowship with those who participate in idolatrous religious practices.
Read books upon solid biblical doctrinal subjects. IE Regeneration, Repentance, Faith, the Character of God, the 2nd Coming of Christ – by doctrinally accurate authors. (most of which are 100 years old or older)
Spend time in prayer, petitioning the Sprit of Truth, to illuminate the Truths of God’s Word to your heart.
Now, I want to begin a trek in laying a foundation for historic and authorative biblical doctrine. Albeit it is imperative to mention the need for sound biblical doctrine, it is equally imperative for us to understand what constitutes biblical doctrine, and what these doctrines are. Throughout history men have produced documents outlining the fundamentals of pure biblical doctrine. One of these historic documents is the Westminster Catechism. It is biblically sound, lining out the doctrines of the Christian faith as directed by the Word of God. The first three articles of the 107 articles in the shorter catechism are as follows:
Shorter Westminster Catechism
Question 1: What is the chief end of man?Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Question 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?Answer: The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
The subsequent 104 articles are in proportion to the first 3 articles, albeit important, time constraints prohibit us from doing a lengthy instruction upon them. Now, coinciding with the first article of the Catechism, all biblical doctrine hinges upon and rotates around the principle that man’s chief end is to glorify God; it is the purpose for his creation. Being so, any doctrine that gives emphasis to, or centers around, man’s delight, comfort, happiness, fulfillment, entertainment, or any other man centered purpose is flawed and unbiblical doctrine.
True biblical doctrine is rooted and grounded upon the Truth that God is the center of all things, and that man’s purpose is to glorify God. There are current doctrines being heralded abroad that promote the idealism that God is man’s servant. Whenever man becomes in want, whenever man becomes uncomfortable, whenever man suffers lack, whenever man is bored, it is the responsibility of God to meet the needs and desires of man.
Beloved, many of you here today have been influenced by these devilish doctrines. Beloved, it is not the responsibility of God to serve you, it is not His responsibility to entertain you, and it is not His responsibility to meet your needs and desires, on the contrary! It is man’s responsibility to glorify God and hence meet and to minister to His desires, whence our purpose in creation.
Therefore, any doctrinal issues that deviate from this principle we must deem heretical and void of truth. For example, as we spoke of in our first message upon this topic, when the benefits of the Gospel begin to overtake and overshadow the Gospel itself it begins to deviate away from the foundational truth that man is to glorify God. When the emphasis placed upon the benefits of the Gospel becomes out of balance, the idealism shifts to the purpose of the Gospel to be given to the well-being and blessedness of mankind.
The reality of the true Gospel is that its end is always to the glory of God; even when the subjects of the Gospel are benefited therein. Beloved, as beneficiaries of the Gospel, the chief end of the Gospel’s purpose in benefiting man is to glorify God.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” KJV
Oh beloved, let us think right, let us think biblically, the chief purpose of God in redeeming mankind is not to save man from hell, although mankind is saved from hell by the mercies of our great God. No, the chief purpose of God in redemption is the glorification of God – for His good pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5-12
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” KJV
Psalms 106:7-8
“Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” KJV
Daniel 9:19
“O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” KJV
Oh beloved, we truly are the subjects of the benefits of the Gospel, yet, the purpose for each of them is not for the glory of man, but for the glory of God. God is glorified in His omnipotent power being asserted over His dominion. When God ordains mankind to be beneficiaries of the Gospel it is only as He is glorified therein. Man’s purpose is to glorify God, and the Gospel is God’s chosen means toward that end. Any deviation from this biblical doctrine is flawed and devilish, and it robs God of His glory. Can I make this any clearer? The foundation upon which the Gospel is built is the honor and glory of God.
The premise of much of today’s doctrine is wholly man-centered. We call this humanism. It is subtle but evident in many culturally embraced religious communities. This is quickly identified by whom the doctrine gravitates around as its chief subject; more times than not, man is the theme of the doctrine. Just this week I was looking on the web at a familiar church and its messages. The messages centered around the blessedness of man and his well-being while upon earth. How can man become more successful; how can man become happier; how can man earn more money, etc.
Now do not misunderstand, in the new birth there are benefits and we truly are beneficiaries. Yet, the chief end of these benefits is that God might be glorified and not man! Hence, we must understand that all true biblical doctrine has its true expression in the glory of God. Being so, if we hear a gospel that emphatically pronounces and declares the well being and the blessedness of man, or the fulfilled man, the happy man, the overcoming man, when taken out of the context of these being a means to an end – and that end being the glorification of God, we can know this is a damnable doctrine being empowered by seducing spirits.
It is from these doctrines we must flee unto the refuge of Christ, from whence all true and beautiful biblical doctrine flows!
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