Dwayne Spearman.org

Suffering

2012-02-14T07:30:00.001-06:00

Our devotion this morning focused on why God does indeed allow suffering. Here are two awesome quotes on the subject.

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

"Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness." - Malcolm Muggeridge

Objective of Faith

2012-02-13T11:51:00.001-06:00

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Faith deals with God, and is conscious of God. It deals with the Lord Jesus Christ and sees in Him a Saviour; it deals with God's Word, and lays hold of the truth; it deals with the Spirit of God, and is energized and inspired by its holy fire. God is the great objective of faith; for faith rests its whole weight on His Word. Faith is not an aimless act of the soul, but a looking to God and a resting upon His promises. Just as love and hope have always an objective so, also, has faith. Faith is not believing just anything; it is believing God, resting in Him, trusting His Word. - E.M. Bounds

Annoying Music

2012-02-09T12:31:00.001-06:00

"The guests at a certain hotel were being rendered uncomfortable by repeated strumming on a piano, done by a little girl who possessed no knowledge of music. They complained to the proprietor with a view to having the annoyance stopped. 'I am sorry you are annoyed,' he said. 'But the girl is the child of one of my very best guests. I can scarcely ask her not to touch the piano. But her father, who is away for a day or so, will return tomorrow. You can then approach him, and have the matter set right.' When the father returned, he found his daughter in the reception-room and, as usual, thumping on the piano. He walked up behind the child and, putting his arms over her shoulders, took her hands in his, and produced some most beautiful music. Thus it may be with us, and thus it will be, some coming day. Just now, we can produce little but clamour and disharmony; but, one day, the Lord Jesus will take hold of our hands of faith and prayer, and use them to bring forth the music of the skies." -- ANON

Illimitable Inheritance

2012-02-07T20:39:00.001-06:00

"In any study of the principles, and procedure of prayer, of its activities and enterprises, first place, must, of necessity, be given to faith. It is the initial quality in the heart of any man who essays to talk to the Unseen. He must, out of sheer helplessness, stretch forth hands of faith. He must believe, where he cannot prove. In the ultimate issue, prayer is simply faith, claiming its natural yet marvellous prerogatives -- faith taking possession of its illimitable inheritance. True godliness is just as true, steady, and persevering in the realm
of faith as it is in the province of prayer. Moreover: when faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live." - E.M. Bounds

The Hounds of Sin

2012-02-06T10:37:00.002-06:00

"A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: 'Rising early one morning,' he said, 'I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.' So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God." -- A. C. DIXON.

Recent Family Photo

2012-01-18T19:46:00.000-06:00

Churchgoing Has No Effect On 50% Of Americans

2012-01-17T19:59:00.000-06:00

It might be time to reevaluate the "relevant, relational, relaxed" approach and actually start preaching again!

Churchgoing Has No Effect On 50% Of Americans, According To Survey www.huffingtonpost.com By Adelle M. BanksReligion News Service (RNS) Almost half of churchgoing Americans say their life has not changed a bit due to their time in the pews, a new survey shows.

Watered Down

2012-01-16T22:20:00.001-06:00

One of the greatest reasons for America’s moral washout is the watered down sermons coming from our pulpits!

Abortion Thought

2012-01-15T13:24:00.001-06:00

If the fetus is not a life, why are they so eager to abort it? - Dr. Shelton Smith

Lima at Night

2012-01-14T20:42:00.000-06:00

Not sure where Dane got this picture, but it's pretty cool!

The Lord's Prayer

2012-01-14T20:16:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow night we will be taking a close look at "The Lord's Prayer". The Bible Study will start at 6:00 p.m. in Chase Hall at the Union Church. Bring a friend and a Bible!

New vs. Old

2012-01-13T23:14:00.001-06:00

In the Old Testament, the sheep died for the shepherd. In the New Testament, the Shepherd died for the sheep.

Suffering

2012-01-13T23:08:00.001-06:00

“Those who preach that Christians who are in the will of God will not suffer have not meditated much on the cross.” - Wiersbe

The Snare of Approval

2012-01-13T22:44:00.001-06:00

Men naturally fear what others think about them. But when they do, they put themselves in the snare of popular approval. The only way out of the snare is to fear God (Pro.29:25).

The Fear of the Lord

2012-01-13T22:35:00.001-06:00

"A man who fears men will not fear God and a man who fears God will not fear men."

The Girl Scouts-Planned Parenthood

2012-01-13T15:31:00.000-06:00

The Girl Scouts-Planned Parenthood link (OneNewsNow.com)

Well, this shouldn't surprise anyone. Unless, of course, they've had their head in the sand for some time.

January 2012 Update

2012-01-12T17:25:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends and Family,

We pray that each of you had a great Christmas and New Year. Wow! It just seems like yesterday that we were all worried about Y2K (Year 2000) and now it's 2012. Man, time sure does go by fast.

Our last day of school for this semester was on December 16th and we're off until January 25th when the staff returns and then the first day of the second semester will be on February 1st.

During the break, we've been keeping ourselves pretty busy. The boys are spending two hours every day working on their Liberty Home Bible Institute curriculum. It's an eighty hour Bible Diploma from Liberty University that they will be able to transfer into their undergrad program once they get there.

Dane will graduate in May and he has already been excepted for the Fall 2012 semester at Liberty University where he wants to work on some type of pre-law degree. He's not sure right now which one, but there's no pressure for him to make that decision right now. He just needs to focus on his last semester of high school. Right now, he is the class valedictorian. Yes, mom and dad are proud (in a humble, Christian sort of way). Also, Dane received his rank of Eagle last August!

Brandon is a junior this year and he is doing very well academically as well. As a matter of fact, it's his best year ever and we are proud of him.

They both stay pretty busy with their music as well. In addition to helping me lead worship on Sunday mornings, they lead worship for my Sunday night Bible study, their youth group and the school's chapel services. They have also been asked to play again at Calvary Chapel Lima's surf camp at the end of this month and are planning a back to school concert as well that they call "Friday Night Live".

Jannett is doing well. She is using her time off to work on her last class to renew her teacher's license. She is pretty excited to be almost done with it. She's had to take a total of nine hours, but it is required by our school that teachers keep their licenses up to date. Makes sense.

As for me, I'm still busy with my school as well. I just recently wrapped up my last class to upgrade my teacher's license. I'm glad that's over. I am also still in school at Liberty and am scheduled to graduate this fall.

The Lord has really blessed us with the International Christian School of Lima. They are an awesome group of people and a privilege to minister with. This past semester, we had fourteen students come to faith in Christ in the high school. As chaplain that gives me an awesome opportunity to further speak into their lives and many times the lives of their families. Several of them are coming to my evening Bible study as well.

We have also been very busy serving at the church. The boys and I lead worship on Sunday morning and that is a total blessing to serve the Lord with your children. We are really going to miss Dane when he goes home for college in the summer. He's our only bass player! :/

I am also still teaching a Bible study every Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. We are currently going through the book of Matthew. I record the messages and place them on my blog at www.dwaynespearman.org.

Prayer Requests
* Please pray for Dane as he finishes up his last semester of high school and that he will stay focused. "Senioritis" usually hits around this time. Also, please pray as that we are still waiting to hear back from the university about his scholarships, grants, financial aid, etc... for the fall.

* Please pray for Brandon. He has been given an opportunity to intern at Calvary Chapel Dallas this coming summer in their youth and worship ministries. However, the finances are proving to be a problem. Just the airfare is going to be around $1200.00 and then he'll need some spending money. He is going to be sending out a letter to friends and family with more information on how they can pray and possibly help financially. It would be an awesome opportunity for him to "get his feet wet" in ministry which is where he believes the Lord is calling him.

* Please pray that the Lord would provide us with another apartment. Our landlord told us in December that he and his family are going to be moving back in May. Rent has skyrocketed since we got here in 2009 and our budget is pretty tight.

* Please also pray for our teachers as they return from their vacations at home with friends and family. This is usually a very rough time for them because saying goodbyes is always hard.

* Please pray for our teachings schedules this coming semester. I will be teaching Bible Doctrines, Revelation, Genesis and New Testament Survey. Jannett will be teaching drama, middle school Bible, elementary computers and yearbook. On top of that we both oversee the school's community service program and continue to minister to the students, staff and their families through my chaplain and Jannett's member care responsibilities. We tag team in those areas quite well!

The Lord certainly does continue to provide for us here through friends and family like you and we appreciate the sacrifice and prayers that you offer up on our behalf. Thank you so very much for being a part of our ministry here in Lima, Peru.

Please keep in touch with us because we love to hear from each of you!

The Elect

2012-01-10T22:30:00.001-06:00

When the Bible speaks of the "elect", it is referring to the saints and not the aints.

Predestination

2012-01-10T20:24:00.001-06:00

Predestination has everything to do with being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and absolutely nothing to do with salvation.

When to Leave a Church

2012-01-06T20:50:00.002-06:00

Here is an interesting article by John MacArthur about when to leave a church.

When Should People Leave Their Church?

Leaving a church is not something that should be done lightly. Too many people abandon churches for petty reasons. Disagreements over simple matters of preference are never a good reason to withdraw from a sound, Bible-believing church. Christians are commanded to respect, honor, and obey those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church (Heb. 13:7, 17). However, there are times when it becomes necessary to leave a church for the sake of one's own conscience, or out of a duty to obey God rather than men. Such circumstances would include:

If heresy on some fundamental truth is being taught from the pulpit (Gal. 1:7-9).

If the leaders of the church tolerate seriously errant doctrine from any who are given teaching authority in the fellowship (Rom. 16:17).

If the church is characterized by a wanton disregard for Scripture, such as a refusal to discipline members who are sinning blatantly (1 Cor. 5:1-7).

If unholy living is tolerated in the church (1 Cor. 5:9-11).

If the church is seriously out of step with the biblical pattern for the church (2 Thess. 3:6, 14).

If the church is marked by gross hypocrisy, giving lip service to biblical Christianity but refusing to acknowledge its true power (2 Tim. 3:5).

This is not to suggest that these are the only circumstances under which people are permitted to leave a church. There is certainly nothing wrong with moving one's membership just because another church offers better teaching or more opportunities for growth and service. But those who transfer their membership for such reasons ought to take extreme care not to sow discord or division in the church they are leaving. And such moves ought to be made sparingly. Membership in a church is a commitment that ought to be taken seriously.

Carnal Expertise

2012-01-06T19:30:00.001-06:00

"The mainstream evangelical movement gave up the battle against worldliness half a century ago, and then completely capitulated to pragmatism just a couple of decades ago. After all, most of the best-known megachurches that rose to prominence after 1985 were built on a pragmatic philosophy of giving "unchurched" people whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable. Why would anyone criticize what "works"?

Whole churches have thus deliberately immersed themselves in "the culture"--by which they actually mean "whatever the world loves at the moment." We now have a new breed of trendy churches whose preachers can rattle off references to every popular icon, every trifling meme, every tasteless fashion, and every vapid trend that captures the fickle fancy of the postmodern secular mind.

Worldly preachers seem to go out of their way to put their carnal expertise on display--even in their sermons. In the name of connecting with "the culture" they want their people to know they have seen all the latest programs on MTV; familiarized themselves with all the key themes of "South Park"; learned the lyrics to countless tracks of gangsta rap and heavy metal music; and watched who-knows-how-many R-rated movies. They seem to know every fad top to bottom, back to front, and inside out. They've adopted both the style and the language of the world--including lavish use of language that used to be deemed inappropriate in polite society, much less in the pulpit. They want to fit right in with the world, and they seem to be making themselves quite comfortable there." - John MacArthur

Martin Luther's Puppy

2012-01-06T17:45:00.001-06:00

One day, Martin Luther's little puppy happened to be at the table, he looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes; to which Martin Luther replied, 'Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish or hope."

A Healthy Church

2011-12-29T22:25:00.001-06:00

"You'll never have a church-going people until you have a people-going church." - B.R. Lakin

Respectability

2011-12-29T21:44:00.001-06:00

"We have let respectability murder our spirituality." - B.R. Lakin

Without Witness

2011-12-28T11:08:00.002-06:00

Given enough time, even the most conservative church and school that you and I can think of will be liberal and no longer believe the Bible. However, we needn't worry, God will raise up new ones to take their places because He will not be left "without witness" (Acts 14:17).

New Translations

2011-12-26T11:12:00.001-06:00

After years of comparing the new translations of the Bible (NIV and NASB mostly) with the AV1611 (KJV), I've come to the same opinion as Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales who said at the 400th anniversary of the Authorized Version at Westminster Abbey, "Our banalities are no improvement on the past; merely an insult to it and a source of confusion in the present. In the case of a cherished religious writing we should leave well alone, especially when it is better than well: when it is great. Otherwise we leave ourselves open to the terrible accusation once levelled by the truemaster of the banal, Samuel Goldwyn: 'You've improved it worse'."

Exceeding Sinful

2011-12-26T08:29:00.001-06:00

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Romans 7:13 KJV)

I'm afraid that the church no longer sees sin as "exceeding sinful" anymore.

Technology

2011-12-23T23:57:00.003-06:00

I really can't help but wonder which direction technology has really taken us in the modern day church, i.e., audio, video, slick Power Point presentations. Are more people coming to Christ today than yesterday because of it? If so, it is certainly not the case in the American church as far as I can tell. Maybe, just maybe, we've learned all too well how to entertain the flesh and call it worship.

One Pastor Away

2011-12-23T22:19:00.001-06:00

I heard a pastor say today that most churches are only one pastor away from total apostasy and I tend to agree.

Christmas

2011-12-22T09:41:00.001-06:00

"If Jesus Christ had never been born, there would be no Christmas celebration. The American economy depends on people buying other people Christmas gifts each year. That is why the idea of "holiday" shopping is so ridiculous. No one buys gifts to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The kids don't run downstairs at 5 a.m. on New Year's morning. Overwhelmingly, Americans exchange gifts with friends and family precisely because it is Christmas. Ask American retailers and they will tell you--it's the most wonderful time of the year. It is hypocrisy of the highest order for retailers to make their living from Christmas sales, and yet be too politically correct to even acknowledge that fact in their advertising, pretending that people are "holiday" shopping. Who are they trying to kid?" - Tim Wildmon

Tim Tebow’s Gospel of Optimism

2011-12-13T10:03:00.000-06:00

Tim Tebow’s Gospel of Optimism - NYTimes.com

There is no doubt that this author wants nothing to do with God, but he is definitely impressed with what is happening with Tim Tebow and the Broncos. Who knows? - it may even lead to his eventual salvation.

The Calling of God

2011-12-09T19:01:00.001-06:00

Here is something to think about. I read this in "Crazy Love" the other day for about the fifth time: "Most of us use "I'm waiting for God to reveal His calling on my life" as a means of avoiding action. Did you hear God calling you to sit in front of the television yesterday? Or to go on your last vacation? Or exercise this morning? Probably not, but you still did it. The point isn't that vacations or exercise are wrong, but that we are quick to rationalize our entertainment and priorities yet are slow to commit to serving God."

Repentance

2011-12-05T13:02:00.002-06:00

"Evangelical repentance is repentance of sin as sin: not of this sin nor of that, but of the whole mass. We repent of the sin of our nature as well as the sin of our practice. We bemoan sin within us and without us. We repent of sin itself as being an insult to God. Anything short of this is a mere surface repentance, and not a repentance which reaches to the bottom of the mischief. Repentance of the evil act, and not of the evil heart, is like men pumping water out of a leaky vessel, but forgetting to stop the leak. Some would dam up the stream, but leave the fountain still flowing; they would remove the eruption from the skin, but leave the disease in the flesh." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Truth vs. Fiction

2011-11-29T21:49:00.001-06:00

There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something." "Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher." "What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all." Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction." - G. Campbell Morgan

23 Minutes in Hell

2011-11-28T19:21:00.001-06:00

Students, please listen and give me your thoughts.

Anger Without a Cause

2011-11-28T13:24:00.001-06:00

Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' (22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

After Jesus said that he had not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, he began to interpret a couple of the commandments. Bear in mind that he is still dealing with the issues of outward righteousness verses inward. His point is that there is a difference between the letter of the Law and the spirit of the Law. He starts with the sixth commandment (killing) and the issue of anger and then proceeds to the seventh commandment (adultery) and the issue of lust.

Of course, there is a difference between murder and self-defense or accidental death (Num. 35:16-25) and the Law recognizes that.

On this basis, the Lord gave the interpretation of the commandment not to kill. Again, he is taking the Law from the physical to the spiritual. He said, basically, you're guilty of murder if you are simply angry with your brother without a cause.

Unfortunately, the NIV has done a rather poor job in proper translating this verse for it just says, "But I tell that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." In the Majority Text it says, "But I tell that anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to the judgment." If God condemned for being angry we would all be in Hell.

Obviously, the fact that the words are there indicate that there is a cause to be angry. Jesus looked on the hypocritical Pharisees with anger (Mark 3:5). Jesus did get angry, but he had a cause. The Bible says that God is angry with the wicked every day (Ps. 7:11). Even Paul agrees that there is a way to be angry and yet not sin (Eph. 4:26-27). So, the bottom line is that to justify anger, there must be a cause.

You see, anger is that feeling which we have when we are injured. It is sometimes totally appropriate to respond in anger. Quite frankly, there needs to be more of it in the church today.

However, the anger that Jesus is condemning here is the anger without a cause. That is anger that is unjustly, rashly, hastily, where no offense has been given or intended. In that case it is evil; and it is a violation of the sixth commandment.

The Fault Box

2011-11-24T20:34:00.002-06:00

I came across this illustration from one of my messages in Ephesians 5 while answering a marriage question for someone and thought that I would share it.

"A couple married for 15 years began having more than usual disagreements. They wanted to make their marriage work and agreed on an idea the wife had. For one month they planned to drop a slip in a "Fault" box. The boxes would provide a place to let the other know about daily irritations. The wife was diligent in her efforts and approach: "leaving the jelly top off the jar," "wet towels on the shower floor," "dirty socks not in hamper," on and on until the end of the month. After dinner, at the end of the month, they exchanged boxes. The husband reflected on what he had done wrong. Then the wife opened her box and began reading. They were all the same, the message on each slip was, 'I love you!'"

The Crystal Cathedral

2011-11-19T19:46:00.001-06:00

This is discouraging, but not surprising. So much for "positive thinking".

http://www.npr.org/2011/11/18/142518963/future-of-ministry-uncertain-after-cathedrals-sale

Forgiveness

2011-11-18T10:27:00.001-06:00

Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:13, When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

It reminds me of a story that so perfectly illustrates forgiveness. "A missionary was walking along a trail in East Africa with some friends, when became aware of a delightful odor that filled the air. He looked up in the trees and around at the bushes in an effort to discover where it was coming from. Then his friends told him to look down at the small blue flower growing along the path. Each time they crushed the tiny blossoms under their feet, more of its sweet perfume was released into the air. Then his friends said, "We call it the forgiveness flower."

In the end, what can be learned from this story is that the forgiveness flower does not wait until we ask forgiveness for crushing it. It does not release its fragrance in measured doses. It does not ask for an apology; it merely lives up to its name and forgives-freely, fully, richly.

Blessed Are the Persecuted

2011-11-17T10:38:00.001-06:00

Matthew 5:10-12 says Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus was persecuted from the time of his birth to the time of his death. His disciples were also told that they would be persecuted and even rejected by their families (Matthew 10:34-39). Even the blind man who Jesus healed in John 9:33-34 ended up being eventually thrown out of the synagogue. We too are promised blessings as we face persecution (Luke 6:27-36).

"Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend, leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent, by ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned: Hast thou no wound? No wound, no scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, and, pierced are the feet that follow Me; but thine are whole: can he have followed far who has no wounds nor scar?" - Amy Carmichael

Prayer

2011-11-15T20:50:00.001-06:00

Thank You, Lord

2011-11-15T12:35:00.000-06:00

With Thanksgiving coming up pretty quick, I thought of an old song that I used to sing as a child and it still holds true today!

Thank you, Lord for Your Blessings on Me

As the world look upon me as I struggle along;

They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong.

In my heart I'm rejoicing. How, I wish they could see!

Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me.

There's a roof up above me. I've a good place to sleep.

There's food on my table and shoes on my feet.

You gave me your love Lord and a fine family.

Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

2011-11-15T10:05:00.000-06:00

Matthew 5:9 says, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. A peacemaker by definition is one who tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight. Jesus clearly taught that his disciples to do this (Matthew 5:39-42; 18:15-17).

As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. Paul said in Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. The writer of Hebrews said Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

To illustrate what God can do with a peacemaker, I'm reminded of a story of Saint Telemachus who was a monk that lived in the 4th century. He felt God saying to him, "Go to Rome." He was in a cloistered monastery. He put his possessions in a sack and set out for Rome. When he arrived in the city, people were thronging in the streets. He asked why all the excitement and was told that this was the day that the gladiators would be fighting and killing each other in the coliseum, the day of the games, the circus. He thought to himself, "Four centuries after Christ and they are still killing each other, for enjoyment?" He ran to the coliseum and heard the gladiators saying, "Hail to Ceasar, we die for Ceasar" and he thought, "this isn't right." He jumped over the railing and went out into the middle of the field, got between two gladiators, held up his hands and said "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd protested and began to shout, "Run him through, Run him through." A gladiator came over and hit him in the stomach with the back of his sword. It sent him sprawling in the sand. He got up and ran back and again said, "In the name of Christ, forbear." The crowd continued to chant, "Run him through." One gladiator came over and plunged his sword through the little monk's stomach and he fell into the sand, which began to turn crimson with his blood. One last time he gasped out, "In the name of Christ forbear." A hush came over the 80,000 people in the coliseum. Soon a man stood and left, then another and more, and within minutes all 80,000 had emptied out of the arena. It was the last known gladiatorial contest in the history of Rome (January 1, 404 AD).

Blessed Are The Pure in Heart

2011-11-14T13:15:00.001-06:00

Matthew 5:8 says, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. To be pure means to be free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind. This is what the Psalmist was referring to when he asked Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? His answer was simply He who has clean hands and a pure heart.

The Future of Iran

2011-11-13T07:44:00.002-06:00

Harvest Online ::: Webcasts

Joel Rosenberg takes a look at what the Bible says about the future of Iran according to Jeremiah 49. It's very interesting!

Bob Jones University

2011-11-12T20:30:00.001-06:00

Bob Jones University...no longer a political factor? (OneNewsNow.com)

I refer to my previous post "Schools that aspire to gain the respect of the secular world and compliance with the secular norms will in the end of necessity find themselves distanced from their original theological commitments. This will be the admission price for secular respect."

Blessed Are The Merciful

2011-11-11T10:08:00.001-06:00

The Bible says in Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mercy by definition is compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power. The Psalmist said To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless (Psalm 18:25).

The law of mercy in the kingdom of heaven is simple. You grant mercy and you receive mercy. You withhold mercy and you get judgment. The blessed are merciful and therefore they receive mercy.

The Real Scandal

2011-11-10T13:20:00.001-06:00

Guilty or innocent, the real scandal goes far beyond the case of Herman Cain and his accusers. The real scandal is that the law allows people to impose heavy costs on others at little or no cost to themselves.

The real scandal (OneNewsNow.com)

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst

2011-11-10T12:38:00.001-06:00

The Bible says in Matthew 5:6, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. The Jews were desperately looking for something. Unlike most of the Pharisees, they all knew that they didn't have righteousness and they wanted it so badly that they could taste it. That's why Jesus said in John 6:35, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. The righteousness that they wanted, and that Christ offered, could only come through Him.

Secular Respect

2011-11-08T09:45:00.001-06:00

Schools that aspire to gain the respect of the secular world and compliance with the secular norms will in the end of necessity find themselves distanced from their original theological commitments. This will be the admission price for secular respect.

Blessed Are The Meek

2011-11-08T09:41:00.001-06:00

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Meek be definition is the act of being humbly patient or docile when under provocation from others. Zephaniah encouraged us to Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger (Zeph 2:3). The strict interpretation here is that the Jew who was truly meek would place himself under the authority of God's word and God's Son, and as a result, would inherit the earth in the kingdom that Christ offered. This is also what the Psalmist said in Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. To the Christian, it means we are to also submit under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt (us) in due time (1 Peter 5:6).

The Swoon Theory

2011-11-07T10:13:00.002-06:00

There is a theory that Jesus never actually died on the cross, but that he merely "swooned" and woke up later while in the tomb. This is called the "swoon theory". Here is a humorous letter to the editor of a Christian magazine about it that I thought I would share with you.

Dear Eutychus,

Our preacher said, on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered. Dear Bewildered: Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for 6 hours; run a spear through his heart; embalm him; put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours and see what happens.

Sincerely,

Eutychus

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

2011-11-07T09:48:00.004-06:00

Last night we looked at Matthew 5:4 where Jesus said Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. To mourn is to feel or express sorrow or grief. Isaiah 61:2 says that Jesus came to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and for those who do He promised to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

To the Jews specifically, Jesus promised comfort to those who would except Him as their King. To the Church, He promises comfort to those who mourn over their sin.

This is also what James was referring to when he said, Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:9-10).

Authority of Scripture

2011-11-06T23:10:00.000-06:00

"The Reformation took place not because men accepted the inspiration of the Bible, but because having accepted its divine inspiration they were overwhelmed by its divine authority." - Millard J. Erickson

Authority of Scripture

2011-11-05T23:42:00.001-05:00

Reject the authority of Scripture and it will only be a matter of time before you are back in Rome or have become a humanist.

Why Do We Hate Tim Tebow?

2011-11-04T14:27:00.000-05:00

Tim Tebow criticism says a lot about us ... and it's not good - NFL News | FOX Sports on MSN

Students, please click comments and enter your name for credit.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

2011-11-03T15:24:00.002-05:00

Matthew 5:2-3 says and he began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The word poor in our way of thinking is to have no money, goods, or other means of support. However, that is not what the word means here. Instead, it is referring not to physical poverty, but spiritual poverty.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." The word “crushed” in this verse means "to be remorseful". The Psalmist is saying that God is close to those who are remorseful for their spiritual poverty.

It is only when one becomes remorseful for their spiritual poverty that one can be saved.

When Facebook Meets the Good Book

2011-11-03T13:25:00.003-05:00

This is the video that I mentioned in New Testament Survey and Bible Doctrines today. View the video and then click comments to enter your name and any thoughts that you may have about it.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=347459362927

Military homosexuals for Marriage Rights

2011-10-27T13:04:00.000-05:00

Who didn't see this one coming?

Military homosexuals suing for marriage rights (OneNewsNow.com)

Mormons are Christians, says Osteen

2011-10-25T15:06:00.002-05:00

Well, I can't say that this comes as a surprise. :/

Mormons are Christians, says Osteen (OneNewsNow.com)

ICSL students, please click comments and give me your name and thoughts if you would like. It will be confidential.

Three Levels of Discipleship

2011-10-25T15:04:00.001-05:00

Using Matthew 4:17-22 as our text once again, it says, From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (18) As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (19) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (20) At once they left their nets and followed him. (21) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, (22) and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

This morning we look at the three levels of discipleship as found in the Bible. If you look closely, you can see in the Bible a a progression in the lives of these disciples (primarily Peter, James, and John) that sets up a pattern for us. We can see beginner, intermediate, and advanced discipleship.

Beginning

In John 1:40-42 we see them bringing souls to Jesus when it says, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. (41) The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). (42) And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).

Intermediate

In Matthew 4:18-22 we find them forsaking something to follow Jesus when it says As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (19) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (20) At once they left their nets and followed him. (21) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, (22) and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Advanced

In Luke 5:2-11 we see them forsaking ALL to follow Jesus when it says, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. (3) He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (4) When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." (5) Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." (6) When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. (7) So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (9) For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, (10) and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." (11) So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Staff Photo

2011-10-25T14:43:00.000-05:00

Here is a recent photo of our teachers, staff and their families. Our family is to the left. Look at those good-looking boys.

Disciple-Makers

2011-10-24T22:22:00.001-05:00

In our Matthew study last night we looked at the issue of discipleship when we came to Matthew 4:17-22 which says, From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (18) As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (19) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (20) At once they left their nets and followed him. (21) Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, (22) and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

In this passage, we find some of the basic aspects of discipleship. A disciple is a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher. Therefore, in discipleship, we should expect to find a similarity in doctrine between the teacher and his student and see a similarity in their lives.

Although Jesus wasn't literally a disciple of John the Baptist, he did let John baptize him before entering the ministry. Consequently, you would expect the gospel that Jesus preached to be the same as John preached. For example, John's first words in Matthew 3:2 was repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near and Jesus' first words after his baptism here in our text was repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.This identical preaching marks one of the basic principles of discipleship. The disciple is going to follow the preaching and teaching of the fellow that trained him.

Other examples include: Jesus taught Paul what to preach (Gal. 1:11-12); Paul taught Timothy what to preach (1 Tim 1:2-3) and Timothy taught others (2 Tim. 2:2).

Paul urged Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.

God has called each of us to be disciple-makers (Matt. 28:19). Who are you pouring your life into?

Organ vs. Drums

2011-10-20T18:24:00.002-05:00

Good article on the music wars.

http://www.praisecharts.com/why-architecture-matters-our-quest-to-unify-organ-and-drums-for-the-sake-of-the-gospel/

What Mormons Believe

2011-10-15T20:07:00.000-05:00

There seems to be a lot of confusion in the church today about what exactly Mormons believe. Here are some good straight forward answers. I also highly recommend the website.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Mormons.html

Hypocrites and Martyrs

2011-10-14T13:34:00.002-05:00

"If anything is clear from the Gospels and the Acts it is that the apostles were sincere. They may have been deceived, if you like, but they were not deceivers. Hypocrites and martyrs are not made of the same stuff." - John Stott

Beautiful Harmony

2011-10-13T13:24:00.001-05:00

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; (9) persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (10) always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (11) For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (12) So death is at work in us, but life in you.

J Vernon McGee once said of this verse, "It was piano craftsman Theodore Steinway who said that it is the forty thousand pounds of pressure exerted on the two hundred forty-five strings of a piano that creates beautiful harmony. Sometimes, it is only the pressure, the persecution we undergo that causes a song to resonate in the hearts of those with whom we share. Paul knew this. That is why he could say, "Good things are happening even in our tribulation and difficulty, for through our hard times, Jesus shines brighter."

Definition of Cult

2011-10-10T18:54:00.001-05:00

For those who seem to be confused about what the definition of a "cult" is, which would apparently include most of the American news media, it is any group that attempts to "deny or redefine any or all essential Christian doctrines" and also "claims to possess a new and inspired written scripture that supplements or supersedes the authority of the Bible."

Something to Think About

2011-10-08T20:38:00.001-05:00

"I went into church and sat on the velvet pew. I watched as the sun came shining through the stained glass windows. The minister dressed in a velvet robe opened the golden gilded Bible, marked it with a silk bookmark and said, "If any man will be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross, sell what he has, give it to the poor, and follow me."

Followers Needed

2011-10-06T15:21:00.001-05:00

There is a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."

Sanctified Vessels

2011-10-06T12:38:00.001-05:00

Our verse this morning was 2 Timothy 2:22 which says, Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. In regards to this verse, Wiersbe says that in order for God to be able to use us as vessels, we must be empty, clean, and available. He will take us and fill us and use us for His glory. But if we are filled with sin or defiled by disobedience, He will first have to purge us; and that might not be an enjoyable experience. In the "great house" of the professing church, there are true believers and false. We must exercise spiritual discernment and be careful that we are vessels sanctified unto honor.

Hast Thou No Scar?

2011-10-04T11:26:00.001-05:00

I read Matthew 5:10 in preparation for my Bible study next Sunday night and it says, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It reminded me of what Amy Carmichael once wrote.

"Hast thou no scar? No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand? I hear thee sung as mighty in the land, I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star, Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound? Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend, Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent, By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned: Hast thou no wound? No wound, no scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And, pierced are the feet that follow Me; But thine are whole: can he have followed far Who has no wounds nor scar?"

A Call to Ministry

2011-10-04T08:31:00.001-05:00

After a church service on Sunday morning, a young boy suddenly announced to his mother, "Mom, I've decided to become a minister when I grow up." "That's okay with us, but what made you decide that?" "Well," said the little boy, "I have to go to church on Sunday anyway, And I figure it will be more fun to stand up and yell, than to sit and listen."

Universe of Nothingness

2011-10-03T14:04:00.001-05:00

"When man makes himself and his reason, god over creation, he destroys all meaning in creation and leaves himself a chained and gibbering baboon, sitting in terror on a wired electric chair in the midst of a vast universe of nothingness." - R.J. Rushdoon

One of My All-Time Favorite Songs

2011-10-02T22:01:00.000-05:00

A New Name

2011-09-30T11:35:00.002-05:00

One of our texts this morning was Revelation 2:17 which says, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Now we have the part of the letter where Jesus promises salvation to the over comer. And not only that, but He will give them some of the hidden manna to eat. What is manna? In Exodus 16, the people of Israel were in their wilderness wandering, and complained that there was no food. Exodus 16:4 tells us, Then the LORD said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you... So, they awoke to the next morning and it was all over the place. Exodus 16:14-15 says, When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, What is it? For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat." In other words, God will be that "hidden manna" for us. This speaks of eternal life! Just as it sustained the children of Israel in the desert and gave them life, so too, we have life in Christ. Jesus said in John 6:48-51 "I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." So, He Himself is the hidden manna and eating of Him means life eternal. Jesus referred to this also in John 6:54-56 when He said, "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." Of course, he was speaking spiritually, not physically.

Notice in this verse that it says that those who overcome will also receive a "white stone" with a "new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Without going into much detail; in the Old Testament when there was a decision of innocence or guilt, two stones would be placed in a bag: one white and the other black. The white was an indication of innocence and the black, an indication of guilt. There are many that feel these stones were the Urim and the Thummim. We see them referred to in Numbers 27:21 where it says, "And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation." They are also referred to in Deuteronomy 33:8, Ezra 2:63, Nehemiah 7:65, Exodus 28:30 and Leviticus 8:8. Do your own study. So in giving you a white stone, Jesus could be saying, "you're innocent, I have made you not guilty."

There is also another historical white stone. It was a piece of pure white marble that was given to the winners of the first Olympics as a trophy. One day Jesus will also declare us to be winners. But what about this new name carved on it? One day Jesus will give me a name that only he and I know. This new name is also referred to in Revelation 3:12 where it says, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

Can you imagine getting a name that only you and God knows? How many Dwayne's are there in this world? I'm sure that there are literally thousands. However, this promise says that one day when we get to Heaven, God is going to give those of us who have accepted His Son, a new name that only He and the person He gives it to knows. I remember when I was just boy out in the neighborhood playing with my friends and my Grandmother would yell out, "Herbert Dwayne Spearman!" You probably have memories like that too. She did that to distinguish me from all others. So too, our Heavenly Father is going to give us a name to distinguish us from all others!

Threefold Remedy

2011-09-30T11:34:00.002-05:00

Our text this morning came from Revelation 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (5) Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Unfortunately, we all tend to stray away from the things of God for one reason or another from time to time. However, it's never too late to come back and the remedy is threefold. First, you must remember from where you have fallen. You need to remember what you were doing when you knew for sure that you were in the perfect will of God. Second you must repent. Tell God you're sorry and turn away from your sin. Remember, it's always our sin that causes us to forsake our first love. Third, we need to go back and do the things that we were doing before we forsook our first love.

Modern Youth Ministry

2011-09-23T21:00:00.001-05:00

Youth-ministry reformers booted (OneNewsNow.com)

I've been saying this for years, but no one wants to hear it. Modern youth ministry is going the wrong way. Not sure about everything these guys are saying because I haven't seen the movie yet though.

As the Deer

2011-09-22T15:51:00.001-05:00

In the devotion this morning, we looked at Psalm 42:1-2 which says, As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? The word used for pants in this verse is the word "bray" which means "to cry". We see it similarly used in Joel 1:20 when it says, Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the open pastures.

The word properly means "to rise; to ascend; and then, to look up toward anything; to long for." It implies that the animals of the field cry out to God in a time of drought and need. The Psalmist said in Psalm 104:21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The question for us today is, "If even the animals know to look to God during their time of need; shouldn't we also?"

Junk Food

2011-09-20T13:21:00.002-05:00

Our devotion this morning came from 1 Peter 2. Here are a few things that was shared. Verse 1 says, Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. When we see "therefore", we must ask, "What's it there for?"In other words, in lieu of all that I have said in chapter one, we need to do these things.

Verse 2 says, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. This verse is contingent upon the first verse. If we don't lay aside the things in v.1, then we will not be able to enjoy the Word here in v.2. However, if we don't enjoy the Word, we will not have the strength to lay aside the things in v.1. Remember we talked about how that sitting under the teaching of the Word of God is like sitting under a shower?

One pastor compares the things in v.1 to junk food. No matter how good the home cooked meal is that is waiting for us at home; if we eat junk food on the way, we will not be interested. The same is true of us and the Word of God. When we stop studying the Word (the home-cooked meal), it's because we're eating the junk food (the things the world has to offer).

Funny Story: A candidate for church membership was asked, "What part of the Bible do you like best?" He said: "I like the New Testament best. Then he was asked, "What Book in the New Testament is your favorite?" He answered, the Book of the Parables, Sir." They then asked him to relate one of the parables to the membership committee. And a bit uncertain, he began... "Once upon a time a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves; and the thorns grew up and choked the man. And he went on and met the Queen of Sheba, and she gave that man, Sir, a thousand talents of silver, and a hundred changes of raiment. And he got in his chariot and drove furiously, and as he was driving along under a big tree, his hair got caught in a limb and left him hanging here! And he hung there many days and many nights. The ravens brought him food to eat and water to drink. And one night while he was hanging there asleep, his wife Delilah came along and cut off his hair, and he fell on stoney ground. And it begin to rain, and rained forty days and forty nights. And he hid himself in a cave. Later he went on and met a man who said, "Come in and take supper with me." But he said, "I can't come in, for I have married a wife." And the man went out into the highways and hedges and compelled him to come in! He then came to Jerusalem, and saw Queen Jezebel sitting high and lifted up in a window of the wall. When she saw him she laughed, and he said, "Throw her down out of there," and they threw her down. And he said "Throw her down again," and they threw her down seventy-times-seven. And the fragments which they picked up filled twelve baskets full! NOW, whose wife will she be in the day of the Judgment?" The membership committee agreed that this was indeed a knowledgeable candidate!

The bottom line is that we need to study the Word of God. It is the real deal. It is the home cooked meal. Everything else is simply junk food!

Matthew Introduction

2011-09-19T15:57:00.001-05:00

Here are some facts about the Gospels that I shared last night in my Matthew class.

The Gospels open with an announcement in the Temple of God (Lk. 1:11-20) and close with the ascension of the Son of God (Lk. 24:50-51).

As the Old Testament began with man made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26), the Gospels open up with God made in the image of man (Jn. 1:14).

The man made in the image of God was defeated by Satan in a garden when defied God's will (Gen. 2:8; 3:1-7), but the God made in the image of man defeated Satan in a garden when He submitted to His Father's will (Lk. 22:39-42).

Prior to the Gospels, sheep died for shepherds (Ex. 12:1-13), but now the Shepherd was going to die for the sheep (Jn. 10:11).

At his birth he was offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh by wise men who worshipped him (Mt. 2:11), while at his death he was offered thorns, vinegar, and spittle by wicked men who ridiculed him (Mt. 27:29, 34, 26:67).

The Gospels describe Jesus saving sinners under a tree (Jn. 1:48), up a tree (Lk. 19:4-5), and on a tree (Lk. 23:43).

The Tree of Life

2011-09-15T23:53:00.001-05:00

This morning we looked at Revelation 2:7 which says, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. I remember when I was in Bible College, I had a teacher who used to tell us that the reason God gave us one mouth and two ears was so that we would listen twice as much as we talk. That is very true. What the Lord is saying is that we would all be wise to listen to both the compliments paid and the warnings given to this first church of Ephesus. They were complimented for their great work, love, labor, patience, and because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. However, they were warned because they had left their first love. We would all be wise to take those compliments and warnings to heart.

If we do listen, we are told that God will give us the opportunity to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God. The first place the tree of life is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 2:9 where it says, And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam was later told by God that he could eat of everything in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17). The implication is that he could have chosen to eat of the tree of life, but when given the option, choose not to do so.

Instead he chose to eat of the one tree God told him not to. Isn't that just like us? You tell a child to do a hundred things but one, he will chose the one. It's his rebellious nature that he inherited from you. You received it from your parents and they received it from theirs. It goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

What if Adam had chosen the tree of life first? He would have lived forever! But no, he chose to rebel and do exactly what God told him not to and ate of the tree of knowledge. It cost him paradise and his life. He and Eve were expelled from the garden because God did not want to allow them to turn and then take of the tree of life and live forever in their fallen sinful state. That's the first time we see the tree of life in the Bible, but not the last.

Where is the tree of life now? We were just told in Revelation 2:7 that it is no longer in the Garden of Eden but in the paradise of God. That's not the Garden of Eden, but Heaven. We are told this again in Revelation 22:1-2 where it says, Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. And then again in Revelation 22:14 it says, Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Today, we have the same choice set before us: death or life. Unfortunately, Adam's rebellion has already infected us all for it was passed down to us. However, there is a way of escape. We can still take of the tree of life through Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" If you do, you'll live forever!

Excuses, Excuses

2011-09-14T22:22:00.002-05:00

I used to sing this song by the Kingsmen Quarter as a child.

In summertime it is too hot, in winter it's too cold; In Spring and Fall when the weather's nice there's some place else to go -- Either to the mountains or to the beach, or visit some old friend; Or stay at home and hope that some of the relatives will drop in. A headache every Sunday morn, and a backache Sunday night; But by the time on Monday you're feeling quite all right. But maybe some of the children had a cold -- Pneumonia, you suppose -- So all the family had to stay at home -- and blow the poor child's nose!

Excuses, excuses; you'll hear them every day the devil will supply you, if from Church you'll stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the devil always loses, And so to keep them from the Church he offers them EXCUSES!!!

The Effect of Legalism

2011-09-13T21:23:00.001-05:00

In contrast to the two commands of Christ, (love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and your neighbor as yourself), the Pharisees had developed a system of 613 laws, 365 negative commands and 248 positive laws...By the time Christ came it had produced a heartless, cold, and arrogant brand of righteousness. As such, it contained at least ten tragic flaws. (1) New laws continually need to be invented for new situations. (2) Accountability to God is replaced by accountability to men. (3) It reduces a person's ability to personally discern. (4) It creates a judgmental spirit. (5) The Pharisees confused personal preferences with divine law. (6) It produces inconsistencies. (7) It created a false standard of righteousness. (8) It became a burden to the Jews. (9) It was strictly external. (10) It was rejected by Christ.

Serving God in Truth

2011-09-13T21:12:00.002-05:00

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, "What does this mean?" Fenelon replied, "I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the king."

Sincere Love

2011-09-13T15:29:00.001-05:00

We covered 1 Peter 1:22 which says, Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

"Now that you have purified yourselves": No one is made pure without personal intention or effort. Just as no one can be become an accomplished or learned musician, so too, no one can become purified without some personal effort. As a matter of fact, the amount of effort which we make in purifying our souls is usually the measure of our closeness to the Lord.

"By obeying the truth": Notice that the purifying process only takes place as a result of obedience. There is no purification without obedience.

"Through the Spirit": Unfortunately, the NIV does not put the next phrase after "by obeying the truth" which is "through the Spirit".

It is only by the power of the Spirit that we can obey the truth and thus be purified.

Zec 4:6 "…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts."

"So that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.": The effect of purifying our souls by obedience to the truth through the power of the Holy Spirit is that we will have a sincere love for the brethren! You show me someone who is having a hard time loving his brother or sister and I'll show you someone who has not purified themselves by obedience to the truth through the power of the Holy Spirit!

What's Wrong With Church?

2011-09-07T14:57:00.004-05:00

This is an article written by Paul Baloche, a respected worship leader, that truly speaks to what I've believed for years. The "modern" church is simply missing it.

"What's wrong with the church? What's wrong with modern worship? What is it that would help most twentysomethings connect with God, and how would music fit in and encourage that connection?" Over the past year I have made a point of interviewing lots of twentysomethings and asking them for honest feedback regarding all things worship. I have been surprised and challenged by their responses. Following is a fictional yet common synopsis of their accounts.

Picture if you will...you walk into the Friday night college group of a prominent church. In the foyer you see about hundred college-aged students mingling about getting coffee, munching on day-old pastries, and talking. Music blares form the speakers throughout the hall and sanctuary causing everyone to shout out their hellos. These kids have the perfect haircuts, the most put-together outfits, and an air about them that says, "You couldn't possible be as good-looking as me, even if you tried." Intimidating to say the least, this group looks more like they're dressing up for a night on the town rather than coming together to worship God.

After a few songs punctuated by well-timed lights and a moody atmosphere, smoke billowing down the aisles and a virtual mosh pit in the front, the pastor walks on stage and addresses the crowd. "If it's your first time, we welcome you here. The way we see worship, if you can scream your guts out at a football game or dance around at a concert, you can do it here for God." And on he goes with anecdotes, with a spiritual bent, that have everyone snickering and cheering for various pop culture icons.

Individual expression in worship is wonderful. If these people want to raise their hands for God, dance and jump around, that's all fine. But maybe we are taking something special out of this connection with God by mimicking other areas of entertainment. Have we come together to be entertained, to take part in some godly rock show? Often times this is what it feels like. The worship band seems more in focus than God. After seeing the staff at some of those places, I begin to understand partially why everyone in the congregation looks like celebrities. They're all young, dressing even younger and acting like they're the best thing since carbonated beverages. Those who who can call the staff friends are automatically a notch cooler than the rest. Where is the focus here? Where is God here?

This type of service might please some, but I've talked with many who are less than satisfied. Rather than feeling accepted into this crowd, newcomers feel intimidated and separate. Skillful musicians and singers do the worship, but the performance and light show can be distracting. Though they are greeted at the door, it's easy to feel like the person in front of you is just playing a part, obviously not that interested in you as a person because as soon as you start to respond, they're on to the next person. What is lacking here? What makes this atmosphere so easy to play along with, but so lacking in meaning?

I've found that this generation is not looking for another show, another competition, or another place to feel inadequate. They seek authenticity. They seek people who are genuine through and through. Worship is supposed to be the heart's cry to its maker. The leaders in worship should be focused on a genuine expression of the heart, not simply a performance.

What this comes down to is a pursuit of truth. Twentysomethings don't long for a sugarcoated version of the Bible, faith and church doctrine. They seek an in-depth exploration of what it means to be Christian – Bible studies and sermons focusing on why Christians believe what they believe, not because tradition says so, but because of what Scripture claims.

A Debt We Could Not Pay

2011-09-06T13:35:00.001-05:00

Our Devotion comes out of 1 Peter 1:18 which says, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Again, we see the precious blood of the Lamb by which we were redeemed.

This is an argument for holy living in light of all that God has done for us. The word, redeemed means to be ransomed. Today that word means very little to us because slavery is, for the most part, outlawed. However, in Peter's day, slavery was an everyday thing. It is estimated that the population of Rome consisted of about sixty million slaves.

There were only two ways in which a slave could buy his freedom. A person could either save the money and purchase his own freedom or someone could do it for him. Certainly the event of redemption meant a lot more then than it does now.

Moses continually reminded the Children of Israel that they were once slaves. He said in Deut. 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

Paul also reminded us in Titus in Titus 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

Like the slaves of Rome, we were unable to redeem ourselves, so Christ did it for us! In response, we owe him everything.

Materialism

2011-09-05T16:40:00.001-05:00

I would say that materialism is consuming America, but it already has.

Preparing for His Coming

2011-09-02T16:13:00.001-05:00

Our text this morning was 1 Peter 1:13-17 which says, Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (14) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. (15) But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (16) for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (17) Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

In preparing for this glorious salvation that will come to every believer, Peter exhorts us to do six things.

First, prepare your minds for action

I'm sorry, but that does not sound as good as "gird up the loins of our minds."

Willmington says, "This girding calls to mind a patriarch of the Old Testament who wore a long flowing robe. Around that robe he had a big belt called a girdle. When the time came that he had to move swiftly, he pulled it up and lapped it over the belt. He girded up his loins and was ready for action."

Second, be self-controlled.

To be self-controlled means to be "calm; not under the influence of passion."

Third, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

In other words, keep your eyes on Jesus no matter how it looks around you.

Fourth, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

(v.14).

In other words, we believers who are looking for salvation, we are to be governed by a different rule because the old rules that we lived by then, not longer apply to us.

Fifth, be holy in all you do (16) for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy. (vv.15-16).

This meaning is simple: since God is holy, and we profess to be His followers, we should be holy as well.

Sixth, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear (v.17).

Peter is also saying that we are to not lose sight of the fact that we are only going to be here for a short while.

We are pilgrims who are merely passing through (1:1; 2:11)

The Judgment Seat

Finally, notice in these verses that Peter reminds us that one day there will be a judgment when he says, Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially.

The judgment that Peter speaks of here is the Judgment Seat of Christ.

It is at this judgment that we will all give an account of how we passed our time here in this life.

Wiersbe points out that the Greek word for "judge" in this verse means "to judge in order to find something good."

In other words, in that day, God will be looking for our motives so that He may glorify Himself in our lives and ministries.

How to be an Overcomer

2011-09-01T11:14:00.002-05:00

1 John 5:1-5 says that Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. (2) This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. (3) This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (4) for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (5) Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

These verses tell us that there are two ways that we and others can know that we are truly children of God. First, we will obey the commandments that God has given to us in His Word. Jesus reminded us in John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Secondly, we will love one another. He also said in 1 John 4:11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (12) No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

However, I also see something else in these verses. It says that only those who do these things (obey His commandments and love one another) have the ability to overcome the world.

Breathe

2011-08-30T22:25:00.001-05:00

Here is a song that I found on my laptop tonight that was recorded at Borderland years ago. Fond memories.

http://www.dwaynespearman.org/Recordings/Music/Breath.mp3

Picture Says It All

2011-08-29T13:31:00.001-05:00

Seeking a Solution, not Separation

2011-08-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

I believe that it's time for Bible-believing Presbyterians to abandon this sinking ship.

Seeking a solution, not separation (OneNewsNow.com)

The Beginning of the End

2011-08-29T09:40:00.001-05:00

"When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them; and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation."

Who Would You Invite?

2011-08-26T11:08:00.001-05:00

1 Kings 1:9-10 says "Adonijah then sacrificed sheep, cattle and fattened calves at the Stone of Zoheleth near En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah who were royal officials, (10) but he did not invite Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the special guard or his brother Solomon."

It was obvious what Adonijah was up to; not by who he invited, but by who he did not invite. He only invited those whom he knew would tell him what he wanted to hear. He conveniently left Nathan the prophet, the special guard and his brother Solomon off the guest list.

We need to be very careful that we do not do the same thing by surrounding ourselves with people who we know will always tell us what we "want" to hear and not necessarily what we "need" to hear.

Fan the Flame

2011-08-25T15:13:00.001-05:00

Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

The important thing about this passage to me is what Paul is telling and not telling young Timothy. He was not telling him that he needed to go back to school to get another degree, study harder, work harder, etc... Instead, he is telling Timothy to stir up what is already in him as a "gift" from God. In other words, he is telling him to start where he was and to use what he had! That's good counsel any day of the week!

I Will Rejoice

2011-08-23T22:50:00.001-05:00

Our text this morning was from 1 Peter 1 which spoke of the trials that we are each destined to go through as God refines us into the people that He desires for us to be. I also read this in my time with the Lord this morning that I would like to share.

Habakkuk said in Hab. 3:17-18 when he was contemplating the fact that God was indeed going to use the Babylonians to bring judgment on his own nation. Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, (18) Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. (NASB)

Show Me!

2011-08-22T10:06:00.001-05:00

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The world says, "Show me and I'll believe you!" God says, "Believe me and I'll show you." Apparently God is not from the "Show Me State" of Missouri!

Mahatma Gandhi

2011-08-21T13:55:00.001-05:00

Mahatma Gandhi says that he was once approached by an atheist with the request to organize and promote an anti-God society. To which Gandhi replied, "It amazes me to find an intelligent person who fights so strongly against something which he does not believe exists."