Where Are The Old Lions?

Posted on February 26, 2013 by bibleteacherorg

Proverbs 20:29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.

It is said that each morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and says to himself, “If I cannot outrun the fastest lion on these plains today, I will be devoured.” And somewhere on that same morning, a young lion wakes up and says, “If I cannot outrun the slowest gazelle today, I will starve.” But the old lion, seasoned and wise, scarred from many past battles – some won and some lost – is different. He thinks “If I want to eat today I must out think every gazelle”. Rather than run and waste his energy chasing that which is much faster than he the old lion will lay in wait at the right place until the right time. Though his belly growl and the sun beat down he will wait. He knows. He’s been here before. He will eat today.

America is dying. It’s not dying for lack of technology. We have “I pads” and “I tunes” and we’re up to our “I Balls” in digital toys. We’re not dying for lack of prosperity. Try and get into a restaurant on Sunday following a Church service (if you are still attending, that is). You can barely park, and will have to wait your turn while your fellow Americans, like hogs, gather to the trough. We’re not dying for lack of transportation, nor because of the price of gasoline. Every time the gas goes up a few cents Americans howl like Jack Nicholson did in the movie “Wolf” years ago. Yet I know for a fact that Europeans have been paying $8.00 a gallon in many of their nations since 1988. If gas is too expensive, why are there so many cars with but one person in them – and that the driver? Why aren’t we car pooling? No, that’s not why America is dying.

America is dying because there are few old lions.

There are many old people – baby boomers my age. But many of them spend their days sitting in front of a television or a computer screen. Few read books of any worth. Most play games on Facebook or on the ‘net. Very few – though there are a few – are doing anything constructive with their lives. I meet many of them in the hospitals, trying to share the love of Christ with them. They tell me “When I get out of here I’m going to visit you at your Church”. I smile because I know that only one out of 99 will ever visit – and usually that one will only come once. Worshiping Christ is an adult pleasure. Many prefer Nintendo to Jesus.

There are lots of young people in America. What do they do with their lives? If you feed them, they will come to Church. But are they being taught as our Lord taught “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35) Are they being taught to give, not just money, but of themselves? Are they visiting the widow in her affliction, ministering to the fatherless, and keeping themselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27)? Or are they being taught that Church is a place where “I come to be served”, a religious Wal-Mart where the greeters are ushers. Most young people are entertained in Church until they turn 18. They then leave Church, and few ever return. Why? Because they were taught that “Church is all about ME and what I can get”. Now grown, there are better places to be entertained than the Church.

Beloved, we are missing the mark!

The modern Church today attracts few people if it doesn’t “offer” certain amenities. Popularized in Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church many congregations focus on attracting “seekers” with music and dance.   Yet I see no where in the Book of Acts where the early Church had to offer meals, music, and merriment in order to attract “customers”.  Without nursery and without a live stage the early Church added 3000 souls in a day. How? They listened to an old lion named Peter preach a good old Gospel message. They repented of their sins, and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and were saved, though the government itself was against them.  The Church today too often enjoys a diet of cotton candy. It may still attract large crowds – but are these crowds serving the Lord? Are they reaching out as salt and light to the darkness of America?

Our government is dying because, dear friends, children are users and not doers. That’s the nature of the child.  Children think “we don’t have enough, so let’s just go get more. Let’s raid the cookie jar. Take from the haves, for we have not.” So they spend and they spend. When they begin to fall short and times get tough, they takes from others who have more. They rob the old lions so they can play games. In prison, they blame the warden. Out of prison, they blame the economy. Living on food stamps, they blame the rich. No child ever broke a lamp. It’s always somebody else did it – brudda did it – big bruvver, that mean old Gov-mint did it. It’s not my fault I’m living in my car or on the street. Let’s cry until the other children gather, and get together with the other children pleading until that someone else fixes my problem.

May I be brutally honest for just a moment more?

I’ve raised three children, one of whom is with Jesus. If you are in jail, dear friend, you are there because of the choices you made. If you are on the street, you are there because of the choices you made. If your family is in disarray, it is so because of the choices you made. You ran when you should have waited. You ignored the advice of an old lion, whether it was your parent, grandparent, or a pastor. You leaped when you should have waited. You have made bad decisions to get you where you are. Do you want things to get better. Here’s how.

Stop it.

Listen to me. I am an old lion. Pay attention to what I say. I’ve missed many a gazelle in my younger days, and foolishly fought many battles I should have never fought. My soul and my body is scarred. But I have learned from life and my Lord. Stop doing the bad and follow the Lord.

You are not my child. It is not my responsibility to send you to school, nor to feed you. The life you are living is YOUR responsibility. Don’t lay a guilt trip on me. I’ve never owned a slave, and wouldn’t own one. You say you were held down? Me too. I was held down in school because I should have tried harder. That was my fault. Own up to your own faults.  It’s not my fault you are in a bad way. It’s not my fault you’re pregnant and unmarried. It’s your fault. It is time that you stop playing games, particularly the blame game. Hang up the cell phone. Quit texting to your BFF (Bestie Friend Forever). If you’re in school, do what you’re supposed to do. Study. Learn. Apply. If you’re out of school, go check out a library every now and then. Even a homeless person can get a library card. Read. Learn. Apply. If you have a job, even if it’s just flipping burgers or sweeping floors, do what you do as if you were doing it for God Almighty. The Bible says:

Colossians 3:23-25 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (25) But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

If you work hard and work well, you will be promoted. I worked hard and was promoted throughout my Air Force career. On retirement I worked hard as a factory laborer, and was promoted to foreman. Do the right thing, work hard, and you will be promoted. Turn off the TV. Get off the couch and off of my back.  America didn’t get great by carrying baby making people on a welfare roll. America didn’t get great by slaughtering babies so that babies could have more babies. America got great by people working hard, by excelling, by education. Get up off your backside – make something of your life. Quit waiting for the government or the Church to do it for you. Live! Quit playing the blame game. Quit playing the race card. It’s your life – do something with it. You were bullied in school? So what – I was too! Quit whining, and move on. If you’ve done wrong, repent. Quit. Stop. Turn to the Lord Jesus. Open your Bible and read it daily. Begin a rapport with the Creator, and do as He says.

No where in the Scripture does the Lord say “Sit on your backside and whine until some sugar daddy bails you out”. The Bible says “if you will not work, you will not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The Bible says “in quietness work and eat your own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:12). I’ve raised three kids, and you don’t look like any of them. I’m not raising any more children – don’t ask me to raise you. Get in Church. Listen to your Pastor. No, I mean LISTEN. If you do, one day you will be an old lion like me.

If so, I hope someone listens to you.

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Don’t Waste Your Life

Posted on February 14, 2013 by bibleteacherorg

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. [2] Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

A young boy had been out fishing all day – and he had a great day! The temperature was just right. It was a spring day, a light breeze blew through the trees, and just enough sunlight to make it beautiful. The young boy stumbled on a great fishing spot, a spot that Andy Griffith might have said “was where all the fish kind of came to socialize”. He caught a beautiful string of fish. Running home, he found his daddy so he could show what he’s done. His daddy admired the fish, congratulated his boy, and then said “That’s a wonderful job, son. But was it worth what you paid for it?” They boy said “Yes daddy. The bait wasn’t much, and I reused the same hook with each fish I caught. I didn’t pay hardly anything at all.” His daddy said, “Son, you paid more than that. You paid a day of life for those fish. Was the price worth what you paid?”

Life is precious, and God only gives us so many days to live our lives on this earth. Don’t waste your life!

The Bible tells us that Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. He was wise because he loved the Lord:

1 Kings 3:3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father…

Solomon wrote under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit three books of our Bible. When he was a young man in love he wrote the Song of Solomon, one of the most beautiful books you can read on marriage. While he was wise, he wrote the Book of Proverbs. But as Solomon aged he began to make bad decisions. He let pride and arrogance rule in his heart, and he departed from following the Lord Who saved him. At the end of his life Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, a book that looked back over a promising life that was wasted by following the wrong things. King David, Solomon’s daddy prayed to the Lord …

Psalms 90:12 (KJV) So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

If Solomon had listened to his daddy and prayed the same prayer, he would not have come to the end of his life, an old man looking back, saying

Ecclesiastes 1:2 … Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

The word “vanity” in the Hebrew is even more dramatic than in the English. The word means “smoke, emptiness”, and it is repeated frequently throughout the book. It is the word hebel, and it sounds like a sigh. Say it with me – HEBELL! Doesn’t it sound like oh, well! This is the sound of a wasted life. This is the sound of what might have been, the sigh of the soul. Solomon warns us all – Don’t Waste Your Life!

I wish I had back all the life I’ve wasted. I’ve wasted a lot of my life trying to please others rather than living for the Lord. What a terrible trap that is! I wrote a comment on a certain website today and, as is usual, someone with the “Politically Correct Police” wrote me to say “You can’t say that!” I started the argue back when I realized – what a waste of my life! Why argue with a barking dog? Why yell at a butterfly? So today I choose to say what I mean, to speak freely as an American, and to back my words with God’s Word – and if you don’t like it then go away. I’m not wasting my life arguing what God has said is true. His Word stands – and I stand with it.

People waste their lives with anger. The Bible says “Be angry, but don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26).

People waste their lives with alcohol and drugs, buzzing away the moments when they could be loving others and loving God. God didn’t save us to sit around HIGH. He saved us to be the Light of the world. Dr. Alan Leshner, Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) said, “The most immediate, extensive, and long-lasting problems caused by drug abuse, both for individuals and for society, are often medical in nature. For example, known drug-abuse-related health problems and resulting lost productivity alone cost our society more than $33 billion each year. Illicit drugs directly cause many medical problems. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine increase the heart rate while constricting the blood vessels. In susceptible individuals, these two actions together set the stage for cardiac arrhythmias and strokes. NIDA research has shown that almost every drug of abuse harms some tissue or organ.”  Even Marijuana, which many claim to be safe, can lead to lung cancer, emphysema, and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While marijuana can be ingested without smoking it, thereby eliminating these risks, there is still the danger of damage to the reproductive system, the immune system, and loss of cognitive ability.

People waste their lives with pornography and illicit and unbiblical sexual activity, destroying the gift of God for a moment’s pleasure. They should instead consider Joseph in the Old Testament who, when tempted by the King of Egypt’s wife, ran away and suffered 13 years in prison rather than compromising his integrity. Better to be put in prison for your faith than to imprison yourself by your actions. The wage of sin is always death. You may kill yourself by disease, your marriage, or your future God designed love. Don’t waste your life by sexual sin. 

Don’t let your peers waste your life. I can’t number the number of times I did something stupid because of peer pressure. I pastored a wonderful Church and left that Church at the height of my ministry there because of peer pressure. Preachers that I considered friends “recommended” that I take an assignment at another Church in a nearby state and, though everything in my heart seemed to tell me “Don’t go” I went anyway. Why did these fellow Pastors do this? I don’t know. I do know, however, that God saved me from a bad mistake, and brought me to a great Church called Riverview Baptist in Columbia, Tennessee. All things do indeed work together for good to those who love the Lord. I will love this congregation with all my heart, but I will also preach and teach the Word of God with all boldness, rebuking when necessary, fulfilling my calling.  I will not waste my life again, nor allow anyone else to talk me into anything that God has not thoroughly endorsed. 

Don’t waste your life!

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Another Day Without Jesus Will Not Fix Poverty

Posted on February 4, 2013 by bibleteacherorg

I awakened this morning to the constant ring of my telephone. It stopped ringing before I got to it, and someone left a voice mail. Before I could hear the message the same number called again. “This is the Pastor – can I help you?” A woman I’ve never met nor ever talked to began to tell me her life story. After about five minutes she came to the point – one of the local Churches in town had been helping her pay her electric bill the last three months, and they no longer would help. Would I and my Church like to be her sponsor? By the way, her name is “Kim”.

I asked “Kim” what I always ask. “Where do you go to Church, Kim? Where do you worship Jesus every week?”. Well, I really don’t go to Church. When I do go, I go to ___, but no, I don;t do that. I proceed to tell Kim about the Lord Jesus Christ, to share the glorious Gospel with her. Kim doesn’t want to hear this, but begins to play “Let’s Make a Deal” with me. “Can you pay my electric bill”? I explain to Kim that I am a Pastor, and that we are a Church. I explain that the Lord gives us money not to pay electric bills, but to use it to lead others to know Him. “Can we get groceries?” Yes, Kim, I can get you up to fifty dollars in groceries – but I need to talk with your pastor – or at least get your commitment to come to Church with us. “What about gas for the car?” I can give you up to fifty dollars in gas for your car – and I’ll pump it – but again you must be in Church and under the Gospel. Kim ends by saying “Well, I’ll think about it and call you back”.  I  suspect I’ll never hear from Kim again. She’s on the line, dialing from her cell phone while watching cable TV, looking for another Church to carry her for three or four months.

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t mind helping the poor. I have driven miles to carry food to widows who love the Lord. Five times I’ve been overseas in Central America on medical relief missions as a chaplain, carry groceries and the Gospel to people dying from lack of soap. My policy while on mission is the same policy I have in this great state of Tennessee – if you get help from our Church, you also commit to Christ and hear the Word preached. Preachers of the “Social Gospel” believe that Christianity is all about feeding the poor. That’s wrong, and I can prove it from the Scripture. Let me ask you this – How many times do you see Jesus feeding the “poor” in His ministry? Did Jesus go from person to person making sure everybody had a biscuit? Show me where He did that. 

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking care of the poor – but we must always share the Gospel and lift up Jesus as we do so. The Church is not a welfare agency, but a lighthouse, shiningly pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ! You will find no evidence in Scripture where Jesus ever fed the poor without first preaching the Gospel to them. In fact, when John the Baptist was in prison he sent his disciples to Jesus asking “Are You the Messiah, or should we seek Him still”? Jesus replied:

Matthew 11:4-5 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the GOSPEL preached to them.

Jesus didn’t say “we’re feeding sandwiches to the poor”. No! He said “the poor have the Gospel preached to them”. There’s nothing wrong with giving to the poor – but they must be GIVEN THE GOSPEL too. Jesus told the rich man “sell all you have and give it to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in Heaven” (Matthew 19:21), but He also said:

Luke 4:18-19 (KJV) The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Poverty may be caused by riotous living, by making bad life decisions that had nothing to do with Jesus. In Luke chapter 15:11-21 Jesus told the story of a young wandering son who pursued sin and not God. What caused that young man to repent and return to God? POVERTY. The Bible says that:

Luke 15:16-19 (KJV) And he would have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Thank God for the poverty that leads to Christ! I heard a preacher say once “If someone had given that boy a sandwich he would have never gone home”.

People make bad decisions and bring poverty many times on themselves. God may use that to break them – preach the Gospel to them. Fill their hearts with Christ before you pack their bellies with food. In John chapter 6 Jesus was preaching to a great multitude of people when He proposed that they be fed. The disciples produced five barley loaves and two small fishes (John 6:8) that was part of a young boy’s lunch. Our Lord prayed over and multiplied this food, feeding well above five thousand people with it. Following that great miracle He and His disciples headed toward Capernaum. When He got there Jesus found the same crowd that was at His last preaching session, all sitting there licking their lips, waiting to be fed once more. Notice what Jesus told them:

John 6:26-35 (KJV)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Jesus didn’t fill their bellies that day – there was no miracle of multiplied food. Jesus told them “Fill your bellies by BELIEVING ON ME. Except you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53). Your love for Jesus must transcend your love for food. He must be first – not filling your belly. The Bible says 

John 6:66 (KJV)  From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Like “Kim” they couldn’t use Jesus nor the Church to gratify a welfare mentality. God takes care of His Children. I am convinced in my heart of hearts that no person who loves the Lord ever goes hungry. Jesus can make stones into bread if need be. In fact, it is part of the calling of the Church to feed the poor SAINTS.  

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 (KJV)  Now concerning the COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Collections were made for the SAINTS, Christians who loved the Lord. You do not see collections made for those who were without Christ. In the early Church we see that 

Acts 2:44-45 (KJV)  And ALL THAT BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

No one suffered want as Christians – they took care of one another. Widows were fed at a common table (see Acts 6). But be aware that there were qualifications established as to who were widows and who were NOT. The Bible says:

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (KJV) Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

A widow was allowed at the widow’s table if she was over 60 years old, and had been the wife of only one man. She had to have a reputation of doing good works, taking care of her children, showing hospitality, washing the saints feet , relieving others who suffered, doing good works. There were no “welfare widows” who hopped from husband to husband having babies, depending on state and Church to support them. And here’s another thing – to be considered a “widow” you had to have no living family. The Bible says:

1 Timothy 5:16 (KJV)  If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Now I’m sure that many will argue with these things, but your argument is with God, not I. We have in America fostered two attitudes toward money. We have sought it and worshiped it until we have become spoiled idolaters. We have also offered so much welfare to those who could have gotten jobs that they have developed welfare mentalities. They call the Church wanting not Christ but cash. They call the Pastor not to receive direction to eternal life but temporal funds so they can abide in a baby-like state, allowed to vote but never working, sitting and soaking while watching Oprah, blaming government for their problems but never standing up to their responsibilities as adults.

And in many cases, the Social Gospel and the deceived who preach it aggravate the problem.

As God’s Church we are to be light, to point to Christ, to believe His Word and promote it with all our hearts. If we do not put the Gospel first we have no right to be considered Church nor Christian. Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – no man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6).

May God touch your hearts with His Word!

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What Is Our Priority As Christians?

Posted on October 17, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

I’m working on a new sermon for Pearce’s Baptist Church this Sunday called “Is Christ At Home In Your Hearts”. The Text comes from

Ephesians 3:14-17 (KJV)  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith …

What is our priority as Christians? The big news from the Southern Baptist Convention seems to be an ongoing argument between Calvinism and non-Calvinism. If you’re not a Calvinist (and I’m not) and not a theologian preacher graduated from Seminary (and I’m not) you probably don’t know what a “Calvinist” is. Rather than go into great detail I’ll see if I can summarize it. Calvinists believe that God has pre-chosen certain people to be saved, and only these chosen people will be saved. Calvinists further believe that Christ only died for these “pre-chosen” or “elect” people. Non-Calvinists believe that God offers salvation freely to everyone, and that Christ died for the whole world.

Let me be clear: I am not a Calvinist. I believe that Jesus Christ died for the whole world. I believe John 3:16 when it states “God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”. The Scripture further teaches that Christ died for all (1 Timothy 2:6; Isaiah 53:6), for every man (Hebrews 2:9), for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), for the ungodly (Romans 5:6), for false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), for many (Matthew 20:28), for Israel (John 11:50-51), for the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and wonderfully for me (Galatians 2:20). I believe that Calvinism misses the mark when it speaks of Christ dying for just the elect, something they call Limited Atonement. I am not a Calvinist. Having said this, however, I must ask …

Why all the fussing between Calvinists and non-Calvinists? Why did the Southern Baptist Convention waste it’s time drafting a “Resolution on Sinner’s Prayer“? Why are we arguing at all?

Though I am not a Calvinist, my favorite preacher – often called the Prince of Preachers – was C.H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon was a Calvinist. I’ve read a number of books written by John Piper – great books that glorify God. Piper is a Calvinist. Other great preachers, teachers, or pastors who were Calvinists were George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, John Gill, James P Boyce, B.H. Carroll, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Donald Barnhouse, BB Warfield, Alexander Maclaren, J. Greshan Machen, John Murray, Francis Schaeffer, G.Campbell Morgan, John Knox, M.R. DeHaan, Charles E. Fuller,  and in more modern times D. James Kennedy, and John MacArthur. Non-Calvinists argue that Calvinists are not evangelical nor mission minded, which is untrue. Spurgeon pastored one of the largest Churches in his day, Edwards preached the Gospel during the First Great Awakening,  D. James Kennedy founded Evangelism Explosion to teach Gospel Witnessing Techniques to God’s people, John McArthur shares the Gospel through his Grace To You radio and television broadcasts. Paul Washer is an in your face evangelist – and a Calvinist.  R.C. Sproul is a Calvinist.  Apologist and Preacher Voddie Baucham is Calvinist. Jerry Bridges of the Navigators is Calvinist. Writer and producer of Joni and Friends Joni Eareckson-Tada is Calvinist. Francis Chan is Calvinist – at least, the Bible College he founded is.  I could go on and on. If I burned every book from my pastoral library written by Calvinists I daresay I wouldn’t have much left – and neither would my self righteous non-Calvinist brethren.

As Christians – if we are Christians – we have much more to concern us than Calvinism. Romans 14:1 tells us to avoid doubtful disputations – arguing about things for which there is no clear Biblical answer. The Bible teaches predestination and the Bible teaches free will. The Bible teaches that God knows all things, and yet at times God seems to regret certain actions He took (Genesis 6:6). There are many things in the Bible that I cannot understand, but I accept them on faith because the God Who loves me and saved me asks that I accept it. One of the things that I can understand is that God expects every Christian to love every Christian. Jesus said:

John 13:35 … “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The world knows that we are Christians because we who are Christian love other Christians. That’s not hard to understand, is it? If I love you but don’t agree with you, I can disagree in a kind and Christian way. I don’t have to get together with a bunch of people and draft a resolution against what you believe. If we are Christians the Holy Spirit of God will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). When I hear something that doesn’t match what God has said in His Word, then He speaks to my heart – and I move on. As D.L. Moody once said “When I eat fish, I eat the meat but leave the bones”. I can read a book by anyone and, comparing what I read to the Book can determine right from wrong because God tells me. Jesus also said

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

If I am a Christian I need to be light in darkness. We are so busy being righteous and doctrinally pure that we can’t seem to be right about what matters. As Christians we are to be like Christ. We are to reach out to those who are suffering and lonely. We are to minister to the sick and the infirm. We are to give people a hand up, while pointing upward to Christ.

Just this week I read the tragic story of Amanda Michelle Todd, a 15 year old child who took her own life on October 10, 2012. This poor child posted a video online. In the video she never spoke, but held up flash cards to tell why she took her life. She was, in essence, bullied to death. Cruel bullies posted evil pictures of her online, and the children she went to school with mocked and degraded her. In despair she eventually took her own life.

Where were the Christians?

Were there no Christians in her school when a gang surrounded her and beat on her? Were their no Christians in her family who would sit down and talk with her, be a willing ear, show love? Did no Christian see the self inflicted cut marks on her arms and tell her that she is a beautiful girl that need not harm herself in this way? Where was the Light of the world? Oh, I’m sorry. We were out back arguing about Calvinism vs non-Calvinism, Pentecostal vs non-Pentecostal, Liberal vs Conservative, Baptist vs Presbyterian vs Methodist vs Lutheran vs ……

Dear God, please help us to wake up and be the light You have called us to be. Amen!

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God is not Crom

Posted on October 15, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13, 14

When I was younger I used to read comic books, and one of my favorites was about Conan the Barbarian. Conan was always facing down demons, saving maidens, and squashing the enemy – a perfect hero for a pimply faced four eyed introverted child. I dreamed of being like Conan – packed with muscles and desired by the ladies. I liked Superman, but I couldn’t really be him. Superman was actually an alien who came to our world. But Conan was a scrawny pimply faced child until evil people kidnapped him and forced him into slavery. It was as a slave that Conan became powerful, able to defeat any enemy. He eventually destroyed those who enslaved him in the first place.

One of Conan’s favorite sayings was “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.  When I heard that saying I didn’t realize at the time that it wasn’t Conan who first said this, but the German Philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche.  Nietzsche believed in nihilism, the belief that nothing has any inherent importance and that life lacks purpose. He wrote in several of his texts that “God is dead”. Life just happens. We are on this earth for no reason other than to live out our lives as best we can, then we cease to be while our bodies lay rotting without purpose in boxes.

If runners in a marathon were told that there was no finish line, no winner, no ultimate goal, then there would be no runners nor marathon. If life has no purpose other than this moment then why live? Even Conan had a purpose. When he went out on an adventure he sought to save the maiden, to gain riches, to beat the bad guys.

As I outgrew the comic books I tried living – or should I say dying – Nihilism. I tried living for myself, purposeless, without goals. I drank hard on Friday and Saturday, slept in on Sunday, lived for the moment. All the while my soul grew more and more empty, and I felt more and more useless.

Then God found me. He wasn’t the god of Nihilism, the god of Conan, the god called Crom. When Conan was asked about his god one day he painted Crom as grim and gloomy, gazing unconcerned at humanity from atop his mountain perch. Crom is ready to judge, but never to help. The God Who found me saw my flaws, but offered to save me from them. The God Who found me gave Himself for me, paying for my failures and my sins. The God Who found me purchased me from nothingness so He could raise me up to be something.  The God Who found me starting working in my life from the day we met, and has not ceased working to make me better than I was. The God Who found me gave me purpose. He stands with me no matter where I go and no matter what I do. Even when I fail He reaches out and lifts me up.

This God is not Crom, but Jesus Christ.  Those who love Him are “zealous of good works”, people of purpose, people with a goal. Our goal is to tell others about the God Who is not Crom, to tell others how much He loves us, and how He proved that love by giving Himself for us.

That same Lord and Savior calls to you today. Come away my Beloved. Come away from purposelessness. Come away, and soar on eagle’s wings with me.

Come.

He Loves You!

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Mercy: How Fleeting

Posted on October 14, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

Philippians 2:1-5 (HCSB)

Philippians 2
1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus…

I received a call from a fellow Pastor while I browsed the aisles of a local Good Will Store. “David, they’ve fired me.” Over the next 2 hours, and many months afterwards, I helped this dear friend put his life back in perspective. I prayed for him, sent resume’s to local Churches, and lifted him up when I could. Could I have done more? Certainly. We all get busy, and we all get covered up with the affairs of life. But in my heart I tried my best to lovingly encourage him every time we spoke. I listened. I didn’t critique, but cared, and became the willing ear. Eventually the Lord led him from this valley and back to another congregation, a place of service, a place of blessing.

Then I had a need, was going through a valley, was suffering. As I tried to share with my friend he began to critique and not listen. He judged, he did not care. I could have done better. If I had done right, then I wouldn’t be where I am now.

What happened? Why do we forget mercy? Why do we receive grace from God and mercy from others, but so quickly forget to minister these things when we are on the mountaintop? And sadly, those who profess to be Christians are the worst at showing mercy. For some reason – I know not why – the most devoted Church members are the harshest in their treatment of others failures, but ready to receive mercy by the bucket when they themselves fail. They wish balm from Gilead when they err, but hell fire and mockery on those who err beside them. 

I heard someone relate this as true. A biker, a young man who rode with the Hell’s Angels came to Church one Sunday and received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. He attended Church off and on for a few weeks, then left never to return. When a fellow Church member saw him one day he stopped him and asked why he had ceased attending Church. The biker said “When I heard about Jesus I came forward and received Him, and was excited to be a part of such a wonderful group of people. But in time I noticed something. When I rode with Hell’s Angels we supported one another. We looked after one another. We cared for one another, and worked together at whatever we did. I expected the Church to be like this, but for the glory of Christ. It wasn’t. It wasn’t. Though I believe in Jesus, I can’t believe in any group that doesn’t love at least as much as a lost biker’s gang loves”. 

Think about it.Image

 

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The Most Important Question You Will Ever Answer

Posted on October 13, 2012 by bibleteacherorg

Matthew 16:15  … {Jesus asked} “Who do you say that I am?”

What we THINK ultimately effects what we DO. What you BELIEVE drives your actions.

You can hardly turn the television on today without hearing about some new poll that’s been taken. Political polls are on every channel, with people trying to guess who is going to be our next president. One poll will put the Republican candidate in the lead, whereas another poll will show the Democrat to be ahead. Truthfully, I don’t think anyone knows the future but our Lord. I’m going to go and vote my conscience – and I pray you do, too – and trust the Lord to protect us all afterwards!

I was having a quick lunch at a fast food restaurant the other day and watching CNN because that’s what was on. Across the bottom of the screen is the news ticker – a ribbon where they put little snippets of news. As I watched the ticker it read “1 in 5 Americans have HIV and do not know it”. That got my attention. I don’t know how they figured that out or even if it’s true – but that’s a scary figure. Immediately after this the next news ticker stated “1 in 5 Americans have no religion”. Think about that for a minute and let’s see if we can connect the dots.

“1 in 5 Americans have HIV”
“1 in 5 Americans have no religion”

Do you think there’s a correlation there? Our society is becoming more and more and more secular, more and more divorced from God. The Bible tells us ….

Psalms 10:3-4  For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the LORD.  In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks: “There is no accountability, since God does not exist.”

When people do not think that God exists, when they think that they can only live for themselves today, then this belief in non-belief effects the way they live. If your world-view is that there is no God or that there is a God but He could care less what you do, then that world-view will effect how you live.

If to you God is standardless God or a non-existent God then you will live your life without regarding Him. But if to you God has standards – standards by which you will be judged – then this will influence how you live your lives.

The most important question you will ever be asked is the question that Jesus asks us in our text today. He asks:

Matthew 16:15 … {Jesus asked} “Who do you say that I am?”

Who is Jesus Christ to you? How you answer that question will determine how you live your life when you walk away from Church this morning. How you answer that question will effect how you talk to others, and what you cherish. How you answer this question will determine your success in the business world, and your success or failure as a Church. For I tell you, brothers and sisters, the local Church is failing to reach America! Dr. Jim Denison of the Denison Forum wrote:

“Fewer than half of Americans can identify Genesis as the first Book of the Bible. Only one third know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Only one half can name even one of the Gospels. … 60% of young people ages 15-29 have left active Church involvement.”

God calls His Church to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and His people to “shine as bright lights in a world filled with darkness” (Philippians 2:15). That’s the goal.

Who do you say that Jesus is?

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