God Talk Radio

Punishment?

2008-06-20T16:07:00.002-05:00

Thank You, Paul Washer

2008-06-20T07:43:00.002-05:00

All:

This is a sermon that Paul Washer gave to his church.

It sounds like this would be something a pastor would give to a church he was visiting or a church he was called to speak at which was maybe missing the mark. But this message was instead to his home church, and he is doing exactly what he is called in scripture to do...Preach the word and shepherd his flock.

What are your thoughts on his message?

More on the Todd Bentley Healings!!!

2008-06-19T09:44:00.002-05:00

Here is a video I pulled from another website. It's an interview from wayofthemasterradio.com with a person who has first hand experience with the Florida Outpouring.

We Want to Hear From You!!!

2008-06-17T23:22:00.003-05:00

Hey guys. I just wanted to call and remind you that we do have a voicemail inbox setup throughout the week that we would love you to call and leave us messages on.

Sometimes you may have something that you'd like to comment on, but just can't get the guts to call us when we are live. Or, some of you may be listening to our PODCAST version of the show and the option for the live call-in is not there.

Either way...actually for any reason at all please feel free to drop us a line at 651.314.4631 at anytime. We'd love to take your questions, comments, frustrations or anxieties and deal with them as they come in. Who knows, if your message is good-enough we might even use it on our live radio program?

So keep us in mind, and don't forget that we are always looking for some 2-way communication however we can get it!

For His Glory,

GTR-Staff

Re-Defining Church Growth

2008-06-12T12:01:00.002-05:00

In a recent article from the Christian Post we see that the Southern Baptists have now adopted a resolution that defines its membership based not on the amount of warm seats on a Sunday morning, but instead based on the amount of truly regenerate Christians that are attending the church.

Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, made the following assessment:

"The last thing we need to worry about is the numbers in this denomination. We need to worry about the individuals."

In a day and age where churches are often marked purely by the number of congregants that participate in their activities it is nice to see a denomination that is genuinely concerned, not with size but instead the salvation of those in attendance.

Over the years, the mere (28) that I have been alive, I have seen a drastic change in the attitude of many churches. I have attended "Mega-Churches" who have seemed more concerned with filling the pews [and offering plates] on a Sunday morning in order to help fulfil their new and improved 'mission statements' which are simply to offer the world the most entertaining thing to do with your time.

It doesn't matter if it these activities are based on scripture or not...Let's get them in the door with an amazing marketing campaign...fill their bellies with food, warm their taste-buds with some fresh Starbucks coffee and then maybe..just maybe...right when they least expect it...give them a glimpse of the Gospel of Jesus. The good stuff of course (i.e. love, mercy and grace) and not the whole message (i.e. wrath, anger, and justice).

I know that this may seem a bit harsh, but the truth is that the church over the past couple of decades or so has really been missing the mark. It is nice to see a denomination who can recognise that error in ways, come together and repent, and then make a point to get back to the Biblical basis for what the Christian Church really is.

Not "Six Flags over Jesus" but instead the bride of Christ, and a group of believers willing to do whatever it takes to make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a world that is grasping at straws for the truth!

Extra Read: Charles Spurgeon on Church Growth

For His Glory,

Jason

Post Rapture Evangelism?

2008-06-04T12:20:00.003-05:00

A post hit Wired.com today discussing a Christian website that allows it’s paying customers to send a ‘post-rapture’ email to their family or friends who may have been left behind.

The article states that:

“For just $40 a year, believers can arrange for up to 62 people to get a final message exactly six days after the Rapture, that day when -- according to Christian end times dogma -- Christians will be swept up to heaven, while doubters are left behind to suffer seven years of Tribulation under a global government headed by the Antichrist.”

Here’s my take:

This is absurd. If we are doing our job as Christians, then there shouldn't be anything we need to tell anyone who may be left behind, that they haven’t already heard from us enough times to drive them absolutely silly. Unless of course we are asking them to take care of our dog or feed our fish...

Why should we waste any time worrying about what is going to happen to our friends or family, after Christ returns, when we have every opportunity to reach them now while we are still on earth?

Another problem that I have is this:

This service is supposedly run by Christians for Christians. The company, ‘You've Been Left Behind LLC’>, is exploiting the Biblical end time prophesy for their own financial gains. That to me is simply unacceptable. What service are you really providing these folks? To me it’s not any different then the money changers who Jesus drove out of the church (Mark 11:15-17) when they were robbing God's people and making a mockery of the church. It's no different than the indulgences that the Catholic church has sold to save family or friends from purgatory. It is disturbing to see that a “Christian” organization would even consider this kind of business practice. It’s a very clever idea, don’t get me wrong here, but let’s leave the swindling, scams and frauds to the unregenerate please.

For His Glory,

Jason

2008-06-02T08:21:00.001-05:00

How's this for conviction?

Read less blogs and read more scripture. Yikes! I think I'll go and get in the word now.

Mega Church - The Video Game

2008-05-26T21:45:00.003-05:00

I saw this spoof on 'Huffington Post' and thought it was too funny not to share.

Yes, I understand that it's 'over the top' but it's not that big of a stretch, which is pretty sad if you ask me. But, hey...at least we don't have to worry about this video game promoting murder for fun, strip clubs, stealing cars and all other kinds of wretched behaviors....

Well, I guess it's all in the eyes of the beholder!

For His Glory,

Jason

Are We Missing the Mark?

2008-05-21T23:40:00.003-05:00

I'm not going to pretend like I know all the details regarding the story about the autistic boy who is now being told he can not come to mass. I won't assume that there wasn't already a lot of thought that went into the situation prior to the priest making a decision to file a restraining order from the local police department in order to secure the "safety" for the other congregation members. I also won't deny that this is a very tough situation that would be hard for anyone to handle.

But with that said, here is why I think this church and its priest are missing the mark.

Church is not a place we go to simply get our fill or "spiritual blessings" every week. Church is a way for us to express our love for God, fellow believers, and for the world.

Adam Race is a boy with autism. His family cares for him very much. He is 13 years old and is six feet tall and weighs more than 225 pounds. He has also had several outbursts in church that have been very disruptive and have put the safety of others at risk. But he is also a child of God.

What I see in today's church is that we are far too concerned with what we can get out of a Sunday service. We want good music, a short sermon that doesn't convict. We want fresh coffee with our donuts and we definitely don't want any dirty looks from anyone when we don't put our tithe in the offering plate. We want lots of programming and free child care so we don't have to worry about doing our job as parents and keeping our children in line.

My question is this. What ever happened to the idea that the Church was to be a blessing to others as Christ has been a blessing to us?

I understand that this young boy is probably a distraction, but are you honestly going to tell me that the only solution is to restrain him from coming to mass? You're kidding me right? Why can't a group of people from the congregation come along side the Ryan family and help them through this tough situation. Don't you think that would be more in line with how the Bible calls us to be? A blessing to one another. Taking care of those who are in need.

But now, instead, we we have a church that is giving the impression that not only are they a 'selective' group who probably don't want anything to do with the outside world, but they are also kicking people out from the inside who actually want to be there.

Why would anyone want anything to do with a Church like this?

What a shame. A perfect opportunity to show the world why the church is different, wasted!

Your thoughts?

A Conversation with an Atheist.

2008-05-21T16:20:00.001-05:00

I'm not trying to be pushy here. I am honestly just looking for a genuine discussion on the subject.

Obviously as a passionate follower of Christ, it intrigues me to hear of people who have 'been there' and 'done that' and then walked away with absolutely no faith what-so-ever.

I am enticed to find clarity on how someone could spend so much of their life 'believing' in something only to one day walk away from it altogether as if the curtain had finally been opened to them, revealing their very own 'Wizard of Oz'. What would cause this? Is it brought on by pain, is it the hypocrisy of those inside, is it something that we simply need to grow out of? Or, is it possibly that the arguments from the other side of the fence became too hard to reason against? What triggers this 'change of heart'?

As a God fearing man I am curious what would cause me to have so much faith in something that causes someone else so much grief. I'm not saying that you are grieved by this, but many people are yet my faith in God is without question. What is the difference? Why does Christianity bring me joy, while others look at it as a source for regret, guilt or fear? Why is my passion for truth quenched by the Holy and Living Word of God, while for others this book is nothing more than hoax, folklore, or stumbling block?

And then there's creation. The world we live in, and all it's splendor, which demands an equally wondrous explanation. Not some shot in the dark theory that attempts to weakly convince me somehow everything just accidentally happened without any explanation. Why is the logic that we use to explain modern day marvels (Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, or Pyramids…) not the same as the universe and its existence?

And then there is "existence". What are the qualifications of existence? Are they simply limited to what we can see, taste, touch, hear, or feel?

And what about history. Can it be trusted? And if so, what standard do we use to test if it is true? Is it simply the written records of those who have 'been there' and 'seen that' and written about it?

And what about all the written records of those who encountered God. Or those that were fortunate enough to see the miraculous works of Jesus Christ, who walked this very same earth preaching repentance before God and love for one another. The very same Jesus who spoke of his divinity in words like <i>"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by me."</i> Then His death, and His resurrection, which were both predicted by the prophets thousands of years before his birth…What do we do with this <i>evidence</i>?

All my answers for these questions have one source. The Scripture. I am interested to know where you find yours.

--
Jason W. Allen

Nothing can tame savage hearts!

2008-05-21T12:06:00.001-05:00

(John MacDuff)

Oh, the human heart is deep in its corruptions,
deep in its self-deceptions. "The human heart
is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who
really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

Nothing can tame savage hearts but the
regenerating power of the blessed Gospel.

"I will cleanse you from all your impurities
and from all your idols. I will give you a
new heart and put a new spirit in you; I
will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh. And I will
put My Spirit in you and cause you to
follow My decrees and be careful to
keep My laws."

Ezekiel 36:25-27

Courtesy of Grace Gems.

Now You're in Trouble

2008-05-20T23:34:00.002-05:00

All:

I'm posting from my phone via txt msg. Scary, huh? Now you'll never get away from me!

But a flea-bite!

2008-05-20T23:10:00.002-05:00

("The Mute Christian Under the Smarting Rod" or, "The Silent Soul with Sovereign Antidotes" by Thomas Brooks, 1659, London.)

Christian! Your present afflictions are not great--if compared with the afflictions and torments of many of the damned, who when they were it this world, never sinned at so high a rate as you have done! There are many now in hell, who never sinned against such clear light as you have done, nor against such special love as you have done, nor against such precious mercies as you have done! Certainly there are many nowa-roaring in everlasting burnings--who never sinned as you have done!

What are your present afflictions and troubles--compared to the torments of the damned, whose torments are . . .
without intermission,
without mitigation,
numberless,
bottomless,
remediless,
and endless!

Who have . . .
weeping served for the first course,
and gnashing of teeth for the second course,
and the gnawing worm for the third course,
and intolerable pain for the fourth course!

Yet the pain of the body is least part of pain. The very soul of sorrow and pain--is the soul's sorrow and pain! The everlasting alienation and separation from God is served for the fifth course!

Ah, Christian! how can you seriously think on these things and not lay your hand upon your mouth--even when you are under the greatest temporal sufferings? Your sins have been far greater than many of those who are now in hell, and your great afflictions are but a flea-bite compared to theirs! Therefore hush your murmuring, and be silent before the Lord!

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us!" Romans 8:18

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!" 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

True Christianity

2008-05-19T09:23:00.001-05:00

(J. C. Ryle, "What Is Needed?" 1895)

(1) True Christianity has always taught the inspiration, sufficiency, and supremacy of Holy Scripture. It has told men that "God's written Word" is the only trustworthy rule of faith and practice in religion; that God requires nothing to be believed that is not in this Word; and that nothing is right which contradicts it. It has never allowed reason, or the voice of the Church, to be placed above, or on a level with Scripture. It has steadily maintained that, however imperfectly we may understand it, the Old Book is meant to be the only standard of life and doctrine.

(2) True Christianity has always taught fully the sinfulness, guilt and corruption of human nature. It has told men, that they are born in sin, deserve God's wrath and condemnation, and are naturally inclined to do evil. It has never allowed that men and women are only weak and pitiable creatures, who can become good when they please, and make their own peace with God. On the contrary, it has steadily declared man's danger and vileness, and his pressing need of a Divine forgiveness and atonement for his sins, a new birth or conversion, and an entire change of heart.

(3) True Christianity has always set before men, the Lord Jesus Christ as the chief object of faith and hope in religion--as the Divine Mediator between God and men, the only source of peace of conscience, and the root of all spiritual life. The main things it has ever insisted on about Christ, are--the atonement for sin He made by His death, His sacrifice on the cross, the complete redemption from guilt and condemnation by His blood, His victory over the grave by His resurrection, His active life of intercession at God's right hand, and the absolute necessity of simple faith in Him. In short, it has made Christ the Alpha and the Omega in Christian theology.

(4) True Christianity has always honored the Person of God the Holy Spirit, and magnified His work. It has never taught that all professing Christians have the grace of the Spirit in their hearts, as a matter of course--because they are baptized, or because they belong to a Church. It has steadily maintained that the fruits of the Spirit are the only evidence of having the Spirit, and that those fruits must be seen! It has always taught, that we must be born of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, sanctified by the Spirit, and feel the operations of the Spirit--and that a close walk with God in the path of His commandments, a life of holiness, love, self-denial, purity, and zeal to do good--are the only satisfactory marks of the Holy Spirit.

Such is true Christianity. Well would it have been for the world, if there had been more of it during the last nineteen centuries! Too often, and in too many parts of Christendom, there has been so little of it--that Christ's religion has seemed extinct, and has fallen into utter contempt!

This is the Christianity which, in the days of the Apostles, "turned the world upside down!" It was this which emptied the idol temples of their worshipers, routed the Greek and Roman philosophers, and obliged even heathen writers to confess that the followers of the "new superstition," as they called it, were people who loved one another, and lived very pure and holy lives!

Let it never be forgotten, that its leading principles are those which are least likely to please the natural man. On the contrary, they are precisely those which are calculated to be unpopular and to give offense. Proud man does not like to be told that he is a weak, guilty sinner--that he cannot save his own soul, and must trust in the work of another--that he must be converted and have a new heart--that he must live a holy, self-denying life, and come out from the world.

Yet, this is the Christianity which is doing good at this day, wherever real good is done. The only religious teaching which can show solid, positive results--is that which gives prominence to the doctrines which I have endeavored to describe. Wherever they are rightly taught, Christianity can point to fruits which are an unanswerable proof of its Divine origin. There are myriads of professing Christians who have no life or reality in their religion--and are only nominal members of Christ's Church. Except for going to church on Sundays, they give no evidence of true Christianity. If you mark their daily life--they seem neither to think, nor feel, nor care for their souls, or God, or eternity. Men and women who crowd churches on Sundays--and then live worldly selfish lives all the week--are the best and most efficient allies of the devil.

True faith is not a mere "mental assent" to certain theological propositions--but a living, burning, active principle--which works by love, purifies the heart, overcomes the world, and brings forth much fruit of holiness and good works. Let us live as if we really believed every jot and tittle of Scripture--and as if a dying, risen, interceding, and coming Christ, were continually before our eyes!

--
Jason W. Allen
GTR-Staff

Don't Waste Your Pulpit - A Call for Pastors

2008-05-16T09:20:00.003-05:00

This video is too good not to share. In a day where our pulpits have become just another place to find "Self Help". It's nice to see someone who still understand the difference between the role of a Pastor and the role of a motivational speaker.

I'd be interested in your thoughts on the Dr. Piper video. But more importantly, please enjoy!!!

Reverse Evangelism

2008-05-10T12:40:00.002-05:00

Is this what reverse evangelism looks like?

If so, are we doing a service to our heavenly Father when we 'soften' and try so hard to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ all about love and grace?

What are your thoughts?

Is this what a hate crime looks like?

2008-05-07T12:33:00.002-05:00

Below is a video of a university approved pro life demonstration, and the fellow students who took exception to the message behind the crosses on the lawn.

What are your thoughts?

What if the roles were reversed?

Build Your Own GTR-Live Broadcast

2008-04-29T19:22:00.004-05:00

Hey Folks:

We are making a few changes to our Internet Broadcast, and we need your help.

Due to some events out of our control, OK due to the fact that Jason had a baby, we will no longer be broadcasting live every Tuesday night.

We are interested in finding a new time that works best for our devoted listeners, so we need your feedback and suggestions on what time and day works best for you.

The winning day/time will be our new broadcast (within reason of course UK). So drop us an email or respond to this post with your suggestions!

The unsaved man's motto

2008-04-28T16:21:00.003-05:00

There is a proud heart in every natural man. There
was much pride in Adam's sin—and there is much of
it in all Adam's sons. Pride is a radical sin, and from
hence arises this over-inflated opinion of a man's
spiritual state and condition.

"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:
God, I thank you that I am not like other men—
robbers, evildoers, adulterers." Luke 18:11

This is the unsaved man's motto. A proud man has
an eye to see his beauty—but not his deformity. He sees
his abilities—but not his spots. He sees his seeming
righteousness—but not his real wretchedness.

It must be a work of grace—which must show a man
the lack of grace. The haughty eye looks upward—but
the humble eye looks downward, and therefore this is
the believer's motto, "I am the least of saints—and
the greatest of sinners!"

"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared
not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead,
he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful
to me, for I am a sinner!' I tell you, this sinner, not the
Pharisee, returned home justified before God!"
Luke 18:13-14

(Matthew Mead, "The Almost Christian" 1661)
www.gracegems.org

There must be a difference

2008-04-10T08:07:00.002-05:00

"You are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13

"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

Surely, if words mean anything, we are meant to learn from these two figures, that there must be something marked, distinct, and peculiar about our character, if we are true Christians.

It will never do to idle through life, thinking and living like others, if we mean to be owned by Christ as His people.

Have we grace? Then it must be seen. Have we the Spirit? Then there must be fruit. Have we any saving religion? Then there must be a difference of habits, tastes, and turn of mind, between us and those who think only of the world.

It is perfectly clear that true Christianity is something more, than being baptized and going to church.

J. C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Matthew" 1856

Exposed

2008-04-08T11:48:00.002-05:00

Elijah Lawrence Allen

2008-03-31T16:07:00.002-05:00

Blasphemy & The Other Cartoon Controversy

2008-03-20T13:17:00.002-05:00

Yesterday yet another audiotape was released from Osama Bin Laden seeking to rekindle Muslim anger over the Danish newspaper cartoons satirizing the Prophet Mohammad.
On Feb. 13, 2008 Danish newspapers republished one of the cartoons, which shows Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban, to illustrate their commitment to freedom of speech after police said they had uncovered the beginnings of a plot to kill the artist.
Muslims widely saw the cartoons as an insult, depicting the prophet as violent. Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet, even favorable, for fear it could lead to idolatry.
The original 12 cartoons, first published in a Danish newspaper and then in several papers across Europe, triggered major protests in Muslim countries in 2006.
Bin Laden’s most recent audio message was a call to all Muslims to rise up against the “crusaders” who are attacking the Prophet Mohammad and Islam. He said the attack was, “part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role.”

Bin Laden also stated that, “The response will be what you see and not what you hear and let our mothers bereave us if we do not make victorious our messenger of God.”

Meanwhile, in a little known newspaper published (here) by a campus in the state of Virginia, similar cartoons were printed attacking religion in a very different way. These cartoons were not poking fun at a violent-fundamentalist segment of Islam (or Christianity), but were instead mocking the very existence of the “virgin” birth of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion on the cross.

The point of this post is not to justify the existence of one cartoon and attack the other. I personally feel that both cartoons are inappropriate. However, I do question why a publicly funded college would ever consider it “kosher” to publish such a blatant, blasphemous attack on the foundation of a religious group while continuously calling for tolerance from that same religious group towards the viewpoints of others. To me it seems counter productive.

Yes I am a Christian, and yes I am offended and outraged that my God (both Father and Son) were blasphemed by these tactless cartoons, but I am not surprised. It is not a shock to me that this world, who hates the very idea of God, could do something so evil. I am however shocked to see the obvious and palpable hypocrisy wrapped up into this entire issue.

God, you alone are Holy, You alone are Righteous, and you alone are worthy of nothing but praise.

Amen.

In Christ Alone?

2008-03-19T17:37:00.002-05:00

We've talked several times on our show about the heresy behind the Gospel of Prosperity and why it is so dangerous, but I must admit that even I am shocked to see this clip from Paula White's TV program.

Distorting the idea of God's blessings is one thing, but to distort the very purpose of Jesus' death on the cross and the Glory of His resurrection is utter and complete blasphemy.

Lord it is my prayer that this Gospel of Prosperity will not take root in anyone's life. Let us remember this Holy Week why You sent “Your one and only Son” to earth. He was sent as a propitiation for our sins. Thank you Jesus for your gift, and may we never forget the beauty and power of You, and You alone.

For His Glory.

Where's the Beef?

2008-03-09T19:35:00.000-05:00

Any Thoughts?