Four* Pointer

Abby Johnson: New target of left-wing hatred

2009-11-03T15:17:00.004-05:00

Abby Johnson has just made herself an enemy of the state. The pro-abortion camp are, no doubt, painting a target on her back, and planning on how to take direct aim at her, her life, her family, everyone and everything she holds dear.

Simply because she saw the truth and saw that it was the truth. And now, the pro-death side is scared that more people will see abortion for what it is--the excruciatingly tortured dismembering of a human being who just happens to have the misfortune of being in the fetal stage of development. And just to show how scared they really are, they have gone to court to shut her up, with wild accusations that Ms. Johnson is going to release information on patients (From The Houston Chronicle):

BRYAN, Texas — Planned Parenthood has filed a temporary injunction to prevent a former director of its Bryan clinic from teaming up with a local anti-abortion group to release records from her eight years of work at the family planning clinic.

The employee, Abby Johnson, said Monday that she never planned to release the records.

Either way, the case, which has gained national attention on conservative online media sources and anti-abortion blogs, has caused a skirmish between the clinic and the Brazos Valley Coalition for Life, which recently moved its headquarters several hundred feet away from the clinic.

A hearing on the issue is scheduled for Nov. 10 in the 85th District Court.

The injunction was filed Friday and signed by District Judge J.D. Langley. It prevents Johnson and the coalition from releasing anything that Johnson, who was executive director for about two years, may have retained while working at Planned Parenthood -- at least until the hearing.

Yeah, I know. Ludicrous. But, what do you expect from people who are blinded by greed:

The 29-year-old said she resigned from the clinic because she felt guilty after witnessing an abortion in September. She also said she was concerned about pressure from the organization's regional manager that the Bryan clinic focus on more abortions because of financial reasons.

"Definitely the most lucrative part of their business was abortions," she said. "One of the things that kept coming up was how family planning services were really dragging down the budget, and family planning services include education about contraceptives. It was a drain on the budget, but abortion services were really running up the budget and that was keeping the center afloat."

An employee at Planned Parenthood's Bryan clinic declined to comment and referred questions to the organization's regional office in Houston. A spokeswoman from the regional office released a statement but declined to answer any questions.

This is to be expected. After all, when pro-death supporters shoot a man in a wheelchair and try to beat up a 70-year-old man for exercising their first amendment rights--Oops. Sorry, I forgot. That whole first amendment thingy only applies to liberal pro-death people. We pro-lifers are supposed to keep our mouths shut.

Happy Reformation Day!! Here is "The Reformation Polka"

2009-10-31T11:36:00.003-04:00

A humorous little summary of what happened in 1517 in Wittenburg. For an explanation of the lyrics, click here.

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law;
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!" Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand,
"I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!" Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation -
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

The Friday Stoopid--Verizon Math Fail

2009-10-30T11:00:00.003-04:00

If you had math teachers in school who taught you how to add, subtract, multiply and divide--THANK THEM!! because, apparently, they never taught math in VerizonLand.

Classic Fail!!

A Child of Rome Set Free

2009-10-25T07:37:00.000-04:00

(Pictured: The Scala Sancta, an idolatrous journey up what Rome claims were the steps to Pilate's judgment seat. Don't buy it. These stairs are no more special than what you could build after shopping at Lowe's. But hey, you know the Vatican never met an idolatry it didn't like...)

My dear blogging brother in Christ (Brother Michael at Defending.Contending and his own blog) has written a prick-to-the-heart poem recollecting his years spent in bondage to the Romanist system--the system that holds people as slaves to statues, trinkets and dead men's bones.

Here are the thoughts of one man who spent years in that dreadful system--and how God opened his eyes and led him out of it and into the light of our Lord Jesus Christ:

A Child of Rome Set Free

by: brother Michael

Raised Roman Catholics, my family would be,
Two brothers, a sister, my parents and me.
As babes from the womb, Rome’s doctrines held sway,
Over our hearts and our lives, all of the day.
Baptized and catechized, confirmed by the priests,
Bowing to idols during all of her feasts.

It goes without saying the nuns taught us well,
Not to question the Pope, lest we be cast into hell.
But little did they know, or maybe they did,
How me and their pupils were servants to sin.
Yielding our members to desire and vice,
Never understanding born again, Jesus, True Life.
For from childhood and upward the fruit on our tree,
Bore witness to the fact even if you disagree.
That of our flesh and our mind, we all lived in sin,
Being children of disobedience, and rebelling therein.

This assuredly is no mystery, for the world doth know,
How Catholics trump many in that which they sow,
To the flesh and sin they cannot deny,
Drinking it down with gusto, like bottles of wine.
Get angry with me for this truth you should know,
Because religion never saves, whether Protestant or Rome.

And religion Rome has, to this I agree,
Bowing and kneeling, teaching repeat after me.
Crossings and incense, chantings and more,
Silences the knockings, of Jesus at the door.
Open unto me, and I will come in,
So says he to Rome, and all found therein.

But the knockings of Jesus that day I’d not hear,
As I walked down Rome’s path, year after year.
Thinking I’d be heard, for the rosaries I’d pray,
Never hearing Jesus’ word, wherein he did say.
Pray not like the heathen who think they’ll be heard,
Who recite vain prayers with many a word.
Yea, rather pray simply to the Father above,
With words from your heart, spoken in love.

These were our days much more I could write,
‘Bout how we were taught, that Rome’s always right.
Steer clear of the Bible and what Jesus taught,
Lest all of our deceptions become all for naught.

And like the good child I wanted to be,
I submitted to my parents, the priests and the “See.”
Onward and upward in Rome I did climb,
Becoming an alter boy, made my parents to shine.
Maybe one day a priest he’ll become,
Sacrificing afresh, God’s most beloved Son.

Yet herein lies the truth that Rome must deny,
For the day that she’d stop, be the day she would die.
Salvation’s by grace through faith in the Son,
Believing in Jesus as the only one,
Who can save one from sin and raise them anew,
A gift per God’s grace, not reward for what you do.

Too amazing to believe many will say,
Yet true it certainly is, as old things pass away,
For those born again, raised alive from the grave,
No longer in bondage, no longer a slave.
Serving in Spirit not letter of law,
Loving their enemies, and praying for all.

Unto all those who read, condemn I don’t do,
But rather point to Jesus and his Word which is true.
Open the book and search it this day,
For all that come in faith, he’ll never turn away.
Forsake dead religion, the traditions of men,
Repent, believe on Jesus, bless God and amen.

The Friday Stoopid--"Charlie bit me! And that really hurt!!"

2009-10-23T09:59:00.004-04:00

If you haven't seen these little brothers from Britain, you'll get a kick out of them.

"Charlie bit me!" Remixed

Series: Verse-by-verse through Philippians

2009-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

From Acts chapter 16 through the end of Philippians chapter 2:

1) Introduction part 1 (Acts 15:23-16:13)
2) Introduction part 2 (Acts 16:13-15)
3) Introduction part 3 (Acts 16:14-24)
4) Introduction part 4 (Acts 16:23-31)
5) Introduction part 5 (Acts 16:30-33; Philippians 1:1)
6) Philippians 1:1-1:2
7) Philippians 1:3-1:5
8) Philippians 1:3-1:7
9) Philippians 1:6-1:9
10) Philippians 1:9-1:11
11) Philippians 1:12-1:14
12) Philippians 1:15-1:18
13) Philippians 1:18-1:20
14) Philippians 1:20-1:24
15) Philippians 1:23-1:26
16) Philippians 1:25-1:30
17) Philippians 1:29-2:2
18) Philippians 2:2-2:4
19) Philippians 2:3-2:5
20) Philippians 2:5-2:6
21) Philippians 2:5-2:7
22) Philippians 2:5-2:8
23) Philippians 2:8-2:9
24) Philippians 2:9-2:11
25) Philippians 2:12-2:13
26) Philippians 2:14-2:23
27) Philippians 2:24-3:1

The Friday Stoopid--Nobel Peace Prize parody

2009-10-09T10:22:00.002-04:00

This is one of the funniest satires I have seen in a long time. It's a fake news story about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. What makes it so funny is the article sounds almost like it actually happened.

What? It IS true? Hmmmmmmmmm......how does one respond to news like that............?

The times of London has a wrap-up. And commentary you won't hear from the mealy-mouthed liberal media here in America:

Comment: absurd decision on Obama makes a mockery of the Nobel peace prize

Rarely has an award had such an obvious political and partisan intent. It was clearly seen by the Norwegian Nobel committee as a way of expressing European gratitude for an end to the Bush Administration, approval for the election of America’s first black president and hope that Washington will honour its promise to re-engage with the world.

Instead, the prize risks looking preposterous in its claims, patronising in its intentions and demeaning in its attempt to build up a man who has barely begun his period in office, let alone achieved any tangible outcome for peace.

The pretext for the prize was Mr Obama’s decision to “strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”. Many people will point out that, while the President has indeed promised to “reset” relations with Russia and offer a fresh start to relations with the Muslim world, there is little so far to show for his fine words.

Some comments from Times readers:

Diane Robinson wrote:
Obama becomes the third sitting US president to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Correct; let's recap the accomplishments of the first two: Theodore Roosevelt, Republican, for negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese war; and Woodrow Wilson, Democrat, for forming the League of Nations (which the US declined to join). And Barack Obama, for -- what exactly? Reading a well-written speech off a teleprompter? So the affirmative action candidate gets an affirmative action prize. So lovely. So fitting.

Jim Gordon wrote:
Finally another group has proven itself to be as ignorant as the American electorate.

Happy Anniversary, Boston Red Sox!!

2009-10-02T09:40:00.004-04:00

On this date 31 years ago, Bucky Dent ripped out your heart and stomped on it in a historic one-game playoff to decide the AL East when he took a hanging sinker from Mike Torrez on a 1-2 count and jacked it over the Green Mahn-STAH at Fenway, propelling the Yanks to the ALCS, which they won in 5 over the Kansas City Royals. And oh, by the way, he just happened to go on to become World Series MVP for the World Series Champions.

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:24-3:1)

2009-09-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

As we have been studying these first two chapters, we keep coming back to this theme of putting others first. Paul has painted a picture of Jesus and His perfect submission which led to His perfect exaltation, and the kind of humility that leads to glorification. And in the next chapter Paul shows us how he himself could have boasted about himself because of his Jewish heritage and his near-perfect knowledge of the Scriptures. But sandwiched in between, we have here—from verse 19 through verse 30—we have this passage that we may be tempted to skip over. Because we don’t think there is anything in these verses that have anything to do with us today.

But, lest we forget, who spoke these words to Paul and told him to write them down for us? God did! If God says something, is it important? I'll give you an example. At the end of his letter to Philemon, Paul refers to a man named Demas as his “fellow worker” (Philemon 1:23). Now, a fellow-worker of Paul would never turn away form the faith, would he? Listen to 2nd Timothy 4:9-10, which may very well have been some of the last words Paul wrote, he says, Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world. So, in these last words of Philemon and 2nd Timothy, we have a lesson in enduring to the end. And here, in the last few verses of this chapter, we have an example of soldiering up and being faithful and persevering through the toughest circumstances to encourage fellow believers.

Philippians 2:24-30—I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.

Look at how he begins to describe Epaphroditus. Verse 25. He calls him my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier. First he calls him brother. We know that if anyone is in Christ he is a child of God, and if a child of God, then they are truly our brother or sister. Fellow worker. We will see this man mentioned again toward the end of the book, and read about the work that he did on Paul’s behalf. Fellow soldier. Are we in a war? Oh, you better believe it! If you don’t think we are in a war, we need to talk later. But is our enemy somebody we can see? Ephesians 6:12—For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. In other words, our fight is not against the thief or the murderer or the crack dealer. They are simply slaves of the real enemy, and who is that? And Satan, as we know, is a spiritual being. He was an angel, a very powerful angel. And one who managed to convince 1/3 of the angels in Heaven to make war against God. Now, if he could convince these other angels—who had seen God and knew God—if he could convince them to fight against God, what kinds of things do you think he’s capable of talking us into doing? And since Satan is so intelligent and so powerful, what does that say about our chances of overcoming him using our own wisdom? Slim and none, and slim is waiting at the bus station.

So how do we fight such enemy? With the Word of God and with prayer. THOSE are the weapons of our warfare. 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5—For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. And Epaphroditus had obviously been fighting alongside Paul in this struggle against principalities and powers. And one thing we learn about this warfare we are in—we cannot fight this battle on our own. When it comes to fighting Satan, there is no such thing as an “Army of one.” We need to call on someone who is stronger, mightier and smarter than Satan. Hmmm…Who might that be? Psalm 27:1-3—YHVH is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? YHVH is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

And the more people we have around us, who will pray for us and who will teach us, the better. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12—Two are better than one…if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up…Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
In this war that we are in, we may be tempted to try and go through it alone. But we just saw we can't fight Satan on our own. So, if that’s the case, then who do you think it is that wants us to try and fight Satan on our own? Satan does! How did he manage to convince Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree? He got her alone, away from Adam. And when are we most tempted to do something we shouldn’t do? When we are either alone, or we are not around other brothers in Christ. We talked about that a couple weeks ago. That when we are around others who are strong in the faith, the less likely we are to do something we shouldn’t.

...Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; He was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death. Now that’s dedication! These people had heard that Epaphroditus was sick, and they were feeling pretty crummy about it. Which made Epaphroditus feel crummy about them feeling crummy about him being sick. And in this little blurb, we do see a glimmer of hope for these Philippian believers. That they had heard he was sick, and they may very well have been praying for him. And I'm kinda speculating here, but I think that the reason Epaphroditus wanted to go there was to expand on that. To say, “Hey, you know you guys are caring so much for my health and because I'm sick? Take that care and direct it towards each other.” And that should be true for all of us.

Now, when it says he was distressed (“full of heaviness” KJV), the Greek word he uses (αδημονων, adēmonwn) is only found two other places in the NT. Both times are talking about Jesus the night before His crucifixion. Mark 14:33 (and Matthew 26:37), And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. And Paul is telling us that Epaphroditus felt the same kind of distress over the Philippians’ reacting to his illness. It’s almost like he had heard how they felt about him, and he wanted them to feel the same way about each other. Thayer says, “This is the strongest of the three Greek words in the NT for depression.” In short, of all the words he could have used to describe his sadness, this was the most emphatic.

Do we always understand some concepts with our minds? Or do we sometimes need to see an example? That’s what Epaphroditus was doing. He knew they needed an example of selfless devotion. He knew that he could be that example. And so he had probably told Paul, “Hey look. I know I'm dying. But I don’t care. Send me there so that I can encourage them.” And by doing so, he encouraged Paul as well. He was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Epaphroditus was another one of Paul’s “sons in the faith.” Like Titus or Timothy. If you are a father, how do you feel when your son is sick? There’s a part of you that would almost rather you be sick than your child. Well, not only was Paul having to deal with the squabbling and bickering in the Philippians church. He was watching this dear “son in the faith” creep closer and closer to death.

But, who has control—ultimate control—over life and death? God, obviously. Will God take measures to make sure His will is carried out? God obviously wanted Epaphroditus to go to Philippi to encourage these people. He also wanted to encourage Paul to go on ministering to the various churches. So He brings this young man back from the point of death to accomplish both of these goals. The whole “two birds with one stone” thing. Therefore, Paul can go on and say what he wrote in verse 28, that he sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. The Philippians rejoice. Paul is less sorrowful. Things could be better, but they're starting to look up.

Then he says in Verse 29, Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. I was reading about the apostle John recently. How many times do we forget that the apostles were actual, real people? And there is much written about them and about their lives in the years after the resurrection of Christ. Their lives didn’t stop at the end of John’s gospel. Well, the apostle John became the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Albert Barnes wrote about the last few years of John’s life: "During his latter years he was not able to make a long discourse. He was carried to the assembly, and [would] say nothing but this: ‘Little children, love one another.’ At length his disciples asked him why he always dwelt upon the same thing. He replied, ‘Because it is the Lord's command; and if this be done, it is sufficient.’"

Here was this apostle whom Jesus loved, and all he could do was be carried into church and say, “Little children, love one another.” And now we look at Epaphroditus, who was sick unto death, and Paul says to hold such men in esteem. And well we should. We owe so much to men that we could never thank enough. The reason we can hold a copy of the Bible in English is due, in great part, to men who risked their lives to defy the Roman Catholic Church and translate it into English. I wouldn’t have time, in a month of Sundays, to tell of the men who have died in order to spread the gospel—the true gospel—we could spend nearly all of eternity simply thanking them. Hold such men in esteem. Who risk everything to proclaim the truth.

Then he says something at the end of Verse 30. For the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. It wasn’t that the people didn’t care about Paul or weren’t doing anything to help him. In fact, it was just the opposite. They helped Paul when no one else would or could. And this was also somewhat dangerous because of the Roman government which was in charge of the city, and because Nero, the emperor, was very vehemently opposed to Christians. Another thing to consider, and this about the ways that God works—when the Romans defeated the Greeks at Philippi in 42 BC, the emperor encouraged soldiers and retired military and anybody else who was of any importance to move to Philippi. So, basically, there was a lot of money in this city. One of the first people Paul and Silas met there was Lydia. She sold purple. Big deal, right? Yes it was because back then you didn’t just go into a Caesar-Mart and grab a purple shirt off the rack. The dye was very expensive and you only wore purple if you were wealthy, or you were royalty. Now you see why it was so important that Lydia sold purple, because who could she take the gospel to? Yeah, the rich and powerful.

There were many rich and powerful still living in this city, and in the region of Macedonia. We will see that in Philippians 4:15—Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. When he went to Corinth, and needed help, that he was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied (2nd Corinthians 11:9). They had been one of Paul’s biggest sources of help financially, but apparently something was happening and they had to cut back for some reason. Because in Philippians 4:10—Your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. We’ll look more at that when we get to it. But apparently, Epaphroditus had come to Paul to make up for what the Philippians would have normally given him. And this even though Epaphroditus was near the point of death. But God allowed him to live, so that the work of Christ could continue.

So, there is chapter 2. Done. Finished. Promise.

Chapter 3. I love how he starts chapter 3. Philippians 3:1—Finally. There’s still two chapters left, but he says, “Finally.” Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. What kinds of earthly things do we enjoy? Are those things going to come to an end one day? Yes. Will God ever come to an end? Is that even a question? So yes, it’s fun to play miniature golf or read or sit on the front porch drinking lemonade. But what are we gonna do when this life ends? We’re either going to have ultimate, everlasting pain and torment. Or we are going to have ultimate, everlasting joy, peace, beauty, etc. Psalm 16:11—In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Almost 70 times the Scriptures tell us to rejoice in the Lord. 1st Chronicles 16:10—Let the heart of those who seek YHVH be glad. Psalm 2:11—Serve YHVH with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 32:11—Be glad in YHVH and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. 1st Thessalonians 5:16—Rejoice always. NINE times he uses the word ‘rejoice’ in Philippians!! EIGHT times in the first three chapters!! How cool is that!!

But check this out: It’s not only that we rejoice in the Lord. Ten times, the Bible says that God rejoices over us. Zephaniah 3:17—YHVH your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. And when even one person gets saved—the angels rejoice! Luke 15:10—“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” We’ve got a God we can rejoice over! And not only that, we have a God who rejoices over us!

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. I'm gonna pick on parents again. Stop me if you’ve said this to one of your kids: “If I've said it once…” How about this: “How many times do I have to tell you…?” You’ve probably never had to say those things, have you? Nah…no, not at all! [/sarcasm] But I'll bet you never get sick of telling them, “I love you.”

That word ‘safe.’ Literally means “certain; sure; without fail; firm; something that can be relied on” (άσφαλής, asphalēs). In fact, we get the English word "asphalt" from that word! We find the same word in Hebrews 6:19—This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. The hope is in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. As a Savior, can Jesus fail? That’s not even a question! What Paul is saying here is that, to write the same things to these people doesn’t get old. He could write the same things over and over again. And it would simply give him another chance to write things that glorify God!

And not only that, it makes these people even more certain of the unending and unfailing grace of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ!! It’s as if he is saying, “I could write these same things a thousand times and it would never get old. Because for you, it gives you even more and more assurance in Christ Jesus our Lord!!” And we’ll close on that note, because the next section—verses 2-6—are a whole lesson unto themselves. So let me wrap up with some verses that show us that unending and unfailing grace of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. John 10:27-29—“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.” Nahum 1:7—YHVH is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Romans 8:37-39—But in all these things we super-conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. What can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

The brainwashing of publik skule churren

2009-09-25T17:12:00.001-04:00

If the liberal indoctrination of school children wasn't bad enough already, now they're brainwashing kids to sing the praises of the most socialist president in history. Just imagine how apoplectic the liberal media would have gotten if these kids were being taught a song about GW Bush. Chris Matthews' head would have exploded like a watermelon strapped with 10 pounds of C4. But, they're praising The Chosen One, so it's all hunky-dory.

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:14-2:23)

2009-09-18T14:36:00.002-04:00

We talked last time about how each of us has a role in the church. For some it’s teaching, for some it’s preaching, for others it is simply raising their children to worship the Lord. And whatever role we play, we don’t want to do it grudgingly. Some people, it takes a couple years before they finally figure out where they are supposed to be. And until we do, we need to not just say, “Well, I'm just doing this for the time being,” but we should do whatever it is we are doing to the best of our abilities. So, Philippians 2:14-23—Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.

Apparently, humbling themselves and being another’s servant was a problem for these Philippian believers. There is an underlying theme throughout this letter about being like-minded, about envy and strife, about selfish ambition, about not disputing, about not putting ourselves ahead of others. Here he is saying, “Let the world do all that stuff. You are light in this dark world. Act like it!” And we’re going to see these griping, sniping, grumblers compared with a selfless student of the apostle.

Verses 15-16. Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. This last part is looking back at verse 12, when Paul tells them that even though he’s not going to be there, to keep doing the work that God has called them to, since it is God who is actually doing the work through them. One day, we who are saved will stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ. 1st Corinthians 3:11-15--For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. This will take place when all things come to an end, and the books are settled. This is the day of Christ that Paul is talking about. When we are rewarded for the things we have done in obedience to Christ’s commands. Whether it’s teaching or preaching or witnessing or simply showing someone the love of Christ—whatever we do that brings glory to God and to His Christ will be gold silver and precious stones and that work will survive, and the person will be rewarded.

Now, it may not seem as though all of our efforts are successful, in this life, in the sense of what we think is success. There will be some that we will witness to that will turn away. Will we still be rewarded for that? Yes. Our obedience will be rewarded. And we will see, on that day, those who stayed true to the faith. But when we ask about those people that we worked with, taught, discipled, etc. and we find out that they slid back into their old life—I got a feeling that if were possible, we’d probably die all over again. And that is something Paul does not want to happen.

Now let me point something out here. I mentioned a few moments ago that our obedience will be rewarded regardless of whether we think we were successful or not. So why do you think Paul would say that he does not want to have run in vain or labored in vain? It almost sounds like he’s saying “I hope I'm not wasting my time here.” Or is that what he’s saying? No, it’s not what he’s saying. It’s not as if their backsliding will cause him to say, “Well, gee, I didn’t get anything out of that.” What he’s really saying is, “Look at all that Christ did for you! He has saved you! Don’t lose your rewards over petty bickering!” We are called to teach and disciple and share the gospel. We run and labor as Paul says here. But, are we going to die some day? Is there a chance that in ten years time after we’re gone that someone else may take over and run it into the ground? But we don’t look at it like that. Because if we do, then we get to thinking that we are the ones in control, and not God. Because, back in chapter 1 verse 6, Paul tells them that he is confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. In other words, if God started it, God will finish it.

Contrast this with poor old Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2. He’s mourning over all the years he spent building and toiling, and finally when he gets old and grey he realizes that one day he’s gonna die and none of it will mean anything. Ecclesiastes 2:18-21—Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. Now, if a man will be so concerned about earthly labors, how much more should we seek God’s protection for those that we disciple in the things of God? That temple that took so many years to build? Gone. The temple that was in Jerusalem when Jesus walked. It took 46 years to finish. The Romans burned it in a day. But we will exist forever. And that was Paul’s concern. He didn’t spend his time building buildings. He spent his years building the body of Christ. We wasn’t so concerned about temporary things—his number one focus was glorifying the eternal God and bringing these people into God’s kingdom.

Now, there are men who dearly love the Lord Jesus and seek nothing more than to teach His truth. But there’s gonna come a day when we can't do this any more. And there may be someone who comes in after us who comes preaching prosperity, leading people away from the truth. Paul had seen that in Galatia. He wrote the book of Galatians about 9 years prior to this. He saw the damage people did who came in behind and adding to the gospel. And he did not want that to happen here. Hold fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Verses 17-18. Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. This is one of those places where knowing the culture of the city of Philippi helps us understand what Paul is saying. First, instead of if I am being poured out… it should say “since.” Since I am being poured out as a drink offering… Next, he was being poured out as a drink offering—or, simply, “offered,” KJV, and that doesn’t really give the full effect of the word. Either way, the verb is passive. Someone is pouring him out. Who is doing that? God. I am being poured out as a drink offering is translated from one Greek word (σπένδομαι [spendomai]). Basically, to say this, he took the noun “libation” and made it a verb. Since I have been libationed…

Now what is a “libation?” There are two ways of interpreting this. Some people think that Paul is referring to the Jewish OT sacrifices where, every day the priests would bring a lamb in the morning and a lamb at night and with one they would offer a “drink offering.” Exodus 29:38-41. But I would have to agree with the majority of scholars, who say that Paul is more likely referring to the rituals performed in the Roman culture, and the offerings they made to their “gods.” Now, let me offer this disclaimer: If this is the case, Paul is NOT giving approval to pagan religions. On at least two other occasions, he does use them to make a point. In Acts 17:19-31, Paul is standing in the temple of the Greek god Mars (Ares), and he tells the philosophers, “Men of Athens…you have an altar that says, ‘To the Unknown God.’ Therefore, Him whom you worship without knowing, Him I declare to you.” He’s using their false religion to point them to the truth. Then in 1st Corinthians 15:29, a verse that is absolutely vital to the Mormon religion, Paul says, what shall they do who are baptized for the dead if the dead do not rise? He is NOT telling us to get baptized for the dead. What he’s saying is that even the false religions believe in some kind of “afterlife.” In fact, Ecclesiastes 3:11—[God] has also set eternity in [our] heart.

So, if Paul is using the Roman pagan customs to give these people an illustration of his life relative to the Philippians’ service and sacrifice of faith, it’s not his way of giving a wink and a nod to the pagans. His point is this: their faith has led to sacrifice and service. And in these cultures, the “drink offering”—the “libation”—was simply the “icing on the cake” so to speak. The animal that was sacrificed was the main, vital element of these rituals. The libation, on the other hand, was pretty much anticlimactic. Kinda like after the climax of the movie, and the good guy wins—everything after that is pretty much, “Eh, whatever.” And that is what Paul is saying about himself right here. He’s saying, “Hey, if God wants to make me the smallest part of the greater work He’s working through you—then Hallelujah!”

The sacrifice and service of their faith—or to put it another way, the fact that their faith led them to sacrifice and service—that is the sacrifice God desires. Psalm 51:17—The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Those are the sacrifices God wants. He does not want dead animals—He wants you. Does all that make sense? Sometimes I have hard time explaining certain concepts. “I know what he’s saying!! I just don’t know how to say it myself!” OK.

Verses 19-21. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. At this point in time, Paul is under house arrest. He is in the custody of the Roman government for the second time. He’s heard about the grumbling and bickering going on in the Philippian church. And if we go back to Philippians 1:15-18, we even find that there were some who were glad that Paul was in prison because they probably didn’t like his preaching style. He tended to be a little blunt. But he said, “Fine! As long as they are preaching truth—I'll take what I can get right about now!” But he would rather send someone he trusts, and who has been a faithful student. And there is only one who fits that bill and that is who?

Verse 22. I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly. You know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. This is one of four times Paul refers to Timothy as his son. Now, Timothy was not Paul’s biological son. Wasn’t even his stepson. He was what Paul referred to as his son in the faith. 1st Corinthians 4:17; 1st Timothy 1:2; 2nd Timothy 1:2. Let’s take a trip. Let’s go back a ways to the book of Acts. Acts 16:1-5. This was where we started a little better than a year ago. Anybody know what happens in Acts 16? This is the chapter that tells about the founding of the church in Philippi. But before Paul and Silas get to Philippi, they pick up a companion for the journey. Verse 1. Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy. Derbe and Lystra were cities in the region of Galatia (The same Galatia that received Paul’s letter to the Galatians). About as far as Knoxville is from Alcoa. Galatia was located in what is now central southern Turkey. This was an area with a large Jewish population. And there were many there who still, even after hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and even after receiving the letter from the apostles that said that Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised—in fact, Paul had this letter in his hand—even after receiving that letter they would not have anything to do with young Timothy.

Why? Because he was the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. Greeks did not have a lot to do with reading the Jewish Scriptures. His mother’s name was Eunice, his grandmother Lois. And they, more then likely, were the ones who taught him about the OT. But it was Paul who led him to faith in Jesus Christ, probably on his previous visit to this area, because in verse 2 it says that he was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. The brethren, of course, being the leaders of the local church there. So during the two years since Paul came through here the first time—he came through in about 48 AD the first time, and now we’re talking about 50 AD or so—and in those two years, Timothy has grown so rapidly and so faithfully, that in verse 3, Paul wanted to have him go on with him.

This was Paul’s prodigy. And the reason he has grown so quickly and so faithfully is because he has known the OT Scriptures all his life, as we read in 2nd Timothy 3:15, where Paul says that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures—which Scriptures would that be? He did not have the NT when he was growing up. And listen to what Paul says about those OT Scriptures, that they are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. So Paul takes this young man, and circumcised him Paul has, in his hands, a letter from the apostles James and John and Peter and himself—all apostles of Christ—saying that Gentile Christians don’t need to be circumcised in order to be saved. Yet he has Timothy circumcised.

hy? Because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. In order to have this young man be heard by these Jews. Paul knew this young man could be used greatly to bring these Jews to Christ and lead them out of their reliance on keeping the OT law. So Paul finally gives in and says, “Look, if that’s what it’s gonna take to hear this man—Timothy will ya do it?” Obviously, Timothy said, he would. That’s why, a little later on in Philippians, Paul says, Philippians 3:2—Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! He had written to the Galatians some years earlier, in Galatians 5:12—I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. He’s calling these men who forced Timothy to be circumcised for no reason, “the mutilation.” And this is why he said in 1st Corinthians 9:20-22—To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law…I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And ohhhh, the way people twist that verse.

So, after this, verses 4-5, And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now, back to Philippians. It’s about 10-11 years after the first time Paul brought Timothy through Philippi. So, they’ve already met the man. They know what kind of man he is. And Timothy, by this time, has been Paul’s main ambassador to the various churches. And in fact, in the very first verse of this letter to the Philippians, it starts out, Paul and Timothy, slaves of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi… And in verse 22, he says, you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. Referring to the first time Paul brought Timothy through the city. That even then Timothy had obviously acquitted himself quite well and had been a faithful “son in the faith.” And now, 10 years later, those people still remember. So he says, “I can't be there, but you remember Timothy. I'm sending him. He’s the only one I can trust.”

Then, verses 23-24. Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. If there was one thing I would like to learn from the life of the apostle Paul, it would be this: to not look at our present situation and say that all hope is lost. Here he is, chained to a Roman soldier, under the custody of the Roman government, and he says twice in this passage, verse 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy and in verse 24, I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. Shortly! He’s not saying, “Well, someday, in the faraway future, I might get a chance to see you.” Who is the One he is trusting in? Psalm 18:2-3—YHVH is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon YHVH, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 20:7—Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of YHVH our God.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

September 11, 2001

2009-09-11T08:46:00.002-04:00

The World Trade Center as it was:

The World Trade Center after converting to Islam:

ANY QUESTIONS?

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:12-2:16)

2009-09-09T14:03:00.000-04:00

We’ve spent these last few weeks weeks tinkering with the engine. Now we’re gonna rev it up and see how it sounds. These last few verses we've spent so many weeks on, are right smack dab in the middle of a section that deals with how we are to see ourselves in the light of others in the church. That we have been given such a great privilege by God. He saved us. We didn’t deserve it. There is nothing we can do to make ourselves look better in the eyes of God, no matter how much we do. The average Roman Catholic will spend their whole lives working and giving and saying a thousand “Our Fathers” and “Hail Mary’s” and going to Mass and doing all these things, thinking that “Well, OK, God has shown me His grace by not letting me die yet—now I have to keep myself in His graces so I don’t wind up in Purgatory.” There are many in the church who think that God’s grace is not enough to save them, and they have to “help God” save them. But what we have is a privilege that is given for free, one that cannot be earned! God saved us when we had no desire to be saved! I didn’t!

When God saved me, I didn’t want to stop living the life I was living. I was having too much fun with my beer and sitting on the internet for hours on end, looking at things I’d rather not talk about. But now that we have been given this privilege, do we keep on living the way we have been because we've been saved? Heavens NO! Paul said Romans 6:1-4—Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it…Therefore…we also should walk in newness of life. When God saves us, He doesn’t simply hand us a card that says, “Get Out of Hell Free.” And if I see one more car with that bumper sticker on it, I'm going to scream.

If God has saved us, there should be a change in our life. We stop putting ourselves first and we focus on Christ and doing the work He has given us to do. Because we must not forget that even though we are saved, there is still a world out there that does not know God. It does not know Christ. It is a world that still puts itself first. It is a world filled with sinful, selfish people who spend their lives acting like sinful, selfish people. We are called to be different.

Philippians 2:5-15 (NASB)—Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not regard His equality with God a thing to be retained, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death of the cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.

To kinda skim over verses 5-11, because we spent like a year and half on it, Paul holds up Christ as the example of the kind of selflessness that is rewarded by God. It’s when we understand that it ain't all about us. And it ain't all about our feelings. “Boo hoo, somebody hurt my feelings.” Get over it. We’re not gonna go through life without somebody hurting our feelings. And that is what Paul is saying, that “Look at Christ! He was God; He set aside His rights, He died on the cross for a bunch of people that hated Him. And because He did, God set Him at His right hand, and has given Him a name that will cause every single soul that has ever lived to bow at His name and call Him ‘Lord’.” We do not have the right to go through life trouble-free. We don’t have any rights to anything. And whatever rights we think we have, look at the rights Christ could have claimed, but didn’t. Because He set aside His rights, humbled Himself, went through the agony of the cross, and became a curse over us, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore. You know I love that word ‘therefore.’ He’s taking this picture of perfect submission and perfect exaltation, and directing it at us. He has been pointing up—now, he’s pointing out. Therefore, my beloved—that’s us—just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, let me stop right there. Is it easy for a child to behave himself when mom or dad are around? What happens when mom and dad leave the house and leave the kids by themselves? It was obviously easy for these Philippian believers to do what was right when Paul was there in their presence.

It’s real easy for us to “toe the line” when we are surrounded by strong believers. When some people are in the presence of weak or immature believers, it’s easy to take a step back and do something that isn't, maybe, sinful—but something that they shouldn’t ought to do. 1st Corinthians 15:33—“Bad company corrupts good morals.” But when there are NO believers around. Nobody that we go to church with. Nobody who would have any problem with anything we do—when we surround ourselves with the world, it’s really, really easy to just slide right into sin. Because we think, “Hey, nobody I know is gonna see me. Who is it gonna hurt?” Why is it important that we not think like this? Numbers 32:23—“Be sure, your sin will find you out.”

King David thought he had gotten away with murder. What did Nathan tell him? “Thou art the man!” I could be in Nebraska, stop at a convenience store and buy a six-pack of beer. Do you know it is nothing for God to put another believer, one that I know, in that same store at that very same time? And when it’s all said and done, who sees everything anyway? Whether another brother sees what I do or not, God certainly does! And who, in the end, am I ultimately disobeying? Whether another brother is with me or not, Christ certainly is! That’s why Paul tells us in Romans 12:2—Do not be conformed to this world.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling… If we don’t understand what Paul is saying here, what danger can we run into? We can end up thinking that Paul is telling us to work for our salvation. The Catholic that is going through all of his “good works” and all the other stuff trying to “earn” the right to be saved. They will point you to this verse and say, “See! You have to work for your salvation!”

WRONG!!!

The word that is translated “work out” does NOT mean “Work FOR your salvation.” It literally means, “Work FROM your salvation. Work ACCORDING TO your salvation. Work THROUGHOUT your salvation.” It’s not a matter of “Work TO BE saved.” It is a matter of “Work BECAUSE YOU ARE saved.” Matthew 5:14, 16—“You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Do we shine our light in order to be saved? No. We shine our light because we are saved. Think about it this way: And this is by no means a perfect illustration. If I go to the store, and I buy a brand new, shiny lamp. I take it home, and set it on the table. LONG PAUSE….. “Shine, little lamp!!” How much light will it give off? I can flip that switch all day and all night, and what good is it gonna do? I could put an 8000 watt light bulb in there and—nothing. That lamp cannot muster up enough energy to produce even one candlepower of light. But it does serve a purpose—it makes a nice decoration. But other than that, what good is it?

Guess what, friends? Without the Holy Spirit of God bringing life to our spirit, we are just as dead and useless to God as that lamp. We can do “good things.” We can have a kind of “righteousness.” I think Isaiah said something about our “righteousness” (Isaiah 64:6). The scribes and Pharisees had a righteousness. What did Jesus say about that? Matthew 5:20—“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” So if all we have is our own, dead spirit that we are born with, and if we have not been born again by the Spirit of God, then we are just a lamp sitting on a table collecting dust. But if God has saved us, we will want to serve in the body. 2nd Timothy 2:20-21 (NASB)—In a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Titus 2:13 (NASB) says that Christ came to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Galatians 4:18—It is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.

What does all this mean for our “salvation by works” person? They will say that I am talking out of both sides of my mouth. But I'm not, and I’ll show you why. Verse 13. …for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Who is doing the work in you? It is God who is at work in you. Galatians 2:20—I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Let’s say you go flip the switch and the light comes on. Was it because of anything the lamp did? But because there is now power running through the cords and the wires and the bulb, the lamp is now able to produce light. It is now useful for something other than sitting there and looking pretty. Why? Because it is the electricity that is at work in the lamp. Once we are brought to life by the Holy Spirit of God, we are able to produce light for others. Why? Because it is God who is working in us.

Now, suppose I take and flip the switch to “OFF.” Is there still electricity running through that lamp? What happens if I go sticking my finger in the light socket? The electricity is still flowing TO the lamp, but the lamp is not producing light. It is still capable of producing light. It still has energy in it, so to speak. But it’s back to being useless. James 2:14-17—What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. The “salvation by works” crowd—especially Roman Catholics—love to use that passage. This is one of the bedrock cornerstones of Roman Catholicism. But, it is not a case of the good works producing salvation. It is a case of salvation producing good works.

In fact, this is one place where the KJV could be accused of teaching "salvation by works." Because the translators left out a very important word in verse 14. Read how it reads differently (and more faithfully to the Greek) in the NASB--What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? See the difference? What James actually asks is "can the kind of faith that does not produce works save a man?" As further evidence, James pretty much answers this question in James 2:19—you believe there is one God. You do well! Even the demons believe and tremble. If a person is saved—truly saved—then there will be in that person a desire to do good works.

And I don’t mean to switch tracks over to the book of James, but think about this: Suppose someone tells us they need help, and we stand there with our tickets for the game this Saturday, what is our natural inclination? “I’d love to help, but I got these Florida tickets. I'll be praying for ya!” Has a slightly familiar ring to it, doesn’t it? If a brother or sister needs food, you say, “be warmed and filled,” but you don’t give them the things they need, what good is it? You see, the world puts the football game ahead of doing the things of God. But the Christian should put doing the things of God before the football game. Paul is saying in verses 12-13, “Hey, I'm not there, but don’t go back to being a useless lamp sitting on a table. Let your salvation produce good works because God is in you and it is His will to use you.” There is a place for every member of the body in some kind of ministry. We’ve all got a calling. God did not save us so He could put us on a shelf like some knick-knack collecting dust. And we’re going to see why shortly. Whatever that ministry is, there is one simple reason He calls us to it.

Flip back a few pages to 1st Corinthians 12:4-11—There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Does the electricity light the lamp? Does the electricity power your coffee maker? Does the electricity power your computer? But here’s the difference between electricity and the Holy Spirit. If a JW were in here, he would be very comfortable with what I have been saying. But he would not be comfortable with what I'm about to say. The electricity has no discernment about where it goes. Path of least resistance and all that. It’s just dumb power.

But, look at what Paul says about the Holy Spirit and the various gifts. Verse 11. The same Spirit distributes to each one individually as He wills. The Holy Spirit has a will. The same Holy Spirit gives some the gift of teaching, some the gift of miracles, some the gift of mercy, and so on. Does electricity have a will of its own? Electricity simply goes and powers whatever it can; the Holy Spirit goes and powers whoever He wants. Electricity cannot flow through a closed circuit. But the Holy Spirit is able to overcome our dead spirit and give us whatever He wants to. Make sense? OK, back to Philippians 2:14. Do all things without grumbling or disputing… Do we always like the ministry God gives us? When Henry Blackaby came to Powell a couple years ago, he said if you asked 100 church members they would all tell you they had the gift of prophecy and not one would say they had the gift of mercy. There are some in certain ministries that really don’t fit the ministry they are in. Like, Joel Osteen. His calling is not as a preacher. He may very well have the gift of encouragement. But not preaching. He’s good at telling people what they want to hear, but not what they need to hear.

And there are times when we think we’re in the right ministry, but after a while it will become painfully obvious we need to be somewhere else. Because if you are in the ministry God has called you to, you will have the joy so that you can do it the way it’s supposed to be done. One of our elders at church has talked about how he was working with RA’s and GA’s because there was nobody else to do it. He was miserable, but he felt guilty about leaving. And he finally said, “I can't do this.” And someone else came along that had the heart for it.

I recently finished reading Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliott. It’s the biography of the early years of Jim Elliott. And time after time he writes about when he would be preaching or witnessing and he knew that he wasn’t where God needed him to be. He knew there was something else he was supposed to be doing. Now, are preaching and witnessing good things? But are there sometimes better things we need to be doing? Whatever we do, we should always do it without grumbling or disputing, verse 15, so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world… Again, God doesn’t save us so we can sit on a shelf and wait for the glory train. I've said it 800 times; I'll say it 8000 more before my days are done. Salvation is more than “Saying a little prayer and asking Jesus into your heart.” There are a whole lot of people in church who act like lost people. Now, there may be two reasons for this. One, they may simply be immature Christians; maybe they haven’t been taught and discipled properly. What other reason might there be? They just might be lost. The whole “Last call Saturday night—first pew Sunday morning” thing.

Remember those Florida tickets? Why do we put the things of God before the football game? So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. In other words, so that the world will look at you and say you're crazy. “You gave up Florida tickets to help some guy patch his roof?” Of course we should!

Consider the words that come out of our mouth; the music we listen to; the kind of activities we enjoy. If we are to claim the name of Jesus, yet we go around cussing and listening to vulgar music—we’re no different than heathens. 2nd Peter 4:3-4—We have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. We need to be strange. The world is always going to act like the world. If we are in Christ, we should appear as lights in the world. Another book I just finished reading was Run, Baby, Run, about Nicky Cruz. One of the most ruthless gang leaders in NYC. Got saved, and all his old friends said, “What happened to you?” Jesus happened to him.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:9-2:11)

2009-09-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the world that we live in, many people are under the impression that their main goal in life should be to “get ahead.” To do whatever you have to do to get to the top. You got to climb that ladder, you got to step on toes, stab people in the back and “go against the grain” and break the rules in order to be successful. That’s how the world views success. But how does God view success? Who is the greatest in the eyes of God? Matthew 23:11-12—“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And what greater picture do we have of one humbling Himself in order to be exalted than Jesus Christ? There is none. There is no one who has given up more than Jesus did in becoming human. There is none who gained more than Jesus did because of His obedience. So what does that mean for us poor, poor, pitiful humans? It means that we ought not to cry and whine when we don’t always get our way. Because it just might not be God’s will for us to have our way. Matthew 6:9-10—"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come..." What? "Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven." When we pray, we can get everything we ask for—as long we pray that it is in God’s will. And it was God’s will that His Son set aside His rights for a season, take on sinful flesh, and die on the cross, bearing all the guilt and all the shame of all those who would ever believe. And because He was obedient, He has been given far, far more.

Philippians 2:3-11—You must not do anything through selfish ambition or conceit! But, in lowliness of mind, each one of you must consider others as being better than himself. None of you should be concerned with his own interests only, but also for the interests of others. Have this mindset in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being God in every way, did not consider holding on to His equality with God, but made Himself of no reputation, becoming a slave in every way possible, and having every attribute of a man, and being seen as a man by all. He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has super-exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee of heaven, and of earth, and of under-earth should bow, and that every tongue will declare as being true the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Your translation may—and in fact, probably does—read differently.

But that’s the gist of this whole passage, and is pretty close to literal. Last week we studied what He went through when the time came for Him to die. The physical agony He suffered and the fact that He took the wrath of God for us. Today we’re going talk about what that means. Verse 9. Therefore… Links verse 8 with what’s coming in verse 9. Therefore—because Jesus was obedient to the point that He died on a cross—God has highly exalted Him. “Highly exalted” is one word in the Greek (υπερυψόω, huperupsoo); it means, literally, “super-exalted.” He has been raised up higher than anyone has ever been raised up before. Where did God raise Him up to? Matthew 26:64, Jesus tells the Pharisees, “I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” In Acts 7:56, as they are getting ready to stone Stephen, he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Hebrews 10:12—After He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Can you be raised any higher than the right hand of God? No. To be raised higher than the right hand of God, you would have to be raised to be higher than God.

Somebody tried that once. Isaiah 14:12-15—“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” Notice the difference. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him… While on the other hand Lucifer, son of the morning…you have said in your heart…I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.” And there is the difference. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus humbled Himself and was exalted to the right hand of God. Lucifer tried to raise himself up above God—and he was cast down to Hell. And he took 1/3 of the angels with him. Jude 4—And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. 2nd Peter 2:4—God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment. Lucifer and these angels exalted themselves—and were cast down.

And I think there is even another aspect to Jesus being “super-exalted.” We know He was always God. That there never was a time when He was not God. Philippians 2:6. So He couldn’t have been exalted any higher than He was before He came to earth. There is no higher exaltation than being God. Jesus had a glory with the Father even before He created the world. In John 17:5, He asks the Father, “Glorify Me together with Yourself”—let me stop right there for a moment. Listen to this that Jesus asks: “Glorify Me together with Yourself” Does God share His glory with any created being? Isaiah 42:8—"I am YHVH, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images." If Jesus was a created being, and God glorified Jesus with Himself, with the same glory—then wouldn’t He be giving His glory to another? To a created being? Something to think about. “Glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” Now, here’s what I'm getting at: when He ascended back to Heaven, He still had a body of flesh and bone. He is, right now, sitting at the right hand of the Father—with a body of flesh and blood. In Hebrews 1:2, it says God has appointed [Him] as the heir of all things. He has a body of flesh and blood. He is the heir of all things. But 1st Corinthians 15:50 says flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So another way that God has “super-exalted” Him is by the fact that He has given rights to Jesus that He will not extend to anyone else.

He has also given Him something else. God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name… Let me give some immediate context here. In the Roman culture that Philippi was, the city—as all of the Roman Empire—was under the rule of the Caesar. That was what they called the Emperor—the title he was given was “The Caesar.” Later, about 300 AD, they added the title “Augustus.” At the point in time when Philippians was written, the Caesar was Nero. Every new Caesar that came along had given themselves a title that was meant to convey the power they held, and was a boast of all the lands they had conquered.
For example, the emperor Maximin, his full name was: The Emperor Caesar Gaius Valerius Maximinus, Germanicus Sarmaticus, Pius Felix Invictus Augustus.

So to the Romans a person’s name was very important and very influential. But what they did not understand was that whatever a person’s name was on earth, no matter how many titles they attached to their name, it was nothing in the eyes of God. As important as the name “Caesar” was to the people of Rome—to God it was nothing. Now, God has not simply given Jesus “A name that is above every name.” He has given Him THE name that is above every name. One thing is certain—the name is not “Jesus.” That is a very common Hebrew name. And in fact, that was the name Jesus commanded Joseph to give to Jesus. Matthew 1:21—“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus was the name God commanded Joseph to give the Only Begotten Son of God. So what is "the name that is above every name?"

I would have to agree with the many wonderful men who know a whole lot more than I do, and who believe this name to be “LORD.” And for good reason. Jesus Christ IS Lord. We see it two verses down: Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ IS Lord. Acts 2:36—“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Romans 1:3—Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord… He is, indeed, Lord. He ain't waiting for us to make Him Lord—He already is! In all, the phrases “the Lord Jesus Christ” or “Jesus Christ our Lord” appear in 106 verses in the NT. I think that’s a pretty important thing.

There's also another idea I have about what this name is. I'm kinda leaning more away from it, but I'll throw it out there. And, for the record, I'm not gonna take a bullet for it. I'm not going to get into a debate about it. I think the name that God has given to Jesus is the name, “HOLY Lord.” In the OT, we find the phrase “Holy One of Israel,” referring to God, some 37 times. Nearly 30 times in the OT His name is described as being “holy.” Leviticus 22:32—“You shall not profane My holy name.” Psalm 103:1—Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Isaiah 57:15—For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy. Jesus is also described as being holy. Because He is! He is the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son of God. And Acts 4:27 calls Jesus God’s holy Servant (or holy Child, KJV—either one is acceptable).

And we see even in the OT a picture about Jesus being holy. Isaiah 6:1-3. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood angels; each one had six wings…And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is YHVH of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” Now, if we fast forward to the book of the Revelation, we see this picture again, but the picture is slightly different. Revelation 4:8—And the four beasts had each of them six wings…and they do not rest day or night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” A couple chapters later, Revelation 6:9-10 (NASB)—When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God…and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then in Revelation 15:3-4—They sing the song…of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Faithful and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.” So Jesus Christ is Lord. He is Holy. And God has given Him the name that is above every name.

And…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth… To be literal, every knee WILL bow. Who are the “in Heaven”? For one, the angels. Hebrews 1:6—But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Nehemiah 9:6—“You alone are YHVH; You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host…You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.” Those “in Heaven” are also the saints who have gone on before us.

Who are those “of earth?” That’s us. Romans 10:9—If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus—literally, Jesus as Lord—and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. There are some who teach that you can get saved in January and then confess Jesus as Lord in December. WRONG. A person must confess Jesus Christ as LORD to be saved. It’s not my decision. That’s the clear word of Scripture. If someone does not confess Jesus Christ as Lord, then are they really saved?

So who are those “of under the earth”? The ones who have gone on before us. There is a passage in 1st Peter 3:19, that talks about Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison. What Peter is getting at is that when Christ died, He went to the place called Sheol—which is the common grave. Where everybody goes, saved and lost. He let it be known to all those spirits that He was, indeed, Lord. And now those who are in either Hades—the place of the lost—or in Paradise are bowing their knee in worship of Christ. Of course, if one is in Hades, they can worship Him all they want—it won’t do them any good. So, those in Heaven (the angels, and the overcoming saints); and those on earth (that’s us humans who are alive today); and those under the earth (those whose final destinations are set); one day, every single knee will bow to Christ and His holy name.

Finally, every knee shall bow…And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Now, this presents a problem for those who deny the deity of Christ. Romans 14:9—We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live,” says the LORD, “Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” This is a direct quote from Isaiah 45:23, where YHVH says, “I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.” Now, if God says that every knee shall bow to HIM, and that every tongue shall swear an oath to God Himself, and if God says He will not give His glory to another, yet Paul says every knee shall bow to Christ—then if Christ is a created being, this would be blasphemy. To give the honor that is reserved for God to a created being would be blasphemy.

But that is exactly what Paul is calling us to. He is not calling us to worship God the Father THROUGH Jesus Christ—what that means, I have no idea. But that is what Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses claim. Yet Paul is calling us to worship Jesus Christ. To bow our knee to Him and to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. To the glory of God the Father. In Genesis, Joseph was tossed into a pit by his brothers and was sold into slavery to Pharaoh. And God raised him up to be Pharaoh’s most trusted adviser. In Exodus, God took Moses out of the house of Pharaoh, sent him up Mt. Sinai, and made him a prophet like no other. When we humble ourselves under the holiness of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we will be given a privilege like no other we could ever imagine.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

Officer Wesley Cheeks says, "Welcome to The People's Republic of Obama!!"

2009-08-29T11:30:00.010-04:00

....Or, as it used to be called, "America."

The police officer in this video is a perfect example of how the voters in this country sold us out for bread and games. This officer's quote at the end of the video is typical of the attitude of many who have "Obama" stickers on their cars.

Protester: "This used to be America"
Officer Wesley Cheeks: "It ain't no more, OK?"

Nope. This is The People's Republic of Obama.

Hat Tip Michelle Malkin:

Will Obama come out and say this cop "acted stupidly?" Don't hold your breath.

Now, notice the media silence on this. A black college professor gets arrested because he refuses to cooperate with a white police officer when said officer investigates a possible break in at his residence and it's all over the news.

But here, a black officer prevents a white man from exercising his Constitutional rights, and nary a peep from Chrissy Matthews or Keith Olbermann.

But, nah, there's no liberal bias in the Media. Here is some contact info--

Fairfax County Public Schools:
24-Hour Dispatch/Call Center (703) 764-2400
Main Office (703) 658-3760

Jim McLain
Security Coordinator
email: Jim.McLain@fcps.edu
(703) 658-3769

Lt. Daniel Townsend
Fairfax County Police/School Liaison Commander
email: Daniel.Townsend@fcps.edu
(703) 658-3707

Major James A. Morris
Fairfax County Police Department
(703) 246-2918

Or you can file one at the Fairfax County website.

What exactly DOES 1st Corinthians 9:19-22 mean, anyway?

2009-08-27T14:09:00.001-04:00

Ohhhhh, the ways this passage is twisted, and perverted, and turned on its head by the oh-so-hip, oh-so-cool, oh-so-relevant "pastors" of the many seeker-sensitive, non-offensive, cross-less "churches" that pepper the American religious community today. They take the words of the apostle Paul, and they use them as an excuse to perform all kinds of free-for-alls by inviting all kinds of filthy, heathen, Satanic methods into a place that is supposed to be sanctified, consecrated, and set apart for the worship of Almighty YHVH.

And what is their excuse? "See??? Paul said he was 'all things to all men!' So take that you Bible-thumping Pharisee!" And we who love the precious word of God and consider ourselves slaves to it, shake our heads and groan on the inside, knowing that one more person has just allowed themselves to be conformed to this evil world, whilst trying to hold on to Christ. So, for the sake of clarity, let us examine just exactly what the apostle meant. Here are his actual words:

1st Corinthians 9:19-22 (New King James Version)--19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

But, let's take the attitude of those who would say, "Of course they played Marilyn Manson music in church this morning! They were reaching out and being relevant to Marilyn Manson fans! I mean, how else are they going to draw them?" And let's draw it out to its inevitable conclusion. This is what they would have Paul say--

1st Corinthians 9:19-22 (New Seeker-Sensitive Version)--19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I may win more; 20 and to the murderers I became a murderer, so that I might win murderers; to the blasphemers, as a blasphemer, so that I might win the blasphemers; 21 to the pornographers, as a pornographer, so that I might win pornographers. 22 To the pagans and Wiccans and Druids, I became a pagan and Wiccan and Druid that I might win the pagans and Wiccans and Druids; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

But is that what Paul was saying? If you think it is, then stop reading right now and go back to reading Rob Bell or Doug Paggitt. Because you will not like what I am about to say. Paul was not saying that he committed acts that were sinful, neither was he saying that he brought Satanic rituals into the church, nor is he saying that we should be conformed to this world so that we can be "all things to all men."

Verse 19. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. Here Paul hearkens back to the words of our LORD Jesus. For what did He tell the two brothers who would have had Him give them thrones? Matthew 20:26-27--"Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave." Paul would later tell the church at Philippi to Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5 NASB). So, in order that the gospel may do its perfect work in saving those whom the Father is drawing, Paul says that he has become less than the ones he preaches to.

Verse 20a. ...and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews... Now, we know that he was born a Jew. That he was circumcised the 8th day. This is obvious from even a cursory reading of Scripture. Romans 9:3-4--I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites... Philippians 3:4-5--If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews... But Paul is not talking about how he was born. Keeping context in mind, he has made himself a slave to the Jews by "becoming as a Jew." In other words, when he went to the Jews to preach the gospel, he set his mind to teach them from what they knew--the OT Scriptures. His thinking, going in, was "These men know the Tanakh. They know all the rituals and sacrifices and offerings. I will show them how these things point to Christ." Which he did in 1st Corinthians 5:7--For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. And in Galatians 3:15-16--Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And, if Paul is indeed the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, he spelled out how pretty much the entire Tanakh was nothing more than a foreshadowing of Moshiach.

Verse 20b. ...to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law... He was an expert in the Mosaic Law. And as he was studying that Law so fiercely under Gamaliel, and seeking to become the greatest teacher of the Mosaic Law that the world of Judaism would ever know, he did not think that God was the one who was making him that expert. But now, he is an expert, and can dialog with the experts in that Law almost as well as the author of that law, the LORD Jesus Christ Himself. Philippians 3:4-6--If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel...concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Acts 22:3-5--"I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished."

But, what happened one day as he was carrying the extradition papers to bring the Damascene Christians to Jerusalem to face the sword? Acts 22:6-11--"Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'" He was called by the risen Christ, and shown that salvation does not come by keeping the Law, but by faith in Christ. And upon learning this great truth, he gave himself all the more to the study of the OT, to the Law and the prophets, to show those who were still slaves to the Law and the prophets the true way to life eternal. Romans 3:27-28--Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Galatians 3:21-22--Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

And in the Scriptures, we have an illustration of Paul showing these who were "under Law" just how useless the keeping of that Law is. In Acts 16:1-3, Paul and Silas meet a young man named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. There was just one problem. Because Timothy's father was Greek, he did not have his son circumcised. And in order to have this young man heard by the Jews in that area, he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And what is so ironic about this incident is that Paul had, in his hands a decree from the apostles James and John and Peter (as well as Paul himself) stating that a man does not need to be circumcised to be a Christian. In fact, I doubt the ink was even dry on the parchment. But, since circumcision is NOT against the Law, he talked Timothy into being circumcised. And this, as if to say, "Fine! Now look, you've mutilated the poor man. But Men of Israel, this man is no more saved now that you have mutilated him than he was before. And he would have been no less saved if you had sheathed your knives!" What would Paul say later about these men? Philippians 3:2--Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! Galatians 5:12 (NASB)--I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

Verse 21. ...to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. Here he is speaking of the Gentiles. These are the ones "without law." Romans 2:14--for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves. Do the Gentiles also have a part in the Kingdom of God? Well, of course!! Romans 3:29-30--Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. And now, Paul having been shown that salvation is apart from the law, and is not for the Jews only, has gone to the Gentiles preaching faith in Christ Jesus. And that these Gentiles are not bound by Law, but are actually free from the Law. Colossians 1:8-16--Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ...Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

And of course, there would still be many Gentile Christians who would think that if they did not keep the Law perfectly, they would again fall under the wrath and condemnation of God. So to dispel that notion, he wrote Romans 8:1-4--There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Verse 22a. ...to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak... What about the one whose faith is not a threefold cord, but is rather a slender thread? He has taken them into account. In fact, he rebuked the apostle Peter for acting in a way that had the potential to damage the faith of the weak Jewish Christians. Galatians 2:11-13--Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Paul had a compassion for weak brethren that was as near to equaling that of our LORD Jesus as is possible in a man. And he was not shy about letting that be known. In fact, in this same letter to these Corinthians, he says Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you (1st Corinthians 11:20-22). If this is not a rebuke of "bring anything you want into the house of God" doctrine that many churches follow, I don't know what is. Here were people bringing evil into a gathering of the body of Christ--and Paul rebuked them for it!

He would go on to tell the Roman saints, Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks (Romans 14:1-6). He would go on to say, in that same chapter, that It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak (Romans 14:21). In other words, if there is a chance that a weak brother may come into the house you claim to be a church, and they hear you playing Satanic music, and they walk out and go back to their old sinful lifestyle--you have made that brother stumble, and you will give an account!! those aren't my words. Those are the words of Scripture.

Verse 22b. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. If you have not gathered, from the preceding verses, how mixed up and muddled the "Anything Goes in the House of God" crowd has made this verse, then please go back and read it again. I don't know how much clearer I could make it. Or have you seen something in Paul's actions--ANY of them--that have given you even a hint that he would allow satanic practices in the house of God. "Oh, but I was drawn to this church by them playing AC/DC music!" Really? Then you have given the glory to Satan. You are saying that it was Satan who was responsible for you going to that "church." Does it mean you aren't saved? I can't make that call. But if you continue to listen to Satanic music, and you do not repent and if you do not call that which is Satanic "Satanic," then I do fear for your soul.

And don't give me that lame old "Well, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and God used it for good!" That is an excuse. That is a very tired, very old excuse used by those who want to hold onto the things of this world while still claiming to be Christian. I will allow God's word to answer that. James 4:4-5--Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously? 1st John 2:15-16--Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18--Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters," says the LORD Almighty."

And yet, there will still be those who will search for loopholes in the word of God. They will craft arguments so as to avoid the clear teachings of Scripture. They will appeal to their own intellect and their own reasoning and their own desires in order to nullify the word of God. And they will push the boundaries God has laid down so that they may appeal to the basest instincts of those who follow them. They will be popular. They will win applause and admiration from men. They will go through life thinking that they are doing something good and noble (no pun intended). And they will not consider that one day God just may push back.

God's courtroom

2009-08-26T10:12:00.004-04:00

As I type this, the sentencing phase of the Letalvis Cobbins trial is talking place. If the system works as it should, he will receive the death penalty. Why? Because that is what he deserves for the crimes he has committed. They were heinous, barbaric, abominable, and not simply inhumane--but inhuman. And because of the inhumanity with which he and his accomplices acted toward Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom, they should all be removed from society and sentenced to death. (And before you say that the death penalty is "unbiblical" I would direct you to Romans 13:1-4).

Right now, his sister is pleading on his behalf, that he not be sentenced to death. She, along with the rest of his family, is pleading that the judge and jury spare his life. And they may succeed. They may play on the sympathies of the judge and the jury, or the judge and jury may be so soft-hearted that they will sentence Cobbins to life without parole. And as this unfolds, several thoughts come to mind.

First, is Letalvis Cobbins any worse than we are? Consider this for one moment. Letalvis Cobbins committed one of the most despicable murders in the history of Knoxville, or Tennessee, or the United States for that matter. But is that so very different from the ways we break God's laws? Without the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; without the Holy Spirit of God holding back the wicked hearts of evil men, there is not one person on the face of the earth--past, present, future--who has not been capable of doing everything Letalvis Cobbins did--and worse.

Second, as much as he deserves the death penalty for his crimes, are we any less deserving of eternal punishment for trampling over the laws of Almighty God? Which of us can say that we are "not as bad" as he is? We may not appear to ourselves or to other humans to be as bad. But who is the final decider on what and who is "good?" Which brings me to.........

Third. On the day when we stand before God to give an account, there will only be two possible scenarios for us:

1) We can stand there, alone, with no one to plead our cause. When the books are opened, and the charges read, we will not have an attorney. We will not have friends and family pleading with The Judge that we were a "good person." And even if our friends and family could stand there and plead for us, God will not see us as a "good person." Why? "No one is good but One, that is, God" (Mark 10:18). Our friends will do no good pleading our cause. Our family will do no good pleading our cause. Not even the Virgin Mary will do any good pleading our cause. Without the spotless Lamb of God, the Great Mediator (1st Timothy 2:5) and Advocate (1st John 2:1), then all the pleading on our behalf is useless. Because when God judges, He does not offer compassion. He does not offer mercy. If anything, when we stand there and beg for mercy, He will say, "I offered you mercy. I gave you My Son, and you wanted nothing of Him. Now, I want nothing of you."

And then what will they cry? "‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’" (Matthew 7:22). And they will cry, and they will weep, and they will gnash their teeth (Luke 13:28). All to no avail. For He will cast His fiery gaze at them and declare, for all to hear, "‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you worker of iniquity!’" (Matthew 7:23).

No mercy.
No compassion.
No retrial.

No appeal to a higher court. For there is no higher court than the one presided over by that Great and Perfect Judge, Almighty YHVH. And they will be cast into a Lake burning with fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:15), and their torment will be eternal, and the smoke of it will rise like incense to the heavens (Revelation 14:11), as a memorial to the perfect justice of a perfect and holy God. And His justice is perfect, because all men are judged by the same Law, by the same Judge, and with no respect of person (Romans 2:11; Romans 3:19-20; Deuteronomy 1:17; 2nd Samuel 14:14; 2nd Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34; Revelation 20:12).

So I ask you, my friend, who is pleading for you?
Mother?
Father?
Friend?
Priest?
Joseph Smith?
Your "good works?"

Unless it is the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord which is pleading to the Father on your behalf, be sure that you will receive nothing less than what you are due: eternal punishment for transgressing the eternal Law of an eternal God.

OR.........

2) As guilty and as heinous as the crimes committed by Cobbins et al, there is an even greater One who will plead for us to that eternal and Almighty God if we ask. The name of that advocate is Jesus Christ the Lord. If He is pleading for us, we can stand there, with our sins forgiven, having been paid for on the cross of Golgotha. Those who have acknowledged Christ Jesus as Savior AND LORD will have their debts wiped off the books. And when they stand before the Great and Almighty Judge of all, they can hear their final verdict read--"NOT GUILTY!!" 1st Timothy 2:5--For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. And that Mediator is seated at God's right hand, ever ready to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). And as many as He draws, and as many enter into Him for rest, and as many as He saves, He saves to the uttermost.

We will face consequences for our actions here on earth. But be assured, friend, that there is hope even for one like Letalvis Cobbins. And there is even hope for one like you.

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:8-2:9)

2009-08-26T09:00:00.005-04:00

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that lethal injection, as performed in the state of Tennessee, does not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.” I wonder what the people who think that lethal injection is “cruel and unusual” would think of the Roman practice of crucifixion. Today we’re going to examine the medical aspects of crucifixion. And we are going to begin talking about how God used the crucifixion to glorify Himself through the death of Christ. Philippians 2:8-9—He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. Today, people think that sticking a needle in someone’s arm and putting that person to sleep is “cruel and unusual.” They have no idea what Jesus went through as He died on the cross for our sins.

There are some things we always need to remember about the crucifixion of Christ. First, it was not a surprise to Christ. Many times He told His disciples that He must die. Matthew 16:21—From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Mark 9:31—He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." Second, He went willingly. When the soldiers came to arrest Him, did He try to grab Peter and run and hide? In fact, when Peter took out his dagger and cut off the ear of Malchus, Jesus said, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" (John 18:11).

Another thing to remember is this: whenever you see one of those old paintings of the crucifixion. Where He’s just kinda hanging there. You see Him, He’s got this look on His face like He’s thinking, “Oh gee, this is really uncomfortable! Oh, ow, this hurts! Could somebody get me a Band-Aid®?” Got a little slit over here—more like a paper cut. Golgotha is a very tranquil scene, very peaceful. Not a lot of busyness going on. His mother Mary, and maybe John the apostle, looking kinda disappointed. That is a load of baloney! I want to share with you what happened to Christ the day He was crucified. See, it didn’t start at the cross. It ended there.

First, as He was praying in Gethsemane, preparing Himself to bear the wrath of God for sinners, He began to sweat. The stress was so great that His blood pressure became such that it caused the capillaries in His forehead to burst. It's similar to what happens with diabetics; their blood pressure gets so high that the small capillaries in their kidneys and their feet and their eyes burst, leading to the resultant problems in those areas. And when the capillaries in His forehead burst, blood began to seep out of the pores of His skin. This is a condition called hematidrosis.

Then when He was arrested, they brought Him before the High Priest Annas. When Annas couldn’t get anything out of Christ he sent Him to Caiaphas. When Caiaphas couldn’t find two people that could agree on their testimony, he ordered the soldiers to beat Him and then send Him to Pilate, hoping that Pilate would pronounce a death sentence on Him. But Pilate was a rather weak-willed governor. There had been many uprisings under his rule. And He surely did not need another one, especially as big as this one was getting. So when he finds out that Jesus was from Galilee, he sends Jesus to Herod. Now, this was not the Herod who was over Galilee when Jesus was born. This was his son Herod Antipas—the man who had John The Baptist beheaded. He examined Him, found nothing particularly special about Him. Herod’s soldiers mocked Him. And He was sent back to Pilate.

Keep in mind, Jesus had not slept yet. He was arrested the previous evening. And here He is walking back and forth from Gethsemane to the house of Annas, then to Caiaphas, then to Pilate, then Herod and now back to Pilate. Pilate was none too happy to see Him. He thought he’d gotten clear of the whole deal. But here again is this man. And he’s got to do something fast. So He tells the people about their tradition that of letting one man go, and tells them to choose between Christ and the criminal Barabbas. Matthew 27:20-23—But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!" Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!" Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!" Of course, Jesus had not broken any Roman laws—the only laws He was accused of breaking were Jewish religious laws. So, Pilate could not order Christ to be crucified, because according to Roman standards, He did not deserve such a punishment.

But the people were not going to be satisfied until Jesus was put on a cross. So they appealed to Pilate’s devotion to Rome. And they called out, in John 19:12-13, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend.” When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat. But, to please the people and to maybe appeal to any human sympathy they may have, He had his soldiers take Jesus to the side and scourge Him.

Scourging was a whole lot different than a simple whipping. The victim would be strapped to a post, with the skin of their back exposed and stretched tight. Then two men, called lictors, would take an instrument that resembled a cat-o-nine-tails. It was called a flagellum. But this was different from the cat-o-nine-tails because this would have little pieces of bone or animal’s teeth or something sharp. It also had lead balls attached to give weight to the strap. Kinda like if you take a piece of thread, you can't get it going too fast. But if you tie a lead washer to it, you can do some damage. So what happened was the lead balls would cause severe bruising, and would help the bones sink into the skin. Then came the painful part of it. Once the teeth sank into the skin, the lictor would yank the flagellum back, causing it to rip chunks of skin off the victim’s back. If you’ve ever gotten a fish hook caught in your finger—multiply that by 10,000.

There was no limit to how many lashes the victim could receive. But they were commanded to not kill the person. Although, many times, the person did die from either the sudden, horrendous pain causing cardiac arrest, or from bleeding to death. The lictors started at the shoulders, and worked their way down the back and, if they could, would wind up at the feet. And what you had when you were done was places where the muscle and even the bones would be visible. You can see already why those paintings are a farce.

But the soldiers weren’t done with Him. They took Him to the Praetorium, or judgment hall, and Matthew 27:28 says They put a scarlet robe on Him. And then they took a branch from a thorn bush and twisted it into a crown. I'm sure some of us have picked berries in our day. What’s the worst part about picking berries? The briers. These weren’t briers. There are thornbushes in the Middle East that produce thorns that are anywhere from 1-1/2 to 2 inches long and are so hard they can be driven through drywall. If you want to know what this crown of thorns was like, imagine taking a nail and scraping it down your head.

Then they took and hit Him and punched Him and struck Him with a reed—a staff. The kind of staff you walk with. Like a cane. He has these thorns jabbing into His head—and they use this cane to drive them in even further. Then as yet another insult, they spit on Him. Not just a little slobber. If they can be this cruel, do you think they're going to stop until they’ve covered His face? It was probably also at this time when they ripped chunks of hair out of His beard. Isaiah 50:6—I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. There is no limit to the depths of the unrestrained human heart.

Then, in Mark 15:20, when they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him. They took the robe off Him. This robe that they had covered His bare, bleeding, back. Remember, the skin on His back was gone from the scourging. They had covered it with this robe, and now they yank it off. If you’ve ever had a deep gash in your skin, and the doctor packs a dressing in it, when they take it off it is going to hurt. A lot. Have you ever ripped off a scab?

And then they led Him to Golgotha. But the trip there was no easy task either. As part of the humiliation of those to be crucified, they were ordered to carry their own cross. They didn’t carry the whole thing. The upright post was already there. The person only carried the cross-beam, or patibulum. It wasn’t a 2X4. It wasn’t even a 4X4. This was a large piece of lumber, probably 8 inches wide, 8 inches high, and about 8 feet long. And it weighed anywhere from 80 to 100 pounds. And He carried this thing just under a half-mile. Along the way, when His physical strength gave out, the Roman soldiers—who were not exactly the most courteous civil servants—they wanted to get this thing over with, so in Matthew 27:32, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. Try carrying 100 pounds for a half-mile in the best of health. And you will understand what He had to do after having no sleep, going through everything He’s gone through. And let’s not forget the fact that at no point in time up to now has He even had the chance to sit down.

From the time was arrested in Gethsemane, He was taken to the house of Annas the high priest. Then over to stand before the Sanhedrin. Over to Pontius Pilate who sent Him to Herod who sent Him back to Pilate. And now He would carry His cross for a half-mile. In all, from the time He was arrested until the time they laid Him on His cross, He walked over 4 miles. And has been on His feet for hours. His blood is pouring out the whole time; he has had nothing to drink. The Book of Psalms contains what some call “Messianic prophecies.” In other words, it’s King David writing, but he’s writing what Jesus would say some time later. Psalm 22 is one of these. And in Psalm 22:15, he writes, My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws. And the worst is yet to come.

You may be asking, “How much more can a man take?” The real question is, “How much more can man dish out?” The truth of the matter is, each and every one of us is capable of doing everything the Romans did to Jesus—and a whole lot more. There is not one person who could honestly say, “I would never do that to the man.” Don’t flatter yourself. Jeremiah 17:9—The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it? I'm sure Mr. And Mrs. Hitler didn’t think little Adolph would grow up to be the monster he was.

A doctor named David Terasaka has put together a very comprehensive explanation of the ways in which Jesus suffered during this ordeal, using Scripture and medical science. I’m going to give you some clips from his research:

“The patibulum was put on the ground and the victim laid upon it. Nails, about 7 inches long and with a diameter of 1 cm (roughly 3/8 of an inch) were driven in the wrists. The points would go into the vicinity of the median nerve, causing shocks of pain to radiate through the arms. It was possible to place the nails between the bones so that no fractures occurred. Studies have shown that nails were probably driven through the small bones of the wrist, since nails in the palms of the hand would not support the weight of a body (Davis). At the crucifixion sites would be upright posts, called stipes, standing about 7 feet high. (Edwards) In the center of the stipes was a crude seat, called a sedile or sedulum, which served a support for the victim. The patibulum was then lifted on to the stipes. The feet were then nailed to the stipes. To allow for this, the knees had to be bent and rotated laterally, being left in a very uncomfortable position. A titulus was hung above the victim's head.”

The titulus was the plaque that spelled out the charges, the reason the person was being crucified. If you ever see a picture of the cross, with the letters INRI above it. INRI is the abbreviation for the crime Jesus was charged with—Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum. “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Dr. Terasaka continues:

“When the cross was erected upright, there was tremendous strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders, resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. (Metherall) The arms, being held up and outward, held the rib cage in a fixed end inspiratory position which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would only be able to take very shallow breaths. (This may explain why Jesus made very short statements while on the cross). As time passed, the muscles, from the loss of blood, last of oxygen and [because of] the fixed position of the body, would undergo severe cramps and [spasms].”

The arms of the person being crucified were stretched as far as they could be stretched so that the body didn’t sag down too far, and the person didn’t die too quickly. And they weren’t always very gentle. Pull on someone’s shoulder real hard and see what happens to it. Psalm 22:14—I am poured out like water, all My bones are out of joint. But for Christ, the worst was yet to come. If you recall, I mentioned that Jesus, when He was praying in Gethsemane, that the stress was so great that blood began to seep out of the pores of His skin. He wasn’t agonizing over the physical aspects of what He would go through. He was anticipating the moment when the Father would place the sins of all who believe upon Him. And in Mark 15:34, when the sixth hour had come—that’s about noon—there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour—3 PM. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

He had spent the last three years being rejected by men. But since all the way back in eternity past, He had never, ever, ever done anything worthy of being the object of the wrath of His Father. Until now. Leviticus 16:21, talking about the Day of Atonement, when the sins of the people were laid upon the head of a goat, says that the high priest shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness. At about noon, God laid His hands on the head of His Son, confessed over Him all the sins of all those who would ever believe in His Son, and put them on the head of His Son.

Then at about 3 o’clock, The Lord Jesus Christ entered into the wilderness of death. John 19:30—So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

And died.

If one needed any more confirmation that Jesus died ON THE CROSS, I give you John 19:31-34—Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. Roman soldiers who were charged with crucifying a criminal knew what they were doing. They all had PHD’s—they were trained in Pain, Humiliation and Death. They were experts. They knew how to cause pain. They knew how to cause humiliation. And they knew how to bring death. There was a shortcut they could take if they didn’t want a person hanging on a cross any longer.

You see, when someone hung there for days, they would be in pain. They would perhaps be crying out for mercy. After hearing that for a while, it tends to get on your nerves. And so you want to end it—just so they will shut up. And if they wanted the person to die quickly, the soldiers would break the person’s legs. By doing this, the person could not push up in order to exhale—and they would quickly suffocate.

But when they got to Jesus—He was already dead! But, just to make sure, this soldier takes his spear and thrusts it into Jesus’ side. This was a spear, not a pocket knife. And he didn’t just kinda poke Him to see if He was alive. He pushed the spear in hard enough and far enough to cause blood and water to come out. The blood probably came from His heart. The water was probably fluid that had built up in His lungs and around His heart. There was no doubt about the fact that He was dead. However, the fact that He died after such a short time was almost unprecedented. Dr. Terasaka:

“The average time of suffering before death by crucifixion is stated to be about 2-4 days (Tenney), although there are reported cases where the victims lived for 9 days (Lipsius). The actual causes of death by crucifixion were multifactorial; one of the most significant would have been the severity of the scourging. (Edwards) Jesus died a quick physical death. While many of the physical signs preceding death were present, one possibility is that Jesus did not die by physical factors which ended His ability to live, but that He gave up His life of His own accord. His last statement, ‘Into your hands I commit my Spirit’ seems to show that Jesus' death occurred by giving Himself up. In John 10, He states that only He has the power to lay down His life. He proved His power over death by His resurrection. Truly, God is the one who has power over life and death.”

John 10:17-18—“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” John 2:19—“Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.” And in Mark 15:44—Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. Now, why was it important that the soldiers didn’t break His bones? Well, we read in 1st Corinthians 5:7—Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. The Passover that the people of Israel kept way back in the book of Exodus was a picture, a foreshadowing of Christ. When God commanded the first Passover, here was one of the commands in Exodus 12:46—In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. After the first Passover, the people were set free from bondage to Pharaoh. Likewise, Christ sets us free from sin when we accept His death for ours, and we worship Him as Lord and Savior.

Jesus was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. But don’t forget one thing: He was not only obedient to the Father’s command to die. He was obedient to the authorities that put Him through all that. A snap of His fingers, a word from His mouth—and every angel in Heaven would descend and slaughter every soldier in the Roman Empire—and even the emperor himself. But the reason He went through all of that is simple. The reason—is you. And you. And you.

And me.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

First of Christian-Newsom murderers found guilty

2009-08-25T12:38:00.007-04:00

The first of the four accused of the torture and murder of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom has been found guilty.--

KNOXVILLE - Jurors this morning convicted Letalvis Cobbins of first-degree murder in the torture-slaying of Knox County couple Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.

The verdicts were announced before a packed crowd, including the Christian and Newsom families, in Knox County Criminal Court.

Jurors will now shift into a penalty phase before Judge Richard Baumgartner in which they will consider evidence about whether he should be executed.

Cobbins was dry-eyed looking at family as the verdicts were read to a silent courtroom. His family was weeping and was hustled out of the courtroom by security as the judge recessed for the day.

[...]

In the death-penalty phase which will not begin until Wednesday, prosecutors Takisha Fitzgerald and Leland Price will try to show his crimes are so heinous he deserves death, while defense attorneys Scott Green and Kim Parton will try to counter with mitigating facts.

There is truly no limit to the depths of the unrestrained human heart. This man, and his accomplices, are examples of that. But let us not forget, friends, that were it not for God's restraining hand upon us, we would be even worse than Cobbins. Jeremiah 17:9-- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

We can make all kinds of excuses for this behavior. We can blame it on his childhood, or some mental shortcoming, or the fact that he never knew his father. But the truth is, there is no excuse. He was simply doing what his heart led him to do. The desire to do the things he did was already planted within him--the fact that he acted on his desires is simply a testament to the depravity of sinful man.

Those who would say that man is "basically good" are so very far from the truth. We humans have nothing inside of us that wants to do good. In fact, it is just the opposite. If left to our own desires, we would be even worse than Letalvis Cobbins. In fact, we would be even worse than Adolf Hitler. And the world will see this one day, when Christ comes to call His church up out of the earth, removes any restraint on the human heart, and allows the lot of mankind to fall into seven of the most dreadful and destructive years it will ever see.

The people of Knoxville, as well as the families left behind, demanded justice be served. Of course justice should be served, and it has been thus far. But just imagine this: suppose the judge says, "Well, Mr. Cobbins, you have had such a tough time, I'm going to let you go free because I am a loving judge, and I don't really want to punish you!" We would be outraged. And we should be. So why do so many people think that when we break God's laws, and we sin against Him, and we do things that are no less evil than what Letalvis Cobbins did, that God looks at us and says, "Well, I'm going to let you go free because I am a loving judge, and I don't really want to punish you! I love you too much to punish you! So, welcome to My kingdom!" Should God not be just as outraged and angry when we break HIS laws as we are when men break the laws of men?

OH.....DUDE.....IT'S FOR REAL......TRON 2!!!!!!

2009-08-24T16:51:00.007-04:00

No, friend, I kid you not. Next year (2010) will see the release of "Tron: Legacy," (also called "TR2N"), the sequel to Tron, the way-cool, first-ever computer-animated movie. This isn't something some computer geek cooked up in his basement (although, sometimes, those are better than the real thing). This is the actual, honest-to-goodness trailer for the actual, honest-to-goodness movie, which stars Jeff Bridges (reprising his role as Kevin Flynn) and Bruce Boxleitner, as Alan Bradley (the human alter-ego of Tron).

(And if at some later date the embedded video doesn't work, you can watch it here).

The Friday Stoopid: Breaking news about the President!!!

2009-08-21T10:44:00.004-04:00

According to anonymous sources, at approximately 9:35 a.m. this morning, President Barack Obama blew his nose. It has not been disclosed whether he used one tissue or two, and information pertaining to the brand of tissue he used is being kept confidential. More details are forthcoming, and full coverage can be found at NBC Nightly News.

Is it just me, or is the mainstream media's doe-eyed fascination with All Things Obama getting waaaayyyy out of hand? It seems like there isn't a week that goes by without some gear in the Obama spin machine trumpeting their "EXCLUSIVE LOOK INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!!"

Ummmmm......if every network takes you "inside the White House," how "exclusive" can it be? And maybe--just maybe--if these mouthpieces for the liberal way actually considered the presidency of the United States to be a serious position, and maybe--just maybe--if President Obama didn't keep himself busy cozying up to Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood, and maybe--just maybe--if people understood the mistake this country made last November by electing a man to the highest office in the land--a man who had no experience and who has no business governing this country then maybe--just maybe--we can actually get something done.

And who cares what kind of shorts Michelle Obama wears???? She was in Arizona in August. Hellllloooo!!!!

Verse-by-verse through Philippians (2:5-2:8)

2009-08-19T14:51:00.005-04:00

The last two weeks we have been splitting hairs if you will. And for people like me, that’s not easy. We've been looking at these words that kinda sorta mean the same thing but not quite. We have many words in the English language that refer to the act of using our sense of sight. We can stare, or glance, or look, or watch, examine, peer, gaze, etc. I can stare at Richard, glance at the door or look out the window or watch for someone to come down the street. All these are kinda the same—but not quite. And when Paul uses the various words he used to talk about Christ becoming man, and how He looked when He walked the earth, he chooses his words carefully. Or, rather, the Holy Spirit was very careful in leading Paul to use the words he did, and when he used them.

There was a reason for using so many different words that we think of as being exactly the same. Words like form, likeness, appearance. And why he didn’t use some other words like image or shape. Remember, Philippi was a city in Greece, but it was under Roman control. Everything about it was Roman—especially the mythology. In Roman mythology and in Greek mythology, their so-called “gods” would sometimes come down in the shape of some animal. But they would only look like that animal. After the ruse was over, they would take their old shape. But when Christ walked the earth, He was truly a man. He did not simply take the outward appearance of a man. He did not trick people into thinking He was a man. He was a man, just as much as you or me. And even after He died and ascended to the Father—He was still a man! (see 1st Timothy 2:5). Which is one reason Paul didn’t use the word that means “outward appearance”—he wanted the people to know that there was no doubt about the fact that Jesus was fully God, but also fully human.

That was, quite frankly, a humongous step down for He who was God. Which makes for a perfect illustration of the humility that Paul was urging these Philippian believers to have themselves. Philippians 2:3-8—Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.

We saw last week that Jesus never even considered not coming to earth. He did not hold on to His rights as God. But there’s even more to it than that. Even when He was wrapped in flesh, He did not have any of those desires we have, that lead us to sin. He never submitted to the flesh. He always submitted to the will of the Father. Even to the point that He experienced something as a man that He could never experience as God. He had to become human so He could die. And even as He hung there, He was obeying the will of the Father. Because that was why He came—He came to die. Romans 6:23—the wages of sin is…what? Death. The reason we die is because we sin. If you don’t want to die, don’t sin. Oops, too late. We’re going to look at some Scriptures that show why Christ died. First, Galatians 3:13-14—Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The phrase "having become"—having become a curse for us—that word is γίνομαι (ginomai). It’s where we get words like Genesis, generate, generation. To “make something come about.” Christ became a curse for us. Philippians 2:7 says that Christ took the form—rather, became the form—of a slave. Same word. John 1:14—and the Word became [γίνομαι (ginomai)] flesh. Same word. 2nd Corinthians 5:21—[God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become [γίνομαι (ginomai)] the righteousness of God in Him. We became the righteousness of God in Christ. Same word. Now, a better, and actually the literal, way to read this part of Galatians 3:13 is that Christ has paid the price to recover us from the curse of the law, becoming a curse—watch this—becoming a curse over us. AT Robertson says,
“Here the graphic picture is completed. We were under a curse, Christ became a curse over us, and so between us, and the overhanging curse which fell on him instead of on us. Thus he bought us out and we are free from the curse which he took on himself.”
In other words, when He hung on that cross, he got in between us and the wrath of Almighty God. How cool is THAT! See, the word “curse”—what are some ideas people have about that word? “That team is cursed to never win” or “That family is cursed to always have trouble.” It ususally has some connotation of perpetually bad fortune. When we talk about a “curse” in the Bible, when you get right down to it, refers to the act of rejecting. A “curse” is the same thing as a “rejection.” When talk about a “curse,” it literally means “to pray that something bad happens another person.” One way to curse someone would be to tell them, “I hope you burn in Hell.” At the root of it, that’s what a curse is. If anyone does not accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are the subject of a curse from God: when that person stands before Him, He rejects that person, and commands that they be sent to Hell. That is “the curse of the Law.”

But for those of us who do accept Christ and His blood as payment for our sins—He didn’t simply remove the curse. He became the curse. He did not suffer in Hell. We’ll get to that later. He became the rejection. He didn’t just offer a payment for our sins—He became the payment. Christ doesn’t just stand at our side while we bear the wrath of God ourselves. He took the wrath of God for us. In other words, the only thing standing between us and the wrath of God is the cross of Christ. Two boards and three nails are all that separate us from eternal damnation. From eternal curse. One more illustration to show. Suppose you see your child getting beat up, kicked, pummeled. The only way to stop those hooligans from beating your child is to throw yourself over that child. And to take the beating for them. You save that child from the curse of being beaten by becoming the one they beat. And you take upon yourself the wrath of those doing the beating. You become a curse over your child. Christ became a curse over us.

We were under the Law, and under sin. Therefore, we were under the curse of—the penalty of—the Law and we were under the curse of—the penalty of—sin. Which is why Paul says in Galatians 4:4 that Christ was born under the Law. How could He be obedient to a Law He didn’t have to keep Himself? Christ obeyed the Law of God perfectly. Why? Because He had to! Because He was bound by the same Law. Now, in order for us to be made righteous with God, we needed to be absolutely sinless. Psalm 5:4—You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. Habakkuk 1:13—“You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” Psalm 130:3—“If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” All these Scriptures say that to escape the eternal wrath of Almighty God, we must be perfect. In fact, didn’t Jesus say something like that? Matthew 5:48—“Be ye perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” Is anyone “perfect?” So there’s a problem. We have a ledger full of sins. Is there any way to go back and undo them?

So what has to be done? Today we would say our record needs to be expunged.The one we answer to must forget what we did. Act like it never happened. Let’s say I bust into your house. Take an axe, break your windows, bust up your furniture, steal your TV. I stand before the judge, and he takes my case file and throws it in the trash. All gone! That’s an act of mercy. But what’s missing? That’s an act of mercy. To me. Is it an act of justice? No. And in fact, it’s not true mercy because only one side is shown any mercy. The judge has not given any consideration to the homeowner. The windows have to be fixed, the furniture must be replaced, you need a new TV for the one I stole. Payment must be made to settle the debt I owe. So unless justice is handed out to both sides, there is really no justice and really no mercy. But when it comes to justice and mercy, who does both things perfectly? He shows us mercy by wiping away our sins. But He shows justice because those sins do not go unpunished.

See, in a human court, once we settle the ledger, it’s over and done—but what about the eternal judge? Over and above what I did to you, I ultimately sinned against God! And here’s something about the OT Law. Let’s say I sneak into your sheepfold or your cattle pen, and I stole your sheep or your cattle. I had to make restitution to YOU. But then I had to bring an offering to God. In Leviticus 6:6-7, after I restore what I took, And he shall bring his trespass offering to YHVH, a ram without blemish from the flock…as a trespass offering, to the priest. So the priest shall make atonement for him before YHVH, and he shall be forgiven for any one of these things that he may have done in which he trespasses. I had to bring an offering to GOD. And why? Because, were those ultimately YOUR sheep and YOUR cattle? No. Who did they belong to? GOD! They belonged to GOD! Besides, I didn’t just offend you—I sinned against God!

You see, the purpose of the OT Law was not only to make things equal with the person you wronged. It was for you to pay for the sin you committed. Leviticus 6:2-5—If a person sins and commits a trespass against YHVH by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor, or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely—in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins: then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore…And he shall bring his trespass offering to YHVH, a ram without blemish from the flock.

In the OT Law, when someone sinned, something had to die. It’s either you, or an animal. But the thing is, if you take that animal to the priest so he can kill it, cut it up, do everything he has to do—that covers exactly one sin!

If you sin again—you bring another animal, the priest kills it, cuts it up, burns it.
You sin again—bring another animal; the priest kills it, cuts it up and burns it.
You sin again—bring another animal; the priest kills it, cuts it up and burns it.
You sin again—bring another animal; the priest kills it, cuts it up and burns it.
I think you get the idea.

And each animal you bring takes care of EXACTLY ONE SIN! Lots of blood, lots of smoke, lots of death. All because of sin. Then on Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement, one day out of the whole year—the high priest kills a bull and a goat to cover any other sins you may have forgotten about. So, long story short, where there is sin—there has to be death. Because, as we said at the outset, the wages of sin is… And when you bring an animal without spot or blemish to the priest—did that animal do anything wrong? That animal died because of you. But, in God’s eyes, by bringing that animal, your sin was credited to an animal that had never sinned. And that animal was put to death, and its blood was shed to pay for your sin.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

When the Lamb of God was brought before the high priest—was there any spot or blemish upon that Lamb? Had that Lamb done anything wrong? Had that Lamb ever sinned? That Lamb died because of us. But, in God’s eyes, by bringing that Lamb to be killed, our sin was credited to a man that had never sinned. And that man was put to death, and His blood was shed to pay for our sin.

In fact, on Yom Kippur, you had the two goats—the goat for YHVH, and the scapegoat. The goat for YHVH was killed, his blood sprinkled on the mercy seat atop the Ark of the Covenant. The scapegoat was led out into the wilderness—and abandoned. When Christ died, He was both goats. He was the Lamb of YHVH that was killed, and His blood spilled upon the cross. And He was the scapegoat that was led into the wilderness of death, and this was how He became the curse. Not by suffering in Hell, but by suffering death. He became obedient unto death. Which must have felt like abandonment to Him. Which is why, in Mark 15:34, Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1—And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” But all that stuff in Leviticus is so boring, and doesn’t have anything to do with us today!

Just one more parallel. Leviticus 16:21—Aaron shall lay both hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. Who took Jesus’ body off the cross? Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Were they “suitable men?” Christ was led into the wilderness of death. For a bunch of people that would spend most of their lives drawing close with their lips, even though our hearts were far from Him. But was He left there? Psalm 16:10—For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stand in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

There were more prophecies fulfilled by the cross than we could ever count. But did they take His life? No. John 10:17-18—“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” He obeyed His Father and He died. Albert Barnes said this—

He obeyed even when obedience terminated in death. The point of this expression is this: One may readily and cheerfully obey another where there is no
particular peril. But the case is different where obedience is attended with
danger.

Especially when you have done nothing wrong, and you are suffering because of something somebody else did—and you suffer willingly. You don’t even think about NOT suffering. All for a bunch of sinful, backstabbing, hateful creatures. That’s us. Romans 5:7-8—No one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He didn’t die a glorious death. He didn’t die with a sword in His hand. Mark 15:27-28—With Him they also crucified two thieves, one on His right and the other on His left. So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, And He was numbered with the transgressors. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. And it pleased the Father to bruise Him. Because by bruising Him, He saved us.

Jesus Christ is Lord.
Amen.

Refuting the cry of "Make Jesus Lord Today!"

2009-08-18T12:54:00.006-04:00

Have you ever heard one of these "preachers" as they stand there and try to sound all hip and cool and relevant by saying that you should "Make Jesus Lord today!!!" That is about one of the most unbiblical statements a person can make. We don't "make" Jesus Lord--

HE ALREADY IS!!!!!!!!

Acts 2:36-"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Over 100 times in the New Testament, Jesus is called "LORD." Philippians 2:11--...and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ IS LORD... Friend, you CANNOT be saved WITHOUT confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. Romans 10:9--IF you confess Jesus Christ as LORD, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dea, you will be saved. Does Paul say "If you confess Jesus Christ as savior" you will be saved? NO. He says, "If you confess Him as LORD" you will be saved. See that? We don't make Jesus Lord--we confess that he IS Lord!!!!!!!!!

Here is Dr. John MacArthur exposing the error that is taught throughout modern American evangelicalism today.

Verse-by-verse through Joel (2:31-3:8)

2009-08-17T10:26:00.004-04:00

Joel 2:31-3:8--2:30 "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of YHVH. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of YHVH shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as YHVH has said, among the remnant whom YHVH calls. 3:1 For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. 3 They have cast lots for My people, have given a boy as payment for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. 4 Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head; 5 because you have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My prized possessions. 6 Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem You have sold to the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their borders. 7 Behold, I will raise them out of the place to which you have sold them, and will return your retaliation upon your own head. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off; for YHVH has spoken."

Blood and fire and pillars of smoke returned to the land after God commanded His army to leave. We know that the blood and fire and pillars of smoke were even greater than before. But, the "blood and fire and pillars of smoke" were the result of the animal sacrifices. The fact that God had restored the sacrifices of grain and animals and blood was good for the people of Judah. It meant that they now had a way to cover over their sins. Of course, sometimes, a little freedom isn't such a good thing. After all, why did the blood and fire and pillars of smoke return? Because the people were bringing sacrifices. And why were they bringing sacrifices? Because they were sinning. Which would God prefer: a person bringing an animal sacrifice? Or the person not needing to bring an animal sacrifice? Let's allow the Scriptures to answer that question. Psalm 51:17--The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise. Hosea 6:6--"For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." And He would later say through the prophet Isaiah, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” says YHVH. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats...Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them" (Isaiah 1:11-14). God would rather we not have to bring a sacrifice to Him, then to continually weary Him with our dead bulls and goats. He would rather we enter His presence with praise, than enter with blood.

But, He would one day bring an end to these sacrifices, so that all nations would be able to entreat Him for mercy and forgiveness. All nations would be able to live in holiness to YHVH, and He would dwell within them and be their God. That neither circumcision would be necessary, nor sacrifice. But, verse 2:32, it shall come to pass that These words would be echoed by the apostles Peter (Acts 2:21) and Paul (Romans 10:13), who quote the Septuagint and say/write, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. And who, exactly, is that Lord? Of course, it is Christ. Now, I wasn't planning on doing a study of the deity of Christ, but like I always say, God laughs at the plans of men. Hold your place here in Joel, and turn to Romans 10. Because Paul demonstrates the deity of Christ without actually coming out and saying, "Jesus is God." And no, for all you who have ever had dealings with Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible does not contain the exact phrase, "Jesus is God." But, we find the fact that Jesus is God all throughout the NT. Here is one example.

Romans 10:9-13--if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. What does he say in verse 9? If you confess...the Lord Jesus. This is not negotiable. The modern heresy that is so popular today, that we can separate confessing Christ as Savior from confessing Him as Lord, is truly an abomination. No one can be saved apart from confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. We do not make Him Lord--He already IS! Acts 2:36--"This Jesus whom you have crucified, God has made Him both LORD and Christ." So we confess Jesus as Lord. Verse 11. Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. Believes on who? Jesus. John 3:16--"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in HIM...will have everlasting life." Acts 16:31--"Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved." So what Lord is it we are called upon and commanded to believe and confess? We are called upon to believe and confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD. This is the promise to all nations, verse 12--For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Sensing a pattern here. Who is this "Lord of all?" Acts 10:36--The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is LORD of all. Philippians 2:10-11--that at the name OF JESUS, every knee should bow...and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father. So every tongue will confess--whether in love or in agony--that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is, indeed, Lord of all, and verse 13--whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

Who is Lord? Jesus. That's what Paul has been saying, even if you go back to verse 1 of Romans 10. This whole section is about Christ. Christ is the end of the Law (Romans 10:4). Christ is Lord. Christ is Lord over all. And if you call on the name of the Lord Christ you will be saved. It is faith in Christ that leads to salvation. Who did Paul say we must confess as Lord in verse 9? The Lord Jesus. Let's keep going to Romans 10:14--How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? Who is it that people must believe in? Christ. Paul's unbroken theme for this entire section of his letter to the Romans is about proclaiming the name of Christ, believing in Him and confessing Him as Lord. And whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

Now, flip back to Joel 2:32. Whoever calls on the name of YHVH shall be saved. What have we just finished looking at in Romans 10? That Paul is letting it be known that Jesus Christ is Lord. That whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and if we want to make it even clearer to the reader or listener, whoever calls on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. Yet God says through Joel that whoever calls on the name of YHVH shall be saved. Can there be a clearer display of the deity of Jesus Christ than this?

Can there be a clearer display of the mercy of God than this? For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as YHVH has said, among the remnant whom YHVH calls. Who is the remnant? The NT church! Hold your place again, and turn to Romans chapter 11. Here we see Paul giving a picture of the Jewish people embracing Jesus as Messiah. Romans 11:1-7--I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life"? (see 1st Kings 19:10, 14) But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal" (see 1st Kings 19:18). Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Poor Elijah. Sitting all alone in the cave, feeling sorry for himself, thinking that God was too weak to save His people. Thinking that all of Israel was doomed. Thinking that he would be the last Jew who would ever worship God.

But what did God tell him? He said, "Hey, look, I've still got 7000 men who have not deserted me." And Paul is letting it be known that God has not finished building the body of Christ with Jewish believers. Look at the end of verse 1--I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. He expands this identification with Israel in Philippians 3:5--circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee. What nation were the apostles from? Israel. What nation was the Lord Jesus born into? Romans 9:3-5--I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites...from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Paul was an Israelite. Jesus was, in flesh, an Israelite. Has God cast away His people? Certainly not! Verse 5, Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

So why don't Jews accept Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah? Skip ahead to Romans 11:11-12--I say then, have they [the Israelites] stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! The Jews have not believed that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ of God for one simple reason: so that the Gentiles may be saved through faith. Will the Jews be forever disbelieving? Romans 11:25-26--For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins" (see Isaiah 59:20-21). One day, light will come to the Israelites, and there will be a massive revival in Israel, just before the return of the Lord Christ. Back to Joel.

Chapter 3 verses 1 and 2. For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. Much speculation has been spent on properly defining where/what is meant by the "Valley of Jehoshaphat." Some say it is meant to be the valley that was later given this appellation. I would have to respectfully disagree, since that was not so named until some 300 years after the resurrection of our Lord. If it is meant to be applied to the valley where God overcame the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites (2nd Chronicles 20:11-22), then this would be the Valley of Berachah (2nd Chronicles 20:26). Others believe Joel to be speaking of the Kidron Valley.

But still others hold to a view I tend to gravitate towards. That this "Valley of Jehoshaphat" is none other than the Har Megiddo, where God the Son will come and judge the nations--not with mercy or compassion--but with a sword. For the name Jehoshaphat means "YHVH judges." In the very last days--and I have not studied the chronological order of the occurrence of these things, so don't let that sidetrack the conversation--light will come to the Israelites, so that many will worship Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ of God. Another significant event will occur when the temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Israelites from all around the world will descend on Jerusalem, and establish residence there because the animal sacrifices will return, with the resultant blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The Antichrist will sit as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). The seething, blaspheming, Antichrist-worshipping Gentile nations will increasingly rage against Israel, will seek to utterly destroy them, will give away the land to the highest bidder. They will rage against God and against His Christ. They will dare God to come down and do something about it...........and He will. Revelation 19:11-16--Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself....Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron...And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And thus, God will gather all nations, and He will bring them down to the Valley, and He will enter into judgment with those who have scattered His people among the nations and those who have divided up His land.

And what will be the charges He will bring against those who ravaged His people and divided His land? Verses 2-8. "On account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. They have cast lots for My people, have given a boy as payment for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head; because you have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My prized possessions. Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem You have sold to the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their borders. Behold, I will raise them out of the place to which you have sold them, and will return your retaliation upon your own head. I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off; for YHVH has spoken."

A two-fold revelation. In the immediate context, God speaks of the nations who carried away the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and sold them and got whatever they could out of the deal. For which God was so very patient in exacting His vengeance upon such vile men. It is said that when Jerusalem was overthrown in 70 AD,

Titus disposed of the prisoners, whose number reached 97,000 in the course of the war, in the following manner: Those under seventeen years of age were publicly sold; of the remainder, some were executed immediately, some sent away to work in the Egyptian mines, some kept for the public shows to fight with wild beasts in all the chief cities of Rome; and only the tallest and most handsome for the triumphal procession in Rome (compare Josephus, The Jewish Wars, vi. 9, 2, 3). And the Jews who were taken prisoners in the Jewish war in the time of Hadrian, are said to have been sold in the slave-market at Hebron at so low a price, that four Jews were disposed of for a measure of barley.

--From Keil & Delitzch, Commentary on Joel 3:2-8.

But it is not only for the Israelites that God will recompense the nations. We are all--those who believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior--Israelites. This is a great truth. A truth that we should all understand, for God has promised to ransom Israel. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2:28-29). There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:28-29). Romans 11:26, 29--And so all Israel will be saved...For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Matthew 1:21--"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Does God make a promise and go back on it? He has even promised those who have lost their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus that He will avenge them (see Revelation 6:9-10, Revelation 19:2).

We have His word that these things will happen. The end of verse 8, "...for YHVH has spoken." Do we need any further evidence than the fact that God said it? What will the Postmodern or the Emergent have to answer in that day? They who do not believe that simply trusting in the word of God is enough. They who seek some higher truth. As if there is any! There is NO higher truth than that which comes from God. And there is no other truth than that which God calls truth. You may say, "Oh, but look at all these laws of logic! Look at all these laws of physics and mathematics and..." so on and so forth. What? You think man makes a truth and God has to live by it? Who are you, O man, to question God? If it is a truth--of physics, of mathematics, of economics, of geometry, of logic--then it is only because it has been decreed to be truth by God. For apart from Him, there is no truth.

Why does the physical world obey the laws of physics? Because God orders things to act in a certain way. Why does 2+2 ALWAYS equal 4? Because God ordered that numbers whould behave in a certain way. Why does a certain amount of money, earning a certain amount of interest, over a certain amount of time, compounded at certain periods, earn a certain amount of interest? I suppose you will say "Because that's what banks and lending institutions have determined." And you would be so wrong that the distance between your assertion and the true reason could not be measured by human measurements. Meausre the distance in light years--you will be no closer to the truth than the ant crawling across the sidewalk will come to the farthest reaches of our galaxy. That money earns however much interest it does because God has determined that those numbers--calculate them however you will--can only equal one fixed number. Whatever laws of truth we think that we have invented--at their rock bottom and foundation, exist for one simple reason--"...for YHVH has spoken."

And if it is YHVH who has determined the truths of the physical world, how much more has He determined the things concerning Himself. What, you think some guy over in Rome, sitting in a big chair and surrounded by his acolytes dressed in cardinal red, determines what the Scriptures mean? You think it is the woman in Revelation 17:1-2 who holds the last word on who enters Heaven and who doesn't? No mere man determines anything of God. Only the word of God is sufficient to speak of the things of God. "...for YHVH has spoken."

Error: "Everybody was Catholic Until the Reformation"

2009-08-11T14:23:00.002-04:00

Question: Has the church of Our Lord always been “catholic?”
Answer: Yes

Question: Has the church of Our Lord always been “Catholic?”
Answer: No

Now, don’t accuse me of speaking out of both sides of my mouth. It is a matter of splitting a hair that needs to be split. There is a world of difference between little-‘c’ “catholic” and Big-‘C’ “Catholic.” Allow me to explain.

The word “catholic’ simply means “universal.” Or “worldwide.” The church—the TRUE church—is the joining together of all those who believe in and worship the Lord Jesus Christ and whom He has bought with His blood. Acts 20:28—“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” It is my intention to show, as faithfully to the truth as possible, that the assertion that “No other churches existed except the Roman Catholic Church until the Reformation” is a false assertion which is based on a faulty knowledge of history.

Let me make one other thing known: it is not my intention to “bash” individual members of the Roman system. I’m sure these people believe with all their heart that Rome is the seat of all power in the church, and that Mary is answering their prayers. Just like Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is from God Himself and that Joseph Smith was His prophet. Just like Muslims believe they are going to “Paradise” if their “good deeds” and alms outweigh their “bad things.” So please do keep that in mind.

The Roman Catholic Church has taken it upon herself to misappropriate the word 'catholic' and apply it to herself. So, whenever you read one of the Early Church Fathers (ECFs) use the Greek word καθολικός (katholikos, catholic, universal), Rome says, “See? They were Catholic” (BIG-‘C’). But here’s their problem: the ECFs were using καθολικός in the “universal” sense—NOT the “Romish” sense. Another word they have appropriated is “Tradition.” Any time they see the word “Tradition” used by Augustine or Gregory of Nyssa or Cyprian—they take it to mean the “Traditions” that Rome has adopted. Therefore, they tell their followers, “See? These men taught that people back then should follow the old traditions! ” This, too, is faulty reasoning. Because what Rome has done is take a word that looked back in time and applied it to things they have added to Scripture (more on sola scriptura may come at a later date, but not here). All that being said, let’s begin by looking back at the founding of Christ’s church.

If you ask Rome, they will tell you that the headship of the church was given to Peter, in Matthew 16:18, when Jesus told Simon Peter, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” However, in calling His disciples, Jesus never tells any of them that they will be the “visible head” of His church—unless you subscribe to the Romish misinterpretation of His words in Matthew 16:18. So when it all boils down, the validity of the Roman Catholic Church rests upon two things:

(1) The interpretation of a single verse of Scripture; and
(2) Whether or not one regards the ECFs as being of equal authority as Scripture.

I will answer these in reverse order. Are the writings of the Early Church Fathers (e.g., Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Chrysostom, Eusebius) of equal authority with the Bible? The answer to this question is, emphatically, “No!” How can I say that? For this reason: what was Jesus’ number one reason for His opposition to the Pharisees? Simple: they had allowed the "Tradition" of rabbinical writings (e.g., the Midrash) to supersede the word of the Tanakh—the God-breathed Scriptures. Many times, during the Sermon on the Mount, we read that Jesus told the people, “You have heard it said…but it is written...” Likewise, we could say of Roman doctrine, “You say…..but it is written..…” Anytime we give more weight to the ideas of men than we do to Scripture, the result is going to be messy.

Now, to answer (1). I could list all kinds of quotes that Rome uses to try and bolster their claim. I doubt, however, that we have enough bandwidth to contain the quotes themselves, nor the full quotes that show how Rome has taken them out of context. But, I will begin with what may be the most famous out-of-context quote, that of Augustine: “Rome has spoken; the case is closed” (it is sometimes rendered in other, but similar, forms). But is that what Augustine actually said? Answer: “No!” From an article by James White on this very issue:

[Karl] Keating puts these words in quotes, indicating that Augustine actually said this. He places it in the context of Papal Infallibility. It is clearly his intention to communicate to his readers that Augustine 1) said these words, and 2) was speaking about the subject in his sermon. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Augustine never said what Keating quotes. In fact, here is the actual Latin text of the final section of Sermon 131 from Migne, PL 38:734:
Jam enim de hac causa duo concilia missa sunt ad sedem apostolicam; inde etiam rescripta venerunt; causa finita est: Utinam aliquando finiatur error.
Translated, it reads,
. . . for already on this matter two councils have sent to the Apostolic See, whence also rescripts (reports) have come. The cause is finished, would that the error may terminate likewise.

The quote from Augustine comes from a sermon he wrote opposing Pelagianism. Long story short, what he was saying was that the church had condemned this error. And how did they conclude that the error had been refuted? By appealing to Scripture. Augustine was NOT saying that all authority rested in the bishop of Rome. He was saying “The cause is finished, would that the error may terminate likewise.” As Dr. White states it,

“It is obvious, beyond question, that Augustine’s point is that Pelagianism is a refuted error. It is not refuted because the bishop of Rome has refuted it. It is refuted because it is opposed to Scripture. Two councils have concluded this, and the bishop of Rome has agreed.”

Before we leave Augustine, there is one more quote from him I must share. Rome likes to say that Augustine was the chief defender of Roman Catholic teaching, especially equating Peter with “the Rock” upon Christ was to build His church. Read the following to see if this is true (emphases mine):

In a passage in this book, I [Augustine] said about the Apostle Peter: ‘On him as on a rock the Church was built’...But I know that very frequently at a later time, I so explained what the Lord said: ‘Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church,’ that it be understood as built upon Him whom Peter confessed saying: ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,’ and so Peter, called after this rock, represented the person of the Church which is built upon this rock, and has received ‘the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’ For, ‘Thou art Peter’ and not ‘Thou art the rock’ was said to him. But ‘the rock was Christ,’ in confessing whom, as also the whole Church confesses, Simon was called Peter. (The Fathers of the Church (Washington D.C., Catholic University, 1968), Saint Augustine, The Retractations, Chapter 20.1). [from The Church Fathers' Interpretation of the Rock of Matthew 16:18 by William Webster]

I could go on, but I think you get the general idea. Rome picks out part of a quote that is part of a much larger picture—a quote that is not meant to be interpreted the way Rome says it is—and automatically, it becomes part of “sacred Tradition,” and is used by RCC apologists as a “smoking gun” concerning Petrine primacy.

However, this idea—that Peter alone had the power to “bind and loose”—is, in fact, contrary to Scripture. For Jesus gave this right to the other apostles as well. Consider His words in Matthew 18:18— “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The same promise, made to all 12—not just Peter! And not made to any of their successors. Years and years of “Tradition” and volume after volume of apologetic work cannot wipe out the clear words of our Lord, contained in the Scriptures!

So, was there, indeed, a succession of bishops in Rome? Answer: yes.....kind of. One cannot say for certain whether the "succession" of the bishops of Rome has been unbroken, considering the many schisms, divisions, and turmoil that has surrounded the office. Peter was followed by Linus, who was followed by Anancletus, who was followed by Clement…etc. There is no denying this historical fact. However, it is is never equated with the “visible head of the (big-'C') Catholic church" until Damasus I in about 366 AD. It was this Damasus who was the first to use a title such as “Pope” in reference to the bishop of Rome. However, this was read back into the Scripture—it was not brought out of them. Although this view (and all the other dogmas) may be held by the current “bishop of Rome” (Benedict XVI at the time of this writing, if he is indeed the worthy holder of such title)—this is not the view that was held by the early church until being promulgated a great while after the founding of the true church. As Dr. White points out in a debate with RCC apologist Fr. John Mary (emphases mine):

[Rome holds] a succession of names, not a succession of teaching or truth. Not only does such a succession beg the questions raised by such historical events as the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (14th century) and the Great Papal Schism, but it ignores the fact that while President Clinton, for example, stands in the succession of Presidents, one would not wish to assert that his views, and his "teachings," are in any way reflective of someone such as Abraham Lincoln. The mere historical "connection" guarantees nothing regarding fidelity to the truth itself.

For example, any idea about the sinlessness of Mary is absent from the writings of such men as Irenaeus, Tertullian, or even Origen. The belief in the bodily assumption of Mary? (emphases mine):

“The idea of the bodily assumption of Mary is first expressed in certain transitus-narratives of the fifth and sixth centuries. Even though these are apocryphal they bear witness to the faith of the generation in which they were written despite their legendary clothing” (Ludwig Ott, Early Christian Doctrines, pp. 209-210).

In fact, the doctrine of Purgatory did not develop until about 590 AD under Pope Gregory the Great (emphases mine):

The concept became much more widespread around 600 A.D. due to the fanaticism of Pope Gregory the Great. He developed the doctrine through visions and revelations of a Purgatorial fire. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (CE), Pope Gregory said Catholics "will expiate their faults by purgatorial flames," and "the pain [is] more intolerable than any one can suffer in this life." Centuries later, at the Council of Florence (1431), it was pronounced an infallible dogma. It was later reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1564). The dogma is based largely on Catholic tradition from extra- biblical writings and oral history...The Council of Trent dares to declare that "God does not always remit the whole punishment due to sin together with the guilt. God requires satisfaction and will punish sin...The sinner, failing to do penance in this life, may be punished in another world, and so not be cast off eternally from God." (Session 15, Can. XI). Those Catholic Bishops had the audacity to declare that the suffering and death of God's perfect man and man's perfect substitute was not sufficient to satisfy divine justice for sin.

And for those of you who are good little students and have memorized your Nicene Creed: is there any mention of Marian devotion? Devotion to the Pope? Anything in there about “We believe in Jesus Christ His only Begotten, and the sinlessness of His mother?” No. Why? Because these were doctrines that were not even known even in 325 AD, except by a handful of people here and there, and which had not been adopted by the universal church! To say that what the Romish church teaches now is what the small-‘c’ catholic church has always believed is refuted by a simple study of history. So here goes.

Constantine became emperor in 306 AD, decreed tolerance of Christians in 313 AD, and "converted to Christianity" in about 318 AD. In 316 AD, he established the precedence of the Roman emperor deciding Christian doctrinal matters, essentially setting himself up as the first Pontifex Maximus (a title derived from Roman pagan priests). The Donatist Controversy was his first taste of ecclesiastical judgment, and was one of the earliest schisms in the church. This happened in 316 AD in North Africa. Caecilianus had been elected bishop of Carthage in 311 AD. However, it was later found out that one of the priests who voted for his ordination was a traditor (see definition here). A split ensued, with one side favoring Caecilianus, and the other favoring a fellow named Donatus. The root cause of the split was whether a sacrament (such as ordination), on its own, even when performed by one who is not in good standing with the church is a valid ordination (ex opere operato, "On account of the work that is worked"). Or, is that ordination void because of the one performing it (ex opere operantis, "on account of the work of the worker").

The Donatists held to the position of ex opere operantis, while the Caecilians believed in ex opere operato. Eventually, Rome sided with the Caecilians, with Constantine giving the final verdict after three councils. This was, for all intents and purposes, one of the roots of the Roman Catholic Church. The fact that the Donatists were opposed to a "State Church" may have been one reason that the emperor was less than sympathetic to their cause, and also led to the conflation of Emperor and Pope. The doctrine of ex opere operato is still a central tenet of the giving of sacraments in the Catholic church. Paragraph 1128 of the Catholic Catechism (emphasis mine):

This is the meaning of the Church's affirmation that the sacraments act ex opere operato (literally: "by the very fact of the action's being performed"), i.e., by virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that "the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God." From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them.

So, you can see that in its early years, the whole, universal church was not united, solidly, in lock-step, under the banner of Rome. There were many other schisms (e.g., the Quartodeciman Controversy) that took place as well, the tales of which fill volumes. And keep in mind, whenever there was a split, it was NOT a "vertical separation," i.e., it was not a matter of breaking from Rome's "authority." It was a "horizontal" separation, one side went one way, Rome went the other.

For those that will still say that "Everybody was Catholic before the Reformation," I will point you to another sect that was established by an apostle of Christ. The Coptic Church was founded by the apostle Mark in Alexandria, Egypt, in about 42 AD. It was the subject of the next schism in the church, as they broke ranks with Rome officially after the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. One of the reasons for calling the Council of Chalcedon was to rule on the Nestorian heresy. By this point in time, the See of Rome had the favor of the emperor, and thus had been flexing its political clout over the other Sees. This usurpation of power was very troubling to Dioscorus, bishop of Alexandria, who did not believe that secular emperors should meddle in the affairs of the church. Add to the fact that Leo I, Bishop of Rome, was desirous that the Roman See should be the seat of ecclesiastical authority (above even Constantinople, which had been its equal for many years), and Leo's close ties to Emperor Marcianus, and you can understand why Dioscorus was at a disadvantage. It was Leo I, by the way, who was the first to make dogmatic the doctrine of "papal primacy"--the teaching that the Bishop of Rome was endowed with the same "keys" and authority as the apostle Peter and was head of the whole, worldwide, (little-'c') catholic church.

The next few hundred years were a time of some confusion; there was a great deal of debating and establishing doctrines. It was also the time when the Romish church began to exercise its newly-found political power. As Roman Catholicism spread, and as popes became more powerful and influential in secular matters, they got more power-hungry, and sought to stifle any and all opposition to their authority. To that end, they “infallibly” interpreted the Scriptures as saying that they should torture and kill anybody who did not bow to them. This lust for power—and hatred of any who opposed them—led to what we know as “The Inquisition,” when people were arrested, dragged off to stand before popes and councils and bishops, and ordered to recant their “heretical” views. If they did not recant, they were sent to “examiners” who would inflict the same kind of cruelty on these people that the Roman soldiers inflicted upon our Lord.

It was because of this use of force that the RCC grew and spread across Europe. And why very few people spoke up and spoke out against Rome. Which in turn caused it to spread even more quickly. Soon—as had happened in the years prior to and immediately after the earthly life of Christ—all of Europe was under the thumb of Rome. And it is for this reason we don't have a whole lot of theological works being produced which teach anything other than Roman Catholicism--because if a person wrote such a work, something was going to get burned: either (a) the work, or (b) the person (just ask William Tyndale).

But, in 1054 AD, something big happened. It was at this time that the Eastern Orthodox Church split from Rome. Constantinople and Rome could not agree on who was the true leader of the church, and The Great Schism saw the emergence of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

But now wait a minute!! I thought it was Martin Luther that caused everybody to leave Rome! I thought “Everybody was Catholic until the Reformation!” What your garden-variety anti-Protestant loves to go around declaring is that the whole church, all around the world, was unified until 1517. If that was the case, then will the anti-Protestants stand and say that the Eastern Orthodox Church, at the time it split from Rome, was indeed part of the “One True Church?”

Moving on. During the 1100’s, the Waldensians came along, only to be refused permission to preach by the Third Lateran Council. (This is not meant to be an endorsement, on my part, of Waldensian teaching. I do not agree with all they taught. It is for purely historical purposes I include them. You can read some about them here.). Much of what the Waldensians taught was not in line with many of Rome's teachings, and if they were caught teaching such things--well, nearly 80 of them were burned at the stake in one city (Strasbourg, France) alone.

Then in the 1300’s, a fellow named John Wycliffe dared to defy Roman “law” and translate the Bible out of the Latin and into English. Wycliffe managed to live a long life and die a natural death. And for his efforts, Pope Martin V ordered Wycliffe’s body dug up, burned, at the ashes dumped into the River Swift. During the 1400’s, a fellow named Jan Hus came along, becoming a forerunner to men like Zwingli, Calvin, Luther, etc. Then William Tyndale further defied Rome and translated the Greek and Hebrew into English--for which he was strangled and burned. But, remember, it was Martin Luther who was the first one to stand up to Rome! [/sarcasm]

Then in 1378, there was even a division as to whether the seat of (big-'C') Catholic authority was seated in Rome or in Avignon, France. This "Western Schism" lasted for over 40 years. Hardly a time of "unity" within the Roman "Catholic" Church.

So, as you can see, the claim that "Until the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was the ONLY church" is patently false. It has no basis in truth, and is a lie that Rome is only too happy to allow to spread. It is not a truth that Martin Luther was the first who came along and tipped the apple cart and broke off to make some "new religion." There were many times during history when churches and Sees divided from Rome over doctrine, authority, etc. My many thanks to the men that have been used so greatly by God to teach us about the true history of the church of our Lord. Men like James White, William Webster, James Swan, Mike Gendron, and so many others to whom we owe so great a debt. May we always thank God in our every remembrance of them (Philippians 1:3-4).