Today, the Presbyterian Church USA voted to change their doctrinal wording on marriage and open the door to allow their clergy to marry homosexual couples. You can read the story from Detroit here.
No doubt some people will say that this is the first of many to follow this path. You can count on other changes being made by mainline denominations. The press will declare that we Christians are finally waking up. Mark my words, the above comments will come even stronger than I have written. And I say "ok, no problem!"
Some of you may ask me how in the world I could say that?
It is simple!
Votes by man nor words by people and the press mean anything. Only the Word of God matters! And the Bible is crystal clear that marriage is between one man and one women! Human nature affirms this reality regardless of what people may say.
God has no need of we humans to get enlightened on culture and grow in our interpretation of His Word. The Bible is the same yesterday, today, and forever! It does not and will not change!
I do not hate homosexuals. I do not want them to be miserable in life! I am not homophobic. I simply believe the Bible. I do not place homosexuals as second class citizens. I just read and know that God said in Matt 19:5-6
"4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'
5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
(NKJ)
And then speaking of the natural, the Bible tells us clearly:
Rom 1:20-32
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
(NKJ)
I dare not mess with what God has clearly spoken! And regardless of trends or votes by large groups of people, I and I alone answer to God for following His Word or not. Jesus will not say to God that "poor ol Tim had to deny the Bible because a group of people voted to change what it says - thus let him off for his disobedience."
Every Pastor and every church better settle this now. Either you will follow God or you will be in direct disobedience to Him.
No one knows what the consequences will be for standing with the Word of God in the area of marriage. Frankly, I do not care!
This I know - I will stand with God and His Word and no one will be able to force me to do otherwise. And if I go to jail for it? I will be in great company with the Apostle Paul and others.
Votes by people mean nothing in changing or altering the Word of God!
And it is here that I will loving and courageously stand!
How about you?
Blogging for the purpose of Spiritual Growth and Edification
Showing posts with label Pastors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pastors. Show all posts
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Great American Christian Question
The history of America is without honest question. This nation was founded on Biblical principles. From those principles God blessed and America grew beyond anyone's dreams. The power of such growth resulted in an incredible world protector for liberty and religious freedom. That was then!
What about now!
Christians in America need to answer this question quickly. We must also pray and be determined to get the right answer. For the right answer is our path from now forward. We will find the right answer by looking at our past failures. Yes, our past failures highlight the answer needed today.
We begin by admitting that we as American Christians have failed to understand that our primary purpose was and is to lead people to Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, people are simply sinful people with NO hope for changing. We have fought hard the culture war. We have lost. We lost because we were not focused on leading people to the one true God who could and will save them through Jesus Christ. Our biggest failure as American Christians is found in that we did not reach the multitudes of people that God allowed to come to America. We had it all set up to reach world! We failed. Without a changed heart, people will not adopt an ideology that is Christian based. Our worldview will not make sense to them at all! We tried via many methods while avoiding the one and only method that works - leading people to Jesus! We begin to find our answer when we admit to this failure!
The absence of the power of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives is also a big failure! American Christians learned to play at church. We learned that real well. We developed many of our systems and programs in our churches by copying the world. The greatest one being Sunday School. We copied the American education system. We set up directors, had roll books, and some churches even use to ring the bell! We established programs, and I do mean many programs. We built our church schedules around the work culture of the 50's and 60's and we grew children's ministries/missions ministries for children right out of boy/girl scouts. The club mentality anchored our approach. For adults the same was true. In all of this, the programs became the focus in place of the power of the Holy Spirit living in and working through our lives. We taught for education sake. We learned many facts but we failed to experience the power God via the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were so focused on knowing about that we never realized we were not living in. Again, we failed.
This led to neglect of some key Biblical disciplines. In particular, fasting! There are those few types of churches that practice this and have for years. But many American Christians in our older age groups never were taught or led to develop fasting in their lives. Without fasting there can be no power of the Holy Spirit. Our lives were simply being lived through a mental ideology. An ideology that requires the power of the Holy Spirit.
So caught up in our programs and structure we embraced a salesman approach to sharing the gospel. We tweaked our services in some cases and in others demanded that we NOT change a thing. Time was always our focus and comfort and familiarity followed in our priorities. We began trying to attract people instead of sharing Jesus by living in Him. It worked for a while - maybe, maybe not. But soon we could not do enough to up what had already been done. People caught on to our sales pitch and began tuning us out. Again we failed.
People without Jesus began to see that those who professed to have him were not that much different. In fact, often times Christians were worse. We were mean, lacked compassion, ugly, holier than thou, and were more focused on we wanted and bragging about what we claimed to have, that people failed to see in us a compassion for them. We were anything but passionate for people. Love was not found for anyone, just for those we liked. And the slide continued. Only now, other religions and ideologies were being embraced. And we could go on and on...!
So what is the answer?
1. Know our purpose is to live obedient to the command of our Lord to lead people to Jesus!
2. Know that we must fucus on living in the power of the Holy Spirit daily! Without this power lives will not be changed.
3. Know that following Biblical disciplines must become a priority. Seek to learn these and apply them daily. The power of the Holy Spirit depends upon it.
4. Know that we love and thus show this love of people daily! People come in all shapes and backgrounds. We are to love them! Period!
We begin with these four! Until these four are evident, nothing else will matter! It is only through these four that Revival will come! And our greatest need right now is not political nor ideological.
What about now!
Christians in America need to answer this question quickly. We must also pray and be determined to get the right answer. For the right answer is our path from now forward. We will find the right answer by looking at our past failures. Yes, our past failures highlight the answer needed today.
We begin by admitting that we as American Christians have failed to understand that our primary purpose was and is to lead people to Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, people are simply sinful people with NO hope for changing. We have fought hard the culture war. We have lost. We lost because we were not focused on leading people to the one true God who could and will save them through Jesus Christ. Our biggest failure as American Christians is found in that we did not reach the multitudes of people that God allowed to come to America. We had it all set up to reach world! We failed. Without a changed heart, people will not adopt an ideology that is Christian based. Our worldview will not make sense to them at all! We tried via many methods while avoiding the one and only method that works - leading people to Jesus! We begin to find our answer when we admit to this failure!
The absence of the power of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives is also a big failure! American Christians learned to play at church. We learned that real well. We developed many of our systems and programs in our churches by copying the world. The greatest one being Sunday School. We copied the American education system. We set up directors, had roll books, and some churches even use to ring the bell! We established programs, and I do mean many programs. We built our church schedules around the work culture of the 50's and 60's and we grew children's ministries/missions ministries for children right out of boy/girl scouts. The club mentality anchored our approach. For adults the same was true. In all of this, the programs became the focus in place of the power of the Holy Spirit living in and working through our lives. We taught for education sake. We learned many facts but we failed to experience the power God via the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were so focused on knowing about that we never realized we were not living in. Again, we failed.
This led to neglect of some key Biblical disciplines. In particular, fasting! There are those few types of churches that practice this and have for years. But many American Christians in our older age groups never were taught or led to develop fasting in their lives. Without fasting there can be no power of the Holy Spirit. Our lives were simply being lived through a mental ideology. An ideology that requires the power of the Holy Spirit.
So caught up in our programs and structure we embraced a salesman approach to sharing the gospel. We tweaked our services in some cases and in others demanded that we NOT change a thing. Time was always our focus and comfort and familiarity followed in our priorities. We began trying to attract people instead of sharing Jesus by living in Him. It worked for a while - maybe, maybe not. But soon we could not do enough to up what had already been done. People caught on to our sales pitch and began tuning us out. Again we failed.
People without Jesus began to see that those who professed to have him were not that much different. In fact, often times Christians were worse. We were mean, lacked compassion, ugly, holier than thou, and were more focused on we wanted and bragging about what we claimed to have, that people failed to see in us a compassion for them. We were anything but passionate for people. Love was not found for anyone, just for those we liked. And the slide continued. Only now, other religions and ideologies were being embraced. And we could go on and on...!
So what is the answer?
1. Know our purpose is to live obedient to the command of our Lord to lead people to Jesus!
2. Know that we must fucus on living in the power of the Holy Spirit daily! Without this power lives will not be changed.
3. Know that following Biblical disciplines must become a priority. Seek to learn these and apply them daily. The power of the Holy Spirit depends upon it.
4. Know that we love and thus show this love of people daily! People come in all shapes and backgrounds. We are to love them! Period!
We begin with these four! Until these four are evident, nothing else will matter! It is only through these four that Revival will come! And our greatest need right now is not political nor ideological.
Our greatest need is REVIVAL!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Importance of Hobby Lobby vs Obama Care
On Friday, Hobby Lobby decided to ignore the US Governments threat of fines for not following the mandate in Obama Care to provide free birth control in their medical insurance for employees:
“They’re not going to comply with the mandate,” said Kyle Duncan, general counsel of The Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing the company. “They’re not going to offer coverage for abortion-inducing drugs in the insurance plan.”
Opinions on both sides are all over the internet and in the news shows. There are even some Christians decrying the decision.
Is this stand important? If so, why?
Yes this decision is important!
1. Free birth control is NOT a medical insurance necessity. It is a choice made by a person. Lumping this mandate into the Obama Care package is an attempt to make something necessary that any normal thinking person knows is not.
2. Hobby Lobby is defending the rights of the unborn! While everyone else is so concerned about their own rights and choices, Hobby Lobby has drawn a line in the sand and decided to stand with the unborn when few else are doing so.
3. Hobby Lobby is NOT denying medical insurance to anyone. They are simply saying that if you desire to use birth control and chose to do so, then you pay for it. Why should any person or company be required to fund a choice made by another individual that DOES NOT fit under "medical" necessity. I understand if it is prescribed for health reasons unrelated to pregnancy and this could be and is covered now. But to fund birth control because people chose to participate in sex and do not want the consequences is absurd.
4. Hobby Lobby has a right as a company to chose the medical plan they desire to offer employees. Period! The Government does not have the right to tell us what we have to provide.
5. Hobby Lobby and any other corporation have the right to NOT fund murder! The US Government is doing all it can to ignore this and forcing it's beliefs of abortion NOT being murder on those of us who do believe it is! I understand that we are "funding" abortions with tax money. It sickens me. But that funding DOES NOT open the door for nor justify increase funding by individuals when their beliefs/conscious says NO! If people do not like the coverage Hobby Lobby offers, they can chose to work somewhere else.
6. The mandate forces corporations, free corporations, to act as religious neutral. The US Government has NO right to do so. Free corporations are in fact free. Free corporations have a right to decide how they will fund and what they will fund. When the government is allowed to remove this freedom, it has thus opened the door to tell people, businesses, non profits, schools, churches, etc. what they can and cannot do. This is NOT an American idea and clearly violates the US Constitution First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Every American today needs to read the above carefully. The Obama Care mandate clearly violates the First Amendment. Clearly. No law can be made that prohibits the free exercise thereof...!
7. Thank God for David Green and family! I pray their tribe increase. I pray that more Christians will awaken to the travesty that is upon us. We have been lulled to sleep for years hearing preachers telling us this day is coming. Well, this day has already come. We are now in over our heads into the attacks on Christianity by the US Government while the same Government guarantees religious liberty to thugs who have sought to kill Americans. Terrorists have more religious liberty today in America than American Christians have.
8. Republicans and Democrats are equally at fault! This is NOT a slam at just one party. This is the progressive movement that has entered into the thought lines of both parties. Politics will not produce a solution. Politics is the chosen method for implementing the problem!
Even one Hollywood Liberal Film Director acknowledges this fact. I do not agree with Oliver Stone on much, but the following comment highlights where we are, even to a liberal. I disagree with his blanket assessment of the Bush years! But for a known and proud liberal to accurately nail the events of the current administration and decry them is fact alone that points to the depth that we as a nation have fallen.
The US is codifying thousands and thousands of new, political laws that compel citizens to live according to the State's desires. America was established as a Republic by the people and for the people! We are NOT a state led nation.
Read the following statement from Oliver Stone:
I think under the disguise of sheep’s clothing President Obama has been a wolf. Because of the nightmare of the Bush presidency that preceded him, people forgave him a lot. He was a great hope for change. The color of his skin, the upbringing, the internationalism, the globalism, seemed all evident. And he is an intelligent man. He has taken all the Bush changes and basically put them into the establishment, he has codified them. That is what is sad. So we are going into the second administration that is living outside the law and does not respect the law and foundations of our system and he is a constitutional lawyer, you know. Without the law, it is the law of the jungle. Nuremburg (sic) existed for a reason and there was a reason to have trials, there is a reason for due process – ‘habeas corpus’ as they call it in the United States.
Yes, this issue is more than important!
What will we do about it?
What will you do?
“They’re not going to comply with the mandate,” said Kyle Duncan, general counsel of The Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing the company. “They’re not going to offer coverage for abortion-inducing drugs in the insurance plan.”
Opinions on both sides are all over the internet and in the news shows. There are even some Christians decrying the decision.
Is this stand important? If so, why?
Yes this decision is important!
1. Free birth control is NOT a medical insurance necessity. It is a choice made by a person. Lumping this mandate into the Obama Care package is an attempt to make something necessary that any normal thinking person knows is not.
2. Hobby Lobby is defending the rights of the unborn! While everyone else is so concerned about their own rights and choices, Hobby Lobby has drawn a line in the sand and decided to stand with the unborn when few else are doing so.
3. Hobby Lobby is NOT denying medical insurance to anyone. They are simply saying that if you desire to use birth control and chose to do so, then you pay for it. Why should any person or company be required to fund a choice made by another individual that DOES NOT fit under "medical" necessity. I understand if it is prescribed for health reasons unrelated to pregnancy and this could be and is covered now. But to fund birth control because people chose to participate in sex and do not want the consequences is absurd.
4. Hobby Lobby has a right as a company to chose the medical plan they desire to offer employees. Period! The Government does not have the right to tell us what we have to provide.
5. Hobby Lobby and any other corporation have the right to NOT fund murder! The US Government is doing all it can to ignore this and forcing it's beliefs of abortion NOT being murder on those of us who do believe it is! I understand that we are "funding" abortions with tax money. It sickens me. But that funding DOES NOT open the door for nor justify increase funding by individuals when their beliefs/conscious says NO! If people do not like the coverage Hobby Lobby offers, they can chose to work somewhere else.
6. The mandate forces corporations, free corporations, to act as religious neutral. The US Government has NO right to do so. Free corporations are in fact free. Free corporations have a right to decide how they will fund and what they will fund. When the government is allowed to remove this freedom, it has thus opened the door to tell people, businesses, non profits, schools, churches, etc. what they can and cannot do. This is NOT an American idea and clearly violates the US Constitution First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Every American today needs to read the above carefully. The Obama Care mandate clearly violates the First Amendment. Clearly. No law can be made that prohibits the free exercise thereof...!
7. Thank God for David Green and family! I pray their tribe increase. I pray that more Christians will awaken to the travesty that is upon us. We have been lulled to sleep for years hearing preachers telling us this day is coming. Well, this day has already come. We are now in over our heads into the attacks on Christianity by the US Government while the same Government guarantees religious liberty to thugs who have sought to kill Americans. Terrorists have more religious liberty today in America than American Christians have.
8. Republicans and Democrats are equally at fault! This is NOT a slam at just one party. This is the progressive movement that has entered into the thought lines of both parties. Politics will not produce a solution. Politics is the chosen method for implementing the problem!
Even one Hollywood Liberal Film Director acknowledges this fact. I do not agree with Oliver Stone on much, but the following comment highlights where we are, even to a liberal. I disagree with his blanket assessment of the Bush years! But for a known and proud liberal to accurately nail the events of the current administration and decry them is fact alone that points to the depth that we as a nation have fallen.
The US is codifying thousands and thousands of new, political laws that compel citizens to live according to the State's desires. America was established as a Republic by the people and for the people! We are NOT a state led nation.
Read the following statement from Oliver Stone:
I think under the disguise of sheep’s clothing President Obama has been a wolf. Because of the nightmare of the Bush presidency that preceded him, people forgave him a lot. He was a great hope for change. The color of his skin, the upbringing, the internationalism, the globalism, seemed all evident. And he is an intelligent man. He has taken all the Bush changes and basically put them into the establishment, he has codified them. That is what is sad. So we are going into the second administration that is living outside the law and does not respect the law and foundations of our system and he is a constitutional lawyer, you know. Without the law, it is the law of the jungle. Nuremburg (sic) existed for a reason and there was a reason to have trials, there is a reason for due process – ‘habeas corpus’ as they call it in the United States.
Yes, this issue is more than important!
What will we do about it?
What will you do?
Remember this: Every nation that has ever fallen, has fallen from within!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Speaking the TRUTH in todays America (Series)
Part 1
Over the past week I have made clear my perception of today's America - it is not pretty. In noting this, the simple fact that the change we are seeing did not occur overnight was also front and center. So now we must ask the question as Christians trying to reach people in this new era of "neo-anything can be truth" culture, HOW?
American Christians have perfected the speech approach to teaching. Even in our social media use can be found the clear and often blunt ugly use of this method in telling people what is wrong with their ideology and where they will go because of it. We make our points well yet we are failing to impress or influence even a few. It is time we seek to understand the needed approach required if we are to really make a difference today.
And for many Christians, this is going to be a tough road to travel!
Our learning begins with some simple facts. People without Jesus, do not have a foundation that we can build upon. People without Jesus, need Jesus first! Never should we compromise the truth with anyone. But understanding that only in a relationship with Jesus is the foundation upon which truth is built can we expect any glimmer of accomplishing lasting life change. This is Biblical truth. Hard to realize that we Christians must first accept a truth before we expect others to do the same. But this is a must. The journey begins with this hurdle at the starting line.
Many American churches are facilitating this hurdle by abandoning Evangelistic outreach endeavors. We talk much about reaching the nations. Preaching to the nations is the new modern day battle cry! A simple analysis of our current trends in methods and thoughts on evangelism reveal that we are doing little to reach individual people regardless of the intent of the battle cry. The popular growth of Reformed Theology and the New Calvinism of our day are not helping either. The more this spreads the fewer people that will be reached. Sharing Jesus is the beginning. It is more than preaching/teaching. Sharing Jesus is more than telling someone to turn or burn. Sharing Jesus is sharing Jesus story and what He did for all of us. It is making it clear that Jesus offers a free gift called salvation to all who will receive. The gift is offered, but we each must chose to accept or reject.
Rom 6:23
Rom 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(NKJ)
Over the past week I have made clear my perception of today's America - it is not pretty. In noting this, the simple fact that the change we are seeing did not occur overnight was also front and center. So now we must ask the question as Christians trying to reach people in this new era of "neo-anything can be truth" culture, HOW?
American Christians have perfected the speech approach to teaching. Even in our social media use can be found the clear and often blunt ugly use of this method in telling people what is wrong with their ideology and where they will go because of it. We make our points well yet we are failing to impress or influence even a few. It is time we seek to understand the needed approach required if we are to really make a difference today.
And for many Christians, this is going to be a tough road to travel!
Our learning begins with some simple facts. People without Jesus, do not have a foundation that we can build upon. People without Jesus, need Jesus first! Never should we compromise the truth with anyone. But understanding that only in a relationship with Jesus is the foundation upon which truth is built can we expect any glimmer of accomplishing lasting life change. This is Biblical truth. Hard to realize that we Christians must first accept a truth before we expect others to do the same. But this is a must. The journey begins with this hurdle at the starting line.
Many American churches are facilitating this hurdle by abandoning Evangelistic outreach endeavors. We talk much about reaching the nations. Preaching to the nations is the new modern day battle cry! A simple analysis of our current trends in methods and thoughts on evangelism reveal that we are doing little to reach individual people regardless of the intent of the battle cry. The popular growth of Reformed Theology and the New Calvinism of our day are not helping either. The more this spreads the fewer people that will be reached. Sharing Jesus is the beginning. It is more than preaching/teaching. Sharing Jesus is more than telling someone to turn or burn. Sharing Jesus is sharing Jesus story and what He did for all of us. It is making it clear that Jesus offers a free gift called salvation to all who will receive. The gift is offered, but we each must chose to accept or reject.
Rom 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(NKJ)
(NKJ)
Rom 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(NKJ)
Sharing truth requires each of us who know Christ to begin sharing His truth. It is not turn or burn. It is begging and pleading with people to see what God did for them in His Son Jesus. It is sharing the love of God for all people regardless of where they have been or what they have done! It is leaving the judging to God while living as one changed so as not to cause anyone to stumble so that the message of Gods love in Christ, can be seen and thus received.
This is the starting point! No moral or political change is possible of lasting value without Jesus first!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Double Standards Multiplying
Life is getting more and more complicated. Calls ring out for inclusion. Pleas are made for love and mercy, acceptance and equal protection. Standards once thought to be grounded in cement are now shown to sit atop sinking sand. What is taking place in America and American Christianity?
The clear visual for us today is seen in the uprising over Chick Fil A. The owner of the company, a private company, speaks his mind about what he believes to be true, and mainstream media outlets go ballistic. People who practice the freedom of speech suddenly want to attack the owner of a successful business for doing the same. A boycott is called for of the chicken serving establishments. City officials are pressured to rule these establishments as unwanted in their cities.
So what has happened to free speech?
I think this is an honest question. America has been under attack for years from the homosexual community. No doubt that much has been gained by there attacks. But how can this community of people use the rail of free speech and equal protection while denying the same to people who speak opposite. Important in the thought process is understanding that Chick Fil A has never NOT served a homosexual. They have never been accused of showing bias on any level.
This double standard is the result of compromises made over the years to the homosexual community. It is a price that we will now have to pay and somehow work through. We allowed a small group to gain a foothold in our decision process. Chaos is now an everyday norm. And there is not found a visible end anywhere down the road. Honesty is passing from the Christian community. In some circles today, what was once called homosexual activity is now passed as only battles due to previous life events. When Christians accept the double standard, the path to deliverance and true freedom are lost. When we allow this double standard to exist, we join the attack on the Gospel of Jesus and His Word.
How do we move forward?
I serve in a community that has one of the highest homosexual populations in all of Tennessee. Homosexuals attend our services weekly. I do not soften the Word of God as to the sin of homosexuality nor do I compromise limits for their involvement. Yes I have been questioned on this. Yes I get an occasional letter or email. Once I even got a visit to the office. But never have I ever been called unloving or homophobic for my beliefs and how those beliefs are taught and lived out on a daily bases.
People talk of building bridges these days. We must remember that we cannot build anything of substance on sand. Sin will not uphold the truth of God's Word. Sin allowed and justified cannot a bridge of biblical ministry support. Teaching the truth in love will drive a wedge often between people. The bible says of itself that the Gospel is an offense. Rants are not needed. But neither should compromise be found in this discussion. Many have come out of the homosexual lifestyle because of the work of God in their lives. And this will continue to be the case if we keep the Word of God out front in this discussion. The "if" is the key.
How long will Chick Fil A hold out? Will they cave in to the pressure? I pray NOT! For more is at stake than one mans right to speak publicly about his beliefs. The whole foundation of allowing the Word of God to speak and direct on this subject is on the line. If we lose this fight, we lose the path of sharing the Gospel to the American community as a whole - we lose our own credibility. And that my friends will be disastrous.
Double standards multiplying are more serious than many think! And the homosexual community is NOT the only place that this is occurring.
The clear visual for us today is seen in the uprising over Chick Fil A. The owner of the company, a private company, speaks his mind about what he believes to be true, and mainstream media outlets go ballistic. People who practice the freedom of speech suddenly want to attack the owner of a successful business for doing the same. A boycott is called for of the chicken serving establishments. City officials are pressured to rule these establishments as unwanted in their cities.
So what has happened to free speech?
I think this is an honest question. America has been under attack for years from the homosexual community. No doubt that much has been gained by there attacks. But how can this community of people use the rail of free speech and equal protection while denying the same to people who speak opposite. Important in the thought process is understanding that Chick Fil A has never NOT served a homosexual. They have never been accused of showing bias on any level.
This double standard is the result of compromises made over the years to the homosexual community. It is a price that we will now have to pay and somehow work through. We allowed a small group to gain a foothold in our decision process. Chaos is now an everyday norm. And there is not found a visible end anywhere down the road. Honesty is passing from the Christian community. In some circles today, what was once called homosexual activity is now passed as only battles due to previous life events. When Christians accept the double standard, the path to deliverance and true freedom are lost. When we allow this double standard to exist, we join the attack on the Gospel of Jesus and His Word.
How do we move forward?
I serve in a community that has one of the highest homosexual populations in all of Tennessee. Homosexuals attend our services weekly. I do not soften the Word of God as to the sin of homosexuality nor do I compromise limits for their involvement. Yes I have been questioned on this. Yes I get an occasional letter or email. Once I even got a visit to the office. But never have I ever been called unloving or homophobic for my beliefs and how those beliefs are taught and lived out on a daily bases.
People talk of building bridges these days. We must remember that we cannot build anything of substance on sand. Sin will not uphold the truth of God's Word. Sin allowed and justified cannot a bridge of biblical ministry support. Teaching the truth in love will drive a wedge often between people. The bible says of itself that the Gospel is an offense. Rants are not needed. But neither should compromise be found in this discussion. Many have come out of the homosexual lifestyle because of the work of God in their lives. And this will continue to be the case if we keep the Word of God out front in this discussion. The "if" is the key.
How long will Chick Fil A hold out? Will they cave in to the pressure? I pray NOT! For more is at stake than one mans right to speak publicly about his beliefs. The whole foundation of allowing the Word of God to speak and direct on this subject is on the line. If we lose this fight, we lose the path of sharing the Gospel to the American community as a whole - we lose our own credibility. And that my friends will be disastrous.
Double standards multiplying are more serious than many think! And the homosexual community is NOT the only place that this is occurring.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Learned from my perspective and concerns w/New Calvinism!
Yesterday I wrote a post that was an attempt to get dialogue started on what it is that Calvinists and New Calvinists believe. The result was much to my surprise. The folks over at sbctoday.com carried the post and the comments can be viewed their also. Add to the comments the phone calls of yesterday and today and boy did I learn a great deal. I just finished a phone call with someone who, along with family, have come out of a Calvinist takeover church. The story is the same and the 9Marks path of reforming a church is being followed to the letter (as with many, it hit major resistance and left a church totally splintered). Here is more of what I learned from this part of the journey:
1. The old form of Calvinism is still alive and well and as friendly and cooperative as ever. I knew it was but was not seeing it much on the internet. The Soteriology of the old form balances with the Traditional Statement where it counts the most.
2. The Founders version grouped with younger learning theologs are not the mainstream but they sure think they are! I pray these guys learn quickly that God has not taught them so that can call out other Pastors based on their knowledge to enlighten them and clean up other churches. They will one day soon learn that ministry; real ministry, is more than arguing some point and claiming superiority.
3. The limit of blogging and the influence there of is growing weaker by the day. I think I am thankful for this. Social media may not be as strong as we think in ministry matters other than informing our people of events and ministry needs etc. We need to acknowledge this and NOT over react.
4. You can burn an afternoon quickly if one is not careful. And when the burn is complete, thre is not much to show for it.
5. I believe there is a way for cooperation in the SBC with the mainstream older Calvinists as there has been for years. They are not fully aware of the New Calvinists and refute their assertions at every turn. This is encouraging. I am not sure how to cooperate with the New Calvinists. I keep thinking that the way is out there, but I have yet to see it.
6. New Calvinism would make a great study of pollsters and PhD students.
7. How quickly we forget or neglect some of the simple admonitions in scripture when we want to prove our point or set the world straight!
8. Bearing False Witness is still a sin. New Calvinists might need remedial training.
9. I am more convinced than ever that the Calvinists need a mega meeting of their own to figure out how they will deal with this new breed. Maybe we have approached this wrong. The old Calvinists need to listen the New Calvinists and seek to learn what makes them tick. From that learning it may be possible for them to lead them in today's ministry and churches.
10. If you do not live within the influence of certain geographic areas, you might not be aware of New Calvinism at all.
11. I sure do miss Dr. Adrian Rogers. I wonder if he would have blogged and tweeted?
12. Leaders in the SBC have their hands full! Dr. Page and his task force/committee will need our prayers.
13. We need statesmen in a bad way these days!
14. There sure seems to be a problem with taking people at their word!
15. The elephant in the room is whether or not Founders and New Calvinists will back off their goal of transforming the SBC? This is the biggie! I cannot get an answer from anyone on this one. Why is that?
And there is much more!
1. The old form of Calvinism is still alive and well and as friendly and cooperative as ever. I knew it was but was not seeing it much on the internet. The Soteriology of the old form balances with the Traditional Statement where it counts the most.
2. The Founders version grouped with younger learning theologs are not the mainstream but they sure think they are! I pray these guys learn quickly that God has not taught them so that can call out other Pastors based on their knowledge to enlighten them and clean up other churches. They will one day soon learn that ministry; real ministry, is more than arguing some point and claiming superiority.
3. The limit of blogging and the influence there of is growing weaker by the day. I think I am thankful for this. Social media may not be as strong as we think in ministry matters other than informing our people of events and ministry needs etc. We need to acknowledge this and NOT over react.
4. You can burn an afternoon quickly if one is not careful. And when the burn is complete, thre is not much to show for it.
5. I believe there is a way for cooperation in the SBC with the mainstream older Calvinists as there has been for years. They are not fully aware of the New Calvinists and refute their assertions at every turn. This is encouraging. I am not sure how to cooperate with the New Calvinists. I keep thinking that the way is out there, but I have yet to see it.
6. New Calvinism would make a great study of pollsters and PhD students.
7. How quickly we forget or neglect some of the simple admonitions in scripture when we want to prove our point or set the world straight!
8. Bearing False Witness is still a sin. New Calvinists might need remedial training.
9. I am more convinced than ever that the Calvinists need a mega meeting of their own to figure out how they will deal with this new breed. Maybe we have approached this wrong. The old Calvinists need to listen the New Calvinists and seek to learn what makes them tick. From that learning it may be possible for them to lead them in today's ministry and churches.
10. If you do not live within the influence of certain geographic areas, you might not be aware of New Calvinism at all.
11. I sure do miss Dr. Adrian Rogers. I wonder if he would have blogged and tweeted?
12. Leaders in the SBC have their hands full! Dr. Page and his task force/committee will need our prayers.
13. We need statesmen in a bad way these days!
14. There sure seems to be a problem with taking people at their word!
15. The elephant in the room is whether or not Founders and New Calvinists will back off their goal of transforming the SBC? This is the biggie! I cannot get an answer from anyone on this one. Why is that?
And there is much more!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
This will change the world and us!
I was reading today the latest post from Perry Noble regarding sermon series for churches. I was curious when I saw the title. Someone is always developing the latest and greatest sermon series. it is the culture in many pulpits and just might be one of the most dangerous methods being used today.
I was elated to read the following words from Noble..."get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until he sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through preaching to the people He has called you to preach to! In other words…get “a word” from “The Word!”
That advise is GREAT advice!
But then I thought for a moment. That is GREAT advice for any Christian! If we would just GET ALONE with GOD and allow Him to set our hearts on fire!
If only! All too often we find ourselves getting caught up in going through studies and doing this and that... the latest and greatest new THING. What ever happened to the simple act of getting alone with God and allowing Him to transform us and ignite us? Why have we abandoned this in our daily lives?
So here is my challenge to you this week - get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until He sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through your life in all that you do!"
I was elated to read the following words from Noble..."get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until he sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through preaching to the people He has called you to preach to! In other words…get “a word” from “The Word!”
That advise is GREAT advice!
But then I thought for a moment. That is GREAT advice for any Christian! If we would just GET ALONE with GOD and allow Him to set our hearts on fire!
If only! All too often we find ourselves getting caught up in going through studies and doing this and that... the latest and greatest new THING. What ever happened to the simple act of getting alone with God and allowing Him to transform us and ignite us? Why have we abandoned this in our daily lives?
So here is my challenge to you this week - get alone with God, open your Bible, read it until He sets your heart on fire…and then go unleash that fire through your life in all that you do!"
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