Religion – Page 9 – slaveofjesuschristdotme

The New Christianity Pt. 11 – Commentary by Ken Silva on the Modern Church

Today we were blessed to interview Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries and Pastor of Conneticut River Baptist Church Claremont, New Hampshire. Today Ken will give us some background on how Apprising Ministries got started, comment on modern day christian worship, the emergent church’s impact on today’s church, the connection b/w the word faith / seeker driven movement among many other topics. We hope you are blessed, let’s listen in.

Click here to listen or right click to save an mp3 of our interview:

http://ccodtruth.org/InterviewSAIDRadioKenSilva.mp3

Ken’s Website:
www.apprising.org

Book Review #4 – Beth Moore’s “The Beloved Disciple”

Beth Moore’s book, “The Beloved Disciple”, is up for review due to her many claims of “God spoke to me“. These claims need to be examined due to the fact that when God gives commands to his church, it is authoritatively binding for the whole church, and equal with Scripture (2Peter 1:19-21, James 1:21-25). However, if God has not spoken to a person, who claims that God did speak to them, and told them to give commands to his church, then that person is guilty of taking the Lord’s name in vain by adding to the words of God to his church.

Exodus 20

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Proverbs 30

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

The Beloved Disciple , Pg. 220

Beloved, I am convinced one of our severest needs is pure rest. Not only sleep, but refreshment and recreation. Recently God spoke to me about capturing what He and I are calling “Sabbath moments.” Like many of yours, my schedule right now is particularly tough, and I see no time in the near future for a number of days off. God spoke to my heart one Saturday morning while I was preparing for Sunday school: “My child, in between more intense rests, I want to teach you to take Sabbath moments.” I wasn’t certain what He meant. Just that morning God confirmed His desire for me to drive all the way to the other side of Houston to the medical center to visit a patient with brain cancer. I was very thankful for the privilege of visiting this patient, but I knew in advance it would be tough emotionally and far from restful.

I fought the traffic across Houston, then visited with my new friend and her husband while choking back the tears. They have two young sons, and unless God performs a miracle, their mother will go home to be with the Lord before they are grown. I got in my car and prayed. I pulled out of the parking garage, fighting the tears. A few blocks later as if on autopilot, I turned my steering wheel straight into the parking lot of the Houston Zoo!

Christ seemed to say, “Let’s go play.” And that we did. I hadn’t been to the zoo in years. I heard about all the improvements, but I never expected the ultimate: Starbucks coffee! (OK, so I don’t have all my health issues down pat.) Can you imagine watching a baby koala take a nap in a tree on a rare cold day in Houston with a Starbucks grande cappuccino in your hand? Now that’s a Sabbath moment! God and I had a blast.

Beth Moore’s god cannot be recognized as the God of Scripture, since nowhere in Scripture has the God of glory ever invited his servants to “go with him to play” (Psalm 29:3, Acts 7:2-3). Instead, he invites his people to delight themselves in him, which is done, not by focusing on the earthly affairs, and pleasures of this life, such as going to Starbucks, and enjoying a cup of cappuccino (1John 2:15-17, Jude 1:16-19). God’s instruction, from Scripture, is to delight one’s self in the Lord, by meditating on him, his word, his goodness, his loving kindness, his work of redemption…etc. which are Heavenly blessings, and not superficial, and earthly, as Beth Moore’s god is (Psalm 1:2-3, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 119:13-20, Romans 11:33-36, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 5:18-20, Colossians 15:17). God has given all things under Heaven for man’s enjoyment, but delighting oneself in the Lord should not be confused with earthly pleasures. Scripture does not direct the church to focus on delighting themselves in regular earthly pleasures, but on things that are above (Colossians 3:2).

Furthermore, Christ’s commands to his church must come from the Bible, because “The Lord spoke to me…” is a breeding ground for heresy, and it is the foundation which cult leaders build on to take, from the church, a following after themselves. Therefore, to allow the church to be in the habit of listening to teachers who frequently make the claim of God speaking to them, and giving them commands for his church, which cannot be found in the Bible, is to tear down the wall of defense for the church that would have protected Christ’s sheep from deceivers, who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the gospel, and do not serve the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:17-19). This is made evident by Beth Moore’s “vision of the church“, and her “acknowledgment of Roman Catholicism as just another Christian denomination“.

Therefore, teachers like Beth Moore must be marked, and avoided. This means that their books should not be read, and they must not be welcomed into the church as believers, because their authoritative commands, which, they claim, were given by divine revelation from God, cannot be affirmed by Scripture (2John 1:8-11).

Christ gave his Apostles, and prophets, to the church for the purpose of building up his church in their knowledge of the gospel, until the New Testament was written by them. Now that the church has the New Testament, it no longer needs the presents of Apostles, and prophets. Nor does the church need the constant claims of God giving people visions, and extra-Biblical messages, because Scripture alone is sufficient to make the church wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, and it was given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the church may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3:15-17). This is why it is said “whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1Corinthians 13:8-12). Therefore, the need for tongues, prophecy, and words of knowledge, were present because the church was still immature in it’s development. Now that the church has God’s written word, which is the mirror of the perfect law of liberty, they only need Scripture to instruct them in Christian living. The written word of God is the more reliable word of prophecy, because “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2Peter 1:19-21).

Ephesians 4

11   And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13   Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14   That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15   But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ

Romans 16

17   Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18   For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
19   For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Matthew 7

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Test All Things Pt. 4 – Being “Missional”

Is the Jesus of incarnational ministry the same as the Jesus that is presented in Scripture?

This question must be asked in light of the new movement in evangelicalism, known as being “missional” and “incarnational”. Many Reformed Theology adherents are following this movement with zeal, and are even learning about it in seminaries, such as Westminster Theological Seminary. Incarnational ministry is built upon the, Pelagian, “substitutionary theory” of Christ’s Atonement, which claims that Christ came into the world to give mankind a moral example of how to live. Although this is being taught in Reformed Seminaries, it is not being taught to the exclusion of the, Reformed, “vicarious substitutionary” view of the Atonement, which rightly claims that Christ came into the world to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind (Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:18-19) . Therefore, two doctrines are being merged as one within the minds of many new Calvinists.

This merging of the two views of Christ’s Atonement is the basis for incarnational ministry, which is an attempt to follow Christ’s example of being a humanitarian, for the purpose of evangelism, and, for some, bringing about the kingdom of God on earth, as though the church age is the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. This movement holds a promise of a better world, which will be brought about through the good works of one’s own hands, for many who follow it. This better world is to be realized by taking on the social problems of the world as though the church has been empowered by Christ to put an end to the affects of sin, such as poverty, war, and tyranny (Revelation 6:1-6). This is why many new Calvinists claim to be on a mission of reclaiming the culture, and even creation itself. Many have even taken the focus off of evangelism, and have, instead, began teaching the Jesus came to reconcile all creation to himself, and therefore, he has reconciled his church to creation. They are also teaching that God made mankind to be creators, just as God is a creator. This belief that the church will bring about the redemption of all things is consistent with the 1679 “Prophecy of the Coming Kingdom“ by the Christian mystic, Jane Lead, minus the conversion of the world through signs, and wonders, but it is inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture.

In order to believe that the church is able to bring about a better world, certain Biblical truths must be ignored, misinterpreted, and even completely thrust aside. One of those truths is Revelation 12, which teaches that Satan has been cast down to the earth, and is full of wrath, because he knows that he only has a short time to persecute Christians. Also, 2Corinthians 4:4 teaches that Satan is the ruler of this world. Daniel 12, Revelation 13, 19 and 20, shows that Christians will endure persecution, and murder, until Christ returns, and destroys this present world’s system, and sets up his own kingdom, which is the kingdom of Heaven come down to earth. These passages, and many others, prove that Christ did not send his church to reclaim, or to transformed, the culture, because it is Satan’s territory. Jesus’ return to earth, and nothing else, will transform this world.

Christ’s incarnation was not centered on humanitarianism, but saving lost souls from eternal punishment, and reconciling them to God. Jesus clearly affirms this when he said “…the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”, and “…as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Luke 19:10, John 3:14-17). Also, Christ’s ministry of preaching the gospel for the saving of the lost was the same ministry that he gave to his Apostles. That is why Jesus said “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high”, “…and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:8). That is why Paul said, “all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:18-21).

Therefore, the Jesus of incarnational ministry, who came into the world to empower his church to teach the world how to be good people, is not the Jesus of the Bible. The real Jesus is the Savior of the world, and not a humanitarian. To merge two different teachings of who Jesus is, by teaching both the Pelagian and the vicarious substitutionary view of the Atonement, is to create a different god – a false God. According to the Apostle John, those who try to change the teachings of who Christ is, is an antichrist (1John 4:1-3).

The proof that the missional movement is not from Christ can also be found in the actions of the movement. For example: the movement is not centered on evangelism, and discipleship, but embracing the non-believing communities of the world as though it were the church; thus blurring the lines between those who are the family of God, and those who are not. This is also reinforced by applying certain passages of Scripture that only apply to the church to everyone in the community in which a local church is planted in, such as the following passage:

Matthew 25

31   When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32   And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33   And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34   Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35   For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36   Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37   Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38   When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39   Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40   And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41   Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42   For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43   I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44   Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45   Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46   And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This passage is used to support the social efforts of the missional movement, when it is really addressing Christ command to his church to love one another, by saying “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”, and “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” (Matthew 25:40 & 45). The world is not Christ’s brethren, but the church is. Incarnational ministry ignores that important detail.

Some have also used the Apostles’ charge to Paul to remember the poor, which Paul was also eager to do (Galatians 2:10). But Paul’s ministry to the poor did not reflect the missional movement, because the book of Acts, as well as, Paul’s epistles, did not mention Paul caring for the poor people of the unbelieving world. Instead, what is mentioned in 2Corinthians 8 is Paul’s collection of the gifts of the Gentile churches for the relief of the poor believers in Jerusalem, which began in Acts 11:19-20, because of a great famine that impoverished Judea. No where in Scripture has Paul reflected the work of the missional movement.

Is it wrong to meet the needs of the poor?

It is wrong to call humanitarian work “the work of God”, because believing in Jesus is the work of God in the world (John 6:26-29). To call something else that Scripture does not acknowledge as “the work of God” for the church, is to take the Lord’s name in vain, and God will not hold such a person, or movement, guiltless who does this, because it is contrary to the will of Christ (Exodus 20:7, Luke 12:47-48).

Nevertheless, it is not wrong to meet the needs of the poor “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). Therefore, it is not wrong to meet the needs of poor unbelievers, but it is wrong to call this act the work of Christ’s church, or incarnational minsitry, or being missional.

It is by the church’s love for one another that the world will know that they belong to God, because they love one another just as Christ loved them (John 13:34-35). This is one of the ways that the church allows their light to shine, so that men will see their good deeds, and glorify their Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). This love for other believers is the light of the church that has been recorded in Scripture in passages such as Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:32-37, and Acts 6:1-6). Furthermore, this kind of love was also taught by the Apostles in passages such as Romans 12:4-16, Romans 15:1-7, 1Corinthians 13, Philippians 2:1-8, James 2:14-16, 1John 3:16-19.

Therefore, the missional movement would do well to redirect its focus from the world, and onto loving the church just as Christ loved his church. A movement such as that could indeed be supported by Scripture, but the social efforts of incarnational ministry, which is nothing more than the social gospel, is the work of a different religion. This work will only serve to cause people to hope in an earth-based/works-based salvation. Such a movement is not the work of God, but it is more consistent with the ministry of white-wash, which the false prophets of Israel were well adapt in (Ezekiel 13:4-14).

In conclusion, incarnational ministry is not the work of the gospel, but it is the work of the social gospel that is deceiving Christians into putting their efforts towards helping the world to work for, and hope in, an earth-based/works-based salvation. It is causing people to be under the same condemnation that the rich man of Luke 12:16-21, who was not condemned for being greedy, but for not preparing for the more weightier matter of being justified before God. The missional movement does this by taking the focus off of evangelism, and instead, putting the focus on earthly cares, and heart-felt needs, as though that is what matters to God the most. But Scripture makes it clear, that believers must love their neighbor as themselves, and they must love the church, just as Christ loved the church, by giving his life for them. Therefore, loving the church is the orthodox focus for Christ’s church, and not incarnational ministry. The missional movement is more consistent with Rick Warren’s world wide “Purpose Driven Emerging Church movement” than the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 13

3   Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!
4   O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts.
5   You have not gone up into the gaps to build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the LORD.
6   They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.
7   Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, ‘The LORD says,’ but I have not spoken.”
8   Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD.
9   “My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
10   “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace — and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar —
11   say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down.
12   Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?’ ”
13   Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it.
14   So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.

Luke 12

16   And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17   And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18   And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19   And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20   But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21   So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Matthew 7

21   Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22   Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23   And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24   Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26   And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 12

42   And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
43   Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44   Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
45   But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46   The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
47   And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48   But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

1Corinthians 3

9   For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
10   According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11   For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12   Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13   Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14   If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15   If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17   If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18   Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19   For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20   And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Child Sacrifice – Uganda

child sacrifice

JourneyManPictures –

Uganda is a developing country with a growing economy. Yet it struggles against a widespread belief in spirits and superstition – as demonstrated by the alarming rise in incidents of child sacrifice.

Considering the violence experienced by 10 year old Alan Ssemwanga, his survival is “miraculous”. Whilst searching for fruit in the forest, he was attacked by two men – beaten, castrated and left to die. Yet many Ugandans support these attacks, believing that child sacrifice, “leads to happiness and wealth”. Missing evidence, bribery, false statements and local police allowing suspects to skip bail all exacerbates the problem. “The law is weak”, one mother despairs.

To learn more, click on the link entitled “Child Sacrifice – Uganda“.

War on Consciousness Pt. 27 – Hubris

pope_in_cope_2

2Timothy 3 (Apostle Paul approx. 66 – 67 AD)

1   But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2   For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3   unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4   traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5   having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6   For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7   always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8   Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
9   but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Why did the Son of God become flesh? (St. Thomas Aquinas 13th century)

460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”:⁷⁸ “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.”⁷⁹ “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”⁸⁰ “The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”⁸¹

The Popes claiming to be God.

Christian Mystic, Jane Lead’s, 1679 prophecy of an elite church that will become immortal, convert the whole world through signs and wonders, take over the world before Christ return, and bear the mark of their god.

Mormons claiming that God was a man, who lived a perfect life, and became a god, and that people who follow Mormon doctrine, perfectly, can become gods as well. (Mid 1800’s)

The “New Age” religion’s claim that people are gods. 1970’s

The Christian cult leaders, who claim to be gods. 1960’s to the present.

Glenn Beck teaching his followers to take the name “I Am”.

The result of this longstanding hubris will be the following:

2Thessalonians 2

1   Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2   not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3   Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
4   who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
5   Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6   And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7   For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
8   And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
9   The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
10   and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11   And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12   that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Acts 17

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.

Test All Things Pt. 3 – Wimpy Christians & The Culture War

OneNewsNow.Com –

A respected Southern Baptist pastor and author says “wimpy” pastors and laypersons are the reason Christians are losing the culture war.

Why are many Christian leaders silent when religious freedom comes under attack? That question was raised Tuesday evening by Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly and posed to Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas and author of How Can I Know: Answers to Life’s 7 Most Important Questions.

“I think one reason is a lot of Christian leaders have the wrong idea about Jesus,” Jeffress replied when asked the question. “They see Jesus as this little, wimpy guy who walked around plucking daisies and eating birdseed and saying nice things, but never doing anything controversial. The fact is, Jesus did confront his culture with truth — and he ended up being crucified because of it.”

The Dallas pastor chastised pastors who shy away from controversy.

“Wimpy pastors produce wimpy Christians — and that is why we are losing this culture war,” he emphasized.

These are indeed some bold, and hard hitting, comments. But are they true? Are Christians wimps for not participating in the culture war? Has Christ called his church to go to war with the culture? Did Jesus go to war with the culture?

First, to set the record straight, there are many pastors going to war with the culture, and are even willing to be led in the culture war by false teachers, such as, the historical revisionist, David Barton, Glenn Beck, the Mormon, Roman Catholics, and even “Word of Faith” & New Apostolic Reformation” heretics. So it wouldn’t be accurate to claim that pastors are not engaged in the culture war. Mr. Jeffress might not like the amount of people involved, but he should be realistic in his observation, because the majority of Western society holds to a secular world-view; thus out numbering those who still hold to traditional Christian morality.

Nevertheless, Mr. Jeffress’ statements should be challenged.

Did Jesus, in fact, go to war with his culture, by trying to compel the Jews to keep the Old Covenant law? It is true that he rightly accused the Jews, and even the leaders, by telling them that none of them keeps the law, and that they even nullify the law by replacing it with their own traditions (John 7-19, Matthew 15:3-9). But was it the law that Jesus was telling the people to obey? Jesus did not command the Jews to do a better job at keeping the law. Instead, he told them to do “the work of God”, which is to “believe in Him whom He [God] sent… Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life” (John 6:29-48). That was Jesus’ messages, and that is what he confronted his culture with, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Nowhere can it be found in the gospel, or even the epistles, where Jesus is commanding the people to do better at keeping the law. Instead, he shows the people their lost and sinful state, by showing them how they have always broken the law, and cannot keep the law, because of their sinful heart. This was made evident when he said “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:18-30). Sinful man, even orthodox Jews, cannot live up to this standard “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8). That is why Jesus said “You must be born again”, because “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (John 3:7, 2Corinthians 5:17).

Did Jesus tell his Apostles to fight a culture war, when he commissioned them after his resurrection? No, instead, he told them to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 19:20). None of Jesus’ commands to his disciples had to do with fighting for control of the world’s culture. Instead, his commands were centered on salvation from sin, and from a world that is mark for destruction, and that is what the Apostles preached, saying “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead”, and “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 30:31, Acts 16:31).

Is Christ’s church engaged in war of any kind? Yes, the church is, in fact, engaged in, and called to a war. But it is not a war against the culture, because “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh”, and the war for the culture is a war against people, for control of a nation, which is not what Christ commanded the church to do (2Corinthians 10:3). Yet, “from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). Christ church, therefore, is engaged in a spiritual war “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10). These opposing forces wage war on the truth, which the church is called to contend earnestly for, by refuting the heresies of false teachers. This war is fought by abiding in the truth, and by “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” (2Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 6:14-18, Jude 1:3-4).

Many false teachers fight against the truth, by teaching the church, and the world, to do things in Christ’s name that Jesus never commanded, and the church must expose their lies, and “mark those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which they’ve learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17-18). “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage”, but Christ church must “remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit (Jude 1:16-19). Jesus also gave this warning when he told his disciples to “enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:13-20).

Therefore, Christ has called his church to engaged in a war, but it is not a war for the culture, which is doomed, according to Scripture (Acts 17:30-30, 1John 2:15-17). Instead, the church is engaged in a war for the truth of who the true God is, and for the truth of the true gospel of salvation, because many false prophets are in the world, and they are leading the world to obey false gods, false Christs, and false gospel (1John 4:1-6, 1John 5:19-21). Some are even telling the church that Jesus wants them to take charge of the culture through civil law, or through bringing about world peace in his name, even though Christ has already said “do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.'” (Matthew 10:34-36). The hatred, and lack of peace, is directly linked with the world’s hatred of Christ, “because he testified of it that its works are evil”, and the church must do the same, through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 7:7, John 16:8).

Those who are not willing to follow Christ’s commands to engage in this spiritual warfare are fearful. This is because they fear sinful man more than God, who is able to kill, and send those who disobeyed him to Hell, and the “Lake of Fire” (Matthew 10:29, Revelation 21:7-8). Those are the true wimpy Christians, who will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven, just as those who have told lies in Christ name (Revelation 21:7-8). That is why the Scriptures says “…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone…” (Revelation 21:8). “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:12-13). To take the Lord’s name in vain, by telling people that God wants them to do certain things that he never told them, is not a small matter, “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

Christians who fight in a war, who have not been commanded by God to do so, are fooled into waring against the very people that Christ has commanded them to preach the gospel to, so that they will repent, believe the gospel, and be saved, from their sins, and from this evil world. Believers are called to “set their minds on things above, not on things on the earth”, because “no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (Colossians 3:2, 2Timothy 2:4). The church’s war is centered upon salvation, and upon making disciples. Christ does not burden his people with the hopeless cares of this world, that is ruled over by Satan, who is “the god of this world” (2Crointhians 4:4, John 16:11, Revelation 12:12). Instead, he says “I will put on you no other burden. But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations. ‘ He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’, as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:24-29).

Revelation 22

12   And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14   Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15   For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16   I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17   And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18   For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19   And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20   He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21   The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

War on Consciousness Pt. 26 – The Collective Salvation of the Superior Group

Worldview Weekend Radio –

On todays program Brannon discusses the dangers of collective salvation, group consensus, existentialism and how the false church in Nazi Germany embraced these ideas and how they are being embraced again by a rising, global, false church. Martin Heidegger was the First Nazi Rector of a German University. Martin Heidegger was influenced by Søren Kierkegaard and Kierkegaard also influenced the false church with his belief in subjective truth. Heidegger promoted deconstructionism in Germany and when he joined the Nazi party he aided the Nazi party in teaching the idea of community and collective salvation to the false church in Germany. Heidegger helped to indoctrinate the church in both existentialism and the idea of collectivism, group consensus, and denial of the value and worth of the individual. These philosophies helped to lay the foundation for the Nazi holocaust. How have postmodernism, existentialism, and collective salvation come into the modern church today? What serious consequences could result in todays world from these dangerous philosophies? How do the New Religious Right and Religious Left embrace group consensus and collective salvation albeit in different forms?

To listen to the program, click on the link entitled “The Collective Salvation of the Superior Group“.

Another influence from the grave is the writings of Jane Lead. Particularly her 1679 prophecy of the “Philadelphian Church“, which has been adopted, in part, by the New Apostolic Reformation, the Latter Rain Movement, the Vineyard Movement, and IHOP. The key character traits of these two movements is the emphasis on the importance of collectivism through, around-the-clock, group prayer meetings for the purpose of coming under the control of the Holy Spirit, whom, they claim, desires to use them to perform signs and wonders on a scale so great that it would convert the world to Jesus Christ, and also cause Christ to return to the earth through their elite church, which would also become gods, and would be so powerful that the earth would be restored by the power of this elite church.

This experienced-based, false church, as seen with IHOP, has no tolerance for sound doctrine, and instead, desires to know God through the senses, apart from Scripture, and seeks after signs and wonders, because the gospel of Christ isn’t enough for them, and adherents to the written word of God are even seen as those who follow dead religion. This perspective automatically causes this elite church to see the true church, that desires to follow the God of the Bible, rather than the strange doctrines, and practices, derived from experiences , as false, dead, and as salt that has lost its savor. Nevertheless, it is the wicked generation that seeks after a sign, and refuses to seek, and obey, the written word of God.

Matthew 16

1   The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2   He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3   And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4   A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Psalm 119

1   Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2   Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3   They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

Psalm 1

1   Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2   But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3   And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4   The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5   Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6   For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What is required of the church during this time of promoting the fallacy of group consensus, and collective salvation, is to abide in Christ, which means we must study God’s word, meditate on it day and night, and most of all, obey it, even in the face of persecution and death (John 15:3-5, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 119:1-8). Just as Noah was the only one preaching, and standing up for the truth, in the midst of his wicked generation, before the flood came, and destroyed the old, proud, world, with its great numbers , who were sure of their collective movement of lawlessness, so the church of Jesus Christ must stand in this evil day, against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, by standing up for the truth of who God is, and the truth of the gospel (Ephesians 6:10-13). This is done by preaching the gospel to the lost, making disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey everything that he has commanded those who follow him, and by contending earnestly for the faith, once delivered to the saints, by casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20, Jude 1:3-4, 2Corinthians 10:4-5). Christ’s command to his church is to put on the whole armor of God, so that they are able to stand for the truth in the midst of this wicked generation (Ephesians 6:10-18, 1Peter 1:8-20).

The church must be willing to stand for the true God, and the gospel, when it is vastly out numbered (Matthew 10:16-40, Matthew 24:9-13). It must be willing to stand up, by the grace of God, under persecution. Christ church must be willing to be rejected by this sinful world, and separated themselves from the false prophets who are promoted by the mainstream Christian media (Luke 6:26, Matthew 5:10-16). It must separate itself from the ecumenical practices of the New Religious Right (2Corinthians 6:14-18, 1John 2:3-6, 1John 5:18-21).

The power of God in the church is its witness of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Spirit, which they have been given in their mortal bodies, to show that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit that they are able to stand firm until Christ returns (Romans 1:16-17, Ephesians 3:14-21, Corinthians 4:5-7, Zechariah 4:1-6, Hebrews 10:35-38).

The church began its mission of gospel proclamation through signs, and wonders, confirming their witness to be from God (Mark 16:17-20, Hebrews 2:3-4). The church has no more need for signs, and wonders, now that the fullness of their faith has been revealed by the written word of God (1Corinthians 13:8-13, James 1:21-25, 2Timothy 3:14-17). Now they must shine as lights in these last hours by their faith, through preaching the gospel, and through the sign of boldness in martyrdom (Daniel 12:3, Daniel 12:7-10, 2Timothy 4:1-5, Revelation 12:10-12). Signs, and wonders, are no longer needed by the true church to affirm their righteousness to the collective, superior group, because they are the just, who live by faith in God’s written word, which promised them resurrection to eternal life, when Christ returns, and judges this world in righteousness (2Thessalonians 1:3-12, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, Isaiah chp. 26).

Test All Things Pt. 2 – Homosexuality & Salvation

homosexual-question

The latest interviews by Rick Warren, as shown in this article entitled “Rick Warren Uncertain if Homosexual Behavior is Sinful, Says ‘Gays’ Go to Heaven“, reveals the growing confusion over the issue of homosexuality, sin, and salvation. As stated in the article, Warren isn’t the only one spreading this confusion, but other mainstream Christian media personalities are guilty of promoting this confusion as well. This is because of their statement in the media that can lead many into asking, “Is homosexuality a sin?”, “Can practicing homosexuals inherit eternal life?”, and “Is it a sin to have same sex attractions?” These Christian media personalities, who claim to be ministers of the gospel of salvation, reveal their bad fruit by their poor affirmation of the gospel. Yet, there are others who affirm the truth on this controversial topic, as is also stated in the article.

To set the record straight concerning what the Bible has to say about these questions, the following Scriptures has been stated below.

Is homosexuality a sin?

Scripture describes homosexuality as uncleanness, vile affections, and an error of man’s, lustful, reprobate (immoral), minds, which God has handed mankind over to because of man’s refusal to acknowledge, and worship, the true God, whom they replaced with mere idols. Therefore, homosexuality is one of the judgments of God upon mankind for their sin of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6). Therefore, if people are born homosexuals, it is only an affirmation of God’s judgment upon mankind, and it could in no way validate homosexual desires, because God is love, and love “does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” (1John 4:8 & 1Corinthians 13:6). Instead, people are born sinners, because “one man’s [who is Adam] disobedience many were made sinners” (Romans 5:19). Furthermore, love does not tempt others to sin, in the name of love, because the act of true love is to “love God, and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” And Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments”, and Jesus’ command to mankind is to “Repent [turn from sin], and believe in the gospel”.

Romans 1

21   Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22   Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23   And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24   Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25   Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26   For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27   And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28   And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Can practicing homosexuals inherit eternal life?

Jesus’ command, to mankind, is to turn from sin, and to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which can save all sinners, who are willing to humble themselves before God, and confess their life-style as sinful, bringing their sinful deeds to the light of God’s truth, and turning away from their sins to believe, and obey, the gospel of Christ; while those who reject Christ remains in the darkness of their sin, which they love more than the truth of Christ’s sacrifice for their forgiveness, and freedom from sin, and God’s judgment (Mark 1:15, John 3:14-21).

1Corinthians 6

9   Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10   nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
11   And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 10

26   For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27   But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28   He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30   For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31   It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Is it a sin to have same sex attractions?

Jesus reveals that those who look on some one with lustful desires is guilty of the sin of sexual immorality. Furthermore, Scripture teaches that the thoughts of a person reveals their true self, and God will not hear the prayers of one who’s heart is set on evil.

Matthew 5

27   Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28   But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29   And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30   And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Proverbs 23

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Psalm 66

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Therefore, the only hope for mankind is the same hope that Jesus described to Nicodemus, saying “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God…Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7). Also, those who are born of God, by the preaching of the gospel, and by the Holy Spirit, may struggle with sinful thoughts, and desires, but they have God’s grace to free them from the bondage of sin, as they grow in their knowledge of the gospel, and their obedience to it, because the word of God is powerful, and it transforms their minds, and character, into the character, and mind, of Christ(Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 5:16-25).

John 8

12   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
23   And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
24   I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
31   Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32   And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
34   Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35   And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36   If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2Corithinians 5

17   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18   And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19   To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20   Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21   For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 10

8   But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9   That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10   For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11   For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12   For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13   For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

1John 1

6   If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10   If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1John 2

1   My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2   And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3   And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4   He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5   But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6   He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Philippians 3

18   (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19   Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20   For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21   Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1John 5

18   We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19   And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20   And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21   Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Brian “The Doulos” Feaster AKA SlaveOfJesusChrist

brian1

Hello, everyone!

I’d like to start off by thanking everyone for following my blogs. Your interest in my blog-site is much appreciated.

My name is Brian Feaster, and my purpose in starting my blog-site is to shed light on historical issues, current events, biblical truths, and to point people to the true Savior of mankind, who is Jesus Christ. What I believe about Christ, and his good news of salvation, can be read by clicking on the link entitled “Statement of Faith“.

I also want to let you know about “THE NEW REAL TALK RADIO SHOW” of which I will be co-hosting with my good

friend, Jim Green, of the “URBAN TRUTH NETWORK“. The purpose of the radio show is to help people to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

Exposing false doctrine
Stopping biblical Illiteracy
Defining the biblical gospel
Evangelizing the lost
Pointing the church to Christ
Recognizing the history of the church & its traditions
The teaching of proper bible interpretation
Develop discernment skills in believers
Build a world view rooted in biblical truth
Increase awareness of current affairs & world events

To learn more about the New Real Talk Radio Show, click on the link entitled “The Real Talk Mission“.

The first show has been postponed until January 8, 2013, and will air once a week, every Tuesday at 7:00pm until 9:00pm (Pacific Standard Time). The link to the radio will be posted on the facebook event page below:

“2013: The Year of Unmasking Truth; The New Real Talk Radio Show“

The New Real Talk Radio Show

newrealtalkradio

REAL TALK RADIO BRAND STORY–

One day as I listened to the seemingly endless sea of as they spoke of their faith and quoted scripture, it became painfully clear to me that Christianity is in a deep crisis of identity. There appeared to be three basic reasons for the loss of uniformity within the Christian community. 1) Biblical Illiteracy 2) A theology that limits God to love only 3) Lack of understanding of the gospel. As this became clear to me I was compelled to build. But what would I build? I would build an institute that would seek to regain what Christianity has lost. I would build a forum of which the unasked questions of Christianity could be asked and answered by the one who answers all questions…God! To do this God must be put back into the Christian conversation. His word must rule the life of the Christian.

REAL TALK RADIO MISSION STATEMENT–

It is the mission of real talk radio to lead the way in the restoration of Christianity back to the truth of the word of God and to restore biblical literacy to Gods people.

REAL TALK RADIO PURPOSE STATEMENT– We must understand the one and only true gospel which is able to snatch the lives of the lost from the pit of hell. This is the will of God and the mandate of the church. For this reason a 24 hour information network dedicated to informing people of the truth and exposing falsehood must be formed. this network will be named the “URBAN TRUTH NETWORK” At the center of this network of truth and Godliness will be “THE NEW REAL TALK RADIO SHOW” of which I will host.

WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?

Exposing false doctrine
Stopping biblical Illiteracy
Defining the biblical gospel
Evangelizing the lost
Pointing the church to Christ
Recognizing the history of the church & its traditions
The teaching of proper bible interpretation
Develop discernment skills in believers
Build a world view rooted in biblical truth
Increase awareness of current affairs & world events

Join us as we kick of the new year with a fantastic show! We will recap all of the important events of 2012 from the election to hurricane Sandy along with other events. We will also kick off a three month show in our new “Unmasking” series by taking a look at what makes up a cult and how we should deal with them biblically. We’ll be joined by our very own master blogger Brian “The Doulos” Feaster of the Urban Truth Network blog sharing his insights from the word of God and his unique perspective. As always Double “L” will bring her wit and snappy humor to the table as we discuss the important issues of the day from a biblical perspective. The “LIVE” chat room and phone lines will be open for you to express your views on any topic. Come join us!

“2013: The Year of Unmasking Truth; The New Real Talk Radio Show“