We have those moments in our lives when we become preoccupied with life events that are not pleasant or create uncertainty. This morning I knelt in prayer to seek the Lord and my mind kept wandering to a project I am working on and two other major issues in my life right now. As I evaluated these issues it was clear they were strictly of earthly matters. Issues that will one day pass and may have no effect upon eternity. Paul said, “life is but a vapor”. In our finite condition, life on earth is here for a brief moment and then its gone. For some its about the same amount of time as yawning. For others it may be the same amount of time as sneezing all compared to eternity. Most of what “happens” in life on this planet is of little significance in heaven. Our disposition , behavior or attitude toward what is “happening” is of heavenly consequence. Ideally, nothing in this earthly existence should cause us anxiety. This world is not our home. Jesus said, “I am not of this world”. Our home is in heaven. In Ephesians 2:6 Paul told these Christians that “we are seated together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus”.
Christ Jesus did not exhibit temporal anxiety during His earthly sojourn. He had no worries over his next mortgage payment. He had no son in prison or a daughter on crack. Christ had no health concerns or fears of his pension being robbed by the government. He had no anxiety over the issues of life. Even though he knew Judas would betray Him Christ expressed no anxiety but complete submission to the fathers will. The only anxiety Jesus ever expressed was heavenly in nature. In the garden of Gethsemane He prayed so hard till blood came from the pores in His skin. The fulfillment of His earthly mission was nearing and He knew this task involved separation from the father. We cannot fathom the breadth, the depth and length of this moment where Christ took upon Himself the curse of man and experienced separation from the Father. In a sense it was like God denying Himself. Christs passion was a moment worthy of anxiety. Yet His righteousness overcame and therein is our righteousness hid.
If there is anything in this earth that should bring us anxiety it is those things that separate us from God. It should be those things that impede us from serving the Lord. Those things that take our eyes off of eternity. God help us that we may stay fixed and focused on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. With our eyes set on the prize before us that we might run the good race may we bring our wills into submission to Almighty God. May all things that come our way in this earthly existence be stepping stones to that heavenly prize in Christ Jesus. Jonathon Edwards said, “Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs”. May we look at life around us through the lens of eternity. We are not of this world. Lord help us to live as such.
A Voice Crying
"Be Ye Separate Saith the Lord" 2 Corinthians 6:17
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Practical Holiness
The Podcast message today touches on the necessity of practical holiness. I could preach a lengthy theological discourse on practical holiness vs. positional holiness but choose to address the issue where the rubber meets the road. Many Christians embrace ideas and behaviors commonly accepted in society. Christians are called of God to be different. Our natural desire is to NOT be different but to be accepted. The call of God to the Christian is to take up their cross. This is something the world cannot know. Yet, the modern Christian wants to be loved by the world and will only distinguish themselves on subjects that are extreme such as abortion or same sex marriage. Holiness goes way beyond holding an opinion about a couple of big issues. Holiness for the Christian should be life consuming. The Christians desire for the things of the world is not the main problem. It is a symptom of the heart not longing for God.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Lucifers Mirror
The Bible admonishes us to look for certain signs of the end times that we may be ready for Christs return. An increase in wars and rumors of wars, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, one world government and one world religion are all indications of Christs imminent return. The esoteric meanings of end time prophecy found in the book of the Revelation, Daniel and Jesus' sayings in Matthew occur for a reason. That we may always live as though Christ were coming tomorrow. We must be prepared. There are signs that give us surety that these prophecies are being fulfilled. As prophecy unfolds we begin to understand more clearly. The resurrection of Christ is the perfect example of this. Jesus Himself told His disciples he would raise from the dead and they did not comprehend this. Only after Christs resurrection did they understand all of the prophecy concerning the Messiah. Up until the very end of Christs earthly sojourn the disciples believed He would be a conquering king and set up a kingdom on earth.
The amount of literature that has been written about the end times is evidence to me that because people understand it more clearly we are living in or very near the end times. Of all the people on earth who need to take heed to this message it is not the unchurched but the church people. We are no doubt living in the Laodicean age. I even hear people who are Laodicean in spirit admit this but they are blinded to their own acceptance of satans devices in their midst. I see it nearly every day. I do not go looking for this stuff and I can't avoid it no matter where I go. I witnessed the spirit of the age at a conservative Bible believing church just recently.
I pulled into the parking lot and observed a car with a bumper sticker, “I'm Christian and I vote”. This vehicle had a rather large Native American dream catcher hanging from the mirror. Why is a Christian adoring their vehicle with pagan witchcraft symbols? You might think its harmless but its things like this that Christians accept from popular culture and give little thought to the significance of how this relates to a Christian testimony. Swastikas are ancient Native American symbols. Why not adorn your car with Swastikas?
The spirit of this present age is deception. Paul told Timothy this would be so in the latter times. II Tim. 3 and 4 address this spirit of the end time. After a long list of behaviors that describe the end times Paul states in 3:8 they are “men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith.” In chapter 4:3 Paul states,” the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” and they shall “turn away their ears from the truth”. This is one other point of eschatology that we can be dogmatic about and that is apostasy in the visible church of Christ in the end times. I don't care how sound you may be in Bible doctrine or how separated from the world you may think you are I have seen the spirit of deception even in conservative, bible believing fundamental churches.
II Thes. 2:1-4
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (New Age)
And what is the temple of God? Acts 7:48 states that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. Paul said in I Cor. 6:19 ; “ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Many believe that the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” as mentioned in II Thes. 2:3 is THE antichrist.
I'm not so sure that is the case. Once again, we are dealing with prophecy here and I am not being dogmatic about this statement, rather I am simply making an observation of our present world. The predominant perception of mankind in our present culture is a New Age perception. New Age teaching places oneself on the throne of their lives. They are not accountable to a transcendent holy God. They are in essence divine or so they believe. New Age philosophy is humanistic, holistic and cosmic. You are divine. This popular teaching as promoted by people like Oprah Winfrey, Eckart Tolle and countless others has morphed its way into the church.
The “little god” teaching proclaims that you were made in the image of God and are thus, little gods. Christ died to reveal in you this truth that you are a small god. This teaching denies Christs atonement for the sin nature of man. The sin that occurred in Adam and passed to us was the sin of not accepting that Adam was a little god. This teaching is found within the word of faith, name it and claim it movement of people like Kenneth Copeland and Joyce Meyer. This message appeals to so many people because it is always positive.
I recently was contacted by some friends who had a disturbing experience at a church meeting. It was not the church they attended but an elder from their church invited them to this meeting. I concluded that if the elder was participating in questionable spiritual activity then the church my friends attend must also be engaged in questionable spiritual activity. They never saw bizarre behavior or heard overt teaching that sounded heretical. They like the people at this church and the church seems to do good things in the community.
This church is part of the Journey Church movement. I have found nothing definitive about this movement. The only common theme I have found among them is a seeker friendly model which I define as people wanting to worship God on their own terms and not His. They embrace popular culture in order to win people living in popular culture. This is not in keeping with the command to “Be ye holy as I am holy”. Many of the doctrinal or faith statements that I read appeared to be Biblically sound. But the Journey Church movement is not a denomination and not accountable to a larger body so beware of wolves in sheep clothing. The following is one such statement of faith. Their faith statement is bold print and my comments are italicized.
A "belief section" on a website can never truly articulate the truths of what and Who we believe in (as though the Eternal could be packaged and bullet-pointed by human words). Nonetheless, we know that you still may want to know if we are some crazy cult, so we will do our best to put forth our core beliefs here.
This preamble seems to trash 1600 years of Christian theology. Thousands perhaps millions were persecuted and put to death for “bullet pointed” theological statements about God. The early church fathers had to wrestle with these concepts of what will be commonly accepted and acknowledged as Christian truth. Many heresies have existed over the centuries and even today are still prevalent. Mormons will tell you they believe Jesus is the Son of God. What they won't tell you is that they believe Jesus is Lucifers brother which means Jesus is a created being. Its vital that Christians in this current age of deception know what they believe and the basis of their beliefs.
We believe that from all eternity, before time and space exploded forth into substance and reality, the Creator exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This speaks to the relational and intimate dimension of God. The One who fills all in all is complete Spirit, and yet is a Person who exists in eternal relationship. Creation was birthed out of a happy relationship and a desire to share that relationship with others.
“Time and space exploded forth into substance...” You won't find this comment even suggested in the Bible. Scripture states, “And God said”. Creation was SPOKEN into existence by God. The “explode” comment suggests an evolutionary process which is not biblical. No where do I find in the scripture that the Trinity is the creator. This is a very odd statement with no biblical foundation. Colossians 1 explicitly declares who is the creator,
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him(Jesus), and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Indeed, humanity itself was birthed out of an intense and infinite love. We began in the heart of God and were made in His mirror image and likeness. Our story begins with original glory, not original sin. This is what Jesus would come to redeem us back to.
“Mirror Image”. Where do they get this idea from? Man was made in the likeness and image of God. A child is the likeness and image of their parent but not the “mirror image”. They provide no scripture to support this comment. We are made in God's image but that does not make us equal with God. Heb. 2:7 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels”
Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images
God made Adam and crowned him with glory and honor but God shares His glory with no created man. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”. Adam could not say this because he was a created being. We are not the “mirror image” of God.
Geneticists track our origin to one person and will often refer to "Mitochondrial Eve" as the part of our DNA that links our humanity to one mother. This one mother and her partner we know of as "Adam" were approached by a very real enemy of mankind who came with a temptation and a lie. He said, "If you eat of this tree, you will become like God..." The reality was...they already were like God! They were His very image and likeness reflected on the earth... However, they fell for a lie about their identity and thus was birthed the beginning of sin--and religion. Sin is anything that "misses the mark" of our original blueprint and DNA as Image-Bearers. It is the direct result of deception and believing a lie about ourselves and about God. Ultimately, it is a false identity that becomes a living power in people's hearts.
Mitochondrial Eve? Genetics? These have got to be the most bizarre comments I have ever read in a statement of belief or theological context. They appear to give a preeminence to Eve by referring to Adam as her partner. Eve was clearly made from man and that happened after initial creation. Genesis 2:18-24. Adam is the word for “man”. Eve came from Adam not the other way which they seem to suggest.
The original sin as defined in this statement was NOT Adams disobedience to God but Adams denial of his identity. But they won't come right out and say Adam is a little god however they go to great lengths to imply this fallacy. To suggest we are little gods suggest we are by nature divine. Adams holiness and purity was not self generated or derived from intrinsic purity and independent from God. “Man, therefore, derived holiness from his immediate connection and direct communion with God” T.N.Ralston
Adam was made in the image of God but this “image” had limitations in that only God is Self-Sufficient. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself “ John 5:26. Adam, even in his sinless state, was dependent upon God. Only God is Self Existent. God has no beginning or end. Man has a beginning. God is transcendent.
Religion, in the negative sense (not in the definition given in James 1:27), is man's vain attempt to reach God and God-likeness through our own efforts. Ever since this "fall from glory" we have been trying by our own efforts to reach back to Eden and to "hit the mark" again (whether it is the pursuit of nirvana, a better reincarnation, the heavenly realm, etc...all of it is man's attempts to attain back to what his heart knows was lost).
In the Gospel , Jesus Christ comes to redeem us back to Eden and to re-reveal both God and us. He defied every major concept of God, even among the religious leaders who felt they had the truest handle on Him back then. Jesus reveals to us the Father, showing forth the eternal God in all His kindness, gentleness, love, mercy, strength, and truth. He reveals the true face of the Father--one called Abba "Daddy" God. Moses revealed the Law, but Christ reveals the grace and truth of who God really is.
Jesus does not only reveal the Father...but He also reveals who we are. He comes as the express image of the invisible God. This is the Image that Adam and Eve and all their children were made in. Jesus demonstrates that the human frame is and always was meant to be a carrier (a temple) of the glory of God, reflecting His love, beauty and authority in the physical realm.
Jesus does not only re-reveal us, but He also comes to redeem us. He takes on our fallen identity, our corruption, and sinfulness itself in His sacrificial death on the cross. When He died on the cross, the Apostle Paul proclaims in 2 Corinthians 5 that "all died." When He was raised to new life, we were raised with Him. Jesus is the High Priest, or Representative, of the entire human race, coming as the "Last Adam" who put an end to the false identity and power of sin. He took on the wrath of the Law and releases grace and reconciliation to all people. The work of the cross is a finished work whereby we are invited to simply believe and be immersed ("baptized") into its reality and live from the power of a new life.
This comment on 2 Corinthians 5 is a great lesson on proof texting By the way, in this entire statement of belief this is the only Biblical text that they reference to support their belief system and they completely ignore the context. Here is the passage they are referencing. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all then were all dead; And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again”.
Verse 17 of this same chapter states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things become new”.
The key phrases to note in these passages is v. 14 “they which live” implies not all will live. V. 17 “If any man be in Christ”. Implies not all men are “in” Christ. Their statement that all died on the cross with Christ implies universalism. In other words all are going to heaven. This universalism is supported with the very next point of their statement.
People have the choice to reject the goodness of God and the reality of their inclusion in Christ's death and resurrection. They can reject this work all the way into eternity. Nonetheless, we believe that God the Father is the great pursuer of His lost sheep. His mercy endures forever and He deeply desires that all come to the knowledge of His salvation and love.
Jesus is the Word made flesh. We put inestimable value upon the Written Word of God, as being fully inspired by the very Spirit of God to teach, lead, and instruct us towards Righteousness. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet, which points us towards Jesus, the Gospel, and our true identity in Christ. Without this understanding of the Written Word, we can fall into division, religious striving, and a guilt-based lens when we read it. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. We must approach the Scriptures through the Spirit and through an understanding of Christ's work on the cross. It is not the Father, Son, and Holy Book... The Holy Book is simply meant to feed us with revelation knowledge of who God is and who we are in Christ.
The Church are those who are "awakening" to the glory of Christ's work on the cross and our union with Him. They are those who have stepped into their true identity... The church celebrates this redemption regularly through the sacrament of communion and through worship. They also embody it through a life of deep fellowship, love, and generosity towards one another.
As we are awakened from the slumber of a religion and a false identity, we "arise" into the glory He intended us to carry through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit bears the personality (fruit) and abilities (gifts) of God in the lives of the saints. As we do this, we "advance" this message of reconciliation and hope wherever we go...causing others to awake and arise as well and thus beginning a cycle of life and restoration on the earth. We believe the Lord is returning in His resurrected physical body, but that He is returning to a beautiful Bride who is fully awake to the realities of the cross. We have great hope in the "end-times" despite any plans of darkness that have and continue to be set forth.
In summary, there is much more I could write but for the sake of time and space take note of the frequent reference to identity and false identity. Self identity is at the center of their "theology". This is a man centered, self centered focus. It is very humanistic and new age. Oprah would fully agree with this statement. There statement of faith is quite arrogant, completely ignoring the saints who have gone before and tread these same waters hammering out doctrinal issues. There is no call to repentance, no new birth, no dread of holy God. They appear to deny the literal 6 day creation and refer to creation as “exploding” into existence. The Bible says God spoke it into existence. They claim they put “inestimable” value upon the written Word of God but never quote it but once and that improperly. There statement of faith does not come from scripture but from themselves because they believe they are little gods. Finally, their perception of Adam's relation to God as being His mirror image is nothing short of damnable heresy. Adams sin was not a false image of himself but actual rebellion just as Lucifer had rebelled and attempted to make himself like God. These people have the mirror image of Lucifer, not God.
Isaiah 14:12-15 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
It is this very lie that Satan convinced Eve in the garden that the word of faith movement is teaching.
Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
The word of faith or “little god's” teaching claims that Jesus died to reveal that you are gods. There is only ONE God. This is reiterated over and over to the Hebrew children.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
The word “have” in Exodus 20:3 implies more than just possessing another god but even the mere existence or acknowledgment of other gods. Other ways in which this is translated could read, “in addition to me, equivalent to me and by the side of me”. Any way you look at this verse the “little god” teaching becomes relegated to the category of heresy.
God will save us and fill us with His Spirit but he will not share His glory with us;
Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another...”
II Tim. 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Just prior to this passage of scripture we find II Tim. 3:16-17. This often quoted passage whereby the authority of Gods word is affirmed. We find this passage sandwiched in between these passages addressing apostasy and heresy. Paul was affirming that every teaching, every faith statement, every belief system must come under the scrutiny of Gods word for “All scripture is give by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works”
The amount of literature that has been written about the end times is evidence to me that because people understand it more clearly we are living in or very near the end times. Of all the people on earth who need to take heed to this message it is not the unchurched but the church people. We are no doubt living in the Laodicean age. I even hear people who are Laodicean in spirit admit this but they are blinded to their own acceptance of satans devices in their midst. I see it nearly every day. I do not go looking for this stuff and I can't avoid it no matter where I go. I witnessed the spirit of the age at a conservative Bible believing church just recently.
I pulled into the parking lot and observed a car with a bumper sticker, “I'm Christian and I vote”. This vehicle had a rather large Native American dream catcher hanging from the mirror. Why is a Christian adoring their vehicle with pagan witchcraft symbols? You might think its harmless but its things like this that Christians accept from popular culture and give little thought to the significance of how this relates to a Christian testimony. Swastikas are ancient Native American symbols. Why not adorn your car with Swastikas?
The spirit of this present age is deception. Paul told Timothy this would be so in the latter times. II Tim. 3 and 4 address this spirit of the end time. After a long list of behaviors that describe the end times Paul states in 3:8 they are “men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith.” In chapter 4:3 Paul states,” the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” and they shall “turn away their ears from the truth”. This is one other point of eschatology that we can be dogmatic about and that is apostasy in the visible church of Christ in the end times. I don't care how sound you may be in Bible doctrine or how separated from the world you may think you are I have seen the spirit of deception even in conservative, bible believing fundamental churches.
II Thes. 2:1-4
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (New Age)
And what is the temple of God? Acts 7:48 states that God does not dwell in temples made with hands. Paul said in I Cor. 6:19 ; “ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Many believe that the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” as mentioned in II Thes. 2:3 is THE antichrist.
I'm not so sure that is the case. Once again, we are dealing with prophecy here and I am not being dogmatic about this statement, rather I am simply making an observation of our present world. The predominant perception of mankind in our present culture is a New Age perception. New Age teaching places oneself on the throne of their lives. They are not accountable to a transcendent holy God. They are in essence divine or so they believe. New Age philosophy is humanistic, holistic and cosmic. You are divine. This popular teaching as promoted by people like Oprah Winfrey, Eckart Tolle and countless others has morphed its way into the church.
The “little god” teaching proclaims that you were made in the image of God and are thus, little gods. Christ died to reveal in you this truth that you are a small god. This teaching denies Christs atonement for the sin nature of man. The sin that occurred in Adam and passed to us was the sin of not accepting that Adam was a little god. This teaching is found within the word of faith, name it and claim it movement of people like Kenneth Copeland and Joyce Meyer. This message appeals to so many people because it is always positive.
I recently was contacted by some friends who had a disturbing experience at a church meeting. It was not the church they attended but an elder from their church invited them to this meeting. I concluded that if the elder was participating in questionable spiritual activity then the church my friends attend must also be engaged in questionable spiritual activity. They never saw bizarre behavior or heard overt teaching that sounded heretical. They like the people at this church and the church seems to do good things in the community.
This church is part of the Journey Church movement. I have found nothing definitive about this movement. The only common theme I have found among them is a seeker friendly model which I define as people wanting to worship God on their own terms and not His. They embrace popular culture in order to win people living in popular culture. This is not in keeping with the command to “Be ye holy as I am holy”. Many of the doctrinal or faith statements that I read appeared to be Biblically sound. But the Journey Church movement is not a denomination and not accountable to a larger body so beware of wolves in sheep clothing. The following is one such statement of faith. Their faith statement is bold print and my comments are italicized.
A "belief section" on a website can never truly articulate the truths of what and Who we believe in (as though the Eternal could be packaged and bullet-pointed by human words). Nonetheless, we know that you still may want to know if we are some crazy cult, so we will do our best to put forth our core beliefs here.
This preamble seems to trash 1600 years of Christian theology. Thousands perhaps millions were persecuted and put to death for “bullet pointed” theological statements about God. The early church fathers had to wrestle with these concepts of what will be commonly accepted and acknowledged as Christian truth. Many heresies have existed over the centuries and even today are still prevalent. Mormons will tell you they believe Jesus is the Son of God. What they won't tell you is that they believe Jesus is Lucifers brother which means Jesus is a created being. Its vital that Christians in this current age of deception know what they believe and the basis of their beliefs.
We believe that from all eternity, before time and space exploded forth into substance and reality, the Creator exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This speaks to the relational and intimate dimension of God. The One who fills all in all is complete Spirit, and yet is a Person who exists in eternal relationship. Creation was birthed out of a happy relationship and a desire to share that relationship with others.
“Time and space exploded forth into substance...” You won't find this comment even suggested in the Bible. Scripture states, “And God said”. Creation was SPOKEN into existence by God. The “explode” comment suggests an evolutionary process which is not biblical. No where do I find in the scripture that the Trinity is the creator. This is a very odd statement with no biblical foundation. Colossians 1 explicitly declares who is the creator,
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him(Jesus), and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Indeed, humanity itself was birthed out of an intense and infinite love. We began in the heart of God and were made in His mirror image and likeness. Our story begins with original glory, not original sin. This is what Jesus would come to redeem us back to.
“Mirror Image”. Where do they get this idea from? Man was made in the likeness and image of God. A child is the likeness and image of their parent but not the “mirror image”. They provide no scripture to support this comment. We are made in God's image but that does not make us equal with God. Heb. 2:7 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7Thou madest him a little lower than the angels”
Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images
God made Adam and crowned him with glory and honor but God shares His glory with no created man. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father”. Adam could not say this because he was a created being. We are not the “mirror image” of God.
Geneticists track our origin to one person and will often refer to "Mitochondrial Eve" as the part of our DNA that links our humanity to one mother. This one mother and her partner we know of as "Adam" were approached by a very real enemy of mankind who came with a temptation and a lie. He said, "If you eat of this tree, you will become like God..." The reality was...they already were like God! They were His very image and likeness reflected on the earth... However, they fell for a lie about their identity and thus was birthed the beginning of sin--and religion. Sin is anything that "misses the mark" of our original blueprint and DNA as Image-Bearers. It is the direct result of deception and believing a lie about ourselves and about God. Ultimately, it is a false identity that becomes a living power in people's hearts.
Mitochondrial Eve? Genetics? These have got to be the most bizarre comments I have ever read in a statement of belief or theological context. They appear to give a preeminence to Eve by referring to Adam as her partner. Eve was clearly made from man and that happened after initial creation. Genesis 2:18-24. Adam is the word for “man”. Eve came from Adam not the other way which they seem to suggest.
The original sin as defined in this statement was NOT Adams disobedience to God but Adams denial of his identity. But they won't come right out and say Adam is a little god however they go to great lengths to imply this fallacy. To suggest we are little gods suggest we are by nature divine. Adams holiness and purity was not self generated or derived from intrinsic purity and independent from God. “Man, therefore, derived holiness from his immediate connection and direct communion with God” T.N.Ralston
Adam was made in the image of God but this “image” had limitations in that only God is Self-Sufficient. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself “ John 5:26. Adam, even in his sinless state, was dependent upon God. Only God is Self Existent. God has no beginning or end. Man has a beginning. God is transcendent.
Religion, in the negative sense (not in the definition given in James 1:27), is man's vain attempt to reach God and God-likeness through our own efforts. Ever since this "fall from glory" we have been trying by our own efforts to reach back to Eden and to "hit the mark" again (whether it is the pursuit of nirvana, a better reincarnation, the heavenly realm, etc...all of it is man's attempts to attain back to what his heart knows was lost).
In the Gospel , Jesus Christ comes to redeem us back to Eden and to re-reveal both God and us. He defied every major concept of God, even among the religious leaders who felt they had the truest handle on Him back then. Jesus reveals to us the Father, showing forth the eternal God in all His kindness, gentleness, love, mercy, strength, and truth. He reveals the true face of the Father--one called Abba "Daddy" God. Moses revealed the Law, but Christ reveals the grace and truth of who God really is.
Jesus does not only reveal the Father...but He also reveals who we are. He comes as the express image of the invisible God. This is the Image that Adam and Eve and all their children were made in. Jesus demonstrates that the human frame is and always was meant to be a carrier (a temple) of the glory of God, reflecting His love, beauty and authority in the physical realm.
Jesus does not only re-reveal us, but He also comes to redeem us. He takes on our fallen identity, our corruption, and sinfulness itself in His sacrificial death on the cross. When He died on the cross, the Apostle Paul proclaims in 2 Corinthians 5 that "all died." When He was raised to new life, we were raised with Him. Jesus is the High Priest, or Representative, of the entire human race, coming as the "Last Adam" who put an end to the false identity and power of sin. He took on the wrath of the Law and releases grace and reconciliation to all people. The work of the cross is a finished work whereby we are invited to simply believe and be immersed ("baptized") into its reality and live from the power of a new life.
This comment on 2 Corinthians 5 is a great lesson on proof texting By the way, in this entire statement of belief this is the only Biblical text that they reference to support their belief system and they completely ignore the context. Here is the passage they are referencing. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all then were all dead; And that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again”.
Verse 17 of this same chapter states, “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things become new”.
The key phrases to note in these passages is v. 14 “they which live” implies not all will live. V. 17 “If any man be in Christ”. Implies not all men are “in” Christ. Their statement that all died on the cross with Christ implies universalism. In other words all are going to heaven. This universalism is supported with the very next point of their statement.
People have the choice to reject the goodness of God and the reality of their inclusion in Christ's death and resurrection. They can reject this work all the way into eternity. Nonetheless, we believe that God the Father is the great pursuer of His lost sheep. His mercy endures forever and He deeply desires that all come to the knowledge of His salvation and love.
Jesus is the Word made flesh. We put inestimable value upon the Written Word of God, as being fully inspired by the very Spirit of God to teach, lead, and instruct us towards Righteousness. The Bible is a lamp unto our feet, which points us towards Jesus, the Gospel, and our true identity in Christ. Without this understanding of the Written Word, we can fall into division, religious striving, and a guilt-based lens when we read it. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. We must approach the Scriptures through the Spirit and through an understanding of Christ's work on the cross. It is not the Father, Son, and Holy Book... The Holy Book is simply meant to feed us with revelation knowledge of who God is and who we are in Christ.
The Church are those who are "awakening" to the glory of Christ's work on the cross and our union with Him. They are those who have stepped into their true identity... The church celebrates this redemption regularly through the sacrament of communion and through worship. They also embody it through a life of deep fellowship, love, and generosity towards one another.
As we are awakened from the slumber of a religion and a false identity, we "arise" into the glory He intended us to carry through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit bears the personality (fruit) and abilities (gifts) of God in the lives of the saints. As we do this, we "advance" this message of reconciliation and hope wherever we go...causing others to awake and arise as well and thus beginning a cycle of life and restoration on the earth. We believe the Lord is returning in His resurrected physical body, but that He is returning to a beautiful Bride who is fully awake to the realities of the cross. We have great hope in the "end-times" despite any plans of darkness that have and continue to be set forth.
In summary, there is much more I could write but for the sake of time and space take note of the frequent reference to identity and false identity. Self identity is at the center of their "theology". This is a man centered, self centered focus. It is very humanistic and new age. Oprah would fully agree with this statement. There statement of faith is quite arrogant, completely ignoring the saints who have gone before and tread these same waters hammering out doctrinal issues. There is no call to repentance, no new birth, no dread of holy God. They appear to deny the literal 6 day creation and refer to creation as “exploding” into existence. The Bible says God spoke it into existence. They claim they put “inestimable” value upon the written Word of God but never quote it but once and that improperly. There statement of faith does not come from scripture but from themselves because they believe they are little gods. Finally, their perception of Adam's relation to God as being His mirror image is nothing short of damnable heresy. Adams sin was not a false image of himself but actual rebellion just as Lucifer had rebelled and attempted to make himself like God. These people have the mirror image of Lucifer, not God.
Isaiah 14:12-15 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
It is this very lie that Satan convinced Eve in the garden that the word of faith movement is teaching.
Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
The word of faith or “little god's” teaching claims that Jesus died to reveal that you are gods. There is only ONE God. This is reiterated over and over to the Hebrew children.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
The word “have” in Exodus 20:3 implies more than just possessing another god but even the mere existence or acknowledgment of other gods. Other ways in which this is translated could read, “in addition to me, equivalent to me and by the side of me”. Any way you look at this verse the “little god” teaching becomes relegated to the category of heresy.
God will save us and fill us with His Spirit but he will not share His glory with us;
Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another...”
II Tim. 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Just prior to this passage of scripture we find II Tim. 3:16-17. This often quoted passage whereby the authority of Gods word is affirmed. We find this passage sandwiched in between these passages addressing apostasy and heresy. Paul was affirming that every teaching, every faith statement, every belief system must come under the scrutiny of Gods word for “All scripture is give by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works”
Monday, February 9, 2015
Do Not be a Carcass
In the first part of this message, Carcasses for Christ, I highlighted that salvation is a relationship with God. We must avoid the doctrinal quagmire of obsession with the security or lack of security in the believer and lift our eyes to the cross wherein our salvation is secured. So what is it that keeps us unfocused on the cross?
Part 2 Don't be a Carcass
12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom swear he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12-19
How can we avoid becoming carcasses in the wilderness? Verse 13 tells us to Exhort one another daily lest our hearts become hardened.
1. Exhortation keeps us from a hardened heart.
We need fellow believers to stir us up and challenge us at the same time. There is a time to be challenged and a time to be comforted and exhortation in the church should provide both.
2. Exhortation can keep us from unbelief.
As believers we have an obligation to one another to encourage, comfort and chastise, if need be, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
3. Exhortation can keep us from the deceitfulness of sin.
Sin always lies. Sin always promises more than it can offer. Sin never touts its consequences. This careful exhortation within the modern church is rare indeed. It either is never present or presents itself in a judgmental Pharisaical form. Loving Christian exhortation and discipline can only come from those whose hearts are in tune with the voice of God, “Today if you will hear His voice....”.
Weaning from the milk of the word is not synonymous with weaning from meaningful fellowship with fellow believers. There is never a time in your Christian walk where you do not need exhortation from fellow believers. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” I Cor 10:12.
Where is the first century model of the church exhorting one another found today? The last great example of this was found in early Methodism from 1740 to circa 1860. While many previous church movements were built on doctrine such as Lutherans, Reformed and Presbyterians, Methodism was based upon this very principle of exhortation in a new testament fashion. The Wesley's understood this principle of exhortation.
Click on the podcast message to the right of this post for more.
Part 2 Don't be a Carcass
12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 18And to whom swear he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:12-19
How can we avoid becoming carcasses in the wilderness? Verse 13 tells us to Exhort one another daily lest our hearts become hardened.
1. Exhortation keeps us from a hardened heart.
We need fellow believers to stir us up and challenge us at the same time. There is a time to be challenged and a time to be comforted and exhortation in the church should provide both.
2. Exhortation can keep us from unbelief.
As believers we have an obligation to one another to encourage, comfort and chastise, if need be, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.
3. Exhortation can keep us from the deceitfulness of sin.
Sin always lies. Sin always promises more than it can offer. Sin never touts its consequences. This careful exhortation within the modern church is rare indeed. It either is never present or presents itself in a judgmental Pharisaical form. Loving Christian exhortation and discipline can only come from those whose hearts are in tune with the voice of God, “Today if you will hear His voice....”.
Weaning from the milk of the word is not synonymous with weaning from meaningful fellowship with fellow believers. There is never a time in your Christian walk where you do not need exhortation from fellow believers. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” I Cor 10:12.
Where is the first century model of the church exhorting one another found today? The last great example of this was found in early Methodism from 1740 to circa 1860. While many previous church movements were built on doctrine such as Lutherans, Reformed and Presbyterians, Methodism was based upon this very principle of exhortation in a new testament fashion. The Wesley's understood this principle of exhortation.
Click on the podcast message to the right of this post for more.
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