Give thanks for Caesar

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(I Timothy 2:1-2)

Now, these kings, these Caesars, were pretty unsavory types, cold-blooded killers, who make Obama, Trump or Hillary look virtuous in comparison, and yet God desired we should give thanks for these people, and pray they will not persecute God’s people. Give thanks for Obama and pray he will not cause too much trouble. Pray God’s will for the election, and leave it at that.

Bad company

Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.

(1 Corinthians 15:33)

Deal with the text

 

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
(Hebrews 6:4-6)

Every word of scripture is the inspired word of God. I hope you also believe this. Therefore, we only want to understand what the text says. In teaching, we are only expounding on the text. This sounds obvious, but it’s not so obvious to many. Now, in interpreting scripture, if anyone questions any text, as in the above text, they need to prove what it actually means. They can’t go off on a rabbit trail, as much as that would entertain their puffed up mind, the onus is on them to prove that it doesn’t mean what it says.

Let’s look at this text. Referring to people who “were once enlightened”, “tasted of the heavenly gift”, and were “partakers of the Holy Spirit”, “tasted the good word of God” and “the powers of the world to come” … Already this puts these people far ahead of many church goers today, who’ve never had any of what’s described here.

Now, if you interpret this to mean they were never saved, that they had the Holy Spirit indwelling them but they were never saved, then please intelligently explain from scripture how someone can have received the Holy Spirit and yet not be saved? Over to you. Please explain this new doctrine. Then, the rabbit trail begins. If you propose a new doctrine, and that’s what it is, you need to prove it from scripture.

So i say to them, no, you have to engage and discuss solely on what the scripture says. It says here it is impossible for those who have fallen away to come back. You say it is impossible for them to fall away.

Now, some have said that this refers to Jews, whom God supposedly treats differently to Gentiles. No, salvation is the same for Jew or Gentile, it makes no difference. If it refers to Jews who receive the Holy Spirit and fall away it makes no difference to the meaning of the text.

So, what i’m really addressing here is the PROCESS of making sense of scripture. There are rules for intelligent discussion. I can only deal with the text – with what the text actually says. There is only value in discussing what the text actually says.

 

As soon as one refuses to discuss the text it’s discussion over. We can’t have a meaningful discussion with anyone who avoids dealing with the text.

 

Can you have a fruitful discussion with one who purposely avoids dealing with the text? No.

Gold is worthless to a dying man

Gold is nothing but dust to a dying man.

~ Spurgeon

Carnal

In the NT, “carnal” means “fleshly”. The primary meaning of “fleshly” is not bad, sinful or evil, but simply “natural” : what fallen man does or thinks naturally or normally. Of course, this leads to sin, for man is a sinner by nature, so his natural tendencies, thoughts and leadings always gravitate toward sin.

Paul criticized some, saying, you are acting like “mere men” (1 Cor. 3:3). This implies that “only human” is not good enough for God. Doing what comes naturally is not good enough. Thinking and acting like normal people do does not cut it with God.

Now, if Paul said that many Christians then were carnal (1 Cor. 3) how much more so today?

On what basis were the Corinthians carnal or natural? They used worldly, natural wisdom. They began to “denominate” : create factions. Strife. Ambition. Carnal, says Paul. That’s what mere men, who don’t know God, do. God expects better from you. We are not called to a natural life, but to a supernatural life, not called to mere human love, but divine love. There has to be this supernatural element to everything for a Christian, otherwise they are merely natural or carnal, and this leads nowhere good.

The Holy Spirit is supernatural. He is not natural. He is God. He created nature, therefore He is supernatural. But we come across whole churches where nearly everything is on the natural level. People living merely by their own resources, by their own so-limited intellectual understanding. No revelation. No prophesying. No heavenly vision of Jesus. No life.

Condemn our own sin

Until we stand before God and truthfully and unambiguously condemn our own sin we will remain captives. If we defend our sin in any way, shape or form, by saying it is not sin, it retains its power over us.

 

You get guys who preach grace, grace, grace and yet are still held captive by the love of self and love of money.

In church, but not saved

I was preaching in a church recently, about 50 people, and only 6 or 7 raised their hand when i asked, who has eternal life?

Humility

Humility is one of those things, which, if we are conscious of it we don’t have it.

Then it’s settled

I spose you will no longer accuse me of disrespecting other religions now i’ve proved that you disrespect Jesus Christ?

Why the offense?

Why is Jesus’ claim to be the only way to God offensive to the majority? Think about it. Why? Why is everything else accepted, but this truth rejected? Why is everything else sweet, but this stir up so much hatred? It’s bcos He is the only One who will not allow you to be a hypocrite. With anything else you can be a hypocrite and be fine.

 

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.   (John 3:19-21)

And this is what i’m elaborating on. It’s the LIGHT which offends. It offends bcos it exposes the darkness. Jesus’ exclusive claim exposes man’s deepest motives and lays them bare. Why is it the “bad news” for many to hear that Jesus is the only way? Bcos this means their own way is wrong. It’s death to their selfish desires.

God can forgive

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us…

(Luke 11:4a)

Men can forgive other men’s sin against them. God can forgive man’s sin against Him.  Man can be forgiven by man, and he can be forgiven by God. Man can know God has forgiven Him, and this is the good news of Jesus Christ.

Talking to God

If we believe God hears every word we speak to Him then we will talk with Him a lot.

Flee the wrath to come

The Bible says to, Flee the wrath to come! Where to flee to? Where will you hide when His wrath comes? Do you have any place in mind? Any escape plan for Judgment Day? The Bible also says to flee to Jesus Christ for refuge from the wrath to come. Why flee to Him? Bcos HE is the wrath to come. He is the one coming in flaming fire to take vengeance on all who have not believed Him. The One who brings the wrath of God is the only refuge from the wrath of God.

The most terrifying thing a person will ever face is to face Jesus Christ as their Judge and not their Savior.

Expand…

Expand his heart and his mind, both in equal measure, amen.

Do you respect other religions?

Do you respect other religions? You answer me first, do you respect Jesus Christ?  Only by believing and obeying everything He said do we respect Him.  If you have no respect for Him, why are you concerned whether I respect other religions? By not believing what He said you make Him a fool or a liar, you have no respect for Him. You can’t falsify every historical recorded fact concerning what Jesus said, did and claimed to be and still claim to have respect for Him.

He wasn’t impressed

Reading the Gospels you get the impression that Jesus is VERY different to the average person in that He loved and treated everyone the same, and didn’t court the friendship of the rich, powerful or influential, nor sought their support or endorsement, though some of them believed Him, and He was quite at ease with the lowest strata of society, the scum of society, those who could offer Him nothing at all, and He counted such as His friends. Nothing of this world, proudly displayed in men, impressed Him. And He’s the same today.

Are you convinced?

The Bible says God is love. The Bible says God so loved this world He made that He gave His only begotten Son. You see God’s love in creation, that He made every good thing FOR US to enjoy, but you see it predominately in Him giving His Son on the Cross to redeem lost, rebellious souls BACK to Him. No, Jesus was not a victim, He was willing, He loved His Father so much, and loved us so much, He was willing to go to the Cross. Love that defies description, as it is immeasurable. Are you convinced that all this love is directed toward you and offered to you, personally?

It all makes sense

When we truly thank God for all His gracious provision then everything seems to fall into place and make sense.

Religious spirit

The putting on of appearances, acting out roles or role playing, trying to impress others, creating a spiritual mystique about yourself, showing something or trying to prove something about who you are – any air of self-glory or self-importance… all of these smell of the “religious spirit”.

Thing is it has become so normal that people feel uneasy if it’s not there.

When God opens a door

When God opens a door He assures you that you have everything you need to walk thru it.