A co-worker recently encouraged me with the following:
God delights in the earnest prayers of His people.
To which I responded in order to point him to Christ:
Thank God that Christ is the one of whom the Scripture says "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" [James 5:16] since He "knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" [1 Cor 5:21] because "all have sinned" [Rom 3:23] and "there is none righteous, no not one" [Rom 3:10].
I love the synergy of Scripture making available to us the wisdom of God.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Political Correctness - Healthcare, Taxes & the Gospel
"And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." - Luk 20:25
There was a time when I actually enjoyed discussing politics with friends, family and coworkers. I became a regular listener of conservative talk shows and the cable news programs. Debates were mostly fun because of the challenge of trying to convince the other person of the positions I shared with others and/or had personally taken.
In the recent years, God has shown me how to redirect political discussions not to the right nor to the left but rather to God. I've found that political discussions - whether with believers or unbelievers - produced no fruit and did not open doors for the Gospel but rather often closed them.
Christ was faced with the same dilemna when the chief priests had sent spies who pretented to be sincere [Luk 20:20-21]. Christ's wisdom was greater than men's wisdom because His purpose was greater than theirs. They purposed to trap Him so that they might deliver to the chief priests what they needed to accuse Him. However, Christ was purposed to give glory to His Father.
Christian, don't get caught up in the cares of this world and troubles of men that lead not to God but rather to man-centered solutions. That is all that politics is - men searching solutions in man rather than God. God has instituted it to govern our sinful souls to create order but has never been the means by which the Gospel is preached. Therefore, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God what is God's - the souls of men being saved through the preaching of His Word for His glory!
There was a time when I actually enjoyed discussing politics with friends, family and coworkers. I became a regular listener of conservative talk shows and the cable news programs. Debates were mostly fun because of the challenge of trying to convince the other person of the positions I shared with others and/or had personally taken.
In the recent years, God has shown me how to redirect political discussions not to the right nor to the left but rather to God. I've found that political discussions - whether with believers or unbelievers - produced no fruit and did not open doors for the Gospel but rather often closed them.
Christ was faced with the same dilemna when the chief priests had sent spies who pretented to be sincere [Luk 20:20-21]. Christ's wisdom was greater than men's wisdom because His purpose was greater than theirs. They purposed to trap Him so that they might deliver to the chief priests what they needed to accuse Him. However, Christ was purposed to give glory to His Father.
Christian, don't get caught up in the cares of this world and troubles of men that lead not to God but rather to man-centered solutions. That is all that politics is - men searching solutions in man rather than God. God has instituted it to govern our sinful souls to create order but has never been the means by which the Gospel is preached. Therefore, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God what is God's - the souls of men being saved through the preaching of His Word for His glory!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Father's Role - Planting The Seed
"And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also." - Gen 38:8-10
The father's primary role in these New Testament days has not changed from the days of the Old Testament. We have been and always will be called to proclaim Christ and God's salvation in Jesus as the Messiah (the Anointed One) for we know that there is "no other name under heaven by which a man may be saved".
In the days of the prophets before Jesus, they were called to preach the promises of the covenant of God to His people. However, that was not their only duty. They also, in faith looking forward to the Messiah, were partakers in the procreation and proliferation of the seed knowing that one day the seed would bruise the head of the serpent and defeat death which had entered through Adam's sin. [Gen 3:15]
Today, the seed is no longer the way in which the Messiah would come in the person of the Lord Jesus. However, our role fathers has not changed in principle. We are still to plant the seed, but that seed is now the planting of the Gospel into the hearts of our families. Let us do it in faith by the power of the Spirit rather than defiance and shame as Onan had done.
Happy Father's Day to my fellow brothers out there. Praise God for revealing to us our sin and His righteousness.
The father's primary role in these New Testament days has not changed from the days of the Old Testament. We have been and always will be called to proclaim Christ and God's salvation in Jesus as the Messiah (the Anointed One) for we know that there is "no other name under heaven by which a man may be saved".
In the days of the prophets before Jesus, they were called to preach the promises of the covenant of God to His people. However, that was not their only duty. They also, in faith looking forward to the Messiah, were partakers in the procreation and proliferation of the seed knowing that one day the seed would bruise the head of the serpent and defeat death which had entered through Adam's sin. [Gen 3:15]
Today, the seed is no longer the way in which the Messiah would come in the person of the Lord Jesus. However, our role fathers has not changed in principle. We are still to plant the seed, but that seed is now the planting of the Gospel into the hearts of our families. Let us do it in faith by the power of the Spirit rather than defiance and shame as Onan had done.
Happy Father's Day to my fellow brothers out there. Praise God for revealing to us our sin and His righteousness.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
My Daughter, The Apologist
Sitting with me as I was listening and critiquing a Mark Driscoll sermon, little Izabella (my 7-yr-old daughter) blessed me by displaying the fruit of our labors to teach her not merely to memorize scripture but rather to understand and apply them.
BELLA: Is he a false preacher or a good one?
PAPA: He's not preaching Christ in the message.
BELLA: Really? But isn't everything in the bible about Jesus because "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God"? That's John 1:1, right?
PAPA: Amen!
What a joy to see God answering our prayers in her bearing such fruit and producing the very thing we strive for in teaching her - an understanding of Christ through the scriptures.
Here is another dialog that Bella had with Leilani that I just found out about...
BELLA: Hey Mommy, you know what? Taylor really wanted to win this notebook today in class and so she kept saying, "Please God, if you let me get this, I'll do anything for you."
MOMMY: Oh did you think that was weird?
BELLA: Yeah, God doesn't need her to do anything for Him! Because the bible says, "I am the vine you are the branches, you can't do anything apart from Me."
Christian, if you have been blessed with children, let us not raise them to be intellectual, religious zealots but rather to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. May we raise up a new generation of evangelists in this dark world in need of the "light of the world" - our Lord Jesus.
BELLA: Is he a false preacher or a good one?
PAPA: He's not preaching Christ in the message.
BELLA: Really? But isn't everything in the bible about Jesus because "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God"? That's John 1:1, right?
PAPA: Amen!
What a joy to see God answering our prayers in her bearing such fruit and producing the very thing we strive for in teaching her - an understanding of Christ through the scriptures.
Here is another dialog that Bella had with Leilani that I just found out about...
BELLA: Hey Mommy, you know what? Taylor really wanted to win this notebook today in class and so she kept saying, "Please God, if you let me get this, I'll do anything for you."
MOMMY: Oh did you think that was weird?
BELLA: Yeah, God doesn't need her to do anything for Him! Because the bible says, "I am the vine you are the branches, you can't do anything apart from Me."
Christian, if you have been blessed with children, let us not raise them to be intellectual, religious zealots but rather to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. May we raise up a new generation of evangelists in this dark world in need of the "light of the world" - our Lord Jesus.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
122 Years Later...
The following is an excerpt from the "Sword and the Trowel" - Spurgeon's newsletter in the late 19th century. It's interesting that the very downgrade of the modern day evangelical church follows a very similar pattern from the church in England 122 years ago.
We are glad that the article upon "The Down Grade" has excited notice. It is not intended to be an attack on any one, but to be a warning to all. We are asked whether Methodists are upon "The Down Grade," and we are happy to reply that we do not think so. In our fellowship with Methodists of all grades we have found them firmly adhering to those great evangelical doctrines for which we contend. This, however, is no answer to the historical fact that Arminianism has been the route by which the older dissenters have traveled downward to Socinianism; neither is it a reply to the charge that not a few have in these days gone far beyond Evangelical Arminianism, and are on the road to Unitarianism, or something worse. We care far more for the central evangelical truths than we do for Calvinism as a system; but we believe that Calvinism has in it a conservative force which helps to hold men to the vital truth, and therefore we are sorry to see any quitting it who have once accepted it. Those who hold the eternal verities of salvation, and yet do not see all that we believe and embrace, are by no means the objects of our opposition. Our warfare is with men who are giving up the atoning sacrifice, denying the inspiration of Holy Scripture, and casting slurs upon justification by faith. The present struggle is not a debate upon the question of Calvinism or Arminianism, but of the truth of God versus the inventions of men. All who believe the gospel should unite against that "modern thought" which is its deadly enemy.
On all hands we hear cries for unity in this, and unity in that; but to our mind the main need of this age is not compromise, but conscientiousness. "First pure, then peaceable." It is easy to cry "a confederacy," but that union which is not based upon the truth of God is rather a conspiracy than a communion. Charity by all means; but honesty also. Love, of course, but love to God as well as love to men, and love of truth as well as love of union. It is exceedingly difficult in these times to preserve one's fidelity before God and one's fraternity among men. Should not the former be preferred to the latter if both cannot be maintained? We think so.
We are glad that the article upon "The Down Grade" has excited notice. It is not intended to be an attack on any one, but to be a warning to all. We are asked whether Methodists are upon "The Down Grade," and we are happy to reply that we do not think so. In our fellowship with Methodists of all grades we have found them firmly adhering to those great evangelical doctrines for which we contend. This, however, is no answer to the historical fact that Arminianism has been the route by which the older dissenters have traveled downward to Socinianism; neither is it a reply to the charge that not a few have in these days gone far beyond Evangelical Arminianism, and are on the road to Unitarianism, or something worse. We care far more for the central evangelical truths than we do for Calvinism as a system; but we believe that Calvinism has in it a conservative force which helps to hold men to the vital truth, and therefore we are sorry to see any quitting it who have once accepted it. Those who hold the eternal verities of salvation, and yet do not see all that we believe and embrace, are by no means the objects of our opposition. Our warfare is with men who are giving up the atoning sacrifice, denying the inspiration of Holy Scripture, and casting slurs upon justification by faith. The present struggle is not a debate upon the question of Calvinism or Arminianism, but of the truth of God versus the inventions of men. All who believe the gospel should unite against that "modern thought" which is its deadly enemy.
On all hands we hear cries for unity in this, and unity in that; but to our mind the main need of this age is not compromise, but conscientiousness. "First pure, then peaceable." It is easy to cry "a confederacy," but that union which is not based upon the truth of God is rather a conspiracy than a communion. Charity by all means; but honesty also. Love, of course, but love to God as well as love to men, and love of truth as well as love of union. It is exceedingly difficult in these times to preserve one's fidelity before God and one's fraternity among men. Should not the former be preferred to the latter if both cannot be maintained? We think so.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Piper's Response To Obama's Abortion Speech
Piper has a wonderful gift of being able to convey the Christian's passion in biblical manner.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What Topic Is Worth Debating?
I was recently turned on by a friend to a set of articles and blogs in Pulpit Magazine about Mark Driscoll and his use of "cutting language" and "crass humor". While the articles raise some thought-provoking concerns, I must ask the question: Does it really matter and is it worth debating?
For reference, here are the articles:
Grunge Christianity?
The Rape of Solomon's Song
Tim Challies has even gotten into the fray.
I pose to you the question that really matters: Is Mark Driscoll (or any other preacher who may have a radical style) preaching Christ and Him crucified?
Isn't that the question the really matters? If the answer to that question is a resounding "Yes!" then should not every preacher of the Word whose desire is to see His sheep called praise God for using simple men to glorify His Son? If the answer is "No!" then the men who are raising these questions are sounding the wrong alarm.
I have personally listened to a number of Mark Driscoll's messages and have yet to hear Christ exalted and man abased as the overarching theme of his messages and ministry. He praises men like Joel Osteen and Rick Warren - both of which are men who mislead the masses to a man-centered salvation by choice. It's not his style that bothers me but rather his substance. I hope that I'm totally wrong about Pastor Driscoll.
Christian, many of you are probably thinking the same thing I am when I see these debates that are not centered on the Gospel: "Does this debate really matter? It's just confusing me." When you are tossed to and fro with these debates and articles, don't waste your time trying to find what side you are on but rather redeem the time for Christ. Challenge yourself to ask the question, from where do I hear the Savior's voice? If you do that, you will mature in Christ and will find comfort amongst the troubled waters that these fruitless debates raise.
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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Eph4:14-16
For reference, here are the articles:
Grunge Christianity?
The Rape of Solomon's Song
Tim Challies has even gotten into the fray.
I pose to you the question that really matters: Is Mark Driscoll (or any other preacher who may have a radical style) preaching Christ and Him crucified?
Isn't that the question the really matters? If the answer to that question is a resounding "Yes!" then should not every preacher of the Word whose desire is to see His sheep called praise God for using simple men to glorify His Son? If the answer is "No!" then the men who are raising these questions are sounding the wrong alarm.
I have personally listened to a number of Mark Driscoll's messages and have yet to hear Christ exalted and man abased as the overarching theme of his messages and ministry. He praises men like Joel Osteen and Rick Warren - both of which are men who mislead the masses to a man-centered salvation by choice. It's not his style that bothers me but rather his substance. I hope that I'm totally wrong about Pastor Driscoll.
Christian, many of you are probably thinking the same thing I am when I see these debates that are not centered on the Gospel: "Does this debate really matter? It's just confusing me." When you are tossed to and fro with these debates and articles, don't waste your time trying to find what side you are on but rather redeem the time for Christ. Challenge yourself to ask the question, from where do I hear the Savior's voice? If you do that, you will mature in Christ and will find comfort amongst the troubled waters that these fruitless debates raise.
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; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Eph4:14-16
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Looking Back...
"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - 1Tim 4:18
Soon after the Lord, in His grace, showed me my utter sinfulness and need for Christ's atoning work, He blessed me with the protection and counsel of fellow believers who were also zealous in the faith. The early zeal was dampened by the reality of indwelling sin yet a new life was still birthed and growing. It was not long after that I began to ask the question, "If none of my friends were Christians, would I still be one?"
Not knowing that my security was entirely in the sovereign hand of God, I was fearful to lose the Christ that I had come to know. I was terrified that the preservation of my faith and newfound joy was tied to those around me. Showing His mercy, He allowed me to walk that lonely valley for 3 years. Looking back at those years, I learned a simple lesson...
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Phil 1:6
The Lord has proven that He will never leave nor forsake His children whom He has chosen in the Beloved.
Christian, depend on your Saviour's mercy, rejoice in His promises and look to His faithfulness. If you have been so blessed to see that nothing you have done, are doing and will do earns God's favor but that rather He is pleased in His own Son whom the Spirit has allowed you to see, then your security is Christ's steadfast love not in your strength of faith.
Soon after the Lord, in His grace, showed me my utter sinfulness and need for Christ's atoning work, He blessed me with the protection and counsel of fellow believers who were also zealous in the faith. The early zeal was dampened by the reality of indwelling sin yet a new life was still birthed and growing. It was not long after that I began to ask the question, "If none of my friends were Christians, would I still be one?"
Not knowing that my security was entirely in the sovereign hand of God, I was fearful to lose the Christ that I had come to know. I was terrified that the preservation of my faith and newfound joy was tied to those around me. Showing His mercy, He allowed me to walk that lonely valley for 3 years. Looking back at those years, I learned a simple lesson...
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Phil 1:6
The Lord has proven that He will never leave nor forsake His children whom He has chosen in the Beloved.
Christian, depend on your Saviour's mercy, rejoice in His promises and look to His faithfulness. If you have been so blessed to see that nothing you have done, are doing and will do earns God's favor but that rather He is pleased in His own Son whom the Spirit has allowed you to see, then your security is Christ's steadfast love not in your strength of faith.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Is Joel Osteen My "Christian Brother"? - Response
This is an update to a previous post.
I was hopeful to get a response from Pastor Driscoll telling me that I misunderstood him and that he does not really think that Joel Osteen is a true gospel preacher. Sadly, I did not get a response. I know that I'm insignificant and my email was way at the bottom of the list but I was hopeful nonetheless to get a response. I was hoping for a glimmer of hope that some of the new and upcoming preachers would stand firm on the gospel and would call out the wolves in sheep's clothing so as not to cloud the lines between truth and error.
I was also hopeful to hear a wonderful message from Pastor Driscoll at the Gospel Coalition Conference last week. I just listened to the message online and found my answer in another statement he made:
"I was talking to Rick Warren - I've said this before, some of you may have heard it - and he's an evangelical. So, I talk to him (back to my earlier point). And he was nice and he talked about Jesus. And he helped me. I appreciate that. And he said..." - Mark Driscoll's message on 2Tim 2:14-26 at about 46:07 into the message.
What was so disappointing about the message was not just the accolades given to Rick Warren (who does not preach God's sovereign grace but rather man's work), but that the work of Christ was not preached in the text.
"I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright" - Jer 8:6
I am deeply saddened for our generation because the wolves preaching the works of man disguised in a Christian message (i.e. Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, etc.) are now being lauded by today's popular preachers in our own circles. May God have mercy on us by not taking the lamp of truth away!
P.S. If you have never done so, I recommend downloading and listening to some Osteen and Warren messages. I challenge you to find Christ preached and Him crucified and man's work placed in the proper biblical context of God's total sovereignty and man's utter depravity.
I was hopeful to get a response from Pastor Driscoll telling me that I misunderstood him and that he does not really think that Joel Osteen is a true gospel preacher. Sadly, I did not get a response. I know that I'm insignificant and my email was way at the bottom of the list but I was hopeful nonetheless to get a response. I was hoping for a glimmer of hope that some of the new and upcoming preachers would stand firm on the gospel and would call out the wolves in sheep's clothing so as not to cloud the lines between truth and error.
I was also hopeful to hear a wonderful message from Pastor Driscoll at the Gospel Coalition Conference last week. I just listened to the message online and found my answer in another statement he made:
"I was talking to Rick Warren - I've said this before, some of you may have heard it - and he's an evangelical. So, I talk to him (back to my earlier point). And he was nice and he talked about Jesus. And he helped me. I appreciate that. And he said..." - Mark Driscoll's message on 2Tim 2:14-26 at about 46:07 into the message.
What was so disappointing about the message was not just the accolades given to Rick Warren (who does not preach God's sovereign grace but rather man's work), but that the work of Christ was not preached in the text.
"I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright" - Jer 8:6
I am deeply saddened for our generation because the wolves preaching the works of man disguised in a Christian message (i.e. Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, etc.) are now being lauded by today's popular preachers in our own circles. May God have mercy on us by not taking the lamp of truth away!
P.S. If you have never done so, I recommend downloading and listening to some Osteen and Warren messages. I challenge you to find Christ preached and Him crucified and man's work placed in the proper biblical context of God's total sovereignty and man's utter depravity.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Boldness That I Envy
Leilani and I just had lunch with a couple from church that we are getting to know. I asked them where in ministry do they wish to serve. Their response humbled me and was a challenge to evangelize more boldly.
They told us that they like to visit people in public and bring discussions to a biblical direction. A recent habit of theirs is to go to street fairs and visit the religious booths challenging them to consider the truths of Scripture as they pertain to their false teachings. Expectedly, they are faced with some animosity and anger but often times are overheard by many in the vicinity which are presented with the gospel message in the discussion.
Other times they go to weekly meetings of other churches and ask questions challenging the teacher where from the Scripture he gets a particular conclusion or statement from. They they try to turn the discussion to one that extols Christ and His work.
What boldness! I may not approach those situations the same way, but that's me and they are themselves used of God. We share a similar passion to make Christ known but applied in a slightly different method. Regardless, I found myself envious of their boldness at times. I praise God for granting such faith to members of the body so that we might all be fitted together for His glory and name's sake.
They told us that they like to visit people in public and bring discussions to a biblical direction. A recent habit of theirs is to go to street fairs and visit the religious booths challenging them to consider the truths of Scripture as they pertain to their false teachings. Expectedly, they are faced with some animosity and anger but often times are overheard by many in the vicinity which are presented with the gospel message in the discussion.
Other times they go to weekly meetings of other churches and ask questions challenging the teacher where from the Scripture he gets a particular conclusion or statement from. They they try to turn the discussion to one that extols Christ and His work.
What boldness! I may not approach those situations the same way, but that's me and they are themselves used of God. We share a similar passion to make Christ known but applied in a slightly different method. Regardless, I found myself envious of their boldness at times. I praise God for granting such faith to members of the body so that we might all be fitted together for His glory and name's sake.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Is Joel Osteen My "Christian Brother"?
Question: Is Joel Osteen my Christian brother?
I recently heard of an up-and-coming preacher by the name of Mark Driscoll. He spoke at the 2008 Desiring God conference and was praised by John Piper. I heard about him from a few brothers I respect. So, I had to check him out. The first video I downloaded had me floored and asking a very relevant question that needs to be asked by every true believer in order to discern the times.
PLEASE NOTE: This is the first I've heard Mark Driscoll. I hope to listen and learn more from his ministry and be blessed by it. What I am calling out in this blog entry is merely an issue that fits into the current series "Would God Save Through a Lie?" and worthy of bringing to question in my opinion.
According to Mark, he considers Joel Osteen "my Christian brother, I do believe that."
Oh my! Mark, Joel Osteen is NOT our Christian brother. It's not merely that he is soft on his doctrine. Joel Osteen doesn't even know the gospel. He is soft because he knows that it appeases the masses and draws large crowds so that he might profit from those whom he has deceived.
To prove my point, below is a transcript from his interview with Larry King:
*********************
CALLER: "... I'm wondering though why you sidestepped Larry's earlier question about how we get to Heaven. The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and the only way to the Father is through Him. That's not really a message of condemnation but of truth."
OSTEEN: Yeah, I would agree with her. I believe that.
LARRY: So then a Jew is not going to Heaven.
[SOME CROSSTALK]
OSTEEN: Here's my thing Larry. I can't judge somebody's heart, you know. I don't know. Only God can look at somebody's heart. So, I don't know. To me, it's not my business to say this one is and this one isn't. I'm just saying here is what the bible teaches. I want to put my faith in, uh, you know, in Christ. I think it's wrong when we go around saying "You're not going, you're not going, you're not going" cause it's not exactly my way.
LARRY: But if you believe your way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way with all my heart.
LARRY: But someone who doesn't share it is wrong.
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I look at it like that that. I would present my way but I'm just gonna let God be the judge of that. I don't know. I don't know.
LARRY: So you make no judgments on anyone.
OSTEEN: No. I just...
KING: What about atheists?
OSTEEN: You know what, I'm gonna let God be the judge of who goes to Heaven and Hell. I just again, I just present the truth. I say it every week. I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know, I'm not gonna go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's gonna be their choice. God's gotta look at your own heart. God's gotta look at your heart. Only God knows that.
KING: Do you believe there is a place called Heaven?
OSTEEN: I believe it.
*********************
The only statement that Joel Osteen made in that segment which was not a lie was "I don't know."
Question: Is Joel Osteen my Christian brother?
My Answer: If God has sovereignly appointed to save him from his deception and lies and makes him to see Christ for who He is, then yes. At this point, he has been nothing more than a false prophet teaching lies.
"You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Mat 12:34-37
I'm curious to know Mark Driscoll's response. I sent him an email (though I doubt it would make the cut of the thousands he receives daily). My hope is that he begins to see that the lies being taught in Osteen's pulpit and others like him (i.e. Rick Warren, TD Jakes and the like) are nothing more than profiteers. It would be a shame to see up-and-coming preachers make such a compromise.
CLICK HERE for the second part of this article
PLEASE NOTE: This is the first I've heard Mark Driscoll. I hope to listen and learn more from his ministry and be blessed by it. What I am calling out in this blog entry is merely an issue that fits into the current series "Would God Save Through a Lie?" and worthy of bringing to question in my opinion.
According to Mark, he considers Joel Osteen "my Christian brother, I do believe that."
Oh my! Mark, Joel Osteen is NOT our Christian brother. It's not merely that he is soft on his doctrine. Joel Osteen doesn't even know the gospel. He is soft because he knows that it appeases the masses and draws large crowds so that he might profit from those whom he has deceived.
To prove my point, below is a transcript from his interview with Larry King:
*********************
CALLER: "... I'm wondering though why you sidestepped Larry's earlier question about how we get to Heaven. The bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and the only way to the Father is through Him. That's not really a message of condemnation but of truth."
OSTEEN: Yeah, I would agree with her. I believe that.
LARRY: So then a Jew is not going to Heaven.
[SOME CROSSTALK]
OSTEEN: Here's my thing Larry. I can't judge somebody's heart, you know. I don't know. Only God can look at somebody's heart. So, I don't know. To me, it's not my business to say this one is and this one isn't. I'm just saying here is what the bible teaches. I want to put my faith in, uh, you know, in Christ. I think it's wrong when we go around saying "You're not going, you're not going, you're not going" cause it's not exactly my way.
LARRY: But if you believe your way.
OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way with all my heart.
LARRY: But someone who doesn't share it is wrong.
OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I look at it like that that. I would present my way but I'm just gonna let God be the judge of that. I don't know. I don't know.
LARRY: So you make no judgments on anyone.
OSTEEN: No. I just...
KING: What about atheists?
OSTEEN: You know what, I'm gonna let God be the judge of who goes to Heaven and Hell. I just again, I just present the truth. I say it every week. I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know, I'm not gonna go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's gonna be their choice. God's gotta look at your own heart. God's gotta look at your heart. Only God knows that.
KING: Do you believe there is a place called Heaven?
OSTEEN: I believe it.
*********************
The only statement that Joel Osteen made in that segment which was not a lie was "I don't know."
Question: Is Joel Osteen my Christian brother?
My Answer: If God has sovereignly appointed to save him from his deception and lies and makes him to see Christ for who He is, then yes. At this point, he has been nothing more than a false prophet teaching lies.
"You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Mat 12:34-37
I'm curious to know Mark Driscoll's response. I sent him an email (though I doubt it would make the cut of the thousands he receives daily). My hope is that he begins to see that the lies being taught in Osteen's pulpit and others like him (i.e. Rick Warren, TD Jakes and the like) are nothing more than profiteers. It would be a shame to see up-and-coming preachers make such a compromise.
CLICK HERE for the second part of this article
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Would God Save Through a Lie - Part II
Jump To:
Intro
Part I
Part II
Let me offer the next thought-provoking question in this series:
If a man merely reads the scriptures but never is given a man of God to share the gospel with him, could he come to a saving knowledge of Christ?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Rom 10:13-15
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." - Pro 14:12
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." - Pro 21:2
Philip was led by the Spirit to bring the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch which led to the following exchange:
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. - Act 8:30-31
In my search of the scriptures, I've found no examples where a man came to know his sins, the Lord's righteousness and judgment [Joh 16:8] without the Spirit working through a preacher. On the contrary, scripture teaches us that the revelation of Christ through the Spirit comes through His mouthpieces for that is what we are called to do. [1 Pet 2:9]
Some use Martin Luther's testimony or even personal testimonies to support the idea that a man can be saved by merely reading the Scriptures. I've read the stories and watched the documentaries also. However, do we dare nullify or compromise the clear teachings of the scriptures for the sake of making sense of an extra-biblical experience? Since "every way of a man is right in his own eyes", let us stand on scripture's infallible truth rather than man's experience or historical narratives. Besides, if I remember correctly, none of the biographers of Luther's life were apostles divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In Part III, I hope to provide some applications of these truths in what I hope and pray would spur believers to preach the gospel to the lost at every God-given opportunity.
Intro
Part I
Part II
Let me offer the next thought-provoking question in this series:
If a man merely reads the scriptures but never is given a man of God to share the gospel with him, could he come to a saving knowledge of Christ?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Rom 10:13-15
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." - Pro 14:12
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts." - Pro 21:2
Philip was led by the Spirit to bring the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch which led to the following exchange:
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. - Act 8:30-31
In my search of the scriptures, I've found no examples where a man came to know his sins, the Lord's righteousness and judgment [Joh 16:8] without the Spirit working through a preacher. On the contrary, scripture teaches us that the revelation of Christ through the Spirit comes through His mouthpieces for that is what we are called to do. [1 Pet 2:9]
Some use Martin Luther's testimony or even personal testimonies to support the idea that a man can be saved by merely reading the Scriptures. I've read the stories and watched the documentaries also. However, do we dare nullify or compromise the clear teachings of the scriptures for the sake of making sense of an extra-biblical experience? Since "every way of a man is right in his own eyes", let us stand on scripture's infallible truth rather than man's experience or historical narratives. Besides, if I remember correctly, none of the biographers of Luther's life were apostles divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In Part III, I hope to provide some applications of these truths in what I hope and pray would spur believers to preach the gospel to the lost at every God-given opportunity.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Would God Save Through a Lie? - Part I
Jump To:
Intro
Part I
Part II
Is Arminianism a false gospel? Consequently, is man's determinate will the decisive act in salvation?
That's a question I started asking about 6 years ago as a result of meeting other youth ministry leaders in the East Bay Area. Hearing them focus so much on getting the youth to make a choice to live for Christ, caused me to search the scriptures on this topic only to realize the undeniable, biblical truth that God is entirely sovereign over all things including (and especially) the will of man.
Rather than enumerate here what I learned through the years on this topic, I offer the following instead...
A few weeks ago, my wife found a message preached by Pastor John Piper on this very topic called How to Distinguish Between the Gospel and False Gospels. I've been blessed by it and I hope that you are too.
Pastor Piper has very clearly shown from the Scriptures that Arminianism (and any teaching that denies the complete sovereign work of God alone in salvation) is a false gospel.
I wondered what might have prompted Piper to speak on this topic. I remembered that in September of 2007, Pastor Piper was invited to be the sole preacher at a weekend conference in Sacramento hosted by a large and growing Ukrainian church (). During one of his messages, he touched on the biblical teaching of election. The church, being Armenian, apparently (secondhand knowledge) preached a "rebuttal" message the following Sunday after Pastor Piper had left. Coincidentally, the message above was preached just a few months later.
This is quickly becoming a battleground of truth for the Christian church and warrants careful thought and search of the scriptures.
I'm sure this is difficult for some who either themselves or have family members under this false teaching. I fall in that category as I have a sister who is in such a church.
Does it discourage me?
On the contrary! It makes me even more vigilant about finding opportunities to share with her and her family the truth of Christ in the Scriptures. May it also spur you on to do the same.
Intro
Part I
Part II
Is Arminianism a false gospel? Consequently, is man's determinate will the decisive act in salvation?
That's a question I started asking about 6 years ago as a result of meeting other youth ministry leaders in the East Bay Area. Hearing them focus so much on getting the youth to make a choice to live for Christ, caused me to search the scriptures on this topic only to realize the undeniable, biblical truth that God is entirely sovereign over all things including (and especially) the will of man.
Rather than enumerate here what I learned through the years on this topic, I offer the following instead...
A few weeks ago, my wife found a message preached by Pastor John Piper on this very topic called How to Distinguish Between the Gospel and False Gospels. I've been blessed by it and I hope that you are too.
Pastor Piper has very clearly shown from the Scriptures that Arminianism (and any teaching that denies the complete sovereign work of God alone in salvation) is a false gospel.
I wondered what might have prompted Piper to speak on this topic. I remembered that in September of 2007, Pastor Piper was invited to be the sole preacher at a weekend conference in Sacramento hosted by a large and growing Ukrainian church (). During one of his messages, he touched on the biblical teaching of election. The church, being Armenian, apparently (secondhand knowledge) preached a "rebuttal" message the following Sunday after Pastor Piper had left. Coincidentally, the message above was preached just a few months later.
This is quickly becoming a battleground of truth for the Christian church and warrants careful thought and search of the scriptures.
I'm sure this is difficult for some who either themselves or have family members under this false teaching. I fall in that category as I have a sister who is in such a church.
Does it discourage me?
On the contrary! It makes me even more vigilant about finding opportunities to share with her and her family the truth of Christ in the Scriptures. May it also spur you on to do the same.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Would God Save Through a Lie? - Intro
Jump To:
Intro
Part I
Part II
Many recent discussions with close friends, trusted mentors and fellow believers have led to asking some very important questions that I've personally wrestled with for about six years. These events have sharpened me to again search the scriptures to "see if these things were so" as the Bereans did. The next few articles will try to address these questions/issues. Some of the answers may be difficult to accept but I hope and pray that you consider the clear teachings from the scriptures on these topics.
Below are the questions I'll raise in this series:
When a preacher teaches that a man is saved by their choice (Freewill, Arminianism, etc.) plus God's grace, is he preaching a false gospel?
Consequently, could a man be saved through such a preaching?
If a man merely reads the scriptures but never is given a man of God to share the gospel with him, could he come to a saving knowledge of Christ?
These are serious questions because their application runs deep and can lead to some very personal questions such as those below:
If I pray for my [insert closest family member here] who is steeped in Catholicism but never share the gospel with her, would God work to save her?
What if I give my [insert closest family member here] a bible, then pray? Would God work through that?
My sister goes to an Arminian church. They preach Christ there. I've been there. Wouldn't God save through that preaching?
These are uncomfortable questions to wrestle with but the Spirit has graciously given us answers in the Scriptures. I pray that the Spirit would lead us to only the truth as it is in Christ.
Intro
Part I
Part II
Many recent discussions with close friends, trusted mentors and fellow believers have led to asking some very important questions that I've personally wrestled with for about six years. These events have sharpened me to again search the scriptures to "see if these things were so" as the Bereans did. The next few articles will try to address these questions/issues. Some of the answers may be difficult to accept but I hope and pray that you consider the clear teachings from the scriptures on these topics.
Below are the questions I'll raise in this series:
When a preacher teaches that a man is saved by their choice (Freewill, Arminianism, etc.) plus God's grace, is he preaching a false gospel?
Consequently, could a man be saved through such a preaching?
If a man merely reads the scriptures but never is given a man of God to share the gospel with him, could he come to a saving knowledge of Christ?
These are serious questions because their application runs deep and can lead to some very personal questions such as those below:
If I pray for my [insert closest family member here] who is steeped in Catholicism but never share the gospel with her, would God work to save her?
What if I give my [insert closest family member here] a bible, then pray? Would God work through that?
My sister goes to an Arminian church. They preach Christ there. I've been there. Wouldn't God save through that preaching?
These are uncomfortable questions to wrestle with but the Spirit has graciously given us answers in the Scriptures. I pray that the Spirit would lead us to only the truth as it is in Christ.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I Like Mellow Yellow
"Lord, ...we ask you to help us work for that day.. when yellow will be mellow..."
The phrase above is from Reverend Lowry's so-called prayer at the Presidential Inauguration last night. A transcript is available here.
There's already a lot of chatter on this in the blogsphere. Many Asians are angry, some are indifferent while others don't care. Frankly, I think we (Asians and Pacific Islanders) are up in arms about a relatively insignificant phrase. Lowry's attempt at trying to be funny was only overshadowed by his poor attempt at leading a nation in prayer.
If this topic comes up at work or with friends, how should a Christian respond? Here is one simple suggestion (I'm sure some have a better one):
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16
That "righteous man" is Christ. Without Christ, a man's prayers accomplishes nothing except to incite the flesh to cry out "Amen!" which is exactly what Lowry accomplished.
Now, think about what type of discussion that leads to with neighbors, co-workers and friends. I'm sure that would be better than discussing whether Yellow needs to be Mellow or not. :)
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." - Col 4:6
The phrase above is from Reverend Lowry's so-called prayer at the Presidential Inauguration last night. A transcript is available here.
There's already a lot of chatter on this in the blogsphere. Many Asians are angry, some are indifferent while others don't care. Frankly, I think we (Asians and Pacific Islanders) are up in arms about a relatively insignificant phrase. Lowry's attempt at trying to be funny was only overshadowed by his poor attempt at leading a nation in prayer.
If this topic comes up at work or with friends, how should a Christian respond? Here is one simple suggestion (I'm sure some have a better one):
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16
That "righteous man" is Christ. Without Christ, a man's prayers accomplishes nothing except to incite the flesh to cry out "Amen!" which is exactly what Lowry accomplished.
Now, think about what type of discussion that leads to with neighbors, co-workers and friends. I'm sure that would be better than discussing whether Yellow needs to be Mellow or not. :)
"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." - Col 4:6
Monday, January 12, 2009
My Testimony: HIM not me! - Part III
What should be a Christian's testimony?
In Part I, I introduced the question, "What is my testimony?" In Part II, we quickly looked at the biblical testimony. In this final part, I hope to help believers understand what a Christ-exalting testimony is.
In Part I, I introduced the question, "What is my testimony?" In Part II, we quickly looked at the biblical testimony. In this final part, I hope to help believers understand what a Christ-exalting testimony is.
I'm going to make this very short while hopefully maintaining relevance and spurring you on to honor Christ. Read the Word of the Lord in the account of the Samaritan woman:
Joh 4:39-42
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
You know the story of the Samarita woman (Joh 4:5-29). When the Samaritan woman gave her testimony, she did not recall her past life nor wonder at the new life ahead of her. She did not call the hearers to understand her sordid past. She did not make the hearers to marvel at her renewed outlook on life, her newfound joy and peace nor her hope of a better future. She merely told the hearers of her testimony, "He told me all that I ever did."
What was her testimony to the hearers? I submit to you that her testimony was this: I am a sinner, a great sinner - lost and dead. He made me to see my sins. Greater yet, He made me to see Him and now I rejoice because the Messiah has found me and saved me from my sins!
Christian, the height of your testimony is not your pursuit of holiness and achievement of a less sinful life. Nor is it your current state of happiness and peace as compared to your past. It is not merely that you once were a drunkard and now you are not. When your testimony amounts to your works and experiences, you place onto yourself a yolk of righteousness that you cannot bear. When your testimony is limited to the changes in your life, you place blinders on the ears of your hearers so that they only see you and not the God-honoring testimony.
Your testimony is not what you have done, are doing or will do. Your testimony is that He showed you your sinfulness and need for a Savior and that you have obtained mercy. The person and the work of Jesus (the gospel) is your testimony.
When you understand that, you will then see that "blowing your testimony" is not about sinning in front of others. We all do that all day long. Blowing your testimony happens when you don't blow the bugle of the gospel as an evangel to proclaim the excellencies of Him who brought us (wicked, rebellious sinners then, now and tomorrow) out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Our testimony is not us, it is Jesus!
My Testimony: HIM not me! - Part II
What is a biblical testimony?
In Part I of this article, I asked the question: What is my testimony? The question was born from the consideration of how often Christians use the term to describe their actions in life. In this second part of this three-part article, I will attempt to summarize the biblical definitions and uses of the word "testimony".
Before I proceed, I want to point out that I am not a seminary graduate nor have I taken any Greek or Hebrew courses. Like most of you, I am a layman trusting in the Spirit's work, counsel of wise men and the Scripture's efficacy for all things pertaining to life and godliness. I long to understand the Scriptures so as to reveal Jesus in His glory while setting men aside in the sidelines as auditors.
The word "testimony" is used by the KJV translators 44 times in the Old Testament and 32 times in the New. In total, there are 6 distinct words or forms of a word translated as "testimony". All words speak of either bearing a record (as in a witness of an act) or giving a report. In some uses, the word represents the actual report or evidence given. The Hebrew and Greek words translated often as "testimony" is also translated as "testimonies", "witness" and "testify/ied".
Other than Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees (as in Mat. 23:31) as party to those that "kill the prophets", none of the uses refer to the act of the speaker nor of his past accomplishments or failures when the testimony is that of a man. Only when the Scriptures refer to the testimony of God (as in Psa. 19:7, ) does the testifier speak of Himself or of His acts.
Why then has the contemporary use become so man-centered and how do we return to a biblical and Christ-honoring testimony? See Part III...
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Back At It...
I've taken a long break to do some major remodeling of unused rooms around the house to prepare for what we hope to be an interesting and blessed 2009. More on that later...
I will be publishing the completion of the "My Testimony: Him not Me!" article this weekend as well as posting some that I've drafted but have not been able to complete. I hope you find them beneficial to your soul.
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